Stories by Kate Gudsell

New Zealand's involvement in the world's largest ocean science project has given the country access to information which little more than a decade ago was out of reach.

Forest & Bird have pulled out of the Land and Water Forum in protest against the government's new "timid" freshwater standards.

The government has weakened the threshold for what qualifies as the best quality waterway to swim in as part of its target to make 90 percent of New Zealand's rivers swimmable by 2040.

A small orange seahorse is among three new species discovered by New Zealand scientists in a survey of the Kermadec Islands.

Despite vowing to crack down on cattle feedlots six months ago, the Hawke's Bay Regional Council still has no idea how many are operating.

The Corrections Association wants pepper spray made more accessible for prison guards, as it says it could help prevent assaults on staff.

An 80-year-old macrocarpa hedge near Waikanae Beach has become a sticking point between its owner and the local council. Video

One of New Zealand's top tourist attractions closed a number of times over summer because of excessive carbon dioxide, driven partly by visitor numbers. Video

About 8500 square metres of native vegetation, including 11 kauri trees, could be cleared for an access road through Coromandel State Forest Park.

A government programme which could reduce truck emissions by a third has been put on hold with not enough freight companies signing up.

The incoming Donald Trump administration is prompting fears about the future protection of marine areas in the Antarctic.

Environmental groups say freshwater is going to be one of the critical issues in this year's election.

KiwiRail is looking at whether to buy another Interislander ferry when the Kaitaki's lease runs out in 2020.

The problem of people flouting fire bans in conservation land is getting worse, says a Department of Conservation ranger.

A three-car crash south of Whangarei left seven people injured, one critically, and caused traffic delays.

A Canterbury councillor blames three years of drought and irrigation over-allocation for the Selwyn River's dire state.

The Defence Force has spent tens of thousands giving young people grooming tips for job interviews, including hiring Real Housewife of Auckland Angela Stone.

Power is expected to be restored to Gisborne by late afternoon after a light plane cut electricity when it crashed into powerlines, killing two on board.

Coastal shipping will be under pressure to cope if South Island roads fail to hold up under extra traffic created by the Kaikōura earthquake, KiwiRail says.

Scientists say pushing the sediment from the Kaikōura coastline into the ocean could hurt anything from paua to seabirds. Video

In what could be the most expensive cargo the Interislander has ever carried, 30 supercars have rolled onto the ferry.

The Environmental Defence Society has filed court proceedings to try to stop farmers turning arid Mackenzie Country land into irrigated pasture.

A survey of the lake floor found gas and hot water were being discharged.

Citizen scientists around the country are the real winners from this year's conservation innovation awards, with funding awarded to tackle freshwater quality and kauri dieback.

The international Paris Agreement comes into force today but the UN warns a further 25 percent cut off predicted emissions by 2030 will be needed.