Sean Heaphy
Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington
HWD Driller and Mechanic
Sean Heaphy first came to Antarctica as a 23-year-old, back in 1988, to spend a year working as a mechanic at Scott Base. He followed up with two summer seasons, but then had a 20-year gap before returning to participate in scientific drilling projects, including SWAIS2C.
Off the ice, Sean is a police officer based in Palmerston North, most recently working on crime scene investigations.
He has a soft spot for Antarctica, inspired by his first seasons as a young man, and feels drawn back to the frozen continent by its landscapes and people. He hopes to return for more seasons, juggling summers on ice with his police work.
![](https://www.swais2c.aq/images/team/_galleryThumbDouble/Sean-Heaphy.jpg)