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Kia ora koutou,
The lead-up to Christmas is always a busy time in Ōtautahi Christchurch. As we hit the final stretch before the end of the year we would like to thank everyone who has played a key role in making our city an exemplar Antarctic Gateway City for all those who call Christchurch their home, or stopover for the season.
The Christchurch Antarctic Office is back to full strength with David Tayler joining as Head of the Antarctic Office, and the exciting addition of Dr Greg Bodecker to bolster our science knowledge and networks. We are looking forward to supporting our national Antarctic Programme Antarctica NZ and the international programmes based out of Christchurch – the United States, Italy and Korea, as well as France, Germany and China who also come through Christchurch, the COMNAP secretariat, Gateway Antarctica, NZ Antarctic Heritage Trust, various logistic teams, scientists and local businesses that make up the local Antarctic community in 2023.
There is a lot on the horizon next year, with the city hosting the NZ-Australia Antarctic Science Conference and the XIII SCAR Biology Symposium and our friends over in Hobart hosting the COMNAP symposium and AGM. These events will be great opportunities for the science community to promote international partnerships and provide opportunities for information exchange.
We look forward to showcasing some of the incredible innovation that happens in our city, whether that is our rapidly growing aerospace sector, advanced manufacturing, information technology (IoT) or cleantech businesses. We see Christchurch as the shopfront for all things Antarctic with local industries developing smart solutions, not just for the Antarctica programmes, but for the world.
A big thank you to Dr Young Keun Jin who will be finishing up in his capacity as Head of KOPRI’s Korea New Zealand Antarctic Cooperation Centre in Christchurch. The Christchurch Antarctic Office is grateful for your support and involvement with the local Antarctic community.
The Antarctic Community lost ‘a legend’ with the passing of Arthur ‘Art’ Brown in November. Art’s contribution to our Gateway City was massive, he was instrumental in building strong ties between the New Zealand and United States Antarctic Programmes which still exist today.
Congratulations to Justin Watson who has been announced as CEO of Christchurch International Airport. We are immensely proud to have a climate-positive airport that supports our Antarctic programmes and look forward to working with Justin and the rest of the team in 2023.
All the best for the festive season and we look forward to strengthening our relationships and being the conduit to many future collaborations.
Miri Kirihimete - Merry Christmas
David, Sue and Greg
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Ōtautahi Christchurch Gateway City News
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XXXV111 Italian Expedition Leader Gianluca Bianchi-Fasani (far right) with Italian 46th Air Force Brigade Commander Lt Col Massimiliano Ferrara and crew
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New Italian Runway in Antarctica is operational
On 21 November, an Italian Air Force Lockheed C-130J took off from Christchurch towards Antarctica and successfully made its first landing on the semi-prepared runway at Boulder Clay. The runway is destined to become an international hub in Antarctica at the service of scientific research for all.
Read the full article here.
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Remembering Art Brown
We say farewell and fondly remember Arthur (Art) Brown who passed away 4 November, aged 87. Art was the National Science Foundation Program Manager who was based in Christchurch managing the United States Antarctic Program’s involvement in NZ from 1990-2018 and was a friend and colleague to many in the Antarctic community.
In 2010, then Mayor Bob Parker recognised Art’s ‘invaluable contribution to the city’ with a Civic Award at the Antarctic Season Opening celebration. Art was further granted Honorary Citizenship of the City of Christchurch in recognition and gratitude for (his) service to our city in a ceremony in Washington DC in 2019. Art was just the second person to be granted this city honour.
Art was recognised as “a legend in the Antarctic programme” in a recent Stuff article. Antarctica NZ paid tribute to Art: “Art’s enthusiasm, commitment and knowledge helped forge the strong relationship we enjoy today between the New Zealand and United States Antarctic Programmes.”
Tributes for Antarctic legend who was vital link in NZ US relations for 20 years
Farewell Art Brown
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KOPRI – farewell Dr Young Keun Jin
The Antarctic Office farewells Dr Young Keun Jin and welcomes Dr Yongcheol Park of KOPRI who arrives in early January to lead Korea Polar Research Institute’s (KOPRI) Korea-New Zealand Antarctic Cooperation Centre for the next year.
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New CEO at Christchurch International Airport.
Justin Watson has been appointed the new chief executive of Christchurch Airport, replacing Malcolm Johns who departs after 9 years.
Watson, currently the airport’s chief aeronautical and commercial officer, will take over as chief executive on January 1, 2023.
Read the full article here.
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Antarctic Science
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Beyond EPICA
Scientists have returned to East Antarctica this month to locate the oldest ice on Earth. The team is part of an EU-funded research consortium from 10 European countries whose aim is to drill an ice core to capture 1.5 million years of Earth’s climate history.
Read the full article here.
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Antarctic Science Matters
The Antarctic Treaty signed 63 years ago on Dec. 1 during the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58, is an invaluable model of global scientific cooperation. The National Academies celebrated Antarctica Day this year with a new resource on the continuing importance of Antarctic science and why U.S. investment and leadership matter.
Read the resource
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Balloon Time in Antarctica
It’s December, so that means it’s balloon time in Antarctica. McMurdo Station — the National Science Foundation’s field station on the southern tip of Ross Island — is once again buzzing with activity. Scientific ballooning operations were put on hold during the height of COVID-19, but scientists are now almost ready to make their first post-pandemic launch from Antarctica to the cusp of space.
Read more here.
