Our seabirds are in trouble: What do we do?

Our seabirds are in trouble: What do we do?

By Brendon Dunphy Currently, 90% of our seabirds are threatened with extinction. It is a colossal loss and a colossally sad number. Aotearoa/New Zealand is the seabird capital of the world. From inspiring ocean wanderers such as the royal albatross (who may not touch...
Just how healthy is Aotearoa’s freshwater?

Just how healthy is Aotearoa’s freshwater?

By Sophie Bijl-Brown In addition to providing a source of taha wairua and taha tinana, particularly for iwi, freshwater health is recognised as a necessary strategic and productive asset for New Zealand. In addition to providing a source of taha wairua and taha...
Can New Zealand keep coronavirus out?

Can New Zealand keep coronavirus out?

By Michael Plank, Alex James, Audrey Lustig, Nicholas Steyn, Rachelle Binny & Shaun Hendy Stringent border controls and mandatory quarantine give New Zealand a good chance to remain free of COVID-19 for months to come, according to our latest modelling. It’s been...
COVID contact tracing: Were we clever, or just lucky?

COVID contact tracing: Were we clever, or just lucky?

By Tim Dare Bluntly, our management of contact tracing has been shambolic and it has important lessons beyond the COVID pandemic. New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 seems to have been effective and certainly looks assured. The Government seems to have had a plan, and...
How bad is the state of New Zealand’s rivers?

How bad is the state of New Zealand’s rivers?

By Troy Baisden The latest environmental report on New Zealand’s lakes and rivers reiterates bleak news about the state of freshwater ecosystems, and warns that climate change will exacerbate existing threats. Almost all New Zealand rivers running through urban and...