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
--------
27:47
--------
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.Sign 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
--------
27:04
--------
27:04
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
--------
28:42
--------
28:42
The science of non-alcoholic beer
More and more of us are reaching for low or no-alcohol beers. As the market grows, the options are also expanding – but brewing beer without alcohol fermentation presents a tricky puzzle. In traditional beer brewing the conversion of sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide through yeast fermentation is a key part of the process. How can you get the same flavour into beer without it? A team at Victoria University of Wellington, including the head of research and development at Garage Project, have begun an interdisciplinary research project to address this. They’re hoping to develop a brand-new yeast strain, one that will recreate delicious beer flavours, but without the alcohol.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
--------
26:17
--------
26:17
Turning Taupō green
Project Tongariro was established as a living memorial for five people who died in a tragic helicopter accident. Last November, the project turned 40 years old. Over those four decades, activities have expanded beyond Tongariro National Park and into the wider area, including urban restoration through tree planting and predator trapping. Claire Concannon visits the Taupō-based projects that Project Tongariro is supporting as they prepare for Greening Taupō Day – their biggest planting day of the year.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Guests:Kiri Te Wano, CEO Project TongariroRobyn Ellis, Greening Taupō and Predator Free TaupōRachel Thompson, Kids Greening TaupōHeidi Pritchard, Kids Greening TaupōCelia Bocket, Wicked WeedersZara, Jack, Taylor and Emily, students of Taupō Intermediate SchoolLearn more:Read the article that accompanies this episode: 40 years of Project TongariroProject Tongariro are also involved in a number of restoration projects near Tūrangi, including removing willows from a wetland area.In Kirikiriroa Hamilton, a team are also focused on urban greening as part of the People, Nature and Cities project.Just outside Dunedin, the Halo Project has been working to provide a safe space for birds around the Orokonui fenced ecosanctuary, as the Country Life team learned last year.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