Contract Signed For Scott Base Redevelopment

The Scott Base redevelopment has entered its delivery
phase following the signing of the main construction
contract with Wellington-headquartered construction firm LT
McGuinness.

The milestone follows a comprehensive
reset of the programme after the previous redevelopment
proposal was paused because it could not be delivered within
the Government’s approved funding.

Cabinet approved
the reset redevelopment programme Detailed Business Case in
May 2026 and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of
Finance authorised the project to proceed into delivery
earlier in July.

Antarctica New Zealand chair Leon
Grice said today’s announcement represented far more than
the execution of a construction contract.

“Our continuous
presence and scientific programme in Antarctica are
fundamental to New Zealand’s interests. Approval to
Deliver and the construction contract marks the successful
completion of the reset of a major public infrastructure
project. And it begins the next generation in the Scott Base
legacy.”

The Scott Base redevelopment will deliver a
modern, fit-for-purpose Antarctic research station,
including new accommodation and communal facilities,
upgraded science and operational spaces, and critical
infrastructure improvements.

Capacity will increase
from the current 5,000m2 to approx. 6,500m2, including a new
Base Services Building (over 3,000m2); refurbishment of the
Hillary Field Centre (an additional 400m2); replacement of
ageing infrastructure (water, wastewater and power); with an
enclosed elevated link connecting new and existing
facilities.

The redevelopment also includes a major
wind farm upgrade and battery storage system, significantly
increasing renewable energy generation, resilience and grid
stability for both Scott Base and neighbouring McMurdo
Station.

Mr Grice said the Board deliberately chose to
pause the previous redevelopment when it became clear it
could not be delivered within the approved
budget.

“We took difficult decisions to pause the
project, commission an independent review and fundamentally
rethink the redevelopment. Those decisions have delivered a
project that is affordable, deliverable and still achieves
the objectives Government originally set for the
redevelopment.

“We haven’t compromised the
original scope of requirements or functionality to get this
project back under budget. The capacity and size of the new
Base remain consistent with what was originally
proposed.

“We have confidence we can deliver this
programme because we have significant contingency allowances
and we have done extensive quantity surveying work at every
step and we have a close working partnership with LT
McGuinness. We have not assumed that everything will go
perfectly.

“Antarctica is one of the world’s most
challenging construction environments. Weather, shipping,
logistics and operating in a remote polar environment
inevitably create uncertainty. Our programme accepts this
reality, and we have prudential and tested project
governance, and we have confidence the project can absorb
unforeseen events without compromising our ability to
deliver.

“Scientists, operational staff and support
personnel will receive the modern facilities they need to
live and work safely and effectively in Antarctica. What has
changed is the way those facilities have been designed and
how they will now be delivered.”

Mr Grice said one of
the most enduring outcomes from the redesign was the
development of a long-term masterplan for Scott
Base.

Antarctica New Zealand Chief Executive Jordy
Hendrikx said the past 18 months of planning and design had
significantly strengthened the redevelopment
programme.

“We have now completed planning, design and
procurement. We have confidence in the design, confidence in
the commercial arrangements and confidence that the project
is ready to move into delivery, while remaining within the
Government’s approved funding envelope.”

Professor
Hendrikx said the redevelopment remained one of New
Zealand’s most strategically important investments in
science and infrastructure.

“Scott Base underpins New
Zealand’s permanent presence in Antarctica, enables
world-class science and supports our obligations under the
Antarctic Treaty System. This redevelopment ensures New
Zealand can continue to undertake internationally
significant science from Scott Base while providing modern,
resilient facilities capable of supporting Antarctic
operations for decades to come.”

LT McGuinness Company
Director Dan McGuinness said the collaborative delivery
model established a year ago had been central to achieving
that contractual success.

“The Early Contractor
Engagement process enabled our team to work alongside
Antarctica New Zealand on construction, logistics and
engineering issues. Together we have developed a simpler,
more buildable project with greater certainty around design,
programme, logistics and cost. We are looking forward to
successfully delivering Scott Base over the coming Antarctic
seasons.”

Construction will proceed over successive
Antarctic summer seasons, reflecting the unique logistics
and approximately 100-day annual construction window
available on Ross Island. The coming season will see
drilling and completion of piles undertaken, along with
shipment of materials needed for the 2027/28 season.
Practical completion remains scheduled for
2030.

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