Quake-prone buildings redefined – Expert Reaction

Last chance to apply for media training in Auckland this year! Applications close Sunday September 28th. www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/science-medi...

Will the world overshoot its climate targets? – Expert Q&A

Trump’s autism and paracetamol comments disputed – Expert Reaction

Changes to childhood vaccine recommendations in the US – Expert Reaction

Repeat head knocks may damage young athletes’ brains – Expert Reaction

Gravitational wave study confirms NZ scientist’s black hole theory – Expert Reaction www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/09/17/g...

Three hoiho were killed in fisheries incidents in the last quarter. An emergency set net fishing ban to protect the rare penguin—the 2024 Bird of the Year—comes into effect at 5 pm today. Fishing net ban to protect hoiho – Expert Reaction www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/09/16/f...

If you're attending Queenstown Research Week this week, make sure to sign up for a free Savvy Express session. This widely-praised one-on-one training helps researchers practise speaking on-camera in a safe environment – in just 15 minutes. www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/savvy-expres...

Tomorrow at 10am: Join us for a free webinar about how researchers can make the most of social media. We'll cover tips on which platforms to use, how to build an audience, with time for audience questions at the end. Register here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/monthly-talk...

Thursday! Social media tips for researchers with Prof Ekant Veer. We'll cover: choosing a platform, finding your audience, and how to do social media for social good. Register here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/monthly-talk...

Last chance to apply for our media advisor role! Get your CV in by 5pm today. www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Do you enjoy distilling complex ideas into easy-to-understand points? What about connecting with talented people, learning new things every day, and finding big science news stories before anyone else? Apply for our media advisor role by 5pm tomorrow: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

We're looking for a new media advisor who's keen to help us provide essential plain-langauge context for reporters whenever science is in the headlines. More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Only a few days left to send in your CV to work with us at the SMC! Apply by 5pm Thursday: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

We're looking for a new media advisor to join our team connecting the worlds of science and journalism. **Apply by Thursday** - more info here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Want to work with the SMC? We don’t expect perfection in our candidates – if you think you may have what it takes, but don’t meet every point referenced below, please still get in touch! More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Want to join our team? This role would suit an experienced journalist with a keen interest in how science and research impact the world around us, or an exceptional science communicator with a solid understanding of news media. More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

THE SMC IS HIRING! We're looking for someone to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in Aotearoa New Zealand. More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Congratulations to our winners - Kate Newton of RNZ, and @foxmeyer.bsky.social of @newsroom.co.nz! www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/19/w...

SCIENCE JOURNALISM AWARDS FINALIST: Crayfish are the “great creators and cleanup crew” of their freshwater homes, in this @nzgeo.bsky.social piece by Bill Morris which weaves together great photos, human stories, facts and mātauranga. www.nzgeo.com/stories/worl...

SCIENCE JOURNALISM AWARDS FINALIST: @foxmeyer.bsky.social's article for @newsroom.co.nz is “a great invitation to look beyond the stunning auroras” and focus on mitigating their disruption to electrical grids. newsroom.co.nz/2025/01/10/i...

SCIENCE JOURNALISM AWARDS FINALIST: James Ball digs into the history of Dunedin's wetlands and why they were drained in this @tvnz.bsky.social piece that attempts to make sense of the October 2024 floods. www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/06/w...

Less than a week till we announce the Science Journalism Awards winners! One of the finalists is @kategevans.bsky.social‬ remarkable tale in @nzgeo.bsky.social‬ of the threats to the seemingly ubiquitous red-billed gull. www.nzgeo.com/stories/the-...

This new study goes into excruciating detail about the... uh… 'squeezing', 'abdominal massage', and 'electric stimulation' techniques used to collect kākāpō sperm.

Excellent if depressing commentary on science funding from today's budget. From Frédérique Vanholsbeeck: "we are witnessing the slow destruction of the science sector, with a continued lack of investment effectively gutting it of people and infrastructure as researchers leave the country"

Budget 2025 continues the government's shift of the science sector towards more "growth-promoting investments". www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/05/22/b...

