The known unknowns

The recent outbreak of the Delta variant of the coronavirus led to a
number of unintended consequences. Growers dumped thousands of flowers they weren’t allowed to sell. Auckland factories producing
construction materials were shuttered for five weeks. Deaths from influenza are at an all-time low.

Now, New Zealand needs to decide how to manage COVID-19—based on incomplete information about its risks. Some of the most crucial metrics are ones we don’t have, such as how many people develop long-term illness.

This special report, will be in the next issue of New Zealand Geographic which goes to press today. We're releasing it here in advance. This is what we wish we knew about COVID-19.

Photographer of the Year exhibition

The Photographer of the Year exhibition has opened in the atrium under the Westpac Building in Britomart, downtown Auckland.

It is free to attend, and in an open atrium, but please comply with the Covid Public Health Order—attend only if you're local, wear a mask and remain two metres from others. It will be open until at least Christmas, so there will be plenty of opportunity to enjoy it at a later day when restrictions ease... and for most people this will be the best plan.

In the meantime you can see all the finalists and vote for your favourites online, and keep an eye out on billboards and bus shelters around the country for prints.

The sound of the sea

The scattering of holdings in the Marlborough Sounds support a community connected and defined by the sea. Matt Philp follows the salt water roads.

Keep reading...

Travel with our Editor-at-Large into the Hauraki Gulf and beyond...

New Zealand Geographic celebrates New Zealand and all its diversity—its people, places and wildlife. Now we’re bringing you even closer to the country through a new partnership with Heritage Expeditions. 

For our inaugural New Zealand Geographic & Heritage Expeditions voyage, the magazine’s co-founder and former editor, explorer, marine biologist and celebrated author Kennedy Warne will join the tour as we expedition cruise the famed waters, islands and coastlines of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and Bay of Islands on an exclusive 8-day partner voyage.

There are just a few berths remaining so book now. 

Better Ancestors: greening the concrete jungle

In California, the Sutro Stewards blend conservation, recreation and the concept of stewardship in an intense urban environment. By mobilising volunteers to build trails, remove invasive species, and grow and establish native plants, a severely degraded ecosystem is being restored.

"When you restore the plant communities, you're restoring the base of the foodchain that other animals can participate in. It all starts with the plants," says Ildiko Polony, the director of Sutro Stewards.

The story of the area's restoration provides hope that when we make the choice to give our natural spaces more love, we can reverse some of the damage we've done to them. Watch the video ...