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Nature & Environment
Featured stories for Nature & Environment
Solving the human waste problem on our highest mountain
University of Canterbury researchers have been working with the New Zealand Alpine Club and Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua to address the issue of how mountaineers dispose of their waste when on Aoraki Mount Cook. Audio
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15 scooters, bikes, pram plunged into pond
17 May 2024In the depths were a cash register and a skate park bin: "I wouldn't be surprised to see someone had chucked a partridge and a pear tree in there too."
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Critter of the Week: putawa or bracket fungus
17 May 2024This week’s critter is the pūtawa or bracket fungus (also known as white punk, pangu or morepork bread). The fruiting body of this fungus looks a bit like a… Audio
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Post-partum underwear, a winning idea for University student
17 May 2024Massey design student Isabel Nicholls has taken out the university's Grand Ideas competition with her comfortable, eco-friendly, health-prioritising postpartum… Audio
Solving the human waste problem on our highest mountain
University of Canterbury researchers have been working with the New Zealand Alpine Club and Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua to address the issue of how mountaineers dispose of their waste when on Aoraki Mount… Audio
15 scooters, bikes, pram plunged into pond
In the depths were a cash register and a skate park bin: "I wouldn't be surprised to see someone had chucked a partridge and a pear tree in there too."
Critter of the Week: putawa or bracket fungus
This week’s critter is the pūtawa or bracket fungus (also known as white punk, pangu or morepork bread). The fruiting body of this fungus looks a bit like a caramel-coloured flying saucer that crashed… Audio
Post-partum underwear, a winning idea for University student
Massey design student Isabel Nicholls has taken out the university's Grand Ideas competition with her comfortable, eco-friendly, health-prioritising postpartum underwear. They're called 'Nurture'… Audio
New maps uncover Wānaka lakebed
It's one of our most photographed natural attractions, but what lay beneath the surface of Lake Wānaka remained largely unknown until a mapping project from crown research institute NIWA. Audio
Government's invite list shows fast-track process is flawed - Forest & Bird
The group has also raised concerns about the power that ministers could have after it was revealed Shane Jones failed to report a dinner with a company deputy chair.
Cyclone Gabrielle: Emergency failures revealed in damning self-review
NEMA did not have enough trained staff when Cyclone Gabrielle hit - just one of a litany of failures a review has uncovered.
Seabed mining 'does not co-exist with offshore wind', government told
Offshore wind companies have told the government the industry is not compatible with seabed mining in the Taranaki Bight - but the mining industry disagrees.
How a climate win under Labour could affect National's carbon market
A new steel-making furnace will reduce emissions so much, environment officials have pitched reducing the whole country's supply of carbon credits.
Saving the planet one lunchbox at a time
If you are using excessive glad wrap around your school lunch sarnies, watch out.
Changes to emissions targets okay 'if supported by evidence' - business, climate leaders
They stand by New Zealand's 2050 carbon reduction targets, but are open to adding international aviation and shipping emissions.
Concern Fast-track bill could lead to building in flood areas
Scientists, engineers and insurers are all sounding warnings over the government's Fast-track Approvals Bill, saying it's likely to lead to more building in flood prone areas. Reporter Kate Newton… Audio
New Zealand's largest flume tank opens in Nelson
The tank is being used to test prototypes of mobile marine farms in a bid to help the sector adapt to climate change.
Court clears NZTA to acquire land for Mt Messenger bypass
The owner of a farm - parts of which a court has ruled can be acquired for the bypass - says he has no regrets about fighting the project.
E coli and high nitrate levels found in some Canterbury groundwater survey shows
More than half of the wells monitored in the Canterbury Regional Council's annual groundwater survey have shown nitrate levels are still likely increasing.
Forestry industry concerned as Scion set to cut jobs
The forestry industry is concerned about its future with around 10 percent of jobs at Scion, also known as the New Zealand Forest Research Institute, are proposed to be cut. New Zealand Farm Forestry… Audio
Pākiri supporters would be 'crushed' if sand mining fast-tracked
A provision in the proposed fast-track law allowing previous court rulings against consents to be put aside would be a 'travesty of justice', they say.
Capturing the aurora in Lauder
We've all become amateur aurora experts over the past couple of days - with a rare solar storm causing dazzling displays in the sky over North and South Islands. Audio
Pākiri locals brace for another legal fight over sand mining
Locals in a beach town north of Auckland are bracing for another legal fight over sand mining just off the coastline. In Depth reporter Farah Hancock spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss about it. Audio
NZTA tells dealers to repay Clean Car rebates on almost 200 EVs
Waka Kotahi has found almost 200 cases where car dealers pocketed electric vehicle subsidies, then broke the law.
