New Zealand's new law prevents tobacco addiction in future generations
According to New Zealand’s Ministry of Health, between 4,000 and 5,000 people die every year in the country from smoking-related illnesses. Even though there’s been a significant decrease in the country’s adult smoking population (down to 13.4 percent of the population from 18.2 percent in Read More...
New Zealand is first nation to protect drug checking services by law
In a world-first, last week New Zealand’s government approved legislation made to protect drug checking, a service that saves lives by chemically testing illicit drugs to scan them for dangerous contaminants. The legislation is expected to pass into law as soon as next week. “We’re the Read More...
New Zealand swears in first Indigenous Māori Governor-general
Last week, Dame Cindy Kiro was formally sworn in as New Zealand’s first Indigenous Māori woman to be named Governor-general. The Māori peoples account for around 17 percent of New Zealand’s population but are still socially and economically disadvantaged. They continue to be Read More...
New Zealand mandates climate change disclosures for financial institutions
New Zealand has introduced legislation to increase climate transparency in banking. The country’s new policy will require publicly listed companies and large insurers, banks, non-bank deposit takers, and investment managers to make climate-related disclosures. Most companies and banks Read More...
New Zealand opens unusual vaccination destination for a weekend
New Zealand is getting an unconventional Covid-19 vaccination clinic in the form of a Boeing 787 plane. The winged vaccination site is being operated by Air New Zealand this weekend as part of the government’s “Super Saturday” vaccination boosting initiative. Doses will be administered Read More...
Decolonizing Science: Kiwi scientists take a stand on using Maori language
At The Optimist Daily, we have often featured stories about scientific discoveries that help improve our understanding of the biosphere. We are also big fans of inclusivity, particularly when it shows an appreciation of Indigenous wisdom. That’s why we wanted to feature this delightful account of Read More...
Fossil discovered by team of junior naturalists identified as new species
When the members of the Hamilton Junior Naturalist Club headed out on a fossil-hunting expedition, they expected to find some interesting shells and perhaps bones, but what they didn’t expect was the shocking discovery of a previously undiscovered species of penguin. Back in 2006, the students Read More...
New Zealand will ban most single-use plastic items by 2025
While New Zealand is considered to be one of the greenest countries in the world, it is currently one of the top ten per-capita producers of landfill waste worldwide. That may soon change, however, thanks to new legislation that will ban most single-use plastics by 2025. Among the main items Read More...
Green School students spend most of their time studying outdoors
Integrating sustainability into children’s education early on is key to ensuring future generations have a thorough understanding of the relationship between humans and their natural environment. This is the philosophy behind Green School International — an unconventional approach to schooling Read More...
Scientists discover ‘giant luminous shark’ off New Zealand coast
The ability for living organisms to produce visible light through a chemical reaction is known as bioluminescence, and it’s one of the most spectacular phenomenons found in nature. Bioluminescence has been observed in a wide range of marine life such as jellyfish and algae, but recently, marine Read More...