Sir Graeme Dingle in Northwest Passage, Canada at -40°, 1993.
New Zealand explorer, adventurer, author and co-founder of the Foundation, Sir Graeme Dingle KNZM, MBE has been awarded the Order of Magellan, the highest honour bestowed by the historic Circumnavigators Club in the United States.
The award, named after the legendary Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, recognises individuals who have circumnavigated the globe and whose lifetime achievements have advanced science, exploration, the environment, or global understanding.
Sir Graeme joins an illustrious list of recipients that includes astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl, and his long-time friend and mentor Sir Edmund Hillary.
Sir Graeme Dingle and David Mink, President of the Circumvavigators Club.
A Lifetime of Exploration and Impact
From his early years in Gisborne to adventures spanning the highest peaks and most remote corners of the planet, Sir Graeme’s life has been defined by curiosity, courage, and compassion.
His extraordinary achievements include:
· Numerous first ascents in the Andes, Himalaya, Antarctica and Aotearoa New Zealand.
· The first ascent in a single season of all six classic European north faces, including the Eiger and Matterhorn.
· The first winter traverse of New Zealand’s Southern Alps (100 days).
· The first traverse of the Himalaya from Kanchenjunga to K2 a 5,000 km journey completed in 265 days.
· A 28,000 km circumnavigation of the Arctic Circle across two stages.
But it’s his contribution beyond exploration that truly defines his legacy.
In 1995, Sir Graeme and his wife Jo-anne Wilkinson, Lady Dingle CNZM co-founded the Graeme Dingle Foundation, which today delivers transformative youth development programmes through initiatives like Kiwi Can, Project K and Career Navigator, the Foundation helps tamariki and rangatahi build resilience, confidence, and a sense of purpose.
A Moment of Reflection
At the formal ceremony in Florida, USA attended by international adventurers, Circumnavigators Club members, and supporters of outdoor pursuits, Sir Graeme shared stories from his lifetime of exploration from working with Bill Hall of Hallmark and Woolrest, to founding the Outdoor Pursuits Centre (now Hillary Outdoors), and his enduring friendship with Sir Edmund Hillary.
Reflecting on the honour, he said:
“To be recognised alongside some of the world’s most remarkable explorers is deeply humbling. Adventure has always been my way of understanding the world, but my greatest satisfaction has come from helping young people discover their own sense of adventure and possibility.”
Sir Graeme Dingle and Lesley Webster.
A Legacy of Belief and Adventure
Sir Graeme’s recognition with the Order of Magellan underscores a lifetime of restless curiosity, determination, and belief in the power of adventure to change lives.
From the mountain peaks of the Himalaya to the classrooms of Aotearoa, his message remains the same: challenge builds character and adventure builds strength.
The Graeme Dingle Foundation is proud to continue that mission every day, helping young New Zealanders face life’s mountains with courage, optimism, and hope.
Congratulations, Sir Graeme, a truly extraordinary honour, and a life that continues to inspire. Donate today and help us empower the next generation of New Zealanders.
For further reading, the New Zealand Herald has published an article covering this story. You can find it here.
Sir Graeme Dingle photographed in Florida.