Our Changing World

00:26:44

Black robin: From the brink to Bird of the Year

Our Changing World ·

2026/10/05

In September, the Chatham Island black robin was crowned Bird of the Year 2026. This small, round and feisty manu has a remarkable comeback story, from just five birds in 1979 to about 400 today. They are found on just two predator-free islands in the Chatham group.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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00:26:22

The science quest for a green ammonia catalyst

Our Changing World ·

2026/09/28

Over a hundred years ago Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch discovered a way to produce ammonia that revolutionised farming. It changed the world. But today this way of making ammonia uses between 1-2% of the world's global energy, and produces about the same greenhouse gas emissions as the whole airline industry. Is there a better way? A team at Earth Sciences New Zealand are on the hunt for a catalyst that could convert water and air into ammonia using renewable electricity. Their dream is to enable

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00:26:10

Searching sand dunes for lizards

Our Changing World ·

2026/09/21

Over 80% of our coastal dune ecosystems have been lost. So, what about the native species living with them? Ayana Piper-Healion steps into Bream Bay’s sand dunes with a monitoring team to see what lizards can tell us about the health of the sand dunes. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:To find out more on what the local critics think about the Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project’s fast-track application, RNZ’s Peter de

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00:20:16

Ireland's experience of H5/N1 bird flu: A...

Our Changing World ·

2026/09/14

Highly pathogenic H5/N1 bird flu strain has been detected in New Zealand, but it's still early days. There are lots of unknowns about when it will start spreading here, and how our wildlife will react to the virus. But what has happened in other countries? Claire Concannon speaks to Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland about what they've experienced. SHOW NOTES:Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.LEARN MORE:The Great Ireland Vs New

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00:29:44

H5/N1 bird flu is here, what does this mean for our...

Our Changing World ·

2026/09/14

After years of watching it move closer, the highly pathogenic H5/N1 strain of bird flu has arrived on our shores. It has left a trail of devastation, causing mass mortality events in many birds and mammal species. What do we know about this virus and how is one high-risk site preparing to manage the impacts? 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

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00:47:36

OCW Recommends: All in Her Head

Our Changing World ·

2026/09/07

Our Changing World listeners might like to check out All In Her Head, a podcast by investigative journalist Anusha Bradley exploring a complex medical syndrome, and the grey areas where medicine, belief and scientific evidence collide.See photos, video and read more about Rachel's story in a special digital feature: The girl who couldn’t eat: An RNZ investigation into the controversy over a debilitating illnessA special thanks to the young women and their families for sharing their stories for

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00:27:14

Could we de-extinct the moa?

Our Changing World ·

2026/08/31

Our Changing World takes a deep dive into controversial plans by US company Colossal Biosciences, backed by filmmaker Peter Jackson, to de-extinct the Moa. In part one of a two-part series, Sharon Brettkelly looks at whether it CAN be done.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.LEARN MORE:Colossal Biosciences claims they have de-extincted the dire wolf, from CNN.More detail on Colossal Biosciences’ artificial egg.Listen to Kathryn Ryan

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00:31:29

Should we de-extinct the moa?

Our Changing World ·

2026/08/31

Our Changing World takes a deep dive into controversial plans by US company Colossal Biosciences, backed by filmmaker Peter Jackson, to de-extinct the Moa. In part two of a two-part series, Sharon Brettkelly looks at whether it SHOULD be done.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.LEARN MORE:Check out this explainer from Katie Kenny for the proposed Gene Technology changes.RNZ’s Monique Steel looks at who is backing the stalled Gene

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00:26:33

Cold water swimming: panacea or peril?

Our Changing World ·

2026/08/24

Cold plunges and cold water swimming are increasingly popular, with big benefit claims being made on social media. But is submerging yourself in frigid water actually good for you? Claire Concannon joins a team of researchers at the 2026 New Zealand and Oceania Ice Swimming Championships in Alexandra as they try to get some better data about both the risks and potential benefits. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.IN THIS

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00:30:34

A precious piece of sediment, and what it says about...

