Alison Ballance

Humanity has had a long and vexed relationship with the element lead. The problem is the stuff is terribly useful – and terribly toxic. Think Roman water pipes, lead paint, lead petrol. Now, new… Audio

Kuaka bar-tailed godwits make the longest non-stop flights, and researchers are using hi-tech tags to solve the mystery of how and when they sleep.  Audio

Kuaka godwits make the longest non-stop flights, and researchers are using hi-tech tags to solve the mystery of how and when they sleep.  Audio

Could your burger one day come with a plankton patty? Alison Ballance visits the Cawthron Institute's collection of more than 750 different strains of microalgae, where scientists are investigating… Audio

A collection of 750 different microalgae – or phytoplankton – at the Cawthron Institute offers a treasure trove for researchers seeking new useful compounds. Alison Ballance visits the collection to… Audio

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the rediscovery of the takahē. Claire Concannon sits down with former Our Changing World presenter and takahē superfan Alison Ballance to chat about her new… Audio

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the rediscovery of takahē. Claire Concannon sits down with takahē superfan and former Our Changing World producer Alison Ballance to discuss her new book… Audio

The Detail podcast brings you the issues behind the news every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio

Having kākāpō in the North Island wilderness again is an historic win for our native manu, but conservationists say other species are at risk of falling through the cracks. Audio

Are all snowflakes really unique? What makes some snow better for skiing? And what's the difference between snow and hail? Join Alison Ballance and Katy Gosset as they hit the slopes of Mt Ruapehu and… Audio

Winter is here and that means snowy mountaintops, skiing and avalanche season. Join us as we hit the slopes and find out the fascinating science behind snow. Audio

Murray Williams reviews Takahe by Alison Ballance, published by Potton & Burton. Audio

From being assumed extinct, to a healthy population of over 500 birds, the resurrection of the takahe is an incredible story. Audio

Grab your gumboots! Alison Ballance squelches out into Nelson's mudflats with a team of Cawthron Institute researchers in search of cryptic seagrass flowers and their seeds. Collecting the seeds is… Audio