Launch in new window

DJ's Choice

You are here

Dear Science

The Tuesday Wire's weekly dive into the wide world of science.

Featuring a rotating cast of smart people including Chemist Professor Allan Blackman and Physicist Dr Cushla McGoverin. 

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow.

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 17th June, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 17th June, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 17th June, 2025, 24.83 MB
Tue 17 Jun 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert, Professor Allan Blackman, chatted with us about characterising liquid carbon, a New Zealand led cleanup in Antarctica, and plants making their own pesticide

Criticism at the AMAs, suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs, and new Parent Boost Visa w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th June, 2025

Criticism at the AMAs, suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs, and new Parent Boost Visa w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th June, 2025 Criticism at the AMAs, suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs, and new Parent Boost Visa w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th June, 2025, 13.69 MB
Tue 10 Jun 2025

These past few weeks in politics have seen various issues that we spoke about in our weekly catchup with the National Party.

First up, at the Aotearoa Music Awards, National MP Chris Bishop was heard making disdainful remarks such as “what a load of crap” during a performance by singer Stan Walker. 

Second, Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngārewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi were recently suspended from parliament for 21 days for their haka protesting the Treaty Principles Bill. The penalty is far harsher than any previous penalty for an MP, raising questions about whether it is justified or sets a dangerous precedent. 

Finally, the government recently announced a new visa for parents of migrants, allowing them to come to New Zealand for a longer period of time than traditional visitors without having to acquire residency.

Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues in our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, starting with Chris Bishop’s comments at the AMAs. 

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 10th June, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 10th June, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 10th June, 2025, 21.79 MB
Tue 10 Jun 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert, Professor Allan Blackman, chatted with us about how the universe really came about, causes of maths anxiety, and the makeup of a Dutch silver basin

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 27th May, 2025

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 27th May, 2025 Cushla McGoverin: 27th May, 2025, 18.54 MB
Tue 27 May 2025

This week on Dear Science, we chatted with our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin, about infrared contact lenses, giant sloths, and new tech to break down biofilms

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 20th May, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 20th May, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 20th May, 2025, 21.75 MB
Tue 20 May 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about personalised gene therapy, using molecules to spell a word, and the technique for the perfect manu

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 13th May, 2025

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 13th May, 2025 Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 13th May, 2025, 21.22 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about a new variation on the classic marshmallow experiment, a strange method of developing snake antivenom, and a new development in lithium ion batteries

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 6th May, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 6th May, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 6th May, 2025, 39.1 MB
Tue 6 May 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about people falsely reporting what they eat, fluoride in drinking water, and a retracted paper on the Sodom comet

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 29th April, 2025

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 29th April, 2025 Cushla McGoverin: 29th April, 2025, 17.43 MB
Tue 29 Apr 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about tree climbing salamanders, lab grown teeth, warnings for volcanic eruptions

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 22nd April, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 22nd April, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 22nd April, 2025, 39.72 MB
Tue 22 Apr 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert Professor Allan Blackman about dimethyl sulphide on exoplanet k2-18b, farming nickel with plants, and turning rainfall into electricity.

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 15th April, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 15th April, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 15th April, 2025, 24.61 MB
Tue 15 Apr 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about using physics to make more efficient coffee, inuit words for snow, and Leonardo Da Vinci's birthday. 

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!