PM joins Navy for trip south

By FRANCESCA MOLD

The Prime Minister will travel on the Navy frigate Canterbury to the Auckland Islands next week to inspect conservation sites and explore the subantarctic environment.

Helen Clark said yesterday that she had been invited to join the Navy's annual trip to the World Heritage site to transport equipment and staff.

"It is a wonderful opportunity," she said.

Helen Clark will be joined on the excursion by her husband, Peter Davis, and Conservation Minister Sandra Lee.

HMNZS Canterbury leaves next Friday and is expected to take about 16 hours to complete the 320km journey south.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said she would spend three days on the islands.

She would explore conservation projects, visit historic Second World War buildings and observe the isolated islands' wildlife.

The islands are home to varied plant life, dozens of rare seabirds and marine mammals.

They are also the main breeding centre for the rare Hooker's sea lion.