A word from Lou Sanson
The 50th anniversary of Scott Base marked a magnificent period in the history of New Zealand’s activity in Antarctica, as we relived the adventure and trials and tribulations of the many hardy souls who have carved out our place in this icy location.

Sir Edmund Hillary’s leadership in 1957 set a high standard of endeavour and marked the beginning of the development of a solid science support programme. His overland trip to the South Pole, backing the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, was a daring and innovative journey that has been cemented into our collective memory.

The New Zealand Antarctic programme’s support of science has continued over the past five decades. It has involved deep field events, supported by huskies, over-snow vehicles, helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, and ships, not to mention the many magnificent personnel who have worked and wintered at Scott Base.

The tens of thousands of science days on and around Ross Island and the Ross Sea Region have opened up knowledge of the continent, as have the artists, educators, media and other visitors to our home on Ross Island over the years that have

become ambassadors for the environmental protection and preservation of Antarctica.

Of course none of this would have been possible without the international collaboration and support of our strategic partners – the United States and Italy – nor the significant contribution from our own New Zealand Defence Force. I would also like to acknowledge the many other strategic partners we work so closely with on a daily basis. They have been and remain integral to our history and our on-going delivery to this day.

As the celebrations of the 50th anniversary become fond memories, this website will remain to showcase some of the historical record of New Zealand’s involvement in Antarctica over its first 50 years.

Lou Sanson, Chief Executive, Antarctica New Zealand