August 2025 - Science Media Centre
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Birds around the world are singing for nearly an hour longer on average due to light pollution, a global study […] The post Birds become night owls with light pollution – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre.| Science Media Centre
Negotiators have failed to agree on a legally-binding global plastics treaty at the UN. The treaty was an attempt to […] The post Plastics Treaty talks fail once again – In The News appeared first on Science Media Centre.| Science Media Centre
This week, the US Health Department announced the cancellation of several mRNA vaccine development contracts. The cuts and restructuring of collaborations […] The post Defunding of mRNA vaccine research in the US – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre.| Science Media Centre
Surveys of over 20,000 UK adults show that childhood verbal abuse is associated with similar risks of poor adult mental […] The post Not just sticks and stones: Childhood verbal abuse also linked to poor mental health – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre.| Science Media Centre
Details of new changes to research funding under sweeping science sector reforms have been released today. The briefing confirms that set up […] The post Further cuts fund new tech institute – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre.| Science Media Centre
An analysis of over 6.5 million cardiovascular disease hospitalisations in six countries, including NZ, finds a persistent increased risk of hospitalisations after tropical cyclones. The rate of hospitalisations for six types of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease and stroke, tended to peak| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
A new proposal would replace NCEA Level 1 with a foundational award, and change the assessment system for Levels 2 & […] The post NCEA replacement proposed – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre.| Science Media Centre
NZ’s four major electricity generators are establishing a “strategic energy reserve” – a ten-year stockpile of fuel. The government says this will improve […] The post Ten-year fuel stockpile for NZ – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre.| Science Media Centre
The 2018 ban on offshore oil and gas exploration is facing a repeal, with part of the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill […] The post Offshore oil & gas exploration ban set to be overturned – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre.| Science Media Centre
Many New Zealanders awoke at 6:30 am to a tsunami alert blaring from their phones, after yesterday’s magnitude 8.8 earthquake near Russia […] The post NZ’s early morning tsunami alerts – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre.| Science Media Centre
The International Court of Justice will be delivering its advisory opinion on what obligations countries have to address the impacts of climate change very early morning this Thursday (NZ time). The case started with Pacific youth lobbying governments and civil society to advocate for legal action| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Less than two weeks remain for the public to have their say on sweeping proposals to change many aspects of the RMA, including how forestry and slash are managed. Under proposed changes to the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF), councils would be more restricted in th| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Warmer, saltier water from deep in the Southern Ocean has started rising to the surface, bringing up more carbon dioxide, a recent study shows. Fresher, cooler surface waters had helped sea ice expand for more than thirty years, but the new satellite data shows this reversed a decade ago, when the| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Last weekend's wild weather provoked severe flooding in the Buller and Marlborough regions - the third major flood event in New Zealand this year. Residents, farmers and authorities face much work ahead to repair and rebuild, and it's estimated hundreds of people have been displaced. The SMC asked| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Heavy rain warnings have been issued for the top of the South Island for Thursday. The warnings come as the region recovers from heavy rain and flooding on Friday and Saturday. The SMC asked experts for comment. See here for previous expert comments on repeated flooding events around NZ.| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Drug testers have come across misrepresented pills within a seemingly legitimate blister pack, purchased on the black market. The pills were opiates disguised within benzodiazepine packaging. A post from High Alert today says that "these cases show that the packaging of medications is no longer| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
The Science Media Centre is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are an independent centre that reporters and newsrooms rely on whenever science i| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
The winners of this year's Science Journalism Awards cover the dark side of solar storms and explore the impacts of putting rivers in a straitjacket. Kate Newton of RNZ won this year's Established Professional category for her In Depth article, “Room for the river,” with designer Hingyi Khong.| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Medsafe has expanded access to the psychedelic drug psilocybin, and the sleep hormone melatonin. The change means melatonin will be available for purchase at pharmacies with no prescription, and psilocybin can be prescribed by a highly experienced psychiatrist for patients with treatment-resistant| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
New Zealand will replace its traditional nationwide census with a new data collection approach from 2030. Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti said the new approach will use existing administrative records alongside a smaller annual survey and targeted studies. The Science Media Centre asked exper| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
The Environmental Protection Authority is being taken to court over its decision not to re-assess the pesticide glyphosate. The Environmental Law Initiative is arguing that there is enough new evidence around the human health and environmental effects of glyphosate, or Roundup, to warrant a reasses| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
A five-year plan aiming to tackle New Zealand's "stubbornly high suicide rates" has been released today. The plan includes new strategies like peer support roles for mental health patients in emergency departments, and crisis recovery cafés so people don't have to resort to a hospital and can recei| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
