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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 17]
Tracking The True Spread Of Covid – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 9 March 2022, 5:58 pm | Science Media Centre
Scientists have had to adapt to track trends in the Omicron outbreak, as infections soar across Aotearoa. Now that the Health Ministry cautions against relying on the daily Covid case count to estimate virus spread, what can alternative data tell us? ... More >>
Are We Overlooking Hazardous Chemicals In The Environment? - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 3 March 2022, 2:36 pm | Science Media Centre
There are gaps in how we monitor chemicals in the environment and how we interpret their impact on living things, finds a report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. The report looks at neonicotinoid insecticides, antibiotics, ... More >>
Superbugs Set To Make Common Drugs And Treatments Less Effective
Thursday, 3 March 2022, 11:46 am | Science Media Centre
As germs become more resistant to antimicrobial drugs, infections will become less treatable, and treatments that compromise immunity – like chemotherapy – will become more risky, according to a new report by the Prime Minister’s Chief Science ... More >>
Nations Make Historic Commitment To Tackle Plastic Pollution
Thursday, 3 March 2022, 11:35 am | Science Media Centre
The international community has agreed to end plastic pollution and draft a legally-binding treaty by 2024. Overnight, New Zealand time, representatives from 175 nations at the UN Environment Assembly in Kenya endorsed the historic resolution. The legally-binding ... More >>
Phase 3 Shakes Up The Pandemic Response - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 24 February 2022, 4:55 pm | Science Media Centre
With more than 6,000 cases of Covid-19 recorded today, the gears are shifting on the Omicron outbreak in New Zealand, and so is the government's response. After the move to Phase 3 at midnight, close contacts will no longer be required to isolate ... More >>
Managing Covid-19 At Home – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 16 February 2022, 4:23 pm | Science Media Centre
With Phase Two now in effect, health authorities have detailed how most people with Covid will manage their infections at home as the health system focuses more on those at greater risk of severe illness. As daily case numbers continue to rise , digital ... More >>
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 >>
