Podcasts by Our Changing World

On alert – the National Geohazard Monitoring Centre from 2023-12-07T05:00

Go behind the scenes at the National Geohazard Monitoring Centre, where a team of analysts are on alert 24/7 for earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis and landslides. What happens when a natural...

Monitoring the Makarora mohua from 2023-11-30T05:00

Mohua are bright yellow forest birds – but despite their eye-catching plumage, they can be tricky to spot flitting high in the forest canopy. Claire Concannon visits the Makarora mohua population, ...

A new way to help honey bees from 2023-11-23T05:00

Varroa mite parasites cause major problems for honey bees – and beekeepers. Now, New Zealand researchers are investigating a new type of RNA-based treatment that could make treating varroa mite inf...

OCW recommends: The Turning Point from 2023-11-20T05:00

New video series: A turning point in the fight to preserve Aotearoa's natural environment.

Plasma rockets in space from 2023-11-16T05:00

Claire Concannon meets GERALDINE, the Gigantic and Extremely Radical Atmosphere-Lacking Device for Interesting and Novel Experimentation. Plus, a team of scientists and engineers designing plasma r...

Helping to revitalise Moriori culture from 2023-11-09T05:00

A Moriori musician, an ethnomusicologist and the Hokotehi Moriori Trust are part of a team helping to revitalise Moriori culture with 3D-printed replicas of traditional bone flutes from Rēkohu the ...

Forecasting in changing times from 2023-11-02T05:00

In the last week, Hurricane Otis hit southern Mexico with little warning, and Cyclone Lola set a record for the earliest category five cyclone in the southern hemisphere. Climate change is making w...

The potential of plankton from 2023-10-26T05:00

Could your burger one day come with a plankton patty? Alison Ballance visits the Cawthron Institute's collection of more than 750 different strains of microalgae, where scientists are investigating...

Life in the fast and slow lanes of braided rivers from 2023-10-19T05:00

In the ever-shifting streams and channels of a braided river, creatures must adapt to change. Claire Concannon joins a researcher on the spectacular Cass River near Tekapo for a spot of electrofish...

Why are penguins so cool? from 2023-10-12T05:00

Giant penguins weighing up to 150 kilograms once roamed the waters around New Zealand. Claire Concannon speaks to a palaeontologist and learns about penguin evolution, extinct species that dwarfed ...

Muscles young and old from 2023-10-05T05:00

What happens to our muscles as we age? Claire Concannon finds out why muscles get weaker as we get older, and speaks with a researcher investigating why Olympic athletes live up to three years long...

Dotterels: The Southland underdog from 2023-09-28T05:00

The southern New Zealand dotterel is a true underdog of the bird world, with just 126 individuals at last population estimate. Claire Concannon tags along with a team of researchers attaching track...

The recipe for food pairing from 2023-09-21T05:00

Broccoli and chocolate. Prawns and vanilla. According to food pairing theory, these culinary matches should go together as well as macaroni and cheese, or peanut butter and jam. But do they really?...

The Great Ireland vs New Zealand Bird-off: Part 2 from 2023-09-14T05:00

The Great Ireland vs. New Zealand Bird-off returns for part 2 to decide once and for all which island nation boasts the best birds. Our avian aficionados return to argue their case in front of judg...

The great Ireland vs. New Zealand bird-off: Part 1 from 2023-09-07T05:00

Welcome to the great Ireland vs New Zealand bird-off. Two islands, a world apart – but which country has the better birds? Two bird nerds champion their nation's birds across four categories in an ...

Retraining the tinnitus brain from 2023-08-31T05:00

We’ve probably all experienced a little bit of tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, at some stage in our lives. But for some people this phantom sound in their brain can be loud, and permanent, and co...

Exercise on the brain from 2023-08-24T05:00

Dr Kate Thomas has exercise on the brain. As an exercise physiologist, she researches how exercise and fasting can change the energy sources our brain uses. And as an ultramarathon runner, she chas...

Earthquake engineering meets breast cancer screening from 2023-08-17T05:00

How can swaying buildings help diagnose breast cancer? Katy Gosset meets a team of engineers taking inspiration from earthquake engineering to design a new, cost-effective device to help detect bre...

Takahē dreamers from 2023-08-10T05:00

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the rediscovery of the takahē. Claire Concannon sits down with former Our Changing World presenter and takahē superfan Alison Ballance to chat about her new ...

The petrel patrol from 2023-08-03T05:00

Every year, tens to hundreds of seabirds fall out of the sky across Auckland city. Disoriented by the bright lights, Cook's petrels crash-land and collide with buildings – but a dedicated group of ...

2022 a boomer year for kākāpō from 2022-04-28T05:00

Alison Ballance joins the kākāpō recovery team on Pukenui Anchor Island to hear how the 2021/2022 kākāpō breeding season is going.

Frozen in time from 2022-04-21T05:00

A visit to Scott's Terra Nova hut to learn about the care given to the objects by Antarctic Heritage Trust conservators. This is an edit of the Antarctic Heritage Trust's podcast 'Frozen in Time: S...

Restoring Scott's Terra Nova Hut from 2022-04-20T15:35

A visit to Scott's Terra Nova hut to learn about the care given to the objects by Antarctic Heritage Trust conservators. This is an edit of the Antarctic Heritage Trust's podcast 'Frozen in Time: S...

Researching best care for the smallest of patients from 2022-04-14T05:00

Justin Gregory finds out about a study investigating how pre-term babies are fed during their first few weeks, and whether there is a better way.

Getting ready for our warmer future from 2022-04-07T05:00

Stories about looking our warming world in the eye, and preparing for what is coming next. Collecting data about extreme temperatures in estuaries to help manage shellfish populations. Plus what mi...

The future of cancer treatment from 2022-03-31T05:00

At the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research a team of scientists are working on what they believe will be the future of cancer treatment in New Zealand.

The energy problem from 2022-03-24T05:00

Two stories on addressing our energy problem - using AI to maximise locally produced renewable energy and reducing the carbon footprint of ammonia production.

The first glance from 2022-03-17T05:00

A story of a community taking the lead to investigate their own history. Near the small fishing village of Moeraki, whānau members are doing the work of excavating, sorting, and identifying artifac...

When good science takes time from 2022-03-10T05:00

This sea week Our Changing World joins Dr. Kim Currie on the Munida transect time-series - a long running investigation of how the chemistry of the oceans off New Zealand is changing.

Conservation benefits from 2022-03-03T05:00

Creating safe spaces for wildlife to thrive means benefit for the local community too. This week, two stories on that theme.

Finding faults and eavesdropping on earthquakes from 2022-02-24T05:00

Alison Ballance catches up with two earthquake researchers. Geologist Carolyn Boulton is a ‘fault finder’, interested in how faults slide. And geophysicist Martha Savage eavesdrops on the earth to ...

Multi-talented macroalgae from 2022-02-17T05:00

Claire visits a macroalgae research facility in Tauranga to learn how and why the team there are growing large quantities of seaweed and freshwater macroalgae.

Honey fingerprints and plant powers from 2022-02-10T05:00

Claire learns about honey fingerprinting while Katy Gosset meets a scientist studying the anti-microbial properties of some native plants.

Hunting for meteorites from 2022-02-03T05:00

Claire joins a meteorite hunt on the South Island’s West Coast and learns what these rocks from space can tell us about the early formation of our solar system.

Tuning in to nature from 2022-01-27T05:00

The story of titipounamu, New Zealand's smallest bird, on Otago Peninsula, told by Karthic SS, a wildlife film maker and podcast producer based in Dunedin.

Summer Science: Voices - To spray or not to spray from 2022-01-20T05:00

Summer science continues with a play of a science related episode from RNZ's Voices podcast. In 'To spray or not to spray' we meet Tim Vandervoet as he investigates ways to reduce insecticide use i...

Summer Science: What's in the water? All about the Pb in our H20 from 2022-01-13T05:00

Centre for Science Communication student Laura McDonald speaks to Dr. Mike Palin about lead contamination in the environment.

Summer Science: Black Sheep - Invasive: the story of Stewart Smith from 2022-01-06T05:00

Summer science continues with a play of a science related episode from RNZ's Black Sheep podcast. Invasive tells the story of one man who released thousands of invasive fish into New Zealand's rive...

Summer Science: There's something in the water from 2021-12-30T05:00

Centre for Science Communication student William Bowden speaks to Dr. Mike Joy & Dr. Tim Chambers about the issue of nitrates in New Zealand's waterways.

Unwelcome visitors from 2021-12-23T05:00

How to deal with unwelcome visitors. Katy Gosset learns about a native fungus that might help in the battle against wilding pines. And two national research programmes combine on an expedition to p...

Using chemistry to uncover the past from 2021-12-16T05:00

Chemical isotope analysis is a powerful technique - Dr. Charlotte King explains to Claire how she uses it to reconstruct past lives of forgotten people from the Otago gold rush.

Introducing Sci Fi Sci Fact from 2021-12-10T05:00

Sci Fi / Sci Fact is a new podcast series in which scientists from New Zealand's MacDiarmid Institute talk to RNZ host Bryan Crump about whether some of science-fiction's most popular concepts coul...

Keeping an eye on river flow from 2021-12-09T05:00

Two stories on keeping an eye on river flow - helping fish to migrate back upstream, and development of a national river flow forecasting tool.

Listening to the hum of the Alpine Fault from 2021-12-02T05:00

A team of scientists are installing an array of seismic sensors along the South Island's Alpine Fault. Claire Concannon joins them to find out how and why.

Restoration - battling predators and planting trees from 2021-11-25T05:00

Katy Gosset speaks to a PhD student designing new tech to catch predators and Claire Concannon meets the team who are working to restore a unique landscape on the South Island's West Coast.

100 years of radio and the spectrum of light from 2021-11-18T05:00

On the 100th anniversary of radio in Aotearoa, Claire Concannon learns about the very first broadcast, explores how radio works, and finds out about current research into communicating using light.

Sniffing out cancer from 2021-11-11T05:00

Claire visits the team at K9 Medical Detection Charitable Trust to learn how their dogs are being trained to detect bowel and prostate cancer.

Tōtara treasure hunt from 2021-11-04T05:00

Claire Concannon hits the Central Otago hills with Botany PhD student Ben Teele to imagine the landscape as it use to be, and to follow the clues to find leftover pockets of tōtara trees.

Favourite plants from 2021-10-28T05:00

Claire Concannon hears how the the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network's favourite plant competition is shaping up, while Katy Gosset learns about research to improve the quality and growth effi...

The details behind the data from 2021-10-21T05:00

This week on Our Changing World, Aotearoa Science Agency's Damian Christie speaks to three scientists about the world of data.  

The New Zealand genetic frontotemporal dementia study from 2021-10-14T05:00

Claire Concannon hears from Dr. Brigid Ryan of the University of Auckland about the New Zealand genetic frontotemporal dementia study and speaks to some of the family members involved in this uniqu...

Bioengineering from 2021-10-07T05:00

Stories about the potential of bioengineering to transform health care. A new tracheostomy kit design that has halved the time for emergency operations and 3D bioprinting of tissues to hel...

Using bioengineering to enhance healthcare from 2021-10-07T05:00

Stories about the potential of bioengineering to transform health care. A new tracheostomy kit design that has halved the time for emergency operations and 3D bioprinting of tissues to help healing.

Physics on ice from 2021-09-30T05:00

Stories of physics research in Antarctica - into, under, and from within the ice. Claire finds out about measuring sea ice thickness and supercooling. Katy Gosset learns how scientists detect neutr...

Brain stories - Parkinsons disease&perceiving masked emotions from 2021-09-23T05:00

Claire Concannon learns about experiments aimed at slowing Parkinson's Disease progression. Sonia Yee explores research into our perception of emotions in a mask-filled world.

The kākā's return from 2021-09-16T05:00

The return of South Island kākā to the the Ōtepoti Dunedin area has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Claire Concannon hears about the tragedies and the triumphs, and the plans for what comes next. 

Wading into mangrove research from 2021-09-09T05:00

Native mangroves in Aotearoa are expanding, putting them in conflict with some local communities & councils. A wade into the research about the value of mangroves & how they are managed.

Caring for the forest from 2021-09-02T05:00

Katy Gosset finds out how researchers investigate the plant penetration powers of myrtle rust. Claire Concannon speaks with the caretaker of a tropical forest and hundreds of butterflies

Surveying the skies from 2021-08-26T05:00

Two stories of looking to the skies. Claire Concannon joins a hunt for planets outside of our solar system. Katy Gosset reveals the results of the annual New Zealand Garden Birds Survey.

A new way to make vaccines from 2021-08-19T05:00

This week, how information flows in the cell from DNA to proteins, and how scientists have tapped into this to enable a new way to make vaccines using messenger RNA.  

Forty feathered needles in a forest haystack from 2021-08-12T05:00

How do you find a tiny robin in a whole lot of forest? Researchers have been tracking the movements of forty North Island robins, or toutouwai, that have been reintroduced to a large reserve area n...

Mind Games from 2021-08-05T21:06

How do you get in the zone to achieve your very best in an activity? And does a cheering crowd help? This week, two stories about the psychology of performance - the advantages of being at home, an...

Running low on energy from 2021-07-29T05:00

Researchers from the University of Waikato talk about Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) – a condition in which athletes don't take in the right amount of calories to do the exercise they ...

The spectrum of research from 2021-07-22T05:00

Scientific research can be thought as on a spectrum from blue sky to applied - this week, two stories that span this. Claire Concannon learns about a blue-sky research project on bacterial evolutio...

Breaking down bird song from 2021-07-15T05:00

On this week’s Our Changing World - how songbirds learn their song, and how researchers in the Southern Hemisphere are trying to correct a long-standing male bias in the songbird world.

Crafty Mathematics from 2021-07-08T05:00

Mathematical equations can help us get new perspectives, but sometimes can be difficult to understand. This week, one story about how maths has helped the understanding of a enigmatic quirk of hear...

Designing a pressure sensor for the brain from 2021-07-01T05:00

Researchers at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute are working on what they hope will be the first New Zealand designed Class 3 medical device – a pressure sensor for the brain, to help people wi...

Conservation communities from 2021-06-24T05:00

Two stories of Aotearoa New Zealand conservation communities who are caring for the flora and fauna in their backyards. Claire learns about the Catlins Bats on the Map project while Katy learns abo...

When disease research gets personal from 2021-06-17T05:00

Claire Concannon meets a group of researchers who are determined to do the best science they can, to try to help the people they love.  

The winding paths of science from 2021-06-10T05:00

Two stories about science pathways - Katy Gosset heads to the University of Canterbury STEM careers fair to find out what the future might be for science students, while Claire Concannon learns abo...

4: What’s in it for Us? from 2021-05-31T06:00

In the series finale, Hope, we get a glimpse of what a predator-free Aotearoa could look like, and look at the breakthrough technologies and innovations taking us towards that goal.

3: Predator Free 2050&Māori from 2021-05-24T06:00

Community-led projects are leading the charge to halt biodiversity decline, while researchers make break-throughs in their quest to remove predators and protect borders from reinvasion.

2: Remove and Protect from 2021-05-17T06:00

New Zealander’s have drawn a line in the sand, announcing they will rid the nation of rats, stoats and possums by 2050, but what will it take to get there?

1: Dealing with Loss from 2021-05-10T06:00

Loss looks at the devastating effect introduced mammals have had on New Zealand's unique wildlife.

Alison Ballance retrospective 6: southern island sanctuary from 2021-05-06T21:06

Alison Ballance revisits a favourite story from the archives: southern island sanctuary for rare birds.

Our Changing World for 6 May 2021 from 2021-05-06T21:05

In her final trawl through the audio archives, Alison Ballance heads to Putauhinu Island, a southern sanctuary for rare birds.

Alison Ballance retrospective 5: kauri dieback disease from 2021-04-29T21:06

Alison Ballance revisits a 2013 feature on kauri dieback disease and talks to Nick Waipara to find out how the northern kauri forests are coping with the disease in 2021.

Our Changing World for 29 April 2021 from 2021-04-29T21:05

Alison Ballance revisits a 2013 story about kauri dieback disease and gets an update of the disease's impact in 2021.

Alison Ballance retrospective 4: ocean acidification from 2021-04-22T21:06

Alison Ballance's foray into the vaults finds a feature on ocean acidification, The Acid Test and adds a 2021 update.

Our Changing World for 22 April 2021 from 2021-04-22T21:05

In this week's retrospective, Alison Ballance revisits an ocean acidification special feature called The Acid Test.

2020 Prime Minister's Science Prize winners from 2021-04-15T21:06

There are some familiar names as well as some new faces among the winners of the 2020 Prime Minister's Science Prizes.

Our Changing World for 15 April 2021 from 2021-04-15T21:05

2020 Prime Minister's Science Prize winners talk about their research and teaching.

Alison Ballance retrospective 3: Voice of the Iceberg from 2021-04-08T21:06

Alison Ballance digs into Our Changing World's Antarctic treasure chest and finds part 2 of Voice of the Iceberg.

Our Changing World for 8 April 2021 from 2021-04-08T21:05

Alison Ballance digs into the Our Changing World archives for an Antarctic blast from the past with Voice of the Iceberg 2: Revelation.

Alison Ballance retrospective 2: Kaikōura earthquake science from 2021-04-01T21:07

Alsion Ballance revisits a story looking at the complexity of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake.

