Antarctic Heritage

#OnThisDay in 1938, Antarctic explorer Tom Crean died, aged 61. A veteran of three major expeditions, 'Discovery', 'Terra Nova' and 'Endurance', Crean’s courage and resilience helped save lives and shape the Heroic Era of Antarctic exploration. He now rests near the South Pole…

#OnThisDay in 1872, Dr Edward Wilson was born. A key figure of the Heroic Era, Wilson joined both of Scott’s Antarctic expeditions as scientist, explorer and artist. He perished with Scott at the South Pole in 1912, but his legacy endures. 🔗 nzaht.org/118-year-old-p…

#OnThisDay in 1919, Sir Edmund Hillary was born in Auckland. Best known for summiting Everest in 1953, Hillary also led NZ’s party in the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, the third team to reach the South Pole overland, and the first to do so by tractor. His team also…

#OnThisDay in 1872, legendary Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen was born near Oslo. Amundsen cemented his place in the heroic era of polar exploration, famously becoming the first to reach the South Pole on 14 December 1911, beating Scott’s team by a month.

#OnThisDay in 1911, Wilson, Bowers and Cherry-Gerrard reached Cape Crozier on the infamous ‘Winter Journey’, part of Scott’s British Antarctic ‘Terra Nova’ Expedition. Traversing nearly 100km in total darkness and –60°C, their goal was to collect Emperor penguin eggs to support…

Yesterday we hosted Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Hon. Paul Goldsmith at Te Papa as he checked out our VR recreation of Scott’s 'Discovery' hut. The Minister noted that very few New Zealanders have the chance to visit these huts, which are an important part of our…

#OnThisDay in 1921, Shackleton called for a “handy lad” to join the Quest expedition, inviting Scouts across the country to apply. Out of 1,700 hopefuls, two were selected: Norman Mooney and James Marr. Unfortunately, Mooney suffered badly from sea sickness and was sent home when…

It was a night of icy memories and powerful connections as Inspiring Explorer Daniel Bornstein spoke to the ANARE Club in Canberra about conserving Antarctica’s remarkable cultural heritage. From historic huts to handmade gear, Daniel’s talk covered everything including the Ross…

As part of our Inspiring Explorers™ outreach, Maia Ingoe spoke to the NZ Antarctic Society about her Ross Sea Expedition experience. She shared reflections from the Ice, insights on Scott’s legacy, the impact of climate change, and her work leading the podcast project.

#OnThisDay in 1864, Lieutenant Albert B. Armitage was born in the Braes of Balquhidder, Perthshire in Scotland. Armitage was part of two polar expeditions, Navigator for the 'Jackson-Harmsworth' Arctic expedition 1894 and Lieutenant R.N.R. Second-in-Command and Navigator for…

#OnThisDay Aeneas Lionel Acton Mackintosh was born in Tirhoot, India. Mackintosh served as Second Officer during Shackleton's British Antarctic 'Nimrod' Expedition 1907-09 and Commander of the Ross Sea Party, a component of Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic 'Endurance'…

Are you in Wellington for the school holidays? Explore Scott's ‘Discovery’ hut through our latest virtual reality experience at Te Papa! Book here: tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events/s…

What a day! 85 Year 12 students from 10 schools joined us for our first-ever Christchurch Explorer Conference at Te Pae. From Lisa Blair’s powerful keynote to hands-on workshops on the Explorer Mindset — the message was clear: Step outside your comfort zone.

We're bringing Scott’s Discovery Hut VR Experience to Te Papa, Wellington! Book in your spot here: tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events/s…

#OnThisDay in 1974, geologist and Antarctic explorer Raymond Priestley died aged 87. He joined Shackleton’s 'Nimrod' Expedition (1907–09) and later Scott’s 'Terra Nova' Expedition (1910–13), surviving two Antarctic winters—one in a hut at Cape Adare, the other in an ice cave on…

#OnThisDay in 1961, the Antarctic Treaty came into force. Signed in 1959 by 12 nations active during the IGY (1957–58), it now has 58 Parties. The Treaty ensures Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes only, with freedom of scientific research and open sharing of results.

Happy Midwinter! Midwinters Day or Midwinter, celebrated across many of Antarctica's national bases on the day of the southern winter solstice, is a big deal for those spending the long dark winter in the southern continent. Various traditions are associated with the day…

#OnThisDay in 1928, Roald Amundsen disappeared after leaving Tromsø, Norway, while flying a rescue mission in the Arctic in search of Umberto Nobile and the crew of the airship 'Italia'. It is believed that their aircraft crashed in the Barents Sea. One of the seaplane’s floats…

#OnThisDay in 1916, Perce Blackborow, Welsh sailor and famed polar stowaway aboard Shackleton's expedition ship 'Endurance', underwent surgery on Elephant Island to amputate his frostbitten and gangrenous toes.