Environment
Sewage overflow near marine reserve 'depressing' to witness
A marine biologist says the worst case scenario if untreated sewage continues to be dumped in Wellington could be the die-off of the kelp forest ecosystem. Audio
Salvage operation to recover wrecked tourist boat from Akaroa Harbour begins
The Canterbury Regional Council says work to recover parts of the vessel from the beach and sea could take two weeks, depending on conditions.
Wellington sewage overflow potential 'catastrophe' - biologist
About 70 million litres of untreated waste is now being pumped 1.8 kilometres out into Cook Straight after the Wellington Moa Point treatment plant failed. The capital's south coast beaches are… Audio
Why learning about the landscape is vital for future planning
He says building knowledge about how landscapes behave, means people can make more informed decisions about how to interact with them. He chats to Jesse. Audio
Predator Free South Westland nears eradication goal
As an ambitious mainland predator eradication project reaches completion, what will it take to keep pests at bay long-term?
Eyes on government response to Moa Point sewage meltdown
All eyes are on the government's response to the Moa Point sewage plant meltdown. Wellington Water's chief executive is warning the public the capital's south coast could be off limits for months… Audio
Government mulling Moa Point enquiry
The sewage continues to flow into the South Coast after the shutdown of the Moa Point waste water plant. The government is mulling an inquiry into what went wrong. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little spoke… Audio
Moa Point plant likely to be out of action for months
Crews have spent the weekend trying to clean up Wellington's waste water plant, so they can assess the damage. Green MP Julie Anne Genter's Rongatai electorate covers the area under a rahui spoke to… Audio
Sewage spill cancels water activities at Island Bay Festival, thousands still attend
Thousands of people congregated at the festival which had to cancel one of its headline events, the Blessing of the Boats, earlier this week.
Warning massive sewage spill smell could get worse
The smell from the massive Moa Point raw sewage discharge in Wellington could be about to get worse, as Wellington Water battles a new overflow in Porirua.
'We're ruining it': Fears over financial impact of sewage leak
Divers and recreation groups are not only worried about the environmental cost, but also the financial fallout.
East Cape communites still cut off after slips on SH35
Another chunk of State highway 35 around the East Cape has slipped away after more rain this week; with communties still cut off two weeks after the district was hammered by severe weather. Audio
Beaches on the south coast and Lyall Bay remain off limits
The results of tests on the Wellington coast line contaminated with millions of litres of raw sewage are expected anytime in the next 24 hours. But beaches on the south coast and Lyall Bay remain off… Audio
Treaty concerns push out Cromwell mine decision to October
Kā Rūnaka has signalled that granting Santana approvals for the controversial mine could be in breach of Treaty settlements.
Wellington Water treatment plant 'catastrophic failure' - mayor
Wellington Water's chief executive said an inspection of the the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant today has revealed the damage is as bad as they feared. An equipment breakdown at the plant has… Audio
Swells dislodge wrecked catamaran from rocks in Akaroa Harbour
The Black Cat Cruises boat ran aground in the Akaroa Marine Reserve in Banks Peninsula on Sunday.
Concerns Wellington waste water treatment plant spill will put species at risk
DOC's worried seventy million litres of raw sewage being pumped into the sea around the capital could contaminate a nearby marine reserve... and put several species at risk. The beaches are off limits… Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 5 February 2026
Powhiri, protest, and politics. Leaders and dignitaries were welcomed onto the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi as we went to air. We crossed live to our acting political editor for the latest; The CEO of… Audio
Wellington Water CEO Pat Dougherty speaks to Guyon Espiner
The capital faces an environmental catastrophe after the shutdown of the Moa Point treatment plant. Wellington Water CEO Pat Dougherty spoke to Guyon Espiner. Audio
Adventurous seal pup given police escort out of New Plymouth CDB
Police say the seal pup wandered "a bit too far from home" but was safely escorted back to the sea.
