Fossils
Our Changing World for 16 May 2019
NIWA is tagging longfin eels to try and find their mysterious breeding grounds, and Foulden Maar is one of NZ's premier fossil sites. Audio
Micro-fossils, filing cabinets and past climate change
Tiny grains of fossil pollen are helping GNS Science researchers piece together the big picture of past environments. Audio
'Amazing Dragon' fossils rewrite history of Jurassic giants
The discovery of a new Chinese species of sauropod named the "amazing dragon of Lingwu" pushes the appearance of advanced sauropods, back by 15 million years. And that's not all - not only is it the… Audio
DNA in fossil bone fragments reveals NZ's lost world
Bags of bone fragments are casting a genetic spotlight on New Zealand's lost natural world, and on the impact of early Polynesians on its biota. Audio
Our Changing World for 9 November 2017
New discoveries from New Zealand's ancient past, and mapping the gut's electrical signals. Audio
The New Zealand fossil revolution
In the last few years there's been a revolution in our understanding of New Zealand's ancient animals - there were once crocodiles as well as small land mammals. Audio
Moa footprints - a rocky tale
After twenty years of puzzling, geologist Bruce Hayward reckons he has identified some mysterious patterns in a west Auckland roadside cutting as moa footprints. Audio
Insects remarkably preserved in New Zealand amber
Amber is beautiful to look at - and it is also an incredible window into the prehistoric past. Audio
Rare 110 million-year-old nodosaur fossil found
A 110 million-year-old nodosaur fossil has gone on display, and it's so well preserved the find has been described by National Geographic, 'as rare as winning the lottery'. The fossil was unveiled at… Audio
Earlier life on land discovered in Australasian hot springs
Hot springs here and in Australia have led an international team of scientists to conclude that life on land began earlier than previously documented. Kathryn Ryan talks to University of Auckland… Audio
Otago leaf fossils help solve major climate mystery
As Antarctica melts, pushing sea levels higher, scientists in New Zealand and America have been looking at a similar phenomenon, 23 million years ago, using ancient leaves. The study has proved for… Audio, Gallery
In the footsteps of dinosaurs
Collingwood Area School students join GNS scientists in a search for dinosaur footprints on the shore of a Golden Bay estuary Audio, Gallery
Fossil Parasites
What does the fossil record reveal about the evolution of 'boneless' parasites? Dr. Tommy Leung from the School of Environmental & Rural Science at the University of New England explains. Audio, Gallery
Sir James Hector's scientific legacy
Science historian Simon Nathan discusses his biography of Sir James Hector, New Zealand's first government scientist. Audio
Fossick in Fairlie
Macgregor Willis, a 16 year old student at Mackenzie College, took over a vacant shop on Fairlie's Main Street and turned it into a natural history museum that's now home to his impressive collection… Audio
Science: ulcer meds and fossils
Dr Chris Smith of The Naked Scientists on recovering dinosaur tissue from fossils. Also common stomach ulcer drugs could be linked to an increased risk of heart attack. Audio
Introducing Pinocchio Rex
Palaeontologist Stephen Brusatte introduces the newest member of the tyrannosaur family, the small and long-nosed Pinocchio rex. Audio
Fossil hunter finds mammoth bones in Idaho
A mammoth's skull and tusks have been uncovered in Idaho, and experts say a rare entire skeleton might be buried there. Audio
Moa droppings show unknown feeding habits
Researchers have found Moa shared a much wide range of foods than previously thought. A team of scientists from Landcare Research used several methods including DNA analysis of coprolites, or fossil… Audio
Coprolites and Extinct Moa
Fossil dung is offering surprising insights into the life, diet and parasites of the extinct flightless giant bird the moa Audio