Speckled, pencil-thin and sporting an underbite: the lowland longjaw galaxias is New Zealand’s rarest freshwater fish species. With just seven known populations, this species is considered nationally endangered. Join producer Karthic SS at a spring-fed stream in the wild Mackenzie Basin to meet the tiny fish, hear from a researcher studying trout-proof barriers, and chat to a ranger who for 20 years has cared for the little fish he calls 'Jaws'.

Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.

Guests:

• Dean Nelson, Senior Ranger, Biodiversity, Department of Conservation
• Martha Jolly, PhD candidate, University of Canterbury

Learn more:

• Otago farmers are looking out for another species of rare non-migratory galaxiid.
• In Auckland’s Lake Rototoa, introduced perch are the problem for the native kākahi.
• Karthic produces the Tune Into Nature podcast about New Zealand’s unique wildlife.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Since the 1800s, tuberculosis (TB) has been responsible for an estimated 1 billion deaths. In New Zealand today, we don’t get many cases of TB, but worldwide it is the leading infectious disease killer. In the early 1900s a TB vaccine was developed. Called the BCG vaccine, it’s still used today. While it is the best TB vaccine we have, it’s not actually great at preventing TB infection, only providing some protection for the youngest of patients. However, scientists have discovered that the BCG vaccine can boost people’s immune systems in other ways. Now researchers at the Malaghan Institute in Wellington are investigating these findings further.

Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.

Guests:

• Dr Kerry Hilligan, Malaghan Institute
• Rebecca Palmer, Malaghan Institute

Learn more:

• In 2017, Alison Ballance reported on the looming antimicrobial resistance crisis, with drug-resistant TB part of the problem.
• Other Our Changing World episodes about research at the Malaghan Institute include this 2024 episode on a new way to target rising stomach cancer rates, and this 2022 episode on next-generation cancer therapies.
• In 2021, Claire Concannon covered mRNA vaccine technology.
• The What if...? Genomics in Aotearoa series explores the different ways genomics is transforming different sectors, including infectious disease medicine.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

2020 saw the start of two global pandemics. Covid-19, of course, but also H5N1 bird flu. The latter has swept around the world leaving millions of dead wild birds and marine mammals in its wake. It has reached everywhere – except Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Alison Ballance has been finding out why this strain of bird flu is so deadly, and what we are doing to get ready for its possible arrival on our shores.

Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.

Guests:

• Dr Kate McInnes, Department of Conservation
• Dr Megan Jolly, Wildbase Hospital, Massey University
• Dr Mary van Andel, Ministry for Primary Industries
• Rob Schuckard, Birds New Zealand
• David Melville, Birds New Zealand

Learn more:

• Read the article that accompanies this episode: A deadly bird flu strain is coming. Are we ready?
• Find out about Biosecurity NZ’s bird flu surveillance work and what New Zealand is doing to prepare for the possible arrival of avian influenza.
• The Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline for reporting suspected bird flu is 0800 80 99 66.
• The Department of Conservation is preparing for the possible arrival of H5N1 bird flu in New Zealand.
• Claire Concannon spoke about viruses, including H5N1 bird flu, with virologist Professor Jemma Geoghegan, winner of the 2024 Prime Minister's Te Puiaki Whakapā Pūtaiao Science Communication Prize.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details