Latest news with #AntarcticaNewZealand
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Antarctica Scholarships 2025: Ocean Detectives
Antarctica's Southern Ocean is full of unanswered questions, and this year's Antarctica New Zealand scholarship recipients are on a mission to help solve them. Each of the scholarships is backing a young researcher investigating a different piece of the climate puzzle. Their work will shed light on how the ocean is changing, from deep-sea currents and penguin populations to the mysterious methane seeps appearing on the ocean's floor. Ella Yelich-O'Connor Antarctic Doctoral Scholarship · Alexandra Strang, University of Canterbury – Assessing population trends in an important Ross Sea sentinel, the Adélie penguin · Natalie-Jane Reid (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi), University of Otago – Reconstructing Antarctic Bottom Water production in the Ross Sea New Zealand Post Antarctic Scholarship · Anna Hiew, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington – How are Antarctic coastal benthic (seafloor) ecosystems affected by methane seep emergence? 'These researchers are making a significant contribution to Antarctic science, investigating different components of the Southern Ocean to help us understand what's really going on beneath the surface,' says Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Prof Jordy Hendrikx. 'Antarctica is where the world's oceans meet, and what happens there affects all of us. We're proud to support these students as they uncover new knowledge that can guide global responses to change.' Anthony Harris, New Zealand Post's head of stamps and collectibles, says: 'We're excited to support research helping us better understand one of the most important and least explored places on Earth. Exploring the unknown and building knowledge will benefit both the environment and future generations.' Meet the detectives Alexandra Strang, University of Canterbury Assessing population trends in an important Ross Sea sentinel, the Adélie penguin Adélie penguins are key indicators of the health of the Southern Ocean, and about one-third of their global population lives in the Ross Sea. While some colonies have shown consistent trends over the past 40 years — others, even those close together — have responded differently to environmental changes, making it hard to understand what drives population change. Monitoring of Ross Sea Adélie penguins has been extensive over the past 40 years. Recent major changes, such as declines in sea ice and the establishment of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area make it timely to examine penguin population trends in the region. During her PhD, Alexandra aims to study population change of Adélie penguins across 15 colonies in the Ross Sea from 2009 to 2023. Her research will look at both regional and local trends, link them to environmental change, and aims to predict future population trends based on observed changes. She also aims to enhance the precision of very high-resolution satellite imagery for monitoring Adélie penguin colonies in the Ross Sea, alongside aerial census methods. Ultimately, this research will improve how we monitor Adélie penguin populations and help inform management of the Southern Ocean ecosystem as it undergoes rapid change. The scholarship puts $20,000 towards her studies. 'I'm incredibly grateful for this support. This scholarship enables me to help ensure our monitoring of Adélie penguin populations keeps pace with environmental change and continues to inform effective conservation in the Ross Sea,' says Alexandra. Natalie-Jane Reid (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi), University of Otago Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), formed around Antarctica, is a key driver of global ocean circulation and climate. Despite its importance, long-term variability is poorly understood due to limited observational records. Models suggest AABW formation is vulnerable to climate change, but there are still large uncertainties with all model predictions. Palaeoceanographic records can reveal past AABW dynamics, but a reliable proxy for current speed is lacking. Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) measured on sediments offers a potential new technique which could be used to determine ancient sea-floor current speeds, as it records the alignment of magnetic minerals shaped by bottom currents. Though widely accessible and easy to measure, AMS has not yet been calibrated to current velocity. Natalie's PhD project aims to develop a new paleocurrent proxy using AMS and apply it to reconstruct deep ocean current velocities in the Ross Embayment, which is an important place of AABW formation. As part of her PhD, she is developing a sediment flume in which she will simulate different deep ocean current speeds to see how these affect the AMS. In the second part of the study, she will measure AMS in sediment cores, including from SWAIS2C, to determine current strength since the last ice age. The scholarship puts $10,000 towards her studies. "This scholarship supports me in developing a new and ambitious approach to paleoceanography," says Natalie-Jane. "My Antarctic research is enriched by taking a Te Ao Māori approach to understanding the interconnectedness of ocean currents and climate." Anna Hiew, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington How are Antarctic coastal benthic ecosystems affected by methane seep emergence? At seafloor seeps, methane-rich fluids are released from reservoirs beneath the surface, supporting unique microbial and faunal communities. At these sites, microbes convert methane and sulphate into hard substrates and food, producing highly heterogeneous and complex ecosystems. Importantly, these microbes also regulate the release of methane, a strong greenhouse gas, from reaching the atmosphere. While seeps in warmer regions are well studied, polar seeps, especially in Antarctica, are not. The first active Antarctic seep was observed in 2011 in the Ross Sea, an area surveyed for decades. Since then, additional seeps have been identified in the region. However, the formation and function of these new seeps are not yet understood. Early indications suggest that unique and endemic microorganisms may be involved, distinct from the expected microbial communities typically associated with seeps. Sea star wasting disease and large die-offs of sea creatures have also been seen near the seeps, possibly due to toxic chemicals released when the seep first forms. Anna's research aims to understand how these seeps influence local life in the McMurdo Sound, and how seasonal changes in factors like light and food might shape Antarctic communities over time. As Antarctica continues to warm, it is crucial to study these seep ecosystems now to understand their impact, monitor change, and protect these sensitive environments. The scholarship puts $10,000 towards her studies. 'I'm extremely thankful to receive this scholarship and Antarctica New Zealand's support,' says Anna. 'I'm excited to help fill the knowledge gaps around methane seeps in Antarctica and contribute to the understanding of these extraordinary environments.'
