Statement of Intent Contents
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ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND 2019 – 2023 2019 Statement of Intent Contents Introduction 3 Nature and scope 4 Operating environment 5 Our objectives 7 Overview 8 Our goal for New Zealanders 9 What we will achieve 10 Organisational health and capability 17 Asset management 18 Cover: Photo Fiona Shanhun © Antarctica New Zealand (2019) © Antarctica New Zealand (2019) 2 Introduction Introduction Antarctica New Zealand’s vision statement Antarctica and the Southern Ocean – valued, protected, understood – highlights Antarctica’s importance to New Zealand Valuing the intrinsic and scientific values of Antarctica and • Develop a strategic, transparent and objective the security provided through the Antarctic Treaty System as process for the allocation of logistics to support an effective governance regime to ensure Antarctica’s future science where demand exceeds supply as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science. • Host the Antarctic Science Platform and support it Protecting Antarctica to the highest standards of to be successful international environmental stewardship through our efforts • Ensure the Antarctic Science Platform research to minimise environmental footprints, leadership in protected is well coordinated with New Zealand’s broader area management and support for the conservation of Antarctic and Southern Ocean research effort human heritage in the Ross Sea region. • Understanding the impacts and influence of climate Support the Antarctic Office to deliver the Antarctic change and human interactions in Antarctica and on New Gateway strategy that celebrates and realises Zealand's climate and ocean systems is of vital importance. the value of Christchurch’s gateway status for the Examples include predicting the impact of change in benefit of the city and the nation Southern Ocean fish stocks, coastal impacts through • Demonstrate leadership in influential Antarctic sea level rise and natural environmental impacts due to Treaty forums and facilitate cooperation and changing weather patterns. collaboration amongst the National Antarctic This document provides the strategic foundation for our programmes operating in the Ross Sea region day-to-day work and guides the delivery of the Minister's • Build and leverage outreach network channels to expectations. For our strategic initiatives over the next enhance the general public’s understanding of the 4 years we will: value of New Zealand’s activities in Antarctica. • Continue to enhance our health and safety systems, The Board of Antarctica New Zealand is pleased to present processes and standards to underpin our relentless its Statement of Intent for the four years to 30 June 2023. focus on safety and our commitment to zero harm • Secure organisational funding to ensure New Zealand's continued active and safe presence in Antarctica through a Scott Base facility that is fit for purpose for the next 50 years • Work with the New Zealand Defence Force and others to ensure air and sea access to Scott Base is Sir Brian Roche Dr Helen Anderson maintained Board Chair Board Member • Support the review and refresh of the Antarctic and 21 October 2019 21 October 2019 Southern Ocean Science Directions and Priorities 2010-2020 Antarctica New Zealand | SOI 2019–2023 3 Nature and Scope Nature and Scope Antarctica New Zealand Our Vision Antarctica New Zealand was established on 1 July 1996 by Our overarching vision is – Antarctica and the Southern the New Zealand Antarctic Institute Act (NZAI Act), and is Ocean – valued, protected, understood. based in Christchurch. Our principal functions under the NZAI Act are: Our Values a) To develop, manage, and execute New Zealand People are the key to Antarctica New Zealand’s success. activities in respect of Antarctica and the Southern This includes permanent staff; fixed term and contract staff; Ocean, in particular in the Ross Dependency seconded staff from the New Zealand Defence Force and b) To maintain and enhance the quality of our many strategic partners in Government, the science New Zealand Antarctic scientific research community and other National Antarctic Programmes. We c) To co-operate with other institutions and seek to create a high performance organisation underpinned organisations both within and outside New Zealand by a culture of shared beliefs: that have objectives similar to those of Antarctica • We are passionate about what we do New Zealand • We care for each other and the environment In performing our functions, the NZAI Act requires us to act in a manner that is consistent with: • We work together a) The need to conserve the intrinsic values of • We act with integrity Antarctica and the Southern Ocean • We aspire to the highest standards b) Active and responsible stewardship of the Ross Dependency for the benefit of present and future generations of New Zealanders Our Minister c) New Zealand's international obligations The Minister of Foreign Affairs is the Minister responsible for Antarctica New Zealand. d) The provisions of the Antarctica Act 1960 and the Antarctica (Environmental Protection) Act 1994 e) The risks to personnel being minimised as far as is reasonable 4 Antarctica New Zealand | SOI 2019–2023 Operating Environment Operating Environment The Context In Which We Work Environment New Zealand’s close association with Antarctica began • We want to protect Antarctica as a natural reserve, more than 100 years ago when explorers and scientists left devoted to peace and science. New Zealand ports to discover this vast icy continent and • New Zealand values a healthy and productive make their way to the Pole. Southern Ocean and is committed to protecting In 1957, Scott Base was established by Sir Edmund Hillary its biodiversity. to support the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition and this became New Zealand's permanent station for Science scientific research. • Understanding the role of Antarctica in global systems will help us improve New Zealand’s resilience to climate change and other The Importance of Antarctica to environmental challenges. New Zealand Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are important to International Influence New Zealand because: • Building reputational benefits for New Zealand through our environmental and policy leadership Peace and Security and by engaging in collaborative and policy • We value a safe and secure region to the south of relevant science. New Zealand. Economic Sovereignty • New Zealand’s proximity to Antarctica provides • New Zealand has maintained a claim to the Ross economic opportunities, especially for Christchurch Dependency since 1923 and is one of the twelve as one of just five Gateway cities in the world. original signatories of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. Antarctica New Zealand | SOI 2019–2023 5 Operating Environment A Dynamic Environment Redevelopment of Scott Base We operate in a complex and changing environment. • Scott Base is reaching the end of its functional Key challenges, opportunities and risks we are currently life and safety risks are escalating – refer page managing include: 18 for details. Antarctica New Zealand is seeking to redevelop Scott Base into a safe fit-for- Antarctic Science purpose facility and has received $15.3 million • Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are capex funding to complete detailed design and fundamentally important to the global climate undertake a process for the procurement of a main system, and have an important influence on contractor. An implementation business case will be New Zealand’s climate. Research in Antarctica submitted for consideration by the Government in and the Southern Ocean is imperative to improve Budget 2021. our capability to detect, predict and adapt to New Zealand’s Antarctic Inter-Continental changing environmental conditions, and support Transport Capability environmental management and conservation. • The Strategic Defence Policy Statement 2018 • The Government has established a $49 million identifies supporting the civilian presence in the research fund (the Antarctic Science Platform), Ross Dependency as one of the principal roles of hosted by Antarctica New Zealand. This provides a the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Antarctica stable funding environment to support New Zealand New Zealand is participating in the process for researchers to achieve globally significant replacement of five Hercules transport aircraft outcomes. that provide New Zealand’s operational link to • Research programmes that will advance our Antarctica. understanding of Antarctica’s impact on the global • The ice-strengthened tanker, the HMNZS Aotearoa, earth system and how this might change in a is scheduled to be introduced into service in 2020 warming world have been developed as part of and will provide support to New Zealand’s Antarctic the Antarctic Science Platform. Major research Programme. projects will span multiple seasons on the ice and complement New Zealand’s Antarctic research Ross Sea region growth in activities programme as a whole. • Antarctic Programmes operating in the Ross Sea • Mātauranga Māori provides an additional lens for region are entering into an exciting and ambitious understanding elements of kaitiakitanga, which is phase of activity in support of science. This includes at the heart of valuing and protecting Antarctica as a growing number of countries operating in the a natural reserve devoted to peace and science. region, construction of new bases, redevelopment Developing relationships with Māori will help us of existing facilities and building a new hard-rock explore diverse perspectives