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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 4]
Magnitude 8.8 Quake East Of Russia – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 31 July 2025, 12:04 pm | Science Media Centre
An estimated magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s eastern coast has resulted in tsunami warnings across much of the Pacific. New Zealand’s coasts may experience “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges” and NEMA has advised staying ... More >>
NZ's Early Morning Tsunami Alerts - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 31 July 2025, 11:59 am | Science Media Centre
The alert warns people to stay away from the coasts, which may experience "strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges" until at least midday today. More >>
Global Study Finds 4-Day Work Week Linked To Improved Wellbeing – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 23 July 2025, 10:48 am | Science Media Centre
Compared with employees at 12 companies that didn’t shorten their work weeks, the workers reported improvements in burnout, job satisfaction, and physical and mental health. More >>
Opening Up Highly Productive Land For Housing – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 22 July 2025, 4:14 pm | Science Media Centre
Sweeping proposals to change the RMA national direction include the country’s most productive agricultural areas, which are classed according to how versatile they are for primary production. The SMC asked experts to comment. More >>
Landmark Climate Change Case This Week – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 22 July 2025, 4:06 pm | Science Media Centre
The Advisory Opinion will be announced at 1am NZ time on Thursday, 24 July 2025. The SMC asked experts to comment on what they will be looking out for on Thursday, and to provide background on the impacts of climate change in the Pacific region. More >>
Is Gene Editing The Next Frontier Of Conservation? – Expert Reaction
Friday, 18 July 2025, 12:42 pm | Science Media Centre
In a Perspectives article in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, a team of overseas scientists examine how genome engineering can be a new tool to add to the conservation toolkit. The Science Media Centre asked third-party experts to comment. More >>
Slash And Forestry Management Changes Proposed – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 16 July 2025, 1:09 pm | Science Media Centre
Under proposed changes to the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF), councils would be more restricted in their ability to set harder controls. More >>
Moa “De-Extinction” Plans Announced – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 4:30 pm | Science Media Centre
Colossal Biosciences, working with Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and Canterbury Museum, says it expects to “resurrect” the moa within five to eight years, aiming to release the animal into “expansive, secure ecological reserves.”n More >>
NZ’s First National AI Strategy Released – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 2:28 pm | Science Media Centre
The strategy document says NZ’s use of Artificial Intelligence “shows promise but requires acceleration,” and that the government’s role includes reducing barriers, providing regulatory guidance, building capability, and ensuring responsible ... More >>
Sea Ice Loss Linked To Salty Southern Ocean Surface – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 1:39 pm | Science Media Centre
Fresher, cooler surface waters had helped sea ice expand for more than thirty years, but the new satellite data shows this reversed a decade ago, when the surface began getting saltier as Antarctic sea ice coverage dropped. More >>
NZ-funded Climate Satellite Likely “Not Recoverable”
Wednesday, 2 July 2025, 6:15 pm | Science Media Centre
The satellite was launched last March to track methane emissions from oil and gas. It is New Zealand’s first official space mission. More >>
The First Test Images From The Brand New Vera C. Rubin Observatory Have Been Revealed To The Public
Wednesday, 25 June 2025, 11:00 am | Science Media Centre
Inside the Vera C Rubin telescope is the largest camera ever built, University of Canterbury computational astrophysicist Dr John Forbes told Stuff. More >>
Winners Of 2025 Science Journalism Awards Announced
Thursday, 19 June 2025, 5:22 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand Science Media Director Dacia Herbulock said the Science Journalism Awards are a unique new opportunity to celebrate the quality science journalism being done by reporters of all stripes in Aotearoa. More >>
Prescription Psilocybin And Over-the-Counter Melatonin – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 19 June 2025, 5:18 pm | Science Media Centre
“The major issue though is that psilocybin will be prescribed alongside intensive psychotherapy which is expensive. Hence access to this therapy will be limited until complementary funding mechanisms are put in place,” says Professor Suresh Muthukumaraswamy. More >>
Nationwide Census Scrapped – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 19 June 2025, 5:16 pm | Science Media Centre
A robust, person-centred statistical foundation is essential to restore trust and achieve fairer outcomes for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa: Public Health Communication Centre Briefing More >>
EPA’s Glyphosate Decision Challenged In Court – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 19 June 2025, 5:06 pm | Science Media Centre
The Environmental Law Initiative is arguing that there is enough new evidence around the human health and environmental effects of glyphosate, or Roundup, to warrant a reassessment from our chemicals regulator. The hearing has now finished and we ... More >>
Govt Launches Suicide Prevention Plan – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 19 June 2025, 4:58 pm | Science Media Centre
The plan includes new strategies like peer support roles for mental health patients in emergency departments, and crisis recovery cafés so people don’t have to resort to a hospital and can receive care in the community. More >>
Maths Gender Gap Appears Within Kids’ First Two School Terms – Expert Reaction
Friday, 13 June 2025, 4:28 pm | Science Media Centre
French and US researchers analysed data from more than 2.6 mn first and second grade children (ages 5 to 7) in France. There was almost no difference in the average performance when the children started school, but a notable gender gap in favour of boys appeared ... More >>
Reviewing Our Strategy To Go Predator Free By 2050 – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 10 June 2025, 12:31 pm | Science Media Centre
Pest eradication amongst 5.2 million people going about their lives in towns, cities, farms, and industry will be a massive challenge, says Dr Grant Norbury, Principal Researcher, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. More >>
Resource Consent Exemptions For Granny Flats And Papakāinga – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 10 June 2025, 11:52 am | Science Media Centre
Proposed National Environmental Standards (NES) for granny flats would require all councils to permit a granny flat of up to 70 m2 on an existing property without needing to get a resource consent, subject to certain conditions. More >>