Our Changing World for 1 April 2021 from 2021-04-01T21:05

In this week's retrospective, Alison Ballance looks at the 'big ones': a big earthquake in Kaikōura in 2016 and a big science effort to understand it.

Science journalist Alison Ballance hangs up her boots from 2021-03-26T05:00

With more than a thousand conservation stories under her waterproof parka, science journalist Alison Ballance is retiring from RNZ's Our Changing World programme. 

Alison Ballance retrospective 1: shags&eagle rays from 2021-03-25T21:07

Alison Ballance looks back at the 1,000+ stories she has made, and revisits stone-eating spotted shags and urban eagle rays

Our Changing World for 25 March 2021 from 2021-03-25T21:06

Alison Ballance plays favourites from the archives - stone-eating spotted shags and urban eagle rays.

More seabirds for Mana Island from 2021-03-18T21:06

The story of a seabird translocation to Mana Island, involving fluffy white-faced storm petrel chicks, artificial burrows and sardine smoothies.

Our Changing World for 18 March 2021 from 2021-03-18T21:05

Seabird species are being reintroduced to Mana Island to help restore the ecology of the island.

In search of what is out there from 2021-03-11T21:06

The Far Out Ocean Research Collective has been surveying for whales and dolphins in the seas off Northland.

Our Changing World for 11 March 2021 from 2021-03-11T21:05

Rare dolphins and whales were among the discoveries when the Far Out Ocean Research Collective surveyed the seas off Northland.

A new test for IVF embryos from 2021-03-04T21:07

Fertility researchers are developing a new way of testing IVF embryos that have too many chromosomes.

Glaciers as barometers of climate change from 2021-03-04T21:06

Shaun Eaves talks about glaciers in the North Island and how evidence left behind by glaciers can help reconstruct past climates.

Our Changing World for 4 March 2021 from 2021-03-04T21:05

Developing a new test for detecting IVF embryos carrying too many chromosomes, and what past and present glaciers can tell us about climate.

Mapping NZ's underground water from 2021-02-25T21:07

Much of New Zealand's freshwater flows underground, and a team from GNS Science is in the process of mapping it.

Collaborating to move freshwater species from 2021-02-25T21:06

University of Canterbury freshwater biologists are using a joint mātauranga Māori and western conservation science framework for their work translocating species.

Our Changing World for 25 February 2021 from 2021-02-25T21:05

Mapping the hidden reservoirs of underground water across New Zealand and a mātauranga Māori view on moving freshwater species.

Weka: a wily but wary bird from 2021-02-18T21:07

Ornithologist and author Ralph Powlesland is intimately acquainted with the weka families on the regenerating Marlborough Sounds farm where he lives.

Disaster law from 2021-02-18T21:06

University of Canterbury's John Hopkins and Toni Collins explain disaster law and shortcomings in NZ's legal system highlighted by the Canterbury earthquakes.

Our Changing World for 18 February 2021 from 2021-02-18T21:05

The natural history of Marlborough's weka and disaster law: what it is and its role in disaster resilience.

Liquefaction: lessons from the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes from 2021-02-11T21:07

Misko Cubrinovski is interested how the ground and the structures on - and in - it behave during an earthquake.

Fixing environmental problems one plant at a time from 2021-02-11T21:06

Biotechnologist David Leung finds ways to make plants solve environmental issues.

Our Changing World for 11 February 2021 from 2021-02-11T21:05

Liquefaction lessons from the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and biotechnologists doing interesting things with plants.

Engineering new ways to treat dirty water from 2021-02-04T21:07

University of Canterbury engineers plan to 3D print the next generation of wastewater treatment filters.

How to behave better towards the environment from 2021-02-04T21:06

Victoria University of Wellington's Wokje Abrahamse talks about environmental behaviour change, and projects to get people to save energy and use their cars less.

Our Changing World for 4 February 2021 from 2021-02-04T21:05

Designing a new kind of filter to treat wastewater and how to encourage people to behave in a more environmentally friendly way.

The value of community gardens from 2021-01-28T21:07

Summer students from Victoria University of Wellington have been helping the Innermost community gardens in Wellington put numbers on their social and environmental values.

Growing dune plants a challenging passion from 2021-01-28T21:06

Each year Jo Bonner and the team at Coastlands Plant Nursery in Whakatane grow 300,000 spinifex and pingao plants for dune replanting at beaches around the North Island.

Our Changing World for 28 January 2021 from 2021-01-28T21:05

Measuring the value of a community garden and the challenges of growing dune plants for restoring sand dune communities.

Talking about abortion law reform from 2021-01-18T08:00

University of Otago student Ruby Parker says it's important to talk about abortion. She is in conversation with researcher Emma Harcourt.

Rising water, rising problems from 2021-01-11T08:00

University of Otago student Jenny Stein is finding out how rising sea levels are a growing problem for many coastal settlements, including the densely populated suburb of South Dunedin.

Horsing around: ketamine and me from 2021-01-04T08:00

When University of Otago student Asia King got the call to take part in a study using ketamine to treat depression, she said yes - and made a podcast about the experience.

Epiphytes - high-rise plants from 2020-12-17T21:07

Discover the hidden world of arboreal plants, which get a leg-up in the world by living on trees.

Designing low damage buildings from 2020-12-17T21:06

Low-damage buildings don't just save lives in an earthquake - they are designed to be resilient so they can stay in use.

Our Changing World for 17 December 2020 from 2020-12-17T21:05

Epiphytes are the high rise experts of the plant world, and resilient buildings should save lives and still be useable after an earthquake.

What it takes to live a good life from 2020-12-10T21:07

When it comes to having a 'good life', there are several key elements - strong intimate relationships and time to relax.

Preparing for the next big quake from 2020-12-10T21:06

Information from past earthquakes can be used to prepare a more resilient society that will be better able to cope with future shakes.

Our Changing World for 10 December 2020 from 2020-12-10T21:05

An earthquake engineer talks about modelling strong ground motions in an earthquake and a psychologists talks about what it takes to have a good life.

All at sea - the surprising reach of river waters from 2020-12-03T21:07

Two self-driving underwater robots are making surprising discoveries about where river water ends up at sea, far from land.

Studying the causes of cancer from 2020-12-03T21:06

Cancer epidemiologist Brian Cox, from the University of Otago, talks about studying the causes of cancer and new research on diet and bowel cancer.

Our Changing World for 3 December 2020 from 2020-12-03T21:05

How river water reaches out to sea and an epidemiologist talks about work into the causes of cancer.

Ozone holes&UV radiation from 2020-11-26T21:06

NIWA's Richard Querel talks about the ozone hole, including this year's large one, and Ben Liley explains why NZ has such high UV levels.

Our Changing World for 26 November 2020 from 2020-11-26T21:05

NIWA experts explain the science behind this year's large ozone hole and New Zealand's high UV levels.

Pua o te Rēinga - return of the Flower of the Underworld from 2020-11-19T21:06

Iwi representatives & conservationists journey to Zealandia sanctuary to plant seeds of the mysterious parasitic flowering plant Dactylanthus or flower of the underworld.

Our Changing World for 19 November 2020 from 2020-11-19T21:05

Returning the mysterious parasitic flowering plant Dactylanthus or pua o te reinga to Zealandia sanctuary, in Wellington.

Wahakura - a woven cradle to save babies' lives from 2020-11-12T21:07

The 2020 Tahunui-A-Rangi Award goes to David Tipene Leach for the wahakura, a woven bassinet to address the problem of sudden unexpected death in infancy.

Award for using DNA to better understand plants&animals from 2020-11-12T21:07

Geneticist Neil Gemmell has won the 2020 Hutton Medal for using DNA & new genomic technologies to better understant plants & animals.

Our Changing World for 12 November 2020 from 2020-11-12T21:05

The invention of a woven bassinet to save babies' lives & a geneticist seeking to understand plants & animals have won awards at the 2020 Research Honours Aotearoa.

'Academic superstar' wins top research award from 2020-11-05T21:09

NZ's top research award, the Rutherford Medal, has gone to Brian Boyd, whose work spans Shakespeare to Nabokov to Popper, & weaves arts and sciences together.

Focus on political economy&Te Ao Māori a winning combination from 2020-11-05T21:08

Maria Bargh's work on political economies and the environment is focused on Māori communities and has won her the 2020 Te Puāwaitanga Award.

Colourful plants help young researcher win award from 2020-11-05T21:07

Unravelling how genes control colour in petunias has won Nick Albert the 2020 Hamilton Award and could help breed more nutritious fruit.

Climate change - striking a balance from 2020-11-05T21:06

A group of Dunedin students talk about what they learned making an Otago Museum exhibition about climate change inequality.

Our Changing World for 5 November 2020 from 2020-11-05T21:05

The 2020 Research Honours go to a Nabokov expert, a Maori political economist & a colourful plant breeder, and students talk climate change.

Putting deep sea corals to the test from 2020-10-29T21:06

Deep sea corals are being put to the test at NIWA to find out how they cope with sediment.

Our Changing World for 29 October 2020 from 2020-10-29T21:05

NIWA ecologists have been stress testing deep sea corals to find out they cope with sediment.

Grass and the science of urban CO2 from 2020-10-22T21:06

Jocelyn Turnbull from GNS Science is measuring how much CO2 we're producing in NZ towns - and she's doing it by cutting the grass.

Our Changing World for 22 October 2020 from 2020-10-22T21:05

GNS Science is measuring how much carbon dioxide we're producing in different towns as part of the Carbon Watch NZ project.

Carbon Watch&50 years of CO2 measurements in NZ from 2020-10-15T21:06

Dave Lowe on measuring CO2 in New Zealand for 50 years, and how Carbon Watch NZ is a bird's eye view on our carbon balance.

Our Changing World for 15 October 2020 from 2020-10-15T21:05

Fifty years ago Dave Lowe started measuring carbon dioxide in New Zealand's atmosphere. And Gordon Brailsford and Sara Mikaloff Fletcher talk about Carbon Watch NZ project.

Our Changing World for 8 October 2020 from 2020-10-08T21:05

A replay of a story from May 2018: a citizens' jury on euthanasia.

NZ and the Covid-19 vaccine from 2020-10-01T21:06

When is the Covid-19 vaccine coming? Will it work? William Ray talks to NZ experts charting our path towards immunity.

Cutting the grass? Cut it out! from 2020-09-24T21:06

Lawn owner William Ray looks at the ecological benefits of not mowing and letting your grass grow longer.

Genetic recipe book for natural products from fungi from 2020-09-17T21:06

Emily Parker and her team at Victoria University of Wellington are identifying the genes that allow fungi to create natural medicinal compounds.

Our Changing World for 17 September 2020 from 2020-09-17T21:05

Unlocking the genetic secrets of natural compounds and the evolution of tieke calls.

What bird is that? from 2020-09-10T21:06

An ecologist and a mathematician discover that teaching a computer to recognise bird calls from acoustic recorders is an interesting challenge.

Our Changing World for 10 September 2020 from 2020-09-10T21:05

An ecologist and a mathematician are collaborating on open source software called AviaNZ that will allow a computer to identify bird calls.

A decade of earthquakes from 2020-09-03T21:06

Ten years after the Darfield earthquake, three seismologists from GeoNet reflect on a decade of big earthquakes and what we've learnt from them.

Our Changing World for 3 September 2020 from 2020-09-03T21:05

Three seismologists from GeoNet reflect on the decade of big earthquakes that began 10 years ago with the Darfield earthquake in Canterbury.

Time travelling with a climate scientist from 2020-08-27T21:06

Dead corals cast up the shore of Aitutaki, in the Cook Islands, provide a window into the Pacific Ocean's marine climate hundreds of years ago.

Our Changing World for 27 August 2020 from 2020-08-27T21:05

A time-travelling climate scientist is using dead corals to investigate past marine climates in the Pacific.

Green chemistry - better, safer, more sustainable from 2020-08-20T21:06

From safer solvents to make better batteries, to catalysts that can clean up wastewater, green chemists are developing better ways of making stuff.

Our Changing World for 20 August 2020 from 2020-08-20T21:05

Scientists at the Centre for Green Chemical Science at the University of Aukalnd, are developing cleaner greener processes and products.

How sound influences the taste of food from 2020-08-13T21:06

Food scientist Nazimah Hamid from AUT says that the sound of the space we eat in can have surprising effects on the taste of food.

Our Changing World for 13 August 2020 from 2020-08-13T21:05

The sensory lab at AUT is used for food testing and tests can involve all the senses, including sound.

Covid-19 unmasked: experts discuss coronavirus from 2020-08-06T21:06

'Covid-19 unmasked: understanding the outbreak' is a panel discussion from the 2020 New Zealand International Science Festival.

Our Changing World for 6 August 2020 from 2020-08-06T21:05

A panel of virologists from the University of Otago discuss research into covid-19.

In search of southern right whales from 2020-07-30T21:07

Emma Carroll talks about the return of southern right whales from the edge of extinction and a project asking the public to report whale sightings.

‘The week that snowed’ – shedding new light on old weather records from 2020-07-30T21:06

Take some old weather records. Add citizen scientists. Mix in machine learning. Result = something that might help predict future weather patterns.

Our Changing World for 30 July 2020 from 2020-07-30T21:05

In search of southern right whales and digitising old weather records to predict future climate.

Voices from Antarctica 8: Under the ice from 2020-07-16T21:06

Tiny plants that live on the underside of sea ice form an upside-down garden that feeds krill and is the base of the Antarctic food web.

Voices from Antarctica 7: What the ice is saying from 2020-07-09T21:06

Researchers are using hot water to drill through the Ross ice shelf, to discover what has happened to Antarctic ice during previous periods of warm climates.

Voices from Antarctica 6: Seal songs from 2020-07-02T21:09

Alison Ballance eavesdrops on the songs of the world's southern-most mammal, the Weddell seal, and finds out about sea ice.

‘Melting ice&rising seas’ team wins PM Science Prize from 2020-07-02T21:08

A team finding links between melting ice sheets in Antarctica and rising sea levels in NZ has won the 2019 Prime Minister's Science Prize.

Wheelie bin robot inventor wins science prize from 2020-07-02T21:07

Student Thomas James wanted to help his elderly neighbour, so he invented a wheelie bin robot to take her large recycling bin to the kerb.

Passionate maths teacher wins a PM’s Science Prize from 2020-07-02T21:06

Michelle Dalrymple, winner of the 2019 Prime Minister's Science Teacher's Prize, says being mathematically literate is an important life skill.

Our Changing World for 2 July 2020 from 2020-07-02T21:05

Winners of the 2019 Prime Minister's Science Prizes include a team studying melting ice and rising seas, a maths teacher and a young inventor.

Voices from Antarctica 5: Waiting for Emperors from 2020-06-25T20:16

Emperor penguin researchers are waiting for tagged birds to return, and an elderly radar system sheds light on a very windy part of the atmosphere.

Voices from Antarctica 4: Best journey in the world from 2020-06-18T21:06

Alison Ballance meets a colony of Emperor penguins and their NIWA researchers, and finds out about making water on the frozen continent

Voices from Antarctica 3: Flags to physics from 2020-06-11T21:06

Keeping Scott Base warm and well-lit no matter the weather outside, and a physics experiment that eavesdrops on messages to submarines.

Voices from Antarctica 2: Scott Base from 2020-06-04T21:06

Alison Ballance has her first day at New Zealand's Antarctic station, Scott Base, and visits the historic Hillary's Hut.

Voices from Antarctica 1: Ice Flight from 2020-05-28T21:06

Alison Ballance dons her extreme cold weather clothing for a trip to Antarctica - but getting to the frozen continent can take time.

Our Changing World for 21 May 2020 from 2020-05-21T20:15

Two gems from Our Changing World's Antarctic archive - restoring Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds and hunting for extremophile microbes high on Mt Erebus.

Little bit of sea-level rise = lots more coastal flooding from 2020-05-14T21:06

Scientists warn that a small amount of sea-level rise could have big consequences for some low-lying parts of New Zealand.

Our Changing World for 14 May 2020 from 2020-05-14T21:05

Experts discuss the findings from a recent NIWA report that shows a small amount of sea-level rise will cause more coastal flooding.

Probing the hidden continent of Zealandia from 2020-05-07T21:06

Ocean floor rock cores drilled into the sunken continent of Zealandia are revolutionising our understanding of Earth's history and how continents form.

Our Changing World for 7 May 2020 from 2020-05-07T21:05

Geologists are probing the secrets of the hidden continent of Zealandia, and ants and viruses from the archives.

Aussie bushfire dust still in stratosphere from 2020-04-30T21:07

More than four months after it formed, a large blob of sooty dust from Australia's massive bushfires is still circling the southern hemisphere.

On yer bike – how cyclists, pedestrians&cars share city streets from 2020-04-30T21:06

There is a fine art to how pedestrians, cyclists, and cars and buses navigate the shared thoroughfares of our towns and cities.

Our Changing World for 30 April 2020 from 2020-04-30T21:05

Dust from Australia's bush fires is still circling the globe in the stratosphere, and studies into cyclists and their use of city streets.

100-year moth project – in the footsteps of George Vernon Hudson from 2020-04-23T21:06

Modern-day citizen scientists are following in the footsteps of a well-known Wellington naturalist, collecting moths to document a century of change.

Our Changing World for 23 April 2020 from 2020-04-23T21:05

Wellington naturalist George Vernon Hudson collected thousands of moths and a century later a group of citizen scientists are following in his footsteps in Zealandia sanctuary.

