Antarctica New Zealand STATEMENT OF INTENT 2010 – 2013 1373_Statementofintent10_output.indd 1 10/05/10 4:28 PM COVER IMAGE Scott Base and Crater Hill wind turbines Courtesy Rod Strachan IMAGE ON OPPOSING PAGE Sea Ice sastrugi © Phil Emnet, Antarctica NZ Pictorial Collection: K068 09/10 ISSN 1176-7030 Printed on Sumo Matt. Sumo Matt is a environmentally responsible paper manufactured under the environmental management system ISO 14001 using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp sourced from sustainable, well managed forests. 1373_Statementofintent10_output.indd 2 10/05/10 4:28 PM Antarctica and the Southern Ocean – valued, protected, understood Antarctica New Zealand is the Crown Entity responsible for developing, managing and executing New Zealand Government activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, in particular the Ross Dependency. Antarctica New Zealand manages Scott Base, New Zealand’s Antarctic research station. It maintains New Zealand’s operational presence in the Ross Dependency for the benefi t of present and future generations of New Zealanders. Key activities include supporting scientifi c research, conserving the intrinsic values of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean and raising public awareness of the international signifi cance of the continent. All activities are conducted so as to minimise the risks to personnel as far as is reasonable. Antarctica New Zealand was established in 1996 by the New Zealand Antarctic Institute Act and is based in Christchurch. 1373_Statementofintent10_output.indd Sec1:1 10/05/10 4:28 PM Contents Part 1 Organisation 5 1 INTRODUCTION . .5 2 NATURE AND SCOPE OF FUNCTIONS . 6 Part 2 Medium-Term Strategies and Outcomes 2010 – 2013 8 3 OPERATING ENVIRONMENT . 8 4 STRATEGIC DIRECTION . 10 5 OUTCOMES 2010 – 2013 . 12 5.1 Outcome 1 – A continuous and effective New Zealand presence in the Ross Dependency is maintained. 12 5.2 Outcome 2 – The Antarctic environment is effectively protected . 15 5.3 Outcome 3 – Enhanced high quality science that is relevant to New Zealand and the World . 18 5.4 Outcome 4 – Raising New Zealander’s awareness and knowledge about the importance of Antarctica to New Zealand and the world . 20 6 ORGANISATIONAL HEALTH AND CAPABILITY . 22 7 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT . 23 8 CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT . 24 Part 3 Financial Forecasts 2010 – 2013 26 9 FORECAST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . 26 Part 4 Annual Performance Information 2010 – 2011 33 10 FORECAST SERVICE PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2011 . 33 STATEMENT OF INTENT 2010 – 2013 3 1373_Statementofintent10_output.indd Sec1:3 10/05/10 4:28 PM ORGANISATION PART 1 Introduction ■ 1 INTRODUCTION and small invertebrates. Understanding the distribution Antarctica New Zealand is required to develop, manage of these communities and how they function is critical to and execute New Zealand’s activities in Antarctica and preserving these important ecosystems. the Southern Ocean. This Statement of Intent sets out the Marine Life in the Southern Ocean activities by which we will achieve these goals over the Three key research programmes that are working on next three years. understanding the rich marine life in the Southern Ocean The New Zealand Government has continued to have been supported. Research into the distinctive marine communicate a strong message to public sector ecosystems that exist along the Victoria Land coast and the organisations on the need to increase value in their utilisation of existing Adélie penguin monitoring research operations while remaining under a fi rm funding cap. in fi sh stock monitoring programme are projects that will Our continued efforts to increase productivity, involving have a signifi cant impact on the way marine ecosystems directors, management and all staff members, will remain are managed in the Ross Sea. In addition, research into the a major focus for the year while we continue to enable micro-organisms that grow on the underside of the sea ice world-leading science and environmental initiatives. and their role in the marine ecosystem of Antarctica will provide insight into a fundamental element of Southern A recent Colmar Brunton survey has revealed New Ocean biology. Zealanders hold Antarctica, and New Zealand’s involvement there, in high esteem. Of all respondents, In conjunction with the newly-funded science programme, 70% indicated it was “quite” or “very” important for the Antarctica New Zealand is committed to reducing our New Zealand Government to be involved in Antarctica. impact on the environment and our dependence on non- Of this group 90% of the respondents indicated that renewable energy. Tangible steps towards this occurred “protecting the environment in Antarctica” is important this year with the completion of the Ross