Water
Advances in water treatment and reducing pollutants
Strategies to stop the degradation of waterways and improve drinking water quality, a US-New Zealand collaboration aims to improve water quality and make advances in water treatment options. The… Audio
Songs for Water: Yo-Yo Ma and NZ musicians perform on the Ōtākaro / Avon River
Yo-Yo Ma performs with New Zealand artists in an extraordinary event on the banks of the Ōtākaro/Avon River in Christchurch to celebrate the way water connects us. Video, Audio
Central Interceptor: the largest tunnel in New Zealand
The largest tunnel in the country is being built under Auckland. Watercare's man in charge of the $1.2 billion project, Shayne Cunis joins Jesse to explain what's happening below ground. Audio
Concerns over lead in Canada's water supplies
A large investigation into Canada's drinking water has raised concerns about lead contamination. Out of 12,000 tests since 2014, a third exceeded the national safety guideline of 5 parts per billion… Audio
Organic contaminants in our groundwater
Traces of organic contaminants - including compounds found in caffeine, pain relief drugs and sunscreen - have been found in nearly two thirds of the country's wells. Audio
Freshwater ecologist calls on politicians and the public to trust scientists know what they're talking about
The Prime Minister has indicated a climate emergency declaration in Parliament is unlikely, despite last week's School Strike 4 Climate protests. About 170-thousand protesters were reported at… Audio
Liquid: life-giver and life-taker
Liquids – they can kill you, save your life, or combine to make the perfect cup of tea. British scientist Mark Miodownik has written a book extolling their dangers and delights: Liquid Rules. Audio
Calling Home: Jamie Scott in Edmonton
Former Christchurch printing industry employee Jamie Scott is known as 'The Pie Man' for a good reason. The Edmonton-based father of two is the founder of the South Island Pie Co. Audio
Picking up the fence posts: farming in Waiau after the quake
When the magnitude-7.8 earthquake shook North Canterbury nearly three years ago, a 3.5-metre high wall of earth formed on Dave and Rebekah Kelly's sheep and beef station. The 'Wall of Waiau' – as it's… Audio, Gallery
Christchurch water supply risk means chlorination will continue
Canterbury public health officials say continuing to chlorinate Christchurch's water supply would be wise.
Waitangi Tribunal slams Crown over freshwater failures
A landmark report from the Tribunal tonight heavily criticises the Crown over river and lake pollution, and for blocking Māori from helping to fix the problem. Audio
Government turns off the tap for big water news
The government’s handling of an important announcement last Wednesday muddied the waters when it turned off the tap for all media but one.
Mediawatch for 4 August 2019
Government turning off the tap on big water news; preferred PM polling proves pretty unpopular; interrupting ads in publicly-funded programmes on-demand; tax the shock of the nude on TV. Audio
Nitrates in water concern as new regulator promises change
A new, national water regulator promising to clean up New Zealand's drinking water has elicited a mixed reaction.
Government to overhaul drinking water regulatory system
The government has announced a wide-ranging revamp of the drinking water regulatory system. Jim Graham from Water New Zealand joins us to explain what will be different, and what the effects might be.
…National regulator to oversee NZ’s drinking water
The government is creating a national regulator, which will cover all water suppliers, apart from individual households who supply their own, set standards, and have monitoring and enforcement powers.
…Claire Turnbull: Comparing apples and oranges
Environmentalists say apple juice production is better for the planet than the processes involved in making orange juice and we should switch the drinks around. Nutritionist Claire Turnbull doesn't… Audio
800,000 litres of waste pour into Lake Taupo
Taupō residents remain on alert tonight heeding a request from the local council to restrict water use and flushing as engineers work to repair a broken water and sewer main, while businesses are… Audio
Cats not fishing nets biggest threat to dolphins, according to new plan
It's estimated that on average 334 nationally vulnerable Hector's dolphins and two nationally critical Maui dolphins die from toxoplasmosis every year, due to cat faeces making its way into the water.
…30 percent of Auckland water fountains deemed 'undrinkable'
An Auckland University student has found only 70 percent of the city's water fountains are drinkable and only two thirds of them were classed as clean. Audio