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A central pillar of the government’s climate plan is now in doubt, after Todd Energy confirmed its carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at the Kapuni gas field is commercially unviable without further incentives. The plant was expected to deliver a third of the emissions cuts required to meet New Zealand’s 2025–2030 climate targets. In 2027, Todd had aimed to store up to 2.7 million tonnes of CO₂ underground. Government planners relied…

For businesses, Finance Minister Nicola Willis 2025 Budget’s headline policy is a new tax incentive that allows them to write off 20 percent of new asset purchases, such as equipment or tools, against their tax bill. The Budget also includes large savings from the recent changes to pay equity rules. The government’s move to make it harder to pursue industrial pay equity claims is expected to save nearly $3 billion per year. From April next…

The FDA has announced a policy shift on Covid-19 vaccination, stating it will no longer support universal booster approvals without robust clinical evidence of benefit—particularly for healthy individuals under 65. A new article in the New England Journal of Medicine by Dr Vinay Prasad, incoming director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), and Dr Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner, outlines a new framework aimed at…

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Robotic Eagle, a nano-drone. These are smaller versions of conventional agricultural drones. Nano-drones are low-cost, high-efficiency alternatives and can be used for micro-precision spraying, reducing pesticide usage, and AI-powered crop health monitoring.  The future of farming is no longer confined to the soil. It is soaring in the skies, led by a fleet of intelligent nano-drones that promise to…

The Ministry for Primary Industries is proposing to raise the allowable glyphosate residue in wheat, oats and barley from 0.1mg to 10mg per kilogram – a 100-fold increase. The change would bring New Zealand above Australia’s limit of 5mg/kg. Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide, also sold under the Roundup brand, and frequently applied to genetically modified crops overseas. The proposal comes as the government progresses the Gene…

Scientists have recently shed some light on exactly why elephants, one of the biggest animals on the planet, paradoxically experience unusually low rates of cancer. The research found these remarkable mammals carry unique genetic variants that reduce their risk of tumors, and the findings could help develop new cancer therapies for humans. Editor's note: Readers often ask us for follow-ups on memorable stories. What has happened to this story…

Regulation Minister David Seymour has introduced the Regulatory Standards Bill to Parliament, aiming to improve the quality and transparency of lawmaking in New Zealand. Seymour argues that poor regulation has contributed to low productivity and wage stagnation. The bill is a part of the ACT-National Coalition Agreement and is targeted for enactment by early 2026. The government argues that the legislation sets out principles for responsible…

The $89 billion Greens’ alternative budget plan includes a 33% inheritance tax, a 2.5% annual wealth tax on assets over $2 million, new taxes on private jets, trusts and higher income brackets, and a pledge to nearly double net Crown debt. The plan would also reportedly reduce the after-tax income of the average registered nurse, Labour leader Chris Hipkins admitted he agreed with “many elements” of the plan “on the surface,” and refused to…

For years, the CRISPR-Cas9 genome technology has been reshaping genetic engineering, a precision tool to transform everything from agriculture to medicine. With its incredible efficiency, this molecular tool has been applied to plants, animals, and even bacteria. But until now, no one has used CRISPR-Cas9 on spiders. Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have recently successfully bred the world’s first CRISPR-Cas9-modified spider to…

Haloumis can ve equally overated or under appreciated, but here it works well with the raw courgette, which retains a welcome bit of bite, the lemon and garlic. It think it would be great for a simple dinner tonight, or for lunch  tomorrow. Add a few toasted pine nuts if you fancied a bit of crunch, or some fried breadcrumbs. I almost put basil in this but decided I just wanted the clean, fresh taste of the courgette and lemon. But some sort…

A nuclear deal between the US and Iran could help fund terrorism, Republican lawmakers have warned. Donald Trump on Thursday said that America was “very close” to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, and that Tehran had “sort of” agreed to the terms. Any deal would likely involve the US offering sanction relief in exchange for guarantees from Tehran to scale back its uranium enrichment programme. However, the president faces stiff opposition…

The world’s media descended on New York this week to churn out wall-to-wall coverage from the “trial of the century” where Sean “Diddy” Combs is in the dock for sex trafficking. But legacy media journalists must jostle with true crime sleuths and podcasters for a coveted place inside the courthouse. Resplendent in navy blue braces and a fedora, Sean Gunby prepares to go live to his 160,000 followers in his 1950s-esque garb. “Yo, we live, we…

Editors note: while this story deals with mainly brands available in both the UK and USA, it is worth noting that the top selling solar panels in NZ are made in China and so this could just as easily happen here.  “Cheap, clean power, to give us energy security,” declared Ed Miliband, as he strode through a grassy field flanked by rows of solar panels. With a film crew in tow, the Energy Secretary visited Castle Hill solar farm, in East…

New Zealand has the highest child suicide rate of 36 wealthy countries, according to UNICEF’s Innocenti Report Card 19. The report also ranked New Zealand last for child and youth mental health and 32nd overall for child wellbeing. The suicide rate among New Zealand children is nearly three times the OECD and EU average. The country also ranked second for bullying rates among children. Chief Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad said the…

19 May 1846 This journey was part of Thomas Brunner’s epic 1846–48 exploration of the South Island. He was guided by Kehu (Hone Mokekehu) of Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri and accompanied by Charles Heaphy, a draughtsman and artist with the New Zealand Company. Brunner arrived in Nelson in 1841. From August 1843 he explored the hinterland with survey parties, persisting in his efforts despite not finding rumoured ‘great plains’. In February 1846…

In the final months of the 2020 US election, Donald Trump was trailing in the polls and banking on the announcement of a Covid-19 vaccine to boost public confidence and revive his re-election campaign. Trump had promised that a vaccine could arrive “sooner than the end of the year… maybe even sooner than the November 3 election.” The effort, known as “Operation Warp Speed,” became one of his administration’s flagship initiatives. But the…

New Stats NZ data shows food prices rose 3.7% in the year to April 2025, driven by increases in dairy and coffee. It marks the highest annual food inflation since January 2024. “Price increases were widespread, with all five food groups recording an increase,” said Stats NZ spokesperson Nicola Growden. The grocery food group rose 5.2% and non-alcoholic beverages jumped 6.8%. Dairy was the biggest contributor. “Milk and cheese prices…

**EVIL** There is an old saying that goes as follows; ***“All that is needed for Evil to prosper is for good people to do nothing”*** When you take the time to seriously look at the current political situation in New Zealand there is nothing to see other than evil prospering. Our government has over the past few terms taken us from what was a well ordered and regulated nation to one where the evil of Apartheid has become not only present…

New Yorkers certainly know how to serve burgers the correct way: forget neon cheddar slices, this version is served with a gooey, mustard-flecked rarebit with bitter ale, a crisp salad, and Parmesan fries for dipping into a sauce of choice (or strawberry milkshake, we won’t tell). Ingredients For the rarebit - 500g grated cheddar cheese - 100ml bitter - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce - 1 tsp Dijon mustard - few drops of Tabasco - 4 tbsp plain…

Disagreements over the validity of land purchases by the New Zealand Company led to a series of skirmishes between Māori and government troops in the Wellington region in 1846. The prominent Ngāti Toa chief Te Rangihaeata backed local Māori who opposed European settlement in Hutt Valley. However, it was Te Mamaku of Ngāti Haua-te-rangi of Whanganui who on May 16th, 1846 led the attack on the British outpost at Boulcott Farm (now within the…