As 2016 draws to a close, the NZ Science Media Centre picked some of the biggest national and international science stories that made headlines

A licence to fish for whitebait, much like the Fish and Game sports fishing licence, has been suggested as one way of managing the fishery.

Tanya Quedley, 48, was sexually abused by her own father from age 9 or 10 until she ran away at 14.

Scientists working in North Canterbury have captured incredible images showing the fractures in the landscape wrought by this month's 7.8 Kaikoura Earthquake.

Compared to other fibres, yak wool is more sustainable because yaks aren't farmed specifically for wool.

A teenager faces a court hearing for allegedly saying "this teacher is mean as f***" in a public place.

A stream of bubbles is rising out of the sea around the Kaikoura peninsula as newly formed cracks in the seabed release gases into the water.

Study finds behavioural, social or cultural influences are important in maintaining smoking behaviour for Maori/Pacific females.

Canterbury University marine ecologist Dr Sharyn Goldstien has been on the ground investigating what the freshly-raised coast at Kaikoura has meant for ocean ecosystems.

Criminologist Greg Newbold said the fact the boy was abducted was very uncommon.

The energy unleashed in the Kaikoura earthquake was equivalent to what could power Christchurch for an entire year.

Today's earthquake can trigger emotional trauma for Cantabrians even though there's been little physical damage in Christchurch, a psychologist says.

Kiwi experts are on the front lines fighting the "antibiotic apocalypse".

University of Canterbury students and staff will have to fork out a lot more for parking following a sharp increase in fees.

A Kiwi academic who jokingly wrote a research paper written by Apple's iOS autocomplete has been accepted to present his findings at a nuclear physics conference.

Scientists have deployed a high-tech, remote-controlled jet boat to solve long-standing mysteries about a postcard New Zealand glacier.

Kiwi scientists have begun a million-dollar study compacting the amazing capabilities of brain-like computers into a chip that could fit into your smartphone.

Sarah Kessans spent the "best week of her life" at a Nasa training centre in Texas.

The sudden death of a "bright, wonderful student" at a University of Canterbury halls of residence has left students and staff in shock.

The woman died at Rochester and Rutherford Hall on Ilam Rd in Christchurch.

High-school coaches focus on technical rugby skills rather than personal development, study finds.

Eating processed foods with little nutritional value may be making us mad as well as sick, new research shows.

Canterbury University's Dr Sarah Kessans, who has made it to the final round of interviews for Nasa's astronaut programme, sits down for a quick Q&A.

University trials women-only hours at campus gym to meet "cultural needs".

Capturing the experiences and impacts of the 1981 Springbok tour on 'ordinary' Kiwis, rather than protesters, is the focus of new research.

The University of Canterbury is offering scholarships to help inspire research into the effects of the devastating 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.

A quantity of chemicals has been stolen from University of Canterbury's chemistry department -- including some which could be used to manufacture illegal drugs.

The annual Wacky Racers' event is being held in Christchurch tomorrow.

Killer robots sent to fight in wars could save soldiers' lives and ultimately reduce civilian casualties, according to a top US roboticist.

A senior retired Australian judge will head the inquiry into David Bain's compensation claim.