Antarctic Heritage Trust launch of Scott’s Discovery Hut Virtual Reality Experience

Rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Nau mai haere mai ki Te Whare Kawana o Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Kia ora tātou katoa.

It's my great pleasure to welcome you all to Government House Wellington. I specifically acknowledge: Francesca Eathorne, Executive Director, Antarctic Heritage Trust; Mark Stewart, Board Chair, Antarctic Heritage Trust; Aliesha Staples, StaplesVR. Tēnā koutou katoa.

As Governor-General, and patron of the Antarctic Heritage Trust, I'm delighted to have this opportunity to help launch Scott's Discovery Hut Virtual Reality Experience here this evening.

Commander Robert Falcon Scott's National Antarctic Discovery Expedition of 1901-1904 is legendary - and, in the 120 succeeding years, has filled the pages of countless history books, and sparked the imagination of so many around the world. This groundbreaking virtual reality experience adds a new dimension to the story of Scott and his team, and brings their adventure - its trials, tragedies, and triumphs - truly to life.

Accessing such an experience is not only significant on a scientific and historical level, but also on a deeply human one. Scott's legacy is one of great courage, intellectual curiosity, and outstanding leadership in the face of almost unimaginable hardship. His ethos was one of leaving no man behind, and of testing the very limits of human physical and psychological strength.

Scott's diaries - to which I sometimes turn for inspiration in my own life - provide a glimpse into the psyche of this remarkable man: 'I do not think human beings ever came through such a month as we have. We are weak, writing is difficult, but for my own sake I do not regret this journey, which has shown we can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past.'

At a time in our history when we might find many reasons for concern and worry - the increasing threat of climate change, ongoing global conflicts, and a heightened sense of division - the qualities that Scott and his team demonstrated - of courage, respect for the natural world, and a deep sense of care for one another - remain as pertinent as ever. This virtual reality experience puts us into the shoes, and, indeed, the mindsets, of those remarkable men.

Scott's Discovery Hut Virtual Reality Experience is also a wonderful demonstration of the use of technology for aiding and increasing accessibility. The reality of visiting Scott's Hut on Ross Island would, of course, not only be prohibitively difficult for most - it would also be at an ongoing and cumulative cost to that exceedingly precious and delicate part of our world.

On that note, I wish to acknowledge all the work that the Antarctic Heritage Trust does to conserve Scott's Hut - taonga that it is - and to ensure its protection through the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project, well into the future.

Having tried out the virtual experience just a few moments ago, I can say that I was blown away by the meticulous level of detail, and the spine-tingling sense it created of being there, in that extraordinary place - a true testament to the skill and talent of the team at StaplesVR.

As a country, we can be very proud that one of the world's most creative and pioneering virtual and augmented reality providers is based here, in Aotearoa.

My sincere thanks and congratulations once again to Francesca and your team at the Antarctic Heritage Trust, for all the many months and years of planning and work that have culminated in today. As Governor-General, I am proud to be patron of an organisation whose mission it is to encourage a sense of curiosity and exploration across generations. I can think of no better way of doing justice to the legacy of Scott - and all our great Antarctic explorers.

It brings me great pleasure to officially launch Scott's Discovery Hut Virtual Reality Experience

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.

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