Environment
More than half of region's freshwater swim spots fail report card
During sampling, 266 tests from lakes and rivers revealed water quality issues.
Is New Zealand pulling its weight on climate change in the Pacific?
Analysis - The question has been left lingering after the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum, with Aotearoa taking a back seat on a climate and disaster resilience fund and a new report pointing the finger.
NZ's first national tyre recycling scheme now operational
Members of the public can now dispose of up to five worn-out tyres per day, for free.
'I still have a job for 20-plus years' - Marine consent extension welcomed by workers
Mussel farmer Johnny Arbuckle is among those welcoming the new law: "The certainty behind it is just huge."
Critter of the Week: Tokoriro, Occultastella morgana
The elusive and beautiful tokoriro, Occultastella morgana, was only recently discovered on the Denniston Plateau by Massey University Professor Steve Trewick. This remarkable species is just one of… Audio
Air NZ scraps 2030 carbon emissions targets
Air New Zealand has scrapped its 2030 carbon emissions targets - so what are its climate goals and will long haul travel to and from New Zealand need to reduce? Audio
DOC doesn't have the money to deal with contamination
Forest and Bird says the Department of Conservation doesn't have enough money to deal with contamination on Crown land. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports. Audio
Fears over DOC budget cuts after river turns orange
The department responsible for managing contaminated sites on public land has had $8m slashed from its budget over the next four years.
Four mines included in draft version of Fast-track bill
Forest & Bird says the list of projects needs to be shared publicly: "New Zealanders deserve to know."
Is the heat about to go on Fonterra over farming on drained peat?
Government officials have been quietly exploring how much carbon dioxide could be saved if the country reflooded its peat soils.
Minerals potential mapped: now what?
A new report by GNS maps the country's potential for new mining. Minister of Resources Shane Jones hopes the information will spark new investment in the sector. Audio
Genomics and the future of gene technology in Aotearoa
Advances in the field of genomics (the study of DNA and genomes) have meant big leaps in our ability to sequence, understand and manipulate the genomes of living things. Damian Christie explores… Video, Audio
Arsenic still present in Ohinemuri river
Scientists at Waikato Regional Council have been working around the clock carrying out tests after arsenic was found in the Ohinemuri river. The river turned a bright orange colour after it was… Audio
What if... we sequenced every waterway in New Zealand?
Living things leave tiny traces of DNA as they move around their environment. Now scientists can determine the quality of a waterway by using eDNA to see who lives there. Video
What if... genomics could help save an endangered species?
In 2018 the kākāpō became the first species in the world to have every individual's genome sequenced. How is the information being used today to help conservation? Video
Stocktake reveals how many bird species make Auckland their home
Auckland Council has put its bird population under the microscope by releasing its first ever stocktake of birds around the region.
The bat-bridge
Hamiltonians are always working hard to protect and nurture their population of long-tailed bats - or pekapeka-tou-roa - a species under critical threat. Audio
Christchurch man spending inheritance to fight landfill
One Canterbury man is choosing to spend some of his inheritance to fight a landfill proposal. "Self-appointed mayor of Whiterock" Mike McCaleb has already spent nearly $25,000 of his own money on… Audio
Gardening guerilla aghast as council shuts down flower patch
Heath Ling planted out a barren strip at an intersection in Woolston, but Christchurch City Council banned him from tending it - saying it is a distraction to drivers. Audio
The Panel with Ben Thomas & Penny Ashton (Part 1)
Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman and panellists Ben Thomas & Penny Ashton discuss whether importing LNG is a good idea, and Upper Hutt councils removal of a healthy stand of beech trees. Ben… Audio
