A Big Commitment for a Small Country: Is Scott Base Necessary ?

• Main Authors: Thomson, Bex, Fortune, David, Hicks, Stephen
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: Antarctic; New Zealand; Scott Base; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14333

'A Big Commitment for a Small Country — Is Scott Base Necessary?' This is an important and perhaps fundamental question for New Zealand and its role in the Antarctic. The Oxford dictionary defines 'necessary' as follows: 'that which is indispensable, an essential, cannot be done without. 'l We think the question needs to be rephrased or at least explained. We are not trying to decide whether Antarctica matters to New Zealand. Nor are we asking whether New Zealand should be involved in Antarctic matters. What we are concerned with however is whether, or not, New Zealand must have its own 'national base' in order to fulfil its objectives in the Antarctic? We have examined this question from a number Of perspectives and have attempted to produce a fair evaluation of the arguments both 'for' and 'against' the continuation Of Scott Base in its present form. We begin our report with background information about Scott Base. This is followed by a discussion around each Of six dimensions or 'issues' that we believe are most pertinent to the questlon. These dimensions are: 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Sovereignty and the political dimension The dependence Of New Zealand on the United States Science in Antarctica The spirit Of the Antarctic Treaty System The resources that New Zealand has available Costs - What can New Zealand afford? After the dimensions have been discussed we present our conclusions and recommendation. 'A Big Commitment for a Small Country — Is Scott Base Necessary?' This is an important and perhaps fundamental question for New Zealand and its role in the Antarctic. The Oxford dictionary defines 'necessary' as follows: 'that which is indispensable, an essential, cannot be done without. 'l We think the question needs to be rephrased or at least explained. We are not trying to decide whether Antarctica matters to New Zealand. Nor are we asking whether New Zealand should be involved in Antarctic matters. What we are concerned with however is whether, or not, New Zealand must have its own 'national base' in order to ...