Maths, models&insights into the coronavirus pandemic from 2020-04-16T21:06

Mathematician Alex James, from Te Pūnaha Matatini & the University of Canterbury, explains the art and science of modelling the coronavirus pandemic.

Our Changing World for 16 April 2020 from 2020-04-16T21:05

Alison Ballance chats with mathematician Alex James, who has been helping model the coronavirus pandemic in New Zealand.

Our immune system vs coronavirus: ‘I think of it as an orchestra' from 2020-04-09T21:06

The human immune system is a complex system where T cells, B cells and antibodies battle invaders such as bacteria and viruses such as the one that causes COVID-19.

Our Changing World for 9 April 2020 from 2020-04-09T21:05

Immunologist Jo Kirman introduces us to our immune system and how it fights viruses such as the one that causes COVID-19.

Conservation and Covid-19 from 2020-04-03T08:00

Is New Zealand’s environment benefiting from the lockdown?

Virus 101 from 2020-04-02T21:06

Virus expert Kurt Krause, from the University of Otago, gives us the lowdown on viruses, and on coronaviruses in particular.

Our Changing World for 2 April 2020 from 2020-04-02T21:05

Virus expert Kurt Krause, from the University of Otago, gives us the lowdown on viruses, and we hear about a rare plant and the viruses that are killing it.

Air pollution - the invisible killer from 2020-03-26T21:06

GNS Science monitors levels of air pollution around New Zealand, especially small particles that can have severe health effects.

Our Changing World for 26 March 2020 from 2020-03-26T21:05

GNS Science monitors levels of air pollution around New Zealand, and why soap is the ultimate coronavirus buster.

Covid-19: the science of soap from 2020-03-23T07:00

When it comes to virus-busting, soap is an oldie but a goodie - because it turns out that soap is particularly effective against coronaviruses such as the one that causes Covid-19.

Voice of the Kākāpō 8: Success from 2020-03-19T15:30

The 2019 kākāpō chicks are becoming independent and birds sent to be scanned for aspergillosis are getting clean bills of health, in part 8 of Voice of the Kākāpō.

Voice of the Kākāpō 7: Dark days from 2020-03-17T15:30

A deadly fungal disease strikes the kākāpō population on Whenua Hou and the Kākāpō Recovery team calls on New Zealand wildlife vets to help, in part 7 of Voice of the Kākāpō..

Voice of the Kākāpō 6: Kākāpō chicks from 2020-03-12T15:30

The kākāpō eggs are hatching, and chicks are being hand-reared or returned to their mother's nest ... but not every chick is thriving, in part 6 of Voice of the Kākāpō .

Voice of the Kākāpō 5: Kākāpō sperm takes to the air from 2020-03-10T15:30

The tally of infertile eggs is climbing and the kākāpō team is using artificial insemination - and a drone - to try and counter the problem, in part 5 of Voice of the Kākāpō.

Voice of the Kākāpō 4: Promise from 2020-03-05T15:30

Most of the female kākāpō have bred and the team is carrying precious fertile eggs to the 'egg room' for incubation, in part 4 of Voice of the Kākāpō .

Voice of the Kākāpō 3: Nest checks from 2020-03-03T15:30

Kākāpō breeding is in full swing after an early start, and DOC's Deidre Vercoe and Andrew Digby are checking to see if eggs are fertile, in part 3 of Voice of the Kākāpō.

Voice of the Kākāpō 2: Whenua Hou, kākāpō island from 2020-02-27T15:30

The kākāpō team know all the signs are good for a big kākāpō breeding season - the question is exactly how big and when will it start? Part 2 of Voice of the Kākāpō.

Voice of the Kākāpō 1: Kākāpō - night parrot from 2020-02-25T15:45

The kākāpō is a giant flightless parrot whose fortunes are tied to the rimu tree and to a dedicated team of rangers from the Department of Conservation.

What we do during an earthquake&why it matters from 2020-02-20T21:06

Official advice in an earthquake quake is to 'drop, cover, hold.' But is this what we actually do? And what happens if we do something else?

Our Changing World for 20 February 2020 from 2020-02-20T21:05

Social scientist David Johnston investigates the way people behave during and after earthquakes, and what the consequences of their behaviour is.

Using local yeasts to make distinctive NZ beers&wine from 2020-02-13T21:06

Yeast is one of the key ingredients in beer and wine - and local yeasts could add a distinct Kiwi flavour.

Our Changing World for 13 February 2020 from 2020-02-13T21:05

Peter Griffin and two Wellington entrepreneurs are in search of local yeasts to impart distinctive NZ flavours to craft beers, and the wine indusry is on a similar hunt.

Psychopathic traits - "everybody has them" from 2020-02-06T21:06

Sonia Sly is in search of psychopaths. Are they born or are they made? What are the traits that a psychopath exhibits? And is everyone a psychopath to some extent?

Our Changing World for 6 February 2020 from 2020-02-06T21:05

Sonia Sly is in search of the psychopathic mind with psychology researcher Hedwig Eisenbarth, from Victoria University of Wellington.

The science of wildfires from 2020-01-30T21:06

Bush fires are growing in severity and frequency. William Ray finds out about the latest research into how fires burn and how people react when flames threaten.

Our Changing World for 30 January 2020 from 2020-01-30T21:05

Fire researchers from Scion talk about the latest wild fire research that is giving new insights into how fires burn and how people behave when flames threaten.

Rock wren - a little bird in NZ's big mountains from 2020-01-23T21:06

The tiny rock wren lives year-round in the alpine zone of the South Island mountains and research shows that predator control is important for the species' survival.

Our Changing World for 23 January 2020 from 2020-01-23T21:05

The rock wren is a little bird with several big claims to fame. It belongs to an ancient group of birds and is New Zealand's only truly alpine bird.

The significance of statistics from 2020-01-17T08:00

What if there was a magic number that proved you right? There's no such thing, but we do have the p-value which is the probability that your scientific hypothesis is right.

Controver-seas: reservations about marine reserves from 2020-01-08T08:00

Science communication student Amy Archer, from the University of Otago, investigates recommendations from the South-East Marine Protection Forum for marine reserves on the Otago coast.

Zirconium - shape-shifting time capsule from 2019-12-23T08:00

Zirconium is a shape-shifting tough cookie, that is a tale of gemstones, medical implants and nuclear reactors, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 96 of Elemental.

Zinc - more useful than you realise from 2019-12-20T08:00

Zinc is a very useful metal that turns up in everything from sunscreen to paint, & galvanised metals to cereals, as well as brass instruments, says Prof Allan Blackman in ep 95 of Elemental.

Origins - the Big Bang, human evolution&Polynesian migrations from 2019-12-19T21:06

Damian Christie is in search of his origins - from the beginning of the universe, to human evolution & Polynesian settlement in the Pacific.

Our Changing World for 19 December 2019 from 2019-12-19T21:05

Damian Christie is in search of origin stories - from the beginning of the universe, the earliest humans and the Polynesian settlement in the Pacific.

Yttrium - here's that village Ytterby again from 2019-12-16T08:00

Yttrium is yet another element named after the village of Ytterby and is important in the development of high temperature superconductors, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 94 of Elemental.

Ytterbium - yet another element named after Ytterby from 2019-12-13T08:00

Ytterbium is yet another lanthanoid named after the Swedish village of Ytterby, says Prof Allan Blackman in ep 93 of Elemental.

High-rise apartments in earthquake-prone Wellington from 2019-12-12T21:06

Charlie Dreaver investigates the issues around strengthening apartment buildings to make them more resilient to earthquakes.

Our Changing World for 12 December 2019 from 2019-12-12T21:05

Charlie Dreaver investigates apartments and earthquake resilience in 'Living the high life on shaky ground' & the chemical element vanadium.

Xenon - a stranger in search of strange particles from 2019-12-11T08:00

Xenon is a noble gas that turns up in various lights, gets used in xenon ion propulsion systems for spacecraft & plays a key role in the search for dark matter, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in...

Vanadium - Model T Fords, big batteries&sea squirts from 2019-12-09T08:00

Vanadium makes steel stronger & lighter, is being used in what will be the world's largest battery, and sea squirts are full of it, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 91 of Elemental.

Uranium - first radioactive element to be discovered from 2019-12-06T08:00

Named after the planet Uranus & associated with Hiroshima & nuclear bombs, uranium is the highest-numbered element found naturally in significant quantities on earth, says Prof Allan Blackman in ep...

Tracking Pacific golden plovers around the world from 2019-12-05T21:06

A satellite tracking programme is revealing, for the first time, where New Zealand's Pacific golden plovers or kuriri migrate to breed.

Our Changing World for 5 December 2019 from 2019-12-05T21:05

Miranda shorebird enthusiasts are on the trail of the elusive Pacific golden plover or kuriri.

Tungsten - highest melting point of any metal from 2019-12-02T08:00

Tungsten's very high melting point made it an ideal filament for incandescent light bulbs, & as it is in some enzymes it is the heaviest element used in nature, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 8...

Titanium - light, strong&quite pretty from 2019-11-29T08:00

Titanium is light, strong, corrosion resistant & is used to repair broken limbs as it is able to get integrated into the bone, says Allan Blackman from AUT speaking from personal experience in ep 8...

A spotlight on NZ lakes - Lakes380 part 2 from 2019-11-28T21:06

380 New Zealand lakes are in the spotlight, and Marcus Vandergoes from GNS Science explains what happens to the thousands of sediment cores that will reveal a 1000-year history for each lake.

Our Changing World for 28 November 2019 from 2019-11-28T21:05

Sediment cores from the Lakes380 project, which is building a 1000-year history for 10 percent of New Zealand's lakes, are housed at GNS's National Isotope Centre.

Tin - from whistles to organ pipes&anti-fouling paint from 2019-11-27T08:00

The element tin turns up in all sorts of alloys, but tin cans are - mostly - not made from tin, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT, in ep 87 of Elemental.

Thulium - the most laborious of the lanthanoids from 2019-11-25T08:00

Isolating the element thulium was a truly laborious process that took many years, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 86 of Elemental.

Thorium - potential source of cleaner nuclear energy from 2019-11-22T08:00

Named after Thor, the Norse God of Thunder, thorium could provide a cleaner source of nuclear power in the future, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in episode 85 of Elemental.

Lakes380 to reveal 1000-year history of lakes - part 1 from 2019-11-21T21:06

Susie Wood from the Cawthron Institute says that sediment cores & eDNA will reveal a 1000-year history for 380 NZ lakes.

Our Changing World for 21 November 2019 from 2019-11-21T21:06

Susie Wood from the Cawthron Institute talks about Lakes 380, which will reveal a 1000-year history of 10 percent of NZ lakes, plus the element terbium.

Thallium - the poisoner's poison from 2019-11-18T08:00

Thallium is most famous for some infamous poisoned family cases & its appearance in an Agatha Christie novel solved a medical mystery, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 84 of Elemental.

Terbium - turns up in old TVs&new Euro notes from 2019-11-15T08:00

A discovery from the chemically prolific Swedish village of Ytterby, terbium produced the green on old TV sets & adds security to Euro notes, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 83 of Elemental.

Making Wellington a predator-free city from 2019-11-14T21:06

By the end of this year Predator-Free Wellington hopes that the eastern suburbs on the Miramar Peninsula will be free from rat and stoats.

Our Changing World for 14 November 2019 from 2019-11-14T21:05

Predator-free Miramar Peninsula kicked off in the middle of the year and aims to get rid of rats and stoats. It is part of a wider to goal to make Wellington a predator-free capital city.

Tellurium - usually associated with gold from 2019-11-11T08:00

Tellurium is a metalloid often found with gold and the US town Telluride is named after it, says Prof Allan Blackman, in ep 82 of Elemental.

Technetium - the first synthetic element from 2019-11-08T08:00

Technetium was the first element on the periodic table to be synthesised. It is rare, radioactive and has only a few uses, says Prof Allan Blackman in ep 81 of Elemental.

Tracking inner city rats from 2019-11-07T21:06

Victoria University researchers are radio-tracking urban rats in Wellington city suburbs to find out how large their home ranges are, to help improve predator-free trapping efforts.

Our Changing World for 7 November 2019 from 2019-11-07T21:05

Radio-tracking urban rats in Wellington city suburbs to find out how large their home ranges are, and the chemical element tantalum.

Tantalum - a tantalising chemical element from 2019-11-04T08:00

The metal tantalum is usually found with the element niobium, has a very high melting point but is a 'conflict mineral', says Prof Allan Blackman in ep 80 of Elemental.

Sulfur - king of bad smells from 2019-11-01T08:00

Sulfur is responsible for some very bad smells, is the number one industrial chemical and is also an essential element, says Prof Allan Blackman in ep 79 of Elemental.

Kākā TV - teaching smart parrots new tricks from 2019-10-31T21:06

Kākā and kea are well-known for being intelligent, and PhD student Daniel Donoghue is interested in how they learn new things.

Our Changing World for 31 October 2019 from 2019-10-31T21:05

PhD student Daniel Donoghue is working out whether a video clip can help kaka learn faster.

Strontium - from sensitive teeth toothpaste to nuclear fission from 2019-10-28T08:00

Named after a Scottish town, strontium can be highly radioactive & glow-in-the-dark, but also used in toothpaste, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT, in ep 78 of Elemental.

Sodium - a salt of the earth spectator from 2019-10-25T08:00

Sodium is vital for life & usually found in combinaton with other more interesting elements, says Prof Allan Blackman in ep 77 of Elemental.

Enemy #1 - brown marmorated stink bug from 2019-10-24T21:06

Italy is suffering from a brown marmorated stink bug invasion. Damian Christie heads there to find out what New Zealand learn from their experiences.

Our Changing World for 24 October 2019 from 2019-10-24T21:05

Italy is experiencing an invasion of brown marmorated stink bugs that is crippling the fruit industry. What can New Zealand learn from their experience?

Silver - a popular noble metal from 2019-10-23T08:00

Silver is widely used in jewellery, has interesting light sensitive abilities and has antimicrobial properties, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 76 of Elemental.

Silicon - a ubiquitous part of modern life from 2019-10-21T08:00

Silicon is a blockbuster metalloid with many uses, from glass to computer chips & bathroom sealants, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 75 of Elemental.

Selenium - good reason to eat seafood&Brazil nuts from 2019-10-18T08:00

New Zealand soils lack the vital element selenium, which also used to be important in photocopiers and bathroom plumbing, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 74 of Elemental.

Top award for making a difference in babies' lives from 2019-10-17T22:30

Prof Jane Harding has won New Zealand's top science award, the Rutherford Medal, for ground-breaking research that has improved the lives of countless babies and mothers.

A bridge between science&mātauranga Māori from 2019-10-17T21:30

Dr Ocean Mercier's work bridging the worlds of science and traditional Māori knowledge has been recognised with the 2019 Callaghan Medal for science communication.

Honour a sweet reward for sugar research from 2019-10-17T21:15

Dr Lisa Te Morenga has won the 2019 Hamilton Award for her internationally significant research on sugar and its impacts on health.

Our Changing World for 17 October 2019 from 2019-10-17T21:05

New Zealand's 2019 Research Honours winners include Lisa Te Morenga for her work on sugar, Ocean Mercier for science communication and Rutherford Medal winner Jane Harding for work with babies & mo...

Scandium - the scandal of the scandium cricket bat from 2019-10-16T08:00

Predicted by Mendeleev & useful for alloying with aluminium, scandium was involved in a famous cricket scandal, says AUT's Allan Blackman in ep 73 of Elemental.

Samarium - magnets for making&listening to music from 2019-10-14T08:00

Samarium magnets are used in headphones & guitar pickups, and samarium was the first element named after a real person, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 72 of Elemental.

Ruthenium - a 'sort of' precious metal from 2019-10-11T08:00

Ruthenium is a 'sort of' precious metal that is a useful catalyst and alloy. It is toxic and smells like ozone, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 71 of Elemental.

Older men lose ability to recognise emotions from 2019-10-10T21:06

University of Otago psychology professor Ted Ruffman says ageing brains means older men become less able to recognise emotions in other people.

Our Changing World for 10 October 2019 from 2019-10-10T21:05

A psychology professor talks about men getting older & why they become less able to recognise other's emotions, and the element rubidium.

Rubidium - expensive and not very useful from 2019-10-07T08:00

Rubidium is a reactive metal with few uses, named 'deepest red' due to its beautiful red spectral lines, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 70 of Elemental.

Rhodium - used in cars, drugs ... and aftershave from 2019-10-04T08:00

Rhodium is an expensive precious metal that is used in catalytic convertors, to make the Parkinson's drug L-DOPA, create shiny jewellery and add the menthol taste to toothpaste, says Allan Blackman...

The quest to live forever from 2019-10-03T21:06

From cutting-edge genetic treatments to computer-brain interfaces that are still in the realm of science fiction, Silicon Valley is on a quest to let us live forever.

Our Changing World for 3 October 2019 from 2019-10-03T21:05

Peter Griffin investigates the ethics and possibilities around achieving immortality, and Allan Blackman looks at the chemical element radium.

Rhenium - has a number of claims to chemical fame from 2019-10-02T08:00

Named after the Rhine river, rhenium is a metal with very high boiling and melting points, and it was the last naturally occuring, non-radioactive element to be discovered, says Prof Allan Blackman...

