Antarctic Heritage Trust

credit: Antarctic Heritage Trust
credit: Antarctic Heritage Trust
© Tim McPhee - credit: Tim McPhee

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CONSERVE

Antarctica’s heritage under the Trust’s care for current and future generations globally

The world’s greatest polar exploration stories

ENCOURAGE

Young people to explore the physical world to educate and inspire them

SUSTAIN

Sustain and grow the Trust’s programmes, while caring for people and the planet

Our mission is to conserve, share and encourage the spirit of exploration

Ross Sea Party Tent Conservation Journey Begins

Donors and supporters across the world answered our call to enable an important conservation project which is now getting underway in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Ross Sea Party tent, an invaluable artefact from Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17, is under scrutiny as three specialist conservators develop the most appropriate processes to conserve it.

In September 2024, metal conservator Emily Fryer and textile conservators Kate Blair and Sarah Clayton met to carefully look over this evocative piece of history. They are considering its current state, what conservation processes it needs and can withstand, and have taken samples for analysis to inform what happens next.

Click here to read the full story

Conservators examine the Ross Sea Party tent

L-R: Conservators Kate Blair, Emily Fryer, and Sarah Clayton examine the Ross Sea Party tent. © AHT/Yvonne Densem

Polheim available to watch here

The Trust’s latest documentary film, about the 2022 Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ to the South Pole, is now available for you to watch for free.

Polheim tells the story of three young explorers given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; to ski across Antarctica in celebration of 150 years since the birth of Roald Amundsen, the first person to reach the South Pole.

Not only did these explorers have the physical challenge of ‘man-hauling’ sleds nearly 1000km in extreme weather conditions, but they also faced internal battles – 50 days of isolation in the most remote environment on the planet, with team members who were essentially strangers.

Watch here

New Chair Announced

The Trust is delighted to announce that our new Board Chair is The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO KStJ. Sir Jerry joined the Trust as an Independent Trustee in 2023 and has stepped into the Chair’s role following long-term Chair Mark Stewart’s tenure finishing in September 2024.

Sir Jerry Mateparae served as the 20th Governor-General of New Zealand from 2011–2016 and subsequently as the 27th New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2017–2020. With an impressive background in public service, New Zealand Defence Force leadership, and community involvement, Sir Jerry brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Trust.

Sir Jerry accompanied the Trust’s former Patron Sir Edmund Hillary on his last visit to Antarctica, and understands the Trust’s mission well.

“I’m rapt to follow Datuk Mark Stewart and to be a part of a Trust that preserves our past, the heritage of the heroic era, and engenders the same qualities of the likes of Scott, Shackleton and latterly Hillary in inspiring young explorers,” said Sir Jerry.

Antarctic Heritage Trust outgoing Board Chair Mark Stewart, Executive Director Francesca Eathorne, and new Chair Sir Jerry Mateparae. © AHT/Jo Moore

Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Ross Sea Antarctica 2025

Applications Are Now Open!

Thanks to our donors we invite young people aged 18-35 to apply for Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Ross Sea Antarctica, tracing the paths of legendary Antarctic explorers to mark the tenth anniversary of the Inspiring Explorers™ programme.

This exciting journey with Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Partner Heritage Expeditions will immerse our Inspiring Explorers™ in the history of legendary Antarctic explorers like Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Carsten Borchgrevink, and Sir Edmund Hillary. As guardians of their iconic expedition bases, the Trust is thrilled to bring Inspiring Explorers™ to the historic huts for the first time, bridging past and present, while passing along our expert knowledge of conserving Antarctica’s rich cultural heritage to the next generation.

Find out more and apply at inspiringexplorers.co.nz.

Find out more and apply

Scott’s Discovery Hut Virtual Reality Experience Launched

Antarctic Heritage Trust is proud to announce the launch of Scott’s Discovery Hut Virtual Reality Experience.

Developed in collaboration with Auckland-based virtual reality tech company StaplesVR, it is the first-ever educational virtual reality experience of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s Discovery Hut and we’re bringing it to schools and communities across Aotearoa.

By donning the VR headset and holding the controllers, you can explore Scott’s Discovery Hut, come face to face with penguins, feed huskies, and even take a ride in a hydrogen balloon. Discovery Hut is significant in that it was the first expedition base built on Antarctica’s Ross Island. Scott led the National Antarctic Expedition of 1901-1904 and the hut was built in 1902, making it over 121 years old.

click here to read more Learn more about the VR experience Book the VR experience for your school or event Watch a video about the VR experience

Discovery Hut VR_credit AHT-Alasdair Turner_web

Antarctic Heritage Trust’s new virtual reality experience allows participants to explore Scott’s ‘Discovery’ hut on Ross Island, Antarctica. © AHT/Alasdair Turner

Young Explorers step outside their comfort zone

In mid-April, the Trust’s 2024 Young Inspiring Explorers™ Summit saw 25 students, aged 11-14, from across Aotearoa New Zealand travel to Ōtautahi Christchurch, the country’s Antarctic Gateway City.

The goal of the Summit was to inspire students to develop an explorer mindset by stepping outside their comfort zone, all while fostering a connection with Antarctica and the legacy the Trust cares for. The students learned about Antarctic exploration history through various activities, heard firsthand experiences about conservation efforts on Ross Island, and engaged with Inspiring Explorers™ alumni.

This action-packed weekend was delivered in partnership with William Pike Challenge, and made possible thanks to the support of our donors, Inspiring Explorers™ programme partner Royal Society Te Apārangi, the United States Antarctic Program, the International Antarctic Centre, and the summit’s major sponsor, the US Embassy and Consulate in New Zealand.