In March 2024, a rocket launched from Florida carrying New Zealand’s first science payload to the International Space Station. The small cube, named Lucy, is a protein crystallisation lab developed by Dr Sarah Kessans from the University of Canterbury. Protein crystallisation is often the key first step in figuring out a protein structure, and the unique fluid conditions of microgravity in low Earth orbit helps the process. Working with several collaborators, Sarah is trying to develop a commercially viable crystallisation lab in space. Plus, Dr Brian Russell is creating AI tools to help space companies make critical decisions around astronaut health and safety. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Guests:Associate Professor Sarah Kessans, University of CanterburyDr Brian Russell, Auckland Bioengineering Institute and AUTLearn more:Read more: New Zealand in the low Earth orbit economy.Researchers in the Paihau Robinson Research institute are also working on developing plasma rockets for travel in space. They launched a superconducting magnet for testing on board the ISS yesterday. In 2017, the same year that RocketLab did their first ‘It’s a test’ launch, William Ray had a look at New Zealand in space.Listen to Dr Sarah Kessans on Morning Report in 2023.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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29:51
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29:51
The I-spy carbon mobile
An elaborate game of carbon ‘I spy’ is happening on the streets of Wellington. With their brand-new mobile carbon lab, Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly GNS) can detect things like carbon dioxide and methane as they drive around. This allows them to pinpoint where emissions are coming from. Plus, with radiocarbon measurements, they can understand what amount of the carbon they detect is coming from fossil fuels. It all helps to ground-truth our estimates of what’s happening in our urban environments.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Guests:Dr Jocelyn Turnbull, Earth Sciences New ZealandHayden Young, Earth Sciences New ZealandLearn more:Read this week's article: Playing 'I-spy' with urban emissions.Carbon Watch NZ is an ongoing project to measure how much carbon is being produced across New Zealand. Alison Ballance covered this project in 2020, including learning about Baring Head atmospheric research station, and about a project also by Dr Jocelyn Turnbull using grass to measure urban emissions.The mobile carbon lab uses glass-blown flasks to collect radiocarbon. Learn about scientific glassblowing in this 2010 OCW episode.The People, Cities and Nature project is investigating how to return biodiversity to our towns and cities, such as the gullies in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. Such green areas would act as urban carbon sinks. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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26:05
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26:05
The comeback bird
Takahē were believed to be extinct not once, but twice. Today their population is just over 500 – still not a huge number, but big enough that new homes are needed for these flightless manu. The latest area to welcome takahē is the upper Whakatipu – in particular, the stunning Rees Valley. But threats remain and keeping on top of predator numbers is key for this comeback bird to survive and thrive in their new home.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Guests:Chrissy Becker-Fifield, Southern Lakes Sanctuary.Additional thanks to Glen Greaves of DOC’s takahē recovery programme for background information.Also mentioned: the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust.Learn more:Read this episode's article: Backcountry takahē make a comeback.November 2023 marked the 75th anniversary of the second time takahē were ‘rediscovered’. We spoke to Alison Ballance about her book about takahē, and her years of reporting on these birds. RNZ reported on DOC’s efforts to catch the stoat culprits that killed a number of takahē in the Greenstone valley.After decades of careful monitoring, DOC are stepping back from the Murchison Mountain’s population of takahē.Takahē have been spotted by trampers around the Shelter Rock hut deep in the Rees valley.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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27:47
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27:47
Powering New Zealand
Gas shortages, a reversal of the ban of offshore oil and gas exploration, and a government plan to double geothermal energy in the next 15 years… There’s been a lot in the news recently about New Zealand’s energy supply now and in the future. Claire Concannon speaks to researcher Dr Jen Purdie about our ongoing electrification of industry and transport, about our ‘dry year problem’, and what the future of supply and demand might look like in a changing climate.*This episode was updated with some additional clarifications on 15th September 2025Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Guests:Dr Jen Purdie, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago.Kirsty Johnston, RNZ In-Depth journalistLearn more:Could nuclear fusion-generated energy be a way to help us power the future? Learn how New Zealand company OpenStar Technologies are trying to crack this.Read or listen to Kirsty’s recent reporting about what has changed in climate policies underpinning the Zero Carbon Act 2019. The coalition government has stated they want to use New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (rather than the GIDI fund) to help drive the transition from fossil fuels to other forms of energy, but as climate change journalist Eloise Gibson reports, there are issues with this plan.ReferencesThe 2025 Energy in New Zealand report came out in August 2025.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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28:29
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28:29
New Zealand’s youth vaping rates
New Zealand’s youth vaping rates are among the highest in the world. How did we get here and what will this mean for the future of our rangatahi? A 2018 court case paved the way for a loose regulatory start for vaping in New Zealand, and rapid uptake by those aged 14–24 in the years since has led to concerns that a new generation is now addicted to nicotine. New Zealand researchers are investigating how vaping affects our lungs, and the harms young people are experiencing in terms of social connections and mental health. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Dr Claire Concannon follows scientists into the bush, over rivers, back to their labs and many places in-between to cover the most fascinating research being done in Aotearoa New Zealand.
New Zealand