Throughout this project we have been very aware of the sensitivities of Antarctica as a location. In January, Operations Integrity & Standards Officer David Morgan and Antarctica New Zealand CEO Peter Beggs got in touch with family representatives of Mt Erebus victims, outlining our rationale for using the safety video as a global platform to showcase Antarctic science. Families will also be among the first to see the finished safety video before it's shared publicly in March.
The majority of feedback I’ve received from immediate family members has been positive, with many thanking us for our efforts to help protect a place which was so special to their loved ones.
Late last year Prime Minister Ardern announced she will meet with families and Air New Zealand on plans for a national Erebus memorial, in time for the 40th anniversary in 2019.
Prime Minister Ardern and I have discussed how we can best support these plans and our teams are now working with Ministry of Culture and Heritage as they speak with families. Naturally people will have different opinions about whether a national memorial is necessary and we will seek to help the Government understand those views and progress sensitively.
I appreciate many of you who have joined us in recent times have not experienced first-hand the major challenges we faced in our past but I’m sure most will be aware our history has been quite a rollercoaster of incredible highs and lows. One of the biggest low points, along with the Erebus tragedy, was in September 2001 when the company was essentially broke and the New Zealand Government stepped up with an $885 million capital injection to allow the company to continue into the future.
They were incredibly stressful times for management and all of our people. I’ve studied the history of Air New Zealand quite deeply and the three big heroes of that phase were Rob Cameron, John Waller and Roger France. These were the people who found a way through what was a total commercial mess negotiating with the Government, the company and the banks to secure a future for Air New Zealand. It was tough, hard, 24/7 work requiring massive intellectual energy and emotional tenacity.
Sadly, Rob Cameron passed away last week. All of us at Air New Zealand as well as our creditors and investors at the time owe him a huge debt and thanks for his efforts in 2001. Our thoughts go out to Rob’s wife, Maureen, and family.
Have a great week,
Christopher |