Island Wind and 87% indicated that “helping with science research in Energy project, in partnership with Meridian Energy Ltd. Antarctica” is important. Antarctica New Zealand remains The project is critical to reducing dependency on fossil committed to raising this already impressive awareness of fuels in Antarctica and is a signifi cant contribution to New Zealand’s role in Antarctica. the joint logistics pool with the United States Antarctic Program. Fuel consumption will be cut by approximately Throughout 2009, Antarctica New Zealand and the 463 000 litres of fuel every year across both programmes Foundation for Research, Science and Technology have on Ross Island. The project will also reduce greenhouse gas worked together to select and support the best science in emissions by approximately 1200 tonnes of CO annually. Antarctica over the next four years. Up to $30 million is 2 being spent on thirteen Antarctic science research projects On a smaller scale, the Energy Freeze Project, which is in the following areas: being developed in collaboration with the University of Canterbury is currently examining Scott Base energy Climate Change consumption. In addition an Energy Management Group Four key programmes will help us to understand more has been established to manage all energy initiatives about how climate change may affect Antarctica. These throughout the programme. This includes development programmes are looking at past climate history, sea ice of renewable fi eld energy technologies, better use of and work on the upper atmosphere. Our climate change information and energy-related research and development. research will contribute directly to reducing uncertainties These and other initiatives will enable the support of safe, around future behaviour of the vulnerable West Antarctic sustainable science and a strengthening of our position as Ice Sheet for the next Intergovernmental Panel on Climate an active partner in the Antarctic Treaty. Change Assessment Report. The Board of Antarctica New Zealand is pleased to present Life on Land in Antarctica its programme of activity for the 2010/2011 year. There are fi ve research programmes that will provide a better understanding about the terrestrial life in Antarctica. This work will provide critical information that we can use to better preserve Antarctica in a pristine state for future generations. Four of the research programmes are looking at the diversity of life on Antarctic ice-free areas. Previously Rob Fenwick CNZM Graham Fortune CNZM thought to be barren, these ice-free areas in Antarctica Board Chair Board Member have a signifi cant level of life including mosses and lichens 13 May 2010 13 May 2010 STATEMENT OF INTENT 2010 – 2013 5 1373_Statementofintent10_output.indd Sec1:5 10/05/10 4:28 PM PART 1 ORGANISATION P Nature and Scope of Functions ■ 2 ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND ■ 2.4 OUR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Antarctica New Zealand was established on 1 July 1996 Antarctica New Zealand’s principal functions are set out in by the New Zealand Antarctic Institute Act (NZAI Act), Sections 5 and 6 of the NZAI Act (1996): and is based in Christchurch. Antarctica New Zealand is the Crown Entity responsible for developing, managing ■ 2.5 NZAI ACT SECTION 5 – FUNCTIONS and executing New Zealand Government activities in • To develop, manage, and execute New Zealand Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, in particular the Ross activities in respect of Antarctica and the Southern Dependency. Ocean, in particular in the Ross Dependency; • To maintain and enhance the quality of New Zealand Antarctica New Zealand provides for New Zealand a Antarctic scientifi c research; permanent presence in Antarctica through the operation of • To co-operate with other institutions and Scott Base, New Zealand’s Antarctic research station. organisations both within and outside New Zealand Key activities of Antarctica New Zealand include facilitating having objectives similar to those of the Institute. scientifi c research, protecting the natural Antarctic environment and raising public awareness of the global ■ 2.6 NZAI ACT SECTION 6 – signifi cance of the continent, and surrounding Southern PERFORMANCE OF FUNCTIONS Ocean. In performing its functions, Antarctica New Zealand shall act in a manner that is consistent with: ■ 2.1 OUR VISION • The need to conserve the intrinsic values of Antarctica Antarctica and the Southern Ocean – valued, protected, and the Southern Ocean; and understood. • Active and responsible stewardship of the Ross Dependency for the benefi t of present and future ■ 2.2 OUR STATUTORY PURPOSE generations of New Zealanders; and To advance appreciation, conservation and knowledge of • New Zealand’s international obligations; and Antarctica and the Southern Ocean for the benefi t of New • The provisions of the Antarctica Act