<|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|>Antarctica New Zealand welcomes the Government’s Antarctic initiatives in Budget 2017 to maintain New Zealand’s ongoing presence and scientific research programme in Antarctica.
Antarctic science drives our presence in Antarctica and underpins New Zealand’s strategic interests in<wm> the Southern Ocean. Government’s initiatives reflect our policy and expectations for a more assertive New Zealand Antarctic presence, and to protect and preserve the region.
By participating, we support the Department of Conservation’s mission: to protect New Zealand’s natural and historical heritage in the Southern Ocean. These measures also contribute to the implementation of the Convention on International Biological Diversity in Antarctic (CBD).
New Zealand will maintain strong ties to the research and innovation in Antarctica by providing funding for long term scientific collaboration and research initiatives.</wm> We are proud that New Zealand will host the Department for Education and Research New Zealand Science Fund, providing