The NZSA Constitution (Clause 2.2.2) writes:
A Life Member is a person honoured for highly valued services to the Society elected as a Life Member by resolution of a General Meeting passed by a simple majority of those Financial Members present and voting. A Life Member shall have all the rights and privileges of a Member and shall be subject to all the same duties as a Member except those of paying subscriptions and levies.
Life Members of the NZSA are:
| Year | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Martin Hazelton |  |
| 2017 | Richard Penny | |
| 2015 | Chris Wild | |
| 2014 | David Scott |  |
| 2014 | Jennifer Brown | |
| 2014 | Neil Cox | |
| 2014 | Stephen Haslett |  |
| 2013 | Harold Henderson | |
| 2013 | Peter Johnstone | |
| 2013 | Murray Jorgensen | Died 7 February 2024 |
| 2013 | Judi McWhirter | |
| 2010 | Mike Camden | |
| 2010 | Len Cook | |
| 2010 | Mike Doherty | Died 30 May 2024 |
| 2009 | Robert Davies | |
| 2008 | Sharleen Forbes | |
| 2006 | Jean Thompson | |
| 2006 | Jeffrey Hunter | |
| 2005 | John Darwin | Died 29 Oct 2008 |
| 2005 | Steve Kuzmicich | Died 14 June 2018 |
| 2003 | David Vere-Jones | Died 31 Oct 2024 |
| 2003 | George Seber | |
| 2003 | Alastair Scott | Died 25 May 2017 |
| 1984 | Geoff Jowett | Died 18 Dec 2015 |
| 1983 | J.T. Campbell | Died 1 July 1994 |
| 1981 | Stan Roberts | Died 9 Feb 2000 |