Radon - radioactive basement risk from 2019-09-30T08:00

The radioactive gas radon can be a risk in the basements of stone houses and used to, erroneously, be touted for its health benefits, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 67 of Elemental.

Radium - famous but not very useful from 2019-09-27T08:00

Radium was famously found by the Curies, and was once widely used in face creams, drinks and luminous watch dials, despite being highly radioactive, says Allan Blackman in ep 66 of Elemental.

Our Changing World for 26 September 2019 from 2019-09-26T21:05

As the world considers taking more action to combat climate change we revisit Antarctica with the Voice of the Iceberg podcast & hear about protactinium.

Protactinium - a very dull chemical element from 2019-09-23T08:00

Protactinium is a rare, radioactive element that has no uses and may be the most boring element, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 65 of Elemental.

Promethium - rare and unremarkable from 2019-09-20T08:00

Despite its gruesome mythical name, the radioactive element promethium has no particular claim to fame, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 64 of Elemental.

Shaped by the wind from 2019-09-19T21:06

The 20-metre long wind tunnel at the University of Auckland is used to test the aerodynamics of objects as varied as Olympic cyclists and buildings, as well as drones, ancient building designs & ti...

Our Changing World for 19 September 2019 from 2019-09-19T21:05

The largest wind tunnel in New Zealand is used to test everything from the effects of turbulence on drones to ancient building designs and tiny gas turbines.

Kākāpō population hits new high of 213 birds from 2019-09-18T15:50

The youngest kākāpō chick has passed 150 days old, bringing the number of living juveniles to 71 and the overall  kākāpō population to 213, in ep 24 of the Kākāpō Files.

Praseodymium - a long name but not many uses from 2019-09-16T08:00

Praseodymium is a metal wirh the second longest name on the periodic table and not many uses, says Prof Alan Blackman from AUT in ep 63 of Elemental.

Potassium - a matter of life and death from 2019-09-13T08:00

From levitating burnt buttocks, to excitable nerves and sure-to-rise baking, potassium is highly reactive and vital to life, says Prof Allan Blackman in ep 62 of Elemental.

Green cities of the future - what we can expect in 2050 from 2019-09-12T21:06

Better solar panels and efficient carbon capture technology will help shape the impact and look of cities in the future, say MacDiarmid Institute scientists.

Our Changing World for 12 September 2019 from 2019-09-12T21:05

MacDiarmid Institute scientists talk about how their work improving solar panel efficiency and developing carbon capture and storage techniques might shape cities of the future.

Polonium - few redeeming features from 2019-09-09T08:00

Polonium will be forever linked with the names Curie and Litvinenko and has negligible desirable features, says Prof Allan Blackman in ep 61 of Elemental.

Plutonium - nuclear bombs&nuclear power from 2019-09-06T08:00

A radioactive heavyweight associated with nuclear bombs & power, which is powering the Voyager spacecraft, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 60 of Elemental.

The science of toxic algal blooms from 2019-09-05T21:06

Toxic algae expert Jonathan Puddick has a Marsden Grant to find out if toxic cyanobacteria share their toxins with non-toxic species.

Our Changing World for 5 September 2019 from 2019-09-05T21:05

Cyanobacteria are responsible for toxic algal blooms in lakes and rivers, and Cawthron Institute scientists are trying to better understand them.

Platinum - another pricey precious metal from 2019-09-02T08:00

Platinum is useful in catalytic convertors, is used to treat testicular cancer and will be useful in hydrogen fuel cells, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 59 of Elemental.

Phosphorus - P was discovered in pee from 2019-08-30T08:00

Phosphorus, chemical symbol P, was first isolated as an element from thousands of litres of urine. Also found in guano, aka bird poo. Allan Blackman from AUT has the full story in ep 58 of Elemental.

No escape: separating from an abusive partner from 2019-08-29T21:06

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world, but sociology research shows life post- separation can still leave women feeling trapped.

Our Changing World for 29 August 2019 from 2019-08-29T21:05

Research into relationships and their break-ups, and oxygen is very friendly with other chemical elements.

Palladium - cleaning up your car's exhaust from 2019-08-26T08:00

Palladium is a pricey precious metal most commonly used in catalytic convertors on car exhausts, says AUT's Allan Blackman in ep 57 of Elemental.

Oxygen - the friendly element from 2019-08-23T08:00

Oxygen is very friendly with other chemical elements & very helpful for life on Earth, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 56 of Elemental.

Using sound to brew better beer from 2019-08-22T21:06

What happens if you play a Viennese waltz or death metal to beer as it brews? Experimenting with musical ways of making better beer.

Our Changing World for 22 August 2019 from 2019-08-22T21:05

Does playing different sounds to fermenting yeast change the taste of beer and osmium, the densest chemical element.

Osmium - heavyweight champion of the elements from 2019-08-19T08:00

Osmium is extremely rare and expensive. It is the densest chemical element, rivals diamond as being the least compressible of all known substances & has a distinctive 'pong' according to Allan Blac...

Nitrogen - a vital powerhouse from 2019-08-16T08:00

Most important biological molecules contain nitrogen, even though it takes lots of energy to make or break its chemical bonds, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 54 of Elemental.

Risky decisions&gambling addiction from 2019-08-15T21:06

Electronic gaming machines, or the pokies, are highly addictive. Sonia Sly investigates why problem gambling develops and how it is associated with other disorders.

Our Changing World for 15 August 2019 from 2019-08-15T21:05

Why playing pokie machines can easily lead to a gambling addiction, and the chemical element nickel is in more than just five cent coins.

Niobium - useful at high&low temperatures from 2019-08-12T08:00

Niobium is a metal that is useful at both very high temperatures, as in jet engines, and very low temperatures as a superconductor, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 53 of Elemental.

Nickel - more than just a 5 cent coin from 2019-08-09T08:00

The chemical element nickel is named after a German word for Satan or the Devil, but nickel is now more usually thought of as a North American five cent piece, says Allan Blackman in ep 52 of Eleme...

Detector Gadget the conservation dog from 2019-08-08T21:06

Detector Gadget is a dog with a job. She is a conservation dog trained by her handler Sandy King to sniff out rodents on predator-free islands.

Our Changing World for 8 August 2019 from 2019-08-08T21:05

Gadget is a conservation detector dog, trained to sniff out rats, and the chemical element neon is not just found in neon signs.

Kākāpō chicks growing up from 2019-08-05T16:00

The kākāpō chicks are graduating to being juveniles and only seven birds are still sick with aspergillosis, in ep 23 of the Kākāpō Files.

Neon - the red of neon lights from 2019-08-05T08:00

There are no known compounds of the noble gas neon, which does however produce the brilliant crimson of red - and only red - neon lights. Ep 51 of Elemental with Prof Allan Blackman from AUT.

Neodymium - the secret behind supermagnets from 2019-08-02T08:00

Neodydmium magnets include the strongest permanent magnets known and are found in devices like speakers & headphones, says chemistry professor Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 50 of Elemental.

Challenging gender norms&the threat of female sexuality from 2019-08-01T21:06

Professor Ciara Cremin explores the politics of cross-dressing and gender identity in both her personal and her professional life.

Our Changing World for 1 August 2019 from 2019-08-01T21:05

The politics of cross-dressing and gender identity, and the chemical element molybdenum.

Molybdenum - a catalyst at bacterial to industrial scales from 2019-07-29T08:00

Molybdenum has an essential role as a catalyst at microbial and industrial scales and is an important element in enzymes, says Prof Allan Blackman, in ep 49 of Elemental.

Mercury - mesmerising quicksilver from 2019-07-26T08:00

Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, says Allan Blackman in ep 48 of Elemental.

Restoring Fiordland's 'island lifeboats' from 2019-07-25T21:06

The Department of Conservation and volunteer groups, including the Coal Island Trust, are hard at work removing pests such as stoats and deer from Fiordland's many islands.

Our Changing World for 25 July 2019 from 2019-07-25T21:05

The Department of Conservation and groups such as the Coal Island Trust are taking pests off Fiordland islands and reintroducing rare species.

Manganese - the 'essential' essential element from 2019-07-24T08:00

The metal manganese is a vital part of photosynthesis and is found in aluminium drink cans, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 47 of Elemental.

Magnesium - loved by everyone and everything from 2019-07-22T08:00

Magnesium is loved by plants, folk suffering constipation and boy-racers, as Allan Blackman reveals in ep 46 of Elemental.

Lutetium - an obscure Parisian from 2019-07-19T08:00

After a fierce struggle for naming rights, the last lanthanoid element to be discovered was eventually named after Paris, says Allan Blackman in ep 45 of Elemental.

New way to stop unwanted biofouling from 2019-07-18T21:06

Electroclear is a start-up company at the University of Auckland using electric fields to deter small marine organisms from settling on boats and underwater structures.

Our Changing World for 18 July 2019 from 2019-07-18T21:05

Chris Walker explains how they plan to use electricity to prevent underwater fouling, and DOC announces the results of kakapo paternity testing.

Kākāpō dads revealed from 2019-07-17T08:50

Paternity testing has revealed who the top kākāpō dads are, as well as the success of the artificial insemination programme, in ep 22 of the Kākāpō Files.

Lithium - a mood enhancing element from 2019-07-15T08:00

Lithium is the lightest metal, and it is used in batteries and for the treatment of bipolar disorder, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 44 of Elemental.

Lead - sweet-tasting but deadly from 2019-07-12T08:00

Lead is the element that took down an empire, and its sweet taste belies a metal that is dangerous for human & animal health. All this and more with Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 43 of Elemental.

Children's art - more than just a picture from 2019-07-11T21:06

Prof Harlene Hayne investigates childrens' artworks: are they just a picture or do they offer insights and clues into the kid's emotional world?

Our Changing World for 11 July 2019 from 2019-07-11T21:05

What insights can children's drawings give us, and deadly tales from the chemical element lead.

Lanthanum - curious case of a 'lost' element from 2019-07-08T08:00

Despite giving its name to a whole group on the periodic table, chemists can't agree if lanthanum even belongs in that group, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 42 of Elemental.

Krypton - its name means 'hidden' but it's a real thing from 2019-07-05T08:00

In real life krypton is a noble gas which is commonly used in neon signs and laser light shows, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 41 of Elemental.

The science of Matariki from 2019-07-04T21:06

Professor Rangi Mātāmua talks about the 120-year-old book which has preserved his ancestors' knowledge of Māori astronomy.

Our Changing World for 4 July 2019 from 2019-07-04T21:05

To mark Matariki, the Māori New Year, we join Dr Rangi Matamua from the University of Waikato to hear about Māori astronomy.

Iron - creator of the modern world from 2019-07-01T08:00

Iron is formed in stars, makes up most of the Earth's core & as a result enables life as we know it to exist, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT, in ep 40 of Elemental.

Kākāpō waiting game from 2019-06-28T18:00

The kākāpō health crisis is stable, with no further cases of aspergillosis diagnosed, and seven hand-reared chicks have been successfully released in the wild, in ep 21 of the Kākāpō Files.

Iridium and the end of the dinosaurs from 2019-06-28T08:00

Iridium is the second-densest element on the periodic table and the most erosion-resistant metal. A layer of iridium in rocks marks the demise of the dinosaurs, according to Allan Blackman from AUT...

Freshwater fish swim for science from 2019-06-27T21:06

NIWA scientists are putting freshwater fish such as inanga through swimming trials, to find out how they cope with water moving at different speeds.

Our Changing World for 27 June 2019 from 2019-06-27T21:05

NIWA is putting freshwater fish through their paces in a swimming test, and the story of indium, the chemical element that is the Queen of the touchscreen.

Iodine - a vital trace element from 2019-06-24T08:00

A lack of iodine causes goitre, and seafood and iodised salt are good sources of this important trace element, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT, in ep 38 of Elemental.

Indium - Queen of the touchscreen from 2019-06-21T08:00

Indium is a very soft metal, and as indium-tin-oxide it is an indispensable part of the swipeability of touchscreens, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 37 of Elemental.

Predator Free NZ - dream or reality? from 2019-06-20T21:06

A panel of five experts debate what it will take to turn the idea of a predator-free New Zealand by 2050 from a dream into a reality.

Our Changing World for 20 June 2019 from 2019-06-20T21:05

A panel discussion on 'Predator Free New Zealand - dream or reality' with five experts in pest biology and large scale eradication porjects.

Hydrogen - 'number 1 in the Universe' from 2019-06-17T08:00

Hydrogen is the first element on the periodic table. It is the oldest, lightest and most abundant element in the universe, but on earth it is usually found in compounds such as water, says AUT's Al...

Holmium - obscure, but an important surgical laser from 2019-06-14T08:00

Holmium has interesting magnetic properties and is an important part of precise surgical lasers known as the 'Swiss Army knife' of lasers, according to Prof Allan Backman from AUT, in ep 35 of Elem...

Our Changing World for 13 June 2019 from 2019-06-13T21:05

Behind-the-scenes at Auckland Zoo with sick kākāpō, and the chemical element holmium.

Behind-the-scenes of the kākāpō health crisis from 2019-06-12T17:00

Kākāpō death toll from aspergillosis rises by one to seven, while nine birds have been given a clean bill of health. Sad and positive news from the frontline of the fight to save kākāpō, in ep 20 o...

Helium - rare on earth but universally abundant from 2019-06-10T08:00

Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe and possibly the most unreactive element on the periodic table, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT, in ep 34 of Elemental.

Hafnium - helped land the first astronauts on the moon from 2019-06-07T08:00

Hafnium is named after Copenhagen and as it has a very high melting point it was used in the thruster nozzles of the Apollo Lunar modules, according to Elemental's Allan Blackman from AUT.

Tawaki bust penguin swimming records from 2019-06-06T21:08

Twice a year tawaki or Fiordland crested penguins make migrations of many thousands of kilometres to the south to feed at the Polar Front.

Successful new seabird colony on Matiu Somes Island from 2019-06-06T21:07

Eight years ago volunteers began translocating fluttering shearwater chicks to Wellington's Matiu Somes Island to establish what is now a growing seabird colony.

Rifleman to royal albatross - a bird atlas for NZ from 2019-06-06T21:06

The NZ bird atlas will be a 5-year project counting common & rare birds from the Kermadecs to the far south.

Our Changing World for 6 June 2019 from 2019-06-06T21:05

The NZ Bird Atlas is launched, a successful effort to create a new fluttering shearwater colony, Fiordland's tawaki penguins go for record-breaking long swims, and the chemical element gallium.

Gold - a most desirable noble metal from 2019-06-03T08:00

Gold is highly valued for its colour as well as for being malleable and ductile, and as a noble metal it is unreactive and doesn't rust, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 32 of Elemental.

Germanium - important in the first transistors from 2019-05-31T08:00

Germanium is a metalloid that was a key element in early transistors and is now used in optical fibres and infrared night vision scopes, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 31 of Elemental.

The streams beneath the streets from 2019-05-30T21:06

New research shows Wellington's underground streams are important homes and highways for freshwater fish.

Our Changing World for 30 May 2019 from 2019-05-30T21:05

Many of Wellington's streams now run in pipes under the roads, and the aspergillosis crisis in the kakapo population grows.

Kākāpō health concerns continue from 2019-05-29T14:00

The number of cases of aspergillosis in the kākāpō population continues to rise, with 30 birds on the mainland for testing & treatment. The deaths of Huhana and Merty drop the adult population to 1...

Gallium - mysterious case of the disappearing spoon from 2019-05-29T08:00

Gallium is the second element named after France, is a key element in mobile phones & Blu-ray players & melts at body temperature, says Prof Allan Blackman in ep 30 of Elemental.

Gadolinium - plays a key role in MRI scans from 2019-05-27T08:00

Gadolinium has interesting magnetic properties and is used as a contrast agent in MRI scans, according to AUT's Prof Allan Blackman in ep 29 of Elemental.

Francium - final naturally-occurring element to be discovered from 2019-05-24T08:00

Francium was the last naturally-occurring element to be discovered and has never been seen, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 28 Elemental.

The Southland accent - a rolling change from 2019-05-23T21:06

The Southland accent has a distinctive burr, and new research is revealing how those 'rolled Rs' have changed over time.

Our Changing World for 23 May 2019 from 2019-05-23T21:05

Southlanders are rolling their Rs more - and less - than 100 years ago, and the chemical element fluorine.

Fluorine - the non-stick element from 2019-05-20T08:00

Fluorine is a highly toxic green gas that is the main ingredient in non-stick teflon coatings. In ep 27 of Elemental, Prof Allan Blackman from AUT, says that fluorine has very different properties ...

Europium - putting the security in the Euro from 2019-05-17T08:00

Europium is named after Europe and is responsible for a forgery-busting aspect of the Euro banknote, reports Prof Allan Blackman in ep 26 of Elemental.

Mystery of the longfin eel's breeding ground from 2019-05-16T21:07

NIWA freshwater ecologists hope sophisticated satellite tags will solve the msytery of where New Zealand's longfin eels go to breed in the Pacific.

Foulden Maar - a 23-million year-old fossil treasure trove from 2019-05-16T21:06

A 23-year million year old volcanic crater in inland Otago that is a treasure trove of exquisiute fossils is facing the threat of being mined for animal feed.

Our Changing World for 16 May 2019 from 2019-05-16T21:05

NIWA is tagging longfin eels to try and find their mysterious breeding grounds, and Foulden Maar is one of NZ's premier fossil sites.

