Jamie Morton, a specialist in science and environmental reporting for New Zealand's Herald, has spent the last decade writing about everything from conservation and cosmology to climate change and COVID-19.
Jamie Morton, a specialist in science and environmental reporting for New Zealand's Herald, has spent the last decade writing about everything from conservation and cosmology to climate change and COVID-19. He pursued a career in journalism from a young age, first studying media, then training under renowned tutor and journalist Jim Tucker in New Plymouth in 2004. After spending a year as a freelance writer for various Wellington newspapers, he joined the company in 2005, reporting on community newspapers in Hawke’s Bay. Following two years at the Wairarapa Times-Age, he had a year-long stint at the Bay of Plenty Times, covering health and local news. Jamie arrived at the New Zealand Herald in 2011, first working as a Tauranga-based branch reporter who covered breaking news and major stories from Coromandel to Taupo. His introduction to science and environment reporting was covering the Rena disaster in 2011: hearing experts calmly communicate science to a public furiously demanding answers left a deep impression. He took over the science and environment round soon after: and has spent the last decade writing about everything from conservation and cosmology to climate change and Covid-19. Highlights have included covering two major volcanic eruptions (2012 and 2019); the Kaikoura Earthquake (2018); travelling to disaster zones in the US, China and Japan (2013); the UN climate conference in Paris (2015); the Square Kilometre Array telescope in Western Australia (2014); and reporting from Antarctica (2016 and 2019). He's also contributed to two books and a UN desk guide for reporting on climate change, and won several major awards for his reporting: including science reporter of the year in 2013, 2016, 2022 and 2023. Over the past few years, he's been heavily focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, while raising a young family in his native Taranaki. Jamie can be contacted at jamie.morton@nzherald.co.nz.
The new Covid vaccine is out today - here's all you need to know
Kiwis over 30 will be able to access the latest Covid shot from today. How does it work?
Coming ‘La Nina-like’ pulse could prove big rainmaker for NZ
Forecaster says subtropical event could bring much-needed rain - and shift out of El Nino.
Science of sleep: 10 things we’re learning about sleep in NZ
We all spend around one third of our lives asleep - yet a third of us don't get enough.
What the gases from Auckland's next volcanic eruption could do to our health
For the first time, scientists have studied how gas could travel in an Auckland eruption.
First-of-its-kind study: What drives vaccine hesitancy among Kiwis?
Researchers have delved into the reasons some Kiwis remain hesitant about vaccines.
Weather: Heavy rain brings flooding risk in north after unusually dry February
Forecasters issue heavy rainfall warning for Auckland, BOP, after abnormally dry February.
Is this what an early earthquake warning system would look like in NZ?
Scientists have been testing tech taking NZ closer to an early quake warning system.
Scientists welcome regulator’s call sorting ‘null segregants’ from GMOs
Scientists have welcomed the EPA's new clarification of GMO-derived 'null segregants'.
Explained: Is this warm, windy weather summer in late bloom?
El Nino might have already peaked - but NZ is seeing its full flavours on display now.
Explained: The bigger picture behind the Port Hills fire
With most of summer over, NZ is only beginning to get its most dangerous fire conditions.
'Devastating' influenza outbreak hits Whitianga - six dead
Tragic Whitianga outbreak shows why infected people should avoid rest homes, expert says.
Cyclone Gabrielle: What we’ve learned about NZ’s monster storm
It’s been a year since NZ saw its worst storm in decades. What have we learned about it?
Mutant variant dominating Kiwi Covid infections
JN.1 variant responsible for nine in 10 infections picked up in wastewater sampling.
What scientists just discovered about one of NZ’s most complex fault zones
A groundbreaking NZ study has potential global implications for earthquake science.
Comets, meteors and supermoons: A star-gazer’s guide to 2024
There's plenty on the calendar to keep stargazers and space enthusiasts happy this year.
What scientists discovered in Kāpiti: ‘This was no small tsunami’
Scientists uncover evidence of massive tsunami that slammed into west coast 600 years ago.
Just had Covid-19? This tricky variant was most likely behind it
The highly mutated JN.1 variant likely now makes up 80 per cent of NZ cases.
Hidden wonders: What scientists just discovered beneath Lake Rotorua
Lakefloor survey reveals thousands of pockmarks, an ancient river and hydrothermal system.
