Flash flooding in Wellington - Expert Reaction A state of emergency has been declared in Wellington, as torrential localised downpours flood suburbs with little warning. Other areas across the North Island have also been affected, with more rain…

A state of emergency has been declared in Wellington, as torrential localised downpours flood suburbs with little warning.

We've gathered expert comments on landslides, sewage spills, cleaning up mould, and more.

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/04/20/f...

Flash flooding in Wellington - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre Torrential localised downpours have flooded suburbs across Wellington with little warning. Other areas across the North Island have also been affected, with more rain expected until Tuesday night....

Flash flooding in Wellington – Expert Reaction

Diesel shortages squeeze primary industry - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre As diesel supplies fall and prices soar, NZ's primary industries like farming and forestry will feel the strain, experts say. The SMC asked experts to comment on the impact of diesel shortages and how...

Diesel shortages squeeze primary industry – Expert Reaction

Vape smoke is a cancer risk, but not as much as cigarettes - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre NZ researchers who looked at the key toxic chemicals in vape smoke say vaping increases cancer risk. Since there's not yet any long-term data to show whether vaping causes cancer, they combined past...

Vape smoke is a cancer risk, but not as much as cigarettes – Expert Reaction

The human face of science funding cuts - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre Kiwi scientists share how funding cuts have impacted their research and careers, in a new report from the Save Science Coalition. Many of the profiled researchers have been made redundant or have moved...

The human face of science funding cuts – Expert Reaction

Will the Enhanced Games change doping in sport? - Expert Q&A - Science Media Centre The controversial Enhanced Games will allow athletes using performance enhancing drugs to compete next month. With millions of dollars of prize money on the line, and the company behind the event selling...

Will the Enhanced Games change doping in sport? – Expert Q&A

Storms put seafood safety at risk - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre Experts say that increasing heavy rainfall events in NZ are affecting the safety of our kaimoana. Following the weekend's heavy rain, the SMC asked experts to comment. Dr Joanne Hewitt, Science Leader:...

Storms put seafood safety at risk – Expert Reaction

Worsening groundwater pollution shows our long-term water problems - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre Over a third of NZ's monitored groundwaters saw a rise in nitrate levels in the last two decades, likely because of human activities such as farming and wastewater. That's one of the findings from the...

Worsening groundwater pollution shows our long-term water problems – Expert Reaction

NZ's research priorities shift towards advanced tech - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre A new report to the Prime Minister recommends moving more of NZ's science funding into advanced technology. The recommendations, made by the PM's Science, Innovation & Technology Advisory Council, will...

NZ’s research priorities shift towards advanced tech – Expert Reaction

Should I get a COVID booster? - Expert Q&A - Science Media Centre Health NZ's latest vaccination advice for health professionals says COVID boosters are no longer needed for most adults aged 30 to 64. However, those eligible for publicly funded healthcare can still...

Should I get a COVID booster? – Expert Q&A

More protection for migrating animals after global meeting - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre Forty animals, including several types of seabirds and sharks, will gain protection under the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species. Participating countries at the meeting in Campo Grande,...

More protection for migrating animals after global meeting – Expert Reaction

Olympics to require gene test for women athletes - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre The Olympic Committee will require women athletes to take a gene test showing they're biologically female before they can compete. Athletes' gender will be determined by a genetic test, which looks for...

Olympics to require gene test for women athletes – Expert Reaction

What NZ experts want from global meeting on migratory animals - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre Nearly a quarter of migratory species listed under a global convention are at risk of extinction, and the number is only rising. An interim update on the state of the world's migratory species found...

What NZ experts want from global meeting on migratory animals – Expert Reaction

Over a month's rain in one day for upper North Island - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre Northland and Auckland have been deluged in heavy rain, with some areas receiving more than a month's average rainfall in just 24 hours. Hundreds of people were evacuated last night due to extensive...

Over a month’s rain in one day for upper North Island – Expert Reaction

Social media giants found liable for harming a child - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre A first-of-its-kind lawsuit in the US has found Meta and YouTube responsible for mental health harm to a young woman. Her lawyers linked the design features of their platforms, such as 'infinite scroll',...

Social media giants found liable for harming a child – Expert Reaction www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/03/26/s...

NZ's new National Diabetes Roadmap - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre Health NZ's Diabetes Roadmap released today includes plans for a National Diabetes Register. It also suggests creating new pathways to for people to get weight-loss surgery, and increasing access to...

