Getty ImagesSix years after COVID-19 first reached New Zealand, the country is experiencing its ninth wave of infections. But the virus we are living with today behaves very differently from the one that caused the global emergency in 2020–22. Large outbreaks can still occur, but thanks to widespread immunity built
A fluttering shearwater foraging at sea. Edin Whitehead, CC BY-NC-NDSome seabirds breeding in New Zealand’s largest marine park struggled to raise chicks this summer, most likely because climate change is forcing them to travel too far in search of food. The Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana is a global hotspot for
Wikimedia Commons, CC BYThe patron saint of Ireland was not, in fact, Irish. He was a Roman Briton, who spent his childhood in southwestern England before being kidnapped by Irish raiders, spirited across the sea and enslaved. Many folkloric traditions surrounding St Patrick have accumulated over the centuries. But
Fadel Senna/GettyOnce a small fishing and pearling village, Dubai has grown to become a major financial, commercial and tourism hub in the Middle East. It is the second-largest (behind Abu Dhabi) of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). For decades, its economic success has
Casarsa/Getty ImagesA number of cases of the flesh-eating Buruli ulcer have now been detected on the New South Wales south coast. There is growing evidence mosquitoes are at least partly responsible for the spread of this “flesh-eating” bacteria, with possums also implicated. Health authorities have urged locals to avoid mosquito
roxylaz/iNaturalist, Tim Bawden/iNaturalist, Wikimedia, The Conversation, CC BYWithout fanfare, the Australian government has published the latest snapshot on its progress toward halting and reversing the loss of Australia’s biodiversity – our unique wildlife, plants and nature – by 2030. This report on Australia’s progress under the Global ...
Thai Lian Lim/ Getty Images In Australia, artificial intelligence is becoming a near-universal feature of education. As of 2025, nearly 80% of university students reported using AI in their studies. Overseas, reports are even higher. This year, a UK survey of undergraduates found 94% were using it to help
Ryugu sample in its return capsule. JAXAA new study reveals all five fundamental nucleobases – the molecular “letters” of life – have been detected in samples from the asteroid Ryugu. Asteroid particles offer a glimpse into the chemical ingredients that may have helped kindle life on Earth. The Ryugu samples
If the ARN radio network’s KIISFM stations want to resurrect Kyle Sandilands or Jackie “O” Henderson, either together, singly or in partnership with someone else, they will face significant new conditions on their broadcasting licence. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has produced a report reciting a litany of
The Farrer by-election on May 9 will be a major test for new Liberal leader Angus Taylor and new Nationals leader Matt Canavan, as well as a real-time measure of One Nation’s surging poll numbers. One Nation’s David Farley and independent Michelle Milthorpe are considered the early frontrunners in the
Former Nationals’ leader Michael McCormack has been brought back onto the frontbench as the opposition unveiled yet another reshuffle, this one triggered by the elevation of Matt Canavan to become Nationals leader. McCormack will be shadow minister for water and shadow minister for veterans’ affairs. The water post will
As the US–Israeli war with Iran enters its third week, reports are emerging that Israel is potentially running out of air defence interceptors due to Iran’s retaliatory attacks. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Israeli foreign minister have denied the reports. The government did reportedly approve around US$826 million
Getty ImagesSix years after COVID-19 first reached New Zealand, the country is experiencing its ninth wave of infections. But the virus we are living with today behaves very differently from the one that caused the global emergency in 2020–22. Large outbreaks can still occur, but thanks to widespread immunity built
A fluttering shearwater foraging at sea. Edin Whitehead, CC BY-NC-NDSome seabirds breeding in New Zealand’s largest marine park struggled to raise chicks this summer, most likely because climate change is forcing them to travel too far in search of food. The Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana is a global hotspot for
Wikimedia Commons, CC BYThe patron saint of Ireland was not, in fact, Irish. He was a Roman Briton, who spent his childhood in southwestern England before being kidnapped by Irish raiders, spirited across the sea and enslaved. Many folkloric traditions surrounding St Patrick have accumulated over the centuries. But
Fadel Senna/GettyOnce a small fishing and pearling village, Dubai has grown to become a major financial, commercial and tourism hub in the Middle East. It is the second-largest (behind Abu Dhabi) of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). For decades, its economic success has
Casarsa/Getty ImagesA number of cases of the flesh-eating Buruli ulcer have now been detected on the New South Wales south coast. There is growing evidence mosquitoes are at least partly responsible for the spread of this “flesh-eating” bacteria, with possums also implicated. Health authorities have urged locals to avoid mosquito
roxylaz/iNaturalist, Tim Bawden/iNaturalist, Wikimedia, The Conversation, CC BYWithout fanfare, the Australian government has published the latest snapshot on its progress toward halting and reversing the loss of Australia’s biodiversity – our unique wildlife, plants and nature – by 2030. This report on Australia’s progress under the Global ...
Thai Lian Lim/ Getty Images In Australia, artificial intelligence is becoming a near-universal feature of education. As of 2025, nearly 80% of university students reported using AI in their studies. Overseas, reports are even higher. This year, a UK survey of undergraduates found 94% were using it to help
Ryugu sample in its return capsule. JAXAA new study reveals all five fundamental nucleobases – the molecular “letters” of life – have been detected in samples from the asteroid Ryugu. Asteroid particles offer a glimpse into the chemical ingredients that may have helped kindle life on Earth. The Ryugu samples
If the ARN radio network’s KIISFM stations want to resurrect Kyle Sandilands or Jackie “O” Henderson, either together, singly or in partnership with someone else, they will face significant new conditions on their broadcasting licence. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has produced a report reciting a litany of
The Farrer by-election on May 9 will be a major test for new Liberal leader Angus Taylor and new Nationals leader Matt Canavan, as well as a real-time measure of One Nation’s surging poll numbers. One Nation’s David Farley and independent Michelle Milthorpe are considered the early frontrunners in the
Former Nationals’ leader Michael McCormack has been brought back onto the frontbench as the opposition unveiled yet another reshuffle, this one triggered by the elevation of Matt Canavan to become Nationals leader. McCormack will be shadow minister for water and shadow minister for veterans’ affairs. The water post will
As the US–Israeli war with Iran enters its third week, reports are emerging that Israel is potentially running out of air defence interceptors due to Iran’s retaliatory attacks. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Israeli foreign minister have denied the reports. The government did reportedly approve around US$826 million