What lies beneath: Mapping Auckland’s incredible lava caves
Researchers are building an unprecedented picture of Auckland's underground wonders.
Has NZ’s Covid-19 summer wave finally peaked yet?
Modeller cautiously optimistic wave won't worsen as hundreds of hospitalisations reported.
Why this month’s heat hasn’t been ‘just summer’.
If it's felt uncomfortably, unusually hot - even for January - there's data to show why.
Locals worried as more super-spreading seaweed discovered off Gt Barrier Island
Discovery comes amid concern some boaties are flouting rules to control exotic caulerpa.
'Keep an eye on this one': Tropical storm looms in marine heatwave
The southwest Pacific’s first tropical cyclone of 2024 could form by early next week.
Latest Covid wave 'disproportionately' hospitalising Pacific people
Pasifika being admitted to hospital at rates 50 per cent higher than among Europeans.
Fifth Covid wave hits new high in NZ as Govt looks at ending free RATs
National Covid-19 levels have surged to their highest levels since NZ's fifth wave began.
Analysis: The four biggest questions about Covid-19 facing NZ in 2024
Covid-19 claimed more than 1300 Kiwi lives in 2023. What does another year mean for NZ?
How sinking land is raising Wellington's sea level rise risk
Scientists have reconstructed nearly two centuries of sea level rise in Wellington region.
Hot El Nino summer causing more algal blooms in NZ's rivers, lakes
Swimmers are urged to be on the lookout for potentially toxic algal blooms this summer.
‘Cooking with gas’: Forecasters surprised to find NZ in another marine heatwave
On a day tipped to bring scorching temperatures, our seas are also running unusually warm.
'Astounding' - 2023 was NZ's second-hottest year on record
The last three years have been New Zealand's warmest in recorded history, Niwa says.
Summer Covid-19 wave likely to roll on for weeks
Summer festivalgoers and organisers alike are being urged to be vigilant about Covid-19.
Summer scorcher: Where temperatures could hit mid-30s this week
Temperatures could reach mid-30s in parts of NZ later this week, with humidity in the mix.
Blame it on the Blob: Why ocean heatwaves are making for a messy El Niño summer
A blob of warm ocean water is adding a decidedly different flavour to our El Nino summer.
Santa belly? Five things to know about holiday weight gain
Worried about putting on some unwanted weight this Christmas? Here's what to know.
How climate change hit home in 2023: Four numbers that tell the story
Climate change truly knocked at our door in 2023, science reporter Jamie Morton explains.
Five things to know about super-spreading seaweed that can grow 3cm a day
A highly-invasive species is threatening our ecosystems. Here's how you can help stop it.
Climate change: Parts of NZ could be getting hotter and drier more quickly than we think
Scientists think a heating, drying feedback loop seen elsewhere could be happening in NZ.
Govt's freshwater reform sparks backlash from 50 experts, leaders
Fifty experts and leaders have urged Govt against reforms of national freshwater rules.
'The future potential is gone' - scientists fear for vital work amid huge job cuts
Unending turmoil in our universities is heaping more strain on NZ's small science system.
'Astonishing': What scientists discovered about pollution at Auckland beaches
Microplastic pollution at Auckland beaches 50 times worse than elsewhere on NZ's coasts.
More than 60 jobs to go as Massey University confirms science cuts
Professor at cash-strapped institute says colleagues shocked at decision.
‘Step in the right direction’: NZ experts weigh in on UN climate summit’s result
The UN climate summit in Dubai has wrapped with a historic agreement. What does it mean?
More EVs, renewable energy 'critical' to hitting NZ’s climate goals
Commission warns country isn’t on track to meet its climate change targets by 2030.
28m high: Scientists model NZ’s risk from tsunami-making quakes
New analysis points to rare but extreme potential for huge tsunamis hitting NZ's coasts.
'Relatively sticky': Humid weather on the way for Auckland
Forecast high pressure set to deliver northern regions early Christmas present next week.
New Omicron variant on the rise amid NZ’s pre-Christmas Covid-19 wave
JN.1 might have extra transmissibility than its close relative Pirola.
Why next major Hawke’s Bay earthquake could cause opposite effect of 1931 disaster
Scientists shed new light on how future major earthquake may transform Hawke's Bay coast.
NZ’s fifth Covid-19 wave prompts six-fold bump in booster shots
Officials say there's been a 'significant' jump in vaccinations since early November.
