Environment
Expert says time running out to eradicate yellow-legged hornet
An expert says time is ticking for MPI to eradicate the invasive yellow-legged hornet before the Autumn breeding season. Phil Lester, Professor of Biology at Victoria University of Wellington spoke to… Audio
Council seeks assurance after sewage treatment plant failure
Hutt City Council wants to know if its Seaview plant has the same equipment as Moa Point which flooded a room 3-metres deep with sewage in February.
New report exposes potential nitrate pollution in Southland
An estimated 15,000 Southlanders could be drinking water polluted by nitrates according to a new Southland Regional Council report. Audio
Whangamarino Wetland is in dire straits
The internationally recognised Whangamarino Wetland in north Waikato is in decline, with a new report stating that "active intervention is critical" and a turnaround will likely take considerable time… Audio
Composting company fined $71,000 for stinking out neighbours
A judge says he has no doubt the odour would have been objectionable during inspections and affected residents would have been "revolted and distressed".
Study aims to protect communities during extreme weather
Back-to-back floods last winter caused extensive damage to farms and rural properties, with crops inundated with silt, fences washed away and land lost to swollen rivers.
Businesses excited at prospect of Wellington beaches reopening
Shop owner Kate Necklen says it would be "awesome" to see people back at south coast bays which have been off limits since a sewage plant failure.
Cost of eliminating clams from lake too much for council
Lake Rotomanu remains closed to motorised boats, while efforts to eradicate the invasive gold clam are stalled.
Levin woman turns anger into berm beauty
When the council stopped mowing her grass, Louise McCarthy got grumpy - then she got digging. Audio
Council cost cutting prompts resident to create urban meadow
A council cost cutting decision has resulted in a local attraction. When the Horowhenua District Council stopped mowing residential berms to save money, it made Levin resident Louise McCarthy very… Audio
Delving into 'deep time': What New Zealand's ancient past reveals about its present
Known as the New Zealand Geological Timescale, it has just undergone its most comprehensive revision in 20 years.
The democratisation of space?
New Zealand has made it to number three in the space race, but with that position comes new responsibilities.
Muriwai residents describe escape from landslides during Cyclone Gabrielle
Residents of Auckland's Muriwai have described their frantic escape from landslides during Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. A coronial inquest is investigating the deaths of two volunteer firefighters after… Audio
'Every tonne matters': The climate scientist who wants to give you hope
Ben Marzeion is out to prove that you can still help in the fight against climate change, one kilogram of glacier ice at a time.
Filming animals fight: 'You are there as a privileged observer'
Scottish cinematographer Doug Allan is giving a series of live talks around the South Island about his four decades of adventures in the wild.
National to campaign on review of 'controversial' Hauraki Gulf fishing rules
Legislation last year established 12 high protection areas - but allowed commercial operators exclusive access to two of them.
Penguins more likely to eat clear or white plastic - experts
Research shows penguins are more likely to eat discarded tops made from white or clear plastic, than any other colour. The study involving almost 70 King and Gentoo penguins from Kelly Tarlton's… Audio
Critter of the Week
The critter of the week is the newly crowned Bug of the Year 2026, the Avatar moth! This beautiful day-flying moth is only found on the Denniston Plateau, from 640 to 850m. They eat alpine marshwort… Audio
A state of emergency, again and again and again
After another run of storms, do declarations of states of emergency risk "crying wolf"?
A state of emergency, again and again and again
After another wild week of weather, The Detail looks at the surge in declarations of states of emergency, and whether we risk 'crying wolf'. Audio
