News

Featured image: Where is the social responsibility among social media companies?

Where is the social responsibility among social media companies?

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Mar 19, 2019

An 18-year-old has appeared in court on charges relating to sharing a video of a terrorist attack last week, but where is the accountability for the social media platforms that enabled it to be shared in the first place? Much of Friday afternoon was surreal: we went from celebrating the action of thousands of New Zealand teenagers protesting about the … Read More

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Featured image: Who spread fake news during the 2016 US election, and whose responsibility is it to stop them?

Who spread fake news during the 2016 US election, and whose responsibility is it to stop them?

Annika Bess • Feb 01, 2019

“Fake news.” Trump drawled during the led up to the 2016 election. You’re probably tired of hearing the phrase, yet he was right; fake news is a concerning issue, but who is its audience? The 2016 US presidential election was fraught with cries of ‘fake news’. As the term was used from almost all political leanings, the question remains: who … Read More

Featured image: Returning to a sunken ship

Returning to a sunken ship

Annika Bess • Jan 09, 2019

In 1916, Frank Worsley navigated a lifeboat for 16 days through rough Antarctic waters with the almost impossible task of reaching help over 1000km away, then turned around, this time with a rescue team, to return to his fellow sailors who were still stranded. Frank Worsley. Supplied/Canterbury Museum 1981.110.91. Akaroa-born Worsley was the Captain of the Endurance during Sir … Read More

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Featured image: Two years on from the Kaikōura quake

Two years on from the Kaikōura quake

Guest Author • Nov 14, 2018

This week marks the second anniversary of the magnitude 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake that ruptured a world record 25 faults in the upper South Island. GNS Science reflects on some of the key features and implications of this complex event – and talks to principal scientist Dr Kelvin Berryman about what we’ve learned. It was New Zealand’s most comprehensively recorded earthquake. Read More

Featured image: Cold-store snails, data for sale and NZ’s lost birds – our favourite science journalism from October

Cold-store snails, data for sale and NZ’s lost birds – our favourite science journalism from October

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Nov 01, 2018

Phew, it’s been a busy month in the news agenda: from the IPCC’s 1.5C report to turmoil in the National party and tragedy in Wanaka and Mt Cook. Through all of that, you’d be forgiven for missing some of the excellent science-related stories that have been published over the past month. But never fear, we’ve collated some of our favourites … Read More

Featured image: GMOs, a nod to Nigel the gannet, and illustrated abstracts – our favourite journalism from September

GMOs, a nod to Nigel the gannet, and illustrated abstracts – our favourite journalism from September

Rachel Thomas • Oct 01, 2018

There’s a lot of media out there, and we know it can be hard to keep track of the things you want to read, watch and listen to. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite science-related stories from last month to help you out. If you’ve seen something great that’s not here, let us know in the comments. Read More

Featured image: Cults, leaky houses and a belated obituary – great journalism from July and August

Cults, leaky houses and a belated obituary – great journalism from July and August

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Aug 31, 2018

Spring is just around the corner which means the Science Media Centre team have been enjoying late winter vacations. Here’s a double-issue instalment of the great science journalism we’ve enjoyed during July and August. Seen, read or listened to anything you think we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below. High Hopes: Who Will Benefit From NZ’s Legal … Read More

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Featured image: Funding science journalism in Aotearoa

Funding science journalism in Aotearoa

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Jul 23, 2018

The Aotearoa New Zealand Science Journalism Fund is now in its third round, with applications closing this week, which seems like a good time to celebrate some of the great journalism that’s been enabled by the fund. It’s the first independent journalism fund dedicated to furthering coverage of the science-related issues that impact New Zealanders. Dr Rebecca Priestley, winner … Read More

Featured image: Pruitt Resigns Amid Perpetual Scandal. Science Still Likely to Suffer at EPA

Pruitt Resigns Amid Perpetual Scandal. Science Still Likely to Suffer at EPA

Guest Author • Jul 07, 2018

Tom Zeller Jr. The latest weekly news roundup from Undark: EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt resigns, hybrid rhino embryos spark hope, and more. It was a Tweet from President Trump that environmental organizations, many scientists, and no shortage of flabbergasted citizens had actually been yearning for: “I have accepted the resignation of Scott Pruitt as the Administrator … Read More