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NHNZ has made a welcome return to Antarctica as part of a scientific voyage with far-reaching ramifications. The Dunedin-based production company's veteran filmmaker Max Quinn was selected to join a team of leading scientists on board the RV Tangaroa in 2008 as part of a global mission to determine the health and welfare of marine life in Antarctic waters.

The resulting one-hour special is a co-production with National Geographic Channels International (Expedition Antarctica) and Smithsonian Networks (Into the Frozen Abyss), and is due to broadcast internationally on National Geographic Channel in June and is also scheduled to air on Smithsonian Channel.

"Antarctica is a continent that has long fascinated our viewers as one of the last and most impenetrable frontiers left on the planet. Expedition Antarctica taps into this interest, and introduces our audience to scientists battling incredible hardship to better understand the mysterious creatures thriving in one of the harshest landscapes on the planet", said Sydney Suissa, Executive Vice President of Content for NGCI.

The Tangaroa was one of 13 research ships from around the world conducting an intensive scientific census of Antarctica's marine life as part of International Polar Year. Over its 30-year history, NHNZ has forged a reputation as the most experienced production company to work in Antarctica - a continent now widely believed to hold some of the answers to Earth's response to global warming.

In February 2008, Quinn joined 45 scientists and crew as they travelled to this hostile environment to carry out potentially groundbreaking research. Cooped up on the small research vessel for 50 days, NHNZ's cameras followed the team's trials and tribulations as they conducted exhaustive science work in extreme conditions.

"The journey was a massive challenge for the ship and the team as they battled ferocious storms, the worst ice conditions and personal sacrifice. Our cameras were there every inch of the way recording the highs and lows of their work and life on board," said Mr Quinn.

The film sets out to create an observational documentary that pursues the human life on board as well as the amazing marine life below as they confront Antarctica head on. "This is science at the edge. It was a remarkable experience that constantly tested our mental and physical endurance. Filming in the Antarctic is always a challenge and a privilege, and this voyage was no exception," said Mr Quinn.