The Aotearoa Science Agency has partnerships with key scientific organisations, working with scientists to
share their research, or simply to learn a little more about a life of science. We also self-fund stories we believe are significant, fascinating, or those that help to illustrate the wonderful diversity of science and scientists in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Sustainable Farmed Whitebait launched in Bluff

Manaaki Whitebait is a world first - and aims to be a gamechanger for our endangered freshwater fish species while meeting the demand for fresh, year-round whitebait in homes and restaurants around Aotearoa.
This new facility in Bluff is the result of two decades of research into the breeding of the numerous kōkopu species, which naturally begin their lives at sea before moving back to the freshwater. This created a number of challenges to overcome for the researchers, but having successfully cracked the secret, they hope the various species are now much less vulnerably to extinction. 

Te Aho Mutunga Kore - Auckland Museum connecting communities

Much like an iceberg, Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Auckland War Memorial Museum, has far more beneath the surface than you'd think by visiting the public galleries. Among the incredible collections are vast amounts of textiles, woven fabrics from Aotearoa, the Pacific and beyond.
Te Aho Mutunga Kore is a project that aims to re-connect communities, Māori and Pasifika, with those artefacts, through community-led projects of discovery and learning, enabling future generations to learn from the processes and techniques of those who have gone before.

A game-changing new way to grow wine

Some of the most interesting stories we've been making at Aotearoa Science Agency in the past year have been with Bragato Research Institute - the science research arm of Winegrowers NZ.
One project that looks likely to be an absolute game-changer is changing the way grapes are grown, from the traditional model that's been unchanged for centuries simply because that's the way it's always been, to a much higher, spread-out vine. It's already being done in the apple industry, and with grapes has the potential to double, triple -or even beyond- the yield from each plant!
COVID-19 behind-the-scenes

During the COVID-19 lockdowns we have been privileged to film the incredible public health response, to help show the public what goes in to managing a pandemic on the front lines.

Providing the footage ensured that multiple video crews were not required to enter health-sensitive locations, we have produced stories for Northern Region DHBs showing the preparation of ICU areas, mobilisation of contact tracing, community testing and laboratory processing throughout Auckland.
Behind the Artefact

As part of a pilot project for Auckland Museum, Behind the Artefact takes a deep dive into a specific item in the collection, from its collection to its use in the ongoing work at the museum today.

In this episode, we look at a Spotted Shag specimen that was collected a century ago by museum staff, and watch as it is scanned, 3D printed and painted, before being installed on Otata Island in the Noises Group, to try and establish a new colony of shags, on the site where the birds once nested.

This project was made with support from the Auckland Museum Institute.
Aotearoa Science Agency off to Italy in search of the stink bug

If there's one thing that strikes fear into the hearts of New Zealand growers and biosecurity officials, it's the letters BMSB.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is a highly invasive species causing devastation around the world, but it's not here in New Zealand... yet.

As part of a series of work with the Ministry of Primary Industries, we have been investigating the threat posed by - and the possible scientific solutions to - the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug before it's too late.

This project involves two trips to the orchards and farms of Northern Italy, the most recent country to fall prey to the prolific pest.
Ancient human occupation revealed in the Hauraki Gulf

Once lost to Rangitoto's ash and time, signs of ancient human occupation on the obscure Otata Island has been revealed following a storm.

By digging into an ancient midden on the island, and observing the archaeology within it, we could gain new insight into some of the earliest human occupation in the Hauraki Gulf.

Along side researchers from the Auckland Museum, we travelled to the island to document this amazing discovery. 
New vibration sensors for NZ buildings

With funding support from the Earthquake Commission (EQC), civil engineer researchers from AUT are now trialing their new sensors, designed to remotely monitor and analyse how vibrations are affecting buildings.

This new technology could go a long way into helping scientists and engineers better detect earthquakes. 
COVID Chat with Dr Siouxsie Wiles

During Alert Levels 3 and 4, Dr Siouxsie Wiles was in high demand. The media and the public all wanted Sioxusie's straightforward and informative explanations on what we could expect from this new disease that had reached our shores.

By producing 'Covid Chat' 3 times a week during lockdown, offered free of charge to major media, we were able to answer hundreds of questions from viewers and keep the public up to date with the public health response and latest scientific advice on COVID-19.

Produced with the support of the Science Media Centre.
Biodiversity efforts in Tāmaki Makaurau

As part of a series of videos undertaken together with Auckland Council, Aotearoa Science Agency has been filming a number of community-led initiatives across the city and the Hauraki Gulf islands.

