Antarctic Heritage Trust

09/10/2026

in 1905, Norwegian born Per John Savio died at just 27 years old. Despite his short life, Savio’s legacy endures in the frozen landscape of Antarctica.

At 18-years-old, Savio became a member of the British Antarctic Southern Cross' Expedition in 1898-1900, led by Carsten Borchgrevink, along with fellow Sami explorer Ole Must. The expedition departed from St Katherine’s Dock, London on 22 August 1898 and arrived at Cape Adare on 17 February 1899, nearly six months later.

Savio was uniquely suited for this exhibition having knowledge of traditional Sami survival skills, and a mastery of extreme cold climates and dog handling skills. Savio and Must were the first to spend the night on the Antarctic Continent when the ‘Southern Cross’ arrived at Cape Adare, along with the 75 dogs.

Savio was also part of the sled team that became the first to travel on the Ross Ice Shelf, setting a Farthest South record of 78° 50′S. His expertise, particularly in dog handling and survival, was instrumental not only in achieving this milestone, but in ensuring the expedition’s survival.

Today, we remember Savio not only for his courage, but as a representative of the Indigenous knowledge that shaped the early history of Antarctic exploration.

Antarctic Heritage Trust is proud to care for Borchgrevink's hut at Cape Adare. The site is important not only for its role in the exploration of Antarctica but is also the only example left of humanity's first building on any continent.

📸 The firsts dogs in Antarctica a Cape Adare with Savio by the skis and Must and Evans in the background. Canterbury Museum.
Per Savio and Ole Must. Public Domain

09/10/2026

in 1861, Norwegian explorer, Fridtjof Nansen was born in Christiania (later called Oslo), Norway. Considered by many to be one of the greatest men Norway has ever nurtured, he was renowned as a scientist, explorer, diplomat and humanitarian.

Nansen is famously known for leading a team of six on the first crossing of the Greenland ice cap on skis in 1888. His 'Fram' expedition of 1893-1896 was an attempt to reach the geographical North Pole. Whilst they didn't reach it, they did achieve a farthest North record of 86°14′ and the scientific observations carried out during the period of the exhibition contributed greatly towards the new scientific discipline of Oceanography. The expedition also confirmed that the general character of the north polar region is that of a deep, ice-covered sea.

After the 'Fram' expedition, Nansen retired from exploration and his scientific work focused on oceanography. The final decade of his life was largely devoted to the League of Nations after he was appointed as the League's High Commissioner for Refugees. For his work in repatriating the displaced victims of World War One and related conflicts, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.

Nansen's legacy of polar travel, equipment and clothing innovation and travel techniques influenced a generation of Arctic and Antarctic explorers, including Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen.

📸 Portrait of Nansen aged 27, the year he crossed Greenland (1888) © Unknown

07/10/2026

🎙️ What’s happening in the Ross Sea?

Hear from Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Lizzie Meek as she joins RNZ’s podcast 'First Up' to share an update on the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project - the largest heritage project ever undertaken in the polar regions!

Listen to the full podcast here:

On today's First Up pod: news out of the United Kingdom, the latest from South Waikato and Taupo, ACT leader David Seymour explains the party's pledge to remove tax on Kiwisaver earnings, and we head to Antarctica for an update on the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project.

07/10/2026

The Spirit of Antarctica voyage has officially come to an end!⛵

After 10 days of sailing, learning, challenging themselves and making new friends, our trainees returned to Auckland on Sunday, and what a voyage it has been!

The final days saw the team sail from Great Barrier Island to Kawau Bay, before spending their final night at Motuihe Island.

For their final challenge, the trainees took the reins for Trainee Day. They elected their own captain and crew, taking on roles as cooks, navigators, engineers and watch assistants, before setting out to sail, cook, clean, and organise their day with very little help from the permanent crew.

And they certainly made the most of it! From successfully sailing the ship to Motuihe Island to throwing their own 'pool party', the trainees embraced the challenge, rewarding themselves by swinging from the rope swing and turning the bottom of a raft into a slide off the ship.

When the trainees made it back to Auckland's Princess Wharf, they were saddened to say goodbye to new friends who had become like family. It is safe to say that new lifelong friendships have been created on this voyage.

The trainees have left the voyage with new skills, new friendships and a strong sense of pride in what they have achieved. They have spent the last 10 days developing their 'Explorer Mindset' by stepping outside their comfort zones, working as a team, and learning to lead alongside people they had never met before.

The Trust thanks our partner Spirit of Adventure Trust and our donors to the Inspiring Explorers™ Fund for making this experience possible.

📸Spirit of Adventure team at Princess Wharf. Trainees tacking the sails. (L-R) Espania, Gianny, and Mark with ship's Captain Andrea. Trainees swinging off the ship during their pool party. © AHT/Georgia Airey

04/10/2026

Applications are now closed.

Applications for our next Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ close today! Have you applied?

