Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
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]
Tik Tock: Leap Seconds To Become History – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 3:43 pm | Science Media Centre
Timekeepers around the world are abolishing the leap second, the extra second occasionally added to clocks to keep them in step with Earth’s rotation. The SMC asked experts to comment. More >>
New Hydrogen Rules To Encourage Exploration – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 1:19 pm | Science Media Centre
The Crown would manage access but not own the hydrogen – similar to geothermal resources – and could give operators exclusive rights. The SMC asked experts to comment. More >>
Fiji Declares National HIV Emergency – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 10:40 am | Science Media Centre
“Currently, the MOH have identified ‘Red Zones’ for areas that have a lot of cases. This labeling must be removed, as they added to the anxiety and fear of the unknown, about HIV and can be a barrier to health seeking behaviors,” said Akisi ... More >>
Air Pollution Linked To Suicide Risk – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 1:56 pm | Science Media Centre
The researchers point out these pollutants have been linked to effects on the brain – but also that traffic more generally can increase stress levels by disrupting the body clock. More >>
Should We Put The Brakes On AI? – Expert Q&A
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 10:27 am | Science Media Centre
“It is ultimately about responsibility. Who is making these systems? Who is deploying them? What do they know about the ways their products are being used? And what should the law require them to do about foreseeable harms?” said Dr Cassandra Mudgway More >>
2026 Election Q&A – Science
Monday, 14 September 2026, 2:46 pm | Science Media Centre
The National Party and Te Pāti Māori did not respond by our deadline. NZ First has noted that for a lot of areas, the party has yet to finalise its policies. ACT declined our invitation & says its policy manifesto will be published on their website. More >>
Study Links Paracetamol In Pregnancy To Smaller Ovaries And Wombs In Babies – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 11:24 am | Science Media Centre
A small study suggests taking paracetamol in the first 4 months of pregnancy could be linked to smaller ovaries and wombs in three-month-old babies. More >>
Global And Local Action Needed To Protect Pacific Coral Reefs – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 10:29 am | Science Media Centre
Pacific reefs lost nearly a fifth of their living coral in the last four decades, mostly from warmer oceans causing ‘coral bleaching’. More >>
Why Do Smokers Have A Lower Risk Of Parkinson’s Disease? – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 10:05 am | Science Media Centre
Exposure to carbon monoxide could help explain the known link between cigarette smoking and lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, shows a new study. More >>
Nepal-Tibet Flash Flooding – Expert Reaction
Monday, 31 August 2026, 5:18 pm | Science Media Centre
An ‘ice avalanche’ from a glacier is thought to have triggered flash flooding at the Nepal-Tibet border. The SMC asked landslide, river, and glacier experts to comment. More >>
How Should NZ Manage Its Plastic Problem? – Expert Reaction
Monday, 31 August 2026, 5:13 pm | Science Media Centre
While NZ has banned some single-use plastics, a long-delayed ban on hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging is reportedly being shelved. More >>
Using DNA Clues To Trace Invasive Hornets – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 11:34 am | Science Media Centre
The hornets haven’t been detected since this April, but any queens that have mated could soon come out of winter hibernation. More >>
Bill To Ban NZ Kids From Social Media – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:56 am | Science Media Centre
The Bill covers ‘age-restricted platforms’ like TikTok and Facebook, as well as AI ‘social companions’ – and excludes gaming and messaging services like Roblox or Discord. More >>
Mt Maunganui Landslide Review Finds System Failure – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 9:14 am | Science Media Centre
The review says the failure was not the fault of one person, but of a system that allowed an identified risk to life to remain unmanaged. More >>
Climate Liability Bill Passes Final Reading – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 1:36 pm | Science Media Centre
“For years to come, New Zealand’s record for investment stability and rule of law will be affected by this direct interference in proceedings before the courts.” More >>
Science & Social Sciences Curriculum Updated – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 13 August 2026, 12:57 pm | Science Media Centre NZ
“Compared to the draft version of the curriculum, the final version has clearer emphasis on conceptual knowledge and some reduction in content," says Christopher Burns, School of Education, Faculty of Culture & Society, AUT. More >>
Pets’ Flea Meds Poison Freshwater Critters – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 6 August 2026, 10:43 am | Science Media Centre
Given the meds’ toxicity, especially in water environments, and lack of information on how they affect humans, it recommends restrictions until their impact is measured. More >>
What NZ’s Electrical Grid Might Look Like In 2050 – Expert Reaction
Monday, 3 August 2026, 1:07 pm | Science Media Centre NZ
Batteries and smart appliances could help save NZ’s energy users billions of dollars in energy demand, allowing sectors like road transport to more fully electrify, according to a new report. More >>
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 >>
