Ōtautahi Christchurch is proud to be an Antarctic Gateway City, one of only five in the world.
The role of the Christchurch Antarctic Office is to co-ordinate the opportunities presented by Christchurch’s Antarctic Gateway status and to explore our historic and modern connections with the icy continent.
As Sir Edmund Hillary noted, “much of the history of Antarctic exploration has flowed through Christchurch,” starting over 100 years ago with the “Heroic Era” explorations of Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton, who both used Christchurch as a basecamp for their Antarctic expeditions.
Christchurch Antarctic Office & Connections
Christchurch Antarctic Office
Christchurch’s official city hub to connect and excite people and organisations around the city’s unique Antarctic heritage and future opportunities across community, business, tourism, science and education.
International Programmes
Christchurch, as New Zealand’s Antarctic gateway city, hosts a number of international partners in addition to New Zealand’s own Antarctic government agency, Antarctica New Zealand.
Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury
Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury, is a focal point for Antarctic study, attracting national and international participation in collaborative research, analysis, learning and networking.
Antarctic Heritage Trust
Through its mission to conserve, share and encourage the spirit of exploration the Trust cares for the remarkable expedition bases of early Antarctic explorers including, Carsten Borchgrevink, Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hillary. It shares the legacy of exploration through outreach programmes and encourages the spirit of exploration through expeditions to engage and inspire a new generation.
The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
The city, through the University of Canterbury, is proud to host the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) Secretariat. The COMNAP Secretariat has been located in Christchurch since 2009. COMNAP is the international association, formed in 1988, which brings together its 30 Members, who are the National Antarctic Programs. National Antarctic Programs are those organizations that have responsibility for delivering and supporting scientific research in the Antarctic Treaty Area on behalf of their respective governments and in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty. COMNAP’s purpose is to develop and promote best practice in managing the support of scientific research in Antarctica.
Connecting the Canterbury Economy with Antarctica
Christchurch Antarctic Network and Directory
A unique platform for Christchurch businesses
Christchurch Antarctic Network and Directory
The Christchurch Antarctic Network provides a unique platform for Christchurch businesses to tell their Antarctic stories of product and service delivery and business innovation to International Antarctic Programmes.
Experience the Gateway
Experience Antarctica In Christchurch
Christchurch is home to a number of world-class Antarctic landmarks and attractions celebrating Christchurch's connections to the frozen continent.
Christchurch's Antarctic Heritage
Ōtautahi Christchurch served as a base for numerous famous Antarctic expeditions, including those of Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott.
Antarctic Gateway Audio Trail
Listen Up Ōtautahi
Learn about Ōtautahi's role as an Antarctic gateway city on our audio tour.
Hear from scientists and artists, historians and curators and get a taste for the magic, adventure and importance of this otherworldly continent.
The tour takes about 90 minutes covering 1.2km with 18 stops. If you're with young ones be sure to look out for the Antarctic creatures hidden along the route.
Access the experience via your browser.
Antarctic Gateway Audio Trail
Latest News
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New Appointments For The Christchurch Antarctic Office
ChristchurchNZ is very pleased to announce that two new appointments have been made to the Christchurch Antarctic Office. -
Christchurch A Winner As Government Confirms Scott Base Redevelopment
The Government confirmed funding in today’s Budget announcement for the redevelopment of Scott Base in Antarctica. -
Leveraging Christchurch’s Antarctic Connection
Ōtautahi Christchurch has always been a basecamp for exploration, and we channel this through our Christchurch Antarctic Office. -
Credit: Oi YOU! Ōtautahi Christchurch’s Antarctic Stories Come to Life
Scientists, artists, experts and locals – all share their Antarctic stories in a new interactive experience in Ōtautahi Christchurch. -
Days of Ice brings Antarctica to life
A new events programme is set to celebrate Ōtautahi Christchurch’s unique status as an Antarctic Gateway city. -
Update from Michelle Rogan-Finnemore, COMNAP Executive Secretary
COMNAP Executive Secretary Michelle Rogan-Finnemore discusses what is being done to keep Antarctica COVID-19 free. -
From Bali to Antarctica
Caleb Fraser, the University of Canterbury student, selected as Christchurch’s representative on the Antarctic Cities Youth Expedition.
Off Ice Newsletter
Stay up to date with the latest news and Antarctic Gateway activities.
Read the latest edition of our newsletter Off Ice July 2023 and sign up below.
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