ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND 2016 – 2020 2016 Statement of Intent Our vision Antarctica and the Southern Ocean: Valued, Protected, Understood. Contents Introduction 2 Nature and scope 3 Operating environment 4 Our objectives 6 Overview 6 Our goal for New Zealanders 8 What we will achieve 9 Organisational health and capability 16 Asset management 17 Cover: Scott Base and Mount Erebus. Photo by Anthony Powell ©Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection, 2015-16 Left: Ice Abstract. Photo by Anthony Powell ©Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection, 2015-16 Introduction Antarctica New Zealand’s vision statement Antarctica and the Antarctic strategy that helps us to sustain and develop Southern Ocean – valued, protected, understood – highlights relationships with other national Antarctic programmes Antarctica’s importance to New Zealand. for mutual benefit Valuing the intrinsic and scientific values of Antarctica and the ■■ Ensure the Antarctic Environments Portal built for and security provided through the Antarctic Treaty System as an adopted by the Antarctic Treaty System is actively used effective governance regime to ensure Antarctica’s future as a ■■ Participate in influential Antarctic Treaty forums to natural reserve devoted to peace and science. ensure a cooperative approach to managing Ross Sea Protecting Antarctica to the highest standards of international region environments environmental stewardship through our efforts to minimise ■■ environmental footprints, leadership in protected area manage- Support the implementation of any recommendations ment, and support for the conservation of human heritage in the arising from a review of the Antarctic and Southern Ross Sea region. Ocean Science Directions and Priorities 2010-2020 document, currently in progress Understanding the impacts and influence of climate change and human interactions in Antarctica and on New Zealand’s climate ■■ Work with other New Zealand agencies to ensure and ocean systems, including New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic science achievement maintains New Zealand’s strong islands, is of vital importance for Antarctica and New Zealand. position within the Antarctic Treaty system Examples include predicting the impact of change in Southern ■■ Contribute a Ross Sea region focus to the International Ocean fish stocks, coastal impacts through sea level rise and body of knowledge on climate change natural environmental impacts due to changing weather patterns. ■■ Build and leverage outreach network channels to This document provides the strategic foundation for our day enhance New Zealanders’ understanding of Antarctica to day work and guides the delivery of the Minister’s expectations. and its influence on New Zealand The strategic initiatives we will deliver over the next four years are: The Board of Antarctica New Zealand is pleased to present its Statement of Intent for the four years to 30 June 2020. ■■ We will continue to enhance our health and safety systems, processes and standards to underpin our relentless 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 Brian Roche Tony O’Brien Board Chair Board Member ■■ Work with the New Zealand Defence Force and others 09 June 2016 09 June 2016 to ensure air and sea access to Scott Base is maintained ■■ Support the Christchurch Antarctic Office to develop an 2 Antarctica New Zealand Nature and scope Antarctica New Zealand Our Vision Antarctica New Zealand was established on 1 July 1996 by the Our overarching vision is - Antarctica and the Southern Ocean – New Zealand Antarctic Institute Act (NZAI Act), and is based in valued, protected, understood. Christchurch. Our principal functions under the NZAI Act are: Our Values a) To develop, manage, and execute New Zealand activities People are the key to Antarctica New Zealand’s success. This in respect of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, in includes permanent staff; fixed term and contract staff; seconded particular in the Ross Dependency staff from the New Zealand Defence Force and our many b) To maintain and enhance the quality of New Zealand strategic partners in Government, the science community and Antarctic scientific research other national Antarctic programmes. We seek to create a high c) To co-operate with other institutions and organisations performance organisation underpinned by a culture of shared both within and outside New Zealand having objectives beliefs: similar to those of the Institute ■■ We are passionate about what we do In performing our functions, the NZAI Act requires us to act in a ■■ We care for each other and the environment manner that is consistent with: ■■ We work together a) The need to conserve the intrinsic values of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean ■■ We act with integrity b) Active and responsible stewardship of the Ross ■■ We aspire to the highest standards 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 d) The provisions of the Antarctica Act 1960 and the Antarctica New Zealand. Antarctica (Environmental Protection) Act 1994 e) The risks to personnel being minimised as far as is reasonable Statement of Intent 2016 – 2020 3 Operating environment The context in which we work Economic New Zealand’s interests in Antarctica are founded in our ■■ New Zealand’s proximity to Antarctica provides geography and our history. Our direct connections can be traced economic and diplomatic opportunities, especially for back to the expeditions of Scott and Shackleton over one hundred Christchurch as one of just five Antarctic gateway cities years ago and we have maintained an active permanent presence in the world in the Ross Dependency since 1956. ■■ An economic impact study undertaken in March 2016 by Lincoln University estimated that Antarctic-related The importance of Antarctica to New Zealand activities make a direct annual contribution of $121 million to the Canterbury economy (up 17% from $103 Antarctica’s importance to New Zealand reflects: million 2 years ago) and in excess of $174 million to the Sovereignty New Zealand economy as a whole (up 7% from $162 million 2 years ago) ■■ New Zealand maintains its right of sovereignty over the Ross Dependency Scientific International Governance ■■ As a global laboratory, Antarctica provides opportunities for New Zealand scientists to carry out whole-Earth ■■ New Zealand has international sectorial responsibility systems science and to form scientific partnerships in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica for: co-ordinating with a wide range of countries air and maritime search and rescue all the way to the South Pole; meteorological observations for the World ■■ Antarctica plays a critical role in global climate processes. Meteorological Organisation (WMO); and hydrographic We have a direct interest in any changes in the Antarctic survey under the auspices of the International environment and how these might affect us Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) Environmental Diplomatic ■■ Antarctica is designated by the Protocol on ■■ New Zealand is an original signatory to the 1959 Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as Antarctic Treaty and has been involved in negotiations a natural reserve devoted to peace and science. Our of all international instruments that constitute the commitment to the conservation of the intrinsic and Antarctic Treaty System wilderness values of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean provides New Zealand with a significant opportunity ■■ Antarctic co-operation deepens some of New Zealand’s to demonstrate our international environmental most important bilateral relationships leadership credentials Ice Bergs Cape Evans. Photo Anthony Powell ©Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection, 2015-16 4 Antarctica New Zealand Historic Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Directions and Priorities 2010-2020 document ■■ The Ross Dependency contains key historic sites of global significance, including the Historic Huts of Scott, ■■ The mandated mid-point review of the Government’s Shackleton, Borchgrevink and Hillary science priorities for Antarctica is a work in progress at the date of this Statement of Intent A dynamic environment Antarctic infrastructure funding We operate in a complex and changing environment. Key challenges, opportunities and risks we are currently managing ■■ Antarctica New Zealand’s capital asset management include: plan indicates a significant shortfall in funding the cost of replacing Scott Base assets when they come to end Antarctic science of their useful lives. A business case is being developed ■■ The demand for scientific understanding and in conjunction with MFAT and Treasury to address the knowledge of our planet’s southern Polar Regions has funding shortfall never been greater. Antarctica and Southern Ocean management, conservation and protection critically depend on scientific understanding and knowledge of New Zealand’s Antarctic air transport capability our planet’s southern polar regions and their critical ■■ Antarctica New Zealand is contributing to the review role in the Earth and climate systems of options arising from the Defence White Paper with ■■ The scientific questions currently being asked are regard to New Zealand’s medium-term future air requiring researchers to work more collaboratively on transport capability larger