The Conversation - Latest News [Page 3]
Warming Winters Are Changing NZ’s Landscapes, Bringing Insect Pests, Smaller Fruit And Carbon Loss
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 8:04 am | The Conversation
Warmer winters mean insect pests like wasps will likely spread further, while weedy plants and rats invade alpine zones, shrinking the refuge for endangered birds. More >>
‘Technostress’: Why Many Older People Feel Shut Out By The Digital World
Wednesday, 10 June 2026, 7:29 am | The Conversation
As more services move online, a study based on interviews with over-65s reveals growing barriers to staying connected, informed and independent. More >>
Why The Tax NZ Never Wanted To Talk About Is Back On The Political Agenda In 2026
Tuesday, 9 June 2026, 9:22 am | The Conversation
Labour’s proposed capital gains tax has revived a debate long deemed politically toxic. But growing pressure on NZ’s tax system is making it harder to avoid. More >>
Demand For Menopause Hormone Therapy Is On The Rise – But Training Gaps Remain For Doctors
Tuesday, 9 June 2026, 9:15 am | The Conversation
The latest research on menopause hormone therapy is reassuring, showing little to no association with stroke and blood clots, but benefits for bone health. More >>
Should We ‘Stream’ School Students Based On Ability? New Research Suggests Yes – But We Need To Be Cautious
Monday, 8 June 2026, 8:32 am | The Conversation
Educators have long debated whether it is better for students to be learning with students of a similar ‘ability’ or a mix. More >>
UN Report Warns AI Could Soon Use 3% Of World’s Electricity And More Water Than We Need To Drink
Sunday, 7 June 2026, 6:54 pm | The Conversation
As AI models become cheaper and more attractive, they will likely encourage new uses and higher volumes of use – erasing any efficiency gains. More >>
NZ’s New Forestry Rules Promise Consistency. Will They Also Increase Environmental Risk?
Saturday, 6 June 2026, 9:40 pm | The Conversation
As an overhauled rulebook for commercial forestry comes into force, there are concerns it could weaken safeguards as climate risks intensify. More >>
National Insecurity: What Happens When Countries Start To Lose Their Sense Of Identity?
Friday, 5 June 2026, 9:58 am | The Conversation
Borrowed from psychiatry, the term “ontological security” describes how nations understand themselves and their place in the world – and how it can break down. More >>
Why A US ‘Freeloading’ Claim Has Put The Heat On NZ’s Independent Foreign Policy
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 8:19 am | The Conversation
Defence Minister Chris Penk has inadvertently highlighted a major tension between increased defence spending and New Zealand’s nuclear-free policy. More >>
Jacinda Ardern Turns Her Own Imposter Syndrome Into Self-Help Wisdom For Young Readers
Wednesday, 3 June 2026, 7:43 pm | The Conversation
In this adaptation of her bestselling memoir, Jacinda Ardern turns inward toward the psychological terrain of her own self-doubt – and how to overcome it. More >>
National Wants To Scrap Sexual Offender Character References; Should NZ Go Further?
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 8:03 am | The Conversation
Countries including the US, UK, Canada use consistent sentencing guidelines. Is it time that New Zealand follows suit? More >>
Can Wegovy Move The Needle On NZ’s Obesity Crisis, Or Simply Treat Its Symptoms?
Monday, 1 June 2026, 8:07 am | The Conversation
The popular new drug can bring dramatic weight loss for some patients. But for NZ, tackling a rising obesity epidemic is likely to require much broader change. More >>
Friday Essay: How To Sell A Genocide Exposes The Double Standards Of Reporting On Gaza
Sunday, 31 May 2026, 8:42 pm | The Conversation
Almost all major human rights organisations agree the destruction of Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide. Yet liberal news outlets still do not use the word. More >>
Budget Investment In Health Signals Continued Austerity Without Long-Term Vision
Saturday, 30 May 2026, 8:50 pm | The Conversation
Some new spending initiatives in health should add value, but the budget lacks a long-term vision for building cross-party consensus on improving healthcare. More >>
500-Million-Year-Old Fossil Helps Fill A Strange Gap In Our Record Of Life On Earth
Friday, 29 May 2026, 7:35 pm | The Conversation
The fossil is a reminder of how incomplete our understanding of Earth’s history remains. More >>
‘Like Drinking From A Firehose’ – What It’s Like To Be The Human In The AI Loop
Thursday, 28 May 2026, 8:14 pm | The Conversation
For legal reasons, organisations require a human reviewer of generative AI outputs. But this human oversight must be valued and budgeted for in the transition to AI. More >>
A ‘Supereruption’ Transformed NZ 350,000 Years Ago. We Now Know How It Happened
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 12:16 pm | The Conversation
New research into the ancient Whakamaru supereruption reveals how multiple underground magma systems combined to unleash one of Earth’s most explosive events. More >>
The Winter Energy Payment Is Buying Less Warmth Each Year – Could There Be A Better Long-Term Fix?
Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 9:49 am | The Conversation
Govt top-ups help households to keep warm over winter. But rising power prices are creating an urgent need for longer-term energy solutions. More >>
The Push For A Smaller Public Service Risks Coming At A Larger Cost For New Zealanders
Monday, 25 May 2026, 4:25 pm | The Conversation
The government’s sweeping overhaul assumes AI, restructuring and job cuts can deliver a leaner, more efficient state. That is far from certain. More >>
One Company Dominates NZ’s Live Music Scene – How Do We Encourage Competition?
Sunday, 24 May 2026, 6:02 pm | The Conversation
A finding of anti-competitive behaviour by US industry giant Live Nation raises questions about New Zealand’s heavily consolidated music market. More >>
