Science Media Centre

Antarctic researchers are calling on policy makers to look ahead to future challenges and protect the polar continent from growing threats to its biosecurity, pressure to exploit its mineral, gas and oil resources, and the effects of its rapidly changing climate. In a ‘Policy Forum’ article  published today in the leading international journal Science, twenty-six [...]

The faltering march of an invasive ant species has been making headlines both in New Zealand and overseas. The invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), first detected in New Zealand over 20 years ago, is well known internationally for its ability to spread in new territories. The ants are concern to authorities as the ants compete with [...]

ONLINE MEDIA BRIEFING: Tues 20 July, 10 am (NZT) – Conservation efforts in New Zealand currently depend heavily on a single pesticide — sodium monofluoroacetate, or 1080. In its 2007 review of 1080 — widely-used in New Zealand to control pest animals in native ecosystems and agricultural land — ERMA (the Environmental Risk Management Authority) [...]