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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]
NZ’s Climate Goals Off-Track – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 4:31 pm | Science Media Centre
Farming, electricity, and transport are the biggest risks to emissions budgets, the Climate Change Commission’s report says. More >>
Te Anau Quakes And Tsunami Alert – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 4:22 pm | Science Media Centre
The tsunami warning, issued for Milford Sound to Puysegur Point, was downgraded then cancelled after an early estimate of the earthquake magnitude was revised down. More >>
Native Bird Tests Positive For Bird Flu – Expert Reaction
Friday, 17 July 2026, 5:26 pm | Science Media Centre
The kāhu (swamp harrier hawk) – found in the Wairarapa – is the second case of bird flu in NZ and the first in a native bird. More >>
Should NZ Copy Australia’s ‘Office Of AI’? – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 2:07 pm | Science Media Centre
“The Australian government’s announcement of a new, central Office of AI, to sit in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, is a welcome move that will provide clarity and guidance for businesses and communities," says Professor Lisa ... More >>
Bird Flu Lands In NZ – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 1:55 pm | Science Media Centre
The public is being asked to report sick or dead birds, and to avoid touching them. More >>
Pacific Coral Reef Plight Takes Centre-Stage – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 15 July 2026, 11:18 am | Science Media Centre
“Approximately 26% of the world’s coral reefs are located in the Pacific Ocean, where climate change and other human pressures are increasingly threatening reef ecosystems and the communities that depend on them." More >>
Tiny Plastics In Blood Linked To Heart Attacks – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 15 July 2026, 11:00 am | Science Media Centre
Looking at about 60 people, scientists found the tiny plastics in the blood of 30% of healthy participants, and 40% of heart disease patients who hadn’t had a heart attack. More >>
NZ Prepares For The Threat Of Bird Flu – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 3:43 pm | Science Media Centre
No cases have yet been confirmed in NZ, but organisations are preparing for its possible arrival. More >>
2025 Was The 2nd-Warmest Year On Record For The South-West Pacific – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 3:36 pm | Science Media Centre
Many of these changes impacted NZ, which also had below-average amounts of snow on South Island mountains. More >>
The Collective Effort For Sustainable Farming In The Pacific – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 3:33 pm | Science Media Centre
The Fiji International Landcare and Sustainable Agriculture Conference 2026 aims to bring together diverse hands and voices from across the Indo-Pacific. More >>
El Niño May Bring Drought And Fires To NZ – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 10:39 am | Science Media Centre
El Niño has been declared in the tropical Pacific, and is expected to intensify into one of the strongest on record. More >>
Should We Worry About Bottom Trawling? – Expert Q&A
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 4:34 pm | Science Media Centre
The Prime Minister has said that the economic and environmental effects of the practice needed to be balanced. More >>
Bird Flu Reaches Australia – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 2:21 pm | Science Media Centre
The first cases of H5N1 bird flu in mainland Australia were identified in seabirds over the weekend. More >>
Public Land Up For Sale Under The Conservation Amendment Bill – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 12:27 pm | Science Media Centre
The government is proposing conservation law changes that would make it easier to sell off some types of land. More >>
Gene-Edited Crops Approved In Europe – Expert Reaction
Monday, 22 June 2026, 5:20 pm | Science Media Centre
The new rules aim to improve the food system by allowing gene-edited crop varieties that are more climate and pest resistant, yield more produce, or need fewer chemicals to grow. More >>
Winners Of 2026 Science Journalism Awards Announced
Wednesday, 17 June 2026, 8:28 pm | Science Media Centre
The winners of this year's Science Journalism Awards have covered the damage feral cats unleash on Fiordland's wildlife, and an unexpected collaboration between Māori and Japan to save our tuna/eels. More >>
What’s The Hype With Peptides And Are They Safe? – Expert Q&A
Monday, 8 June 2026, 3:38 pm | Science Media Centre
MedSafe has issued an alert on unapproved peptide products, as it sees increasing imports and sales of the compounds coming into the country. More >>
Do We Need To Worry About Forever Chemicals? – Expert Q&A
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 10:08 am | Science Media Centre
These human-made chemicals don’t break down easily and so can build up in the body and environment over time. This has led to concerns about potential health and environmental impacts. More >>
Budget 2026: Science System Funding – Expert Reaction
Friday, 29 May 2026, 7:56 pm | Science Media Centre
This year’s Budget includes a big boost for research commercialisation, alongside cuts to a range of research funds. This includes an additional $37 million towards commercialisation and partnerships and an almost $1.5 million increase to funding ... More >>
AI May Soon Help Read Mammograms In NZ – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 3:34 pm | Science Media Centre
The tool will ease clinician workloads by doing one of the two independent reads currently required during mammogram assessment, the government says. More >>
