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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 19]
Home-based Care For COVID-19 Patients – Expert Reaction
Friday, 26 November 2021, 11:08 am | Science Media Centre
At present, more than 1500 people with COVID-19 are isolating at home in New Zealand. Almost half of them have not been given pulse oximeters , used to monitor oxygen levels and signal when hospital treatment may be needed. The US and UK are looking ... More >>
Which COVID Rapid Tests Are Best? – Expert Reaction
Friday, 26 November 2021, 9:21 am | Science Media Centre
A Kiwi research team has weighed up rapid testing choices. Rapid antigen tests may miss up to 44% of cases – but this can be partly offset with more frequent testing, and appropriate use. Standard PCR tests take hours in the lab to confirm a result. ... More >>
What Does The Traffic-light Model Mean? – Expert Q&A
Wednesday, 24 November 2021, 9:00 am | Science Media Centre
All of Aotearoa will move to the COVID-19 Protection Framework from Friday 3 December. The alert levels will be swapped for three traffic-light settings, intended to manage COVID-19 in the community. Yet in a recent poll, 2 in 3 Kiwis said they didn’t ... More >>
Rheumatic Fever Vaccine On The Cards – Expert Reaction
Friday, 19 November 2021, 3:48 pm | Science Media Centre
Preventing rheumatic fever may become within reach, as $10 million is secured to support design of a vaccine. University of Auckland researchers will lead studies into the strep-throat vaccine’s development next year. Rheumatic fever ... More >>
Superbugs In The Covid Era – Expert Q&A
Thursday, 18 November 2021, 11:41 am | Science Media Centre
Drug resistance is one of the top ten global health threats named by the World Health Organization for 2021. In the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown what happens when infectious diseases spread before powerful treatments are developed. ... More >>
Auckland Border To Open For Summer – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 18 November 2021, 9:58 am | Science Media Centre
People may leave or enter Auckland from 15 December – if fully-vaccinated or cleared by a pre-departure test. Jacinda Ardern also confirmed the rest of the country will join Auckland in moving to the traffic-light system at the same time – soon after ... More >>
Vaccine Passes Available From Today – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 17 November 2021, 9:15 am | Science Media Centre
People who have been double-jabbed or are medically exempt can access My Vaccine Pass from today. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has asked people to delay applying by a couple of days as the system is under pressure. The pass will be needed ... More >>
Top-up Vaccines Will Be Available For All Adults Six Months After Their Initial Jabs, In A New Rollout.
Tuesday, 16 November 2021, 9:00 am | Science Media Centre
Jacinda Ardern says the booster rollout represents a “belt and braces” approach , for extra security. She also announced Waikato will shift down to alert level two from this Wednesday. The SMC asked experts to comment on: Booster shots Waikato update ... More >>
Exotic Weeds A ‘silent Invasion’ – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 11 November 2021, 2:50 pm | Science Media Centre
Invasive weeds could “transform our ecosystems beyond recognition” if left unchecked, according to a new report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE). The report has a series of recommendations on how to manage ... More >>
Auckland Peeks Further Out Of Lockdown - Expert Reaction
Monday, 8 November 2021, 6:56 pm | Science Media Centre
The Prime Minister has confirmed Auckland will move to Alert Level 3, Step 2 on Wednesday - and set an expected date for the move to the 'traffic light' Covid-19 Protection Framework. Jacinda Ardern said November 29 is the date when the city will ... More >>
Upper Northland Returns To Lockdown - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 2 November 2021, 7:33 pm | Science Media Centre
Two unlinked Covid cases in Northland have prompted the Government to put the northern part of the region in Alert Level 3 starting tonight. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the there was no clear or probable link to the latest Northland ... More >>
Tonga Enters Lockdown – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 2 November 2021, 6:49 am | Science Media Centre
01 Nov 2021 The Kingdom of Tonga will enter a weeklong lockdown tonight following its first recorded Covid-19 case. Only essential services will remain open. The case flew to Tonga from Christchurch last Wednesday, and tested positive the day after. ... More >>
COVID Cases Reach Highest Yet: Expert Reaction
Sunday, 31 October 2021, 2:27 pm | Science Media Centre
Saturday saw 160 new cases in Aotearoa – the highest number yet recorded in the pandemic. The 160 people are located in Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Christchurch. New Zealand authorities are working with counterparts in Tonga to confirm the case ... More >>
Covid-19 Cases In Christchurch – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 28 October 2021, 5:48 pm | Science Media Centre
Two new community cases have been detected in Christchurch last night. The two unvaccinated people are from the same household, and neither were regular users of the Covid tracer app . More information on how the Government will respond to the new cases, such ... More >>
How Can Our Borders Manage This Outbreak? – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 28 October 2021, 5:45 pm | Science Media Centre
Auckland’s hard boundary has been put into focus after two Covid-19 cases were detected in Christchurch, one of whom had returned from a visit to Auckland. Christchurch will stay at its current Alert Level 2 settings. Regarding New Zealand’s ... More >>
Food Insecurity In The Covid Pandemic – Expert Q+A
Thursday, 28 October 2021, 5:44 pm | Science Media Centre
How has the ongoing pandemic affected access to affordable, healthy food in Aotearoa? Stats NZ has announced the consumer price of goods and services grew 4.9 per cent over the year – marking the biggest quarterly rise since the 1980s ... More >>
Alert Level 3 Schools Could Reopen Next Month: Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 27 October 2021, 6:59 pm | Science Media Centre
Auckland and Waikato schools could reopen on 15 November, according to the Government’s indicative start date signalled this afternoon. Yesterday, high schools under Alert Level 3 re-opened for students in years 11-13 to finish assessments and sit exams. ... More >>
Modelling The Outbreak Till Christmas – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 27 October 2021, 3:18 pm | Science Media Centre
New modelling sheds light on how the Covid-19 outbreak might spread into early next year, taking into account that more Kiwis will be fully vaccinated. The Te Pūnaha Matatini report says vaccination could lower virus spread by 67 per cent by early ... More >>
Three Waters Reform Moves Forward – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 27 October 2021, 3:02 pm | Science Media Centre
The Government has today confirmed it will create four publicly owned water entities to manage New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. Most of the country’s water infrastructure is currently overseen by local councils. It is estimated ... More >>
Vaccine Mandates For High-risk Workplaces – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 27 October 2021, 8:35 am | Science Media Centre
Vaccination will be required for all workers at businesses where customers need to show vaccine certificates, such as bars and hairdressers. This means about 40% of the country’s workforce will be subject to vaccine mandates in their jobs, including ... More >>
