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Featured Environment stories
Variety is the spice of life - and apples
Science comes to the rescue to help identify apple tree varieties in an Otago heritage orchard.
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Threatened bird species found breeding in Auckland ranges
17 Mar 2026The discovery of a breeding pair of NZ falcon raising two fledglings is a significant finding, say experts.
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Three decades of hatching kiwi chicks
17 Mar 2026Combining conservation and eco-tourism, the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua last year turned 30 years old. What's been learned in that time?
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Protesters gather as challenge to government's climate change plan reaches court
16 Mar 2026Climate advocates argue the government broke the law when it dismantled dozens of climate policies, before consulting the public.
Environment headlines with summaries.
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Restoration and reconnection in the Kaimai Mamuku ranges
10 Mar 2026Can iwi-led conservation projects born from a Covid-19 government fund survive into the future?
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Second oil spill in Akaroa Harbour in two months sparks concern for wildlife
9 Mar 2026A navy ship spilled hundreds of litres of oil into Akaroa Harbour on Sunday.
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How do you know if your beach is okay to swim at?
6 Mar 2026How does the public know what's safe and what's not, especially when the official advice comes with caveats?
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Hundreds of tonnes of weeds removed in Lake Horowhenua clean-up
3 Mar 2026A years-long cleanup project is now working to restore Lake Horowhenua back to health, after decades of raw sewage was pumped into it. Audio
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Council deals with 34 complaints about bee poo
3 Mar 2026Tauranga City Council says it investigated 38 complaints about urban hives with 34 of those relating to poo.
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An underwater 'jewel of the north' is under threat
3 Mar 2026A native urchin species is grazing the Poor Knights Islands down to bare rock. But what can be done?
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Transmission network already threatened by climate hazards, data shows
2 Mar 2026Transpower and lines companies say more resilient infrastructure is part of their future planning, but could solar and batteries also have a part to play?
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Power concerns: Lines companies urged to consider 'non-network' solutions
25 Feb 2026Flexible pricing and other 'non-network' solutions could reduce the cost for consumers and improve the electricity system, argue the agencies governing energy use.
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The democratisation of space?
24 Feb 2026New Zealand has made it to number three in the space race, but with that position comes new responsibilities.
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Sinkhole forms near wastewater plant
19 Feb 2026The council says people should not to swim, fish or collect shellfish in the area around where the stream discharges until further notice.
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Bird flu ravaging Antarctic wildlife, scientist warns
18 Feb 2026The disease is capable of killing 100 percent of the birds in short periods of time, says a leading Chilean researcher.
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How science is shaping the clothes of the future
17 Feb 2026New Zealand is part of a massive European research project aimed at shaking up the textile industry.
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'Every tonne matters': The climate scientist who wants to give you hope
23 Feb 2026Ben Marzeion is out to prove that you can still help in the fight against climate change, one kilogram of glacier ice at a time.
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Predator Free South Westland nears eradication goal
10 Feb 2026As an ambitious mainland predator eradication project reaches completion, what will it take to keep pests at bay long-term?
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Green MP seeks recognition of tohorā/whales as legal persons
6 Feb 2026Teanau Tuiono has lodged a member's bill which would give whales inherent rights.
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New earthquake faults discovered near North Island towns
4 Feb 2026A new study has uncovered new earthquake faults in the Wairarapa valley, four of which are close to some of the region's towns. Wairarapa's Emergency Management Office (EMO) controller, Simon...
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High Court rules Otago set net ban lawful despite hoiho decline
4 Feb 2026An environmental charity's claim that a set net fishing ban around Otago Peninsula didn't go far enough to protect hoiho has been dismissed.
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Using vibrations to deter pest insects
3 Feb 2026Researchers are translating pest insects' vibrational language to use it against them.
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Microplastics found in one-third of surveyed Pacific Island fish
The scale of contamination varied significantly across locations however, and the researchers warned against "alarmist" interpretations.
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'How do the people break through?' - third of Māori land considered landlocked
12 Jan 2026Landlocked whenua has been identified as one of the biggest challenges to public access in 2025.
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'Darkwaves': The phenomenon killing ecosystems
13 Jan 2026The underwater events affect the entire underwater food chain, and may get more common.
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ECan 'put on notice' over rule-making for discharges
24 Dec 2025The High Court stopped short of ordering the regional council to change the rule relating to the discharge of nitrates because of the amount of time that has lapsed.
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DoC warns dog owners after rare fairy tern nests disturbed
23 Dec 2025Only about 40 adult tara iti survive in the wild, and of those just 10 are breeding females.
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The farmers working to shrink the environmental footprint of their cows
16 Dec 2025Can the planting of special crops and experiments with new winter grazing systems make a real difference? Audio
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