Science
Covid-19: Modeller Michael Plank's predictions
Te Punaha Matatini's Michael Plank is one of the country's most respected modellers, but even he says Omicron can be a tricky virus to get one's figures around.
Professor Plank has said the peak of… Audio
Covid-19: Politicians react to Omicron move
New Zealand has moved to a new phase of the pandemic as it battles to slow down the rapacious spread of Omicron.
The Government says it has plans in place to cope with as many as 50,000 cases a day -… Audio
Covid-19: Half of New Zealand could catch Omicron
Data modellers believe half of all New Zealanders could be infected with Omicron within four months.
The highly infectious Covid-19 variant is circulating in Auckland, and possibly in the Nelson… Audio
The Medieval secret to a good sleep
How do you sleep? We getting told we need "full 8 hours", but where does that phrase come from? We're constantly being given advice on how to sleep, apps are geared to "unwind" our minds, you can buy… Audio
What works when tackling misinformation - report
Merriam-Webster's word of the year for 2021 was vaccine, but it could just as easily have been 'misinformation'. This nebulous thing has been front and centre since the dawn of the pandemic; most… Audio
Giant canyon discovered below Antarctic Glacier reveals history behind rising sea levels
Australian Antarctic expeditioners have discovered an enormous, 2-kilometre-deep canyon underneath a glacier that may make it more vulnerable to warming oceans.
Will Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai reefs recover post-eruption?
Ecologists are reviewing research on reefs around the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, to see how biodiversity may fare following the latest eruption.
What scientists know about Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai reefs
Ecologists are researching the reefs around the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano to see how the biodiversity might fare.
When the volcano erupted in late 2014, it temporarily changed water… Audio
Tonga eruption: Waves up to 15 metres possible - Scientist
A GNS scientist says it's absolutely possible Tonga's volcanic eruption could have sparked tsunami waves reaching 15-metres high at their peak.
Kākāpō breeding programme on track for a bumper season
The Kākāpō Recovery breeding programme is on track for a bumper season, offering hope for the critically endangered bird's future.
There are only 200 or so Kākāpō in the world.
The nocturnal… Audio
Summer Science: Voices - To spray or not to spray
Summer science continues with a play of a science related episode from RNZ's Voices podcast. In 'To spray or not to spray' we meet Tim Vandervoet as he investigates ways to reduce insecticide use in… Audio
These two ingredients turned the Tonga eruption into a catastrophic explosion
The volcanic eruption in Tonga on Saturday was massive. Here's what we know about why it was so big, whether it's going to erupt again soon, and if there are others we should be keeping an eye on.
Climate: Sponges could be the main reef organisms in the future
Analysis - Sponges can survive low oxygen and warming waters. They could be the main reef organisms in the future.
Scientists send machine under Antarctic ice shelf - for science
In Antarctica, scientists have been collecting samples of supercooled water under the McMurdo ice shelf.
The McMurdo is part of the much larger Ross Ice Shelf, which is thought to be in relatively… Audio
Antarctic scientists test device aimed at weather and climate understanding
The New Zealand-led project has been building a device that can be sent below the ice to precisely measure super-cooled water.
Covid-19: How to encourage children to get the jab
From today, children between 5 to 11 years old are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine.
We know there can be some anxiety around getting vaccinated - and needles.
So Sarah Robson asked Michelle… Audio
Tonga eruption likely the world's largest in 30 years - scientist
Early data from Tonga's violent volcanic eruption suggests it was probably the biggest since Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991, a University of Auckland volcanologist says.
Covid-19: NZ dangerously close to Omicron outbreak
Public health experts say the country's teetering dangerously close to an Omicron outbreak, with the variant detected in an Auckland MIQ worker.
The new community Omicron case, confirmed over the… Audio
Tsunami warnings in place over the Pacific region
Tsunami warnings are in place on the north and east coast of the North Island and the Chatham Islands as authorities monitor the impact of the eruption and Cyclone Cody. Dr Emily Lane is a… Audio
Mike Pole - the Kōwhai forests of central Otago
When you think of central Otago, what do you think? Arid, tussock-covered hills and wilding pines, drenched in sun, rolling into the distance? It was not always thus, according to a fascinating new… Audio
