Subcommittee Purpose
- To represent the New Zealand Antarctic Society’s (NZAS’s) membership, their interests and their expertise, as a key stakeholder in the Government’s Scott Base Redevelopment Project.
- To support the project’s interests in the support of science, the protection and proper management of the Antarctic environment, and the promotion of New Zealand’s national interests in Antarctica.
- To act as a channel for questions, advice, expertise, and concerns to be provided from NZAS’s membership to the Redevelopment Project
- To act as a channel for information, consultation, and requests for advice to be passed from the Redevelopment Project to NZAS’s membership
Subcommittee Mission
Ensure that the redevelopment project:
- Maximises the protection of New Zealand’s enduring Antarctic scientific, environmental, and conservation interests
- Enables New Zealand to be agile in its response to future science, environment, and conservation needs
- Maintains New Zealand’s international reputation for high-quality Antarctic science and its recognised standing in bodies such as SCAR and CCAMLR
- Maintains New Zealand’s ability to participate in and lead Antarctic Science which has international and domestic significance
Specifically
That the project:
- Designs-in flexibility for evolving and unforeseen international and domestic science research needs
- Provides well for the accommodation and operating needs of scientific, environmental, and conservation staff
- Provides well for the logistical support of deep field operations
- Minimises its environmental footprint, particularly its carbon footprint
- Builds in a sense of Scott Base as New Zealand’s home on the Ice, providing hospitality and reflecting New Zealand’s culture and identity
Membership
The subcommittee includes between 5-8 NZAS members that have been chosen to represent a variety of
perspectives and Antarctic experience. It includes two officers of the Society (President and South Island
Vice-President) Initial membership comprises:
- Tamsin Falconer (Chair)
- Peter Barrett
- Linda Kestle (President NZAS)
- Bill Nye (South Island Vice-President NZAS)
- Grant Avery
- Karol Laska
Protocol
- The subcommittee will meet monthly, and will meet with Redevelopment Project representatives as required
- Three members of the subcommittee are needed for a meeting quorum
- The subcommittee will draw on expertise from both the NZAS and wider Antarctic networks
- Plan to complement Antarctica New Zealand engagement with the science community, rather than duplicate or substitute for that engagement.
