Science related stories and commentary
If you like listening to science podcasts, you’ll love the live shows that are coming up in Auckland and Wellington featuring Dr Chris Smith who leads the merry band of scientists and journalists known as The Naked Scientists. Chris was an early pioneer of science podcasting, starting The Naked Scientists in 1999 as a podcast […]
MoreA few weeks ago I headed up the hill to Victoria University to hear science and innovation minister Steven Joyce launch a document called the “Draft National Statement of Science Investment 2014 – 2024“. If you are a scientist in New Zealand, or involved in the science system, this should be very important to you. […]
MoreWhen it comes to industries that are seen as damaging to the environment, the dairy sector is usually the prime target in New Zealand. And there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the production that powers our largest export industry is having an increasingly apparent impact on the land and our waterways. The scale […]
MoreNIWA’s research ship Tangaroa has spent the last few weeks in dry dock at the Devonport Naval Base where it is receiving an overhaul that will set it up well for many more voyages of discovery. But the inclement weather in Auckland has hampered efforts to get a fresh coat of paint onto Tangaroa’s bottom. […]
MoreAs a kid heading north out of Auckland on holiday road trips I used to love going past the big satellite earth station near Warkworth. For decades, the earth station, which was built by the New Zealand Post Office in 1971 and is owned by Telecom, formed a major link for voice and data communications […]
MoreUPDATED: At least seven New Zealand scientists have featured in a list including the top 1 per cent most-cited researchers in science worldwide. They include (I missed a couple of expat Kiwis out so have updated the list): A couple of ex-pat Kiwis also make it into the 1% club. Professor Rob Knight, University of […]
MoreThis is fascinating… AUT researchers examining a giant squid… live streaming now! http://new.livestream.com/accounts/5183627/events/3069649/player?width=560&height=315&autoPlay=true&mute=false
MoreA couple of days ago, I received a flurry of LinkedIn messages – people congratulating me on six years managing the New Zealand Science Media Centre. Some automated LinkedIn alert had flagged an anniversary I had overlooked. Well, those six years have flown by in what has amounted to the most productive, rewarding and interesting […]
MoreUPDATED: We all know that our Crown Research Institutes carry out a lot of commercial work for clients, in fact they are encouraged to do so in the interests of returning a dividend to the Crown which funds them. But are those commercial relationships influencing the scientific advice that scientists give? Back in April, Massey […]
MoreThe national budget announced today contained a raft of announcements on research, science and innovation funding. The only big surprise is the news that additional centres of research excellence will be funded from 2016, bringing to ten the total numbers of CoREs that will exist. That’s a clear endorsement by the Government of the CoRE […]
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PETER GRIFFIN 
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