If you're aged 18 to 30 and ready to challenge yourself, contribute to the ongoing care of Antarctica's remarkable cultural heritage and become part of Antarctic Heritage Trust's 40 year legacy, we'd love to hear from you.

Visit inspiringexplorers.co.nz to submit your application before applications close today.

Applications are to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, and UK, U.S. and Irish citizens residing in New Zealand.

Applications close 5 October 2026.

The Trust thanks Expedition Partner Heritage Expeditions and donors to the Inspiring Explorers™ Fund for making this opportunity possible.

04/10/2026

in 1908, the Northern Party, a component of Shackleton's British Antarctic 'Nimrod' Expedition 1907-1909, set out for Victoria Land. During this time, Shackleton's South Pole party were on their own expedition the 'Great Southern Journey'.

The Northern Party consisting of Alistair McKay, Douglas Mawson and Edgeworth David, set out along the coast of Victoria Land to carry out magnetic and geological work and try to reach the South Magnetic Pole. With no help from dogs or ponies the men left with sledges pulled by a motorcar adapted for the Antarctic conditions!

By early November the party were fast running out of food, having to ration themselves quite strictly. They endured inevitable hardships of Antarctic travel at that time - brushes with disaster, snow blindness, sunburn and frostbite. By mid-January 1909, the Northern Party were successful in their journey and reached the South Magnetic Pole 16th January, facing a return journey of 290 miles! After their success, the party had a mere fifteen days to meet their ship, 'Nimrod', before it left the Antarctic.

The men reached the rendezvous point on 2 February 1908, but 'Nimrod' had already passed them, unable to see them in the drifting snow. Two days later, 'Nimrod' returned after picking up a party undertaking geological work from Ferrar Glacier. In the excitement to get on board, Mawson fell 5.5metres down a crevasse and had to be rescued before the weakened party could finally board the ship.

📸 McKay, Mawson and David at the South Magnetic Pole, 1909, Alexander Turnbull Library.

02/10/2026

The Spirit of Antarctica team have been embracing every opportunity to explore, learn and step outside of their comfort zones on their voyage aboard the 'Spirit of New Zealand'.

From sailing 50 nautical miles from Omataonga Bay on Great Mercury Island to the eastern side of Great Barrier Island, to learning new sailing skills, climbing the rigging and heading out on the yard, the team are putting their ‘Explorer Mindset’ into action. The ‘Explorer Mindset’ qualities enabled Antarctica’s early explorers to push the boundaries of science, endure the harshest conditions on Earth, and venture into the unknown.

They’ve also taken to the trails, walking from Kiwiriki Bay to Busch’s Bay before finishing at Smokehouse Bay with a campfire and night paddle. Out on the water, they were treated to bioluminescence glowing beneath their paddles and an incredible night sky above! ✨

Along the way, the team have begun to make lifelong friends and form connections with everyone on board. With only a few more days on the open water, they’re making the most of every opportunity to learn, challenge themselves and embrace the spirit of exploration. 🌊⛵️

The Trust thanks our partner Spirit of Adventure Trust and our donors to the Inspiring Explorers™ Fund for making this experience possible.

📷 Bush walk. Trainees paddling to Kiwiriki bay. Trainees climbing to the top of the royal sail. Camp fire. Trainees on the boat. © AHT/Georgia Airey

01/10/2026

Before and after conservation, in one of the world’s most extreme environments!

At first glance, you might not notice a dramatic difference between the images, and that’s the point.

Our conservation approach is evidence-led and guided by the principle of least possible intervention. We work to retain as much of their authentic fabric as possible. Step inside, and many visitors say it feels as though the men have only just left the room.

The remarkable survival of the huts means they remain an outstanding evocation of early polar exploration.
The conservation of these places is down to the work of many skilled conservators through the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project, the world’s largest and longest-running cold climate conservation programmes. It is also thanks to the Trust's community of supporters who help us raise the funds required to carry out this ongoing critical work.

And now, you could have the chance to experience these remarkable places for yourself.

Applications for the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Ross Sea 2027 close this Monday 5 October 2026. Applications are open to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, and UK, U.S. and Irish citizens residing in New Zealand, aged 18–30.

Apply now at inspiringexplorers.co.nz.

The Trust thanks Expedition Partner Heritage Expeditions and donors to the Inspiring Explorers™ Fund for making this opportunity possible.

30/09/2026

Still deciding whether to apply?

Let our 2025 Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ team take you with them on their journey to the Ross Sea, Antarctica!

Our new podcast 77 Degrees South follows the team as they venture inside the historic huts of legendary Antarctic explorers, and as they experience Antarctica for the very first time.

Have a listen, and if you can picture yourself in their snow boots, there's still time to apply! Applications close end of this week on 5 October 2026.

Apply for the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Ross Sea 2027 at inspiringexplorers.co.nz

Applications are to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, and UK, U.S. and Irish citizens residing in New Zealand.

Applications close 5 October 2026.

The Trust thanks Expedition Partner Heritage Expeditions and donors to the Inspiring Explorers™ Fund for making this opportunity possible.