Environment
New Thinking
Methane research is ballooning
AgResearch scientists are using water balloons to measure sheep burps as part of research into methane emissions.
Research farm aims to lower carbon emissions
AgResearch hopes to show dairy farmers how to reduce carbon emissions on their farms by experimenting with farm inputs on its new $6.5 million dairy research farm at Tokanui.
Farm emissions research will need contributions from farmers
AgResearch's former head of climate and environment, Harry Clark, who is setting up the new The Government's new Centre for Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Research, said he would be looking to industry for support beyond its current $50m taxpayer-funding over the next 10 years for the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium.
Dogs and ducks contaminating Avon River
An Environment Canterbury-commissioned report, undertaken by ESR, highlights two main sources of faecal contaminants in Christchurch’s Avon River.
'Water footprint' as pressing as carbon dioxide emissions
According to Plant and Food Research - if you want to be environmentally chic you need to be concerned about your water footprint.
NIWA purchases supercomputer
The National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) is buying one of the world's most powerful supercomputers for environmental forecasting.
Hungry bugs eat GHG nasties
Landcare Research trialling practical way to radically cut New Zealand's methane emissions.
Queen Bees heading home to England
A rare species of bumblebee, extinct in its English homeland, has been clinging on in the South Island of New Zealand.
New Zealand ´game´ takes centre stage
Landcare Research scientists are to take a ´game´ developed in New Zealand and based on future planning scenarios, to the world.
Demand for organic certification growing
The organic certification of AgResearch’s Textile Processing Plant has opened the door to the rapidly expanding and highly competitive world of commercial certified organic products.
New Science
GM grass trial aims to cut cows' gas
A plan to grow paddocks of genetically modified grass created to cut the greenhouse gases produced by cows is in the pipeline at Crown-owned company AgResearch.
New carbon footprinting project underway
An ambitious new project to establish a standardised approach to measuring Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions for one of the country’s leading export industries is about to begin.
Moa research takes big step forward
Landcare Research scientists Dr Jamie Wood and Dr Janet Wilmshurst along with Professor Alan Cooper and Mr Trevor Worthy at the University of Adelaide aim to learn more of the diets of moa and other large extinct birds and the effect their snacking had on our ecology
Doom for Algal Bloom?
An innovative solution to a billion-dollar problem has been successfully trialled by Scion. A modified form of zeolite, a natural volcanic mineral, looks set to be a new tool in the campaign to mitigate the effects of nutrient run-off in New Zealand's lakes and waterways.
A gnawing question answered?
Radiocarbon dating of Pacific rat (kiore) bones and rat–gnawed native seeds have provided compelling new evidence into the timing of New Zealand´s colonisation.
No Environmental Impact from Genetically Modified Research Trees
Results from New Zealand's most comprehensive, independent scientific field trial of genetically modified trees support the argument that GM trees are low-risk and can be safely introduced into the environment, with no negative effects on other organisms.
Scion sheds light on insect control
Most people turn off the lights to keep creepy critters away. But Scion is turning them on. The Crown Research Institute is trialling yellow lighting systems as a means of repelling insects, research which could reduce the need for methyl bromide treatments at wood processing sites.
Solving the P problem
NIWA scientists are part of team which is finding ways to reduce the phosphorus problem in lakes.
Gas-gobbler from hell could help save world
GNS Scientist Matthew Stott has discovered a tiny methane-eating bug from the depths of hell that is being championed as a potential means of cutting methane emissions.
New Zealand Glaciers Shrinking
New Zealand’s glaciers are shrinking and twelve of the largest glaciers in the Southern Alps are unlikely to return to their earlier lengths without extraordinary cooling of the climate.
New Value
Discovery paves way for industrial use of carbon capture technology
Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) has made a breakthrough that enables the world’s most efficient carbon dioxide capture technology to become commercially viable.
Winning Waikato scientist Saving New Zealand estuaries
Research into the sustainable management of New Zealand estuaries and coastal waters has earned Malcolm Green of NIWA the Environmental Science Award at the 2009 Kudos Awards.
Sustainability Awards for science leader
Landcare Research has received two awards for sustainability on the same night but in different parts of the country.
Software solution to help farmers meet Kyoto
A smart software solution developed by MAF, AgResearch and FertResearch will enable farmers across the country to accurately estimate their greenhouse gas emissions and help New Zealand comply with its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
Rain puts dampener on Scion's experimental burns
Whilst most of New Zealand has been praying for rain this summer, Scion's fire researchers have had more than their fair share of it. Experimental burns taking place on Mount Torlesse in Canterbury have been plagued by bad weather, but despite this, useful information has been collected to help in the fight against wildfires.
NZ dairy farms losing advantage over EU
New Zealand dairy farms are slipping in terms of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas efficiency, and urgently need to focus on improved farm practices and intensification options to reverse the trend.
German experience leads To Enviro–Mark record
Wellington–based CatzDesign has become the fastest organisation to achieve Enviro–Mark NZ® Diamond certification, as part of a genuine commitment towards greater environmental sustainability.
Win-win as odour control enables biogas capture
A NIWA-designed pond cover for a piggery not only stops the pong but also captures methane.
Orange-flavoured vitamin gel brings bitter end to possums
An orange-flavoured green gel with a calcium kick and a bitter aftertaste has proved delicious but deadly for possums. 'No Possums' was developed through a collaboration between Landcare Research, the Animal Health Board and Christchurch company Kiwicare Corporation.
Time for action on troublesome trees
Wilding conifers are increasingly a scourge on the landscape. Now for the first time, all agencies and land managers concerned about the pest trees have banded together. Landcare Research is helping to find out the extent of the wilding problem and how best to deal with it.
