Environment
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 24 March 2025
In today's episode, a Queenstown councillor has blown the whistle on the council's plans to pump wastewater into the Shotover river, the UN has questioned the fairness of GST in New Zealand, deputy… Audio
Winston Peters raises questions over NZ's place in Paris Climate Agreement
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is raising questions about New Zealand's involvement in the Paris Climate Agreement and says it's costing the country dearly. RNZ's climate change correspondent… Audio
Queenstown councillor blows whistle on wastewater plan
A Queenstown councillor has blown the whistle on a district council proposal to pump 12,000 cubic metres of treated wastewater into the Shotover River per day. Queenstown councillor Niki Gladding… Audio
IKEA hopes NZ store will open before Christmas
In what could be the ultimate Christmas present for Aucklanders, IKEA is hoping its new Sylvia Park store will be open in time to get your holiday gift shopping done there. IKEA's chief sustainability… Audio
Palm kernel supply chain tainted by connections to deforestation, Greenpeace says
Two major exporters of palm kernel to New Zealand have been found to source kernel from illegal operations in Indonesia's Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve in Sumatra.
Where have all the monarch butterflies gone?
Jacqui Knight from Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust joins Jim to discuss what might be causing the declining numbers of monarch butterflies and what could be done about it. Audio
Meet the weed boat driver keeping Hawke's Bay streams flowing
Rodger Shaw reckons he has got one of the best jobs going.
Avian botulism likely caused more than 100 duck deaths in Napier
Hawke's Bay Fish & Game said it was working closely with Napier City Council and Hawke's Bay Regional Council to collect any more distressed or dead birds.
Young NZers head to France for Ocean Citizen Summit
The summit - hosted at Nausicaá - Centre National de la Mer in Boulogne sur Mer in France - will bring together more than 60 young people from around the world.
Channel finished to release tuna/eels
This week whanau from Wairewa, Lake Forsyth have been working hard to ensure tuna, long and short finned eels can complete their lifecycle. Audio, Gallery
Highlands Station - a farm shaped by an eruption
Farming in the wake of the Mt Tarawera eruption has tested the Ford family for nearly a century. But dam-building and a lighter footprint on the land in the sensitive Rotorua Lakes area has earned… Audio
Critter of the Week: Tofu of the woods | Giant puffball
You could mistake this week's critter, the giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea), for a soccer ball. The giant fungus can grow into a puffy white ball up to 50 cm in diameter! Giant puffballs are also… Audio
How to clean a river
The Waikato River is full of old rusting cars and motorbikes Commercial dive company Deep Dive have pulled out 33 in the last three years. And they only do it in their spare time! Today they are… Audio
The war over waste with Alexander Clapp
Alexander Clapp talks about how his pursuit to understand the waste trade led him on a globetrotting journey Audio
World War II era shipwreck could trigger $200m oil spill cleanup
The ship is thought to be carrying "furnace oil", described as dark thick, and when spilled, pernicious - but the government has rejected advice to carry out a survey.
Govt warned of $200 million clean-up for RMS Niagara
Maritime officials have warned the government it could be in for a $200 million clean-up bill if World War 2 era shipwreck breaks apart in the Hauraki Gulf. Reporter Nick James spoke to Ingrid… Audio
What are NZ's international climate targets and do we have to meet them?
Analysis - Most New Zealanders support the country meeting its international climate targets, according to a poll commissioned for the environment ministry.
History with Dr Grant Morris
New Zealanders love to holiday at one of our many lakes. Audio
Māori landowners hit back over concerns for river energy plans
Olympic silver medallist Luuka Jones who grew up paddling the Kaituna River says its loss for her sport will be devastating.
SH1 lights to be changed to protect town's birds
One endangered bird species regularly crash lands in the town after becoming disorientated by street lights.
