Five millimetres of rain in a day is not uncommon in Auckland, but it is enough to cause parts of the city’s wastewater network to overflow, spilling raw sewage into the sea and making beaches unsafe for swimming. This summer, permanent warning signs were posted at 10 locations where water quality is so bad that Auckland Council no longer monitors it. Why are Auckland’s beaches so frequently unswimmable? Is the solution better plumbing—or more enlightened thinking?

Read more from the latest issue at nzgeo.com

New unreleased videos and images from inside Pike River Mine surfaced yesterday, sparking fresh debate why they were not shown to families of the victim. The prime minister says that the footage did not change the assessment of the mine's safety, and stands firm on the decision not to re-enter the mine. Read more on the science behind re-entering the Pike River mine at nzgeo.com

Protected from fishing for 35 years, the waters of the Poor Knights Islands abound with life and are the subject of NZGeo's first 360 documentary. Join marine biologist Lucy Van Oosterom and discover the secrets of these islands—on your phone, tablet or desktop, using your browser or a headset.

Check out our first Virtual Field Trip: Poor Knights Island