An upgraded global response to future potential pandemic threats would give the best chance of eliminating new infectious diseases at source before they spread globally.
A new gecko species in New Zealand was named te mokomoko a Tohu in consultation with a local Māori tribe. This could be a good example for how taxonomists might approach the naming of new species.
Shane Cronin, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano set new benchmarks for volcanic phenomena and efforts are under way to identify other submarine volcanoes around the world that could pose similar threats.
AI is already on the payroll in many workplaces – how well human employees interact with it can depend a lot on their existing attitudes and anxieties.
The hero of Cervantes’ classic 17th century novel has been sorely misrepresented since the early 20th century as a symbol of nationalist and Islamophobic ideas.
There would be no life on Earth without invertebrates, but they are understudied and underappreciated. The Bug of the Year competition aims to change that, so have your say and vote!
Urban green spaces are threatened by growing cities. But research shows the importance of protecting access to nature as housing densification increases.
New Zealand is preparing to roll out so-called ‘open banking’, Europe can offer valuable lessons on how best to open the financial system to new players.
There simply aren’t enough water engineers in New Zealand for the massive Three Waters projects. Matching capacity with forward planning is an urgent issue the government must address.
Several batches of palm kernel product imported for dairy farms contained certain chemicals above a safe limit – and there’s an ethical quandary in supporting an industry linked with deforestation.
Immigration might be making it easier for doctors to enter New Zealand, but if the licensing process doesn’t change we still risk losing much-needed skills to other countries.
New Zealand’s acute mental health facilities are not fit for purpose. Although many inpatients are grateful for medication, they lament the lack of access to psychologists and therapeutic activities.
As the year ends, how has New Zealand fared on global and domestic measurements, from social and economic freedoms to tackling poverty and homelessness?
Research based on the longitudinal Dunedin Study suggests a history of childhood fractures could predict adult risk. The knowledge could lead to better awareness and prevention strategies.
New Zealand’s MIQ system has been found ‘unreasonable’ yet still broadly justified. And just like the decisions that drove the COVID response, any apology will be more about politics than the law.
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, and Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University