John Mitchell is a Wellington-based marine geologist with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). After completing his degree at Victoria University, Wellington, John joined the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute (NZOI) in 1975 as a technician. NZOI, a division of the New Zealand government research organisation DSIR, became part of NIWA in 1992. In 1986 John’s role changed to that of a scientist in the marine geology group. Over the years John has specialised in offshore marine geology surveys for research and commercial purposes leading many as voyage leader. In recent years this work has further developed into leading multi-beam and seismic surveys along with hydrographic surveys. In his 33 years in the job John has spent nearly seven years at sea on both New Zealand’s and foreign research vessels. John has participated in many Antarctic projects and in particular four to the Ross Sea on NIWA’s research ship Tangaroa since 2001. For the IPY-CAML voyage John was brought into the program as Voyage Leader due to his expertise in the logistics of planning for and leading Antarctic voyages.