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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 16]
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 >>
The Plan To Keep Omicron Away From NZ Over Summer - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 21 December 2021, 4:19 pm | Science Media Centre
The government has announced changes to booster jabs, quarantine stays, and the border in an effort to keep Omicron out of the country. Covid-19 vaccine booster doses can now be booked four months after the second jab, down from six months ... More >>
Two New Vaccine Rollouts Lie Ahead - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 21 December 2021, 10:25 am | Science Media Centre
New frontiers in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout are opening up – vaccinating 5-11 year olds, and giving booster doses to protect against Omicron. Cabinet will announce today whether to shorten the six-month wait for the third Pfizer dose to ... More >>
Second ‘probable’ Death From Covid-19 Vaccine In NZ – Expert Reaction
Monday, 20 December 2021, 5:24 pm | Science Media Centre
A 26-year-old man who died after his Covid-19 vaccine suffered myocarditis, a rare side effect of the jab, according to preliminary information. The Covid-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board said the heart inflammation condition ... More >>
The Rapid Rise Of Omicron – Expert Q&A
Thursday, 16 December 2021, 2:15 pm | Science Media Centre
The WHO has warned the Omicron Covid-19 variant is spreading at an “unprecedented rate” after being reported in 77 countries. Each day researchers are learning more about Omicron, with the WHO saying it is likely to outpace Delta . Early studies ... More >>
Covid-19 Testing Through The Traffic Light Summer – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 14 December 2021, 12:27 pm | Science Media Centre
Will the nation’s Covid-19 testing be able to keep up with Aucklanders leaving the city tomorrow, and much of the country spending New Year’s Eve in ‘Orange’? Rapid antigen tests will allow non-symptomatic people to get tested at pharmacies, ... More >>
Smoking To Be Outlawed For Future Generations – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 9 December 2021, 3:04 pm | Science Media Centre
The just-launched Smokefree 2025 Action Plan says people aged 14 when a new law comes into effect will never be able to legally purchase tobacco, with the age rising each year. The changes will mean only tobacco products with very low levels of nicotine ... More >>
Preliminary Results From Pfizer/BioNTech Suggest A Third Booster Dose May Be Able To Stop The Omicron Variant.
Thursday, 9 December 2021, 9:43 am | Science Media Centre
According to their press release, people who had received a booster jab neutralised the Omicron variant to levels comparable to those observed for earlier variants after two doses. The SMC asked experts to comment on the press release announcement. Lesley ... More >>
Booster Jab Shows Promise Against Omicron – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 9 December 2021, 9:08 am | Science Media Centre
Preliminary lab results from Pfizer/BioNTech suggest a third booster dose of their mRNA vaccine may be able to stop the Omicron variant in its tracks. According to their press release, people who had received a booster jab neutralised the Omicron ... More >>
Preparing For A Covid Summer – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 8 December 2021, 1:44 pm | Science Media Centre
The country is preparing for another major shift in how it manages COVID-19, with Auckland able to interact with the rest of the country in a week’s time. What might it look like when Auckland’s domestic boundary lifts next week and – given ... More >>
