Climate Change Research Expedition to the Sub-Antarctic
Lara is embarking for 13 days to the Sub-Antarctic Islands - researching the effects of climate change on the Antarctic marine environment.
Mellons Bay, Auckland
Hi everyone!
My name is Lara and I am a year 13 student at Macleans College in East Auckland. I was recently selected as one of 11 students nationwide to embark on a 13 day BLAKE Expedition to the Subantarctic Islands in February this year.
On the Expedition, myself and the rest of the BLAKE crew will be supporting staff and scientists with peat and stream sampling, plankton sampling, and marine intertidal ecology surveys. Our goal is to determine the effects of human induced changes in the context of climate change.
Through voyages to the Kermadec Islands, Auckland Islands, and Fiordland, BLAKE Expeditions has sought to continue Sir Peter Blake’s vision and legacy by challenging and developing the leadership potential of young New Zealanders.
The 2023 BLAKE Expedition to the Auckland and Campbell islands will be the programme’s sixth voyage (and the third to the Sub-Antarctic), in partnership with the Royal New Zealand Navy, Department of Conservation, Ministry for the Environment, NIWA and Westpac. We will be travelling aboard the HMNZS Canterbury - a Royal New Zealand Navy vessel.
And we need your help! Donations will be used to support myself and the BLAKE Expedition Crew carry out invaluable research; identifying extreme climate events and exploring the effects on marine life in Antarctica under warming scenarios. Thank you so much for your support.
Use of funds
The expedition cost for each crew member is $2000, and any donation would be greatly appreciated.
Other page links
Latest update
Thank you so much for your support! 21 February 2023
I just got back from my Expedition a couple days ago - and wanted to share a little from the adventure and say a huge thank you to everyone who donated. The expedition was the experience of a lifetime and, although it was cut short (the HMNZS Canterbury had to return to assist in cyclone recovery), we managed to get most of our key research done on Campbell Island.
The main tasks we had to carry out on the island and in surrounding waters were:
- Extracting peat samples from Campbell Island - which will allow GNS Science to visualise the Sub-Antarctic climate up to 14,000 years ago
- Collecting plankton to test for environmental DNA (which could suggest the presence of marine pests)
- Taking kelp samples to determine its possible effects on Antarctic Biodiversity
I feel extremely privileged to have gone to such a remote and pristine location with an amazing group of people - my perspectives on climate change, university study, and even life in general have changed so much.
The island is uninhabited - so witnessing the marine life, birds, and plants thriving in a completely isolated environment was beyond belief. It gave us a glimpse into the past before human intervention - but also the future, and what it could look like if we prioritise biodiversity and biosecurity.
I'm now looking towards my future - wondering what this newfound love for the Sub-Antarctic will mean for my further studies, and searching for ways to get to Antarctica (which is now a goal of mine).
And it's all thanks to you! So, again, thank you so much for your support. Hope you have the best rest of your week.
And, for anyone wondering, this picture is of me trying to photograph a megaherb, then realising that maybe photography isn't my true calling.
Latest donations
Wow thank you so much Terry!! Have a great rest of your week!
Wow thank you so so much Ross. Hope you have a great rest of your week !
Omg thank you so much Samadiana!
Wow thank you so much John!!
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