Worrying times for kākāpō from 2019-05-15T17:00

A spate of kākāpō chicks deaths from a fungal pneumonia caused by aspergillosis has DOC's Kākāpō Recovery Team very worried. Two further adult deaths bring the population to 144 birds with 73 livin...

Erbium - through rose-tinted glasses from 2019-05-13T08:00

Erbium is named after a chemically famous Swedish village, and adds a rose-tinted glow to the periodic table, in ep 25 of Elemental with Allan Blackman from AUT.

Dysprosium - hard to get from 2019-05-10T08:00

Dysprosium earned its name by being very hard to separate from other elements and has become very important in electric car motors. Join Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 24 of Elemental.

Kea get a helping hand from 2019-05-09T21:06

The Kea Conservation Trust & the Arthur's Pass Wildlife Trust have combined forces to band kea as part of a citizen science project & are working to make the village a safer place for the curious b...

Our Changing World for 9 May 2019 from 2019-05-09T21:05

The Kea Conservation Trust is working with South Island communities to better understand kea and find ways to keep them out of trouble.

Curium&meitnerium - in honour of two pioneering women from 2019-05-08T08:00

There are only two chemical elements on the periodic table named after women: curium, in honour of Marie & Pierre Curie, & meitnerium after Lise Meitner. Allan Blackman from AUT introduces the wome...

Copper - essential, in moderation from 2019-05-06T08:00

Copper is a soft metal that is an essential element for enzymes and life, gives octopuses their blue blood and was often used to make coins. Allan Blackman from AUT has the lowdown on copper in ep ...

Cobalt - goblin of the periodic table from 2019-05-03T08:00

Famous as the colour of blue glass and important in red blood cells, cobalt can form a permanent magnet and is vital for livestock. Allan Blackman from AUT talks about his favourite element in ep 2...

Laser scanning crime scenes from 2019-05-02T21:06

ESR is using a laser to scan crime scenes, allowing police and juries to 'fly through' the scene long after the event.

Our Changing World for 2 May 2019 from 2019-05-02T21:05

ESR is laser scanning crime scenes, and the kakapo breeding has been busy on Anchor Island.

Glad and sad kākāpō tidings from 2019-05-01T15:45

The death of Hoki from a fungal infection brings the number of adult kākāpō to 146, while there are 77 chicks. Ep 17 of the Kākāpō Files includes a visit to Anchor Island & all the latest news.

Chromium - colourful and shiny from 2019-04-29T08:00

Chromium is a transition metal that gives colour to precious jewels, the shine to your car fender and your kitchen bench, but can also be a killer. All this and more in ep 20 of Elemental with Alla...

Chlorine - good for health, bad for health from 2019-04-26T08:00

Chlorine is the culprit in the 'case of the exploding trousers'. It is also well-known as a disinfectant and chloride ions are essential for life, but as DDT & CFCs, chlorine is bad news. Allan Bla...

Lava Lab and drilling into a volcano's magma chamber from 2019-04-25T21:06

University of Canterbury's Lava Lab, plans to drill into a volcano's magma chamber and a Curious Mind volcano drilling game for schools.

Our Changing World for 25 April 2019 from 2019-04-25T21:05

University of Canterbury's Lava Lab, plans to drill into a volcano's magma chamber and a Curious Mind volcano drilling game for schools.

Cerium - combustible and confusing from 2019-04-22T08:00

Cerium is the most abundant rare-earth element and pops up in self-cleaning ovens, cigarette lighter flints and spectacle glass. Find out more with Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 18 of Elemental.

Carbon - life× of the 'king of elements' from 2019-04-19T08:00

Carbon underpins life as we know it, fuels our world and gets its own branch of chemistry, according to AUT professor Allan Blackman, in ep 17 of Elemental.

Finding DNA in fingerprints from 2019-04-18T21:06

A new method of finding DNA in fingerprints could take some of the guesswork out of crime scene analysis.

Our Changing World for 18 April 2019 from 2019-04-18T21:05

ESR is finding DNA from fingerprints and the latest kakapo news, brings chick tally to 75 with three still to hatch.

Longest kākāpō breeding season from 2019-04-16T12:00

With 75 living chicks and the final three eggs due to hatch this week, the 2019 kākāpō breeding season is set to be the longest on record. All this & the sex ratio of the first 49 chicks, in ep 16 ...

Calcium - strength and beauty from 2019-04-15T08:00

Calcium creates objects that are strong and beautiful, from caves, to teeth and bones, and coral reefs. Find out more in ep 16 of Elemental, with Allan Blackman from AUT.

Caesium - the time-keeper from 2019-04-12T08:00

A second, the basic unit of time, is defined by caesium, which is also useful for dating things. Find out more about caesium's role as a timekeeper, in ep 15 of Elemental with Allan Blackman from AUT.

How enzymes respond to rising temperatures from 2019-04-11T21:06

Biology professor Vic Arcus is trying to tease out how enzymes are able to speed chemical reactions up.

Our Changing World for 11 April 2019 from 2019-04-11T21:05

Research into how enzymes are able to speed up reactions as much as they do, and the chemical element cadmium.

Cadmium - colour and quantum dots from 2019-04-08T08:00

Cadmium has featured in red traffic lights, rechargeable batteries and now has a role in quantum dots, according to Allan Blackman, from AUT, in ep 14 of Elemental.

Bromine - the colour purple and poison gas from 2019-04-05T08:00

The story of bromine is one of the color purple, the Dead Sea and an early poison gas used in the First World War, says Allan Blackman from AUT, in ep 13 of Elemental.

Science of a 'mega mast'&planning wide-scale predator control from 2019-04-04T21:06

This summer has seen a 'mega-mast' mass seeding event in New Zealand's forests and DOC is now planning its largest-ever predator control operation to save rare birds.

Our Changing World for 4 April 2019 from 2019-04-04T21:05

The science of a mega mast year: predicting mass seeding events in New Zealand's forests and how DOC is planning large-scale predator control to save at-risk native birds.

Kākāpō chicks still hatching from 2019-04-02T12:00

Most of the 72 kākāpō chicks are thriving in wild nests, the males are winding down their booming, and there are 7 fertile eggs still to hatch, in ep 15 of the Kākāpō Files.

Boron - made by cosmic rays, useful in the kitchen from 2019-04-01T08:00

Made by cosmic rays and supernovae, used in ovenproof cookware, and a key ingredient in the strongest acid ever made. Allan Blackman from AUT explores boron in ep 12 of Elemental.

Bismuth - an unusual heavy metal from 2019-03-29T08:00

Bismuth is a heavy metal that expands when frozen, and can be used to levitate trains and soothe upset guts, as Allan Blackman from AUT explains in episode 11 of Elemental.

Caves reveal past climate change from 2019-03-28T21:06

Caves are a subterranean library of past climate change records, captured as water dripping from above creates flowstones and stalactites.

Our Changing World for 28 March 2019 from 2019-03-28T21:05

Caves hold a record of past climate change captured in flow stones, and the synthetic heavyweight elements at the bottom of the periodic table have only ever existed fleetingly.

Beryllium - sweet and precious, but deadly from 2019-03-25T08:00

You'll find beryllium in precious jewels and a space telescope mirror, but just don't inhale the dust - all in episode 10 of Elemental, with AUT's Professor Allan Blackman.

Kotahitanga and kākāpō from 2019-03-22T19:00

Kākāpō chick numbers continue to climb. The latest tally is 64 chicks, including one named Kotahitanga, meaning unity and solidarity. Ep 14 of the Kākāpō Files.

Berkelium and the synthetic heavyweights from 2019-03-22T08:00

The heaviest elements on the periodic table have only ever existed fleetingly in the lab, so Allan Blackman from AUT has grouped them all together in episode 9 of Elemental.

Our Changing World for 21 March 2019 from 2019-03-21T21:05

Barium is a chemical element that hates being on its own, and experts from Orana Park and Auckland Zoo are looking after hand-reared kakapo chicks.

Barium - never found on its own from 2019-03-18T08:00

Barium is never found on its own in nature, as it loves buddying up - but a version of it is found in hospitals. Allan Blackman from AUT reveals barium's secrets in episode 8 of Elemental.

Fat happy kākāpō chicks from 2019-03-15T17:30

Thirty four kākāpō chicks are putting on plenty of weight in wild nests as the rimu fruit ripens, and 23 chicks are also being hand-reared, in episode 13 of the Kākāpō Files.

Astatine - awfully rare from 2019-03-15T08:00

No one has ever seen astatine, which shares the distinction of being one of the rarest naturally-occurring elements on earth. Find out more with Allan Blackman from AUT in episode 7 of Elemental.

Crime-busting software package wins PM's Science Prize from 2019-03-14T21:08

An ESR software package that analyses complex crime scene samples containing DNA from multiple people, has won the 2018 Prime Minister's Science Prize.

We need to talk about climate change, says science prize winner from 2019-03-14T21:07

James Renwick loves talking about the science underlying climate change, and this willingness has won him the 2018 Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize.

Young physicist wins the PM's Future Scientist Prize from 2019-03-14T21:06

Modelling granular materials such as corn and salt has earned Onslow College physics student Finn Messerli the school's third Prime Minister's Future Scientist Award.

Our Changing World for 14 March 2018 from 2019-03-14T21:05

The 2018 Prime Minister's Science prizes have gone to crime-busting software, a climate change communicator and a young physicist.

Arsenic - the well-known poison from 2019-03-11T08:00

Arsenic is a well-known killer that was once dubbed 'succession powder'. Join Allan Blackman from AUT in episode 6 of Elemental, a journey through the periodic table.

Argon - every breath you take from 2019-03-08T08:00

Argon is in every breath you take and its inertness is its best feature, as we discover with AUT chemistry professor Allan Blackman, in episode 5 of Elemental.

Bull kelp genes and earthquake uplift - a surprising connection from 2019-03-07T21:06

New research shows that bull kelp along a tectonically uplifted stretch of coast south of Dunedin has a surprisingly different genetic signature to the kelp on either side.

Our Changing World for 7 March 2019 from 2019-03-07T21:05

We've a story about bull kelp and earthquake uplift for Seaweek, and we meet some volunteer kakapo helpers.

Kākāpō helpers from 2019-03-07T17:00

Volunteers from around the world are helping the kākāpō team, with tasks ranging from feeding birds and people, looking after the power system on Whenua Hou and studying kākāpō sperm. We meet them ...

Antimony - takes lives, saves lives from 2019-03-04T08:00

Antimony can be used to take lives - and to save lives. Check out episode 4 of Elemental with Professor Allan Blackman from AUT.

Kākāpō rangers from 2019-03-01T17:30

There is a hard-working team of island rangers helping save kākāpō, working day and night, and the chick tally has reached 44, in episode 11 of the Kākāpō Files.

Our Changing World for 28 February 2019 from 2019-02-28T21:05

Professor Allan Blackman from AUT explores the chemical elements actinium and americium, and the Kakapo Files podcast catches up with the work of the island rangers.

Americium - a radioactive, domestic do-gooder from 2019-02-27T17:00

Invented during war, radioactive americium has become a bit of a do-gooder that is in most homes. Find out more with AUT's Allan Blackman in episode 3 of Elemental.

Aluminium - light&versatile from 2019-02-25T08:00

Aluminium is a light, well-known metal with lots of useful properties. Join AUT chemistry professor Allan Blackman for episode 2 of Elemental.

Actinium - rare&radioactive from 2019-02-22T08:00

The first alphabetical element in the periodic table is actinium. It is a heavy radioactive element, as we discover in episode 1 of Elemental, with Professor Allan Blackman from AUT.

Plastic pollution in streams - a citizen science effort from 2019-02-21T21:06

NIWA freshwater scientist Amanda Valois is co-opting citizen scientists to work out where plastic rubbish in streams is coming from.

Our Changing World for 21 February 2019 from 2019-02-21T21:05

A citizen science project on plastic pollution in streams and flying kākāpō sperm takes to the air.

Flying kākāpō sperm from 2019-02-21T17:00

In a world-first for kākāpō conservation, a drone (nicknamed the 'spermcopter') has flown kākāpō sperm across Whenua Hou / Codfish Island - the Kākāpō Files was there for episode 10.

Tales from the periodic table from 2019-02-20T08:00

In the prequel to Elemental, AUT's Allan Blackman introduces us to Dmitri Mendeleev and chemistry's periodic table of elements.

Fush 'n' chups and the Kiwi accent from 2019-02-14T21:06

The distinctive New Zealand accent and why young women lead the way in the evolution of a uniquely Kiwi way of talking.

Our Changing World for 14 February 2019 from 2019-02-14T21:05

The evolution of the Kiwi accent, and many more kakapo eggs and chicks.

On the island from 2019-02-12T11:00

More than 160 kākāpō eggs have been laid and the first 21 chicks have hatched, but there is also news of the first chick death, in episode 9 of the Kākāpō Files.

Archey's frogs thriving in the King Country from 2019-02-07T21:06

The King Country population of the highly threatened Archey's frog is thriving, thanks to years of rat control.

Our Changing World for 7 February 2019 from 2019-02-07T21:05

Archey's frogs are thriving thanks to rat control, and the first kakapo chicks have hatched and their mothers are mating again.

Round two begins from 2019-02-05T17:30

The chicks that have hatched are off to Dunedin, the females have started mating again, and there is breeding action on Hauturu, all in episode 8 of the Kākāpō Files.

Squishy drug delivery from 2019-01-31T21:06

An octopus squeezing through a small space and a squishy ball have inspired a new way of delivering drugs through the skin that is being developed at the University of Otago.

Our Changing World for 31 January 2019 from 2019-01-31T21:05

How to squish drugs through the skin using nanotechnology, and keeping up with the kakapo.

The chicks are hatching from 2019-01-31T17:30

The first two chicks of the 2019 kākāpō breeding season have hatched and the exciting news keeps coming in, in episode 7 of the Kākāpō Files.

Full House from 2019-01-26T16:00

Forty eight out of fifty kākāpō females on the southern islands have mated, nesting is well underway and the first AI has been carried out, all in episode 6 of the Kākāpō Files.

'Fish ear bones are like a diary' from 2019-01-24T21:06

Fish ear bones are tiny treasure troves of information about a fish's life, its environment and even local weather.

Our Changing World for 24 January 2019 from 2019-01-24T21:05

Fish earbones are tiny treasure troves of information about a fish's life and where it lives, and catching up on all the kakapo breeding action in the first month of the Kakapo Files podcast.

Super-studs&hitting the reset button from 2019-01-17T17:00

The most popular kākāpō males will get a chance to do it all over again as the females are encouraged to mate and nest for a second time, in episode 5 of the Kākāpō Files.

Our relationship with urban green spaces from 2019-01-16T19:06

Otago University science communication student Karthic Sivanandham investigates urban nature and how we relate to it.

Sounds of science - a new Our Changing World theme from 2019-01-15T12:00

Our brand-new 2019 opening theme is made from 20 eclectic sounds of science & nature that have featured on Our Changing World, ranging from birds to robots.

Action stations from 2019-01-10T18:00

Don't count your kākāpō chicks until they hatch, kākāpō leaky homes and lots more kākāpō sex, all in episode 4 of the Kākāpō Files.

Woof Woof the talking tui from 2019-01-09T17:00

Woof Woof the talking tui inspired University of Otago student Joel Zwartz to find out how birds and people talk.

Busy birds from 2019-01-03T08:00

Kākāpō breeding action really kicked off on Christmas Eve and in episode 3 of the Kākāpō Files we discover it is in full swing.

Never ask a boy 'why?' from 2018-12-27T17:00

Science communication student Mary Rabbidge takes a look at the brains of teenage boys, to find out why they behave the way they do.

Early birds from 2018-12-22T19:00

In episode 2 of the Kākāpō Files we find out that when it comes to kākāpō breeding the early birds are, well, very early.

Kākāpō - night parrot from 2018-12-21T18:00

The kākāpō is one of the world's rarest birds, and in the first episode of the Kākāpō Files we learn about the giant flightless parrot's 'love triangle.'

Salps - a surprising jelly-like relative from 2018-12-20T21:07

The 'jelly soup' that many New Zealanders experienced at the beach last summer was caused by blooms of salps.

NZ tree nettle ongaonga could offer pain relief for Guillain-Barré from 2018-12-20T21:06

An accidental encounter with the tree nettle, ongaonga, and some self experimentation may lead to a new pain treatment.

Our Changing World for 20 December 2018 from 2018-12-20T21:05

Salps are a little known but important part of the ocean's plankton, and self-experimenting with the painful stinging nettle, ongaonga.

NZ falcons thriving in logged pine plantations from 2018-12-13T21:06

Rare native New Zealand falcons are thriving in some unexpected places, including recently logged pine forests.

Our Changing World for 13 December 2018 from 2018-12-13T21:05

Rare native New Zealand falcons are thriving in some unexpected places, including recently logged pine forests.

Muscle wasting and 'skinny fat' in old age from 2018-12-06T21:07

Our muscles lose strength and mass as we age, and old age expert Debra Waters says we should do resistance training so we won't develop sarcopenia.

Place names tell a story about lost species from 2018-12-06T21:06

Place names turn out to be a good record of where plants and animals once occurred and where they have been lost.

Our Changing World for 6 December 2018 from 2018-12-06T21:05

Resistance training is the best way to keep muscles strong as we age, and what place names tell us about plants and animals that used to be found there.

Giant willow aphids - a sticky invasive nuisance from 2018-11-29T21:07

Scion entomologists are trialling a parasitic wasp that they hope will control a growing nuisance: the giant willow aphid.

