Latest from Natural Science

Sue Kedgley: Let's talk birds and bees seriously

There's mounting evidence that the pesticide bombardment of our crops and farms is having a devastating effect on wildlife, writes Sue Kedgley.

Source of shakes a puzzle

Scientists are debating whether the source of more than 2200 quakes in the Wellington region over the past fortnight is an underwater extension of a South Island fault.

Wellington: What you need to know

Much of Wellington's CBD will be off limits this morning as streets and buildings remain closed following yesterday's big quakes and aftershocks.

Wellington earthquake: Capital spared 'direct hit'

The faultline causing earthquakes in Cook Strait has a history of producing "swarms" of quake.

Big ice sheets melting rapidly, say scientists

A satellite has detected a rapid acceleration in the melting of glacier ice over the past decade.

Sam Judd: GDP is no good to me

There is a huge value in the fact that in New Zealand we have clean water and beautiful forests to enjoy, so why doesn't our GDP reflect this?

Scientist warns biosecurity at risk from new trade deals

A prominent agricultural scientist says New Zealand deserves only a half-mark for its biosecurity efforts - and warns that new free-trade agreements and increased tourism could pose a threat at the border.

Picture special: Polar light show

For one of the harshest places on the planet, Antarctica in the winter does have its delights.

Museum hiring out crime solvers

The Natural History Museum has about 300 experts on its staff.

Councils urge Govt to stump up for kauri funding

Kiwis urged to look at tsunami risks

NZ authorities are only just waking up to the risks tsunamis pose to our coastlines but they don't know how bad a destructive one could be here, an Australian expert says.

Plan puts volcano views at risk

Sweeping views of Auckland's volcanic cones risk being violated by new planning rules, critics say.

Secrets of earth's plates

Scientists from across the world have come here to examine how to unlock secrets hidden within our offshore tectonic plate boundaries over the next decade.

Cavalli Islands shakedown dive

Nine scientists are three days in to a two-week marine expedition to the Three Kings Islands and they've already discovered their first new (or previously undescribed) species - seaweeds. This video footage is from their first dive at the Cavalli Islands on the way to the Three Kings. You can follow more of the expedition through their blog http://threekings.aucklandmuseum.com/

Warming a boost to vineyards

Climate change is forecast to make huge tracts of land ripe for grape-growing in New Zealand while threatening vineyards in some of the world's most celebrated wine regions.

Tsunami sirens of limited benefit

Tsunami warning sirens that sounded across Auckland in a test-run at the weekend are not favoured by our national emergency agency.