From Classroom To Ice Cap

We grew up in Fiji, where my dad was a pilot for Fiji Airways – and a wonderful navigator. As young children, we would sit up on a boat and he'd point out the stars, and he'd talk about exploration. My love of exploration and adventure developed from that.

The idea of Antarctica was sparked in me from a young age, and I pursued it into adulthood. When my career led me to teaching at Aoraki Mount Cook School, I was able to meet many people who had had experience in Antarctica – including Sir Edmund Hillary, who would come to speak at the school.

I remember a particular occasion when he was sitting in the chair and a little girl in front of him asked, ‘But Sir Ed, weren't you scared?’ And he sat forward and said, ‘I was scared as anything. But I decided I was never, ever going to let fear stop me doing what I wanted. I was never going to let fear get in front of my dreams.’ And he just held the kids in the palm of his hand with his obvious passion. It was wonderful to be in that presence.

I'd wanted to go down for quite some time but it's not the easiest thing to do. When Antarctica New Zealand initiated an Education Initiatives Programme, I thought, okay, I've got to submit an application that's foolproof.

I’d always had a bit of a penchant for rocks and gems, so I put together an application to study the geology in Antarctica to produce resources for New Zealand schools. I'll never forget the excitement of reading my application had been accepted. It was a pretty remarkable letter to get, and I've still got it tucked away safely at home.

It still makes me tearful thinking about it. I’ll never forget standing at the top of those steps and just looking out at that absolute vastness, it was so very, very dramatic. At the time and ever since, I've had this idea that Antarctica is unrestrained by time and space – time and space just seem to exist in a completely different frame of reference to what they do in other places.

One of my most unforgettable experiences was exploring the (largely snow-free) McMurdo Dry Valleys with Phil Dadson, a musician from Artists to Antarctica. We spent hours on our hands and knees, amazed by the unique rock formations and shapes sculpted by wind and sand. While Phil created music inspired by the natural environment, I collected specimens of these fascinating rocks, marvelling at their ‘fabulous forms.’ Our days were filled with adventure, including climbing small peaks and uncovering the valley's hidden treasures.

The physical challenges included forcing myself to sleep with the sun shining 24/7 – which was a balance of excitement and the discipline to rest up for the next day’s adventures. Logistics were demanding too, with lots of hauling gear and setting up and breaking down camp with fellow geologists. I also recall being inside Scott Base during fierce storms, staring out at the nothingness of a blizzard’s whiteout.

I'd be back in a heartbeat.

The longer I work at the International Antarctic Centre, the more I pinch myself, wondering if my experiences were real. In my role, discussing all things Antarctica daily only deepens my curiosity and desire to learn more.

I love sparking enthusiasm for Antarctica and connecting it to New Zealand. My lesson theme, "Thriving the Extreme," explores how Antarctic animals thrive in harsh conditions and how we can adapt in New Zealand. I inspire kids about this stunning continent while emphasising that small, everyday actions can make a big difference in the face of climate change. I often end with a photo of a ventifact rock and the whakataukī saying, ‘Mā te wā, Ka aumiri te pōhatu, I ngā matarehu’ – meaning ‘Over time, Small grains, Polish the stone’. It highlights that even small actions can have a significant impact.

I’ve practiced Karate for over 40 years, even running my own dojo in Mt Cook Village, where locals and visitors from around the world came to train. I feel incredibly fortunate to have embraced so many opportunities to explore and challenge myself—whether climbing the Himalayas, attending space camp in the U.S., or driving a horse-drawn wagon around New Zealand. I thrive on adventure and the awe of discovering things greater than myself. Being a karateka provides many opportunities to practice and value the same kind of awareness that Antarctica inspires.

Follow your dreams and discover what works for you. I teach kids about ikigai—finding the sweet spot where your skills, passions and the world’s needs intersect with something that will pay you!