Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Voyage to the Ross Sea, Antarctica - monitoring a rapidly changing environment

This short documentary follows a research expedition by ship to Antarctica, where scientists take viewers behind the scenes of their work in one of the most remote and rapidly changing environments on Earth. In early 2024, as part of Italy’s 39th Antarctic scientific campaign, and in collaboration with New Zealand's Antarctic Science Platform, the Italian icebreaker R/V Laura Bassi undertook a major voyage through the Ross Sea, bringing together an international group of researchers studying climate change, sea ice, ocean processes, marine ecosystems, and Earth’s climate history. Filmed onboard and in the field, the documentary captures the realities of Antarctic science at sea — from collecting ocean samples and seabed cores to working around sea ice and extreme weather conditions. It also highlights the contributions of early-career researchers helping shape the future of polar science. The research conducted during the expedition contributes to a growing global effort to understand how changes in Antarctica may affect oceans, ecosystems, and climate systems worldwide. Thanks to all the participants and supporters of the voyage. You can find out more about the voyage here: https://www.antarcticscienceplatform.org.nz/research/biodiversity-voyage