Hut-saving mission almost accomplished

After travelling 2012km across New Zealand, an expedition led by the Antarctic Heritage Trust with the help of Massey Ferguson has come to a close alongside adventurer Sir Edmund Hillary's statue at The Hermitage in Mt Cook.

Expedition South team members set off from Piha Beach on August 23 on three tractors – two Ferguson TE20 tractors and a 120hp Massey Ferguson MF5612 tractor – and arrived at Mt Cook on September 19.

The aim of the expedition was to raise $1 million to restore Hillary's hut at Scott Base, Antartica which is currently in a state of disrepair.

Expedition leader Al Fastier says it was a great feeling completing the arduous task.

"It has been an enormous journey – we’ve had snow, storms but an abundance of fantastic support since we left Piha," he says.

Hillary's son, Peter Hillary, drove one of the TE20 tractors into The Hermitage and says it was a nostalgic moment for him.

"Being on the same tractor that Dad’s expedition had when they went to the South Pole was a nice nod to history."

A historic Beaver aeroplane like the one Hillary's expedition took to Antarctica – flew over the tractors which were led by a team of husky dogs to help celebrate the finish of Expedition South.

However, the team's job is not quite done, being still short on achieving the $1 million needed to repair the hut and the artefacts kept inside it.

So far, the Trust has raised nearly $700,000 –$100,000 of that has been donated since Expedition South began.

The Trust’s executive director Nigel Watson says he is delighted with the amount that has been raised so far.

"New Zealanders have swung in behind us to help save this iconic slice of kiwi history," he says.

"We still need to raise another $300,000 and are hoping the public will get us over the line.

"We need another 60,000 New Zealanders to donate $5 each to help us reach the target. Obviously, the $5 note has Sir Ed’s face on it so we can’t think of a better use for it."

Hillary's Hut, also known as Hut A or the Trans-Antarctic Expedition Hut, was the first building constructed at Scott Base and was where Hillary's team began their historic Ferguson tractor expedition to the South Pole in 1957.

Nearly 60 years on, Hillary’s Hut has a leaking roof, asbestos that needs removing, melt-pools forming under the floorboards and the memorabilia within it is showing signs of damage and corrosion.

To donate to the campaign, visit givealittle.co.nz or expeditionsouth.nz.