Science Media Centre

Despite doubt-mongering by the Food and Beverage industry, a tax on sugary drinks would help counter childhood obesity and dental caries, writes University of Auckland professor of public health Boyd Swinburn, on the NZ Herald.  An excerpt (read in full): A report by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) concluded that a sugary drinks tax by itself […]

Around the world, people who value science are preparing to participate in the #marchforscience on Earth Day, April 22nd, with 517 marches planned worldwide. The aim of the New Zealand branch of the March for Science is to have knowledge “reaffirmed as fundamental to the democratic decision making that supports society in Aotearoa New Zealand”. […]

New research analysing the impact of a controversial 90-day trial period for new employees has been widely covered in the New Zealand media. The research, undertaken by Motu Public Policy and Research, found the legislation led to little change in employment rates or employee mobility. You can read more about the research, including expert commentary, […]

Laws introducing a 90-day trial period for newly hired employees have had little impact on the labour market, finds new research. An economic analysis of employee and hiring data from Motu Economic and Public Policy Research Trust has shown that the policy has led to little change in employment rates or employee mobility. The trial […]

New Zealand could dramatically reduce outbreaks of invasive species if it selectively chose its international trade partners, suggests new research. Reviewing almost 50,000 exotic species border interceptions from the last 10 years, Victoria University researchers have identified the types of countries most likely to be a source of imported exotic invaders. Read more about the […]

Radio New Zealand science journalist Veronika Meduna recently quizzed New Zealand’s chief science advisor, Sir Peter Gluckman, and Australia’s newly-appointed chief scientist, Alan Finkel, at a trans-Tasman celebration at the Australian High Commission. You can read more and listen to both speakers on the RNZ Our Changing World website. An excerpt: At a trans-Tasman celebration […]

Public pressure is growing for the Government to fund the melanoma drug Keytruda, listed as ‘low priority’ by drug funding agency PHARMAC. A petition of over 45,000 signatures, calling for the drug to be funded through PHARMAC, is due to be presented to Health Minister Jonathan Coleman on the steps of parliament today. Speaking to […]

Sir Peter Gluckman, the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, discuses the history and future of government research funding in latest blog post. An excerpt (read in full here): Why do governments support research? The evolving role of the State Recently, the New Zealand Government published the National Statement of Science Investment (NSSI). This statement heralds […]

Public health researchers are calling for greater integrity in policy making and an end to the attack strategies which have spilled out of the political sphere and into  academia. In an editorial for the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health,  Prof Boyd Swinburn and Michael Moore decry the rise of attack politics the […]

‘Can plants get sunburnt?’, ‘how and when does cooperation develop in infants?’ and ‘how has religion shaped Kiwi attitudes?’ These intriguing questions are a just a few of the problems being tackled by the recipients of this year’s round of grants from the Marsden Fund – New Zealand’s largest ‘blue skies’ research funding body. Announced […]