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 16]
Self-isolation Rules For International Travellers – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 16 February 2022, 4:22 pm | Science Media Centre
The Government has released details on how people overseas will be able to travel to New Zealand without a stay in a managed isolation facility. Starting at the end of February, vaccinated Kiwis coming in from Australia will be able to skip MIQ provided ... More >>
New Zealand Will Enter Phase Two Of Its Public Health Response To The Omicron Outbreak Tomorrow Night
Monday, 14 February 2022, 7:09 pm | Science Media Centre
The shift is in response to growing numbers of Covid-19 cases, with 981 new community cases announced today. Today also marked a record high rate of positive tests returned, with 5.6 per cent of the 17,616 swabs returning positive results for Covid-19. Phase ... More >>
Steep Hike In Covid Cases – Expert Reaction
Monday, 14 February 2022, 10:24 am | Science Media Centre
The Ministry of Health reported 810 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday – a large rise on the previous day's record 454 cases. The expected uptick in confirmed cases is almost double the seven-day rolling average of 432 cases. People who have tested ... More >>
Emissions Dropped Over Delta Lockdown – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 10 February 2022, 3:49 pm | Science Media Centre
Greenhouse gas emissions from certain sectors fell 11 per cent over the September 2021 quarter according to new Stats NZ figures, with Covid-19 restrictions taking place during the second half of the period. While the lockdown contributed to the ... More >>
What’s The Latest On Covid-19 Immunity? – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 10 February 2022, 3:28 pm | Science Media Centre
As Kiwis continue to get booster doses against Covid-19, the SMC checked in with experts for the latest on how immunity changes over time, peak immunity, and the future of boosting. Associate Professor Helen Petousis-Harris, Vaccinologist, University ... More >>
Critical Workers To Bypass Home Isolation – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 10 February 2022, 3:26 pm | Science Media Centre
Close contacts of Covid-19 cases will be exempt from home isolation rules if they’re working in a critical sector and test negative via rapid antigen testing, as part of a newly announced exemption scheme. It will be up to businesses to assess whether ... More >>
Fresh Outbreaks Arise In Pacific Nations – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 3 February 2022, 4:10 pm | Science Media Centre
After successfully holding Covid-19 at bay, some Pacific Island countries now face new outbreaks – including Omicron spread. Yesterday Omicron was confirmed in Kiribati , which currently has more than 600 cases . This week Tonga reported five Covid cases ... More >>
Gradual Reopening Of NZ From Late Feb – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 3 February 2022, 4:09 pm | Science Media Centre
Aotearoa New Zealand’s border with the world will be opened up in phases, with a five-step plan to prioritise returning Kiwis. Vaccinated New Zealanders from Australia will be welcomed without an MIQ stay from midnight on 27 February, the Prime Minister ... More >>
Booster Gap Shortened To Three Months – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 2 February 2022, 4:39 pm | Science Media Centre
Booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine will be available to anyone who has had at least a three-month gap since their second vaccine dose. Replacing the current four-month lag, the changes take effect this Friday. This means over three ... More >>
How Can Kiwis Size Up The Omicron Threat? – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 2 February 2022, 2:11 pm | Science Media Centre
The job of assessing the personal risks of Omicron is now falling more on individuals, families, and organisations. Should I go out for dinner? Should we require our employees to wear masks in the office? For all Kiwis, everyday decisions will be increasingly ... More >>
Millions More Rapid Antigen Tests Acquired – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 1 February 2022, 5:03 pm | Science Media Centre
An extra 36 million rapid antigen tests have been ordered by the government. Expected to arrive during February and March, two new distinct tests will mean New Zealand will have access to over 50 million RATs – in total – after the next eight weeks. ... More >>
Three-phase Plan For Omicron – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 26 January 2022, 4:28 pm | Science Media Centre
The government has unveiled a staged approach to responding to Omicron that shifts from stopping to slowing its spread. The self-isolation period for cases will drop from 14 to 10 days, and for contacts from 10 to seven days, during the last two stages ... More >>
Boost To Covid-19 Testing – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 26 January 2022, 10:50 am | Science Media Centre
Changes to PCR testing – drawing on technology like robots – will give New Zealand a surge capacity of 20,000 extra tests daily. In response to October’s expert review of testing , PCR capacity will now increase from 39,000 tests a day (maximum) to ... More >>
Tighter Mask Rules For Omicron – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 26 January 2022, 10:39 am | Science Media Centre
Cabinet has decided to strengthen mask requirements at the Covid-19 red setting, requiring surgical or N95 masks for vaccine-mandated workers. This includes all staff at cafés and gyms that require vaccine passes, and police, border workers and teachers. ... More >>
NZ Moves To Red As Omicron Cases Spread - Expert Reaction
Sunday, 23 January 2022, 3:51 pm | Science Media Centre
The country will shift to the Red setting of the traffic light system at midnight tonight, after nine cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant were detected in the Nelson/Marlborough region. Some of the cases attended a wedding in Auckland. Prime Minister Jacinda ... More >>
Omicron Outbreak Would Move The Country To Red - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 20 January 2022, 5:23 pm | Science Media Centre
The Prime Minister has announced if Omicron cases spread into the community, the country will move to the traffic light system's Red setting within 48 hours. Jacinda Ardern also mentioned there will be changes to the country's testing regime, ... More >>
Tongan Disaster Relief And Recovery – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 18 January 2022, 5:39 pm | Science Media Centre
Governments and aid agencies are preparing to offer support to Tonga following the weekend’s violent undersea volcano eruption and subsequent tsunami. Pictures from a New Zealand Defense Force surveillance flight show Tongan islands ... More >>
Tonga Undersea Eruption And Tsunami - Expert Reaction
Sunday, 16 January 2022, 6:50 am | Science Media Centre
A series of violent eruptions from submarine volcano Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai have triggered towering ash plumes and destructive tsunami waves in Tonga. Full details are still emerging, with reports of flooding damage to buildings, loud explosions, ... More >>
Kid’s COVID Vaccines Roll Out – Expert Reaction
Friday, 14 January 2022, 4:21 pm | Science Media Centre
Younger children can receive two doses of the children’s version of the Pfizer vaccine Almost half a million New Zealand kids will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination from Monday , when criteria widen to include 5-11 year olds. As the roll-out progresses, ... More >>
NIWA’s Annual Climate Summary 2021 – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 11 January 2022, 12:15 pm | Science Media Centre
2021 was New Zealand’s warmest year on record, according to NIWA’s annual climate summary for 2021. Aotearoa New Zealand is becoming hotter, with seven of the past nine years among the warmest recorded, in a trend consistent with global ... More >>
