Science Media Centre NZ
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Independent, unbiased scientific information for the New Zealand media | sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Dengue control underway in Cook Islands – Expert Reaction
Dengue control underway in Cook Islands - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
A mosquito fumigation operation is being carried out in Rarotonga, after the first reported death from a dengue outbreak. Travellers to Rarotonga will experience temperature checks and bug-spraying...
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February 13, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Dengue control underway in Cook Islands – Expert Reaction
How do we stop lithium batteries from burning up in the bin? – Expert Q&A
How do we stop lithium batteries from burning up in the bin? - Expert Q&A - Science Media Centre
A Waikato landfill fire is the latest in a series of blazes suspected to have been caused by wrongly disposed lithium-ion batteries. The fire has re-opened discussion on how we can best deal with the...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
February 13, 2026 at 3:00 AM
How do we stop lithium batteries from burning up in the bin? – Expert Q&A
NZ space launch limit to increase tenfold – Expert Reaction
NZ space launch limit to increase tenfold - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
The number of space launches allowed from NZ is set to increase from 100 to 1000. The government says the current limit was expected to be reached this year, while the new limit would not be reached...
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February 12, 2026 at 3:00 AM
NZ space launch limit to increase tenfold – Expert Reaction
It's the final day to apply to work with the SMC! Get your CV in by 5pm (12 Feb).
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
We're hiring: Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor role
The Science Media Centre (SMC) is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
February 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM
It's the final day to apply to work with the SMC! Get your CV in by 5pm (12 Feb).
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
New spots have opened up in next week's media training in Whakatū Nelson - a rare opportunity for researchers in the region to attend a local SAVVY workshop. 19-20 February, needs-based funding available. Apply now! www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/science-medi...
Science Media SAVVY
Our flagship media training increases confidence and skills to help researchers to engage more effectively with the wider public through broadcast, print and social media. Apply below.
We create a uni...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
February 11, 2026 at 3:55 AM
New spots have opened up in next week's media training in Whakatū Nelson - a rare opportunity for researchers in the region to attend a local SAVVY workshop. 19-20 February, needs-based funding available. Apply now! www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/science-medi...
Want to work with a dynamic team helping connect scientists with the media? Applications close at 5pm tomorrow (12 Feb).
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
We're hiring: Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor role
The Science Media Centre (SMC) is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
February 10, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Want to work with a dynamic team helping connect scientists with the media? Applications close at 5pm tomorrow (12 Feb).
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
Wellington’s sewage spill prompts health warnings – Expert Reaction
Wellington's sewage spill prompts health warnings - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
Health officials are warning people to stay off Wellington's south coast beaches, due to the infection risks from the Moa Point wastewater plant failure. With untreated wastewater still being pumped into...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
February 10, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Wellington’s sewage spill prompts health warnings – Expert Reaction
Time is running out to apply to to work with the SMC! Get your CV in by this Thursday (12 Feb).
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
We're hiring: Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor role
The Science Media Centre (SMC) is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
February 10, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Time is running out to apply to to work with the SMC! Get your CV in by this Thursday (12 Feb).
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
Obesity linked to severe infection risk – Expert Reaction
Obesity linked to severe infection risk - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
People with obesity are 1.7 times more likely to be hospitalised or die from infection, a new overseas study finds, while those with severe obesity face 3 times the risk. The paper in The Lancet looked...
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February 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Obesity linked to severe infection risk – Expert Reaction
How Wellington’s wastewater failure could impact sea life – Expert Reaction
How Wellington's wastewater failure could impact sea life - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
It could take months before the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant is repaired, with raw sewage continuing to flow into the Cook Strait. Wellington Water is advising that people stay away from local...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
February 9, 2026 at 5:00 AM
How Wellington’s wastewater failure could impact sea life – Expert Reaction
Moa Point wastewater plant shuts down – Expert Reaction
Moa Point wastewater plant shuts down - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
An equipment failure at the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant last Wednesday sent raw sewage into the sea directly off Wellington's south coast. Since Thursday night, the untreated wastewater has...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
February 8, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Moa Point wastewater plant shuts down – Expert Reaction
NZ’s critical minerals on the world stage – Expert Reaction
NZ's critical minerals on the world stage - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
New Zealand is attending international talks in the US this week about a strategic alliance on critical minerals. Earlier in the week, the US announced a stockpile of rare earth elements, and plans...
