Our Changing World

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!
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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.

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Researchers continue to study New Zealand’s active volcanoes like Whakaari and Ruapehu to try to understand their patterns of eruptions.
When Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha‘apai, just north of Tonga’s main island, erupted in 2022 it caused a worldwide tsunami. Ellen Rykers dug into the science behind the phenomenon.
The work of the National Geohazard Monitoring Centre is to keep on eye on earthquake, volcano, landslide and tsunami hazards 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Auckland is built on a network of volcanoes, and underground lava caves.
Guests:
Dr Jenni Hopkins, Victoria University of Wellington
Dr Ian Schipper, Volcano Waka Lab
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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.

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The target for Wellington to become New Zealand’s first predator-free city was announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka in March, as part of a Predator Free 2050 strategy update.
In November last year the government added feral cats to the Predator Free 2050 list of targeted predators, likely in response to RNZ’s In-Depth team’s reporting about the destruction they cause, and a pre-election promise.
Learn more about other large predator removal projects such as Predator Free Rakiura and Predator Free South Westland, and the plan to make Auckland Island predator free.
Guests:
Zara Koorey, Predator Free Wellington
James Wilcocks, Predator Free Wellington
Chirs Jerram, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo
Sally Bain, Predator Free Wellington
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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?

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RNA interference (RNAi) technology is being investigated to help honey bees fight off the varroa mite.
US based Dyne Therapeutics conducted a clinical trial study of their RNA-based therapeutic for myotonic dystrophy in New Zealand.
Our Changing World covered how the new RNA vaccine tech works in 2021.
Dr Lisa Connor spoke to RNZ’s health reporter Ruth Hill last August after the US made funding cuts to their RNA vaccine research.
Guests:
Dr Lisa Connor, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
Dr Rebecca McKenzie, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
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One peninsula to the north of the Bay of Islands is home to an estimated three thousand Northland brown kiwi. The Pest Free Purerua-Mataroa project aims to reduce predators numbers on the peninsula and defend its narrow neck from re-invasion. Working across a patchwork of landuse and landowners, the team are using AI traps and technology to help catch the remaining pests. But one feral cat continues to elude them, and the ongoing threat to kiwi from pet dogs is proving tricky to solve.

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Northland kiwi are a genetically distinct subspecies of the North Island brown kiwi, whose numbers are doing pretty good in recent years, due in large part to Operation Nest Egg facilities like the National Kiwi Hatchery.
Predator Free South Westland is also working across different land types and usages in their bid to remove pests from a huge area.
Wellington is set to be New Zealand’s first predator-free city, with an ambitious target of ten years.
RNZ’s Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has been following the situation of dog attacks on kiwi on the Purerua peninsula and kiwi deaths due to cars.
Guests:
Andy Mentor, Pest Free Purerua
Zane Wright, Pest Free Purerua
Mariao Hohaia, Ngāti Rēhia, Tapuaetahi Incorporation
Grace Walsh, Onekura road trappers
Tiwai Rawiri, Ngāti Torehina, Pēwhairangi Whānui
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