Navigation for Sections
Science & Environment
Gisborne council scientist provides sobering update on region
Gisborne District Council's principal scientist Murry Cave has one word to describe the state of Tai Rāwhiti - fragile.
Next step of the single-use plastics ban: What you need to know
Explainer - The next phase of the government's single use plastics ban begins 1 July, and may change some of the ways you shop. RNZ is here with what you need to know.
Fruit and vege shops prepare for next phase of single-use plastic bag ban
Saturday marks the second step of the government's phase-out of single-use, hard-to-recycle plastic.
Warning as KiwiSaver, retail investors back oil and gas projects
KiwiSaver and other retail investment funds are pumping more money into oil and gas in search of quick profits.
Lawyer urges Aust, NZ leaders to defy Japan over wastewater
Lawyer urges Aust and NZ leaders to defy Japan over wastewater plans. Audio
Kicking the single-use plastic habit
This weekend, the next phase of New Zealand's ongoing fight against single-use plastics comes into effect. But do we need to re-think our attitudes towards all waste? Audio
Neurogenetic conditions in Aotearoa
In September 2022, two New Zealand patients became the first in the world to participate in a phase 1 clinical trial testing a new therapy for a rare neurogenetic condition called myotonic dystrophy… Audio
Call for freshwater plan rollout to be 'carefully managed process'
Farming groups have concerns about incoming freshwater farm plans - as new regulation seeks to reduce the impact farming has on the country's waterways.
Fallout of French nuclear testing still affecting men decades later
50 ago a crew of 242 men left New Zealand on a mission to Mururoa Atoll, in French Polynesia. The crew of HMNZS Otago, and later the frigate Canterbury, were sent there to protest French nuclear… Video, Audio
Our Changing World – Neurogenetics
Two New Zealand patients will be the first participants in the world to join a phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety of a new therapy for myotonic dystrophy – a rare neurogenetic condition. It's… Audio
Westport flood response: Bulk of new funding to be spent on ringbank for town
More details have been released showing how the government's $22.9 million package to support flood initiatives will be spent in Westport.
El Niño is on the way
El Niño is on its way, and there are some indications it could cause the Earth's warmest ever year.
NIWA Meterologist Ben Noll spoke with Perlina Lau. Audio
Science: Morning sickness hormone found, gut bug's role in endometriosis
Science correspondent Dr Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn to talk about how researchers have identified a hormone linked with morning sickness which may help with the development of new treatments for… Audio
Are microgrids the answer to reliable power in Kiwi homes?
A team of researchers at Canterbury University are hoping to explore the value of microgrids in delivering some self reliance for households when it comes to power generation. Audio
Canyon like slip in Hawke's Bay
A new canyon like slip has appeared in a central Hawke's Bay farm and it's getting plenty of local attention.
Matt Holden who owns the Ongaonga farm says the land moved in the middle of the night and… Audio
Health funding money to be spent studying quitting vaping
The Health Research Council of New Zealand will pump more than 50 million dollars into research on pressing health issues. The funding will be spread across 44 project grants, one of which includes a… Audio
Robots will help scientists better understand deep sea climate trends
Scientists have returned from a research expedition in the south-west Pacific Ocean, where autonomous robots have been deployed to send data about deep-sea climate trends.
Lab grown meat in US could mean big money for NZ business
The green light for lab grown meat to be sold in American restaurants and supermarkets could mean big business for a New Zealand company producing the "seeds" the flesh can be cultivated from. For the… Video, Audio
CO2 in geothermal wells to mitigate climate change effects
Storing carbon dioxide in geothermal wells could be a cheap way to mitigate climate change, and New Zealand is well placed to do it according to researchers at the University of Canterbury. Too good… Audio
Planning to build around climate change factors in the future
As we've seen in recent weather events, floods and slips go hand in hand. Martin Brook is an Associate Professor of Applied Geology at the University of Auckland. He has studied slopes in both… Audio
