Environment
Orana Wildlife Park goes international with long-term plan
Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park is bringing in a top international zoo designer to help shape its long-term masterplan. They'll look at how to better use the park's space and improve animal… Audio
Gentle giants released into Taranaki sanctuary
About 100 critically-endangered Mahoenui giant weta have been released into the Rotokare Sanctuary in Taranaki this week as part of efforts to preserve the taonga species. Robin Martin reports. Audio
Wells with 40,000-year-old groundwater discovered
And scientists are warning they'll be put at risk if too much water is taken. Audio
Construction of controversial Rotorua pipeline back in court
The Rotokākahi Board of Control is taking the council to court over the Tarawera Sewage Scheme.
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 27 November 2025
Attorney-General Judith Collins says the inquiry will look into whether government agencies did everything they could to ensure children were safe; Secondary teachers are voting on a potential… Audio
Waikato PHD student’s berm idea mowed down by council
Olivier Raven made his suburban berm into a no-grow patch in an effort to promote flower growth and attract insects, but after two complaints from the public Hamilton City Council gave him 30 days to… Audio
Rare fish seen for first time in over a decade in Auckland
The black mudfish hadn't been seen since 2014 - but that all changed a couple of months ago. Audio
Wind farm opens on Chatham Islands
Chatham Island locals hope a change is in the air for their astronomical power bills - and for the future of Rekohu. Tess Brunton reports. Audio
The fierce battle over mining on Denniston Plateau
The West Coast has long been mining country, but a proposed expansion of coal mining operations - and the backlash - leaves the region's economy and ecology uncertain Audio
Wilding pines threaten Kaikōura ranges in 'looming catastrophe'
A patch of wilding trees have been found about 3km from the as-yet uninfected Inland Kaikōura Range.
Native freshwater fish resurfaces after a decade of searching
A native freshwater fish thought to be lost from Auckland's wetlands has resurfaced after more than a decade of searching. Populations of the elusive and endangered Waikaka, or Black Mudfish, have… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 26 November 2025
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel; Regional Development Minister and NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones has been one of the strongest… Audio
'I was engulfed in this huge cloud of orange and green slime'
From loose-boweled whales in Tonga to the deafening call of the Weddell seal, Kiwi cameraman Andrew Penniket has had plenty of close encounters under the surface.
Cats, birds and 1080 divide Stewart Island's 400 residents
A controversial 1080 poisoning was dropped over thousands of hectares of the island in an attempt at killing feral cats and saving a bird from extinction. But locals worry the poison could put… Audio
Pig farm hit with record fine after 'appalling' offending
The farm had sewage tanks overflowing into waterways, with repeated violations one of "the worst cases" officials had ever dealt with.. Video
Milford Great Walk reopens after track damaged by avalanches
The Milford Track is open to the public again, with Department of Conservation staff finally able to get in and restore damaged tracks. Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 24 November 2025
A KiwiSaver provider says that while National's proposed contribution rate increase is positive, the scheme's incentives need to be front and centre in discussions leading into next year's election; A… Audio
How much food is wasted in NZ every year?
For the first time, a report has measured just how much is thrown away or lost across the entire food chain.
Morning Report Essentials for Monday 24 November 2025
National is proposing to raise Kiwisaver contributions to a combined 12% by 2032 - bringing it in line with Australia; Newly re-elected Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says his second term will be focused… Audio
COP30 climate summit draws to a close
The COP30 climate summit has drawn to a close after two weeks of talks in the city of Belem, Brazil. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts spoke to Melissa Chan Green. Audio
