Science Media Centre 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.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand's only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
Science Media Centre NZ - Latest News [Page 1]
SMC Alert: Rocket Lab successful launch
Sunday, 21 January 2018, 3:51 pm | Science Media Centre
SMC Alert: Rocket Lab successful launch and payload deployment - Expert reaction Rocket Lab successfully launched its Electron rocket and deployed satellites into orbit this afternoon, a milestone for the company and New Zealand's fledgling private ... More >>
SMC Bulletin: Bunnings pulls pesticides
Friday, 19 January 2018, 3:29 pm | Science Media Centre
Bunnings pulls pesticides Australian hardware chain Bunnings has decided to stop selling neonicotinoid pesticide products in its Australian and New Zealand stores by the end of the year. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the decision last weekend, ... More >>
SMC Bulletin: 2017 year of extreme weather
Friday, 12 January 2018, 3:19 pm | Science Media Centre
2017 year of extreme weather Last year's climate brought us severe weather events, including floods and droughts, according to Niwa's annual climate summary released this week. More >>
2017 year of extreme weather - Expert reaction
Monday, 8 January 2018, 12:20 pm | Science Media Centre
Niwa has released its annual climate summary for 2017, which it says was a year of weather extremes. More >>
Your chance to dig deeper on science-related stories
Thursday, 21 December 2017, 1:11 pm | Science Media Centre
Applications are now open in the second round of funding of the Aotearoa New Zealand Science Journalism Fund. More >>
Science Deadline: SMC seeks a new director, coastal hazards
Friday, 15 December 2017, 4:44 pm | Science Media Centre
Science Deadline: SMC seeks a new director, coastal hazards report released, and NZ's ancient giant penguin More >>
Warning to plan now for sea level rise - Expert reaction
Friday, 15 December 2017, 3:20 pm | Science Media Centre
A report from the Ministry for the Environment has warned that New Zealand lacks a coordinated plan to deal with future climate change. More >>
Ancient NZ Penguin as Big as a Human - Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 13 December 2017, 10:42 am | Science Media Centre
A fossil penguin discovered in New Zealand has been identified as a new species and it was so tall it was about the height of an adult man. The New Zealand and German researchers who identified the species - dubbed Kumimanu biceae - say it is about ... More >>
Top Ten Science Stories of 2017
Tuesday, 12 December 2017, 1:25 pm | Science Media Centre
Alongside the tragic deaths from synthetic drugs, freshwater, biosecurity, earthquakes and volcanoes have all made a show in the year's top science stories. More >>
SMC: Water Inquiry reports back
Friday, 8 December 2017, 4:41 pm | Science Media Centre
Water Inquiry reports back The second stage of the Havelock North Inquiry has recommended universal treatment of drinking water to protect public health. More >>
Havelock North Inquiry Reports Back - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 7 December 2017, 10:08 am | Science Media Centre
7 December 2017 - The Havelock North drinking water inquiry has made a number of recommendations to ensure safe drinking water for New Zealanders. More >>
SMC: Emergency Mobile Alert Test
Friday, 1 December 2017, 4:36 pm | Science Media Centre
It was a busy week for hazards experts with testing of emergency mobile alerts, warnings about a future Hikurangi subduction zone rupture and lessons in volcano monitoring from Mt Agung. More >>
Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area - Expert reaction
Thursday, 30 November 2017, 1:32 pm | Science Media Centre
Sweeping new protections for Antarctica's Ross Sea will come into effect on Friday 1 December. More >>
Mt Agung Eruption - Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 29 November 2017, 11:04 am | Science Media Centre
After months of unrest, Mt Agung on the Indonesian island of Bali is finally erupting. The island was elevated to the highest level of volcanic alert on Monday morning. The volcano has been spewing ash for several days, eventually leading to the closure ... More >>
SMC ALERT: Emergency Mobile Alert Test - Expert reaction
Sunday, 26 November 2017, 9:51 pm | Science Media Centre
Earlier today, the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) sent out a nationwide test of their new Emergency Mobile Alert. The mobile alert will have appeared automatically on your phone's screen, accompanied by a unique ... More >>
SMC Bulletin: More earthquakes in 2018?
Friday, 24 November 2017, 3:01 pm | Science Media Centre
More earthquakes in 2018? A report makes headlines around the world, with scientists saying we could be set for more intense earthquakes from next year. More >>
Reports of increased earthquakes in 2018 - Expert reaction
Monday, 20 November 2017, 1:18 pm | Science Media Centre
A media report from the weekend suggests a link between the Earth's rotation and an increase in intense earthquakes. More >>
Herbicides linked to antibiotic resistance - Expert reaction
Saturday, 18 November 2017, 12:59 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand researchers have found the active ingredients in commonly-used weed killers can cause bacteria to be less susceptible to antibiotics. More >>
SMC: Gene drives in conservation
Friday, 17 November 2017, 8:43 pm | Science Media Centre
Gene drives in conservation Researchers have called for caution when considering the possible future use of gene editing technologies for conservation. More >>
SMC: 2017 another scorcher year
Friday, 10 November 2017, 9:06 pm | Science Media Centre
2017 another scorcher year 2017 is set to be in the top three hottest years on record, with record-breaking extreme weather, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO’s) provisional statement on the state of the climate. More >>
