Lamingtons, cheese rolls for Scott Base's 60th

Antarctica New Zealand this weekend celebrates the 60th anniversary of Scott Base, pictured here with Mt Erebus in the background. Photo / File

Lamingtons and cheese rolls will be on the menu when New Zealand's Scott Base celebrates its 60th year this weekend.

Celebrations surrounding the Antarctic station's big anniversary will include a TEDx talk at the base featuring, among others, a Kiwi pop star, a Nasa astronaut and the granddaughter-in-law of famed adventurer Jacques Cousteau.

New Zealand was one of the first countries to establish a base on the frozen continent, and over the six decades since, the country had been at the forefront of scientific research and exploration on the ice, Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Peter Beggs said.

"We have also helped lead the international effort to protect Antarctica, helping establish The Antarctic Treaty in 1961."

On January 20, 1957, a flag-raising ceremony was held outside the original Scott Base that had just been built by a team led by Sir Edmund Hillary.

Beggs said Antarctica New Zealand wanted to do more than just cut a cake to mark the milestone.

"We wanted to celebrate our history and success at Scott Base, but we wanted to use the anniversary to draw attention to the significance of Antarctica, how the continent is changing, and the impact this has on the rest of the world.

"Global warming means our scientific work in Antarctica is more important than ever before; what happens to the Ice over coming decades will effect the entire global population."

To highlight the issue, Antarctica New Zealand is hosting TEDxScottBase - a series of talks from 10 internationally recognised speakers.

They include award-winning Kiwi musician Gin Wigmore, US astronaut Dr Dan Barry, who has logged more than 734 hours in space, and Ashlan Cousteau, a veteran US journalist, environmental advocate and granddaughter-in-law of French documentary-maker Jacques Cousteau.

These were recorded at Scott Base and will be broadcast online this Sunday.

Beggs said the team at Scott Base was also preparing a more low-key but fitting celebration.

"They're having a 1957-style morning tea, complete with lamingtons, cheese rolls and pigs in blankets.

"Back in 1957 such morning teas were usually enjoyed with a flask of beer but we're subbing that out for a pot of Milo."

Antartica New Zealand is also hosting a number of those who were on the early expeditions to Scott Base at a dinner in Christchurch.

"These are our Antarctic pioneers if you like. Their stories are amazing and inspiring and we have no doubt we'll enjoy hearing them all."