We're thrilled to announce the eleven finalists for the 2025 Science Journalism Awards, covering solar storms, crafty kōura, dental dams, and more! Winners will be revealed on 18 June. www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/05/15/e...

I can't recommend this course enough. If you are at all interested in disseminating your science through the media, then you should take this course.

Attention South Island-based experts looking for media training! There are still a handful of spots in our 5-6 June Chch workshop (including at least one fees-free space). We've extended the deadline to apply, and applications this week are likely to be accepted. smc.nz/science-media-savvy/#apply

We're in the final days to nominate a piece of journalism for a golden tardigrade: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/02/21/c...

I might have to change careers - this is one prize I would love to win! What a trophy. However, I think I might need to practice for 20+ years first. NZ has some pretty fab science reporters!

Spotted a fantastic piece of science journalism in the past year? Nominate it for a golden tardigrade: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/02/21/c...

Trump’s science spending cuts: NZ Expert reaction “The US Embassy in NZ website notes that it will be unable to process any new grant applications.” From the NZ Science Media Centre (@smcnz.bsky.social) www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/02/11/t...

Bat hitchiking, mealybug milking, and defensive bleeding – the creepiest crawlies and freakiest fliers of Aotearoa are duking it out in an annual popularity contest. #BugOfTheYear

A handful of places are still available for our media training workshop in Auckland on 27-28 February. Our next round of applications will close on Monday. Apply for Science Media SAVVY here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/science-medi...

A handful of places are still available for our media training workshop in Auckland on 27-28 February. Our next round of applications will close on Monday. Apply for Science Media SAVVY here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/science-medi...

Thanks as always to the @smcnz.bsky.social for rounding up local commentary on this latest from Science on global potential for carbon-capturing building materials. www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...

My slightly more considered take on the Marsden fund changes is now here. This govt is focused on the impacts of funding — I don’t mind that — but they don’t seem to have thought for a second about the impact of the lack of it. On people; on society; on academic freedom.

"Cutting back on basic science and expecting great economic impact is like blocking the source of a river and expecting water will still flow to the ocean." www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2024/12/04/g...

Wealthy countries have committed to spend more than NZ$500 billion (US$300b) annually by 2035 to help poorer countries cope with the impacts of climate change. The so-called "finance COP" in Baku, Azerbaijan has just concluded with agreement on the... https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/?p=46427

After reviewing the evidence around puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria, the Ministry of Health is taking a careful approach. The Ministry has released an evidence brief which concludes there are limitations around the quality... https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/?p=46418

New Zealanders are being encouraged to prepare for the likely arrival of bird flu. The strain of H5N1 bird flu affecting birds and mammals around the world hasn't reached Aotearoa and its Pacific neighbours yet. However, it spreads easily between... https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/?p=46409

A new modelling study says global plastic waste will double by the middle of the century if we stick to business as usual. However, a mix of policies could slash it by 90%. The study, published in Science, also found that greenhouse gas emissions... https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/?p=46401

Massive congratulations @kategevans.bsky.social 👏👏👏 Repping AoNZ on the biggest stage in science journalism! sjawards.aaas.org/news/2024-aa...

Experts comment on research showing a decline in new puberty blocker prescriptions since 2021: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2024/09/27/p...

Join the Science Media Centre for a free webinar with tips for researchers on communicating with the general public, and working with the media. - Thursday, 26 Sept at 10am. Sign up here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/monthly-talk...

Based on recent data, our modelling suggests the Māori language could be on a path to recovery → theconversation.com/saved-from-e...

To coincide with the new #pāua (#abalone) species from #NewZealand, the Manawatāwhi pāua Haliotis pirimoana (www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....) (theconversation.com/the-paua-tha...), we have released this fact sheet @smcnz.bsky.social

Tattoo infections, weight loss surgery, and tobacco industry influence: These are the best pieces of Aotearoa science journalism from the past year, as decided by nominators and our judges: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2024/06/13/t...