Environment
5 reasons why the Fast-track Approvals Bill threatens NZ's fragile ecosystems
Opinion - The bill emphasizes short-term economic gain, but risks further eroding Aotearoa's natural environment and reducing biodiversity, Margaret Stanley writes.
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 17 April
On today's episode we hear from Resource Minister Shane Jones on reducing barriers to coal mines, we get Labour's reaction to the changes from leader Chris Hipkins, journalist and media commentator… Audio
Shane Jones reduces barriers to coal mine consents
Resource Minister Shane Jones is reducing barriers to the consenting of coal mines, saying the changes will bring it into line with other types of mining. Jones spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Forest and Bird on changes to coal mine consents
Resources Minister Shane Jones has announced changes that will reduce barriers to coal mine consenting, but Forest & Bird says it should be harder to get consent for a coal mine. Forest & Bird's… Audio
Air New Zealand to absorb cost of new sustainable jet fuel at this stage
Air New Zealand is increasing its use of sustainable jet fuel in a bid to cut carbon emissions but the expensive, difficult to source fuel will still be less than 1 percent of the airline's total fuel… Audio
How planes from NZ might end up making rain in Thailand
Aotearoa's only commercial aircraft manufacturer says it new plane is ideal for hot, high places with humid conditions. Audio
North Otago mine turns to electric solution
A North Otago gold mine has powered up an electrifying new addition to help it become more sustainable. Tess Brunton reports. Audio
Forest and Bird on Auckland's East-West link
The Supreme Court has ruled that plans for the East-West Link, between Onehunga and Mt Wellington, need to be looked at again in light of the Resource Management Act. Forest and Bird general counsel… Audio
Fishers more 'vigilant' after on-boat cameras introduced - industry leads
It comes as new data shows a dramatic increase of dolphin captures and other fish and seabirds by the commercial fishing industry. Audio
The app helping orchardists manage individual trees
Fruitminder is a software agri-business that allows orchardists to precisely manage each tree. Sebastian Chapman is founder and CEO. Audio
The volunteers fixing up Christchurch's broken bicycles
It's easy to junk something when it's broken, and just buy something new. In the decade since it was founded, RAD Bikes has recycled over fifty thousand bike parts and served nearly twenty thousand… Audio
Research showcased at food, farming and freshwater roadshow
Farmers and growers around the country have been getting together to hear about research which might help New Zealand agriculture adapt to future challenges. Audio
Eric Fa'anoi - a view from both sides of the fence
Eric Fa'anoi has gone from helping farmers protect the environment to being a farmer himself. A visit to his ancestral village in Samoa also helped this young man from Porirua unearth his interest in… Audio
Close encounters of a rare kind: Kids help check on kiwis
It is believed to be the country's biggest ever kiwi relocation project.
'Devil in the details' when considering biofuels - Victoria University lecturer
The energy return on the energy invested must be weighed up, Dr Mike Joy says. Audio
Stevenson Mining ditches case in Environment Court
Another company has pulled out of the resource consent process and could be banking on trying its luck with the upcoming fast-track approval process, with Stevenson Mining ditching its case in the… Audio
Fears cuts at DOC will cause species extinction
"DOC won't have the capacity to deliver on species conservation programmes," an academic says. Audio
Pasifika, Maori leaders seeking legal personhood for whales make 'a big statement'
Aotearoa's Kiingi Tuheitia and the Cook Islands Kaumaiti Nui Tou Ariki have signed a declaration that aims to give to'orā more robust protections that are recognised internationally. Audio
'Hopium': how it's holding back environmentally sound solutions
Biofuels are seen as an environmentally friendly option as countries explore ways of decarbonising their economies. We had a lot of feedback from the interview, including from Dr Mike Joy, who has… Audio
Environmental experts concerned over proposed DOC job cuts
The Department of Conservation is proposing to axe 130 jobs, spanning biodiversity, visitor services, and regional operations. University of Otago lecturer in ecology and former DOC staffer Jo Monks… Audio