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Science & Environment
Caring for your garden during an El Niño summer
Meteorologists have gardeners on high alert with predictions the El Niño weather system will bring hot and dry conditions over the coming months. Audio
Hot spell hits Wellington and the South Island
It's the South Island's turn for a summer scorcher, with the heat set to rise into the 30s. Audio
Using AI to identify ocean rips
Most people can't identify a rip when they're out in the ocean, but thanks to artificial intelligence help is on the way. Audio
Concern over water quality in Lake Whakamaru
The Waikato River and Lake Whakamaru near Mangakino, northwest of Taupo, is looking "greener than the treeline" according to locals.
It's unclear why the water quality is so bad, but local businesses… Audio
Ancient DNA reveals surprising origins for disease
Genetic variants that now increase the risk of MS once served to protect people from animal-borne diseases, a new study has found.
Summer science: Hybrid wildlife and mātauranga Māori
Should we intervene to prevent hybridisation between an endangered species and its common relative? In this week's summer science episode, two students from the Department of Science Communication at… Audio
Concerns for wildlife as drivers break rules in protected area
A Department of Conservation ranger is heartbroken people are flouting the rules by driving their cars at the Waikanae estuary scientific reserve.
2023 confirmed as world's hottest year on record
Climate records tumbled "like dominoes" in 2023, with temperatures far above any recorded level.
'Astounding' heat for two months in near-record year
2023 was one of NZ's hottest on record, but far from the wettest, while Whakatāne and Nelson have lost their crown as the country's sunniest spots.
2023 confirmed as world's hottest year on record
The year 2023 has been confirmed as the warmest on record, driven by human-caused climate change and boosted by the natural El Niño weather event.
Pacific peoples opt for homeland despite climate change - Study
New research suggests that the large majority of Pacific people want to remain in their home country in 2050 despite climate change's challenges, signalling a clear preference for climate adaptation… Audio
Norway approves controversial deep-sea mining
It means the hunt for precious metals in high demand for green technologies can be accelerated.
Peregrine mission has 'no chance' of soft lunar landing
The company behind the mission said there was about 40 hours' worth of propellant left, following a leak - not enough to land on the moon.
DOC urges visitors to Nelson Lakes National Park to clean gear to prevent spread of invasive algae
Microscopic algae lindavia and didymo have been found in the national park's lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa, and in Lake Tennyson.
Technical hitch threatens US Moon mission
An American spacecraft launched from Florida to land on the lunar surface has encountered problems.
El Niño bites in the Pacific
Some Pacific nations are feeling the bite of El Niño through dry conditions, while others in drought get relief through above average rainfall.
Reporter at scene of string of Canterbury fires
Two fire crews remain at the scene of a string of shrub fires which were threatening homes near the Canterbury town of Kirwee.
Fire and Emergency say crews will remain on the ground for most of the… Audio
Fire crews remain at scene of fire in Kirwee, Canterbury
Two fire crews remain at the scene of a string of shrub fires which were threatening homes near the Canterbury town of Kirwee yesterday.
Seventeen Fire and Emergency crews, as well as the three… Audio
Theories behind The Hum phenomenon, which only some people can hear
For thousands of people around the world it starts out as a low-level vibrational buzz, but the sound that becomes a persistent annoyance for many is not heard by everyone.
One of our few native frogs could disappear in decades
The Hochstetter's frog is suffering through a dry summer and could disappear over the next several decades.
