New Zealand's interest in Antarctica

The Ross Sea region of Antarctica which New Zealand has administered since 1923.

New Zealand's involvement in Antarctica

The authors of a 2003 report into what motivates New Zealand's involvement in the Antarctic identified four distinct phases in New Zealand's policy towards the Antarctic. These were:

• Pre policy: up to 1922
• Minimalist approach: 1923-57
• Realisation of the value of ‘sovereignty' and science: 1957-1995
• Incongruous environmental and commercial emphasis: 1995 to present

They described that there were five key drivers influencing New Zealand policy towards the Antarctic. These were:

• Historical and social
• Political and legal
• Science and research
• Economic
• Environmental

They considered the shifts in dominance of these drivers over time, and the interplay between them. Overall they concluded that proximity was the fundamental driver of New Zealand's Antarctic policy. They went on to explain that:

Proximity led to New Zealand's claim to the Ross Dependency.  The claim to the Ross Dependency has meant that New Zealand has a place in the Antarctic Treaty system, a science programme and an approach to the environment that encompasses notions of ownership as it plays guardian as well as responsible resource user.

Further information:

• Barrie Cook, Judith Fretter, Shona Muir, Waverley Parsons and Lesley Woudberg, Antarctic drivers: what motivates New Zealand's involvement in the Antarctic?, GCAS 2003 Syndicate report, Unpublished, 2003.