Police Response to Antarctica

• Main Author: McCarthy, Peter
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: Antarctic; New Zealand; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14204

This paper examines the legal obligations for New Zealand Police to respond to incidents or investigate incidents or accidents occurring in the ‘New Zealand territory’ in Antarctica as defined by New Zealand legislation from our ratification of The Treaty and subsequent enactment of the Antarctic Act in 1960. The key agreements of the Treaty are listed and discussed with sovereignty issues. Case studies outline previous incidents and accidents and attempt to highlight potential conflicts. Current best practice by Antarctic New Zealand in managing risk is examined. The success of current enforcement and future response to incidents or accidents occurring particularly with injury or death are discussed and recommendations made as appropriate. Several recommendations are drawn from the conclusions.