COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused all National Antarctic Programmes to reconsider how they can support the coming field season, with a united focus on keeping Antarctica free from the virus. After close consultation with our partners in the Ross Sea region, Antarctica New Zealand has decided to support only essential operational activity and planned maintenance in the 2020/21 season.
Antarctica New Zealand remains committed to maintaining and enhancing the quality of New Zealand’s Antarctic scientific research. As such, to support science, maintain an active and safe presence and advance the Scott Base Redevelopment Project, we will deliver the following activities in the 2020/21 season:
- Long-term science monitoring programmes at Scott Base and Arrival Heights
- Essential Scott Base operational / infrastructure activities
- Critical Scott Base Redevelopment project tasks
In addition, Antarctica New Zealand is proposing to support a logistics traverse to the Kamb Ice Stream to stage key equipment needed for research activities in the 2021/22 season. The traverse team will conduct some science activities en route, and will service and download data loggers at key sites on the Ross Ice Shelf.
Thank you for your support and understanding – this has been a difficult decision for us to make, and we acknowledge the impact it will have on researchers, stakeholders, support staff and students.
ANTARCTIC SCIENCE PLATFORM
For the latest Antarctic Science Platform updates, check out the Platform website here.
COVID-19 impacts research field season
Platform researchers and the leadership team supports the decision to modify the 20/21 season to ensure Antarctica remains COVID-19 free. Teams are now working through the implications of a reduced field season as well as to mitigate other COVID-19 related impacts. Given the urgency of climate change research, researchers are seeking innovative ways to progress their work. Teams are working with international partners to use existing samples and data, and will prepare for seasons ahead to ensure research findings are presented to policymakers and communities in a timely manner.
International collaboration online
An example of how researchers are adapting to COVID-19 restrictions was the LIONESS workshop held online in May. The international workshop provided an overview of ongoing ice-ocean interaction research in the Western Ross Sea/Terra Nova Bay and emerging research programmes in the Amundsen Sea/Thwaites Glacier area, and participants explored opportunities for future interdisciplinary Antarctic and Southern Ocean vessel-based research.
Whakawhanaungatanga
“It never leaves our radar that Antarctica is a barometer in terms of New Zealand and the globe for climate change consequences. Solving such a complex problem as climate change requires multiple knowledges,” says Kāhui Māori Chair Associate Professor Sandy Morrison.
The first hui with the Antarctic Science Platform's Kāhui Māori was held via Zoom last month. It focused on fostering relationships and building a strong collective understanding of relevant expertise.
The Kāhui was excited to learn more about Antarctic research and the Antarctic Science Platform. The hui set the scene for future discussions on where mātauranga Māori can weave into the world of Antarctic science.
Antarctica’s ICEperts: a webinar series
This winter, the Platform is hosting a series of public webinars covering a range of topics from the role Antarctica plays in global sea level rise, important research findings and heroic tales from last season on the ice. The webinar series is being held at lunchtime on Thursdays with the first episode featuring Professor Tim Naish scheduled for the 9th of July at 12.30 pm.
For more information, please contact Georgia Nelson.
SCOTT BASE REDEVELOPMENT
The Scott Base Redevelopment project reached a significant milestone with Antarctica New Zealand identifying a construction company to partner with for the remaining design phases. Leighs Construction Limited is a New Zealand owned and operated construction company from Christchurch and has considerable experience with remote and challenging projects, including work in Antarctica.
The redevelopment of Scott Base will provide a safe, fit for purpose, and sustainable base that will support New Zealand’s scientific and physical presence in the Ross Sea region. The project will see the existing base, built in the early 1980s and made up of 12 separate buildings, replaced by three interconnected buildings. Leighs Construction will partner with Antarctica New Zealand to help the project team confirm the construction methodology, logistics, and costings. The contract to build the base will be awarded following final Cabinet approval and Budget confirmation.
