Environment
Kawerau 'dirty' water may still be safe to drink
Increased mineral content can cause skin irritation and make water look dirty - but it's not necessarily unsafe to drink. Auckland University Engineering Associate Professor Dr Lokesh Padhye explains.
…Battle over farmer's wild pine control heading to High Court
A Marlborough farmer does not want to hand over pine control on his land over concerns his "struggling" natives could get caught up in "chemical boom spraying".
Council ends unsafe tree planting and spraying after concerns
Canterbury Regional Council has finally restarted willow tree planting and chemical spraying, six months after a complaint was made about its safety practices.
Rubbish work if you can get it on Rakiura / Stewart Island
Sixteen lucky volunteers will be combing the most southerly beaches in the country next month for trash from as far afield as Australia.
Rare feathered visitors a delight for Taranaki bird-watchers
The calls of kōkako are being heard in a remote Taranaki forest for the first time in more than 25 years.
Toutouwai are flying high at Abel Tasman
Native bush robins, or toutouwai, are making a comeback in the lower reaches of the Abel Tasman National Park.
Companion of the NZ Order of Merit, Kevin Prime
This week Kevin Prime was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for service to Maori, health and the environment. He says regardless of who the next government will be more needs to be… Audio
Prof Matt Baker: kitty contraception, flying DNA & brain-body bridges
Matt Baker returns for a chat about some of the latest science news. This week: why a single shot of gene therapy may replace surgical sterilisation for cats. Audio
Clothing waste: Does NZ need a tax on fast fashion?
How many unwanted clothes do you toss out each year? In Australia its estimated to be anything up to 20kg per person that's dumped. Now their government is threatening fashion retailers with a tax on… Video, Audio
Critter of the Week: the southern bladderwort
This week's critter is the southern bladderwort, Utricularia australis, a carnivorous plant that lives fully submerged in peat bogs. A dramatic decline in population means this species is now… Audio
Are blue carbon sinks the weapon in the CO2 emissions battle?
We often hear about tree planting to draw down carbon from the atmosphere, but could blue carbon sinks be a solution for removing CO2? Audio
4.8 magnitude quake felt in Hawke's Bay
A strong earthquake has been felt in southern Hawke's Bay this evening.
Federated Farmers issues list of demands for next government
Federated Farmers has released its policy rewind wishlist for the next government, after the election.
North Island councils combine in urgent call to govt for caulerpa support
Councils representing more than half NZ's population are calling on the government for more money and support to be thrown at one of the world's worst invasive marine seaweed pests recently discovered…
Conservation Minister outlines expectations to West Coast board
The West Coast Conservation Board has been reminded to be "active and visible" in the next year to advance a community voice at the table.
Calls for moratorium on new mines on conservation land
Forest and Bird is calling for a moratorium on new mines on public conservation land. The Government has not supported the Green Party member's bill - the Crown Minerals Prohibition of Mining… Audio
More clarity needed on how land-use rules might change - environmental advocate
An environmental advocate says it's hard to get a clear answer on the extent to which climate change is taken into account on consents.
Agricultural emissions plan in jeopardy as National walks back support
A plan to price the country's agricultural emissions may be put out to pasture before it gets going, as National backs away from supporting it.
A farmer and grower-led group - called He Waka Eke Noa… Audio
Waimea Community Dam construction finishes
It's the largest publicly-funded dam to be constructed since the Clyde Dam in 1992. The Waimea Community Dam has now reached a big milestone - its culvert closed off, allowing the reservoir to be… Audio
'Exacerbated by climate change' - NZ experiences warmest May on record
New Zealand has experienced the warmest May on record, with temperatures at least 2C higher than average in parts of every region, except Northland.
