Science Minister boosts Antarctic tech as the world's cryosphere scientists gather in Wellington
The world's climate scientists are gathering in Wellington this week to discuss how climate change-induced ice melt could accelerate sea-level rise, increase flooding, and cause more intense storms in Aotearoa and across the globe.
About 400 delegates from 37 countries are attending the international Climate and Cryosphere Open Science Conference 2026 at the Tākina Convention Centre.
In opening the conference on Monday, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti told delegates that the conference came at a pivotal time, given the growing risks from floods, storms and other natural hazards. Changes in Antarctic ice sheets influenced sea levels, storm behaviour and long-term risk.
“Advances in cryosphere research are sharpening our understanding of the climate system, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, while new technologies are transforming what researchers can observe, measure and model,” Dr Reti said.
New funding for Antarctic science
The Minister announced a new partnership between New Zealand researchers and a leading United Arab Emirates university that will strengthen New Zealand’s advanced engineering and modelling capability in Antarctica—the second newly-funded international Antarctic science collaborations to in be announced just over 60 days.
The latest partnership will initially support two Antarctic Science Platform projects focused on improving sea-ice forecasting and deploying advanced autonomous systems to better understand ice shelf melt and ocean circulation.
New Zealand will invest $1 million in the projects, following a Memorandum of Arrangement between Khalifa University and Antarctica New Zealand.
The Antarctic Science Platform will lead a targeted contestable process to identify New Zealand research teams.
- Read the Beehive media release: NZ-UAE partnership boosts advanced tech capability | Beehive.govt.nz
- Read the Minister’s speech: Speech to the Climate and the Cryosphere Open Science Conference and Antarctic Science Platform announcement | Beehive.govt.nz