[1] Expedition Committee HMNZS Endeavour crew Archaeologists Botanist Entomologist Geologists Geophysicists Marine Biologists and Geographers Atmospheric scientists Media representatives When establishing the aims of the voyage, the Expedition Committee invited participants to propose projects with a limited scope, that could be achieved in the time frame of the expedition.

Geophysics A magnetic survey of the ocean bottom near Aitutaki, Rarotonga, and Mangaia using tracks beneath the Endeavour.

On 27 August this group continued on the Hercules to Aitutaki with the Royal Society of London party.

[1] On 28 August 1969 HMNZS Endeavour left Auckland with Duff, Trotter, Eade, Preddey, Carrington, and Bennett on board, arriving in Aitutaki on 5 September.

These studies were completed successfully with minor delays due to a repair required on the echo-sounding system from 13-15 September with a RNZN dockyard technician coming from Auckland to Nuku'alofa.

Rough seas on 24 September also meant there was less time for rock sampling and insect collecting in Mangaia.