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Nature & Environment
Concerns over Government's urban planning policy
We have a look at the challenges of urban planning amidst a housing crisis and fears new government policy could create 'urban slums'. Dr Claire Dale at Auckland University's Retirement Policy and… Audio
New research finds surprising presence of microplastics
A pilot study from scientists at the University of Auckland and NIWA has found surprising amounts of microplastic particles in marine sediments within the protected parts of the Queen Charlotte Sounds… Audio
Regulations on farms absolutely necessary - Forest & Bird
Farmers across the country are taking to downtown streets across the nation later today to protest recent environmental regulations, a seasonal worker shortage, and the so-called 'ute tax'.
One of… Audio
Farmers planning massive protest against regulations
Thousands of farmers are expected to demonstrate in over 50 towns and cities across the country at midday today to protest at recent environmental regulations and a seasonal workers' shortage in the… Audio
Dozens killed after flooding in western Germany
Authorities in western Germany say at least 42 people have been killed and dozens are missing following severe flooding. At least six others have died in neighbouring Belgium. The flooding has caused… Audio
Regional mayors not rushing to join govt Three Waters scheme
A multi-billion dollar sweetener hasn't got mayors rushing to sign up to the government's Three Waters reforms.
The government's announced a two point five billion dollar fund to get local councils… Audio
Seed-dropping drone may be future of tree planting
A team hopes a drone dropping thousands of seeds over the Hūnua ranges could provide a boost to native reforestation efforts.
RNZ reporter Louise Ternouth and cameraman Nick Monro were there for its… Video, Audio
Swimming in the wild becoming a 'thing' of the past
It's a sign of the times that these days we have to check whether an awa, roto, or moana is "swimmable" before taking a dip. Ingrid Horrocks has just published a piece for The Guardian about her… Audio
Midday Rural News for 15 July 2021
Conservation minister, Kiri Allan, has set aside 700 thousand dollars to deliver a nationwide online and practical course for hunters. Audio
Protesters arrested at Putiki Bay
The police have arrested and removed three protesters from the Kennedy Point development on Waiheke Island. The Protect Pūtiki group have been protesting against the development for 129 days and has… Audio
EU unveils sweeping climate change plan
The European Union has announced a raft of climate change proposals aimed at pushing it towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
Wildfires rage in US state of Oregon
Wildfires are burning across the American west including the largest in Oregon, called the Bootleg fire.
The fires come after major heat events across the extremely dry region. Firefighters have been… Audio
Breaking down bird song
On this week's Our Changing World – how songbirds learn their song, and how researchers in the Southern Hemisphere are trying to correct a long-standing male bias in the songbird world. Audio
Breaking down bird song
On this week's Our Changing World – how songbirds learn their song, and how researchers in the Southern Hemisphere are trying to correct a long-standing male bias in the songbird world.
AudioCommunity rallies around orca: 'There is some terrific support here'
Efforts continue to reunite a stranded orca with its pod, while work is underway to strengthen its temporary pen as bad weather is forecast.
NZ imported more than a million tonnes of 'dirty' coal last year
In the same year that the government declared a climate emergency, imports of an especially dirty type of coal from Indonesia topped a million tonnes for the first time since 2006.
Trucking company fined $15k for creek contamination
Marlborough trucking firm Broadbridge Transport has been fined fifteen-thousand dollars after its wash water residue contaminated a creek in Renwick.
Orca pod search -- the view from the air
Along the North Island's southern coastlines, countless people are on the lookout for an Orca pod. Whale rescuers are hoping to reunite a young orca, now named Toa, with his family (or any pod of orca… Audio
Property owners about to find out if they're in tsunami zone
The owners of over 20,000 properties in Hawkes Bay could be about to find out they live within a tsunami evacuation zone.
With a large tsunami likely in the next 50 years, not everybody knows the… Audio
Whole energy sector needs to change to fix coal problem - campaigner
Despite declaring a climate emergency last year, Aotearoa imported more than one million tonnes of low grade coal from Indonesia.
Imports of the fossil fuel in 2020 were six times larger than in… Audio
