AusLeisure

A new partnership between Ngai Tahu Tourism and Antarctica New Zealand will see a glacier guide temporarily swap the ice of Franz Josef Glacier for the chill of Antarctica.

The summer secondment is being trialled this year at Scott Base, offering the recipient from Franz Josef Glacier Guides an opportunity to support field operations in Antarctica and be part of the search and rescue response team.

The successful secondee is Scott Barry, a 25-year-old from Christchurch who is currently a guide at Franz Josef Glacier Guides.

Explaining that hisinterest in Antarctica began through the heroic tales of the early explorers, Barry advised “I first learned about Antarctica through the story of Frank Worsley, after reading his plaque at Akaroa, and I’ve been interested ever since.”

Franz Josef Glacier Guides is one of 14 businesses owned by Ngai Tahu Tourism.

Ngai Tahu Tourism Chief Executive Quinton Hall says the partnership with Antarctica New Zealand is an incredible opportunity for the two organisations to share knowledge and experiences while investing in some of the most talented hard ice guides in the world.

Hall stated “two of our core values are kaitiakitanga, which includes being guardians of the environment, along with tohungatanga, which is building expertise, and these are also shared by the Antarctica New Zealand team, which is why partnering with them in this kaupapa made complete sense.

“Being in the tourism industry, we also recognise that investing in the development of our people is important for all of Aotearoa, so finding ways that we can share experiences is awesome – and this is certainly a unique way.”

Antarctica New Zealand Chief Executive Sarah Williamson says the partnership is a great opportunity to work closely with Ngai Tahu Tourism and draw on a wealth of expertise., adding “we are looking forward to having Scott with us this season, the experience and skills he has developed at Franz Josef Glacier translate well into the Antarctic environment.”

Scott Base is New Zealand’s only Antarctic research station, 3,800 kilometres south of Christchurch and 1350 kilometres from the South Pole.

From October to February, Scott Base is a bustling hub of scientists, staff and visitors. Up to 86 people can be accommodated at any one time; during the summer season, more than 300 people stay on base.

Images: Scott Barry (top) and Scott Base (below, courtesy of Anthony Powell).

Related Articles

8th July 2019 - Tourism businesses can encourage sustainable behaviour

23rd June 2019 - World Leisure looks to build global excellence network

10th June 2019 - New report highlights the need for tourism industry to acknowledge ‘invisible burden’

30th March 2019 - China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism visits Ngāi Tahu Tourism experiences

20th September 2018 - Ngai Tahu Tourism increases investment in its people

31st January 2018 - Hot weather having big impact on New Zealand’s ‘water tower’ glaciers

23rd January 2017 - New Zealand marks its Antarctica anniversary

14th September 2016 - Skyline Enterprises moves forward with plan for Franz Josef Glacier gondola

5th December 2015 - New International Antarctic Centre owners invest in Christchurch tourism growth

10th November 2015 - Franz Josef Glacier Guides retains status as top choice for backpackers

6th December 2014 - Ngāi Tahu Tourism buys New Zealand Guided Nature Walks

6th October 2013 - Glacier Explorers up-and-running for summer season

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.