Environment
Alarm over yellow-legged hornet spread in Auckland
Beekeepers around the country are sounding the alarm as the invasive yellow-legged hornet tightens its grip in Auckland. Chief executive of Apiculture NZ, Karin Koss spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
'Do not swim' warning issued for New Plymouth beaches
The district council says its wastewater system has overflowed and has the potential to reach Waiwhakaiho River and Bell Block Beach.
Biosecurity ramps up war against invasive hornets
So far, 27 queens, seven workers and 17 nests have been successfully located and removed from Auckland's North Shore.
Will NZ follow UK ban on wet wipes?
The UK is banning the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastics, a huge cause of pollution and sewer blockages.
Kate Williams: From law firm to flower field
Kate Williams did a 180 on her career and she couldn't be happier. She runs her Canterbury flower farm alongside her husband, as a place for the community to come together. Her new book Floral… Audio
Whitebait species at risk from declining waterways
A new freshwater fish report has found 28 percent of species are facing extinction and 32 percent are at risk of becoming threatened.
Feral cats - how many are there?
Feral cats are now being added to the predator free 2050 list, and one scientist at the Bioeconomy Science Institute is determined to figure out how many of them are out there. Audio
Orana Wildlife Park goes international with long-term plan
Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park is bringing in a top international zoo designer to help shape its long-term masterplan. They'll look at how to better use the park's space and improve animal… Audio
Gentle giants released into Taranaki sanctuary
About 100 critically-endangered Mahoenui giant weta have been released into the Rotokare Sanctuary in Taranaki this week as part of efforts to preserve the taonga species. Robin Martin reports. Audio
Wells with 40,000-year-old groundwater discovered
And scientists are warning they'll be put at risk if too much water is taken. Audio
Construction of controversial Rotorua pipeline back in court
The Rotokākahi Board of Control is taking the council to court over the Tarawera Sewage Scheme.
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 27 November 2025
Attorney-General Judith Collins says the inquiry will look into whether government agencies did everything they could to ensure children were safe; Secondary teachers are voting on a potential… Audio
Waikato PHD student’s berm idea mowed down by council
Olivier Raven made his suburban berm into a no-grow patch in an effort to promote flower growth and attract insects, but after two complaints from the public Hamilton City Council gave him 30 days to… Audio
Rare fish seen for first time in over a decade in Auckland
The black mudfish hadn't been seen since 2014 - but that all changed a couple of months ago. Audio
Wind farm opens on Chatham Islands
Chatham Island locals hope a change is in the air for their astronomical power bills - and for the future of Rekohu. Tess Brunton reports. Audio
The fierce battle over mining on Denniston Plateau
The West Coast has long been mining country, but a proposed expansion of coal mining operations - and the backlash - leaves the region's economy and ecology uncertain Audio
Wilding pines threaten Kaikōura ranges in 'looming catastrophe'
A patch of wilding trees have been found about 3km from the as-yet uninfected Inland Kaikōura Range.
Native freshwater fish resurfaces after a decade of searching
A native freshwater fish thought to be lost from Auckland's wetlands has resurfaced after more than a decade of searching. Populations of the elusive and endangered Waikaka, or Black Mudfish, have… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 26 November 2025
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel; Regional Development Minister and NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones has been one of the strongest… Audio
'I was engulfed in this huge cloud of orange and green slime'
From loose-boweled whales in Tonga to the deafening call of the Weddell seal, Kiwi cameraman Andrew Penniket has had plenty of close encounters under the surface.
