Gateway to Antarctica: Ōtautahi Christchurch

17/09/2026

We’re delighted to support Italy in Antarctica, presented by the Italian Embassy in Wellington in New Zealand as part of the Antarctic Season Opening 2026. 🇮🇹❄️

The exhibition celebrates Italy’s contribution to Antarctic research and international cooperation—and Ōtautahi Christchurch’s role as Italy’s gateway to Antarctica.

📍 Tūranga, Christchurch Central Library
📅 19–22 September 2026

Come and discover a remarkable story connecting Italy, New Zealand and Antarctica. 🌍

On the occasion of the Antarctic Season Opening 2026, the Embassy of Italy in New Zealand, in collaboration with ChristchurchNZ, presents "Italy in Antarctica", an exhibition celebrating Italy’s long-standing commitment to Antarctic research and international scientific cooperation. ❄️🌍

📍 Tūranga – Christchurch Central Library
📅 19–22 September 2026

The exhibition brings together material provided by the National Commission for Scientific Research in Antarctica ( ), the Ministry of University and Research, the National Antarctic Museum (MNA), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, in collaboration with ENEA - Agenzia nazionale and OGS - Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, highlighting the work of Italy’s National Antarctic Research Programme (Programma Nazionale di Ricerche in Antartide - PNRA).

The initiative marks 45 years since Italy joined the Antarctic Treaty and 40 years since the establishment of the Mario Zucchelli Station ( ), while also celebrating Christchurch’s role as an official gateway for Italy’s Antarctic activities

Today, Italian researchers continue to work across Antarctica — from Mario Zucchelli Station and the international Concordia Station, jointly operated with France, to the OGS research icebreaker Laura Bassi — studying climate, ice, atmosphere, oceanography and other key aspects of the Antarctic environment.

A story of exploration, research and international cooperation that continues today, with Christchurch connecting Italy, New Zealand and Antarctica ❄️🌍

Gateway to Antarctica: Ōtautahi Christchurch Consolato Onorario d'Italia in Christchurch CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche ENEA - Agenzia nazionale OGS - Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale ItaliAntartide Ice Memory Foundation Beyond EPICA - Oldest Ice

15/09/2026

❄️Antarctic Season Opening is almost here - how you can get involved! ❄️

This Sunday, 20 September there are two events you are welcome to attend to honour the city’s enduring connection with the southern continent.

👉Antarctic Church Service
Christchurch Transitional Cathedral | 10am to 11am
>> A service honouring those who lost their lives in Antarctica and while travelling south, while recognising Christchurch’s enduring connection with Antarctica. The service will also include the caretaker handover of the Erebus Chalice for its annual journey south.

👉 Wreath-Laying at the Robert Falcon Scott Memorial Statue
Robert Falcon Scott Memorial Statue, Worcester St | 11.30am to 12.30pm
>> The annual Antarctic wreath-laying ceremony honours past and present polar explorers and marks the official start of the summer research season. The tradition dates back to the late 1920s and the New Zealand Antarctic Society has continued the tradition since 1933.

Together, these events reflect Christchurch’s long-standing role as a gateway to Antarctica and the strong connection between our city and the people who work, live and explore in the world’s southernmost continent.💫

03/09/2026

❄️ Could your next adventure be in Antarctica?

Young New Zealanders aged 18 to 30 have the opportunity to join the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Ross Sea 2027, a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Antarctica from 5 January to 3 February 2027.

Participants will explore historic expedition sites across the Ross Sea region, learn about Antarctica’s incredible history and play a hands-on role in protecting its unique cultural heritage. And there’s more! 🎥🔬🏗️

Special roles are available for those studying or working in:
• Conservation & heritage
• Science
• Engineering
• Surveying
• Architecture
• Videography

Applicants must be 18 to 30 and be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, or UK, U.S. or Irish citizens residing in New Zealand.✨

Applications close 5 October 2026.

👇Find out more and apply through Antarctic Heritage Trust

18/08/2026

🐧 Antarctica… without the freezing toes!

Ready for an Antarctic adventure? This August, you can explore Antarctica without even putting on a puffer jacket!

Two awesome virtual reality (VR) experiences are coming to the International Antarctic Centre, giving kids and families the chance to step into the world of Antarctic explorers.

Step inside Scott's Discovery Hut VR, thanks to Antarctic Heritage Trust, you'll come across penguins, huskies and so much more!