From planting and weeding to pest control and education, this series of videos has been a great insight into the huge amount of work being done by volunteers around the city, on a variety of scales, from backyard clean-ups to transforming sanctuary islands.
New Zealand throws away the kilogram

​In case you didn't realise, in March this year New Zealand threw away the kilogram. Or at least the way in which we measure it, which has traditionally be in reference to a lump of metal in France.

To celebrate and inform people about this significant metrological event, the Measurement Standards Laboratory engaged ASA, and a Commonwealth gold medal hammer thrower, to really put some heft into the event.

Our story went even further than Julia's throw - making it all the way to the Wall Street Journal!
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Kaikoura documentary finalist in Voyager Media Awards

It may have been called Kaikoura: A Big Year, but producing a feature-length documentary on the 2017 earthquake and subsequent rebuild actually took more than 18 months from start to finish.

Being given exclusive access behind the scenes in some of the most beautiful but challenging conditions, we are incredibly proud of the documentary, which went on to be TVNZ's highest rating programme for the month of November.

​A huge thank you to the people of Kaikoura and all the men and women working on the rebuild for this amazing opportunity.
Spotted Shag Installation on Otata Island

Replica's of shags from 1913, fake poo, and a sound system are hoped to encourage the re-establishment of a spotted shag colony on Otata Island.

3D printing has been used to make the six replica shags, which were modelled on specimens from 1913 found in the Auckland Museum.

Spotted shags in the Hauraki Gulf are under threat, with only two colonies left.  It is hoped that these replica's may entice passing birds to stop and roost there as the breeding season begins.
Electrode Implant Aids Stroke Recovery

An implant of an electrode in the healthy side of the brain of stroke patients has resulted in life-changing results.

Professors Dirk De Ridder and John Reynolds of Otago University have made the unconventional move of inserting an electrode above the healthy motor cortex of stroke patients. 

Improvements seen by participants have been life-changing. Where previously they could not grip anything with their impaired hand, at the end of treatment they each could lift at least 7kg, and had regained many fine-motor skills.
Siouxsie and Eve Investigate - Trailer

A trailer for the four-part kids series which follows University of Auckland Microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles and her daughter Eve as they investigate the science behind all the tiny living things around us.

Created for TVNZ's kids channel HEIHEI, their adventures range from investigating glowing bacteria in fungi – to making cheese from the bacteria on their feet!
The Science behind the perfect steak

We know what a good steak tastes like, but how do we measure that scientifically?

For the first time, scientists from around the country - led by AgResearch together with Callaghan Innovation, University of Auckland and University of Otago, are working together to devise a system that can be implemented on the processing plant floor. 

It's hoped that this will provide feedback to farmers, to help build and improve on New Zealand's $3 billion red meat export industry.
Breeding Climate-Resilient Apples

As the climate heats up, fruits like apples and pears, which thrive in temperate climates (warm days, cool nights) are under threat.

Plant and Food Research scientists have teamed up with their Spanish counterparts to create new apple and pear varieties that will thrive in these hot climates.
Kaikoura: A Big Year (Documentary) 

The small  town of Kaikoura changed forever on November 14, 2016. Over the following year, an enormous operation was mounted to reopen the roads to the north and south, reconnecting Kaikoura to the rest of the country.

18 months in the making, this documentary follows the NCTIR workers and the Kaikoura locals who were thrust together in the most intense circumstances, with a single shared goal.

A one-hour documentary made for TVNZ's Sunday programme.
Merry Christmas + Happy Holidays from the Aotearoa Science Agency

It's been an amazing first year for us, and we've been everywhere from Rakiura/Stewart Island in the South, Ruatoria in the East, Taranaki in the West - weirdly not very far North, but we'll sort that over the break!

We've put together some of our highlights for you to enjoy - be safe and kind to each other this Summer break.

Arohanui,

The Aotearoa Science Agency
Auckland Biodiviersity - Spotted Shag Survey 2018

While relatively common in other parts of the country, the Hauraki Gulf is home to a threatened population of Spotted Shags - a population that is genetically distinct.

Each year a team of scientists surveys the nesting birds to determine how the population is faring.

This video was created for Auckland Council's biodiversity team and features ecologist Tim Lovegrove and Auckland Museum's Matt Rayner conducting the 2018 survey in some stunning Hauraki Gulf conditions!
The Elderly Housing Crisis

Experts from the Ageing Well National Science Challenge are warning of a looming crisis in elderly housing. 

