Our Changing World

  • Home
  • Our Changing World

Our Changing World Stories about science and nature from out in the field and inside the labs across Aotearoa.

Our Changing World is a thought-provoking weekly programme that airs at 9pm (New Zealand-time) each Thursday night on RNZ National. It features a varied mix of field-recorded interviews about science, the environment and health research. Our Changing World shares the excitement and discovery of science by getting scientists to share their passion and enthusiasm for their work. It’s about how scien

ce works and the nature of scientific discovery, as well as the latest results and their significance.

🛰️ Listen now: New Zealand contributed $32 million to a methane-detecting satellite that was lost in space earlier this ...
22/09/2025

🛰️ Listen now: New Zealand contributed $32 million to a methane-detecting satellite that was lost in space earlier this year.

🐄 The mission aimed to pinpoint big methane leaks from oil and gas fields, and test the viability of detecting cow and sheep burps from space.

What data did the satellite reveal before it went dark?

https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/ourchangingworld/2025/detecting-cow-burps-from-space

📷: Ellen Rykers; Stuart Mackay / Earth Sciences New Zealand

19/09/2025

Coming up next week: New Zealand's first major space mission ended in disappointment earlier this year, as contact was lost with a satellite built to detect the potent greenhouse gas methane.

What did MethaneSAT reveal about methane emissions? Tune in on Tuesday.

Earth Sciences New Zealand

📷: Environmental Defense Fund

Listen now: New Zealand science in space! 🚀In March 2024, a rocket launched from Florida carrying New Zealand’s first sc...
15/09/2025

Listen now: New Zealand science in space! 🚀

In March 2024, a rocket launched from Florida carrying New Zealand’s first science payload to the International Space Station: a protein crystallisation lab developed by Dr Sarah Kessans from the University of Canterbury.

Plus, Dr Brian Russell is creating AI tools to help space companies make critical decisions around astronaut health and safety. Auckland Bioengineering Institute UoA AUT - Auckland University of Technology

https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/ourchangingworld/2025/new-zealand-science-in-space

📷: Dave Sanders / NASA

12/09/2025

Coming up next week: New Zealand science in space 🛰️

🔬 An NZ-innovated payload heads to the International Space Station, testing how to efficiently crystallise protein molecules in microgravity
🚀 An AI decision tool to help keep astronauts safe in space

Tune in on Tuesday!

University of Canterbury University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau AUT - Auckland University of Technology

📷: NASA

🎧 Listen now: An elaborate game of carbon ‘I spy’ is happening on the streets of Wellington. With their brand-new mobile...
08/09/2025

🎧 Listen now: An elaborate game of carbon ‘I spy’ is happening on the streets of Wellington.

With their brand-new mobile carbon lab, Earth Sciences New Zealand can detect things like carbon dioxide and methane as they drive around... William Ray joins them for ride

https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/ourchangingworld/2025/the-i-spy-carbon-mobile

📷: William Ray

29/08/2025

Coming up next week, Claire heads to the Rees Valley to spot its newest inhabitants... can you guess who has taken up residence in this stunning mountain home?

Tune in on Tuesday!

Southern Lakes Sanctuary

🎧 Listen now: There’s been a lot in the news recently about New Zealand’s energy supply. Claire speaks to researcher Dr ...
26/08/2025

🎧 Listen now: There’s been a lot in the news recently about New Zealand’s energy supply.

Claire speaks to researcher Dr Jen Purdie University of Otago about electrifying industry and transport, our ‘dry year problem’, and what the future of energy might look like.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/ourchangingworld/2025/powering-new-zealand

📷: Geoff McKay (CC BY 2.0)

22/08/2025

Coming up next week: oil and coal and gas, oh my!

Claire explores New Zealand's current and future energy landscapes – including electrification, the return to offshore oil and gas exploration, and a plan to double geothermal energy.

Tune in on Tuesday.

University of Otago

📷: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

16/08/2025

Coming up next week, rapid uptake of va**ng among young Kiwis has led to concerns that a new generation is now addicted to ni****ne.

Researchers are investigating how va**ng affects our lungs, and the harms young people are experiencing in terms of social connections and mental health.

Tune in on Tuesday.

University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Otago

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Our Changing World posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Share

Our Story

Our Changing World is a thought-provoking weekly programme that airs at 9pm (New Zealand-time) each Thursday night on RNZ National. It features a varied mix of field-recorded interviews about science, the environment and health research. Our Changing World shares the excitement and discovery of science by getting scientists to share their passion and enthusiasm for their work. It’s about how science works and the nature of scientific discovery, as well as the latest results and their significance. It is presented and produced by Alison Ballance.