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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]
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 >>
UN Member Countries Are Legally Responsible For Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 21 May 2026, 4:47 pm | Science Media Centre
The resolution was originally proposed by Vanuatu and co-sponsored by New Zealand in 2023. More >>
UN Member Countries Are Legally Responsible For Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 21 May 2026, 4:47 pm | Science Media Centre
The resolution was originally proposed by Vanuatu and co-sponsored by New Zealand in 2023. More >>
Chicks Hatch From Artificial Egg, In A First Step Towards Moa 'De-Extinction' - Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 20 May 2026, 9:46 am | Science Media Centre
This technology is a valuable tool, that when combined with genome engineering techniques still in development, may be able to reverse the impacts of inbreeding on low hatching success for example. More >>
Govt Changes Law To Halt Climate Lawsuits – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 13 May 2026, 3:01 pm | Science Media Centre
The move will affect all current and future court cases, including Smith v Fonterra and others, set to return to the High Court next year. More >>
Lead Pipes Banned For New Plumbing – Expert Reaction
Friday, 1 May 2026, 5:07 pm | Science Media Centre
The change is intended to improve the safety of drinking water in NZ, and marks the end of a transitionary period first signaled to the plumbing industry in 2022. More >>
"Formidable" El Niño Expected - Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 29 April 2026, 11:00 am | Science Media Centre
Earth Sciences New Zealand meteorologists say there is a greater than 60% probability that the event will be classified as ‘strong’ by spring, with the potential to intensify further later in the year. More >>
The Govt’s Plan To Improve Biodiversity – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 23 April 2026, 3:37 pm | Science Media Centre
The implementation strategy is much more focused on talk than on action, which is surprising for an implementation document, an expert said. More >>
2025 One Of The Hottest Years On Record - Expert Reaction
Monday, 23 March 2026, 6:56 pm | Science Media Centre
The report reinforces the urgency to build on our adaptation work, and highlights that adaptation is no longer optional or nice-to-have, says Drew Bingham. More >>
Trapped Air The Likely Cause Of Moa Point Failure - Expert Reaction
Monday, 23 March 2026, 1:05 pm | Science Media Centre
The bigger and perhaps less reported issue NZ needs to deal with are hundreds of systems that are still discharging into NZs waterways without any disinfection at all, says Professor Andy Shilton. More >>
How To Deal With Skyrocketing Fuel Prices – Expert Reaction
Monday, 23 March 2026, 12:59 pm | Science Media Centre
Given the current uncertainty, what the Government needs to do urgently is to run a national education campaign to inform drivers how they can save both fuel and money, says Emeritus Professor Ralph Sims. More >>
