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Science & Environment
Featured stories for Science & Environment
Much of NZ 'dotted' with little-known volcanoes, scientist reveals
Saturday Morning - Many people do not know Northland was built on a volcanic field, while the Otago Peninsula is "one big volcanic complex". Audio
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Graham Leonard: New Zealand's B-list volcanoes
10:45 am todayNew Zealand's volcanoes are world renowned, and most Kiwis are familiar with our big ones such as Ruapehu, Taranaki and Tarawera. But what about our lesser… Audio
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How NZ sheep are helping find a cure for Alzheimer's
8:34 am todayA University of Auckland geneticist says sheep are ideal for testing drugs, due to their longer life span, complex brain structure and genetic similarity to…
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Fast-track bill could affect NZ's reputation
26 Apr 2024The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. Audio
Much of NZ 'dotted' with little-known volcanoes, scientist reveals
Saturday Morning - Many people do not know Northland was built on a volcanic field, while the Otago Peninsula is "one big volcanic complex". Audio
Graham Leonard: New Zealand's B-list volcanoes
New Zealand's volcanoes are world renowned, and most Kiwis are familiar with our big ones such as Ruapehu, Taranaki and Tarawera. But what about our lesser talked about volcanoes? GNS Science… Audio
How NZ sheep are helping find a cure for Alzheimer's
A University of Auckland geneticist says sheep are ideal for testing drugs, due to their longer life span, complex brain structure and genetic similarity to humans.
Fast-track bill could affect NZ's reputation
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. Audio
Conservation slowing biodiversity loss, scientists say
The findings offer a "ray of light" for those working to protect threatened animals and plants.
How the oldest telescope in New Zealand was discovered
One of Aotearoa's oldest scientific instruments languished for years in a cardboard box until it was discovered to date back to the days of Captain Cook. Audio
Critter of the Week
Is it a crab? Is it a spider? It's a crab spider! The common square-ended crab spider (Sidymella angularis) to be precise. Audio
Oldest telescope in New Zealand discovered
Following the discovery of a box marked "old telescope", the Tuhura Otago Museum has become home to New Zealand's oldest telescope, dating back to 1736. The telescope is now in the 'Director's Choice'… Audio
Support growing to grant ecosystems 'personhood'
Biodiversity is declining at unprecedented rates, and so the hunt for new strategies to combat the impacts rages on. One idea that continues to gain traction is to grant legal rights to nature. Audio
Resources Minister says coal is here to stay
Burning less coal to make electricity helped New Zealand achieve its biggest official, annual drop in planet-heating gases since 1990, but Resources Minister Shane Jones says we need coal to keep the… Audio
Is NZ bringing in 'Indonesian coal every month to keep the lights on'?
Analysis: The Resource Minister said it, but is it true and why does it matter?
Global leaders take major step to reduce gas emissions
Global leaders take major step to reduce gas emissions. Audio
The ‘treasure’ plant mistaken for algae in Marlborough Sounds
A seagrass still found in the region is in global decline and many don't know of its importance, a coastal scientist says.
Wilding pine work 'will go backwards' with reduced funding
Land cleared of the pest plants is now "prime for re-infestation".
Turning the tide – what it takes to take out rats
Kate Evans visits a passionate team as they carpet a remote volcanic island in Tonga with poisoned bait, hoping to eradicate rats. What does it take to complete this kind of project, what are the… Audio
100 dead birds found on shore of Lake Wānaka
It's not yet known what caused the deaths, but it could be down to algal blooms or botulism, officials say.
'Serious public health issue': Concerns about nitrate levels in drinking water
The organisation tested 445 water samples in Canterbury and results indicate multiple town supplies had nitrate levels above the threshold.
National emergency response besieged: What have we learned?
The country's emergency response is besieged by inquiries, despite years of reviews and efforts to make laws that deliver.
'Too many dead ducks': Residents demand action over smelly lake
Dead birds and fish, and "out of control" lillies are pushing residents along a lake in Whakatāne over the edge.
Watch: Nasa, Rocket Lab launch giant 'mirror in space'
Nasa's new mission, using sunlight for propulsion, has been launched from Hawke's Bay. Video, Audio
