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Kia ora,
The Antarctic summer season has begun with the first New Zealand Defence Forces (NZDF) flights to the ice!
Exciting and important projects are underway across all the programs and one that resonates with us is SWAIS 2c; an ice drilling project that involves collaboration among the majority of the programs that pass through our Antarctic Gateway.
To mark season opening, we are hosting our Days of Ice – Season Opening public events at the magnificent Tūranga central city library until Sunday 8 October. Some highlights of the week of events include Jason Ohara's Aurora Waiata, Dr. Natalie Robinson, Jacqui Stuart, and Rose Foster-Dyer discussing Antarctic sea ice in a warming world (Life in a Frozen Ocean), as well as the family-focused Explore Antarctica, with representatives of the Antarctic community coming together in Tautoru/TSB Space at Tūranga Christchurch Central Library.
On Thursday 5 and Friday 6, we have the Season Opening Civic and Business Program, where representatives from 16 countries will visit our city to learn more about our gateway. The two-day program features important scientific aspects, logistics, and innovative supporting businesses from the Christchurch Antarctic Network (CAN) – it will also include visits to Lyttelton Harbour and Kea Aerospace, along with networking opportunities for the 75 CAN members. The program concludes on Friday with the Civic Reception hosted by the Mayor of Ōtautahi Christchurch, Phil Mauger.
To conclude all this exciting news, the Antarctic Office has a new addition. Lizzie Dryden has joined the office as Relationships and Events Manager. Lizzie started last Monday and dove straight into the finishing touches of the season opening program.
We look forward to connecting with everyone involved in the season opening program over the next few days, as well as the National Antarctic Programs and scientists heading south for the season!
Ngā Mihi, Take Care
Lizzie & Dave
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Ōtautahi Christchurch Gateway City News
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And the season's begun!
The first NZDF flights from Christchurch to Antarctica kick the season off! There is always excitement when the season starts, the buildup and planning phase is immense.
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Ōtautahi Christchurch visit to KOPRI
The City of Christchurch and the Antarctic Office greatly value all the National Antarctic Programs that choose to utilise our gateway. While there is certainly an economic benefit that this brings to the region, what is even more significant is the recognition of the value derived from the collaborations taking place among these programs in support of scientific endeavors in this challenging environment.
One recent highlight of our collaborative efforts was the visit made by Phil Mauger and Ali Adams to the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) last month. During their visit, they had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Kang, the President of KOPRI, who had also attended the SCAR Symposium in Christchurch in August. This reciprocal exchange of visits further cemented the strong bonds between our city and KOPRI.
These ongoing engagements play a crucial role in fortifying the connections between institutions and nations dedicated to Antarctic research. These connections serve as a conduit for the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and resources, ultimately enriching our collective understanding of the Antarctic region and underscoring its global significance in terms of scientific exploration and environmental stewardship.
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Antarctica NZ Simon Trotter Elected Vice Chair of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
Simon Trotter, Antarctica New Zealand General Manager of Antarctic Operations, was elected to a 3-year term of Vice Chair of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) Executive Committee. The Executive Committee provides advice and strategic direction for the organisation. Simon takes on strategic oversite of the Safety Expert Group. He joins other elected officers on the committee from Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Japan and Spain, and the appointed Executive Secretary to complete the 7-member Executive Committee. The COMNAP EXCOM will hold their annual meeting in Japan in early November 2023.
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Inspiring Explorers
Inspiring Explorer Laura Andrews spoke at the Awesome Antarctica Speaker Series in Ōtautahi Christchurch, about her expedition to the South Pole with Antarctic Heritage Trust. She spoke about the joy and gratitude that she felt in every moment of the 50 days it took to reach the South Pole and noticing every small detail, feeling every moment deeply.
Antarctic Heritage Trust has selected 22 young people to take part in our Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ South Georgia in September this year. Meet the South Georgia 2023 expedition team.
Antarctic Heritage Trust staff and alumni were proud to host 100 year twelve students from eleven different South Auckland schools at the Trust's Explorer Conference held in June. Students were encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and embrace an explorer mindset. Read all about it here.
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Antarctic Science and Innovation
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Detecting polynya from space
Antarctic sea ice formation is tracking towards a new record low. But where does the ice come from? Polynyas are the 'sea ice factories' of Antarctica. These areas of open water open up when persistent winds and/or ocean currents move sea ice away from the area as fast, or faster, than it is forming. The Ross Sea polynya is Antarctic's largest offshore - it widens to about 20,000km2 in winter - and the Terra Nova Bay and McMurdo Sound polynyas are coastal. All are so remote, and conditions so harsh, that scientists rarely see them in action. They can, however, be seen from space. Find out more about researchers hunting polyneas by satellite.
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First fully coupled ocean-atmosphere model for the Ross Sea
A new modelling tool developed by Antarctic Science Platform researchers accurately represents ocean-atmosphere-sea ice interactions in the Ross Sea, which is critical for reducing uncertainty in the assessment of future climate scenarios.
Image: Antarctic map showing the Ross Sea and surrounding area that the new coupled model represents.
