Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford almost made it to Scott Base - but two hours into the journey the plane returned to Christchurch due to bad weather at Scott Base. Photo: NZ Herald / Mike Scott / Pool Photo
The prime minister is back in Christchurch after her flight to Antarctica was turned around due to bad weather at McMurdo Sound.
Jacinda Ardern was travelling to the South Pole to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Scott Base - New Zealand's Antarctic home - and the first full season of Antarctic research after two years of Covid-19 disruption.
Ardern left for Scott Base at 10am this morning but the NZ Air Force C130 Hercules had to turn around as strong winds built and weather in Antarctica deteriorated.
The plane landed back in Christchurch shortly after 2pm.
Antarctica New Zealand said it would reschedule the prime minister onto a flight heading south tomorrow.
"Safety is our number one focus when flying to the coldest, windiest, remotest place on Earth so this is not uncommon (we call it a boomerang flight)," Antarctica New Zealand spokesperson Megan Nicholl earlier said in a statement.
Antarctica New Zealand would reschedule the prime minister onto a flight to Scott Base tomorrow, it said. Photo: NZ Herald / Mike Scott / Pool photo
Ardern had been expected to be in Antarctica from today until Friday and to see first-hand the research, environmental protections, conservation and operations undertaken by New Zealanders working there, as well as experiencing the challenges of working on ice.
She is a well-known Antarctic history buff, with explorer Ernest Shackleton one of her personal heroes.
The prime minister was also set to see the preliminary work for the estimated $344 million redevelopment of Scott Base, which will secure the future of the research hub for at least the next 50 years.
The redevelopment is due to be completed in 2028.