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Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) Secretariat news
Two COMNAP Antarctic Fellowships were awarded this year. On Antarctica Day, 1 December 2022, COMNAP announced two awards to early career Antarctic researchers: Aanchal Jain received funding to work at the British Antarctic Survey on the plastic pollution problem. Antonio Polo Sanchez from Spain received joint funding (from COMNAP and the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO)) to work in Italy and Antarctica on volcanic eruptions in the Bransfield Strait.
The announcement can be read here.
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Antarctic Science Platform highlights
This major New Zealand Government-funded research project supports a range of physical and biological science to understand Antarctica’s impact on the global earth system and New Zealand, and how this might change in a warming world.
The Antarctic Science Platform has published research highlights for 2021/22. Over 100 scientists from throughout NZ are working together to better understand ecosystems, ice sheets, oceans and sea ice in our warming world.
Read more here.
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Christchurch Antarctic Network
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Introducing the Christchurch Antarctic Network
The Christchurch Antarctic Network provides a unique platform for Christchurch businesses to tell their Antarctic stories of product and service delivery and business innovation to International Antarctic Programmes.
Visit the Christchurch Antarctic Network.
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Supporting Aviation's Shift to a Sustainable Future
New Zealand-based Fabrum, a world leader in zero-emissions transition and British engineering consultancy Filton Systems Engineering (FSE) have joined forces with GKN Aerospace to help shift aviation towards hydrogen flight with end-to-end hydrogen fuel system technology.
Read the full article here.
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New Zealand Stratospheric Aircraft Design Unveiled
The design of New Zealand’s first stratospheric aircraft has been finalised and construction is well underway, Christchurch-based Kea Aerospace has confirmed.
Read the media release New Zealand Stratospheric Aircraft design unveiled.
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Antarctic and Gateway City Events
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COMNAP Meetings
23-29 June 2023
COMNAP’s Antarctic Search & Rescue Workshop, the 20th COMNAP Symposium and the 35th COMNAP Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be hosted by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, from 23−29 June 2023.
The AGM is a Member’s Only event but the Australian Antarctic Division intends to support opportunities for commercial exhibitors on the margins.
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New Zealand - Australia Antarctic Science Conference
25-28 July 2023
Antarctica New Zealand is teaming up with the Australian Antarctic Division for the New Zealand – Australia Antarctic Science Conference 2023 at The Majestic, Christchurch from 25-28 July 2023
For more details on New Zealand – Australia Antarctic Science Conference here.
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XIII SCAR Biology Symposium
31 July - 1 August 2023
Many of the world’s leading scientists and early career researchers in Antarctic biology and ecology will meet for the first face-to-face Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) meeting in 3 years. In Ōtautahi Christchurch at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre from 31 July - 4 August 2023.
For more details on SCAR Biology Symposium 2023 click here.
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Shackleton returns to Christchurch (virtually)
27 December 2022 - 6 March 2023
International Antarctic Centre
Modern-day adventurer Tim Jarvis AM recreated the famous events of Shackleton’s voyage, where he discovered that climate change had drastically impacted the region. In a world-first virtual reality project and a New Zealand Premiere, Thin Ice VR offers an unrivalled immersive experience to follow in the footsteps of Shackleton and Jarvis that will leave viewers in no doubt about the devastating effects of climate change.
Six 30-minute shows per day.
For more details www.iceberg.co.nz.
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All Things Penguins - Live from Antarctica
11 January 2023, 7am NZT
Join the National Science Foundation for Live from Antarctica – All Things Penguins on January 10, 2023 (1PM EST). Penguin researcher Jean Pennycook will be tuning in live from the Cape Royds penguin colony in Antarctica! A seasoned researcher, Jean is part of a team conducting globally unique demographic studies of Adélie penguins in the Ross Sea. The study uses penguin-borne sensors to evaluate foraging conditions and behaviour and environmental conditions on Adélies.
Register for the webinar.
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New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch
18 - 19 March 2023
Lyttelton Harbour will host the New Zealand leg of the international Sail GP competition. The two-day spectacle of exhilarating racing will see 50-foot foiling catamarans within metres of the shoreline at Naval Point. As the only Gateway City to host Sail GP, we look forward to showcasing our incredible city to a huge international audience.
For more details click here.
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Scientists stamp their mark on sea ice
NZ Post’s Ross Dependency stamps pack Science on Ice features four Antarctic scientists, their ground-breaking research in McMurdo Sound and some of the innovative technology used to study the ice.
Assoc. Prof. Wolfgang Rack of Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury (UC), has his sea ice work featured. The stamp shows the EM-bird with the new snow radar, the latter a development between UC and Lincoln Agritech.
Read the full article here.
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Inspiring Explorers Expedition 2022 South Pole
Nigel Watson and the NZ Antarctic Heritage Trust Inspiring Explorers ExpeditionTM team are over halfway through their journey to attempt to ski to the South Pole.
You can follow them with almost daily updates here.
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Penguin flies high on TikTok
A TikTok showing an Adélie penguin stopping traffic at Scott Base was viewed seven million times in a week! You can follow @mattykjordan for more slices of life on the ice.
For more details, click here.
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Civic Award for local Antarctican
Congratulations to Bill Nye of Adventure Books, who was presented with a 2022 Civic Award for services to Antarctic Science by Mayor Phil Mauger at the Christchurch Civic Awards Ceremony on 14th December.
See Christchurch Civic Awards 2022.
Photo: Bill Nye with Mayor Phil Mauger and Cr Yani Johanson
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