Latest from Natural Science

Roar of the crowd heard in science

You can take a role in testing the effect of warming skin on memory. Or you can involve yourself in a bid to land a spaceship on the Moon....

Poor water blights beaches

A world-class surfing spot and one of Northland's most picturesque strands of coastline are among more than 40 swimming beaches hit with a "caution" label for water quality.

Eye for a great shot

Snow-capped Mt Taranaki stands out in this view from space in a new book.

Moa killed off by settlers

Even small human populations can wipe out big animal species, according to local researchers who suggest moa extinction was rapid.

The chemistry for success

Making lessons relevant and suited to students' shortened attention spans are some of the reasons why young women are flocking to chemistry lessons at one school.

What the ice belt means for sea levels

Changes to the Southern Ocean's sea ice belt could mean see the global level rising several metres, says a new study which has shed more light on an ice-age mystery.

Bumblebees create a buzz

They clumsily bang against our windows and make themselves a springtime nuisance - but the humble bumblebee could prove more valuable to New Zealand's economy than we ever imagined, researchers....

In praise of adventure

Southern Alps snow, ice vanishing

A third of the permanent snow and ice on the Southern Alps has vanished in less than four decades, according to an analysis of aerial surveys.

Saving species may need controversial methods

Intensive and sometimes controversial forms of threatened species management may be needed to reverse the increasing rate of global biodiversity losses, a University of Otago zoologist says.

NZ pest programme targets plague of 'biblical proportions'

El Nino looking more likely

The chances of an El Nino playing with our weather this summer have become more likely, according to a just-released report from the World Meteorological Organisation.

Earth smashes record for heat

Driven by exceptionally warm ocean waters, Earth smashed a record for heat in May and is likely to keep on breaking high temperature marks, experts have said.

Pride of NZ: Plant expert with growing reputation

Environment category: Colin Ogle is Wanganui's go-to man on all things botanical and has dedicated years to the area's parks and bush.

Stag party finds 3m-year-old 'elephant'

It's The Hangover-meets-Jurassic Park. While most stag parties involve paintballing, the pub or a strip club, one group of friends spent did some impromptu palaeontology.

Bob Forlong: Responsible GM approach will remain

The regime governing genetic modification in New Zealand is one of the strictest in the world, writes Bob Forlong.