Science

Early-career researchers involved in Antarctic field work (Photos: Supplied)

Why New Zealand must invest in the next generation of Antarctic researchers

At a time of geopolitical upheaval and uncertainty, it's a critical way to help ensure New Zealand maintains its influence in Antarctic affairs.

By Gabrielle Koerich

& Tamara Pletzer | 10th June, 2025

The beef and dairy sector is keen to promote a different way to count methane emissions (Image: The Spinoff/Shanti Mathias)

Changing our methane standards could set a ‘dangerous precedent’, scientists warn

Why a new way of counting methane could put New Zealand's climate targets at risk.

By Shanti Mathias | 5th June, 2025

Contributing writer

The Niwa game is many people’s reality as flooding around Aotearoa is exacerbated by climate change. (Image: Shanti Mathias/screenshot)

Ever wondered what you would do if your town flooded? There’s a game for that

The ‘serious game’ that reflects New Zealand’s flooded future.

By Shanti Mathias | 22nd May, 2025

Contributing writer

Image: The Spinoff

How can research contribute to economic growth if it’s not funded properly?

For New Zealand to innovate and compete, science investment must increase as a proportion of GDP.

By Nicola Gaston | 22nd May, 2025

The City Nature science challenge can get everyone involved (Image: Christchurch City Council, with additional design by The Spinoff)

The global challenge making your backyard come alive

Even in suburbia, even on grey autumn long weekends, there is biodiversity. You just need to look for it.

By Shanti Mathias | 21st April, 2025

Contributing writer

A worker at a carbon capture facility in West Texas (Photo: Getty Images; additional design The Spinoff)

Carbon storage has risks. How will New Zealand’s new framework deal with them?

It's been tabled as an interim solution to rising emissions, but leakage from long-term disposal sites is a major technical risk.

By David Dempsey

& Andrew La Croix | 3rd March, 2025

Design: The Spinoff

The genetic gamble: Having children when you carry a hereditary condition

The choice to have children can be fraught with medical, financial and ethical hurdles, with the public health system offering limited support.

By Liam Rātana | 3rd March, 2025

Lots of bugs to vote for! (Image: The Spinoff)

Spineless, but still special: Eight bugs vying for your vote

Are you a trendy eyelet moth, or a brat green slug?

By Shanti Mathias | 15th February, 2025

Contributing writer

Why should Putricia get all the glory? (Image: Tina Tiller)

Justice for the stinky plant languishing at Auckland Zoo

Are we too modest when it comes to celebrating our putrid plant life?

By Asia Martusia King | 7th February, 2025

The new bug in town. (Photos: left, Auckland Museum, right, Kate Mcalpine via iNaturalist).

What are ‘winged wētā’ and are they taking over?

An Australian wētā lookalike was first noticed in Pukekohe in 1990. Now the stroppy biting insects are common from Auckland up to Cape Reinga.

By Gabi Lardies | 31st January, 2025

Image: The Spinoff

The science sector shake-up, explained

The government wants to 'maximise the value' of its funding of scientific research. Here's what that means.

By Shanti Mathias | 24th January, 2025

Contributing writer

Just some of the common products that contain PFAS (Image: The Spinoff)

Are we doing enough about ‘forever chemicals’?

They're in stuff you use every day – and probably in your bloodstream, too.

By Shanti Mathias | 22nd January, 2025

Contributing writer

Microplastics found in organic waste across Aotearoa. (Image: Supplied)

Great, there are microplastics in our compost now too

It may look like a beautiful piece of abstract art, but the reality of what you're looking at 'raises a few scary questions'.

By Alex Casey | 21st January, 2025

Should I swim here? (Image: Tina Tiller)

A trip to the beach with the poo detectives

How a little jar of seawater ends up as a red cross that ruins your day-at-the-beach plans – but keeps you safe from swimming in sewage.

By Shanti Mathias | 26th December, 2024

Contributing writer

Mara Fischer, Ben Harris and Tara Williams prepare a sediment corer for its journey to the bottom of the sea (Image: Shanti Mathias)

Carbon credits, fish poo and the push to discover the secrets of the sea floor

As the ocean is transformed by global heating, pollution and trawling, could blue carbon be a reason to protect more of it?

By Shanti Mathias | 16th December, 2024

Contributing writer

Image: The Spinoff

The changes to research funding in Aotearoa, explained

What are Marsden grants, and why have this week's changes to them caused such a stir?

By Shanti Mathias | 5th December, 2024

Contributing writer