The NZSA Constitution (Clause 3b) writes:
Honorary Life Members: Honorary Life Members are ordinary members of the Association who have been nominated by the Executive Committee and elected by a majority vote at a General Meeting of the Association on the basis of a long and distinguished record of service to the Association. They have all the rights of an ordinary member.
Life Members of the NZSA are:
| Year | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 2013 | Judi McWhirter | |
| 2010 | Mike Camden | |
| 2010 | Len Cook | |
| 2010 | Mike Doherty | |
| 2009 | Robert Davies | |
| 2008 | Sharleen Forbes | |
| 2006 | Jean Thompson | |
| 2006 | Jeffrey Hunter | |
| 2005 | John Darwin | |
| 2005 | Steve Kuzmicich | |
| 2003 | David Vere-Jones | |
| 2003 | George Seber | |
| 2003 | Alastair Scott | |
| 1984 | Geoff Jowett | |
| 1983 | J.T. Campbell | |
| 1981 | Stan Roberts |