A delegation of senior United States government officials will join New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark in a visit to Antarctica next week to commemorate 50 years of U.S.-N.Z. co-operation on the continent.

United States Ambassador to New Zealand Bill McCormick - who himself will be joining the delegation to the Antarctic - has enthusiastically welcomed the visit.

“The visit by high-level United States officials to commemorate this significant 50 year milestone demonstrates the importance we attach to U.S.-NZ scientific cooperation on the ice,” said the Ambassador.

“Both the U.S. and New Zealand are committed to the good stewardship of our planet and the research we carry out together in Antarctica’s unique conditions is vital in helping us to achieve that goal,” he added.

The delegation from Washington will include Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment and Science Claudia McMurray; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Glyn Davies and Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation Dr. Arden Bement. Ambassador McCormick will accompany the delegation to Antarctica. (Biographies below.)

The New Zealand delegation includes Right Hon. Prime Minister Helen Clark and husband Peter Davis , Sir Edmund Hillary, and Christchurch mayor Garry Moore.