Nigel Watson celebrated in the 2023 New Year Honours List

Executive Director of the Antarctic Heritage Trust, Nigel Watson, has been awarded the prestigious New Zealand Antarctic medal in recognition of his services to Antarctic heritage preservation.

As the Executive Director of the Antarctic Heritage Trust for the last 23 years, Nigel has dedicated his life’s work to saving the sites of the early Antarctic explorers, raising significant funds to undertake their conservation, and creating programmes that inspire the next generation of explorers.

Mark Stewart MNZM, Chair of Antarctic Heritage Trust, says the Trust is immensely proud that Nigel Watson’s commitment and achievements have been recognised.

“Nigel is driven by deep passion and is an incredibly high achiever.

“The contribution he’s made to ensuring Antarctica’s cultural heritage is protected has allowed Aotearoa New Zealand to shine on the world stage. His creation of the world’s largest cold-climate heritage conservation project (the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project) has meant that this remarkable legacy has been conserved for future generations.”

Nigel’s significant work includes raising millions of dollars for the conservation of the five historic expedition bases the Trust cares for on behalf of the international community. They include Sir Ernest Shackleton’s only Antarctic base, both of Robert Falcon Scott’s huts and Sir Edmund Hillary’s hut – the first building erected as part of New Zealand’s Scott Base.

It also includes the conservation of more than 20,000 items left behind by the polar explorers. High profile artefacts like the whisky discovered under Shackleton’s hut, have featured in documentaries and books, engaging a global audience.

The creation of the Inspiring Explorers™ youth programme has been another accomplishment in Nigel’s noteworthy career. Since the programme launched in 2015 thousands of young people have had the opportunity to engage in the programme through expeditions to the world’s polar regions, through New Zealand-based events including summits, conferences and the Trust’s virtual reality experience of Sir Ed’s Antarctic hut.

Nigel has personally led five youth expeditions to polar environments including Antarctica, South Georgia Island and the Greenland Ice Cap. He is currently on an Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ leading a ski traverse to the South Pole.

Mark Stewart says, “These expeditions connect young people with the legacy the Trust cares for and encourages them to embrace that same spirit of exploration.

“Nigel has dedicated his life to ensuring that Antarctica and the legacy of the polar explorers is not only conserved but celebrated, and made accessible to New Zealanders and the world. He is the ultimate ambassador for heritage in Antarctica.”