For the International Geophysical Year 1956, New Zealand accepted a major role in scientific exploration in Antarctica and in support of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. The Royal New Zealand Navy was tasked with the provision of much of this support: to take the New Zealand part of the expedition to McMurdo Sound; to help erect a permanent base in the Antarctic; to supply the base; and to provide the Chief Radio Officer for the expedition.
To achieve these tasks the Government purchased an old netlayer, then in civilian service as the JOHN BISCOE, to be the expedition supply ship. She was commissioned as HMNZS ENDEAVOUR and arrived in New Zealand on 20 October 1956, prior to undertaking her first voyage to McMurdo Sound in the summer of that year. Two Loch-class frigates escorted ENDEAVOUR and the expedition as far as the pack ice. ENDEAVOUR returned to Antarctica the following summer, then brought back Sir Vivian Fuchs, Sir Edmund Hillary and members of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition in March 1958. The ship made three further voyages to Antarctica and was sold in 1962.
Support for the international scientific work in Antarctica had become a regular task for the RNZN and ENDEAVOUR was replaced with the petrol carrier USS NAMAKAGON which was also renamed ENDEAVOUR on commissioning into the RNZN in 1962. This ENDEAVOUR provided support to Antarctic operations, and undertook oceanographic cruises and other tasks until 1971 when, due to defence funding cuts, the ship was paid off.
In addition to this direct support role, the RNZN provided the frigates ROTOITI and PUKAKI as summer season weather picket ships, in conjunction with destroyer escorts of the US Navy, until the mid-1960s. These ships would patrol in the rough waters of 60 degree South latitude, 900 nautical miles south of Bluff, in order to provide up to date weather reports and an air sea rescue service of Operation Deep Freeze aircraft. With the advent of jet transports and satellite weather reporting, this task ended in 1965, but in 1966 TARANAKI undertook a mid-winter weather patrol to assist an emergency flight to the ice.
Subsequently the RNZN has provided personnel in conjunction with the other two armed forces, to assist the New Zealand Scientific programme at Scott Base. This commitment continues today, along with brief attachments of officers to US Coast Guard icebreakers in the Antarctic.
The museum has a collection of oral histories relating to Antarctic Support 1956 - Today.