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2021 - Antarctic voyage

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RV Tangaroa is undertaking a 45-day voyage (TAN2101) to the Southern Ocean and Ross Sea from early January and returning February 16, 2021. 

Scientists will carry out nine separate objectives to better understand the processes governing this region and the role of the Marine Protected Area (established in December 2017) in protecting this environment. These include surveys of fish species and seabed habitats, ecosystem studies of plankton, oceanographic and atmospheric measurements to improve understanding of climate-related processes, and making observations of whales. 

NIWA heads to Antarctica for critical climate, ocean research

8 January 2021
NIWA’s flagship research vessel Tangaroa leaves soon on a six-week voyage to Antarctica, making it one of the few full scientific expeditions to the continent since the global outbreak of COVID-19.

Science update 1 from Richard O’Driscoll, Voyage Leader

Voyage leader Richard O’Driscoll gives an update from the first week onboard RV Tangaroa.

Voyage update 1 from Evan Solly, Ice Pilot

Ice Pilot Evan Solly gives an update from the first week onboard RV Tangaroa.

RV Tangaroa's emergency food rations

These are barrels you don't want to be opening, but if things go south, it’s nice to know they’re there.

Scientists on the trail of elusive sperm whales

Feature story
21 December 2020
When scientists head south to Antarctica on board NIWA research vessel Tangaroa next month, they’ll be keeping a close eye out for an animal that is particularly good at staying out of sight.

Our research vessel

RV Tangaroa is New Zealand’s only ice strengthened and dynamically positioned deep-water research vessel.

The marine protected area

The Ross Sea region is vital to the future of the Antarctic ecosystem.

Map of the course of RV Tangaroa taken during the TAN2101 voyage early Jan - 17 Feb 2021

Select anywhere on the red track to see position details and time as well as other vessel information. N.B. Dates and times are in UTC. New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is 12 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Click on the ship icons for points of interest during the voyage.

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