Hillary's Antarctic Hut Conservation Plan Launched by Antarctic Heritage Trust

This article was originally published 8 September 2026 by Antarctic Heritage Trust - "Antarctic Heritage Trust celebrates official launch of Conservation Management Plans at Government House". We are delighted that the Antarctic Heritage Trust is continuing to conserve the legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary and the TAE Expedition in Antarctica. We will share a link to the new conservation management plan once available at the end of 2026.

Conservation Management Plan lead author team and editors alongside Trust’s Patron, Rt Hon Helen Clark (third from left). From left: Dr Gordon Macdonald, Lucy Hayes-Stevenson (Cheshire Architects), Lizzie Meek, Ella Beckett (Project Manager), Fiona Tennant (Lead Editor). © AHT/Jo Moore

The evening brought together many of the people who have contributed to and supported the development of the updated CMPs over several years.

We were pleased to be joined by the Trust’s Patron, Rt Hon Helen Clark, and Hon Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, alongside former Trust Board Chairs, descendants of polar explorers, conservation specialists, government and conservation partners, donors, supporters, Inspiring Explorers™ alumni and friends of the Trust.

The updated CMPs acknowledge the work of early hut caretakers and conservation personnel and reflect nearly four decades of conservation work led by the Trust, focused in the latter two decades through the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project.

They set out the policy framework for the long-term conservation and management of the historic sites under the Trust’s care, their associated structures and features, and the surrounding historic cultural landscapes within Antarctic Specially Protected Areas. They also provide a basis for consistent decision-making as environmental conditions, visitation and nearby operational activity continue to evolve.

Trust Chair Sir Jerry Mateparae said the updated plans come at an important point for the Trust as it looks to the future of its conservation work.

“The new Conservation Management Plans align with the recently published Strategic Plan (2026-2030) as the Trust enters a new era with its world-leading Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project. There are challenges ahead from logistics to reach sites like Cape Adare, a tough economic environment making fundraising more difficult, and big issues like a changing climate that require careful consideration and understanding,” Sir Jerry said.

As the first stage of the launch, Executive Summaries for the huts of Scott and Shackleton are now available to read.

The summaries provide an accessible introduction to the significance of each site, the conservation work undertaken to date, and the approach that will guide their long-term care.

The full second edition Conservation Management Plans for the four Ross Island historic huts will be published in November 2026 (including Hillary/TAE Hut). The Conservation Management Plan for Borchgrevink’s hut at Cape Adare will follow in 2027.

The Trust acknowledges our government partners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Antarctica New Zealand, and to our core funder, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, as well as our conservation partners, donors, supporters, alumni and friends. We also acknowledge the many people who contributed their knowledge, expertise, dedication and passion to the development of these Conservation Management Plans over several years.

Click here to explore the released Executive Summaries on the Antarctic Heritage Trust's website.