New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release

Wednesday 17 January 2007

Chief Of Defence Force To Visit Antarctica For 50th Anniversary

The Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae will accompany the Prime Minister Helen Clark, Sir Edmund Hillary, other dignitaries and media to the Antarctic to mark the 50thanniversary of Scott Base on Saturday 20 January.

As part of the official commemoration ceremony, Lieutenant General Mateparae will give a speech on New Zealand Defence – 50 years support of the Antarctic programme.

NZDF personnel were part of a team that helped to erect the first hut at Scott Base which was officially opened on 20 January 1957.
The Antarctic/NZDF relationship goes back to1956 when the HMNZS Endeavour carried personnel, dogs, aircraft and stores to the Antarctic to set up Scott Base and assist the NZ Support Party of the Commonwealth Trans Antarctic Expedition, led bySir Edmund Hillary.

The relationship continues today with NZDF transporting people and equipment to the ice each year. The NZDF also provides a number of staff in support of the New Zealand and United States Antarctic programme for the summer season. These personnel divide their time between McMurdo Station, where they look after air movements and logistics, and Scott Base, where they undertake communications, cargo handling, stores, administration and base management functions.

ENDS

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