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What if...? Genomics in Aotearoa

7m

What if...? looks at the many and varied ways that genomics (the study of genomes/DNA) is being used in Aotearoa.

Made with the support of Genomics Aotearoa

5 episodes

What if... genomics could safeguard our food supply?

The rapid warming and periods of droughts as a result of climate change will impact our ability to grow food. Researchers are investigating ways that genomics can help safeguard our food security in the future.
Episode 1
7m

What if genomics could help save an endangered species?

In 2018, the kākāpō became the first species in the world to have its entire population’s genomes sequenced. How is the information being used today to help conservation?
Episode 2
4m

What if we can use genetic testing to beat cancer?

Around 25,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in Aotearoa. Learn how genomics can help us detect cancer sooner and treat it more precisely.
Episode 3
5m

What if we sequenced every infectious disease in NZ?

During the Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand researchers led the way in how to sequence the virus and in figuring out transmission puzzles.
Episode 4
5m

What if we sequenced every waterway in New Zealand?

Living things leave tiny traces of DNA as they move around their environment. Now scientists can determine the quality of a waterway by using e-DNA to see who lives there.
Episode 5
6m

Produced by

Aotearoa Science Agency

Funded by

Genomics Aotearoa

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Video section home

A Muslim man in a blue shirt stands in a mosque. The text reads "This Is Us"
A multi-media illustration of four different figures in different art styles. Text reads, "Our Aotearoa".
A person sitting on a stool, they're looking down. The image has been edited so that there's a strong orange toned light covering the image, obscuring the figures face. The text reads, "The Outliers".
The silhouette of a man against a sun either rising or setting, the sky is mostly green with a thin bank of orange light along the horizon. Text reads, "Meng".
Black and white faces of Helen Clark, Dame Jenny Shipley, Jim Bolger Geoffrey Palmer and Mike Moore, with the words 'The 9th Floor' underneath them. The background of the image is black.
A hillside is draped with a large Māori flag, on the ridge line stands a single figure and another Māori flag. Text in a painted font reads "Ake Ake Ake"
An archival picture of a group of Pacific Islanders posing for a group picture. The text reads "Untold Pacific History"
A man operating a cannon, theres smoke coming out of it and a man next to it holding his hands over his ears. Text reads, "NZ Wars: Stories of Waitara".
A group of people performing a haka outside amongst the trees. The person at the front is in focus and doing a pukana. Text reads, "NZ Wars: The Stories of Ruapekapeka".
A brightly colours grid of squares where some of the squares include the faces of the five hosts of Whakamāori
A man in traditional Māori dress and a full face tā moko is standing in the forest. He is holding a wooden pole object. Text reads, "NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau".
A woman sitting on a chair next to a desk and coffee table. She's smiling at the camera. Text reads, "Aotearoa's Most Bizarre Conspiracies".
Dark grey background with yellow text reading, "The Barber Shope". There is a illustration in the same yellow of a Māori design.
A man standing with his arms crossed looking at the camera, he has visible tattoos on both forearms. He's highlighted with a blue light. Text reads, "NZ Hip Hop Stand Up" in neon green and pink.
Text reads, "House Talk" on a white brick wall background.
A large mountain capped with snow. Text reads, "Land of the Long White Cloud".
Text reads, "Matangireia with Morgan Godfery". Background is beige with an out of focus letter M in fancy script.
Three figures from different original images have been edited so that they're all standing next to each other and are of varying sizes. All three people are in the midst of performing. The background in a flat bright red colour. Text in the style of graffiti reads, "The Collective". A spray painted illustration of a crown appears above the 'e' in 'Collective'.
Two men embracing in a MMA octagon ring. They look sweaty post match. It's dark around them but they are standing in a spotlight. Text reads, "Fighting Chance".
The host, Mihingarangi Forbes, smiling at the camera. Text reads, "Mata".
Woman looking into the camera, standing side on. She has a staunch expression and Is wearing a bright pink blouse. Text reads, "Breaking Silence". Text and woman stand against a dark, almost black background.
A transparent figure of the back of a man, overlayed with another transparent image of the same figure but just his shoulders and back of his head. Text reads, "Duality". it's written in transparent white block letters and yellow cursive overlapped.
A portrait of a child looking into the camera. On their head is a collection of blue and green strips of ribbon that intertwine with their long braided hair. They are wearing a blue shirt, a jacket and a bow tie. Text reads, "Loading Docs". Beside the text is a simple graphic circle meant to look like a roll of film.
A coastal scene of a land mass with cliffs leading down to a beach and the ocean. Text reads, "My Cyclone Gabrielle, Four Filmmakers Four Views".