A 787 Dreamliner aircraft carrying 242 people crashed last night (NZ time) shortly after taking off in the city of Ahmedabad in western India. The airline, Air India, said 229 passengers and 12 crew members were killed in the crash; it has confirmed there is one survivor. The flight was bound for L| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
New overseas research has found that gender disparities in maths performance in favour of boys show up as early as after four months of formal schooling. French and US researchers analysed data from more than 2.6 million first and second grade children (ages 5 to 7) in France. There was almost no d| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
A Cambridge University report highlights all the ways menstrual tracking data can be misused. The report warns of numerous risks from data exploitation, including targeted advertising around pregnancy, health insurance discrimination, policing of abortion access, and data misuse to undermine court| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Are New Zealand's upcoming predator free goals on the right track? Should we stick with the current target species list as is, or include other predators like feral cats? These are just some of the questions that the public is being invited to comment on as part of a strategy review of the Predator| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
The government is asking for public feedback on proposed changes to how we can create more housing in Aotearoa, such as 'granny flats' in backyards and papakāinga on Māori ancestral land. Proposed National Environmental Standards (NES) for granny flats would require all councils to permit a granny| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Several public databases from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will be decommissioned starting next month. Earlier this month, NOAA announced changes affecting data sources related to earthquakes and marine, coastal, and estuary science. This comes amid wider concern| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Trust in New Zealand's news brands has increased over the past year, according to new surveying. Authors of the Trust in News in Aotearoa New Zealand report say it’s an early sign of stabilisation after five years of sharp decline. The report also found that approximately 60% of New Zealanders are| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Forests planted for carbon credits are permanently locking up NZ's landscapes, and could land us with more carbon costs, says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. The new report, Alt-F Reset: Examining the drivers of forestry in New Zealand, says that Radiata pine is really the only| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
New Zealand's female MPs are subjected to assaults, rape threats, and death threats in the course of their work, a new study finds. Eleven MPs from across the political spectrum talked to researchers about their experiences of harassment, misogyny, racism and online trolling. They said responding t| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
A picture of a snow-white wolf is splashed across the front page of TIME magazine – but is it really an extinct species back from the dead? The creature is a genetically modified wolf made by Colossal Biosciences, a company valued at US$10 billion. The SMC asked experts to comment. Profes| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Over 500,000 people in Aotearoa have gained access to fluoridated water since July 2022. This follows local authorities in Rotorua and Whangarei complying with directions to fluoridate community drinking water. The SMC asked local and international experts about what this might mean for public h| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Pollution in our water, land, and air are all coming under the microscope in a major report from the Ministry for the Environment. Our environment 2025 is a three-yearly report highlighting the effects of our land use on the rest of New Zealand's ecosystem. The Science Media Centre asked experts| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Tonga overnight triggered a tsunami warning and evacuations. No damage has been reported and the tsunami warning was lifted. The earthquake was also felt on Niue. The SMC asked experts to comment. Dr Lauren Vinnell, Senior Lecturer of Emergency Management, Jo| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
As we head into winter illness season, the SMC asked experts for the latest on our COVID vaccines. An updated vaccine targeting new COVID variants became available in January. Dr Lisa Connor, head of the Connor laboratory and programme leader of the infection and vaccinology group at the Mal| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Antarctic sea ice levels have been at record lows for the last three years, a global report shows. The World Meteorological Organisation's State of the Global Climate 2024 report also highlights three years of record glacier loss, record air and ocean temperatures, the highest atmospheric CO₂ level| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
About 40% of adults with chronic pain have anxiety or depression, according to new overseas research covering data from 50 countries. The research team looked at 376 studies comprising almost 350,000 people with chronic pain around the world. Those most likely to have depression and anxiety are wom| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Contractors have "successfully completed their work" to remove diesel fuel and other pollutants from the HMNZS Manawanui off Sāmoa, according to the latest update from the New Zealand Defence Force. Over 320,000 litres of diesel fuel mixed with seawater have been removed and from this, just over 30| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
As air temperatures get hotter with climate change, urban fires will get more common, with New Zealand seeing over 40% more city fires by 2100 with unmitigated warming of over 4°C, according to new overseas research. Researchers studied fires and monthly maximum air temperatures from over 2800 citi| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
As the world's oceans continue to warm, tuna stocks in the Pacific are expected to head east: away from local economies and into international waters. Newly announced research funding is aiming to help small Pacific nations adapt. Fourteen Pacific Island countries will receive a grant of NZD $187 m| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
A major study concludes that pesticides are overwhelmingly harming hundreds of species they aren't meant to affect. The systematic review analysed over 1700 experimental studies (including a handful from NZ). It found pesticides can reduce plant and animal growth, and affect animals' ability to fin| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Bat hitchiking, mealybug milking, and defensive bleeding - the creepiest crawlies and freakiest fliers of Aotearoa are duking it out in an annual popularity contest. Voting for the New Zealand Bug of the Year closes at midnight on Monday 17 Feb. The SMC asked experts to back a bug and share some| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
