UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS

28.08.2009

The University of Canterbury is offering 6 Antarctic-related summer scholarships. Topics covered are: Climate history in Antarctic snow-analysis of ice radar data from Ross Island; Flow speed of ice streams and glacier tongues in the western Ross Sea region; The cumulative impacts of Antarctic site visitation; Flow features of the Darwin-Hatherton glacial system, Antarctica; Neutrino astrophysics using the IceCube detector at the South Pole - improved modelling of the ice properties; and The Politics of Antarctica. Each scholarship is worth $5000 and applications close on 18 September.

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND SCIENCE UPDATE NO. 46

24.08.2009

The latest Science update notes that the FRST portal is now open for proposal development and submissions (until 2 October) and, amongst other news items, there is information about six Antarctic-related projects offered as part of the University of Canterbury Scholarship Scheme. Download 2009 science updates here.

SPRING SIGNALS THE START OF FLIGHTS TO THE ICE

19.08.2009

The arrival of spring heralds the start of flights to Antarctica this week, following four months of total darkness and six months of isolation for New Zealand's winter-over team on the Ice. The initial flight of this year's annual programme, known as WINFLY, departs from Christchurch on Thursday. For more information read the press release .

ENVIRO-MARK NZ GOLD STANDARD ACCREDITATION

31.07.2009

Antarctica New Zealand has been successfully re-accredited for the Gold Standard of Enviro-Mark NZ through an external audit. Both its Orchard Road operations and management of its Scott Base activities were considered for the audit.

Enviro-Mark NZ is an environmental management system marketed and supported throughout New Zealand by Landcare Research. It provides a step-by-step process to enhance business performance in a number of areas including: achieving health, safety, and environmental legal compliance, reducing environmental risk, increasing resource use efficiency (water, waste, energy, and raw materials) and improving status with stakeholders by demonstrating environmental commitment.

Enviro-Mark was developed in the United Kingdom to provide an Environmental Management System (EMS) accessible to all organisations. In 2001 Landcare Research, a Crown Research Institute, secured the New Zealand licence for Enviro-Mark and it has been adapted for use in this country and registered as Enviro-Mark NZ. Enviro-Mark NZ provides businesses with a framework to systematically assess their performance against agreed standards. Businesses using Enviro-Mark NZ are: reducing energy consumption; reducing waste to landfill; reducing potential legal compliance risks and raising staff awareness.

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND SCIENCE UPDATE NO. 45

28.07.2009

The latest Science update contains information on Antarctica NZ's contribution to the University of Canterbury's Antarctic Research Endowment Fund as well as the good news of the 850 metadata records compiled and reported to the Antarctic Master Directory. It also notes that the FRST portal for submitting proposals for Antarctic research will be opened at the end of July, and contains other items of interest to the Antarctic community.  Download 2009 science updates here .

ANTARCTIC ART UPDATE

28.07.2009

Several Antarctic Arts Fellows are currently holding exhibitions. Clare Plug's Look South textiles continue at the Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery in Napier until 1 November. Meanwhile Antarctica, an exhibition of photographs by Joyce Campbell, Anne Noble and Connie Samaras opened at the Tauranga Art Gallery on 25 July until 11 October, and Kathryn Madill's No Man's Land, which includes some wonderful new Antarctic paintings opened at the Gallery at Woollaston, Nelson on 13 July and will be on show until 20 August. Finally a major showing of Ronnie van Hout's work, Who Goes There, running until 18 October at the Christchurch Art Gallery, includes the first fruit of his Antarctic trip in 2007.

THREE-DAY EVENT CELEBRATES NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC RESEARCH

28.06.2009

The University of Auckland is proud to host this year's Antarctic conference, 1 - 3 July 2009. As well as presentations covering the latest scientific findings from Antarctica, there will be other Antarctic-associated events held during the conference.  These will include the announcement of the winner of the Sir Peter Blake Trust award and also the recipients of five post-graduate research scholarships. For more information read the Press release here.

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND SCIENCE UPDATE NO. 44

17.06.2009

The latest Science update is now available. It updates information on the science strategy and the science bidding round and request for proposals information, as well as reminders and links to various newsletters and information of interest to the Antarctic community. Download 2009 Science Updates here.

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND ANNOUNCES INVITED ARTISTS

10.06.2009

New Zealand writer Owen Marshall and painter Peter James Smith, are the two recipients of the 2009/10 Antarctica New Zealand Arts Fellowships. Timaru-based Marshall and Melbourne-based Smith will travel to Scott Base, Antarctica in January next year to take part in the programme, which targets prominent New Zealand artists. For more information download the Press release here.

STATEMENT OF INTENT 2009-2012

09.06.2009

Antarctica New Zealand has published its Statement of Intent 2009-2012, which sets out its projected activities for the next 3 years. The document can be downloaded here.

NEW COMNAP SECRETARY

28.05.2009

The international secretariat of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) will be based at Gateway Antarctica at the University of Canterbury for the next six years. Michelle Rogan-Finnemore, Gateway Antarctica's centre manager, has been appointed to the position of COMNAP Executive Secretary. Lou Sanson, CEO of Antarctica New Zealand, says the New Zealand Antarctic community is delighted: "This reinforces the international quality of the case that Christchurch City and the University of Canterbury put forward to the selection committee. The appointment will see the 29 Antarctic Treaty countries funding the office and secretariat in Christchurch. There is also potential for further Antarctic meetings to be held in the city. This honour reinforces Christchurch as a key gateway city to Antarctica." You can read the full press release here.

A FRAME HUT FIRE IN ANTARCTICA

25.05.2009

The iconic A Frame Hut near Scott Base, Antarctica burnt down on Saturday evening. A routine inspection and change over of diesel fuel tanks, which supplied the heating to the hut, was being completed by Scott Base Staff. Upon re-ignition of the heater the priming fuel flashed over and set fire to the hut. For more information read the press release.

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND SCIENCE UPDATE NO. 43

21.05.2009

The latest Science update is now available. It updates information on the science bidding round and the proposed marine science cruise, as well as reminders and links to various newsletters and information of interest to the Antarctic community. Download 2009 Science updates here.

ANTARCTIC YOUTH AMBASSADOR

14.05.2009

Applications are now being invited for this year's Antarctic Youth Ambassador. The successful applicant will travel to Antarctica in the 2009/10 season and participate in Antarctica New Zealand's environmental work. More information about becoming the 2009 Antarctic Youth Ambassador and an application form can be found on the Sir Peter Blake Trust website.  Applications close on 10 June.

LOOK SOUTH: CLARE PLUG

07.05.2009

The first major exhibition of work by Antarctic Arts Fellow Clare Plug from her trip to Antarctica in 2006 is now on at the Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibition comprises 30 textiles and banners, Clare's response to her Antarctic experience. It runs until 1 November after which it will tour to other venues.