There are a number of procedures that must be completed prior to your departure for Antarctica. These include environmental, legal and permiting requirements.

We have also provided some handy hints and background information to ease your preparation for your visit. These hints range from how to call home, what to wear inside the base, what to take in your hand carry bag, what specialist clothing we will provide, and what to do if you have additional cargo including large items or equipment that you need on the Ice.

Please ensure that you have read and understood each section in Travel to Antarctica and have completed all required forms by the due dates. If after reading each section thoroughly you have some questions please contact us.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Antarctica is the world’s last great wilderness and provides a pristine area for research into the Antarctic and the global environment. Visitors to Antarctica need to comply with international agreements as well as domestic legislation to help protect the Antarctic environment.  Events supported by Antarctica New Zealand need to be aware of these legal requirements, and the procedures that Antarctica New Zealand has put in place help to implement them.

The Antarctica (Environmental Protection) Act 1994 (the Act) requires anyone proposing to carry out any activity in Antarctica to prepare an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and apply for appropriate permits to cover their proposed activities. Scientific activities are usually (but not always) completed at the level of a Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE).

The Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE) must be submitted for the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ consideration. If the Minister determines that your proposed activity is likely to have less than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment, the Minister will notify you that the activity may be carried out. To make this determination the Minister relies on advice from Antarctica New Zealand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

When the Minister has made the determination you will be sent a Notification/Permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Principal Investigators are responsible for obtaining all supplementary materials that the event is required to possess and abide by as indicated by the Notification/Permit. Such materials include Management Plans for Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs)/Antarctic Specially Managed Areas (ASMA), the Antarctica New Zealand Biosecurity Policy, the Antarctica New Zealand Access to Arrival Heights Procedure, and the Antarctica New Zealand Code of Conduct. This material is available for download below.

It is also your responsibility as Event Manager to ensure you have all permits required for your research under other relevant New Zealand legislation, for example permits issued under the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Act 1981 (AMLR permit), and under the Biosecurity Act (1993).  For further advice on permits for samples collected in Antarctica see the Guide to collecting samples in Antarctica and returning them to NZ in the downloads section below.  Any permits obtained under New Zealand legislation must be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  at Antarctica New Zealand at least one month prior to your scheduled departure.

If you have any questions please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Antarctic Policy Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

First Aid requirements
All people who travel to Antarctica with Antarctica New Zealand must hold a current First Aid certificate. The level of the certificate should be equivalent to St John Ambulance Work Place First Aid 16-hour course. Go to the St John Ambulance website for information about First Aid courses.

Medical Requirements
Antarctica New Zealand takes its responsibilities as a good host and employer very seriously, including those who travel to Antarctica as part of our programme. Policies and procedures concerning medical requirements are available for reading from Antarctica New Zealand.

Medical Resources in Antarctica
Scott Base has a first aid room with some medical supplies and a qualififed First Aid officer who is able to handle basic medical problems. Anything of a more serious nature is referred to the nearby (4km) United States McMurdo Station where there are limited hospital facilities. Personnel taking medications will need to take an adequate supply for the length of their visit taking into account that there may be travel delays due to weather etc.

Guidelines for doctors
There is a link below to the document for medical examiners. It provides guidelines and information for doctors and is supplied to you with your medical forms prior to travel to Antarctica. The document is provided here for your information only.