Cabinet Ministers Phil Goff, Pete Hodgson, Marian Hobbs and Matt Robson will make a three-day familiarisation visit Antarctica next week, from Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 January.

The visit has been planned by Antarctica New Zealand to give the ministers a first-hand understanding and appreciation of New Zealand's activities and interests in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

Antarctica New Zealand is responsible for New Zealand's activities in the region. Current issues include strong international interest in fishing in the Ross Sea, increasing diversification in tourism, and opportunities for New Zealand involvement in or leadership of international science, environmental and education projects.

New Zealand's aim is to take a strong environmental stewardship and science role in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

The ministers will stay at Scott Base and be guided by Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Gillian Wratt and chairman Chris Mace on field visits to research sites. The projects include atmospheric, aquatic ecosystem, wildlife and environmental impact research.

As Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Goff is responsible for Antarctica New Zealand, while Mr Hodgson (Fisheries, Science, Climate Change, Associate Foreign Affairs), Mr Robson (Associate Foreign Affairs) and Ms Hobbs (Environment, Biosecurity) have portfolio interests in Antarctic issues.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>