A New Zealand scientist stranded on board a ship stuck in thick pack ice in Antarctica has reassured family back home that all is well.

Four Kiwis are on a stricken ship that spent most of Christmas Day trapped in thick ice in Antarctica.

Prince Harry has been praised by his brave band of wounded soldiers as they received a heroes' welcome after returning from a "crazy" South Pole adventure.

No New Zealanders were on board a helicopter which crash landed in Antarctica early yesterday morning, it has been revealed.

The world's biggest marine reserve in Antarctica may have to be given an expiry date to get countries with interests in the prized waters to agree to it.

New Zealand has reiterated calls to protect waters south of the country from overfishing ahead of an anticipated setback next week.

Murray McCully says an inquiry is expected after a flight to Antarctica carrying 117 passengers was forced to land in a whiteout after being cleared for landing.

New Zealand scientists will take over research operations in Antarctica as the United States withdraws its teams during the government shut-down.

Antarctica New Zealand is confident the US shutdown won't affect its vital air link between NZ and Antarctica when operations are reduced.

Kiwis at Scott Base are offering support to neighbouring McMurdo base as it runs out of money because of the US government shutdown.

The US federal government shutdown is reaching all the way down to the South Pole.

An Air Force plane carrying 117 passengers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully, had to circle for two and a half hours before landing at Antarctica in bad weather tonight.

Prince Harry has spent the night in a giant freezer to simulate the conditions he will face when he treks to the South Pole in November.

The ozone hole over New Zealand is closing, but it may warm up Antarctica which could then affect the West Coast and Canterbury Plains, a university researcher says.

A New Zealand-led plan to create the largest marine reserve in the world in Antarctica has been blocked by Russia.

A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Antarctica, generating large waves but causing no injuries, seismic experts at Argentina's Orcadas base in Antarctica say.

A New Zealand-led plan to create the largest marine reserve in the world in Antarctica has stalled after two countries questioned the legal basis of the proposal.

New Zealand officials are tempering expectations ahead of make-or-break talks to establish the world's largest marine reserve in Antarctica this week.

For one of the harshest places on the planet, Antarctica in the winter does have its delights.

If you think it's going to be cold where you are this week - just remember it could be worse.

The closest most of us will get to Antarctica is nature documentaries like Frozen Planet - but the white continent's relevance to us and our future is far greater than we think.

Three Canadian men who were in a plane that crashed into the upper slopes of one of Antarctica's highest mountains have officially been pronounced dead by a New Zealand coroner.

Three Canadian men who were in a plane that crashed into one of Antarctica's highest mountains have officially been pronounced dead by a NZ coroner.