New technology is helping scientists to track down pests, detect endangered species, and find infectious viruses, all through the tiny bits of DNA they shed. Speakers at the Environmental DNA Conference taking place in Wellington next week will share their stories of finding elusive pest wallabies,| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
The US government is cutting or limiting rafts of funding for science and health research. Some of the executive actions from President Donald Trump include freezing federal loans and grants, capping maintenance costs for labs (a move that has been temporarily blocked in court), and specific cuts t| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
With humanities and social sciences removed from the "blue-skies" research fund, many Māori-led research projects will no longer be funded. "Core" scientists have also voiced opposition to the move, despite the fact that most of them will see increased funding opportunities from it. The Science| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
The Climate Change Commission/He Pou a Rangi recommends New Zealand set more ambitious carbon targets. The Commission says the current greenhouse gas targets are realistic and achievable, and that a loftier goal on both carbon and methane is also warranted. It also recommends including internationa| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Humanities and social science funding has been cut from the Marsden Fund, the main fund for 'blue-skies' research in Aotearoa New Zealand. The areas that have been cut include research in subjects like nursing, law, and archaeology. The Science Media Centre asked experts to comment. Profe| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Countries negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution have failed to reach an agreement after a week of talks in Busan, South Korea. The session failed to resolve deep divisions between “high-ambition” countries seeking to limit plastic production, and those wanting to focus on waste. Wi| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Police will attend fewer mental health callouts that aren't associated with a crime or high level of risk from November. It's the first stage of their planned withdrawal from mental health 111 callouts. The next phase involves officers leaving sooner after handing over to health staff. This medi| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Commonwealth nations including Aotearoa and Pacific Island states have adopted the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration. The declaration includes commitments to increasing marine protected areas, reducing plastic pollution and shipping emissions, and maintaining countries' maritime boundaries in the| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Governments from around the world will convene in Colombia next week for the United Nations' biodiversity summit (COP16). It is the first such gathering since parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity committed to developing new strategies and targets to halt and reverse biodiversity lo| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Impact on mood and lack of trust are key reasons some Kiwis avoid the news, according to a new study. The survey of over 1200 New Zealanders found 60% avoid the news at least sometimes, and high rates of 'consistent news avoiders'. Gender, ethnicity, age, and political ideology were linked to respo| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
An online toolkit to help experts protect themselves from online abuse is now freely available to researchers affiliated with New Zealand-based universities, thanks to support from Universities New Zealand A project to develop additional resources for New Zealand organisations as they navigate how| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Professional rugby players may have a higher risk of drinking and gambling problems compared to the general population, according to a survey of NZ men's Super Rugby players on mental health and lifestyle risks. Of the 105 players who responded, more than half were at moderate to high risk of alcoh| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Food safety regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is holding a second round of public consultation on a new definition for genetically modified food. FSANZ's chief executive said a new Code definition for GM food was necessary to ensure regulation keeps pace with new techniques for| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
The Government is moving forward on its intentions to overhaul restrictions on the use of gene editing and other genetic technologies in New Zealand and establish a dedicated regulator. Legislation is expected to go to Parliament by the end of the year, removing regulatory hurdles on developing gen| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Patents to exploit deep-sea marine organisms are increasing, according to a new study in Nature Sustainability. A new database of marine genes in patent filings reveals most patents are held by a few large companies, and that deep-sea organisms are of increasing economic interest. These include sp| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Public consultation on bringing back the practice of exporting live animals on ships is expected to start soon. The NZ Government has signalled its intention to reinstate livestock exports by sea, which had been banned by the previous Government. Public consultation is set to start sometime befo| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Amid ongoing news coverage of medical staff shortages and drastic changes to Te Whatu Ora leadership, the SMC asked experts to provide an overview of what public healthcare systems need in order to thrive. Professor Robin Gauld, Co-Director, Centre for Health Systems and Technology, University of O| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
They're not vapes, and they're not cigarettes. So what are the heated tobacco products that have had their excise tax slashed in half? The Government has recently agreed to set aside $216 million it may need to pay for the tax cuts. The SMC asked experts to comment on how heated tobacco products w| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
From the unique surf break at Teahupo'o to the incredible physics behind Simone Biles' hardest moves, global coverage has done a deep dive into fascinating science behind this year's Olympic Games. As the first week of the Olympics comes to an end, not everyone’s attention has been focused on the h| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
