1972–1973 Auckland Islands Expedition
| Sponsor | Department of Lands and Survey and the United States National Science Foundation |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Leader | Brian Bell |
| Start | Dunedin 28 November 1972 |
| End | Dunedin 3 March 1973 |
| Goal | Biological research at the Auckland Islands |
| Ships |
|
The 1972–1973 Auckland Islands Expedition was a research expedition undertaken between November 1972 and March 1973 to research the biodiversity of the Auckland Islands.[1][2][3][4]
Expedition planning[edit]
In 1972 the Ministry of Lands approved a research expedition proposal to take around 20 people to the Auckland Islands for the purposes of scientific research. The Ministry place a request with the Ministry of Defence to obtain logistical support from the New Zealand Navy for the expedition. In April the Department of Lands and Survey contacted a variety of scientific institutions both from within New Zealand and internationally, including the United States National Science Foundation, inviting applications to participate in the expedition. In May 1972 the Ministry of Defence decided that the New Zealand Navy would be unable to provide transport to the Auckland Islands expedition. As a result, participants of the expedition were then expected to contribute NZ$500 each to charter a boat to transport them to and from the Islands.[1]
It was recommended by Professor G. A. Knox that the vessel RV Acheron be chartered for the duration of the expedition, thus allowing participants to visit the larger islands in the Auckland Islands group. However the cost of hiring this vessel for the proposed three month length of the expedition was expensive. The Department of Lands and Survey commenced negotiations with the United States National Science Foundation to help fund the expedition with the latter organisation offering US$12,000 in support of the Foundation's six nominees participating in the expedition. The New Zealand government undertook to cover the remaining costs of the expedition.[1] Other funders of the expedition included the Dominion Museum and several New Zealand universities.[1]
The Wildlife Service organised the provision of stores and equipment for the expedition and also provided the expedition leader Brian Bell, who coordinated the communication and transportation.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e L. M. Kenworthy (1975). "Planning the Expedition". Department of Lands and Survey Reserves Series. 3: 9–26. ISSN 0110-6546. Wikidata Q125494803.
- ^ Brian Douglas Bell (1975). "General Account of the Auckland Islands Expedition 1972–73". Department of Lands and Survey Reserves Series. 3: 27–49. ISSN 0110-6546. Wikidata Q125494914.
- ^ Henry Andrew Imshaug (July 1973). "Auckland Islands Expedition, 1972–1973" (PDF). Antarctic journal of the United States. 8 (4): 187–188. ISSN 0003-5335. Wikidata Q125494933.
- ^ Atkinson, Tudor (June 2001). 'St Michael' goes south: a 31 foot motor-sailer in support of the 1972/73 Auckland Islands Scientific Expedition. Wellington, N.Z: Department of Conservation. ISBN 978-0-478-22102-2.