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
New Construction Partner Announced For Scott Base Redevelopment
Antarctica New Zealand is pleased to announce LT McGuinness has been selected as the Early Contractor Engagement (ECE) contractor to assist with the design and delivery of the Scott Base Redevelopment. With over 70 years of construction experience, the New Zealand company has a proven track record for delivering some of the country's most complex and high-profile projects across both public and private sectors. Antarctica New Zealand Chief Executive Prof Jordy Hendrikx says the appointment is an important step forward for this legacy project. 'A technically challenging project like this provides an opportunity for all parties to bring their very best, and we've already had a high level of engagement with LT McGuinness on preliminary discussions. Supported by a growing workforce of long-term, permanent staff, their experienced team has the highly technical capability and practical approach required. 'On top of that, being a third-generation family construction company aligns with the culture of Scott Base and the history of our Antarctic programme.' The ECE phase is a critical part of the project lifecycle, where technical partners collaborate to understand the project's full requirements before detailed decisions are made. This ensures robust planning providing greater certainty around cost, the programme and identification of risk as the design progresses. LT McGuinness has engaged global infrastructure leader Parsons Corporation to provide technical assistance on the project. 'Parsons' polar operations experience spans programme and construction management, engineering and planning, and logistics. The company's key role in the redevelopment of McMurdo Station will provide us with a wealth of lessons learned from past projects,' Prof Hendrikx says. He adds that LT McGuinness's digital capability will be essential for this next phase of work. 'Projects of this complexity and scale require advanced digital tools and methodologies. LT McGuinness brings proven expertise in using digital delivery systems to enhance coordination across partners and ensure quality outcomes – critical in remote environments like Antarctica.' Antarctica New Zealand was very pleased with the number and quality of responses to the ECE Request for Proposal, Prof Hendrikx says. 'We're grateful six top construction companies from around New Zealand devoted significant time and resources to bid for our work, and we saw this as a hugely positive endorsement of the direction the redevelopment is now headed.' The announcement marks another milestone for the project. In May, the new Scott Base Redevelopment Masterplan approach was approved, and the team is working towards submitting a Detailed Business Case to Cabinet in mid-2026. The masterplan proposes a three-stage redevelopment of Scott Base over the next 20-50 years, starting with the oldest and most dilapidated facilities. As part of Stage 1, a new Base Services building will be constructed for living and accommodation, with the Hillary Field Centre refurbished for science activity. Critical plant and services will be replaced or upgraded, along with the replacement of the Ross Island Wind Energy system to help power Scott Base and McMurdo Station. Stage 1 is due for completion by 2030 ensuring a functional and fit-for-purpose base. Concept design was completed in March 2025, and the team is now in the second design phase (Preliminary Design).
Otago Daily Times
30-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Connecting the south by rail
Passengers prepare to take a return journey to Christchurch on the Southerner earlier this month. Photo: Linda Robertson The rhythmic sway of the train moving through our stunning Otago countryside is a special part of the Southerner experience. As Robert Louis Stevenson famously said, "All of the sights of the hill and the plain; Fly as thick as driving rain". The last time I rode the Southerner was in 2001 — I recall the pleasure of the landscape, the book I was reading (Pig Earth by John Berger) not to mention the coffee and sandwich I enjoyed along the way. Inexplicably, the following year this great train service was put to bed. We look forward to the day when a trip to Christchurch by train is the normal way to travel, a journey that can be as productive as we need or as relaxing as we want. And there is an appetite for it. When Great Journeys recently announced a limited return of the Southerner for several days this year, people were enthusiastic. Tickets were sold out within days of going on sale. Demand for the return of a regular service is strong. On a recent Sunday, I joined other MPs, councillors and members of the public at a "Save Our Trains" forum in Dunedin to discuss steps we will need to take to restore passenger rail in the South, to restore the Southerner. Also that weekend, there was an announcement at the Regional Development Summit of funding for an "inland port" and the reopening of the Hillside Workshops maintenance facilities. The time is ripe for a restoration of passenger rail alongside an increase in freight by rail. A train trip is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel and produces about 80-90% fewer CO₂ emissions compared to the same trip with a flight. With the rising costs and general inconvenience of flying between regional centres, passenger rail stacks up both financially and environmentally. This matters. Recently I attended a presentation by Antarctica New Zealand where we heard about the scientific research under way in Antarctica, including all important climate science. Antarctica's ice plays a crucial role in regulating global climate while its melting ice also raises sea levels. The Thwaites Glacier, also known as the "Doomsday Glacier" is now at risk of catastrophic failure, and when it slides into the sea and melts, it will raise sea-levels by about 80cm and trigger