On thin ice: Antarctica NZ plagued by low staff confidence, resignations

A conceptual image of the Scott Base redevelopment project. (Image: Jasmax, Hugh Broughton Architects, Antarctica NZ)

Thu, 02 May 2024

The stalled Scott Base redevelopment project continues to bleed expertise, as a newly released survey reveals staff confidence in Antarctica New Zealand reaching new lows.Following queries from BusinessDesk, the crown agency confirmed the construction manager for the project had recently resigned, joining project director Jon Ager and a host of other staff, including the commercial manager on the troubled build, who have quit in the past year.Construction on the Scott Base redevelopment project, with a topped-up budget of $498 million, was mean...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

On the Money

On the Money: Du Val, Kathmandu, Fonterra, and more

A Du Val comedy, dairy politics, and a copied signature.

Dileepa Fonseka 11 Oct 2025

Technology Review

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Slimmer and sharper

When I first got Samsung’s original Galaxy Z Fold, it felt like a momentous occasion.

Peter Griffin 11 Oct 2025

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Slimmer and sharper

Opinion

Simon Robertson: On asset allocation

Why I only own US stocks.

Simon Robertson 11 Oct 2025

Sponsored

Why New Zealand organisations need to rethink their cloud strategy

New Zealand organisations have embraced cloud computing over the past decade, but many are now confronting a sobering reality: adoption alone isn’t enough. According to Datacom’s 2025 Cloud & Infrastructure Report, only half of New Zealand businesses say they’ve realised the benefits they expected from cloud – despite significant investment.

Datacom

Sponsored