Environment
Government quietly scraps waste minimisation policies
The government has quietly cancelled plans to improve recycling and roll out a kerbside food scraps composting scheme.
Frustration at council view on 'benign' coastal landfill
A southern council says it needs to "draw the line" with a community over its old dumpsite.
3 million creepy crawlies
Here in Aotearoa, and on Afternoons in fact, we love our critters. And that passion for insects, bugs and plants is backed up by the fact that we've logged nearly three million observations on the… Audio
'Unfair system': Who will pay to fix Waimate's water problem?
A change in irrigation practices likely contributed to nitrate spikes in Waimate's drinking water, but ratepayers could foot the bill in the long-term.
Access to Tāne Mahuta restored
A new boardwalk, viewing platform and bridge have been installed to protect NZ's largest surviving kauri from a deadly pathogen.
World's largest kauri tree open to the public
This weekend visitors to Northland will be able to marvel at the world's largest surviving kauri tree for the first time in months. Reporter Peter de Graaf has more. Audio
Deodorizer turned off in Seaview
Residents of a Lower Hutt suburb suffering with a foul stench from the nearby wastewater treatment plant say they've noticed a huge difference since a deodorizer was turned off. Ashleigh McCaull… Audio
Council invests $414k to fight invasive gold clam
The council is putting some of its surplus into environmental efforts, but not all councillors think it is a good idea.
The animated story of a cat that has captured the world's hearts
The story, which has no dialogue, follows a cat who, after a violent flood, teams up with an unlikely group of animals, a bird, a dog, a lemur, and a capybara to pilot a boat in search of survival and… Audio
Search for survivors continues after Vanuatu 7.3 earthquake
The desperate search for survivors continues after yesterday's 7.3 magnitude earthquake which toppled buildings and brought a huge landslip down on a busy road. At least 14 people were killed and… Audio
All domestic cats will have to be microchipped if bill passes
All domestic cats will have to be microchipped and registered if a proposed law being championed by a Green MP makes it over the line. But the bill, backed by Celia Wade-Brown, stops short of… Audio
Our Changing World: Antarctic methane seeps
On her recent trip in Antarctica, Claire Concannon caught up with a team of NIWA researchers who are discovering new methane seeps.
These are areas where methane gas or fluid escapes from below the… Audio
North Island bird deaths not linked to bird flu
Hundreds of seabirds have been found washed up along the West Coast of the North Island in the past month or so. Audio
State Highway 1 reopening through Mangamuka Gorge
For two and a half years Far North folk have faced long detours, isolation from friends and family, higher costs and fewer customers. This week, however, that's coming to an end, thanks to the… Audio
MPI asking people to keep an eye on backyard hens
MPI is asking people to keep a close eye on their backyard chooks after a bird flu scare in the forced killing of 200 thousand birds. A mainland egg farm near Moeraki tested positive for an aggressive… Audio
Major rescue operation underway after earthquake in Vanuatu
A massive 7.3 earthquake has hit Vanuatu, at a depth of 10 kilometres. The quake struck 37 kilometres west of the capital Port Vila just before 1:00pm local time. A local journalist has told the ABC… Audio
7.3 earthquake hits Vanuatu, 10 km depth
The National Emergency Management Agency says there is no Tsunami threat to New Zealand. Locals on social media are reporting landslips and say its the biggest quake to hit the island in up to two… Audio
Auckland Zoo welcomes baby rhino calf
Auckland Zoo's had a pre-Christmas delivery, they've welcomed a bruiser of a baby southern white rhino calf. He arrived on Friday, following a speedy labour; a remarkable three minutes give or take… Audio
Deer carcass found in Waipa District Council recycling
One north island council's revealed its roll of recycle shame, the items people stuff into bin pretending they can have a second life, when they know full well they can't. A deer carcass was found… Audio
What's behind all the seabirds washing up dead?
Unusually high numbers of dead seabirds have been reported on the North Island's west coast beaches.
