Antarctica’s heritage under the Trust’s care for current and future generations globally
The world’s greatest polar exploration stories
Young people to explore the physical world to educate and inspire them
Sustain and grow the Trust’s programmes, while caring for people and the planet
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.
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.
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.
Antarctic Heritage Trust’s new virtual reality experience allows participants to explore Scott’s ‘Discovery’ hut on Ross Island, Antarctica. © AHT/Alasdair Turner
Drygalski Fjord, South Georgia Island. © Lily Green/AHT
Inspiring Explorer Lily Green takes us on a journey to South Georgia Island, for an attempt at the first New Zealand ascent of Mount Worsley.
Joining Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ to South Georgia in 2023, Lily was one of 22 exceptional young people selected for the expedition and the four-person climbing team. Her short film, An Unexpected Journey, explores the highs of preparing for the ascent only to be disappointed when conditions prevented the climb from going ahead. All is not lost however, when an unexpected turn of events leads to a unique opportunity!
Thanks to Inspiring Explorers™ Programme Partners, Metservice New Zealand and Royal Society Te Apārangi. Logistics provided by Antarctica21.
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.
Young Inspiring Explorers ready to race their completed sledge during the 2024 Young Inspiring Explorers™ Summit. © AHT/Anna Clare
Members of the Mt Hope party at the end of their trek. From left: Hayward, Joyce, Wild and Richards.
© Joyce collection, Canterbury Museum
The story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party is one that is rarely told.
For over 725 days, the Ross Sea Party men completed their mission to lay supply depots across the Ross Ice Shelf for Shackleton to use on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914–1917.
What they didn’t know was that Shackleton’s Endurance ship never made it to Antarctica.
Though Shackleton’s legacy is known across the globe, the story of the Ross Sea Party is one that many have never heard. Today you have the opportunity to bring their story to life.
We need your help to conserve the Ross Sea Party tent.
Found during the 1960-61 Antarctic season, the Ross Sea Party tent may be the only one left in the world.
Help the Trust to conserve artefacts like this through our artefact conservation programme today!
Antarctic Heritage Trust is proud to announce the world premiere screening of Polheim at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival on 26 February.
Polheim tells the story of three young explorers given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; to ski across Antarctica on the Trust’s Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ to the South Pole in celebration of 150 years since the birth of Roald Amundsen, the first person to reach the bottom of the world.
These fearless adventurers have pushed the boundaries of exploration, dedicating themselves to inspire, discover, and conserve our planet. Now, you can read the first series of expedition blogs from some of our Inspiring Explorers™.
Immerse yourself in captivating stories, breathtaking photographs, and profound insights from the team as they recount their remarkable journey:
Stay tuned for more updates from the team in the coming months. Their expedition has left an indelible mark on their hearts and minds, and they can’t wait to share the wonders they’ve encountered through their outreach projects.
Thanks to Inspiring Explorers™ Programme Partners, MetService New Zealand and Royal Society Te Apārangi. Logistics provided by Antarctica21.
Hosted by Trust Emeritus Executive Director, Nigel Watson, this interview engages distinguished climate scientist George Denton in a conversation about the remarkable scientific legacy left behind by early polar explorers like Scott and Shackleton. Discover how the pioneering data they recorded continues to inform climate science and shed light on the intricate relationship between Antarctica and climate change.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Antarctic Heritage Trust
7 Ron Guthrey Road, Christchurch 8053, New Zealand
Private Bag 4745, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Antarctic Heritage Trust
7 Ron Guthrey Road, Christchurch 8053, New Zealand
Private Bag 4745, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Adding gallery of images through Add Media
Antarctic Heritage Trust knsdvknd
Antarctic Heritage Trust asdvjbdjbv
Antarctic Heritage Trust dsvdv
Antarctic Heritage Trust 
Alasdair Turner 