more ice loss, more sea-level rise. We should be urgently taking every action we can to reduce emissions in order to slow global heating (and reduce the risk from the collapse of the Doomsday Glacier). One of the most sensible things to do is to reduce emissions from transport. Clearly passenger rail has a critical role to play here. We already have the tracks, and Hillside Workshops is now back up and running. Let's not forget that Aotearoa was once linked up by passenger rail between regions and main centres — including from Christchurch to Dunedin — and to a myriad of small towns in between. By the turn of the century this once thriving rail network was pared back to a mere skeleton of its former self. The 2025 government Budget revealed some funding for rail, but it is all for the North Island, and much more is being spent on urban highways, again leaving us in the Deep South out in the cold. This could change if our southern voice is heard loudly enough in Wellington and when southern MPs from both government and opposition do the mahi to support a restoration of passenger rail. Already there appears to be a consensus among most southern MPs that the restoration of the Southerner is desirable, and the question then turns to how. The Green Party Budget launched in May sets out a clear budget for the return of several inter-regional rail connections including our Southerner. Save Our Trains has prepared a handy factsheet about the feasibility of this rail link on their website. We can have a transport network that works for everyone, giving people real choice. Travelling by train through ever-changing landscapes is a special pleasure we should all be able to enjoy, "[as] ever again, in the wink of an eye; Painted stations whistle by". Time to leave the station, let the rhythm of rail do its thing, and embrace the journey! Scott Willis is an Ōtepoti-based Green Party MP. Each week in this column writers address issues of sustainability.
Dubai Eye
22-02-2025
- Science
- Dubai Eye
UAE, New Zealand sign agreement on Antarctic research
The UAE and New Zealand have signed an agreement marking the beginning of a collaboration in Antarctic scientific research. The partnership aims to foster academic exchange and enhance capacity building. The memorandum focuses on collaborative projects that contribute to a deeper understanding of the Antarctic ecosystem, climate change impacts, and the preservation of the unique environment. Highlighting the significance of this strategic collaboration, Balalaa said: 'The partnership with Antarctica New Zealand represents a pivotal advancement for the Emirates Polar Programme, reinforcing the UAE's commitment to global scientific collaboration. New Zealand's world-class expertise in this field provides an unparalleled opportunity for the UAE to make meaningful contributions to critical research in Antarctica. Together, we can drive deeper scientific understanding and accelerate solutions to the pressing challenges faced by this vital continent.' Leon Grice, Chair of Antarctica New Zealand, added, 'Antarctica New Zealand is delighted to partner with the Emirates Polar Programme. This collaboration brings together the unique strengths of both nations, fostering innovation and scientific discovery in one of the most pristine and vulnerable environments on Earth. We look forward to the research and knowledge sharing that will undoubtedly result from this partnership.' The Emirates Polar Programme, established to advance the UAE's position in the field of polar science, will benefit from this partnership through enhanced research opportunities and knowledge exchange. The programme focuses on participating in international missions to Antarctica and the Arctic, supporting global climate action, and contributing to the understanding of the polar environment. Through these endeavors, the UAE demonstrates its commitment to global scientific cooperation and environmental stewardship in polar regions.
TAG 91.1
22-02-2025
- Science
- TAG 91.1
UAE, New Zealand sign agreement on Antarctic research
The UAE and New Zealand have signed an agreement marking the beginning of a collaboration in Antarctic scientific research. The partnership aims to foster academic exchange and enhance capacity building. The memorandum focuses on collaborative projects that contribute to a deeper understanding of the Antarctic ecosystem, climate change impacts, and the preservation of the unique environment. Highlighting the significance of this strategic collaboration, Balalaa said: 'The partnership with Antarctica New Zealand represents a pivotal advancement for the Emirates Polar Programme, reinforcing the UAE's commitment to global scientific collaboration. New Zealand's world-class expertise in this field provides an unparalleled opportunity for the UAE to make meaningful contributions to critical research in Antarctica. Together, we can drive deeper scientific understanding and accelerate solutions to the pressing challenges faced by this vital continent.' Leon Grice, Chair of Antarctica New Zealand, added, 'Antarctica New Zealand is delighted to partner with the Emirates Polar Programme. This collaboration brings together the unique strengths of both nations, fostering innovation and scientific discovery in one of the most pristine and vulnerable environments on Earth. We look forward to the research and knowledge sharing that will undoubtedly result from this partnership.' The Emirates Polar Programme, established to advance the UAE's position in the field of polar science, will benefit from this partnership through enhanced research opportunities and knowledge exchange. The programme focuses on participating in international missions to Antarctica and the Arctic, supporting global climate action, and contributing to the understanding of the polar environment. Through these endeavors, the UAE demonstrates its commitment to global scientific cooperation and environmental stewardship in polar regions.
