About Us
- Who We Are
- Meet Our Supporters
- Publications: Newsletters and Annual Reports
- Media Releases and Articles
- Vacancies
- Contact Us
Who We Are
"...the desire for knowledge for its own sake is the one which really counts. Exploration is the physical expression of the Intellectual Passion. ... And I tell you, if you have the desire for knowledge and the power to give it physical expression go out and explore. If you are a brave man you will do nothing; if you are fearful you may do too much, for none but cowards have need to prove their bravery".
Apsley Cherry Garrard. From his book The Worst Journey in the World
The geographical South Pole lies at 90 degrees south and at the turn of the twentieth century Antarctica was the focus of one of the last great races of exploration and discovery.
This period of Antarctic exploration (known as the “heroic era” of exploration 1895-1917) saw expedition parties build bases from which they left for the interior of the Antarctic Continent. They still stand in Antarctica today—monuments to this extraordinary period of adventure and discovery.
The Antarctic Heritage Trust (New Zealand), formed in 1987, is a charitable trust based in Christchurch, New Zealand registered under the Charities Act 2005 (registration CC24071). It is recognised internationally as the organisation caring for the expedition bases left by the first explorers in the Ross Sea region of the Antarctic Continent.
The Trust cares for, on behalf of the international community, the four bases associated with the following expeditions:
British Southern Cross Expedition 1898-1900. The expedition led by Carsten Borchgrevink.
National Antarctic (Discovery) Expedition 1901-1904. The first expedition led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott.
British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition 1907-1909. The expedition led by Sir Ernest Shackleton.
National Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition 1910-1913. The second expedition led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott.
All the sites are protected under the Antarctic Treaty System. In 2007 all four sites (with a particular emphasis on Captain Scott's base at Cape Evans) were listed on the World Monuments Fund List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World.
The Trust is governed by a board of trustees and enjoys the patronage of the Governor General of New Zealand. The Trust is administered by an Executive Director together with staff based in Christchurch and Antarctica. Click here for a full list of our patrons, trustees and staff.
As a charitable trust we rely on the support of the international community to achieve the Trust's objectives:
-
To conserve the physical legacy of the expedition bases (the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project); and
-
To partner with international organisations to educate and inspire another generation to go out and explore and discover.
The Trust enjoys works closely with it sister trust UKAHT and enjoys the support of governments, foundations, corporates and individuals. In 2005 an Eminent Persons Group was set up in the UK to assist our camapaign. The Trust has recently been offered a matched funding challenge towards saving Captain Scott's base at Cape Evans. The offer effectively doubles every pound or dollar we raise for the site up to a maximum of £1M. To find out more about our supporters click here or how you can support the matched funding challenge click here.
We welcome your support.
Related Links and Documents
Our Supporters (including members of the Eminent Persons Group)
The History of the Expedition Bases