You can also explore A Frozen Night VR, taking you to historic Base E on Stonington Island and into the world of Antarctic dog sledging adventures.

📍 International Antarctic Centre, 38 Orchard Road
📅 26 & 27 August
⏰ 10:30am–3:30pm
🎟️ FREE with entry to the International Antarctic Centre
⏱️ 30 minutes | Ages 11+

When you arrive, the friendly front desk team will give you a ticket and allocated time for your VR adventure.

Who’s ready to explore Antarctica from Ōtautahi Christchurch?

14/08/2026

Still time to catch Southward 🎨🐧thanks to Heritage Expeditions and The Central Art Gallery.

If you missed the opening night, Southward is still on display at The Central Art Gallery until 19 September.

The exhibition features work by artists inspired by New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands through their travels with Heritage Expeditions, celebrating the region's remarkable landscapes, wildlife and conservation stories. Proceeds support the Wandering Albatross Research Programme.

Find out more and view the collection at https://thecentral.co.nz/exhibitions/southward/overview/

We are delighted to announce the opening night of Southward, an exciting new exhibition featuring the works of some of the artists who have been inspired by New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands during their travels with us, and our debut collaboration with The Central Art Gallery.

We would love for you to join us on this special evening celebrating art, exploration, conservation and the extraordinary landscapes of the Subantarctic Islands, all in support of the Wandering Albatross Research Programme.

Please RSVP [email protected] if you can make it.

Can’t make opening night? Southward will be on display until 19 September 2026, with works also available to view online at https://thecentral.co.nz/

13/08/2026

What’s your Antarctic connection? 🧊🐧

You don’t need to have been to Antarctica to have a story.

Maybe you worked with an Antarctic programme. Maybe a family member headed south. Perhaps you supported a flight, fixed equipment, hosted a crew, studied Antarctic science — or Antarctica has simply found its way into your life somehow.

Christchurch artist and photographer Rewa Rendall is collecting 209 Antarctic Connections — stories from people whose lives have been touched by Antarctica.

And we’d love Christchurch residents to be part of it.

Your story can be big, small, historic, funny, unexpected or deeply personal. Together, they’ll help tell the story of what being an Antarctic Gateway city really means — through the people who make that connection real.

📝 Add your Antarctic connection: https://rewarendall.com/209

Know someone with a great Antarctic story? Tag them or send this their way. 👇

12/08/2026

📣 It’s official – Antarctic science is coming to Ōtautahi Christchurch! ❄️🔬

We’re excited to welcome the New Zealand Antarctic Science Conference to our Antarctic Gateway city from 28 June – 2 July 2027.

Hosted by the University of Canterbury, the conference will bring together New Zealand’s Antarctic science community to share research, ideas and the latest insights from the ice.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Ōtautahi. 🐧❄️

Save the date – more details to come!

10/08/2026

🦐 Small but mighty: meet Antarctic krill.

Tomorrow is World Krill Day, celebrating one of the smallest – and most important – creatures in the Southern Ocean.

Krill might only be a few centimetres long, but they punch well above their weight.

🐧 Penguins eat them.
🐋 Whales eat them.
🦭 Seals eat them.
🐦 Seabirds eat them.

And many other Antarctic animals rely on the animals that eat krill.

These tiny crustaceans are a vital part of the Southern Ocean food web – and they also help move carbon deeper into the ocean.

So this World Krill Day – 11 August – we’re giving a shout-out to one of Antarctica’s tiniest powerhouses.

Small creature. Huge role. 🦐🌏

03/08/2026

How do you count emperor penguins in the middle of an Antarctic winter... when it's dark 24 hours a day? 🐧❄️

The answer is from space.

University of Canterbury researchers are using satellite technology to identify individual emperor penguins, helping build a more accurate picture of population numbers while the colony is at its hardest to study.

An incredible example of Kiwi science helping us better understand Antarctica. 👏

Read more below ⬇️

27/07/2026

Ever wondered what research is happening in Antarctica? 🧊🔬

The Antarctic Science Platform has secured funding for the next six years to investigate how Antarctica influences the rest of the world – and what a warming climate means for our future.

They've just launched brand-new webpages showcasing the incredible science underway, from ice sheets and oceans to ecosystems and climate.

Take a look and discover the research helping us better understand our changing planet. 🌏