Dom Post: Antarctic strait named after Hutt researcher

Kiran Chug of the Dominion Post writes about Tim Haskell, the reasons behind the decision to name an Antarctic strait after him, and his reaction to the news.

The Haskell Strait lies between McMurdo Sound and White Island, and is generally covered in ice – a possible reason why it had not yet been named.

An excerpt: (read in full here)

“It was the first he knew that the large expanse of ice between McMurdo Sound and White Island was finally being given a name – his name.

“The New Zealand Geographic Board has called the area the Haskell Strait, after receiving a proposal from National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research oceanographers Craig Stevens and Natalie Robinson.

“Dr Haskell, a senior scientist at Industrial Research in Lower Hutt, said finding out was more thrilling than receiving the Antarctic Medal, and a host of other prestigious science prizes and awards he has won during his career.

“Now the leader of the sea ice programme, supported by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, Dr Haskell was also an associate investigator on the recently started Marsden Fund Antarctica programme, hosted by Niwa.”