Antarctica New Zealand's role is to manage an active New Zealand presence in Antarctica, facilitate and encourage activities that enhance New Zealand's international profile, influence and represent New Zealand in international forums, and to effectively promote New Zealand and Antarctica New Zealand interests.

This includes:

Ensuring an ongoing New Zealand presence in Antarctica
Active and influential involvement in ATCM delegations, COMNAP and other – international Antarctic forums
Encouraging developments that result in an image and identity of New – Zealand as an intellectual and logistics gateway to Antarctica
Participation in international scientific and environmental projects