Nicola Willis to Visit Antarctica, Strengthening Scientific and Environmental Commitment

Willis to meet international partners and scientists, assess redevelopment of Scott Base, and underscore New Zealand’s commitment to the Antarctic Treaty System.

Finance Minister and Associate Climate Change Minister Nicola Willis is set to travel to Antarctica next week, where she will engage with international collaborators, scientists, and the New Zealand Defence Force to assess the progress of New Zealand’s longstanding commitment to Antarctic research and conservation. Her visit, scheduled from November 18 to 21, will focus on understanding the latest advancements in climate science and evaluating the redevelopment of Scott Base, New Zealand’s Antarctic research hub since 1957.

“New Zealand has important interests in Antarctica, and our enduring presence at Scott Base is a critical component of those interests,” Willis stated. She highlighted that New Zealand’s involvement is not only about preserving its scientific and environmental research capabilities but also about safeguarding New Zealand's international leadership on issues concerning environmental stewardship and climate change impact.

A central purpose of Willis’s visit is to oversee progress on the $344 million redevelopment of Scott Base, a project aiming to update the aging facility to meet the growing demands of Antarctic research in an increasingly climate-conscious world. The new Scott Base will feature upgraded laboratories, improved infrastructure for sustainability, and modernized facilities designed to better support both New Zealand and its international research partners. When completed, the redevelopment will allow New Zealand to maintain a competitive edge in polar research, particularly around climate change's effects on polar ice melt, ocean circulation, and global weather systems.

Willis emphasized the strategic importance of the Antarctic Treaty System, now nearly 70 years old, which New Zealand helped establish and continues to champion. “New Zealand remains steadfastly committed to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and to the Antarctic Treaty System. This framework is essential to preserving the continent as a sanctuary for peace and scientific discovery, both now and for future generations,” she added.

In addition to meeting New Zealand’s Antarctica New Zealand team, Willis will connect with representatives from the United States at McMurdo Station, Antarctica’s largest research base, to discuss collaborative projects and shared environmental objectives. These meetings reinforce New Zealand’s commitment to cooperative research efforts and highlight the country’s partnerships with international stakeholders working to protect the Antarctic ecosystem and advance scientific knowledge.

Willis will be joined by Tim van de Molen, Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee, further underscoring the New Zealand Government’s dedication to Antarctic governance, research, and climate policy. This visit will not only strengthen diplomatic ties with research partners but also provide valuable insights as New Zealand continues to support global climate research and conservation initiatives in one of the world’s most fragile and strategically significant regions.