Eavesdropping on noisy seaweeds from 2018-11-29T21:06

Tiny, noisy gas bubbles produced by a tropical seaweed are part of the soundscape of a coral reef.

Our Changing World for 29 November 2018 from 2018-11-29T21:05

On the hunt for a way to control giant willow aphids which are a sticky nuisance, and noisy seaweeds on coral reefs.

Our Changing World for 22 November 2018 from 2018-11-22T21:05

The Department of Conservation celebrates 70 years since the momentous rediscovery of takahē in Fiordland with the families of the original discovery party members.

Celebrating 70 years since takahē rediscovery from 2018-11-22T20:16

The Department of Conservation and special guests celebrate the dramatic rediscovery of the takahē in Fiordland, 70 years ago.

Getting from A to B: research into older drivers from 2018-11-15T21:08

New Zealand has a growing population of older drivers and an important issue is 'when do they give up driving?'

Marsden Medal won by molecular 'discoverer' from 2018-11-15T21:07

Warren Tate has jointly won the 2018 Marsden Medal for a lifetime of molecular discoveries about proteins and the genes that code them.

Award for hands-on microbiology from 2018-11-15T21:06

Judith Bateup has been awarded the Cranwell Medal for science communication, for running hands-on microbiology classes for school students.

Our Changing World for 15 November 2018 from 2018-11-15T21:05

Older drivers, and the 2018 winners of the Cranwell and Marsden Awards from the NZ Association of Scientists.

Biggest risk to ageing well is loneliness from 2018-11-08T21:07

Yoram Barak says there are some simple ways of maintaining a healthy brain into old age. Good social relationships are key.

Old ice gives insights into future sea level rise from 2018-11-08T21:06

Melting polar ice will be the biggest contributor to sea level rise in future - but will it come from Greenland or Antarctica?

Our Changing World for 8 November 2018 from 2018-11-08T21:05

An expert says loneliness is the biggest risk for brain health, and ice melting in Greenland and Antarctica.

From hills to the sea - a community thinks about freshwater from 2018-11-01T21:06

Te Awaroa o Porirua Whaitua committee is a group of locals thinking about freshwater quality in the Porirua catchment and harbour.

Our Changing World for 1 November 2018 from 2018-11-01T21:05

Te Awaroa o Porirua Whaitua committee has been thinking about freshwater in the Porirua catchment and what could be done to improve its health.

A flower map to help NZ beekeepers from 2018-10-25T21:07

A Honey Landscape Map for New Zealand could help beekeepers find the best flower-rich sites for their beehives.

Myrtle rust research from 2018-10-25T21:06

Scientists are working to better understand the invasive plant disease myrtle rust, and how it might impact native plants and ecosystems.

Our Changing World for 25 October 2018 from 2018-10-25T21:05

A project to map manuka flowering and help bee keepers pick the best places for their hives, and screening native plants to find resistance to myrtle rust.

Mathematician wins top science award from 2018-10-18T21:08

Rod Downey, a mathematics professor at Victoria University of Wellington, has won New Zealand's top science honour, the Rutherford Medal.

Snapper may be next farmed fish from 2018-10-18T21:07

Maren Wellenreuther, from Plant and Food Research, has won the 2018 Hamilton Award for her work developing snapper as a future aquaculture species.

Using DNA to study human migrations a winner from 2018-10-18T21:06

Lisa Matisoo-Smith, from the University of Otago, has won the 2018 Mason Durie Medal for her work using DNA to understand the migration of people to Aotearoa.

Our Changing World for 18 October 2018 from 2018-10-18T21:05

Among the 24 researchers honoured with science awards this year are mathematician Rod Downey, molecular anthropologist Lisa Matisoo-Smith and aquaculture expert Maren Wellenreuther.

Banding together for banded dotterels from 2018-10-11T21:07

George Hobson is a teenager with a passion for birds - especially the banded dotterels that nest on Eastbourne's beach.

Over-eating might be in the brain from 2018-10-11T21:06

Mei Peng is investigating whether we each have a 'sensory fingerprint' that determines how we react to food.

Our Changing World for 11 October 2018 from 2018-10-11T21:05

The seaside community of Eastbourne has banded together to keep an eye on banded dotterels, and the reason we over-eat might be in our brains.

From poo to plastic from 2018-10-04T21:06

Scion scientists are developing ways to safely convert human faecal waste into bioplastic.

Our Changing World for 4 October 2018 from 2018-10-04T21:05

Scientists at Scion are developing ways of treating human waste to make it safe, then using it to make bioplastic.

Seabirds at risk from fishing round the globe from 2018-09-27T21:07

Many of New Zealand's threatened seabirds are at danger from fishing across the Pacific.

Melanie Bussey - Concussion on her mind from 2018-09-27T21:07

Melanie Bussey studies concussion in sport, and how the human body reacts to impacts that might cause damage to the brain.

Our Changing World for 27 September 2018 from 2018-09-27T21:05

A study into whether getting concussed while playing rugby makes players more likely to get concussion in the future, and trans-Pacific efforts to stop seabirds getting killed by fishing boats.

Winner and losers - native birds in a pest-free sanctuary from 2018-09-20T21:07

Twenty-five years of bird counts have revealed an unexpected consequence to the creation of the predator-free Zealandia Sanctuary.

Wellington's south coast gets a spring clean from 2018-09-20T21:06

Community groups descend on Wellington's south coast each spring to pick up rubbish - including lots of plastic and cigarette butts.

Our Changing World for 20 September 2018 from 2018-09-20T21:05

For Conservation Week, the Friends of Taputeranga Marine Reserve celebrate their 10th anniversary by helping with Wellington's annual south coast clean-up, and how native bird numbers in Zealandia ...

History vs science vs religion from 2018-09-13T21:06

Scientist Quentin Atkinson has looked at how the structure of Pacific societies determined how quickly they converted to Christianity - but an historian is not so sure of his conclusions.

Our Changing World for 13 September 2018 from 2018-09-13T21:05

A scientist and a historian debate the role of science in determining how quickly different Pacific societies converted to Christianity in historic times.

Gaming the physio from 2018-09-06T21:07

Wellington company Swibo is making physiotherapy exercises more interesting using video games, mobile phones and balance boards.

3D printing - the future is 4D from 2018-09-06T21:06

3D and 4D printing could be a nimble tool for New Zealand manufacturers that also uses wood-based bioplastics.

Our Changing World for 6 September 2018 from 2018-09-06T21:05

Smart phones, video games and balance boards are making physiotherapy exercises more exciting, and 3D and 4D printing offer interesting possibilities for small manufacturers.

Urban bats: Long-tailed bats thriving in Hamilton from 2018-08-30T21:06

Long-tailed bats are thriving in gullies and bush along the Waikato River, where it flows through central Hamilton.

Our Changing World for 30 August 2018 from 2018-08-30T21:05

Long-tailed bats are thriving in gullies and bush along the Waikato River, where it flows through central Hamilton.

Ageing muscles - use them or lose them from 2018-08-23T21:07

Research shows that nerves play a surprisingly important role in muscle loss, while exercise helps us maintain our strength.

Putting cardboard boxes to the test from 2018-08-23T21:06

Cardboard boxes are the workhorse of the economy, and Scion has a special facility to test them and better understand why they sometimes fail.

Our Changing World for 23 August 2018 from 2018-08-23T21:05

Research into ageing muscles show that nerves play an important role and exercise is protective, and a special facility to test the strength of cardboard boxes.

Precious field books part of enormous heritage project from 2018-08-16T21:06

Field notebooks from some of NZ's first surveyors are among 1000s of historic documents digitised by LINZ in one of the world's largest cultural heritage projects.

Our Changing World for 16 August 2018 from 2018-08-16T21:05

LINZ has almost completed one of the largest cultural heritage archiving projects in the world, of notebooks and plans that underpin property boundaries in NZ.

Can an introduced parasitic wasp control a nuisance beetle? from 2018-08-09T21:07

After years of trials, Scion entomologists believe New Zealand could safely introduce a parasitic wasp to control the eucalyptus tortoise beetle.

Micro-fossils, filing cabinets and past climate change from 2018-08-09T21:06

Tiny grains of fossil pollen are helping GNS Science researchers piece together the big picture of past environments.

Our Changing World for 9 August 2018 from 2018-08-09T21:05

Finding out if an introduced parasitic wasp could be a biocontrol agent for a pest of eucalpytus trees, and how fossil pollen can tell us about lost worlds.

Mussels on the move from 2018-08-02T21:08

Kākahi or freshwater mussels are being moved to Zealandia sanctuary in Wellington as part of an ambitious restoration project.

Te Papa responds to scientists' concerns about collections from 2018-08-02T21:07

Te Papa says it will undertake an internal review of the way it manages its collections, and an international external review of its natural history collections.

Eco-friendly wood glue from 2018-08-02T21:06

Scion has developed a bio-based adhesive to make fibreboard that is environmentally friendly and even compostable.

Our Changing World for 2 August 2018 from 2018-08-02T21:05

Kākahi or freshwater mussels on the move to Zealandia, Scion's green bio-based wood adhesive, and Te Papa announces international review of its natural history collections.

DNA in fossil bone fragments reveals NZ's lost world from 2018-07-26T21:07

Bags of bone fragments are casting a genetic spotlight on New Zealand's lost natural world, and on the impact of early Polynesians on its biota.

Scientist worried for Te Papa's biological collections from 2018-07-26T21:06

A world-renowned fossil expert is concerned about the impact of a restructure at Te Papa on its important natural history collections.

Our Changing World for 26 July 2018 from 2018-07-26T21:05

Ancient e-DNA from bits of old bones is shedding new light on New Zealand's "lost world" and the impact of humans, and concerns about Te Papa's natural history collections.

Robots - Nao and the Bristlebots from 2018-07-19T21:07

A humanoid robot called Nao, and swarms of bio-inspired little robots that behave like social insects, wowed crowds at Dunedin's International Science Festival.

Biofuels made from sawdust from 2018-07-19T21:06

Researchers say that liquid fuels made from sawdust from specially planted plantation trees could be a winner in New Zealand.

Our Changing World for 19 July 2018 from 2018-07-19T21:05

A humanoid robot called Nao and tiny bristlebot robots charmed kids at the International Science Festival in Dunedin, and using pyrolosis to make biofuels from sawdust.

Southern right whales returning to mainland New Zealand from 2018-07-12T21:07

A southern right whale in Wellington Harbour is a sign that the species is recovering after being hunted nearly to extinction.

Bringing the river into the lab from 2018-07-12T21:06

In the Water Engineering Laboratory at the University of Auckland, engineers are recreating rivers, to understand how water flows, and how floods behave.

Our Changing World for 12 July 2018 from 2018-07-12T21:05

Whale expert Will Rayment tells us all about New Zealand's southern right whales, and engineers are studying the flow of rivers in the University of Auckland's Water Engineering Laboratory.

Hunt for kauri that are resistant to kauri dieback disease from 2018-07-05T21:07

Researchers at Scion hope that thousands of tiny kauri seedlings might include some that are resistant to kauri dieback disease.

Native birds doing well in Wellington from 2018-07-05T21:06

A renaissance in native forest bird numbers in the capital is helped by urban bush and Predator Free Wellington efforts.

Our Changing World for 5 July 2018 from 2018-07-05T21:05

Testing kauri seedlings to find individual trees that might be resistant to kauri dieback disease, and native forest birds are thriving in Wellington city parks and reserves.

Mapping the world's sea floor from 2018-06-28T21:07

Seabed 2030 is an international collaboration to map the world's sea floor, much of which is unmapped.

Asteroids, dinosaurs and international tension from 2018-06-28T21:06

Astronomer Duncan Steel is an expert in detecting asteroids and comets, and in defending the earth from potential impacts.

Our Changing World for 28 June 2018 from 2018-06-28T21:05

Seabed 2030 is an ambitious international collaboration to map the world's sea floor, and astronomer Duncan Steel is concerned asbout asteroids hitting earth.

Antarctica's ice is melting from 2018-06-21T21:07

Research reveals new evidence about past, present and future impacts of climate change on Antarctica's ice.

Wasp genomes revealed from 2018-06-21T21:06

Wasps are a big problem in New Zealand, and scientists hope that knowing the genomes of common and German wasps will help them find novel ways of controlling the pests.

Our Changing World for 21 June 2018 from 2018-06-21T21:05

Antarctic experts discuss the latest research on how fast Antarctic ice is melting and why it matters, and sequencing the genomes of introduced common and German wasps.

Havre - the world's largest deep ocean volcanic eruption from 2018-06-14T21:07

Geologists have discovered that the 2012 eruption of Havre volcano, on the Kermadec Arc, was the world's largest submarine volcanic eruption.

Finding new drugs from the sea from 2018-06-14T21:06

Michele Prinsep is a 'drug hunter' - she looks for potential pharmaceuticals in marine organisms and cyanobacteria.

Our Changing World for 14 June 2018 from 2018-06-14T21:05

A chemist talks about sourcing potential new drugs from marine creatures, and understanding the largest deep-ocean volcanic eruption ever documented.

Edible bioplastic - food wrap of the future? from 2018-06-07T21:07

University of Otago researchers are developing the ultimate heat-and-eat: an edible bioplastic food wrap, using waste from the corn and shellfish industries.

Exercise and a special video game boost kids' brains from 2018-06-07T21:06

Psychologist David Moreau is working with New Zealand schools to find out if exercise combined with a computer game aimed at brain training could help improve kids' brains.

Our Changing World for 7 June 2018 from 2018-06-07T21:05

Combining high intensity exercise with a computer game-based brain training is having good results for struggling school kids, and developing an edible plastic wrap from corn and shellfish waste.

A citizens' jury on euthanasia from 2018-05-24T21:06

Fifteen Dunedin citizens took part in a University of Otago citizens' jury to discuss legalising euthanasia and assisted dying.

Our Changing World for 24 May 2018 from 2018-05-24T21:05

Fifteen Dunedin citizens took part in a University of Otago citizen jury to discuss legalising euthanasia and assisted dying.

Mistletoe rescue mission from 2018-05-17T21:07

Botanists have banded together to bring native mistletoes back to Wellington city, using seeds rescued from a plant growing on a dying tree.

Understanding New Zealand's largest fault from 2018-05-17T21:06

New Zealand's first underwater observatories are recording the 'creaks and groans' of our largest fault to better understand slow-slip earthquakes.

Our Changing World for 17 May 2018 from 2018-05-17T21:05

A rescue mission to return mistletoe to Wellington city, and a research trip to study the Hikurangi subduction zone, home to some of New Zealand's largest earthquakes.

World-first probe into an active submarine volcano from 2018-05-10T21:07

Geologists on board the JOIDES Resolution research ship are attempting to drill into the flanks of the submarine hydrothermal Brothers Volcano.

Book charts changing face of Otago Peninsula from 2018-05-10T21:06

An environmental historian charts the transformation of the Otago Peninsula from rich forest to grassy pasture in the book "The Face of Nature."

Our Changing World for 10 May 2018 from 2018-05-10T21:05

The book "The Face of Nature" is an environmental history of the Otago Peninsula, and a world first attempt to drill into an active submarine volcano.

'My favourite insect is a cicada' from 2018-05-03T21:07

Olly Hills, aged 11, is a big fan of insects, and author of the field guide 'Cicadas of New Zealand.'

Quit or persist - it's all in the brain from 2018-05-03T21:06

Blake Porter is investigating what happens in our brain when we decide to quit something that is good for us or persist with something that is bad us.

Our Changing World for 3 May 2018 from 2018-05-03T21:05

The author of the field guide 'Cicadas of New Zealand' is 11-year-old Olly Hills, and Blake Porter is investigating the brain and what makes us quit or persist with different tasks.

Caring for waterlogged waka from 2018-04-26T21:07

Dilys Johns is an archaeologist who specialises in conserving waterlogged Māori taonga such as ancient waka and wooden gardening tools.

Wallaby vs shark: a toothy quirk of nature from 2018-04-26T21:06

One of Australia's smallest wallabies - the nabarlek - shares an unlikely dental similarity with sharks: the ability to continually replace its teeth.

Our Changing World for 26 April 2018 from 2018-04-26T21:05

Dilys Johns specialises in conserving waterlogged archaeological items such as wooden waka and early Maori gardening tools, and the nabarlek is an unusual small wallaby that can continuously replac...

Myrtle rust - its impact in NZ and Australia from 2018-04-19T21:06

Myrtle rust is having a profound impact on native plants and ecosystems in Australia - what will its effect be on New Zealand forests?

Our Changing World for Thursday 19 April from 2018-04-19T21:05

It's been a year since myrtle rust arrived in New Zealand - what impact is is having, and what we can learn from Australia and Hawaii's experiences with this invasive plant killer.

Seabird hotspot - the Poor Knights Islands from 2018-04-12T21:06

A team of seabird experts experience the joys and challenges of counting Buller's shearwaters on the predator-free Poor Knights Islands.

Our Changing World for 12 April 2018 from 2018-04-12T21:05

The Northern New Zealand Seabird Trust is shining a spotlight on seabird diversity in the Hauraki Gulf - including Buller's shearwaters that breed on the Poor Knights Islands.

N=1 - an artist's microbiome from 2018-04-05T21:07

A 46-year-old art work has revealed how the gut microbiome of artist Billy Apple has changed during his adult life.

