A new independent panel announced today will strengthen efforts to protect New Zealand’s iconic forest giant, at the same time as public consultation gets underway to further boost those efforts. Biosecurity New Zealand’s Roger Smith, Chair...... Read More

A traveller's grisly gift for his family did not make it past airport biosecurity officers. Arriving from Apia last week, the passenger declared a bat's head to Biosecurity New Zealand staff at Auckland Airport. "The traveller said his...... Read More

The NZ Transport Agency is advising the Waioeka Gorge 30 minutes south of Opotiki, is closed due to a large slip. The Gorge will remain closed overnight and there will be a full assessment made this morning. "We ask motorists to delay their...... Read More

New Zealand needs to move quickly to join the growing list of Pacific nations banning single-use plastics, an environmentalist says. Samoa will look to ban all single-use plastic from January, with plastic and styrofoam containers also to be phased out. Vanuatu,...... Read More

The government will spend $2 million over the next three years to begin making the sub-Antarctic Auckland Island pest free. Speaking at Forest and Bird's 2018 Conference, Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said the money would be spent on planning,...... Read More

The management and permitting of urban fires in open air in the South Waikato District has now formally transitioned to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. From July 1 2018 South Waikato District Council will no longer be processing urban fire permits. "Rural...... Read More

The new Kaituna River Document has been launched and celebrated by Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority. Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority Chairman Dean Flavell says the Kaituna River and its tributaries are considered taonga (treasures) by both iwi and...... Read More

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage has announced funding for the first step in New Zealand’s most ambitious island pest eradication. Speaking at Forest and Bird’s 2018 Conference, the Minister committed $2 million over the next three years...... Read More

Students, teachers and scientists involved in a sub-orbital space weather balloon launch near Waikato have had what can only be described as a “bittersweet” day. The balloons were launched on Friday, as part of a global Spaceweather.com...... Read More

The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the decision by the Christchurch City Council to prioritise key work in the final LTP agreed to today says CEO Leeann Watson. "We welcome the decisions to accelerate the Stadium project,...... Read More