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]
Northland Drops Down To Alert Level 2 Tomorrow Night Following No Signs Of Additional Spread Of Covid-19 In The Region
Monday, 18 October 2021, 7:01 pm | Science Media Centre
However, positive wastewater results continue to show up in the Waikato region, meaning Alert Level 3 restrictions will stay in place and be reviewed again on Friday. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today that an Alert Level 4 “circuit breaker” ... More >>
How Primary Care Will Cope With More Covid Cases At Home – Expert Reaction
Monday, 18 October 2021, 12:35 pm | Science Media Centre
New Covid-19 cases will recover at home in the near future, with GPs, nurses and other primary care staff taking on a bigger role in managing the pandemic. Last week, Health Minister Andrew Little announced that if case numbers continue to rise, the ... More >>
Why Are Rural Communities More Vulnerable To Covid-19? – Expert Q&A
Thursday, 14 October 2021, 2:52 pm | Science Media Centre
The latest Covid outbreak has so far centred on cities – but now with Northland and parts of Waikato at heightened alert levels, what are the risks for rural communities? New University of Otago research has found vaccination is 11 per cent lower in rural ... More >>
What Do The Latest Covid Trends Mean? – Expert Q&A
Thursday, 14 October 2021, 8:58 am | Science Media Centre
The number of newly reported Covid-19 cases is growing in Aotearoa. Since Friday, it has reached the thirties or forties each day, with a jump to 60 cases on Sunday. The overall case trend has risen recently. The SMC asked experts to explain what ... More >>
High Alert Persists In Northland And Waikato - Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 13 October 2021, 5:09 pm | Science Media Centre
Waikato towns and Northland are to stay at Alert Level 3 for at least another five days. Among a total of 55 new cases revealed today, there were two mystery cases in Waikato that are yet to be linked to the outbreak. The Alert Levels will be reviewed ... More >>
Govt Asks For Ideas To Reduce Emissions – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 13 October 2021, 5:08 pm | Science Media Centre
The government has released a consultation paper, asking for feedback to help shape the Emissions Reduction Plan. Some ideas on the table include: a trade-in scheme for old polluting cars, planting more native forests, a ban on sending paper and ... More >>
Covid Shots Mandated For Health & Education Staff – Expert Reaction
Monday, 11 October 2021, 6:10 pm | Science Media Centre
All front-line staff who work in schools, early childhood education, and health & disability services, will soon be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Health workers must have both Covid shots by 1 Dec, while education workers – including ... More >>
Northland Lockdown After Covid Case Moves "Extensively" Through The Region - Expert Reaction
Friday, 8 October 2021, 7:07 pm | Science Media Centre
Northland will move to Alert Level 3 from midnight, after a single Covid case was detected. Covid-19 response Minister Chris Hipkins says the infected woman had quite a bit of movement through the region, but is not co-operating with contact tracing ... More >>
Long Covid Gains Official Recognition – Expert Reaction
Friday, 8 October 2021, 11:24 am | Science Media Centre
Long Covid now has a formal definition – setting out agreed symptoms and timeframes to help spot the common post-Covid condition. The World Health Organization’s case definition aims to help doctors across the world to assess and diagnose long Covid. ... More >>
Rapid Antigen Tests Get The Go-ahead
Thursday, 7 October 2021, 4:01 pm | Science Media Centre
A green light for rapid antigen testing and wider saliva testing are among large-scale changes to the country’s Covid-19 testing approach. Rapid antigen testing – which can detect the virus in 15 mins – will be piloted in Auckland ... More >>
Study Links Antarctic Ice Records With Early Māori Settlement – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 7 October 2021, 3:53 pm | Science Media Centre
An overseas research team has studied Antarctic ice core records, finding a threefold increase in black carbon during the past 700 years. The newly published paper suggests a link back to wildfire burns during early Māori settlement of Aotearoa. ... More >>
Delta Spreads Beyond Level 3 Border – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 7 October 2021, 10:34 am | Science Media Centre
Two new Covid cases are reported today from outside Waikato’s Alert Level 3 boundary – in areas currently under level 2 rules. The two infected people are in Kāwhia and Karāpiro – located respectively south of Raglan, and near Cambridge. No change ... More >>
What The 3-step Plan Means For The Rest Of NZ – Expert Q&A
Wednesday, 6 October 2021, 9:22 am | Science Media Centre
Some of Auckland’s Covid constraints will be eased over time in a three-step plan, starting from midnight Tuesday. But will this increase the Covid risk for the rest of Aotearoa? Will the Level 2 restrictions outside of Auckland and parts of Waikato ... More >>
Covid Vaccine Pass For Large Events – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 6 October 2021, 9:20 am | Science Media Centre
A vaccine certificate will be needed to get into large events this summer, from as early as November. The pass will be mandatory for high-risk settings like music festivals, and possibly some hospitality venues. The Prime Minister has ruled out ... More >>
Staged Easing Of Auckland’s Restrictions – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 12:43 pm | Science Media Centre
Aucklanders are to stay in Alert Level 3, but some restrictions will be eased over time in a three-step plan, starting from tomorrow. Up to 10 masked people from two households can mingle outdoors in the first stage. Early childhood education, recreation, ... More >>
‘Very High’ Vaccination Rate Needed To End Lockdowns – Expert Reaction
Friday, 24 September 2021, 9:28 am | Science Media Centre
A new modelling paper says that New Zealand may no longer need lockdowns if we vaccinate 90 per cent of the population. The paper authors say moderate public health measures like mask use and gathering restrictions may even have to remain at this high rate ... More >>
$36 million to study infectious diseases – Expert Reaction
Monday, 20 September 2021, 9:14 am | Science Media Centre
New funding for infectious disease research – aiming to aid Aotearoa’s Covid-19 response and preparation for future pandemics – was announced at Sunday's 1 pm update. The Government will invest $36 million over three years in a new platform, ... More >>
Arthritis drug funded to treat Covid-19 – Expert Reaction
Friday, 17 September 2021, 9:11 am | Science Media Centre
Arthritis drug tocilizumab will now be funded to treat patients with moderate to severe cases of Covid-19. The drug is facing massive demand around the world , with its manufacturer Roche no longer able to supply New Zealand with the drug for the ... More >>
Understanding DDoS cyber attacks – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 15 September 2021, 2:21 pm | Science Media Centre
Cyber attacks have hit several New Zealand organisations this month, disrupting their online services. The Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks were the same kind of cyber attack that affected the NZX around this time last year. The SMC ... More >>
What Do We Know About The Novavax Vaccine? – Expert Q&A
Tuesday, 14 September 2021, 5:14 pm | Science Media Centre
The Novavax vaccine is the remaining Covid-19 jab among the Government’s pre-purchase agreements that’s under review by Medsafe, with doses expected to arrive early next year. Medicines regulator Medsafe approved the three other vaccines in the Government’s ... More >>
