https://cf-images.ap-southeast-2.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/6093072280001/3b924a31-e3db-4eb6-80ce-68e1d7082877/eea8db71-e97c-4d85-8eb5-8d10c9291c1c/1280x720/match/image.jpg

What if...? Genomics in Aotearoa

7m

What if...? looks at the many and varied ways that genomics (the study of genomes/DNA) is being used in Aotearoa.

Made with the support of Genomics Aotearoa

6 episodes

What if... genomics could safeguard our food supply?

The rapid warming and periods of droughts as a result of climate change will impact our ability to grow food. Researchers are investigating ways that genomics can help safeguard our food security in the future.
Episode 1
7m

What if... genomics could help save an endangered species?

In 2018, the kākāpō became the first species in the world to have its entire population’s genomes sequenced. How is the information being used today to help conservation?
Episode 2
4m

What if... we can use genetic testing to beat cancer?

Around 25,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in Aotearoa. Learn how genomics can help us detect cancer sooner and treat it more precisely.
Episode 3
5m

What if... we sequenced every infectious disease in NZ?

During the Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand researchers led the way in how to sequence the virus and in figuring out transmission puzzles.
Episode 4
5m

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 e-DNA to see who lives there.
Episode 5
6m

What if... genomics could protect New Zealand from invasive species?

New Zealand is constantly battling pests and predators that have become well-established, while trying to safeguard our country from a wide range of new threats. Could genomics provide us with new tools to keep our native flora and fauna safe from invaders?
Episode 6
5m

Produced by

Aotearoa Science Agency

Funded by

Genomics Aotearoa

More like this

  • Rabbits and Other Pests

    No one knows for sure who first introduced rabbits to New Zealand, because no one wanted to take the blame for what became one of New Zealand's biggest environmental and economic disasters. We start season two burrowing into the devastating history of rabbits and other pests.
    The Aotearoa History Show/Season 2/Episode 1
    19m

  • Dealing with Loss

    This episode looks at the devastating effect introduced mammals have had on New Zealand’s unique wildlife.
    Fight for the Wild/Episode 1
    45m

  • Kororā: Little Blue Penguin

    In 2020, a Banks Peninsula family works to protect and survey the Indigenous population of white-flippered penguins, through predator trapping and citizen science.
    Kororā: Little Blue Penguin/Film
    30m

  • Aftermath

    Hawke's Bay families grapple to put their lives back together following the destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
    My Cyclone Gabrielle/Episode 1
    9m

  • Rakiura

    Troy embarks on a journey down south to the tip of Aotearoa to explore the breathtaking Rakiura.
    Our Other Islands/Episode 1
    26m

  • Jason

    Summer at Penguin Place can be hectic, as Jason juggles hoiho (yellow-eyed-penguin) rescues, daily feeding sessions, tour groups, and bird releases - all in a day’s work!
    The Turning Point/Episode 1
    13m

  • The State of Our Seas

    We look at the issues affecting our coastal marine environment through Professors Shears & Pilditch of Auckland University, including kina barrens in the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve.
    Turning the Tide/Episode 1
    13m

  • Out There

    Zoologist-turned-filmmaker Alexis Smith joins a mysterious network in New Zealand dedicated to communicating with extraterrestrials.
    Loading Docs/Season 10/Episode 1
    13m

Video section home

The side profile of a man holding a guitar with a microphone on a stand in front of him. Text reads, "Legacy: Katchafire" and has a boarder around the perimeter of the frame.
A hillside is draped with a large Māori flag, on the ridge line stands a single figure and another Māori flag. Text in a painted font reads "Ake Ake Ake"
A birds'-eye view of some military items sitting scattered on a desk, including a map, a hat, playing cards, and a couple of coins. The text in the middle reads "Back to Timor."
People standing in a forest clearing, backlit by the sun. They are all wearing traditional Māori dress. Text reads, "NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui".
A podcast cover for "The Aotearoa History Show" features the title written in colorful, chalk-like letters on a blackboard background. The words "THE" and "AOTEAROA" are in light blue, "HISTORY" is in pink, and "SHOW" is in green with green chalk lines radiating outwards.
A man with their back towards the camera, they're looking on onto an ocean. The image is in grey scale. Text reads, "The Art of War".
Black and white faces of Helen Clark, Dame Jenny Shipley, Jim Bolger Geoffrey Palmer and Mike Moore, with the words 'The 9th Floor' underneath them. The background of the image is black.
Piripi is wearing a shirt and a cap and looks into the camera smiling. He is leaning against the side of a vehicle. Text reads, "Oe, The Adventures of of Piripi Kaiwaru AKA Phillip! Narrated by his Mother" There is a small illustration of a truck under the text, as well as illustrations of deer horns and a kangaroo.
A large group of people protesting, they're all holding signs. Text reads, "Hīkoi, Speaking Our Truth".
Dark grey background with yellow text reading, "The Barber Shope". There is a illustration in the same yellow of a Māori design.
Dark purple background with text, "Art Stories in Aotearoa".
A Muslim man in a blue shirt stands in a mosque. The text reads "This Is Us"
Black text on a beige background, text reads "Fight for the Wild". Behind the text are three illustrations, one is of New Zealand the other is a disembodied head of a Tūī and the third is a fantail.
A brightly colours grid of squares where some of the squares include the faces of the five hosts of Whakamāori
A bagpipe band stand in a field ready to perform. The text reads: "12,000 Miles from NZ to the Green."
A man operating a cannon, theres smoke coming out of it and a man next to it holding his hands over his ears. Text reads, "NZ Wars: Stories of Waitara".
An animated graphic of green trees and leaves in a forest, along with a red flower. The text in front reads "What Will I Be Today?"
A man is wearing a suit and tie and smiling at the camera with his head slightly tilted to the left. He has a thick moustache, behind him the room is dark but seems to be an office. Text reads, "The Citizen's Handbook" in light pink.
A sepia toned image of a family photograph depicting a woman holding the hands of two young children. The photo is deteriorating and the child on the left is almost obscured by the damage. The text reads, "Farewell Guangdong" there are also four Chinese characters, or 'Hanzi', above the text.
Woman looking into the camera, standing side on. She has a staunch expression and Is wearing a bright pink blouse. Text reads, "Breaking Silence". Text and woman stand against a dark, almost black background.
An older woman with grey hair is holding a ceramic bowl up and looking at it intently as she sits at a dining table. In front of her are plates, and a bowl of green apples. Text reads "Crown Lynn: A Māori Story". Above the text is a white line illustration of a tiki with an illustration of a star on either side of it.
Eight seperate images edited into two rows of four, each showing different images of people and art. Text reads, "Marauders".
One young woman sits on another who is in a wheelchair in a zany candid moment. Text reads "This is Wheel Life with Soph and Indy"
A man in traditional Māori dress and a full face tā moko is standing in the forest. He is holding a wooden pole object. Text reads, "NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau".