Environment
Swells dislodge wrecked catamaran from rocks in Akaroa Harbour
The Black Cat Cruises boat ran aground in the Akaroa Marine Reserve in Banks Peninsula on Sunday.
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 5 February 2026
Powhiri, protest, and politics. Leaders and dignitaries were welcomed onto the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi as we went to air. We crossed live to our acting political editor for the latest; The CEO of… Audio
Wellington Water CEO Pat Dougherty speaks to Guyon Espiner
The capital faces an environmental catastrophe after the shutdown of the Moa Point treatment plant. Wellington Water CEO Pat Dougherty spoke to Guyon Espiner. Audio
Adventurous seal pup given police escort out of New Plymouth CDB
Police say the seal pup wandered "a bit too far from home" but was safely escorted back to the sea.
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 5 February
Wellington beaches are a no-go zone after a water treatment plant outage sent raw wastewater into the sea off the southern coast. This morning, we spoke with Wellington Mayor Andrew Little about the… Audio
'Catastrophic failure': Mayor describes plant's leak as environmental disaster
An average of around 70 million litres of untreated wastewater has been pouring into Wellington's South Coast each day since Wednesday morning. Audio
Wellington mayor Andrew Little discusses treatment plant outage
Wellington Water says about 70 million litres of raw sewage is pouring into the sea every day the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant is out of action. Wellington mayor Andrew Little spoke to Corin… Audio
Sewage discharge closes Wellington beaches
It's unclear when Wellingtonians will be allowed back on some of their favourite beaches as millions of litres of raw sewage continue to pour into the water. Nick James reports. Audio
Blue Spring coins to be collected for charity
Tourists who have been throwing their coins and rubbish into a spring will be helping someone else's wish come true when their loose change is collected this morning. Fish and Game's Adam Daniels… Audio
High Court rules Otago set net ban lawful despite hoiho decline
An environmental charity's claim that a set net fishing ban around Otago Peninsula didn't go far enough to protect hoiho has been dismissed.
Using wool to try and stop an invasive weed
Woollen mats are now being trialled to smother an invasive oxygen weed threatening to take over some of New Zealand's lake floors. To explain how, Northland Regional Council Biodiversity Manager Lisa… Audio
How flushable sensors could be used to help clean up Auckland's beaches
Auckland University has been piloting flushable sensors designed to detect underground sewer faults. Audio
Resident stung by yellow-legged hornet through gardening gloves
Niki Sherriff was trimming a dense bush at her house, when she unwittingly disturbed a nest. Audio
$70m needed before 2050 to fix Waitaki coastal erosion
A new report commissioned by the council has revealed another $80 million is needed to protect the entire Ōamaru sewage system by 2125.
The Panel with Deborah Hart and David Cunliffe, Part 2
In part two, congestion charging is constantly being thrown around as a traffic solution in our two biggest cities - but Auckland University researcher Hyesop Shin says it might not be as effective as… Audio
Thousands of complaints about stench from treatment plant
Thousands of reports have flooded in about a vile, sickening smell coming from Christchurch's burnt out waste water treatment plant. The pong has plagued the suburb of Bromley and surrounding areas -… Audio
New drone footage shows submerged catamaran close to shore
The Black Cat Cruises catamaran ran aground in the Akaroa Marine Reserve on Saturday, resulting in the rescue of more than 40 passengers and crew.
Revealed: What caused deaths of hundreds of eels
The eels, including breeding stock thought to be 40 to 50 years old, were found dead in the Waiatāi Stream near Wairoa last month.
Why did hundreds of eels die in Waiatai stream?
A few weeks ago, some locals in Waiatai Valley near Wairoa were devastated to find hundreds of dead eels in the Waiatai stream. Some of the eels, or tuna in te reo Maori, were thought to be 40 to 50… Audio
Opposition parties slam 'secret' government talks with US
New Zealand is in talks about the supply of rare minerals, as Donald Trump seeks to reduce reliance on China. Audio
