Korean Antarctic Programme opens office in Christchurch

Korean Antarctic Programme opens office in Christchurch

Antarctica New Zealand welcomes the Korean National Antarctic Programme to Christchurch's Antarctic community.

Today, the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) will open their New Zealand-based cooperation office at the International Antarctic Centre where the New Zealand, United States and Italian Antarctic programmes are currently based.

The opening ceremony will include the formal signing of a cooperation agreement between the two national Antarctic programmes.

This adds greater value to the government agreements signed between Korea and New Zealand in 2012 which facilitated the transit of personnel and equipment of the Korean Antarctic Programme through New Zealand for the construction of Korea's Jang Bogo Station during 2013.

Both agreements promote ongoing cooperation between the two countries on Antarctic policy issues, scientific research and logistical activities.

"Korea and the people of Christchurch, New Zealand's Antarctic gateway city, share a long history of people-to-people business and scientific exchange. As the next step in our Antarctic relationship, it is our privilege to host a number of Korean government officials and the President of KOPRI for this important occasion," says Antarctica New Zealand Chief Executive, Peter Beggs.

Recognising the significance of this event, Member of Parliament Melissa Lee and Christchurch Mayor Hon Lianne Dalziel will be speaking at the ceremony which includes a guest list of senior officials from Christchurch businesses and sister city groups.

"From today, all four international Antarctic programmes working in the Ross Sea region are co-located at one Antarctic hub in Christchurch. This means we can better support our operational activities through the joint movement of personnel and sharing of resources in the region," says Mr Beggs.

"We are very proud of Christchurch’s position as a gateway city to Antarctica, and the combined infrastructure of Christchurch’s international airport, dry dock, sea port and engineering facilities, which provide effective support for our national Antarctic programmes operating in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica."

Also located at the International Antarctic Centre is the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute (NZARI), which partners with local and international research agencies to develop a global understanding of Antarctica's impacts and vulnerability in a changing global climate.

NZARI Director Dr Gary Wilson says, "NZARI is looking forward to further enhancing New Zealand's collaborative research efforts in Antarctica with KOPRI over the coming seasons. We already have a solid foundation which includes joint plans for research this season, and today's cooperation agreement between Antarctica New Zealand and KOPRI expands this opportunity."

Christchurch is home to the Council of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) – an integral part of our local community, and a voice which serves the worldwide network of national Antarctic programmes. The University of Canterbury's acclaimed Gateway Antarctica Programme will also offer a strong local voice on science partnerships.

Antarctica New Zealand and the international network of Antarctic programmes based in Christchurch understand the importance of their presence to the rebuild of Canterbury. A recent study notes Antarctic-related activities have an annual estimated value of $102.9 million to the Canterbury economy and $161.7 million for the New Zealand economy.

ENDS

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