Bringing Sir Ed's Antarctica to you

Residents from Edmund Hillary Retirement Village in Auckland were amongst the first New Zealanders to experience a virtual reality tour of Hillary’s Hut in Antarctica at a special launch attended by the Prime Minister and Gordon MacLeod.

The residents joined students from Otara’s Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, who hosted the event, and a long list of special guests which included two generations of Sir Ed’s family to hear about the unique project, of which Ryman was the chief sponsor.

The virtual reality tour allows users to explore the five rooms of Hillary’s Hut, which is the oldest building at Scott Base in the Antarctic.

The experience provides insight into how the 23 men of Sir Ed’s team lived and worked in the world’s most extreme environment more than 60 years ago – but rather than travelling to the Antarctic, they can do it by either donning the VR headset, downloading the app and scrolling through or using a cardboard headset.

The project was developed in partnership with Auckland University of Technology over two years to bring greater awareness and connection to the remote hut.

The Prime Minister, after reassuring everyone that the VR experience shouldn’t give you motion sickness, went on to describe how ‘truly humble’ Sir Ed was.

“My hope is that by having this experience we bring you a little bit closer to some of the extraordinary endeavours of people who are just like you and I, and in doing so we bring further proof that you too can do the extraordinary,” she said.

Her message echoed that of Antarctic Heritage Trust Executive Director Nigel Watson who was inspired by Sir Ed when he was a school student.

“[Sir Ed] said that he wasn’t in the top class or the top sports team when he was a student. However, he displayed drive, perseverance and a desire to help others less fortunate,” Nigel said.

“He became New Zealand’s greatest son and he was my hero.”

Gordon MacLeod revealed that Ryman had jumped at the chance to be involved with the unique project, which had become particularly pertinent given the post-COVID-19 effects on travel.

“This project will bring a unique Antarctic experience to thousands of people who otherwise could not get there,” he said.

“Sir Ed’s hut is a part of the rich history of Antarctic exploration and we will be taking this experience to as many of our residents as we can. I am sure they’re going to love it.”

Pictured: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Hillary House Leadership Centre Trust Chair Robin Houlker.