Our Changing World

Dr Claire Concannon follows scientists into the bush, over rivers, back to their labs and many places in-between to cover the most fascinating research being done in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Hosted and produced by Claire Concannon and Ellen Rykers

A stylised photograph of a paua shell mimicking the image of 'earth' with the podcast title 'our changing world' on top.

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Talking about abortion law reform

University of Otago student Ruby Parker says it's important to talk about abortion. She is in conversation with researcher Emma Harcourt.
Select committee hearing submissions for what became the Abortion Legislation Act 2020.

Our Changing World for 17 December 2020

Epiphytes are the high rise experts of the plant world, and resilient buildings should save lives and still be useable after an earthquake.

Designing low damage buildings

Low-damage buildings don't just save lives in an earthquake - they are designed to be resilient so they can stay in use.
A large scale lab test.of various structural components engineered for safer buildings takes place at the University of Canterbury.

Epiphytes - high-rise plants

Discover the hidden world of arboreal plants, which get a leg-up in the world by living on trees.
Ecologists with an interest in epiphytes: KC Burns and Tom Dawes stand in front of a climbing rata growing up a larger tree.

Our Changing World for 10 December 2020

An earthquake engineer talks about modelling strong ground motions in an earthquake and a psychologists talks about what it takes to have a good life.

Preparing for the next big quake

Information from past earthquakes can be used to prepare a more resilient society that will be better able to cope with future shakes.
Damage to a house is seen in Waiau town, some 80 kms to the south of Kaikoura, on November 16, 2016, after an earthquake hit New Zealand on Monday.

What it takes to live a good life

When it comes to having a 'good life', there are several key elements - strong intimate relationships and time to relax.
couple at sunset

Studying the causes of cancer

Cancer epidemiologist Brian Cox, from the University of Otago, talks about studying the causes of cancer and new research on diet and bowel cancer.
Illustration of bowel cancer.

Our Changing World for 3 December 2020

How river water reaches out to sea and an epidemiologist talks about work into the causes of cancer.

All at sea - the surprising reach of river waters

Two self-driving underwater robots are making surprising discoveries about where river water ends up at sea, far from land.
Eddies of water from rivers in Golden and Tasman Bay reach more than 100 kilometres out into greater Cook Strait.

Our Changing World for 26 November 2020

NIWA experts explain the science behind this year's large ozone hole and New Zealand's high UV levels.

Ozone holes & UV radiation

NIWA's Richard Querel talks about the ozone hole, including this year's large one, and Ben Liley explains why NZ has such high UV levels.
The aim is to rid the entire Devonport peninsula of predators, said Maggie Barry.

Our Changing World for 19 November 2020

Returning the mysterious parasitic flowering plant Dactylanthus or pua o te reinga to Zealandia sanctuary, in Wellington.

Pua o te Rēinga - return of the Flower of the Underworld

Iwi representatives & conservationists journey to Zealandia sanctuary to plant seeds of the mysterious parasitic flowering plant Dactylanthus or flower of the underworld.
Nature photographer David Mudge helps plant Dactylanthus seeds at Zealandia ecosanctuary in Wellington.

Our Changing World for 12 November 2020

The invention of a woven bassinet to save babies' lives & a geneticist seeking to understand plants & animals have won awards at the 2020 Research Honours Aotearoa.

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