Hon Phil Goff Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
24 November 2004
Goff, Hillary to Antarctica for Erebus anniversary
Foreign Minister Phil Goff and Sir Edmund Hillary travel to Antarctica tomorrow to take part in ceremonies marking the
25th anniversary of the Mt Erebus disaster.
All 257 people on board Air New Zealand Flight TE901 died when the plane crashed on the slopes of Mt Erebus on 28
November 1979.
Mr Goff will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony near the crash site and then he and Sir Edmund will attend a memorial
service at Scott Base, to be led by Dean Peter Beck from Christchurch Cathedral.
“Despite the passage of time, the memory of the Erebus disaster remains fresh in the minds of the many New Zealanders
touched by the tragedy. This service is an opportunity to honour the memory of those who died, and to recognise the
impact the disaster had on our country,” Mr Goff said.
“Antarctica is an unforgiving place, with a history of triumph and tragedy. It is appropriate that I am joined on this
visit by Sir Edmund, given that he is synonymous with New Zealand’s Antarctic endeavours.
"Sir Edmund supervised the building of Scott Base in 1957, and the next year he made history by driving a
Massey-Ferguson tractor to the South Pole. He has visited Antarctica many times since."
While in Antarctica, Mr Goff and Sir Edmund will dedicate the Hillary Field Centre, a heated all-weather storage
facility named in recognition of Sir Edmund’s Antarctic achievements.
“The Hillary field centre, which is under construction, is the largest single construction project ever under taken at
Scott Base. Its opening will allow the removal of a number of old storage facilities, making the base much more energy
efficient,” said Mr Goff, whose ministerial responsibilities include Antarctica.
"Its completion will be particularly welcomed by Scott Base staff who currently work in temperatures as low as minus 45
degrees in an aircraft hanger built in 1960."
Mr Goff and Sir Edmund will also visit several historic huts, including the Trans-Antarctica Expedition (TAE) hut – the
first building erected at Scott Base by Sir Edmund. They will tour the neighbouring American base, McMurdo Station, and
visit several science projects before returning to New Zealand.
ENDS