Sea lion whiskers reveal marine secrets from 2018-04-05T21:06

Tiny samples collected from the teeth, tissue and even whiskers of marine animals can reveal where they feed and travel.

Our Changing World for 5 April 2018 from 2018-04-05T21:05

Stable isotopes found in teeth, fur and even whiskers can show where marine animals feed, and a 46-year-old art work has revealed how the gut microbiome of one man has changed during his adult life.

Dragonflies - masters of flight from 2018-03-29T21:07

Dragonflies are precision flying machines, and Ruary Mackenzie Dodds says they are an indicator of clean water.

Superconductor sandwiches from 2018-03-29T21:06

High temperature superconductor research in New Zealand includes new nano-scale superconductor sandwiches.

Our Changing World for 29 March 2018 from 2018-03-29T21:05

Dragonflies are exquisite flying machines with an ancient history, and high temperature superconductor research that includes superconductor sandwiches.

Spy in the water - Wellington Harbour's smart buoy from 2018-03-22T21:07

A smart buoy in Wellington harbour is phoning in information about sea conditions and how muddy water from the Hutt River moves around the harbour.

Meet Lusius malfoyi, a parasitoid wasp from 2018-03-22T21:06

Tom Saunders has named a native parasitoid wasp after a Harry Potter character, in a bid to improve the reputation of these 'good' wasps.

Our Changing World for 22 March 2018 from 2018-03-22T21:05

Among New Zealand's many species of parasitoid wasps is one named after a Harry Potter character, and information from a smart buoy in Wellington harbour is now freely available online.

Turnaround in takahē's fortunes from 2018-03-15T21:07

An expedition into Fiordland reveals that takahē numbers are on the rise, and there will soon be a new takahē population in Northwest Nelson.

Glaciers in trouble after marine heatwave from 2018-03-15T21:06

An aerial survey reveals this summer's marine heatwave in the Tasman Sea was bad news for glaciers in the Southern Alps.

Our Changing World for 15 March 2018 from 2018-03-15T21:05

The good news is that takahē numbers are on the rise, while a marine heatwave has been bad news for South Island glaciers.

Tipping Points and the health of estuaries from 2018-03-08T21:06

A nationwide experiment is investigating how estuaries might suddenly 'tip' as a result of increasing nutrients and sediments.

Our Changing World for 8 March 2018 from 2018-03-08T21:05

The nationwide Tipping Points project is looking at how small changes in the amount of nutrients and sediments in estuaries could lead to big changes.

Dogs that sniff out pest fish from 2018-03-01T21:06

Waikato University researchers are training pet dogs to sniff out pest fish such as koi carp.

Our Changing World for 1 March 2018 from 2018-03-01T21:05

Waikato University researchers are training pet dogs to sniff out pest fish that are a problem in Waikato lakes and rivers.

Beyond face value: re-shaping our thinking about diversity from 2018-02-22T21:06

As ethnic and cultural diversity increases in New Zealand, psychologists discuss their work and the challenges posed by this increasing diversity.

Our Changing World for 22 February 2018 from 2018-02-22T21:04

Sonia Sly meets three psychologists investigating aspects of cultrual diversity,and discovers that we should look for commonalities rather than differences.

Science to solve kiwifruit crisis a winner from 2018-02-15T21:09

A 100-strong team of researchers from Plant and Food Research have won the 2017 Prime Minister's Science Prize for using science to solve the kiwifruit PSA crisis.

Science speed dating leads to top award from 2018-02-15T21:07

A four minute conversation led to a revolutionary tooth decay treatment using silver nanoparticles and a PM's science award for the chemist who worked on it.

Science film-maker a winner from 2018-02-15T21:06

Film-maker Damian Christie has won the 2017 Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize to help tell science stories on film.

Our Changing World for 15 February 2018 from 2018-02-15T21:05

The 2017 Prime Minister's Science Prizes have been awarded to Plant and Food Research for their work on kiwifruit Psa, a chemist using silver nanoparticles to stop tooth decay, and a science film-m...

Safe houses for Kaikoura's baby paua from 2018-02-08T21:07

NIWA is testing small 'safe houses' for baby paua, with the idea of boosting the population on the earthquake-damaged  Kaikōura coast.

Using light to reveal hidden molecular information from 2018-02-08T21:06

Michél Nieuwoudt uses light to uncover hidden information in different kinds of material, from milk to works of art.

Our Changing World for 8 February 2018 from 2018-02-08T21:04

Designing and testing concrete 'safe houses' for baby paua, and using light to detect art forgeries and the properties of milk.

Chemical camouflage - putting predators off the scent from 2018-02-01T21:07

Could chemical camouflage save rare birds by putting predators off the scent? Ecologists are testing the idea in the Mackenzie Basin.

Discovered - the 'missing' male stick insect from 2018-02-01T21:06

A male stick insect belonging to an all female group of New Zealand stick insects has been discovered for the first time - in the UK.

Our Changing World for 1 February 2018 from 2018-02-01T21:05

Chemical camouflage is put to the test in the Mckenzie Basin to see if it can protect nesting shore birds from predators, and the discovery of the first male in an all-female population of stick in...

Clever canines from 2018-01-25T21:07

How do dogs think? Do they experience emotions such as jealousy? The Clever Canine Lab at the University of Auckland is investigating.

Buildings that better survive earthquakes from 2018-01-25T21:05

Engineer Geoff Rodgers is designing a new generation of low-damage buildings that move in an earthquake and remain useable afterwards.

Our Changing World for 25 January 2018 from 2018-01-25T21:04

Testing dogs to find out how smart they are and how they think, and designing low-damage buildings that move during an earthquake and remain useable.

Te Waikoropupu Springs - what's their value? from 2018-01-16T21:06

Science communication student Lucy Coyle, from the University of Otago, finds out about the freshwater and cultural values of Pupu Springs in Golden Bay, New Zealand's largest springs boasting the ...

The rabbit problem from 2018-01-08T21:06

Science communication student Berenice Mathieu, from the University of Otago, finds out about moves to introduce a more virulent strain of RHD or rabbit calicivirus into New Zealand to control burg...

Seals- friend or foe? from 2018-01-02T21:06

Science communication student Lana Young, from the University of Otago, talks to fishers and a marine mammal scientist about the rising number of seals and sea lions.

What's happening with our freshwater? from 2017-12-26T21:06

Science communication student Tegan Good, from the University of Otago, takes a look a freshwater issues in New Zealand.

What do we do? Agriculture in the age of synthetic food from 2017-12-21T21:07

If technologies like meat grown from stem cells and milk grown in vats take off, how will the New Zealand agricultural sector respond?

Good news for Kaikōura's Hutton shearwaters from 2017-12-21T21:06

The first ground visit to the Hutton's shearwater breeding colony since the November 2017 Kaikōura earthquake shows damage not as bad as feared.

Our Changing World for 21 December 2017 from 2017-12-21T21:05

Good news about Hutton's shearwaters in the wake of the 2017 Kaikoura earthquake, and a special feature on how New Zealand agriculture could respond to the challenge of synthetic foods.

The sobering science of drinking and driving from 2017-12-14T21:07

Waikato University research shows that drinking socially makes it harder to tell when you're too drunk to drive - and even a low blood alcohol level makes our driving unsafe.

Scientific curiosity and Koraunui School from 2017-12-14T21:06

Scientific curiosity was the order of the day when Koraunui School, in the Hutt Valley, hosted its recent Bioblitz.

Our Changing World for 14 December 2017 from 2017-12-14T21:05

Some sobering science advice about why drinking alcohol and driving cars don't go together well, and Koraunui School gets curious about their neighbourhood during a Bioblitz.

Tawaki - the mysterious forest penguin from 2017-12-07T21:06

Scientists are discovering that tawaki, or Fiordland crested penguins, living in MIlford Sound are thriving - and breaking all the penguin rules.

Our Changing World for 7 December 2017 from 2017-12-07T21:05

Penguin researchers head to Fiordland's forests to study the mysterious tawaki or Fiordland crested penguin.

Urban lizards from 2017-11-30T21:07

A hunt for urban lizards in New Zealand involves more than a thousand buckets as well as citizen scientists.

An atlas of coronary arteries from 2017-11-30T21:06

An atlas containing hundreds of coronary arteries mapped using MRI scans will help improve heart health.

Our Changing World for 30 November 2017 from 2017-11-30T21:05

A project to map coronary arteries in healthy and sick people, and on the hunt for lizards in city parks and gardens.

New Zealand in space from 2017-11-23T21:06

Kiwi scientists and entrepreneurs talk about their plans to put satellites and rockets into space, and the role of NZ radio telescopes in precision GPS.

Our Changing World for 23 November 2017 from 2017-11-23T21:05

Kiwi scientists and entrepreneurs talk about putting rockets and satellites into space, and using data from NZ's two radio telescopes.

Protecting nature on private land from 2017-11-16T21:07

The Queen Elizabeth II National Trust is celebrating 40 years of helping landowners protect 4,400 pieces of land with high conservation values

The 1769 Garden from 2017-11-16T21:06

The 1769 Garden commemorates the first encounter between Maori and the crew of the Endeavour, under the command of Captain James Cook, at Gisborne in October 1769.

Our Changing World for 16 November 2017 from 2017-11-16T21:05

Protecting nature on private land with the QEII Trust, and creating the 1769 Garden to mark the first encounter between Maori and Captain Cook.

Our Changing World for 9 November 2017 from 2017-11-09T21:10

New discoveries from New Zealand's ancient past, and mapping the gut's electrical signals.

Mapping the gut from 2017-11-09T21:07

A flexible tool to measure electrical signals in our gut could detect serious medical conditions.

The New Zealand fossil revolution from 2017-11-09T21:06

In the last few years there's been a revolution in our understanding of New Zealand's ancient animals - there were once crocodiles as well as small land mammals.

Big award for studying small lake critters from 2017-11-02T21:08

The 2017 Marsden Medal is awarded to Carolyn Burns for her internationally renowned research into New Zealand's deep southern lakes.

Using noble metals to kill cancer from 2017-11-02T21:07

The winner of the 2017 Hill Tinsley Medal is developing anti-cancer drugs based on noble metals such as platinum and iridium.

The physics of blood spatter from 2017-11-02T21:06

Engineer Mark Jermy has been helping forensics investigators understand the science behind blood spatter evidence at crime scenes.

Our Changing World for 2 November 2017 from 2017-11-02T21:05

Engineer looks at the physics of blood splatter, chemist wins 2017 Hill Tinsley Award for new drugs made with metals, and freshwater biologist wins 2017 Marsden Medal.

Inherited heart disease: you're not doomed by your DNA from 2017-10-26T21:06

Anna Pilbrow says that a complex interaction of genetic factors underpin our risk of getting heart disease - and leading a healhy lifestyle lowers the risk.

Understanding our immune system from 2017-10-26T21:05

Bruce Beutler received the 2011 Nobel Prize for discoveries about the innate immune system in mammals.

It's a microbial world from 2017-10-26T21:04

Science writer Ed Yong investigates the complex world of microbes in his book "I Contain Multitudes."

Touchstone - a community project for Lake Wanaka from 2017-10-19T21:06

Lake swimmers, the local primary school and neighbouring farmers have joined together to look after water quality in Lake Wanaka.

Top science award goes to a 'supervolcanologist' from 2017-10-12T21:08

The 2017 Rutherford Prize has been awarded to Victoria University of Wellington geologist Colin Wilson for his work on supervolcanoes such as Taupo.

ECLIPSE - getting ready for a supervolcano eruption from 2017-10-12T21:07

An $8-million research programme to better understand the Taupo supervolcano and prepare the community for an eruption has just begun.

Drug discoverer recognised with a top science honour from 2017-10-12T21:06

The 2017 MacDiarmid Medal has been awarded to chemist Peter Tyler, for his work designing and creating new drugs to treat diseases such as cancer.

Moa footprints - a rocky tale from 2017-10-05T21:07

After twenty years of puzzling, geologist Bruce Hayward reckons he has identified some mysterious patterns in a west Auckland roadside cutting as moa footprints.

Designing nanoparticles to move medication around your body from 2017-10-05T21:06

Arlene McDowell is designing nanoparticles that will hold medication and deliver it exactly to its intended destination in the body.

Celebrating the night sky on Great Barrier Island from 2017-09-28T21:06

Great Barrier Island has become the world's third International Dark Sky Sanctuary, in recognition of its outstanding star-filled night skies.

SOFIA - a flying telescope with a unique view of space from 2017-09-21T21:06

NASA's SOFIA observatory is a 2.5m telescope mounted in the back of a plane. It observes the birth and death of stars and the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy.

Bacteria versus virus at Queenstown Research Week from 2017-09-14T21:06

The arms race between the immune systems of bacteria and the viruses - bacteriophages - that attack them, was a feature of this year's Queenstown Research Week.

Bringing Kirk's tree daisy back to Wellington from 2017-09-07T21:06

Kohurangi, or Kirk's tree daisy, is rare in the Wellington region, but botanists are taking on the challenge of bringing it back to the city.

The Science Of... Vitamin C from 2017-08-26T12:15

What is vitamin C and why do we need it? Which foods have the most vitamin C? Should we pop pills when we think we're getting a cold, or are we just producing expensive urine? And can vit C really ...

The Science of... Virtual Reality from 2017-08-19T12:15

We go beyond gaming to explore how VR works, what it's being used for (from treating a fear of spiders, to training young doctors) and ask if it's yet making any compelling case to be in every home.

The Science of... from 2017-08-15T15:35

Alison Ballance from Our Changing World and the team from This Way Up have been working on a new podcast series called The Science Of. They tell us what's in store, including details of their first...

The Science of... Sweat from 2017-08-12T12:15

Simon Morton and Alison Ballance present a three-part series exploring the science of sweat, virtual reality and Vitamin C. This week, the function of a much-maligned bodily fluid that plays a vita...

Micronutrients and their link to mental health from 2017-08-10T21:06

Julia Rucklidge is investigating whether micronutrients can relieve stress and anxiety, help people quit smoking and treat ADHD.

Solving the mystery of the Kaikōura bubbles from 2017-08-03T21:07

Mysterious bubbles and warm water, known as Hope Springs, which appeared after the Kaikōura earthquake, appear to be coming from deep in the earth's crust.

The low-down on electric cars in New Zealand from 2017-08-03T21:06

Flip the Fleet is a citizen science project looking at the performance of electric vehicles under New Zealand conditions.

The future of robots is soft from 2017-07-27T21:07

Trevor the caterpillar and Julie the dragonfly are soft robots that can walk and flap using electricity that powers artificial muscles, without a printed circuit board in sight.

Filtering distraction - key to success from 2017-07-27T21:06

Neuropsycholgist Paul Corballis talks about the way our brains perceive the world, how we recognise faces, and whether or not we can really multi-task.

A genetic helping hand for conservation from 2017-07-20T21:06

Four scientists talk about genetics and how it can help in the conservation of rare birds such as little spotted kiwi.

Canine DNA and 'Darwin's Dogs' from 2017-07-13T21:07

Kiwi canine DNA has been collected as part of a global project, called Darwin's Dogs, investigating the genes behind the personalities of dogs.

Migraines - much more than a headache from 2017-07-13T21:06

Migraines are debilitating headaches, and Debbie Hay says that new drugs targeting the pain hormone CGRP are showing lots of promise.

The science of a water aquifer from 2017-07-06T21:06

What is the Waiwhetu aquifer, where does its water come from, and what does it mean for the Wellington region - Alison Ballance investigates.

Southern island sanctuary for rare birds from 2017-06-29T21:06

Putauhinu, one of the southern Tītī Islands, has become a remarkable rat-free sanctuary, gifting rare land birds to other islands.

Honey, I shrunk the lab from 2017-06-22T21:06

A lab-on-a-chip developed at the University of Canterbury is allowing biologists to measure the minute force generated by a single fungal thread.

Insects remarkably preserved in New Zealand amber from 2017-06-15T21:07

Amber is beautiful to look at - and it is also an incredible window into the prehistoric past.

Will your roof withstand flying volcanic rocks? from 2017-06-15T21:06

Geologists are using a vertical cannon to test how different roofing materials - and even hard hats - can withstand the impact of flying volcanic rocks.

Kauri dieback and how microbes sense the world from 2017-06-08T21:07

Microbes, such as the fungi-like kauri dieback disease, use chemicals to sense their world - and understanding this might help us to develop new treatments.

Engineering better stem cells from 2017-06-08T21:06

Stem cells have the potential to cure many diseases, but first, we need to find the best ways of growing them in the lab - and their physical environment may be key.

The looming crisis of antimicrobial resistance from 2017-06-01T21:06

As more microbes develop resistance to every kind of antimicrobial treatment, the threat of dying from even common infectious diseases is increasing - so what should we be doing about it?

Volcanic eruptions and the Ash Lab from 2017-05-25T21:07

The Ash Lab at the University of Canterbury is where geologists test the impact of volcanic ash on all sorts of vital infrastructure.

Fructose and the diabetic heart from 2017-05-25T21:06

Kim Mellor suspects that fructose, as well as glucose, is causing diabetic heart disease and she is looking at its effect on heart cells and heart muscle.

Noise and young ears from 2017-05-18T21:08

Massey University acoustics researchers have been working with childcare centres that are keen to lower noise levels and protect the hearing of young children.

