*PLANNING

• Application process

  The application process was efficient and well documented

• Communications with Antarctica New Zealand staff

  Communication with Antarctica New Zealand staff was professional, timely, and effective.

• Preseason information

  The information received was timely and valuable

• Medicals, documentation and flights to Antarctica

  The information received was timely and valuable. However, I would like to note that there is a loophole in the information flow for the medical assessment. I would like to suggest that the PI of any field group will be informed by the medical advisor of any condition of a team member relevant to the field deployment, such as allergies etc. Furthermore, I would like to suggest adding to the medical questionnaire the question on how long the examining doctor has known the patient. This would help the medical advisor to evaluate how comprehensive the medical assessment might be.

• Environmental Advice

  The pre-season information received was timely and valuable

• Other comments

  The multi-season experience of many Antarctica NZ staff makes the planning process field deployment a professional and efficient process. However, I would like to note that also new staff, in particular in the management team, contributed to have made this year's planning and implementation a very efficient and positive experience.