In 20 years' time more than half of people over 65 will be renting.

This poses questions about what their outcomes will be in terms of affordable housing, health and welfare.
DNA study finds answer to one-in-a-billion mysterious condition

For nearly 20 years Rebecca Clough and her family had no idea what was going on - Rebecca was born with her face paralysed, unable to smile, and with difficulty eating and drinking. Her young brother Arthur was born the same way. 

Doctors were baffled, but a new study has finally provided answers - using next generation DNA technology and some old-fashioned detective work.

Finally the siblings have an answer - an incredibly rare condition called Carey-Fineman-Ziter Syndrome, with only 10 cases reported worldwide.
Mitigating the risk of ocean acidification to greenshell mussels.

Ocean acidification as a result of rising CO2 levels in the water poses a threat to shellfish, inhibiting their ability to produce strong shells.

Professor Cliff Law of NIWA and his team are looking at possible ways to limit the impact on the NZ Greenshell musssel industry, from recycling empty mussel shells back onto the farms, to oxygenating the water using bubble lines - just like an aquarium at home!

This research is part of the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge, carried out at Sanford's experimental farm in the Marlborough Sounds.
Improving End of Life care in Pasifika families

Pasifika families care for their dying relatives at a much higher rate than Western cultures, often making sacrifices they can't afford in the process - leaving employment or school, with little or no state support. 

Dr Ofa Dewes of Auckland University is researching this phenomenon and how better to provide support and assistance, as part of the Ageing Well National Science Challenge.

Aotearoa Science Agency partnered with TVNZ's highly-respected Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver on this story.
Recruiting kids in the war on pests

Biosecurity is vital to New Zealand's economy, and requires public vigilance. 

'Invasion Busters' is a board game developed by an AgReseach scientist, to get primary school students interested and aware of the invasive species threatening our borders every day. 

​Judging by the students at Welcome Bay School, the game is a hit with kids, and a great way of getting the biosecurity message across to a range of ages.
Muffins or squats? The key to better living in seniors

500 senior New Zealanders are part of this trial - making it the second biggest of its kind in the world - to see what programmes have the best impact on keeping older New Zealanders living independently.

Led by Dr Ruth Teh of Auckland University, as part of the Ageing Well National Science Challenge, this trial splits participants into four groups - a nutrition/cooking class, Steady As You Go exercise class, a socialisation group, and one that does both the cooking and exercise programmes. The outcome of this long running trial will be known in a year's time.
Turning a goat's frown upside down

At the Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch scientists are studying a herd of milking goats to see if they can understand better how to measure animals' moods and personalities.

Using an elaborate series of experiences and tasks together with hi-tech measuring devices such as High Frame Rate and Infra-red cameras, the aim of the research is to better ensure the welfare of farm animals.
What's killing our korora?

This story about the plight of the world's smallest species of penguin, the korora, or Little Blue Penguin, gained attention both here and overseas. 

Thousands of dead and starving young penguins have been found on our beaches over Summer, leading to one question - why?

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Climbing Kauri for Climate Change

Our native forest giant, the mighty kauri, is an iconic species in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Auckland University scientist Dr Cate Macinnis-Ng has dedicated her research to learning how this species copes with drought, to better understand how it will adapt to a changing climate.
Catching Long-Tailed Bats in the Waitakere Ranges

Aotearoa has the smallest bats in the world - 'micro bats' as they're known. With small populations in the two surviving species, little is known about their habits.

In this story we follow a group of bat experts as they trap and track Long-Tailed Bats to learn more about their behaviour - this footage is rare indeed!
"Doctor Spider" - Dr Fiona Cross

How do you go from being a young girl terrified of the spiders living in your backyard, to one of New Zealand's leading arachnologists, studying jumping spiders in Africa?

Dr Fiona Cross' passion is a fascinating and reassuring story for those who aren't quite so enamoured with our eight-legged friends.
Antarctic scientist Natalie Robinson

Natalie Robinson is a seasoned Antarctic scientist with a number of visits to the ice under her belt. During our visit to Antarctica we took a trip to Camp K131 on the Ross Sea Ice, to stay with Natalie and learn about her oceanographic research.

Also featured - the southernmost curling venue in the world!
Do you have a contribution to make?
We always want to hear about your ideas for stories, scientific research, or suggestions for what you'd like to see us cover.
If you're a scientific organisation or a scientist looking to communicate, we'd love to talk about
working together to help with spreading your science.