Ardern follows in footsteps of Antarctic explorer

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appeared awestruck Thursday to be standing in the Antarctic hut of explorer Ernest Shackleton. It is a rare visit by a world leader to Antarctica, to see firsthand the research on global warming that's taking place and to mark the 65th anniversary of New Zealand's Scott Base, which will be demolished in a few years to make way for a rebuild.

Ardern's visit comes as delegations from 26 nations and the European Union meet in Australia to decide the future of Antarctica's pristine waters. Ardern said the scientists and crew at Antarctica have noticed the effects of global warming over the past five years, including observing sea ice cracking and moving and glaciers and icebergs changing. She said it was important for New Zealand to maintain a leadership role in Antarctica.