NZ’s oddball El Niño summer: Five questions about what Kiwis can expect
Forecasters are picking plenty of 'weather wildcards' amid this El Niño summer. Why?
What an ‘atypical’ El Niño means for your summer
An 'atypical' El Niño means there'll be variability amid driver's usual summer flavours.
Here comes the humidity: Forecasters picking wet and sticky start to summer
An incoming subtropical airmass is set to deliver some uncomfortable sticky days.
Report reveals huge task of cleaning up polluted NZ waterways
Substantial reductions are needed in almost every region to meet water-quality standards.
Third tropical cyclone could form next week; ‘no indication’ of risk to NZ
The season’s third tropical cyclone could form next week amid Pacific-wide ocean warmth.
71 jobs proposed to go as Massey University moves ahead with cost-cutting restructure
Massey University opts to move ahead with restructure, spelling loss of 66 science roles.
Where NZ’s genomic science is having global impact
Three world-leading experts say NZ's growing genomics expertise is having global benefits.
Rare swirling, whirling mesocyclone caught on camera over Auckland
A rarely-seen phenomenon linked to tornadoes was spotted over Auckland last night.
Union tables Plan B to reduce Massey science job losses
Union claims its proposal would save jobs while achieving a better profit margin.
Xmas Covid wave: Highest wastewater levels, hospitalisations since January
The latest wave appears to be driving a larger spike in cases than NZ's last one in April.
Climate change: Where NZ risks getting adaptation badly wrong
NZ needs urgent rethink on how to involve communities in climate adaptation, report finds.
Thunderstorms could bring heavy downpours, hail across upper North Island today
Motorists urged to take care on roads across the upper North Island later today.
'Disaster': Calls for Great Barrier to be off limits for boaties this summer
Experts warn we're on the brink of an environmental disaster for New Zealand.
Paradise regained: What the Hauraki Gulf could look like in the year 2173
Scientists imagine a thriving Hauraki Gulf 150 years from now. Here's how it could happen.
Rising sea levels increase flooding risk for NZ dairy farms
Scientists model the impact of rising seas on our dairy farms - with sobering results.
Mountain mystery: Can the central Southern Alps trigger 7.0-magnitude earthquakes?
Scientists will trek to Aoraki/Mt Cook to uncover the area's earthquake history.
Deep Trouble: New sea change threatens planet
Why the world should be worried about the impact on the Southern Ocean
Call to safeguard tonnes of carbon buried under NZ’s oceans
Report reveals 2 billion tonnes lies in marine sediment - and where it's vulnerable.
‘Difficult balancing act’: Why NZ’s cats pose a conservation conundrum
NZ has the world's highest rate of cat ownership. So how do we protect native wildlife?
Why a South Island tractor driver’s chance moa discovery just got more incredible
Moa footprints discovered in Otago riverbed found to be second-oldest ever documented.
Marine heatwaves, La Nina and climate change drive warmest 12 months yet
Analysis shows record-warm run since last October as 2023 set to be planet's hottest year.
Covid-19 spike: The tricky main ingredient in NZ’s ‘subvariant soup’
An Omicron subvariant lurking in NZ since winter appears to be driving most new cases.
New interactive map: Why 15 per cent is crucial figure for saving NZ’s biodiversity
Just-launched 'Eco-index' maps will guide efforts to restore NZ's lost native ecosystems.
Explained: Why this El Niño is behaving differently - and what it means for NZ
Niwa forecaster says El Niño could peak unusually late - and may linger to next winter.
‘Tenacious boldness’: Top honour for change-making NZ scientist
Professor Nicola Gaston’s effort as a leader and driver of change recognised with a medal.
Interactive map: Is your community better or worse off than others across NZ?
What does where we live tell us about our wellbeing? This map gives a first-ever glimpse.
Millions of Covid-19 vaccine doses wasted as officials mull over rollout for 2024
Health officials are mulling over who – and who shouldn’t - get a Covid-19 jab in 2024.
How new gene editing tech can boost smart cancer drugs
Can gene editing help unlock the power of ground-breaking immunotherapy cancer drugs?
Risk of Australian bushfire smoke in NZ skies this summer
Meteorologists will be watching for Australian bushfire smoke travelling here this summer.
Breakthrough NZ cancer therapy shows promising results for killer disease
A NZ-developed cancer therapy is safer than its overseas counterparts in early trials.