KEY POINTS:
Activities related to Antarctica are worth about $282 million a year to New Zealand, a report says.
The Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) also found Antarctic-related activities such as scientific programmes run by New Zealand, the United States and Italy, tourism and fishing, support the employment of 2115 New Zealanders.
The CDC Project Antarctic Report carried out by Lincoln University estimated that the economic benefit for New Zealand was $133 million a year, and the indirect benefit was $282 million a year. Most of the benefit was to Canterbury, which is a gateway city to Antarctica and the base for Antarctica New Zealand.
"The Project Antarctic Report is the first time a full economic impact study on Antarctic-related activities has been completed ... and it is a significant achievement," said Michelle Rogan-Finnemore, chairwoman of Antarctic Link Canterbury, a cluster of Antarctic-related organisations.
Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Lou Sanson said the economic benefit figures - which are considered a conservative estimate - were a lot higher than he expected.
"It just goes to show the incredible value to the region of being the gateway to the Antarctic." The CDC now wants to move forward by expanding on the historic and scientific links with the Antarctic, education and research, tourism opportunities and business links.
CDC chief executive Chris Pickrill said one of the main issues highlighted in the report was competition with Hobart for Antarctic support.
"Some people think Australia has adopted a policy which is more supportive of economic development. The support offered by Antarctic Tasmania and the perceived lower level of regulation and control there has led to the perception that it is probably easier to do Antarctic-related business in Australia than in Canterbury."
A forum for all Antarctic stakeholders will be held in August.
