Remembering the Mt Erebus Disaster 40 Years On

In the summer of 1979-1980, Nigel Roberts spent four months at Scott Base on Ross Island as Information Officer/photographer. Here he shares his memories of that fateful day in Antarctica in this talk presented by the New Zealand Antarctic Society.

On the morning of 28 November 1979, Air New Zealand Flight TE901 left Auckland, for an 11-hour return sightseeing flight to Antarctica. At 12.49pm NZST, the aircraft crashed into the lower slopes of Mt Erebus, Ross Island, Antarctica, killing all 237 passengers and 20 crew on board. It remains the worst civil disaster in New Zealand's history. In the summer of 1979-1980, Nigel Roberts spent four months at Scott Base on Ross Island as Information Officer / Photographer. Here he shares his memories of that fateful day in Antarctica.

About Nigel Roberts
Emeritus Professor Nigel Roberts taught political science for many years, first at the University of Canterbury and then at Victoria University of Wellington, and he was the face of TVNZ’s election night coverage for numerous general elections. He is the author of multiple publications.

About the New Zealand Antarctic Society
The New Zealand Antarctic Society brings people interested in the Antarctic region together to share their knowledge with others, to foster interest in the region, and to seek and support the protection of the Antarctic environment.

Book recommended although not essential. To ensure your place please phone Research Central 09 890 2412 or book online: https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/pages/event.aspx?eventid=8577