Icebergs heading for New Zealand

A flotilla of icebergs is bearing down on New Zealand, drifting only a few hundred kilometres off the South Island coast and moving closer by the day.

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research oceanographer Mike Williams said four icebergs up to 250m in length had been spotted by fishermen about 80km northwest of the Auckland Islands, 400 to 500km off the coast of New Zealand.

The mass of icebergs was first spotted about two weeks ago by Australian Antarctic Division researchers working on Macquarie Island.

Satellite imagery showed the icebergs, were now tracking northeast towards the South Island at about 1 to 2km an hour, Mr Williams said.

They could reach the southern coast in three weeks at the earliest, repeating the scenes of 2006, but only if they remained intact, he said.

"There's still a way to go before they reach the mainland. They could melt before they get here."

Passengers on the tourist ship Spirit of Enderby have already had a close encounter with the icebergs near the Auckland Islands.

But expedition leader Rodney Russ said the latest crop of bergs were not looking in good shape, showing signs of deterioration and breaking up.

Wellington-based company Vincent Aviation have been quick to react to the news, already planning sightseeing flights.

Chief executive Peter Vincent said he was monitoring the position of the icebergs and the first flight could be made from Dunedin as soon as next Friday.

The airline made about seven trips in 2006 when icebergs last visited New Zealand taking almost 250 people, he said.

If the icebergs' progress was halted, the company would also consider making flights to the Auckland Islands out of Invercargill, Mr Vincent said.

The flights could cost from $300 to $450, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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