Keynote presentation
'The Deep South' – New Zealand’s Antarctic, Southern Ocean and Subantarctic Science Challenge
Professor Gary Wilson, Director – New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute
The New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute (NZARI) was launched in August 2012. Its purpose was twofold:
- to develop a more integrated and collaborative research programme to achieve the NZ government Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Strategy, and
- to encourage greater financial support for the research through increased government investment and through new philanthropic support.
The overarching challenge for NZARI is to 'Determine how and at what rate Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and the Subantarctic are responding to, moderating, or controlling the effects of a warming global climate'. Key focus areas in the Ross Sea Sector will include the vulnerability of the Ross Ice Shelf, climate prediction and biological indicators of climate change.
With the announcement of the 'Deep South' Science challenge, NZARI is equally concerned with how changes in Antarctica will impact global systems (ocean, climate and biology) and in particular the SW Pacific so that New Zealand can plan for change on appropriate timescales. Key focus areas to deliver this will include the ocean connections, marine ecosystem structure, the New Zealand Subantarctic and atmospheric impacts.
This presentation will introduce NZARI and outline progress in it’s first 9 months including the outcome of a National workshop to identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for Research, NZARI’s first funding round and progress on the 'Deep South' National Science Challenge.