NZ’s new National Diabetes Roadmap – Expert Reaction www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/03/26/n...

New study links glyphosate to 'superbug' spread - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre A key weedkiller ingredient could help hospital 'superbugs' to spread, overseas research proposes. Scientists tested the antibiotic and glyphosate resistance of bacteria strains from an Argentinian wetland...

New study links glyphosate to ‘superbug’ spread – Expert Reaction www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/03/25/n...

New Predator Free 2050 strategy sees Wellington as NZ's first predator-free city - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre Predator Free 2050 will increase its focus on eliminating predators alongside current suppression efforts, according to the new strategy released today. As part of this, the government is spending $5.5...

New Predator Free 2050 strategy sees Wellington as NZ’s first predator-free city – Expert Reaction www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/03/25/n...

2025 one of the hottest years on record - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre The World Meteorological Organisation has confirmed 2025 as the second or third hottest year on record, and 2015-2025 as the hottest 11 years. Their annual climate report also points out plummeting glacier...

2025 one of the hottest years on record – Expert Reaction

Trapped air the likely cause of Moa Point failure - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre Trapped air bubbles causing wastewater to back up, are suspected to be behind the catastrophic failure of Wellington's Moa Point treatment plant. The news comes from the hydraulic report into the Moa...

Trapped air the likely cause of Moa Point failure – Expert Reaction

How to deal with skyrocketing fuel prices - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre As the price of petrol continues to rise, experts weigh in on fuel saving methods, how to know if the nation still has a 50-day supply, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels overall. Officials are...

How to deal with skyrocketing fuel prices – Expert Reaction

Send us your top science stories Nominations for the 3rd annual Science Journalism Awards are open until the end of this week. The awards celebrate excellent reporting on science-related topics across all forms of media by shining a…

It's the last day to nominate a piece of great science journalism for a Golden Tardigrade!
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/03/09/s...

Send us your top science stories Nominations for the 3rd annual Science Journalism Awards are open until the end of this week. The awards celebrate excellent reporting on science-related topics across all forms of media by shining a…

When we created the NZ Science Journalism Awards, we wanted to celebrate work that shines a spotlight on evidence that people need to see. If that sounds like anything you've read in the past year, please nominate it by Sunday:
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/03/09/s...

Send us your top science stories Nominations for the 3rd annual Science Journalism Awards are open until the end of this week. The awards celebrate excellent reporting on science-related topics across all forms of media by shining a…

Journalists: your last chance to win a 2026 Golden Tardigrade is fast approaching! Nominate yourself or your colleagues by Sunday:
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/03/09/s...

Powerful new data centre approved in Southland - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre A data centre being described by the company behind it as an "AI factory" is set to become NZ's second-biggest electricity user.  Resource consent was approved for Datagrid's Data Park in Southland,...

Powerful new data centre approved in Southland – Expert Reaction

Send us your top science stories Nominations for the 3rd annual Science Journalism Awards are open until the end of this week. The awards celebrate excellent reporting on science-related topics across all forms of media by shining a…

Researchers - has your work been covered well in the news? Nominate the journalist for a Golden Tardigrade! Entries close on Sunday:
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/03/09/s...

Send us your top science stories Nominations for the 3rd annual Science Journalism Awards are open until the end of this week. The awards celebrate excellent reporting on science-related topics across all forms of media by shining a…

Not sure if your news story is nerdy enough for a Science Journalism Award? No need to worry! Last year’s finalists did stories on dental dams, cold-water swimming, the psychology of music, and river management. Get your entries in by Sunday:
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/03/09/s...

Send us your top science stories Nominations for the 3rd annual Science Journalism Awards are open until the end of this week. The awards celebrate excellent reporting on science-related topics across all forms of media by shining a…

Read, heard, or watched a great piece of NZ science journalism this year? Nominate it for an award! Entries close on Sunday: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/03/09/s...

Covid inquiry phase two - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre The Royal Commission on COVID-19 has outlined more lessons on "making the best decisions in the worst of circumstances". The report makes 24 formal recommendations, including: framing the elimination...

Covid inquiry phase two – Expert Reaction

Send us your top science journalism stories - Science Media Centre Nominations for the 3rd annual Science Journalism Awards are open until the end of this week. The awards celebrate excellent reporting on science-related topics across all forms of media by shining a...

Send us your top science journalism stories