News
Tasman fire: Last remaining fire evacuees on the way home
The remaining 250 people who were evacuated because of the Tasman wildfires are now able to go home.
Golden Bay drought: 'We're under extreme pressure here'
Nelson-Tasman is struggling with its driest weather in decades, with Golden Bay now in a one-in-20-year drought.
Tasman facing serious drought
First there were floods, then fire and now drought with a water scientist saying the Tasman district is facing its worst drought since 2001.
Jacinda Ardern visits Nelson community in bush fire aftermath
Relentless heat and dry conditions are testing tempers, as hundreds remain out of their homes after the Tasman wildfires.
Nelson fire: 700 displaced animals on way home too
The animals including sheep, goats, dogs, chickens and turkeys, evacuated from areas threatened by the Tasman wildfire, are now on their way home.
Dry weather prompts push for water limits in Tasman
The Tasman District is to meet under urgency as drought conditions loom.
Nelson could use crowdfunding to buy $16m Pepin Island
The mayor of Nelson wants the public to buy back Pepin Island, just as it bought a beach in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Listen: Niwa scientist converts weather patterns into music
A Niwa scientist has created what he says is a music score written by nature. Video, Audio
Researchers all ears as secrets of eels revealed
The ear bones of tiny eels might hold clues to their largely secret life, migratory habits and changing oceans.
Plans for Golden Bay seawall back on the table
Plans for a seawall up to 350 metres long in western Golden Bay are back on the table after residents raised concerns about rapidly increasing coastal erosion.
Roadside drug tests: ESR reassures prescription medicine users
The Institute of Environmental Science and Research says people taking prescription medicines for conditions such as ADHD are unlikely to be caught out by roadside drug testing of drivers.
Cool respite in the south likely to be short-lived
There's a break from the heat for southern parts of New Zealand today as a cold front moves north, but it is not going to last.
Forestry owners to wear greater compliance costs
Owners of forestry blocks more than a hectare in size might soon be up for thousands of dollars in extra costs to harvest their trees.
Bay Dreams South: Festival sets up city to host bigger event
A large-scale music festival staged in Nelson today is a trial run for an even bigger event in 2025, says the mayor of Nelson.
Push to reclassify leopard seals as a NZ 'resident'
A New Zealand scientist has embarked on a plan to make leopard seals New Zealand citizens by moving to change their status from 'vagrant' to 'resident' species in local waters.
Move to reclassify leopard seals as a 'resident' NZ species
A New Zealand scientist has embarked on a plan to make leopard seals New Zealand citizens by moving to change their status from 'vagrant' to 'resident' species in local waters.
New driver drug testing in the works - Minister
The government says work underway to develop roadside drug testing may supercede the objective of a petition launched in Nelson today.
Family hopes petition will save others from enduring loss
A petition has been launched in Nelson today that seeks the urgent introduction of roadside drug testing of drivers.
Niwa diver explores ancient sunken forest
A New Zealand marine ecologist says an ancient sunken forest in the North Island may provide more clues about climate change over centuries.
Private island goes up for sale in Nelson
A private island north of Nelson city has gone on the market for $16 million.
Rescue helicopter service to rely less on public funding
The South Island's rescue helicopter service says a new funding model means it can now rely less on public donations to survive.
'Hard-line' approach to freedom camping during music festival
The influx of visitors to Nelson for next month's Bay Dreams South are being warned not to risk freedom camping in areas where it's banned.
Red zone study look at impact of street lights on insects
A study into how changes in the colour of street lights affects insects will soon begin in Christchurch's red zone.
Scientists make break-through in saving freshwater mussels
NIWA scientists have made an important breakthrough in the battle to save New Zealand's freshwater mussels.
MPI reminds people of rules around use of set nets
The Ministry for Primary Industries is reminding people of the rules around using set nets, after a shark washed up dead on a Nelson beach.