The Ross Dependency is a vast Antarctic territory claimed by New Zealand since 1923

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Defined by a sector stretching from the South Pole to the 60th parallel, the Ross Dependency is a frozen expanse claimed by New Zealand. While the nation manages the region, the 1961 Antarctic Treaty effectively freezes all such territorial claims, leaving the area in a unique state of diplomatic limbo.

The Ross Dependency was formally established on 30 July 1923, when the British government issued an Order in Council defining its borders. Named after Sir James Clark Ross, who discovered Victoria Land in 1841, the territory includes the Ross Sea, the Ross Ice Shelf, and several islands. Although administered by New Zealand, the claim was originally held by the British monarch. Sir Francis Bell, New Zealand's Attorney-General at the time, clarified that the territory was not an extension of New Zealand itself, but rather a responsibility managed on behalf of the British Empire.

The legal status of the region shifted significantly with the 1961 Antarctic Treaty. Article IV of the treaty mandates that no activities conducted while the agreement is in force can be used to assert or deny territorial sovereignty. Consequently, New Zealand's claim—along with those of Australia, the UK, France, and Norway—is held in abeyance. Despite this, New Zealand maintains an active presence, appointing officers to run the dependency and operating the Scott Base. The United States, which does not recognize the claim, maintains a much larger presence at the nearby McMurdo Station.

Modern operations in the Ross Dependency are complex. The region hosts various scientific stations, including those from Italy, South Korea, and China, which opened a year-round facility in 2024. Logistics are supported by the New Zealand Defence Force, including the HMNZS Aotearoa, a vessel capable of operating in medium ice. The area also faces unique challenges, such as the 1979 Mount Erebus disaster, which claimed 257 lives, and ongoing jurisdictional hurdles regarding legal matters involving non-New Zealand personnel. Today, about 1.12 million square kilometres of the region are protected as a Marine Protected Area.

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