Mayor to visit Antarctica

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel will fulfill a life-long dream when she lands on the ice in Antarctica next week, something she has dreamed of since watching the Operation Deep Freeze planes fly over the city.

The Mayor arrives in Antarctica on 10 November and will spend five days based at Scott Base. The trip is being funded by Antarctica New Zealand.

Her itinerary includes visits to McMurdo Station, Discovery Hut and the Ross Island Wind Farm.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel will also gain insight into important scientific studies underway in the Ross Sea on climate change and environmental management.

“I have made no secret of my passion for Antarctica. Its importance in today’s world cannot be overstated, nor can its role in the future of our city,” Lianne Dalziel says.

“As one of only five gateway cities to Antarctica in the world, Christchurch has become a logistics hub for national and international Antarctic programmes, injecting over $100 million into the local economy annually.

“Our Antarctic connection not only contributes to the local economy, but it also creates important cultural and scientific benefits for Christchurch and links us to an international network of shared research and knowledge about Antarctica,” she says.

Christchurch City Council has recently confirmed Christchurch’s Antarctic gateway status as one of its top priorities and will establish an office to coordinate the opportunities Antarctica provides to the city.

The Mayor says she has also been very supportive of a community-led initiative, the Antarctic Endeavour, which aims to leverage the unique opportunity that Christchurch has to offer in developing a joint research, education and visitor attraction facility.

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