A new plan has been developed to ensure New Zealand has a fit-for-purpose and value for money base in Antarctica to meet its strategic interests. An expert team is working towards submitting a Detailed Business Case to Cabinet in 2026, paving the way for the first stage to be completed in 2030.

A futureproofed base

Antarctica New Zealand has developed the Scott Base Redevelopment Masterplan, which is a comprehensive document that sets out the development, design and management of the base over the next 50 years.

The three-stage masterplan will ensure the infrastructure can adapt to the changing needs of science and the impacts of the environment and climate change. It was developed with design and engineering expertise and input from users, the science community and stakeholders.

Developing the masterplan and taking a long-term view of the redevelopment reduces up-front costs. However, it still addresses the most pressing needs to ensure New Zealand maintains a credible presence in Antarctica and facilitates the delivery of scientific research.

The masterplan comes after the project was reset to ensure it could be delivered within the $498m budget. In 2024, an Independent Review recommended significant changes to its design, delivery and resourcing, which have now been implemented.

Read the masterplan here

Three-stage approach

Stage 1

Stage 1 (above) will see the replacement of the oldest facilities that cannot be maintained beyond 5-10 years.

As part of Stage 1, a new Base Services building will be constructed for living and accommodation, and the Hillary Field Centre would be refurbished for science activity. Critical plant and services will be replaced or upgraded, along with the replacement of the Ross Island Wind Energy system to power Scott Base and McMurdo Station. The existing Hatherton Lodge, Q Hut, wastewater treatment plant, Thomson Building, Kitchen and mess, Administration block and Powerhouse will be demolished.

Stage 2

Stage 2 envisages a new Engineering building linking to the new Base Services building. This would include new Vehicle and Light Engineering workshops. The existing workshops could then be used for storage.

Stage 3

Stage 3 (above) could include a new science building, which would eventually replace the Hillary Field Centre when it reaches the end of its life. A hangar could be built in Stage 3, or even earlier if funding allows.