Skip to content

First to the Pole: Roald Amundsen

Roald Amundsen (1872 - 1928)

The Norwegian explorer and his party were the first to reach the South Pole in December 1911. In December 1912, Amundsen gave a public lecture in Christchurch stating "We must always remember with gratitude and admiration the first sailors who steered their vessels through storms and mists, and increased our knowledge of the lands of ice in the South."

Amundsen's penknife, sledge, dog harness and bronze bust are on display at Canterbury Museum.

Scott’s and Shackleton’s bases still remain on Ross Island, full of equipment, provisions and remnants of the men’s lives. The huts are cared for by New Zealand’s Antarctic Heritage Trust.

 

5D6DACB5-F90A-4906-A658-3CFFABC2F5D1