Proteins and their role in antibiotic resistance from 2017-05-18T21:06

Some antibiotics are designed to target the ribosomes of bacteria and disrupt the production of proteins - so how do the bacteria evolve antibiotic resistance?

Complexity - six months of Kaikōura earthquake science from 2017-05-11T21:06

Six months after the destructive magnitude 7.8 Kaikoura earthquake, scientists are still unravelling what happened during this very complex seismic event.

Science meets comedy from 2017-05-11T21:05

Tim Muller is a scientist by day and a comedian by night. He brings his one-man science-themed show to the NZ International Comedy Festival.

Shedding light on the world of moths from 2017-05-04T21:06

Ahi Pepe | Moth Net is a Te Reo-focused citizen science project involving primary schools collecting information about moths in their neighbourhoods.

We need to talk about gene drives and gene editing from 2017-04-27T21:06

Genetic tools will help New Zealand meets its aim of being Predator Free by 2050 - but we need to understand what they are and have a public conversation about their use.

The Sound Lab from 2017-04-20T21:07

Wyatt Page is concerned that the noisy world we live in and our increasing use of loud headphones is bad for our hearing.

The clover 'dress code' from 2017-04-20T21:06

Understanding the 'dress code' that allows clover plants to recognise friendly nitrogen-fixing bacteria could help us improve farming efficiency.

The Coastwatcher legacy from 2017-04-13T21:07

The Coastwatchers were small groups of men posted to New Zealand's subantarctic islands during the Second World War to watch for enemy shipping. Ian Telfer visits one of their historic huts.

Better bone grafts - using silver from 2017-04-13T21:06

A project to develop and commercialise better bone grafting material using the antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles is underway at the University of Otago.

Rediscovered - the New Zealand storm petrel from 2017-04-06T21:07

The Northern New Zealand Seabird Trust has been trying to solve the many mysteries of our smallest seabird, the New Zealand storm petrel, which breeds on Hauturu / Little Barrier Island.

Plastic and seabirds: a lethal combination from 2017-04-06T21:06

Matthew Savoca talks about seabirds' fatal attraction to plastic, and how their incredible sense of smell is being fooled by rubbish.

Eavesdropping in Cook Strait from 2017-03-30T21:07

Whales, dolphins, earthquakes and boats are some of the sounds that make the underwater world of Cook Strait a noisy place.

Master listeners from 2017-03-30T21:06

In a democratic society striving to give everyone a voice, have we lost the ability to listen?

Prime Minister's Science Prize 2016 - the Dunedin Study from 2017-03-23T21:06

The University of Otago team behind the long-running Dunedin Study has won the 2016 Prime Minister's Science Prize.

Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize 2016 - Rebecca Priestley from 2017-03-23T21:05

A science writer who says that science communication is an important way of enabling democracy, has won the 2016 Prime Minister's Science Media Communication Prize.

Tracking kākāpō the smart way from 2017-03-23T21:04

Smart electronic transmitters are revolutionising the way Department of Conservation rangers keep track of kākāpō.

Breaking Babel from 2017-03-16T21:07

In a city as culturally diverse as Auckland, how is the Kiwi accent changing and evolving?

Catalyst - from corn to plastic from 2017-03-16T21:06

Chemist Sally Brooker is developing a catalyst that could be used to produce biodegradable plastic from corn.

Reading between the vines from 2017-03-09T21:07

Drones - or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - can get a bad rap, but they can now generate meaningful data for a range of different industries.

Proof - the physics of creating a gas droplet from 2017-03-09T21:06

New Zealand physicists developed a theory about ultra cold gas 'droplets' that was proved in an experiment in Germany.

Haven - the story of a tropical seabird island from 2017-03-02T21:06

A visit to tropical Cousin Island in the Seychelles reveals that predator-free islands the world over are a haven for wildlife.

Voice of the Iceberg 1: Discovery from 2017-02-27T07:00

Artist Joseph Michael and a team of eight film-makers head to Antarctica on a yacht, to record the sights and sounds of icebergs.

The unusual case of the 'growing' glaciers from 2017-02-23T21:06

Glaciers around the world are melting and shrinking, but glaciologists have been investigating why some New Zealand glaciers bucked the trend between 1983 and 2005.

Real or invisible threat? from 2017-02-23T21:05

Sonia Sly talks with psychologist Gwenda Willis about what drives our fears when confronted with the idea of living next door to a sex offender.

Uncovering the past from 2017-02-16T21:06

Archaeologists have been working alongside the Milton community to excavate an old Anglican cemetery, to find 'lost burials' and restore the stories of early Otago farmers.

Predator-free in the city from 2017-02-09T21:06

Wellington's Polhill Restoration Project volunteers are looking after rare birds such as nesting kaka and tieke that are spilling into the 'halo' around Zealandia Sanctuary.

Maximising our children's potential from 2017-02-02T21:06

What sorts of hopes and dreams do parents have for their children, and do all Kiwi kids have the same opportunities to maximise their potential.

Winners or losers? Antarctic starfish and climate change from 2017-01-26T21:07

Warming temperatures and increasing ocean acidity are looming climate change threats in Antarctica - and scientists are looking at their effect on Antarctic starfish.

Quantum mechanics - do deep-sea bacteria do it? from 2017-01-26T21:06

Quantum mechanics describes how our universe behaves at an atomic level. It involves waves and particles, and deep-sea bacteria use it to harvest light very efficiently.

Pharmac and its role in making drugs available from 2017-01-17T19:06

Science communication student Garrett Chin talks with doctors and a health economist about the challenges that Pharmac faces in buying drugs, and what happens when new but expensvie drugs become av...

Museums and their role in modern society from 2017-01-16T19:06

Emma Hanisch, a student at the University of Otago, loves museums - and she wonders what needs to be done to keep them relevant and exciting.

Did early Polynesians sail to the Americas? from 2017-01-10T19:06

Science communications student Ellen Rykers ponders the Polynesians and their journeys around the Pacific, wondering where they might have got to.

Hedgehogs – good or bad? from 2017-01-09T19:06

Hedgehogs are cute - but they're also deadly killers. Science communication student Harriet Ampt is investigating.

Bioethics from 2017-01-04T19:07

Science communication student Charlotte Panton discusses bioethics and forensic science, and wonders how we decide what is acceptable when it comes to using animals in science.

Medicinal cannabis from 2017-01-02T19:06

Medicinal marijuana, the pros and cons, is the subject of an interview between science communication student Colin Smillie and Abe Gray.

Genetic modification - a science communication podcast from 2016-12-27T19:06

University of Otago science communication student Amy Smith discusses genetic modification with two microbiologists.

Uplifted - marine life on the Kaikōura coast after the quake from 2016-12-22T21:16

The Kaikōura Peninsula was uplifted 1 metre during the magnitude 7.8 earthquake - and marine life on the rocky shore was left high and dry.

Surviving life on the outside from 2016-12-15T21:06

Sonia Sly finds out about a psychological programme to help offenders better adjust to living in the community when they are released from prison.

From wine waste to safer food packaging from 2016-12-15T21:05

University of Auckland researchers are using tannin-rich wine waste to create safer food packaging that has antibacterial properties.

When the Kekerengu Fault ruptured from 2016-12-08T21:06

Geologists are combing the ground in the wake of the 7.8M Kaikōura earthquake looking for clues, to understand what happened when 9 faults rupture at the same time.

Climathon - new ideas to deal with climate change from 2016-12-08T21:05

Take a hundred people motivated to do something about climate change, give them 24 hours to brainstorm ideas about practical solutions, do that around the world and you have a Climathon.

Giant underwater landslide in the Kaikōura Canyon from 2016-12-01T21:07

The magnitude 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake triggered a massive underwater landslide that swept down the offshore canyon system and was still flowing more than 300 km away.

When orchids smell like mushrooms - a tale of botanical deceit from 2016-12-01T21:06

Spider orchids that smell like mushrooms are fooling fungus gnats into pollinating them, and Carlos Lehnebach wants to find out more about this botanical deception.

Mena the penguin-detector dog from 2016-11-24T21:15

Alastair Judkins is a penguin hunter - and his secret weapon is a 'super nose', a dog called Mena. Alison Ballance joins them on a little penguin search in Wellington.

Science winners - 2016 Research Honours from 2016-11-24T21:06

The 2016 Research Honours have been awarded and we talk to the 2016 winners of the Rutherford, Macdiarmid and Callaghan medals.

The Science Of... Snow from 2016-11-15T15:30

What is snow? How and where is it made? Why is it white? Alison Ballance and Katy Gosset head to Mt Ruapehu in search of the answers to all your questions about snow.

The Science Of... Meth Houses from 2016-11-08T15:30

How safe are meth houses really? And what's it like to go inside? Katy Gosset and Alison Ballance take the plunge and ask how much meth is too much when it comes to setting a national standard?

Written in stone - the first Māori gardens from 2016-11-03T21:07

The Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve, in South Auckland, is home to New Zealand's earliest gardens and is a significant archaeological site.

Tour de Science from 2016-11-03T21:06

David Klein is taking his award-winning one-man science show on tour, by bicycle, around small town community halls.

1080 and science denial: an Our Changing World summit from 2016-10-27T21:06

A new book, Protecting Paradise, investigates the science of 1080, its use in protecting native wildlife in New Zealand, and the wider issue of science denial and science reporting in the media.

Great white sharks of Australia and New Zealand from 2016-10-20T21:10

Electronic satellite tags have revealed details of the lives of great white sharks on either side of the Tasman Sea - and shown how the different populations are linked.

Marine sponges may be climate change 'winners' from 2016-10-20T21:06

New research shows that ocean acidification may make some marine sponges more resilient in the face of climate change and warming water.

In the footsteps of dinosaurs from 2016-10-13T21:06

Collingwood Area School students join GNS scientists in a search for dinosaur footprints on the shore of a Golden Bay estuary

Muesli and sea ice - an unexpected maths tale from 2016-10-13T21:05

Industrial mathematician Mark McGuinness has applied maths to problems as varied as crispy cereal and the freezing of Antarctic sea ice.

Nothing but the truth: can children be reliable eyewitnesses from 2016-10-06T21:06

Psychologist Deirdre Brown has been researching whether children are reliable eyewitnesses.

Kākāpō - what genes can tell us from 2016-10-06T21:05

A new genetic study shows that a once abundant kākāpō population declined in numbers and genetic diversity soon after stoats were introduced in the late 1800s.

When it comes to average, what does 'mean' mean? from 2016-10-06T21:04

Statistician Thomas Lumley explains different ways of calculating an average, and the difference between median and mean.

Takahē - back from the brink from 2016-09-29T21:07

Joan Watson was there when takahē were rediscoverd in 1948, and DOC ranger Glen Greaves says the population of the giant flightless bird has just reached 300.

Bad air is bad for health from 2016-09-22T21:20

Air pollution is the world's leading environmental risk factor for disease, and it causes early deaths even in clean countries such as New Zealand.

How is the air up there? from 2016-09-22T21:06

Households in Rangiora are being wired up, inside and out, with small devices that measure wood smoke.

Community conservation on the Kapiti Coast from 2016-09-15T21:06

Residents on the Kapiti coast north of Wellington are working together to improve biodiversity and create thriving ecosystems in their local neighbourhoods.

The chemistry of disease from 2016-09-08T21:25

Guy Jameson has been awarded the Beatrice Hill Tinsley Medal for his work understanding the chemical structure of proteins that are important in diseases such as Parkinson's.

Beatrice Hill Tinsley Medal from 2016-09-08T21:20

The New Zealand Association of Scientists has renamed their Research Medal to the Beatrice Hill Tinsley Medal, the first New Zealand science award named after a woman.

Science communication - the art of listening from 2016-09-08T21:15

Geneticist Jean Fleming has won the NZAS Science Communicator Award, and she says that good science communication is about listening as well as talking.

Copying nature to find new drugs from 2016-09-08T21:12

Margaret Brimble has been awarded the Marsden Medal for developing new drugs from natural bioactive substances. One of her new drugs is being fast-tracked in clinical trials.

P53: the gene that causes - and cures - cancer from 2016-09-08T21:06

P53 is a cancer gene with a Jekyll and Hyde personality. It stops cancer tumours growing, but mutant versions of the gene actually cause cancer.

Restoring the trees above and the fungi below from 2016-09-01T21:15

Ecologists are investigating the best ways to replant native plants to restore lost forests and wetlands, and are finding out if underground fungi play a role.

Fish-friendly city streams from 2016-09-01T21:06

Environment Waikato is helping native fish commute up urban streams by providing aids such as ropes running through culverts and pipes.

Solving the penguin housing crisis - one home at a time from 2016-08-25T21:20

Conservation groups are replanting native vegetation around Wellington's Miramar Peninsula to provide safe homes for little blue penguins and food for other native birds.

'Dimorphism' - a poem by Janis Freegard from 2016-08-25T21:15

Poet Janis Freegard reads 'Dimorphism', from her poetry book The Glass Rooster, comparing divaricating plants to cushion plants.

Glow in the dark - firefly squid and bioluminescence from 2016-08-25T21:06

Miriam Sharpe and Kurt Krause are investigating the proteins that glow worms and firefly squid use to glow in the dark.

Online dating and the game of love: a psychologist’s approach from 2016-08-18T21:20

Online dating is a popular way of meeting people, and Sonia Sly finds out some of the benefits and pitfalls of starting relationships online.

When the ground starts shaking - GeoNet turns 15 from 2016-08-18T21:06

There are about 57 earthquakes every day in New Zealand - and over 15 years GeoNet has recorded more than 314,000 of them.

Looking to the future with biologist Corey Bradshaw from 2016-08-11T21:20

Biologist Corey Bradshaw spends his time considering the future of humanity and the natural world in the face of rapid environmental change.

Speaking out for science from 2016-08-11T21:15

The Royal Society of NZ has released guidelines for scientists on public engagement. The NZ Association of Scientists President responds.

'Milk on a disc' from 2016-08-11T21:06

Shining a light on milk to reveal its secrets will allow 'point of cow diagnostics' about the quality of milk and the health of individual dairy cows.

A conservation summit on Predator Free NZ 2050 from 2016-08-04T21:20

Three leading eradication experts talk about Predator Free New Zealand 2050, including the social aspects of engaging communities and the need to develop new tools to better control rats, stoats an...

Climate Kit - when technology meets climate action from 2016-08-04T21:06

Sara Dean and Beth Ferguson are American designers whose projects include using Twitter to help Jakarta residents know about floods, and creating accessible solar charging stations.

Rogue waves from 2016-07-28T21:20

Rogue waves are rare, massive waves and Craig Stevens explains that although 'we know one when we see one' we don't understand how they form.

Inspired by Science from 2016-07-28T21:16

Year-6 students Ava Beens and Eilish Cassidy take part in the 2016 International Science Festival in Dunedin, and give a 2-minute speech on what inspires them about science.

Project Activate - swimming in a flume from 2016-07-28T21:06

Project Activate involved a group of 12-year-old Pacific Island students learning about healthy living and science - and it included a swim in a research flume pool.

3D printing a bionic arm from 2016-07-21T21:16

As part of the 2016 International Science Festival in Dunedin, teenager Corey Symon was gifted a 3D-printed bionic arm by Limbitless Solutions.

Hunted to extinction - the Chatham Island sea lion from 2016-07-21T21:06

Within 200 years of settling the Chatham Islands, Moriori had hunted the local sea lion to extinction. What lessons can we learn from that?

Changing times at Our Changing World from 2016-07-14T21:34

As Our Changing World is about to change to a shorter format, Veronika Meduna looks back at some of her favourite stories about science and the environment.

Marine science round-up from 2016-07-14T21:20

A medley of marine science news including the challenges facing mussel bed restoration in the Hauraki Gulf, a multi-level habitat cascade that depends on cockles at its base, the discovery that pri...

Exactly where is sea level? Gravity can tell us from 2016-07-14T21:06

After two years of measuring gravity from a plane, LINZ has just released a new vertical datum for New Zealand and its coastal seas. This allows the accurate measurement of sea level.

Taniwha - the human-powered submarine from 2016-07-07T21:46

Team Taniwha, from the University of Auckland, has designed and built a human-powered submarine, that has borrowed ideas from leather-jacket fish, and currently holds the world record for a non-pro...

Rarest sea lions in the world - and the threats they face from 2016-07-07T21:34

New Zealand sea lions are the rarest sea lion in the world. They face a number of threats, including disease, food limitation and by-catch in commercial fisheries - so which threat is most important?

Wairau Bar: How it all began from 2016-07-07T21:06

Veronika Meduna joins Rangitane iwi members and scientists at Wairau Bar, New Zealand's most significant archaeological site, to find out about the place and its people, who were among the first to...

World’s largest telescope to track the dawn of the cosmos from 2016-06-30T21:45

In the middle of the Australian outback, scientists are building the world's largest radio telescope. Veronika Meduna pays a visit.

Assisted evolution of corals from 2016-06-30T21:34

Veronika Meduna explores the controversial idea of assisted evolution, and whether it could help scientists identify coral species that could better adapt to warming ocean temperatures and acidific...

Koala genome from 2016-06-30T21:20

Veronika Meduna meets wildlife geneticist Rebecca Johnson to discuss how genomics can help with efforts to protect the koala.

Native seed bank from 2016-06-30T21:06

The New Zealand Indigenous Flora Seed Bank is collecting and storing the seeds of native plants as a long-term insurance policy to ensure the survival of species.

The garden bird survey turns 10 from 2016-06-23T21:46