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One of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth is closer than ever – right here in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

This week our Tūranga Library ‘freezes over’ with Days of Ice – six whole days dedicated to celebrating the opening of the Antarctic Season.

It brings together the Antarctic community and locals to experience the awesome things about Antarctica and features something for everyone including exhibitors, presentations, and interactive experiences.

Cool – so what is the big deal about the ice? Why should Cantabrians care about Antarctica?

Ōtautahi Christchurch is one of only five Antarctic Gateway cities on the planet. International Antarctic Programmes from all over the world, including Italy, the US, South Korea, China, and Germany use our beautiful city as their entry to Antarctica for their science and research on the frozen continent.

The Antarctic economy is worth over $229M annually to New Zealand’s economy and the sea-lion’s share – more than $158M – comes to Canterbury. David Tayler, Head of the Christchurch Antarctic Office, says the city plays a crucial role in Antarctic operations and its connection with Antarctica is an opportunity for innovation, research, and climate awareness.

“The Antarctic community supports over 3,000 full-time jobs in Canterbury, which delivers significant economic impact. Our gateway status is ingrained in Ōtautahi Christchurch. While our geographic location provides a strategic advantage, it is our network of businesses and world-class infrastructure that truly distinguishes us. State-of-the-art airports, ports, and specialised services make us a pivotal hub for National Antarctic Programmes and the expertise and support provided by Christchurch’s Antarctic Network sets us apart globally.”

Our gateway plays a vital role in supporting the innovation, science, and research essential for understanding and addressing these global challenges. So, whether you are a passionate about Antarctic, have a genuine interest in exploration and science or simply find yourself wanting to know more, Days of Ice is the place to be this school holidays.

Great for the whole family, Explore Antarctica is an expo-style event for tamariki and whānau.

Meet huskies, spot penguins from space, loads of crafts, storytelling and more! Kids can grab a passport, visit at least four exhibitions, and get it stamped to go into the draw to win an awesome prize. The prize pack includes an Annual Family Pass to the International Antarctic Centre, Tram, Gondola Annual Pass and Rollickin’ Gelato vouchers!

There’s ‘cool’ stuff happening from now until the weekend. Check out the full programme here