Two Antarctic Features Named
13 August 2008: Media release
The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa today announced two new Antarctic place names to honour the service of Antarctica New Zealand’s retiring Board Chair and its Science and Information Manager.
“The newly named Hargreaves Peak and Mount Peterson in the Ross Sea Region honour the exceptional leadership and work of Mr Paul Hargreaves and Dr Dean Peterson,” Geographic Board Chair Dr Don Grant said today.
Paul Hargreaves retires in August from his role as Chair of Antarctica New Zealand’s Board. Mr Hargreaves joined the Board in 2001 and has been Chair since 2003.
Mr Hargreaves’ earliest association with Antarctica came in 1956-1957 when he joined the frigate HMNZS Hawea as a sea cadet on the first New Zealand scientific voyage into the Southern Ocean and Ross Sea. The Hawea voyaged in company with HMNZS Endeavour, which carried the original Trans Antarctic Expedition party with the late Sir Edmund Hillary. The expedition established Scott Base at the beginning of 1957, International Geophysical Year.
Hargreaves Peak is the highest peak on Adare Peninsula, and rises to approximately 2083 metres. The peak stands sharply above Downshire Cliffs to the east, and its western slopes descend towards Nameless Glacier, which flows into Protection Cove.
Dr Dean Peterson leaves his role as Manager, Science and Information, after 10 years at Antarctica New Zealand. Dr Peterson led the development of the New Zealand Antarctic Science Strategy, and had significant input into the New Zealand Government decision to provide new funding for International Polar Year research.
Dr Peterson also played key roles in the development of several important scientific projects in Antarctica, including the Latitudinal Gradient Project and the recent Antarctic Drilling Project.
Mount Peterson is the northern summit on Daniell Peninsula, rising to approximately 1910 metres. The mount is flanked by Whitehall Glacier to the west, Tucker Inlet and Tucker Glacier to the north, and the Ross Sea to the east.
The new Hargreaves Peak and Mount Peterson place names were proposed by Antarctica New Zealand and the Geographic Board's decisions were gazetted as official place names on 7 August 2008.
The New Zealand Geographic Board is responsible for New Zealand’s place naming, including that for the Ross Sea Region of Antarctica.
Operational support in the Region is shared with the United States of America, and the Board and the United States Board on Geographic Names consult on all place name decisions.
Unlike conventions for New Zealand, Antarctic place names can be named after living people who have made significant contributions to New Zealand’s Antarctic activities. In New Zealand, personal names for places can only be named for deceased people.
The Antarctic Place Names page has more information on the Board’s place naming role in Antarctica.
