Science

If those rivers came out of pipes, how might it change our relationship to them? Pictured, Hayton’s Stream in Wigram (Image: Shanti Mathias)

The tricky trade-offs in making room for rivers in the city

Urban streams are often channelled into pipes. But there’s another way.

By Shanti Mathias | 3rd November, 2025

Contributing writer

Metservice has issued a rare red weather warning as dangerous winds sweep the country. (Image: The Spinoff)

The strong winds hitting Aotearoa, explained

Deadly, gale-force gusts have wiped out electricity for thousands – here’s what you need to know

By Shanti Mathias | 23rd October, 2025

Contributing writer

The town with no hedgehogs

The town with no hedgehogs

In a country where hedgehogs have spread to almost every habitat, none live in this small South Island town. Here's why that's such a big deal.

By Allison Hess | 21st October, 2025

What’s on the road ahead? (Image: The Spinoff)

What’s in NZ's long-awaited climate adaptation plan? And what was left out?

It's good news that New Zealand finally has a plan – even if it doesn't say who should pay for the costs ahead.

By Shanti Mathias | 20th October, 2025

Contributing writer

The agriculture industry is the primary source of methane; methane is the primary contributor to New Zealand’s heating (Image: The Spinoff)

The new, lowered methane targets, explained

The weakened targets are 'practical and fair', says the government. What do others think?

By Shanti Mathias | 14th October, 2025

Contributing writer

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

No one can be cute forever. (Left: Te Papa. Right: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute).

Breaking news: the colossal squid is… beautiful?

The first verified sighting of a colossal squid alive in its habitat shows that it's not nearly as ugly as the one in Te Papa.

By Gabi Lardies | 16th April, 2025

Contributing writer

A kea searches for food, finds none and knocks a plate off a table at Arthur’s Pass Cafe

Arthur’s Pass tourists love kea, but locals are desperately trying to keep them away

A campaign to discourage New Zealand’s charismatic mountain parrot, the kea, from hanging out at a tourist hotspot appears to be working.

By Venetia Sherson | 16th April, 2025

Contributing writer

Tonight (Friday March 14), approx 7.30-8pm (NZT): if you miss it, you’ll be filled with regret. (Image: The Spinoff)

Urgent PSA: there is a lunar eclipse tonight

Where, when and how to admire this evening’s celestial event.

By Shanti Mathias | 14th March, 2025

Contributing writer

Professional trappers do gruelling work, and find great views. (Image: supplied/Tina Tiller)

Getting rid of predators is one thing. Keeping them gone is another

On the frontlines of invasive species control, serious questions about funding and scalability linger.

By Shanti Mathias | 11th March, 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