Alcohol tops list of exports purchased in the Antarctic

WELLINGTON: New Zealand has exported $80,000 worth of stuffed toys, almost $20,000 worth of chocolate and a staggering $1.5 million worth of alcohol to the Antarctic since 1990.

Of all New Zealand’s exports to the Antarctic, alcohol topped the spending list, aircraft came second — and included a $1.2 million helicopter — equipment and fuel were third and clothing fourth.

Fifth on the list were toys. Jigsaws accounted for $3000 of the amount spent, over $7500 has been spent on dolls, and $80,000 on stuffed animals since 1990.

Are cold, lonely scientists cuddling up to teddy bears to get through the night?

Antarctica New Zealand’s communications specialist Georgia Nelson said this guess was not quite on the money. A gift shop at the base with essentials, such as toothpaste and shampoo also has soft toy souvenirs.

‘‘There are also souvenirs like emperor penguin soft toys, key rings, Tshirts — the usual gift shop type stuff. People who visit Scott Base often pick up a few things for their family and friends back home, or themselves to remember their time in Antarctica. Our neighbours from the United States McMurdo Station also come over from time to time and visit the shop.’’

The penguins and other stuffed animal counterparts are popular, almost $13,000 worth being exported to the Antarctic in 2020.

The StatsNZ data does not show whether all of the exports went to New Zealand’s Scott Base, which houses up to 86 people during summer months and about 12 in winter, or to other bases in the Antarctic.

Ms Nelson said the data only captured food sold at the shop such as ‘‘the odd packet of chips and bags of pineapple lumps’’ not the food the staff ate at mealtimes.

Chocolates top the list at $19,495, ‘‘potatoes, prepared’’ are next at $12,641, just above sweets, at $12,284.

‘‘Nutrition is an important part of keeping our people safe and well in Antarctica. Our chefs provide healthy, wellbalanced cooked meals using a mixture of fresh and frozen produce (depending on the time of year) for everyone on base,’’ Ms Nelson said.

Despite the $1.5 million spend, the Antarctic is not a big export destination for New Zealand’s alcohol producers.

Since 1990, New Zealand has exported alcohol to a total of 173 different countries or markets. The Antarctic ranks just 75th.

Drinking too much in a place where the temperature drops to 49degC can be incredibly dangerous and Antarctica New Zealand’s general manager of communications and people, Megan Nicholl, said the organisation had a zero alcohol limit for staff during work hours and when driving. At Scott Base, alcohol could only be consumed in the bar, or the dining room. — RNZ