A month-long festival celebrating Christchurch's connection with Antarctica is under way in the city.
The inaugural New Zealand IceFest, organised by the Christchurch City Council, will mark the 100th anniversary of the fatal expedition to the South Pole undertaken by British explorer Robert Falcon Scott.
More than 100 speakers, artists and scientists will give presentations at the festival in Hagley Park, including the producer of the BBC's Frozen Planet series Chadden Hunter.
Festival director Jo Blair says New Zealand's association with Antarctica brings in about $288 million to the country every year.
Ms Blair says she hopes that in the future IceFest will attract more tourists to the city.
