Scott Base Crew Castle Rock

Our People

Senior Leadership Team

Our people and our culture drive the success of Antarctica New Zealand, and that hasn’t changed over the past 60 years. Our vision and values also form an integral part of how we go about our business. The Antarctica New Zealand Senior Leadership Team sets, evaluates, and aligns the strategic direction of Antarctica New Zealand within the organisation.

Jordy Hendrikx

Professor Jordy Hendrikx - Acting Chief Executive / Chief Scientific Advisor

Jordy is internationally recognised as a leading interdisciplinary cryosphere/snow scientist, with publications spanning from climate change impacts on snow, to avalanche forecasting, hazard mapping, hydrology and decision-making science. He has worked in both the Arctic and Antarctic, with extensive experience leading and supporting research.

Prior to joining Antarctica New Zealand in 2022, he was the Director of the Snow & Avalanche Laboratory and a Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Montana State University. He served as Department Head for Earth Sciences, and as the Director of Liberal Studies. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences for the Arctic University of Norway.

He started his career at Victoria University of Wellington, worked at the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in Switzerland, and then completed his PhD at Canterbury University. He then worked for NIWA before moving to the United States in 2010. Jordy leads the Antarctica New Zealand science team, supporting the delivery of world-class research and the communication of research findings.

Peter Smith Antarctic head shot

Peter Smith - General Manager, Corporate Services and Strategy

Peter has led the Corporate Services team since joining Antarctica New Zealand in December 2003. Peter is a Chartered Accountant who has undertaken a variety of senior finance roles in the profession, in business and most recently in the public sector. He has managed corporate services teams for over 20 years and enjoys the variety this brings. Peter has worked in New Zealand, Australia and the UK but considers the highlight to be the short times he's spent working in Antarctica!

Megan

Megan Nicholl - General Manager, Communications, People and Long Term Planning

Megan leads a passionate team of professionals who are focused on supporting our people, promoting Antarctic science and celebrating the logistical support that makes it all possible. Megan was a journalist for 20 years, 13 of that with TVNZ, before moving into corporate communications and human resources. She oversees Antarctica New Zealand’s Community Engagement Programme which takes media, educators and artists to the ice to help tell our Antarctic story. Megan has travelled and lived around the world, but Te Tiri o te Moana (Antarctica) holds a special place in her heart as the last great wilderness on earth.

Ceisha bio pic

Ceisha Poirot - General Manager, Policy, Environment and Safety

Ceisha has been involved in Antarctic policy and environmental management for 12 years, working in both the Science and Policy, Environment and Safety teams at Antarctica New Zealand. She has led the development and management of the Environmental Management System and more recently the Health and Safety Management System, focusing on the organisation's commitment to Zero Harm. She is currently the New Zealand representative to the Committee for Environmental Protection and the expert group leader of the Council of Manager of National Antarctic Programmes Environmental Protection Group.

Drew Coleman

Drew Coleman - Acting General Manager, Antarctic Operations

Drew has a strong operational background across adventure tourism, tertiary education and emergency management. He has spent five summer seasons at Scott Base and Australia's Casey Station working in field safety roles, including deep field support. Drew then worked in search and rescue operations at the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand before taking on the Risk and Resilience Manager role for the Department of Conservation. He coordinated DOC’s initial response to COVID-19 in 2020, and was a member of the New Zealand government joint Emergency Management Assistance Team. Returning to Antarctica New Zealand in 2023 as Risk Manager Drew has now taken on the acting position for GM Antarctic Operations.

Adam Feeley

Adam Feeley - Scott Base Redevelopment Interim Project Director

Adam is a lawyer by profession. He has previously held chief executive roles in central government, local government, and the private sector, including the Serious Fraud Office and Queenstown Lakes District Council. In recent years he has operated as a professional director and consultant, primarily involving major projects in New Zealand local or central government, including the $1.5b development of new Dunedin Hospital. He has also had consulting and private sector management roles in Australia, the Pacific, the UK, and Europe. Adam is a chartered director of the Institute of Directors New Zealand and was a member of the Independent Panel that reviewed the Scott Base Redevelopment project.

Board of Directors

Members of the Board are appointed for three years by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in consultation with the Board Chair. This period may be extended by the Minister for up to a further three years. Members are collectively accountable to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the performance of Antarctica New Zealand. All delegated functions and powers within Antarctica New Zealand arise from the Board's delegations. The Board’s role is governance.