Climate change is predicted to warm the country’s atmosphere by 1–4°C by the end of the century, altering the natural water cycle—how much is frozen as snow, how much falls as rain, and how much flows in rivers. Climate researchers are seeking to predict what will change, and when. What will be the impact on hydroelectric power stations and irrigation schemes? Which areas will be hit hardest by flooding, or increasingly severe drought? Some scientists are looking into the future.


	What's in store for our mountains? Climate change is predicted to warm the country’s atmosphere by 1–4°C by the end of the century, altering the natural water cycle—how much is frozen as snow, how much falls as rain, and how much flows in rivers. Climate researchers are seeking to predict what will change, and when. What will be the impact on hydroelectric power stations and irrigation schemes? Which areas will be hit hardest by flooding, or increasingly severe drought? Researchers from the Deep South National Science Challenge are looking into the future...


	In debt to nature Every year, the Global Footprint Network keeps track of the natural resources we use, and plots that consumption against nature’s ability to replenish them. And every year, it marks the precise day we exhaust them with Earth Overshoot Day, when humanity tips over from the black into the red. This year, we emptied the planet’s capital account by August 1.


	The case for Parihaka day Why do we celebrate Guy Fawkes, which is someone else’s history—increasingly remote and irrelevant? Why not rather remember a homegrown event that occurred on the same day: the nonviolent response to the invasion of Parihaka?

The new normal

The Earth has always had a dynamic climate, but it has never changed as fast as it is changing now. What forces are driving this massive flux? How can we reduce carbon emissions caused by human society, and mitigate the effects of climate change? How can we adapt to the new normal?

Why do penguins swim to the subantarctic?

Fiordland crested penguins have plenty of food along the coastline where they breed, yet every year they make a trip to the Subtropical and Subantarctic Fronts and back to feed—a swim of nearly 7000 kilometres.

Set in stone

A fossilised earthquake preserved in rock along the Livingstone Fault, which slices through both the North and South Islands. It’s the first time the fossilised remains of tectonic movement have been found in serpentinite.


	See the winners for Photographer of the Year 2018 Who took home the Wildlife category? How about Photostory, Landscape, Aerial? Which was the winning timelapse? Who is the Young Photographer of the Year? And who did the public vote for the People's Choice Award? (Pictured above is an image from Photographer of the Year Derek Morrison's portfolio). See all the winners here.