June 06, 2017
Maunga and medal for Maori Antarctic trailblazer
A Waikanae man who built New Zealand's first Antarctic base has been awarded the Antarctic Medal in the Queen's birthday honours list.
Randal Heke, who is now 89, says he was proud to be have been one of the first Maori on the ice.
The first Maori to see Antarctica was Tuati, also known as John Sac, who was part of Captain Charles Wilkes' United States Exploring Expedition of 1839 and 1840, and whose name is on an Antarctic maunga near Heke Peak.
Mr Heke was with the Ministry of Works when he was sent to build Scott Base 60 years ago, as Edmund Hillary and his team was setting off on the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
"I got on very well with Ed and he was a great leader and as leader of the construction team I got to know him very well down there. He was keeping an eye on progress and what I was doing and it was something I will always remember, being involved in his preparation to travel to the South Pole and my building the base from which he was to take off for his expedition," he says.
Mr Heke finished his career as the Ministry of Works chief building officer, and he is also a life member and past president of the Antarctic Society.
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