Animals
Research shows early primates liked sugar-heavy diets
New research from the University of Otago shows our early primate ancestors were just like us.
Analysis of tooth chipping patterns and cavities on 29-million-year-old Egyptian fossils suggests the… Audio
Best of 2023: Our Changing World
"I love my job. I’m a total science geek so it suits me perfectly to go nerd out with other nerds and then make stories to share with you" - Claire Concannon, host of RNZ's award-winning science and…
Southland cousins smash world shearing record
Last Friday, Gore cousins Megan Whitehead and Hannah McCall shore 1,293 lambs in 8 hours - a new world record for a female shearing duo. Inside a "chocka" woolshed at Grant Bros farm, locals were… Video, Audio
Dog toy pulled from shelves over kiwi attack fears
A dog toy being sold under the name 'Christmas Kiwi' has been pulled from the shelves of Mitre 10 after outrage from consumers. People were complaining on social media that the plush soft toy would… Audio
Tips for keeping pets safe over summer
The summer ahead could well be Aotearoa's hottest ever according to climate experts - even today it's going to be a scorcher in several spots!! After a rather wet and cold winter that could seem like… Audio
Tips for keeping pets safe over summer
The summer ahead could well be Aotearoa's hottest ever according to climate experts - even today it's going to be a scorcher in several spots!! After a rather wet and cold winter that could seem like… Audio
The impact your escaped pet has on NZ's natural environment
Auckland's Council is getting the word out this summer about the threat to our ecosystem of imported - and released - pets. Auckland is home to a plethora of exotic animals that started life as… Audio
Otago Uni zoologist spots rare bird
An Otago University zoologist has contributed to a new report after spotting an extremely rare half female, half male bird. Hamish Spencer was on holiday in Colombia in May when a wild Green… Audio
Fall armyworm fight gearing up
The fight against the fall armyworm has stepped around Aotearoa. Ashley Mills from the Foundation for Arable research speaks to Jesse about their co-ordinated efforts to deal with the pest. Audio
Long Read: The grief bird
By Ellen Rykers: The bittern’s eerie, booming call sounds like a lament, a tangi ringing across the marshes. Now, the birds themselves are in trouble Audio
Napier neighbours say dogs are driving them barking mad
A Napier neighbourhood's allegedly been dogged by noise that's driving them barking mad. A pair of fluffy Shih Tzu crosses Ruby and Simba living on Napier Hill, have 17 complaints against them for… Video, Audio
Rampaging raptors causing havoc along popular walkways
Rampaging raptors are causing havoc along some popular walkways. There's been several falcon or Karearea attacks, the most recently on a track at Pareora Gorge near Timaru where a man was left… Video, Audio
Crate days are bad news for rare bird life in NZ
Conservationists are calling for something to be done about the impact of annual 'Crate Day' on the endangered black-fronted terns in Canterbury. Peter Langlands is from the black-fronted tern… Audio
Search for shark tag on Southland beach
A search is underway on a remote beach in Southland for a tag which fell off a great white shark.
The shark was being monitored by Australian fisheries researchers who've enlisted the help of a Bluff… Audio
How the takahe are helping climate change research
They're a national treasure but the origins of the takahe have long been a point of scientific debate. Dr Nic Rawlence co-authored new research on the birds, he speaks to Jesse. Audio
What does it take to be a jockey?
If you have a love of horses, a need for speed and weigh under 55kgs, a job as a jockey could be just for you. Recent suspensions and an exodus of local jockeys to greener pastures overseas means… Video, Audio
Marc Wilson: Do pets actually make us happier?
Victoria University of Wellington Professor of Psychology, Dr Marc Wilson, joins us once again. Audio
Elinor Karlsson: Darwin’s Dogs and DNA
What can mammals genome reveal about how the human genome works? Professor Elinor Karlsson co-leads the Zoonomia Project, which uses comparative genomics to shed light on how certain species achieve… Audio
One of our critter fund recipients
Today we reveal which groups have been selected for critter funds raised through the sale of our COTW t-shirts. A percentage of sales was put aside to help not for profit groups around the country… Audio
'Very cute': Wellington Zoo welcomes first baby giraffe in 2 decades
Wellington Zoo's welcomed a baby Giraffe... the first to be born there in almost two decades. And its a girl ..born to Mum Zuri and Dad sunny, in the early hours of yesterday morning. Wellington Zoo… Video, Audio