Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 2h

New report says drug laws are a ‘failure’ – Expert Reaction

New report says drug laws are a 'failure' - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre

The Drug Foundation says our current laws are worsening drug addiction, overdose, deaths and criminalisation. Their report released today, Safer drug laws for Aotearoa New Zealand, concludes that decriminalisation...

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 4h

Scientists strive to stop wilding pines – Expert Q&A

Scientists strive to stop wilding pines - Expert Q&A - Science Media Centre

Wilding pines are increasingly smothering the scenic landscapes and farms of Aotearoa, shading out native species, and creating fuel for wildfires. Speakers at the Wilding Pines Conference in Twizel...

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 23h

Adapting to NZ’s extreme climate futures – Media Briefing

Adapting to NZ's extreme climate futures - Media Briefing - Science Media Centre

Top scientists and officials from around the world are gathering in Christchurch, urging action to adapt to cascading risks from climate-fuelled storms, heatwaves, and sea-level rise. The SMC hosted...

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 1d

Climate change is hammering NZ’s oceans – Expert Reaction

Climate change is hammering NZ's oceans - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre

Ocean life, coastal homes, and kaimoana around our island nation are being impacted by the changing climate, a new report shows. Our Marine Environment 2025, produced by The Ministry for the Environment...

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 2d

Hauraki Gulf Bill set to pass – Expert Q&A

Hauraki Gulf Bill set to pass - Expert Q&A - Science Media Centre

The Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill is due for its third reading in Parliament this week. The Bill extends protections of current marine reserves in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park,...

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 9d

High nitrate levels found in rural NZ drinking water – Expert Reaction

High nitrate levels found in rural NZ drinking water - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre

Tens of thousands of rural New Zealanders could be drinking water with harmful nitrate levels, researchers say. The first-ever national rural drinking water survey found 5% of the private bore samples...

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 10d

Quake-prone buildings redefined – Expert Reaction

Quake-prone buildings redefined - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre

Government changes to the earthquake-prone building system will remove nearly 3000 buildings from the classification. Following the Seismic Risk Management Review, Building and Construction Minister Chris...

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 13d

Last chance to apply for media training in Auckland this year! Applications close Sunday September 28th.
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/science-medi...

Science Media SAVVY

Our flagship media training increases confidence and skills to help researchers to engage more effectively with the wider public through broadcast, print and social media. Apply below. We create a…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 14d

Will the world overshoot its climate targets? – Expert Q&A

Will the world overshoot its climate targets? - Expert Q&A - Science Media Centre

We're edging closer to exceeding 1.5°C of warming globally, and scientists will soon gather to understand the implications of missing our climate change targets. The first-ever Overshoot Conference in...

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 15d

Trump’s autism and paracetamol comments disputed – Expert Reaction

Trump's autism and paracetamol comments disputed - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre

US doctors will soon be advised not to prescribe the pain reliever paracetamol to pregnant women, US President Donald Trump said today, citing a unproven link to autism. During the same announcment,...

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 20d

Changes to childhood vaccine recommendations in the US – Expert Reaction

Changes to childhood vaccine recommendations in the US - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is meeting to review childhood vaccine recommendations in the US. The committee has already voted to change current guidance on combined measles,...

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 21d

Repeat head knocks may damage young athletes’ brains – Expert Reaction

Repeat head knocks may damage young athletes' brains - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre

Young contact sports players' brains can show signs of damage years before symptoms of long-term brain disease appear, a small US study finds. Researchers found that brain tissues from under-51-year-old...

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 22d

Gravitational wave study confirms NZ scientist’s black hole theory – Expert Reaction
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/09/17/g...

Gravitational wave study confirms NZ scientist's black hole theory - Expert Reaction

International researchers who studied the merging of two black holes say their new observations match theories developed by Stephen Hawking and NZ scientist Roy Kerr over half a century ago.…

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 23d

Three hoiho were killed in fisheries incidents in the last quarter. An emergency set net fishing ban to protect the rare penguin—the 2024 Bird of the Year—comes into effect at 5 pm today.

Fishing net ban to protect hoiho – Expert Reaction www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/09/16/f...

Fishing net ban to protect hoiho - Expert Reaction

An emergency set net fishing ban to protect yellow-eyed penguins around the Otago Peninsula begins at 5 pm today. The three-month ban follows a voluntary closure by set-net fishers last week and earl...

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Aug 31

If you're attending Queenstown Research Week this week, make sure to sign up for a free Savvy Express session.

This widely-praised one-on-one training helps researchers practise speaking on-camera in a safe environment – in just 15 minutes.

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/savvy-expres...

SAVVY Express

Offered at selected conferences, our SAVVY Express programme offers free, 15 minute, one-on-one media training. Apply below. It's an opportunity for researchers to practise communicating about their…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 22

Tomorrow at 10am: Join us for a free webinar about how researchers can make the most of social media. We'll cover tips on which platforms to use, how to build an audience, with time for audience questions at the end. Register here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/monthly-talk...

Free monthly talks with the SMC

Join us for a monthly webinar where we cover topics like working with the media, communicating your research to the general public, and using social media to promote your research. Register below.…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 20

Thursday! Social media tips for researchers with Prof Ekant Veer. We'll cover: choosing a platform, finding your audience, and how to do social media for social good. Register here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/monthly-talk...

Free monthly talks with the SMC

Join us for a monthly webinar where we cover topics like working with the media, communicating your research to the general public, and using social media to promote your research. Register below.…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 16

Last chance to apply for our media advisor role! Get your CV in by 5pm today.

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Work with us! Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor – Science Media Centre

The Science Media Centre is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 16

Do you enjoy distilling complex ideas into easy-to-understand points? What about connecting with talented people, learning new things every day, and finding big science news stories before anyone else? Apply for our media advisor role by 5pm tomorrow: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Work with us! Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor – Science Media Centre

The Science Media Centre is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 15

We're looking for a new media advisor who's keen to help us provide essential plain-langauge context for reporters whenever science is in the headlines.

More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Work with us! Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor – Science Media Centre

The Science Media Centre is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 13

Only a few days left to send in your CV to work with us at the SMC!

Apply by 5pm Thursday: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Work with us! Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor – Science Media Centre

The Science Media Centre is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 11

We're looking for a new media advisor to join our team connecting the worlds of science and journalism. **Apply by Thursday** - more info here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Work with us! Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor – Science Media Centre

The Science Media Centre is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 9

Want to work with the SMC? We don’t expect perfection in our candidates – if you think you may have what it takes, but don’t meet every point referenced below, please still get in touch!

More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Work with us! Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor – Science Media Centre

The Science Media Centre is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 7

Want to join our team? This role would suit an experienced journalist with a keen interest in how science and research impact the world around us, or an exceptional science communicator with a solid understanding of news media.
More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Work with us! Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor – Science Media Centre

The Science Media Centre is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · Jul 7

THE SMC IS HIRING!

We're looking for someone to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in Aotearoa New Zealand.

More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/26/w...

Work with us! Kaimanaaki Pāpāho | Media Advisor – Science Media Centre

The Science Media Centre is looking for a media advisor to join our dedicated team working to improve the reach, relevance and accuracy of news media reporting on science and related topics in…

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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