Our Changing World ·

2026/08/17

After years of preparation and effort an international team have succeeded in recovering over 200 metres of sediment from below the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Claire Concannon visits the sediment core analysis team in Dunedin to find out how mud, rocks and microfossils can tell the story of ice growth and retreat across time. And as we look towards our warmer future, what will this mean for sea level rise? Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science

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00:26:38

Solar on the go and feeding the world in a catastrophe

Our Changing World ·

2026/08/10

There’s a lot of chat about solar panels for our rooftops, but where else might it make sense to put them? Claire Concannon visits the University of Canterbury’s Electric Power Engineering Centre to learn about their involvement in a big European project exploring the use of solar panels on vehicles and in car parks. Plus, she speaks to one researcher who is focused on planning for global catastrophes. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and

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00:25:32

High powered magnets, and making steel with hydrogen

Our Changing World ·

2026/08/03

At the Robinson Research Institute in Wellington, researchers are developing powerful superconducting magnets for space, fusion and MRI applications. Claire Concannon visits the labs to learn about a small magnet’s trip to the International Space Station, and how much bigger magnets are powering nuclear fusion research. She also meets the team working on a hydrogen-based way to make iron from New Zealand iron sand, removing carbon dioxide emissions from the first step of steelmaking.Sign up to

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00:25:33

Electric motors for future flight

Our Changing World ·

2026/07/27

To get electric passenger planes in the skies requires powerful electric motors, but they must also be small and light. Some kiwi scientists think they could have a solution. Claire Concannon heads to a warehouse in Petone to learn about the promise of high temperature superconducting magnets to make electric motors for airplanes.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.In this episode:01:00 Electric planes and the challenge of aviation

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00:26:47

An Antarctic adventure, and a book return

Our Changing World ·

2026/07/20

Join a group of young explorers as they journey to Antarctica to return a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo to Discovery Hut. Along the way they visit other historic huts to learn about triumphs and tragedies of the 'Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration'. This is an edit of the Antarctic Heritage Trust's '77 Degrees South' podcast. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:The full Antarctic Heritage Trust 77 Degrees South

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00:25:22

New tech aimed at improving heart health at home

Our Changing World ·

2026/07/13

Every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies from heart disease. Liz Garton meets the team at the Institute of Biomedical Technologies is developing new products to help monitor heart health in the home to try to change those terrible statistics.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:The Detail recently looked into the deadly heart disease that creeps up on you.In March, Guyon Espiner spoke with Dr Philip Shirely about how an

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00:26:55

Building a nation-wide model of landslide risk

Our Changing World ·

2026/07/06

Out of all of New Zealand’s natural hazards, landslides have resulted in the greatest loss of life since written records began. Pulling in data from decades of landslide research, a team at Earth Sciences New Zealand are now developing national models of landslide risk for both slow- and fast-moving landslides, to help New Zealand plan for, and respond to, major landslide events. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:Other

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00:27:08

Meet the Prime Minister's science prize winners

Our Changing World ·

2026/06/30

A team that developed a brain cooling treatment for oxygen-deprived babies, a young scientist who created a helpful backseat driver app, a Māori kaiako encouraging her students to weave traditional design and contemporary materials, a paleobiologist communicating about the issues around de-extinction and a researcher investigating how much climate change contributes to extreme weather events: We meet the 2025 Prime Minister's Science Prize winners! Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly

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00:27:11

Analysing ash, and Vanuatu's volcanoes

Our Changing World ·

2026/06/22

New Zealand is a land formed by volcanoes, including some still active. Claire Concannon meets a researcher analysing ash deposits to determine if a future eruption might have dangerous levels of hazardous chemicals. Plus, she learns about a voyage to Vanuatu and the Solomen Islands to study the gases and ash of an active volcanic chain there. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:Researchers continue to study New

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00:22:36

The challenges of making our capital city predator free

Our Changing World ·

2026/06/15

Phase two of Predator Free Wellington’s groundbreaking project to rid our capital of rats is well underway. They’ve learned a lot from their work on the Miramar Peninsula, but with this new chapter comes new challenges – not just backyards, but a hospital, and even a zoo! Charlie Dreaver meets some of the team out fighting this battle on multiple interesting fronts. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:The target for

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00:26:17

Building New Zealand's RNA capabilities

Our Changing World ·

2026/06/08

Scientists had long been exploring RNA technology as a way to make vaccines before it had it’s breakout appearance during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, interest in the potential uses of RNA to make vaccines and disease treatments has bloomed. In late 2023 a government-funded platform began work to enhance New Zealand’s capacity to design and make RNA. Three years in, how is the platform going? Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis

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