Antarctica archival footage to feature in Kiwi North exhibition in Whangarei

The frozen expanse of Antarctica will feature in an exhibition opening at Kiwi North, in Whangarei, next week. Photo / File

Original footage of early Antarctic expeditions has surfaced and will be making its Whangarei debut next week.

Kiwi North has got its hands on a rare archival film of the 1933-1935 Byrd expeditions to the southernmost continent and it will be rolling for the public on the "Antarctica Then and Now" evening on Tuesday night.

The footage provided by the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Centre at Ohio State University is also a part of the "Letters from little America" exhibition at the museum.

The exhibition focuses on Northlanders' early exploration and expeditions to Antarctica and presents some of the most unique items that act as time capsules of these historic adventures.

The exhibition will be open on the night, before it closes on May 13 as the space is prepared for the next exhibition for Matariki, "Puanga - Star of the New Year".

Also speaking at the screening are two Northlanders who have made the venture to Antarctica in more recent years. Northtec applied and environmental tutor Dai Morgan and Whangarei Girls' High School student Courtney Hammond will share the tales of their own expeditions to the south relative to Byrd's more than 80 years ago.

The "Antarctica Then and Now" evening will take place at Whangarei Museum at Kiwi North on May 1 from 7pm-8.30pm. Donations are welcome but not necessary for entry.