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]
Novel coronavirus detected in China –Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 14 January 2020, 5:16 pm | Science Media Centre
The virus was detected after more than 40 people were hospitalised with pneumonia in Wuhan City, China and the outbreak traced to a large animal and seafood market. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that person-to-person transmission ... More >>
Fisheries management helps prevent overfishing - Reaction
Tuesday, 14 January 2020, 11:27 am | Science Media Centre
Roughly half of the world’s fish catch is being managed sustainably, but the other half is not properly assessed or managed, leaving vast areas prone to overfishing, according to a new global study. More >>
2019 NZ's fourth warmest year on record - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 9 January 2020, 11:36 am | Science Media Centre
Last year was New Zealand's fourth warmest year since recording began in 1909, according to the 2019 Niwa Annual Climate Summary. Annual temperatures were +0.5 to +1.2 degrees Celsius above the annual average across the majority of New Zealand, the report found. More >>
Environmental impacts of tourism – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 18 December 2019, 2:08 pm | Science Media Centre
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) Simon Upton warns that increasing numbers of tourists are eroding the very attributes that make New Zealand such an attractive country to visit. More >>
Aotearoa Science Journalism Fund - Round 5 winners
Tuesday, 17 December 2019, 10:32 am | Science Media Centre
Five new projects will be funded in the latest round of the Aotearoa New Zealand Science Journalism Fund. More >>
Beech mega-masts and predator plagues – Expert Q&A
Monday, 16 December 2019, 4:06 pm | Science Media Centre
When New Zealand's beech trees seed, they produce a bounty of food for native birds - and the mammals that feed on them. More >>
White Island eruption – Expert Reaction Update
Tuesday, 10 December 2019, 12:04 pm | Science Media Centre
Steam and gas jets are still coming out of the active vent on Whakaari / White Island, following the eruption yesterday afternoon. More >>
White Island eruption – Expert Reaction
Monday, 9 December 2019, 5:27 pm | Science Media Centre
Tourists were present on Whakaari/White Island when its volcano erupted at 2.11pm today. More >>
Rat toxicology reports – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 27 November 2019, 5:17 pm | Science Media Centre
1.1.1 A report has emerged from an unnamed lab that claims to have detected 1080 in the dead rats collected on the West Coast. More >>
Assisted dying in NZ – Expert Q&A
Tuesday, 26 November 2019, 10:14 pm | Science Media Centre
A referendum next year will decide whether New Zealanders should be allowed to request assisted dying. More >>
The dead rats mystery
Friday, 22 November 2019, 3:19 pm | Science Media Centre
Toxicology testing has ruled out 1080 as a possible cause of death after about 680 rats washed up near Westport recently. More >>
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern
Monday, 18 November 2019, 3:41 pm | Science Media Centre
As part of World Antibiotic Awareness Week , the Ministry of Health is encouraging New Zealanders to take advantage of an ‘Antibiotic Amnesty’ to safely dispose of old antibiotics at pharmacies to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance. More >>
Measles in the Pacific – Expert Q&A
Friday, 15 November 2019, 11:06 am | Science Media Centre
The established outbreaks in Samoa and Tonga have been getting steadily worse, and this week has seen six people quarantined in Fiji and a health emergency declared in American Samoa . More >>
New Zealand's space economy – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 4:26 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand’s space sector contributed $1.69 billion to the economy in the last financial year, according to a report commissioned by MBIE . More >>
Vitamin E acetate found in lungs of vaping victims
Tuesday, 12 November 2019, 1:25 pm | Science Media Centre
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is narrowing in on vitamin E acetate as a potential cause of vaping illnesses and deaths in the US, with confirmation the chemical has been found in all 29 lung tissue samples taken from patients. More >>
Bushfires rage along Australian East Coast - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 12 November 2019, 10:11 am | Science Media Centre
Devastating bushfires along the New South Wales and Queensland coastline have caused the loss of more than 150 homes and at least three deaths. There are more than 130 fires burning across the two states, with the number and severity of the fires prompting ... More >>
Measuring changes to our environment – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 7 November 2019, 2:10 pm | Science Media Centre
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) Simon Upton has reviewed our environmental reporting system and found it wanting. More >>
Monthly birth control patch – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 7 November 2019, 9:13 am | Science Media Centre
US researchers have developed a new reversible contraceptive microneedle patch that slowly releases the hormone levonorgestrel over the course of a month, according to a study published this morning in Science Advances . More >>
Satellite to measure methane emissions – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 6 November 2019, 3:41 pm | Science Media Centre
Mission control for an international space mission to locate and measure global methane emissions will be based in New Zealand. More >>
Measles immune amnesia – Expert Reaction
Friday, 1 November 2019, 8:48 am | Science Media Centre
If you haven't had the MMR vaccine, catching measles can cripple your immune system for years. More >>
