Acting chief named for Antarctica NZ

Peter Smith has been named acting chief executive at Antarctica New Zealand following the unexpected resignation of Peter Beggs.

Beggs resigned on Thursday, saying he was considering a return to Britain to be closer to his children’s grandparents.

Antarctica NZ board member Sharon Hunter, an IT entrepreneur, also left the agency unexpectedly, to spend more time with her daughter.

Beggs, who was paid nearly

$330,000 as chief executive, received a ‘‘significant’’ payment upon ending his contract, according to a source.

Yesterday, Antarctica NZ chairman Sir Brian Roche said Smith, currently general manager of corporate services and strategy, would be in charge. Smith, a chartered accountant, joined Antarctica NZ in late 2003.

Roche said recruitment for a new chief executive would begin ‘‘as soon as practicable’’.

The agency, which received

$20 million in public funding last year, oversees the running of Scott Base and scientific research programmes on the ice. It is preparing a business case for an estimated $150m replacement for the ageing Scott Base.

Beggs, who took up the post in

2014, represents New Zealand on a number of international bodies.