New Zealand’s commitment and strategic interests in Antarctica began with the development of Scott Base in 1957 as a supporting base for the Trans Antarctic Expedition. The base has been continuously occupied since its establishment, and since then, the base has had numerous upgrades and redevelopments, ensuring its ability to support New Zealand’s key Antarctic objectives. The last major infrastructure investment occurred in the 1980s and mid-1990s.

Fly through of the proposed design

Scott Base is our home on ice and the strategic hub for scientists for New Zealand and across the globe to carry out some of the most important research in the world.

As part of Budget 2019 the Government has committed $18.5 million for the next phase of the Scott Base Redevelopment project.

The project would see the existing base, built in the early 80s and made up of 12 separate buildings, replaced by three large interconnected buildings and a separate helicopter hangar.

The new base could accommodate up to 100 people at a time.

Of the three buildings one is designed for accommodation, dining and welfare, the second for science and management and the third for engineering and storage.