Rt Hon Helen Clark Joins Trust

The Trust is delighted to welcome Rt Hon Helen Clark ONZ as a Patron of the Trust. The former New Zealand Prime Minister and United Nations Development Programme Head joins June, Lady Hillary as a Trust Patron, following the passing of long-time Patron Bob Norman QSO.  The Patron-in-Chief is an ex-officio role traditionally assumed by the incumbent Governor-General of New Zealand.

Helen Clark’s involvement with the Trust  began in the early 2000s. While serving as Prime Minister of Aotearoa New Zealand she was also Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage. Helen supported the Trust as we set about conceiving, launching and  fundraising an international campaign to safeguard the historic explorer bases in the Trust’s care. She advocated for our mission at the most senior levels internationally and launched our first Conservation Plan for Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Hut, which laid the foundation for the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project.

On the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Scott Base, in her capacity as Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen visited Antarctica with Sir Edmund Hillary (then a Trust Patron). There she launched our Conservation Ambassador Programme with Sir Ed and the inaugural Ambassador James Blake.

We are thankful to Helen for her continued interest and support.