Animals
Searching for bats in Pelorus
For the last month, a team has been tracking long-tailed bats at Te Hoiere / Pelorus between Nelson and Blenheim.
The long-tailed bat or pekapeka-tou-roa was declared "Bird of the Year" in 2021 and… Audio
Insects revelling in post-flood Auckland conditions
Back home now where floodwaters in Auckland have receded, but there is a sting in the tail. We're talking about mosquitoes. Tamaki Makaurau is humming with them since the floods. So, we asked… Audio
Side-stepping weka confounds experts
Mystery surrounds the discovery of weka in Taranaki, where the protected native bird has been extinct since the 1930s.
Adding to the intrigue, the Department of Conservation is worried the voracious… Audio
50,000 hens killed in Waikato egg farm fire
Investigators are trying to work out what caused a barn fire at a Waikato egg farm which killed 50,000 hens.
Two of the twelve barns at the Zeagold farm in Orini, were destroyed in the blaze and vets… Audio
Experts' top tips to keep a lid on pet expenses
Man's best friend is starting to look a little expensive, but it does not have to be that way.
HUHA rescuing pets, livestock around AK region post floods
The massive scale of clean-up in Auckland is becoming clearer as the floodwaters recede. All week we've heard accounts of human loss and damage to property. But the record-breaking flash floods also… Audio
Mystery of bleached sea sponges investigated
A marine heatwave in Fiordland is thought to be responsible for the bleaching of millions of sea sponges. Marine biologist Professor at Victoria University of Wellington, James Bell led a trip to… Audio
What you need to know before choosing a cat
It's kitten season, so if you're thinking about getting a cat - now is a good time as animal shelters are full of them. But what cat is going to suit your household? How much do cats cost to run? How… Audio
Using balloons to keep unwanted bird life from trees
One of our listeners got in touch after we talked about keeping pesky sparrows away from wildlife sanctuaries last week. Doug Martin shares his unique approach with Jesse. Audio
One dead after crash with horse at Maramarua
One person is dead after a crash between a horse and vehicle on State Highway 2 in Waikato.
Kevin Buley: Auckland Zoo turns 100
Auckland Zoo's centenary is being marked by an exhibition and a book, 100 Years, 100 Stories, revealing how much the zoo's role has changed over that time. Last year the zoo also opened their biggest… Audio, Gallery
Lyall Bay closed temporarily after shark sighting
A popular Wellington swimming beach was closed yesterday when a large unidentified type of shark made an appearance.
Wellington Council says the shark was spotted by a lifeguard on Lyall Bay about… Audio
What to do with flies, other insects this summer
If there is one bugbear we had over the holidays.. besides the North Island weather... There's been a buzz in the air, and not of the good kind. It's the season of flies, and the wet holiday period… Audio
AK postie writes children's book about dogs on the job
An Auckland Postie's idea to write a childrens book dedicated to dogs on his run has turned into an unexpected success. Mike Paterson has delivered the mail on a pushbike for 33 years, becoming… Audio
New pest traps designed in Inglewood
From his workshop in Inglewood, Taranaki, Nick Jones has created a new pest trap that could soon be filling forests around the country. Nick talks to Jesse. Audio
Hoiho chicks run amok at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital
You may have heard the saying - "It's practically impossible to look at a penguin and get angry".
Well, that was put to the test at the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital when two hoiho chicks escaped their… Video, Audio
Megan Folwell: Snake Anatomy
A recent study found that female snakes have a pair of clitorises, which was previously unproven A PhD researcher in Australia is behind the research - other people have looked before with no success… Audio
Echidnas use snot bubbles to help survive Australia's heat
Previously believed doomed due to climate change, it turns out echidnas have worked out some novel ways of keeping cool.
Argentine ants bringing death, disease, destruction to beehives
Researchers have discovered argentine ants attacking beehives have brought another misery with them - disease.
It has long been known the ants attack the hives to get at the honey, but now it has… Audio
Rescue centres grapple with animal influx
Rescue centres across the country are grappling with an influx of animals in their care.
The rising cost-of-living has led to people offloading animals that they can no longer look after.
This… Audio