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February 5, 2026 at 3:00 AM
NZ’s critical minerals on the world stage – Expert Reaction
Transgender and cisgender women have similar physical fitness – Expert Reaction
Transgender and cisgender women have similar physical fitness - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
Trans and cisgender women have comparable fitness despite differences in muscle mass, finds a review of 52 previous studies. The systematic review and analysis by overseas scientists in British Journal...
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February 4, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Transgender and cisgender women have similar physical fitness – Expert Reaction
Want to work at the interface of science and journalism - helping make complex topics accessible to the public of Aotearoa New Zealand? Then check out our new job opening here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
We're hiring: Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor role - Science Media Centre
The Science Media Centre (SMC) is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in Aotearoa...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
January 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Want to work at the interface of science and journalism - helping make complex topics accessible to the public of Aotearoa New Zealand? Then check out our new job opening here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/01/27/w...
We’re hiring: Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor role
We're hiring: Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor role - Science Media Centre
The Science Media Centre (SMC) is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in Aotearoa...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
January 27, 2026 at 4:00 AM
We’re hiring: Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor role
Shifting power use to off-peak hours could save NZ $3 billion
Shifting power use to off-peak hours could save NZ $3 billion - Science Media Centre
A new national analysis finds that almost a quarter of Aotearoa's peak electricity use could be shifted to off-peak hours. This could save the country $3 billion in power generation and infrastructure...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
January 26, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Shifting power use to off-peak hours could save NZ $3 billion
Landslides still a risk following rains – Expert Reaction
Landslides still a risk following rains - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
New Zealanders are not yet in the clear when it comes to the dangers posed by landslides following the recent severe weather events that hit the upper North Island, according to NEMA. The agency says...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
January 23, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Landslides still a risk following rains – Expert Reaction
Parts of North Island hit by record-breaking rains – Expert Reaction
Parts of North Island hit by record-breaking rains - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
Red rain warnings affecting parts of the North Island have been lifted, while local states of emergency remain in place in five regions due to the severe weather. This was the 20th Red Warning Event issued...
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January 22, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Parts of North Island hit by record-breaking rains – Expert Reaction
“Bad behaviour” begets “bad behaviour” in AI – Expert Reaction
"Bad behaviour" begets "bad behaviour" in AI - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
Artificial intelligence models trained to behave badly on specifically defined jobs may also start misbehaving on completely different tasks, say international researchers. When they trained an AI model...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
January 14, 2026 at 11:00 PM
“Bad behaviour” begets “bad behaviour” in AI – Expert Reaction
Manage My Health data breach – Expert Reaction
Manage My Health data breach - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
Hackers have reportedly threatened to release the health information of over 120,000 Kiwis unless a ransom is paid by 5 am tomorrow. Manage My Health, which holds health information on over 1.8 million...
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January 8, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Manage My Health data breach – Expert Reaction
Crayfish catch ban floated to protect kelp forests – Expert Reaction
Crayfish catch ban floated to protect kelp forests - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
Recreational and commercial kōura fishing could be banned on Northland's east coast to help prevent kelp forests turning into sea urchin barrens. Rock lobsters (better known as kōura and crayfish) are...
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December 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Crayfish catch ban floated to protect kelp forests – Expert Reaction
Top 10 Science Stories of 2025
Top 10 Science Stories of 2025 - Science Media Centre
From toxic play sand to a company promising to bring back the moa, 2025 has been a year of big science stories. We watched as a national park went up in flames, gladiator sports made a comeback, and waves...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
December 15, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Top 10 Science Stories of 2025
Glyphosate safety paper retracted after 25 years – Expert Reaction
Glyphosate safety paper retracted after 25 years - Expert Reaction
A peer-reviewed article on the safety of herbicide glyphosate has been retracted, eight years after ghostwriting from Monsanto employees was revealed in court.
A New Zealand-based scientist formally ...
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December 11, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Glyphosate safety paper retracted after 25 years – Expert Reaction
RMA out: fewer plans, fewer consents – Expert Reaction
RMA out: fewer plans, fewer consents - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
Two Bills to replace the Resource Management Act are being introduced to Parliament today by the Government. The Planning Bill is to "enable development and regulate land use", while the Natural Environment...
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December 9, 2025 at 5:00 AM
RMA out: fewer plans, fewer consents – Expert Reaction
Australia’s teen social media ban takes effect – Expert Reaction
Australia's teen social media ban takes effect - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
Under-16s across Australia will not be allowed on social media platforms, starting on Wednesday. The European Parliament passed a similar resolution last week, and in New Zealand a private members...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
December 7, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Australia’s teen social media ban takes effect – Expert Reaction