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Featured stories for Science & Environment
Seal pups and penguin chicks exposed to more UV in Antarctica
Longer-lasting ozone holes over Antarctica expose the pups and chicks to much more UV.
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Thousands of beehives lost to Cyclone Gabrielle, keepers say
28 Apr 2024For the autumn season, natural disasters were the underlying cause of many losses, according to a survey.
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David Robson: Could your anxiety be your superpower?
28 Apr 2024David Robson is an award-winning science writer specialising in the extremes of the human brain, body and behaviour. Audio
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Support growing for granting ecosystems legal personhood, researchers say
28 Apr 2024Researchers from Otago University have been studying how legal rights for the environment differ around the world. Audio
Seal pups and penguin chicks exposed to more UV in Antarctica
Longer-lasting ozone holes over Antarctica expose the pups and chicks to much more UV.
Thousands of beehives lost to Cyclone Gabrielle, keepers say
For the autumn season, natural disasters were the underlying cause of many losses, according to a survey.
David Robson: Could your anxiety be your superpower?
David Robson is an award-winning science writer specialising in the extremes of the human brain, body and behaviour. Audio
Support growing for granting ecosystems legal personhood, researchers say
Researchers from Otago University have been studying how legal rights for the environment differ around the world. 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.