Source: Malyarenko et al, 2023
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Māori Doctoral PhD Scholarship
A three-year PhD scholarship at the University of Otago is available to support an emerging Māori student interested in using modern genetic research tools to understand environmental change and ecosystem responses in the Antarctic.
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Calling all story-tellers!
After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Antarctica New Zealand is re-opening its Community Engagement Programme (CEP). The programme allows media, artists, educators and writers to visit Antarctica to further foster the long-standing relationship New Zealanders have with the continent. Proposals accepted until 5pm on 1 November 2023, with successful applicants travelling to Scott Base during the summer field season between October 2024 and February 2025.
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Antarctic and Gateway City Events
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Experience the Aurora
2- 8 October 2023
Visitors can enjoy a mesmerising audio and visual journey through Aurora Waiata an installation by artist Jason O’Hara.
This imaginative and poetic response to Aurora Australis by O’Hara has been made possible by Antarctica New Zealand.
Bringing the experience of the southern lights to the community - Tahu-nui-ā Rangi the great fires of ancestors whose canoes ventured far to the south - will be a Days of Ice highlight.
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Daily Film Screenings
2 - 8 October 2023, from midday
Commencing at 12 noon each day, be sure to see Te Whakairo - Ngā Kī o Te Tai Ao - The Carvings Carry the Stories of the World – and at 12.15pm Antarctica from Above
narrated by Lucy Lawless, exploring Antarctica’s Ross Sea Coast and stunning Subantarctic islands utilising the latest filming technology.
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Polar Women on the Move
2 - 8 October 2023
Polar Women on the Move is an exhibition travelling through the library network. It is currently in Akaroa and will be moving to Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre for October. This mini display represents Awesome Antarctica Polar Women the exhibition currently in residence at Tūranga. Polar Women draws from a growing network of female polar researchers who, through sharing their stories and experiences, hope to inspire the careers of other women. The exhibition will have its last day at Tūranga on Sunday 8 October.
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Life in a Frozen Ocean
Wednesday 4 October 2023
On Wednesday 4 October you are warmly invited to attend an outstanding speaker panel discussion with Dr Natalie Robinson, Jacqui Stuart and Rose Foster-Dyer on Antarctic sea ice in a warming world. Life in a Frozen Ocean promises to be an evening of rich conversation with leading edge scientists. Dr Robinson is featured in ‘The Climate Canary’ a documentary by Vanessa Wells, due for release in 2024. The event will be free to the community, but please book to attend using the link in the title above.
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Thursday @ Tūranga
Thursday 5 October 2023
We have some early afternoon programming on Thursday 5 October, a 2:30pm talk from David Ellis | Antarctica clothing – an interesting family heritage business story,
and a clothing technology success and visitors can stay on to experience a visual Expedition and climb aboard a voyage into the liquid landscapes of the
Antarctic Peninsula with Rewa Rendall, old school Antarctic Photographer.
Expedition | Photographer Rewa Rendall also sets sail on Tuesday 3 October at 6:30pm. Don’t miss the boat!
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Explore Antarctica
Saturday 7 October 2023
Explore Antarctica this year sees representatives of the Antarctic community coming together in Tautoru / TSB Space at Tūranga. Tamariki can be in to win an annual entry for their family, into the International Antarctic Centre Ambassador Club; participate in Days of Ice storytimes; fold Origami penguins, or discover Penguins from space.
Speak to exhibitors about their experiences in Antarctica and celebrate our gateway city and the work undertaken in Antarctica. Meet the huskies from 12-2.30pm
Explore Antarctica is supported by Christchurch Antarctic Office and will be held on Saturday 7 October from 10am-4.00pm
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Church Service
Sunday 8 October 2023, from 10am
The church service for the adventurers and scientists heading south to Antarctica for the 2023-2024 season will take place at 10am on Sunday, October 8 at the Transitional Cathedral located at the corner of Madras and Hereford Streets in Christchurch city. Following this will be the wreath laying ceremony at Scott Statue
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South Exhibition
7 - 21 October 2023
Pūmanawa Gallery
Anthony Savill brings the South Exhibition to the Pūmanawa Gallery, a selling exhibition that narrates the exploration of southern lands, particularly Antarctica, through original maps, charts, and engravings created by the explorers of the time.
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Scott Base stamp collectables
NZ Post has released this year's Ross Dependency stamp pack, which is an ode to New Zealand's home on the ice. The Scott Base: Home on Ross Island collection features images of the research station in recent years, so Kiwis remember our Antarctic 'stamping ground' as it stands now. This year is the 100-year anniversary of the Ross Dependency, the beginning of New Zealand’s commitment to protecting Antarctica and Southern Ocean as a place for peace, science and co-operation.
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Tūwhana
In a remarkable testament to Christchurch's dedication to becoming a global hub for business events, the newly launched Tūwhana program has attracted an impressive lineup of advocates, including the accomplished Antarctician, Graeme Ayres. While Antarctic exploration may seem worlds apart from the world of business events, Ayres brings a unique perspective as a renowned figure in his field. His deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by Antarctica mirrors the resilience and innovation that Christchurch embodies.
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