Rotorua’s Ngawai Clendon set for Antarctic expedition adventure

Ngawai Clendon is off on a trip of a lifetime. Photo / Supplied by Shareena Dixon

Life hasn’t been easy for Ngawai Clendon, but she’s found her “golden ticket” and now she’s off on a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica.

The 21-year-old from Rotorua says she had a challenging upbringing but that made her determined to make something of herself, to become a leader and inspire other young people to create better lives for themselves.

“I learned from the mistakes of those who came before me, and I’ve seen first-hand what it looks like to not follow your dreams and how that can affect you.

“I just decided I don’t want to live a life like that. I told myself I am good enough to go to university, to make something of myself.”

Clendon is studying at Victoria University to become a teacher and said having a degree was her “golden ticket”. It had also led to other opportunities, including studying to earn a certificate as a New Zealand Sign Language translator.

Ngawai Clendon is part of a national championship marching team. Photo / Supplied

She’s been a passionate marching competitor since the age of 4 and is now part of SWIS, a back-to-back national champion team based in Wellington.

Her ultimate goal is to be a teacher who can connect with and support a diverse range of students, regardless of their background or communication needs.

Ngawai is one of eight young explorers who have been picked to go as part of the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Inspiring Explorers Expedition that will travel to the Ross Sea region - the beating heart of Antarctic exploration and the focus of the trust’s conservation efforts.

“When I got the call telling me I was going I screamed so loud and did back flips on my bed. I called my mum, and she was so proud.

“I still can’t quite believe I get to go.”

“I want to encourage other children, especially Māori children, that you can do something amazing like this, you can have a good life, and you can make something of yourself.”

Seven of the eight young explorers are Kiwis – selected by the trust out of hundreds of applicants who put their name forward to be part of the expedition.

As part of their outreach projects, the group will create a podcast series about the expedition and the trust’s work to safeguard Antarctica’s cultural heritage.

The eight chosen explorers are aged 16 to 33 and will depart New Zealand by ship on January 7, 2025.

The chosen explorers:

· Kitiona (Billy) Pelasio, 16, from Auckland

· Ngawai Clendon, 21, from Rotorua

· Louise Piggin, 26, from Christchurch

· Daniel Bornstein, 32, from Melbourne

· Lucy Hayes-Stevenson, 33, from Auckland

· Maia Ingoe, 22, from Auckland

· Calum Turner, 28, from Wellington

· Jake Bailey, 27, from Arrowtown