Please note that some of the links in this news archive will no longer be active.

29 August 2008

ANTARCTIC SCIENCE BIBLIOGRAPHY UPDATED

The Antarctic bibliography database has recently been updated.  The bibliography contains citations for all research supported logistically by Antarctica New Zealand.  The latest update includes 80 papers published in 2007 and 37 for the current year and has nearly 4000 records in total. 

21 August 2008

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND SCIENCE UPDATE NO. 34

This month's Science update contains information on the NZ Antarctic science strategy, an NSF proposal for Ross Sea marine research collaboration and the usual updates and dates for forthcoming conferences, scholarship and award applications. It also invites comment and feedback on a draft SCAR report on Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment. Download Updates here.

20 August 2008

THE SUN RETURNS

Today the whole of the sun will be visible for the first time in more than 4 months at the Arrival Heights Research Laboratory, near Scott Base.  To celebrate its return the Arrival Heights webcam has been re-activated.  The light has gradually increased over the past 2 weeks and the 16 winter staff are looking forward to its complete return.

13 August 2008

HARGREAVES PEAK AND MT PETERSON

Two new place names have been designated to honour the exceptional leadership and work of Paul Hargreaves, retiring Board Chair, and Dr Dean Peterson who has been Manager, Science and Information for the past 10 years.  The highest peak on Adare Peninsula, Hargreaves Peak rises to approximately 2083m.  The feature stands sharply above the Downshire Cliffs to the east, and its western slopes gently descend toward Nameless Glacier, which flows into Protection Cove.  Mount Peterson rises to approximately 1910m on the northern summit of Daniell Peninsula.  The feature is flanked by Whitehall Glacier to the west, Tucker Inlet and Tucker Glacier to the north, and the Ross Sea at the east.  For more information read the Press release.

28 July 2008

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND SCIENCE UPDATE NO. 33

This month's Science update is a bumper edition, containing updates on recent conferences attended, travel grants available, and information on the financial constraints faced by the US National Science Foundation amongst other news items.  It also includes more than 30 new research papers added to the Antarctic Bibliography.   Download updates here.

17 July 2008

SEARCH AND RESCUE MANUAL PRESENTED AT COMNAP MEETING

The 2008 Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) meeting was held in St Petersburg, Russia from 29 June-4 July and was attended by CEO, Lou Sanson, Managers Antarctic Programme, and Support, Erik Barnes and Iain Miller.  During the meeting a presentation on the new Search and Rescue (SAR) Training Manual and Modular Training Package was given by Erik Barnes.  The Manual and Training Package was developed jointly by Antarctica NZ, the Australian Antarctic Division and the US Antarctic Program.  It has increased the three Programmes' capability to respond safely to both search, and rescue incidents in Antarctica.  The use of the Manual and future development by other national Antarctic Programmes, provides the opportunity to further increase capability, knowledge sharing, and ultimately will help save lives.

The Modular Training Package increases the operational readiness of search and rescue teams, and helps manage the seasonal turnover of staff, retention of institutional knowledge, promotion of international 'best practice' in search and rescue techniques, and develops the ability to easily integrate techniques with other national Programmes. This project has proved a valuable asset to national Antarctic Programme managers to meet these wide-ranging issues, while providing a volume of information that can be further developed, refined for specific use, and adapted to various environments. Ultimately, any programme will be able to initiate an incident management response, confident in the knowledge that personnel are fully capable of responding in a safe and reliable fashion, in any Antarctic environment, with a common understanding of search and rescue principles among participating national Antarctic Programmes. For more information contact Antarctic Programme Manager, Erik Barnes.

3 July 2008

STATEMENT OF INTENT 2008-2011

Antarctica New Zealand has published its Statement of Intent 2008-2011, which sets out its activities over the next 3 years.

23 June 2008

ICESHEET JUNE 2008

The latest issue of Icesheet has now been published.  Along with other interesting information, it includes an update on the wind power project, this year's invited artists and introduces new staff at Antarctica New Zealand.

17 June 2008

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND SCIENCE UPDATE NO. 32

The latest science update carries a note from Lou Sanson, acknowledging the impact that Dean Peterson has had during his 10 years with Antarctica New Zealand.  It also contains information on the Science Review and its link to the Statement of Intent, as well as a reminder about the forthcoming conference.  Updates can be downloaded here.

6 June 2008

REGISTRATION STILL OPEN FOR THE 2008 ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE

Registration is still open for the 2008 Antarctica New Zealand Conference, but closes on 13 June. This conference hosted by the University of Otago's Polar Environments Research Theme will run from 30 June to 2 July 2008 and will include talks and posters from groups supported by Antarctica New Zealand or others who have undertaken Antarctic-related work. More information on the conference can be found here.

30 May 2008

ANTARCTIC TREATY MEETINGS

The 31st Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 11th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) to the Antarctic Treaty begin in Kiev, Ukraine, on 2 June and run until 13 June 2008. For the second year, Dr Neil Gilbert, Manager Environment at Antarctica New Zealand will be chairing the CEP.  New Zealand has submitted 15 papers to the ATCM on subjects ranging from environmental monitoring and protected areas to non-native species and environmental domains.  Lou Sanson, CEO and Miranda Huston, Environmental Advisor are delegates to the ATCM and CEP respectively, along with representation from the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Gateway Antarctica.

20 May 2008

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND SCIENCE UPDATE NO. 31

The latest science update notes that Dean is moving to take up a new position, and also has a reminder about the forthcoming conference. Download updates here.  

14 May 2008

INVITED ARTISTS ANNOUNCED

New Zealand artists, author Lloyd Jones and photographer Boyd Webb, are the two recipients of the 2008/09 Antarctica New Zealand Invited Artists residency programme. Wellington-based Jones and London-based Boyd Webb will travel to Scott Base, Antarctica in December of this year to take part in the programme, which targets prominent New Zealand artists. For more information read the press release.

1 May 2008

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR 2008 ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE

Early Bird registration for the 2008 Antarctica New Zealand Conference is now open. This conference hosted by the University of Otago's Polar Environments Research Theme will run from 30 June to 2 July 2008 and will include talks and posters from groups supported by Antarctica New Zealand or others who have undertaken Antarctic-related work. More information on the conference can be found here.