Jamie Morton, a specialist in science and environmental reporting for New Zealand's Herald, has spent the last decade writing about everything from conservation and cosmology to climate change and COVID-19.
Jamie Morton, a specialist in science and environmental reporting for New Zealand's Herald, has spent the last decade writing about everything from conservation and cosmology to climate change and COVID-19. He pursued a career in journalism from a young age, first studying media, then training under renowned tutor and journalist Jim Tucker in New Plymouth in 2004. After spending a year as a freelance writer for various Wellington newspapers, he joined the company in 2005, reporting on community newspapers in Hawke’s Bay. Following two years at the Wairarapa Times-Age, he had a year-long stint at the Bay of Plenty Times, covering health and local news. Jamie arrived at the New Zealand Herald in 2011, first working as a Tauranga-based branch reporter who covered breaking news and major stories from Coromandel to Taupo. His introduction to science and environment reporting was covering the Rena disaster in 2011: hearing experts calmly communicate science to a public furiously demanding answers left a deep impression. He took over the science and environment round soon after: and has spent the last decade writing about everything from conservation and cosmology to climate change and Covid-19. Highlights have included covering two major volcanic eruptions (2012 and 2019); the Kaikoura Earthquake (2018); travelling to disaster zones in the US, China and Japan (2013); the UN climate conference in Paris (2015); the Square Kilometre Array telescope in Western Australia (2014); and reporting from Antarctica (2016 and 2019). He's also contributed to two books and a UN desk guide for reporting on climate change, and won several major awards for his reporting: including science reporter of the year in 2013, 2016, 2022 and 2023. Over the past few years, he's been heavily focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, while raising a young family in his native Taranaki. Jamie can be contacted at jamie.morton@nzherald.co.nz.
Sting in summer’s tail: Why are there so many wasps about at the moment?
A long, dry summer has led to 'extremely high' numbers of wasps around New Zealand.
6.8 Southland quake struck in tsunami-prone region ‘poorly understood’ by scientists
The area of today's quake has had big events but remains 'very poorly understood'.
‘Land of the short white cloud’: New analysis charts historical loss of NZ’s glaciers
New analysis suggests NZ glaciers have shed the bulk of their ice since the 19th century.
‘No political influence’: Lawyer assures fairness in Covid inquiry
The veteran lawyer heading the latest Covid-19 inquiry wants to hear from more Kiwis.
Jamie Morton: The three figures that paint a bleak picture of our climate reality
A new global climate stocktake is full of worrying numbers. Jamie Morton looks at three.
Rivers in the sky: How NZ could face twice as many big rainmakers by century’s end
The country could be hit by many more extreme 'atmospheric rivers' in the coming decades.
Submarine cable between Australia and NZ now doubling as a tsunami sensor
Our tsunami-monitoring capability just got smarter, thanks to a NZ-UK collaboration.
‘Prepare for heat stress’: Extreme NZ hot streaks expected to rise
Scientists warn Hamilton's once-in-a-decade February heatwave is sign of what's to come.
Law school stoush: Auckland Uni vice-chancellor faces backlash
Academics move to reject proposal to merge university's law and business faculties.
Callaghan Innovation: Last-minute funding lifeline buys time for 40 science roles
Some scientists at Callaghan Innovation have been given a last-minute funding lifeline.
Return of a wonder? Waiwera’s famous hot springs showing exciting signs of life
The recovery raises new questions over a classic Kiwi tourism draw's potential revival.
Interactive: Explore STI rates in your region
Which sexually transmitted infections are spreading where you live? Explore the data.
'Devastating tsunamis': Inside NZ's undersea landslide study
'If these landslides happened again, we know they could cause devastating tsunamis.'
Climate change: NZ faces 40% jump in city fires under ‘worst case’ warming scenario
Alarming new projections prompt fresh warnings against development in fire-prone areas.
Covid-19 in NZ: Five years - and five big unanswered questions
NZ's first Covid-19 case was confirmed five years ago today. What have we learned since?
Alert for GPs as drug-resistant ringworm strain emerges in NZ
Recently-emerged, treatment-resistant type of ringworm detected in NZ for the first time.
‘Breakthrough for eruption forecasting’: NZ scientists' AI tool could help predict future blows
Could scientists one day forecast volcanic eruptions before they happen?
Groundbreaking NZ-led study prompts rethink about devastating disorder
NZ-led study may prove a turning point in battle against neurodegenerative disorder MSA.
A cook in his own kitchen: Shane Reti talks science’s big reset and gene tech bill
The new Science, Innovation and Technology Minister has some giant decisions to make.
‘Disrespect for science’: Docs reveal how Govt pushed controversial changes to prestigious Marsden Fund
Documents reveal how Govt made changes to Marsden Fund that outraged academic community.
How Antarctica’s melting ice sheet could change NZ’s climate
Study suggests Antarctic meltwater may directly influence NZ's air and ocean temperatures.
Forecast deluges won’t ease North Island’s ‘unusual’ big summer dry
Downpours forecast this week unlikely to put dent in North Island's expanding dryness.
Lab-made tissue: ‘Lego-like’ local invention could revolutionise knee problems
A team of Kiwi scientists is pushing the boundaries of regenerative medicine.
Suspect you’re a narcissist? Here are the questions to ask yourself
What's the difference between healthy self-esteem and being a full-blown narcissist?
Environment watchdog flags worries over Govt science sector shake-up
Commissioner takes issue with Govt plans to merge NZ's seven Crown Research Institutes.
Science sector cuts: 63 more jobs to go at Callaghan Innovation, union says
Union says Callaghan Innovation staff forced into redundancy with 'nowhere in NZ to go'.
Happy Feat: Chilean officials stunned as NZ penguin turns up 7500km from home
A native NZ penguin has made an 'extremely unusual' visit to a seaside city in Chile.
‘Unheard of’: Family astonished at landing 100kg marlin near Kāpiti Island
A family fishing trip off the Kapiti Coast landed something a little heftier than snapper.
Risk of flooding, slips amid potential severe thunderstorms over North Island
People across the Central North Island are being warned of more thunderstorm action today.
‘Incredibly distressing’: Doctor worries old disease is making NZ comeback
Painful bone growth disorder appears to making a mysterious resurgence among NZ children.
‘Critical tipping point’: When did things turn bad for the Hauraki Gulf’s snapper?
What's driven the decline of the oft-caught species? Scientists shed new light.
NZ’s starving students: Hungry kids trailing peers by up to four years in maths, science
A major new analysis uncovers a 'barn-door problem' of food poverty in Kiwi schools.
NZ scientists create world-first ‘clock’ that could lead to ageing breakthroughs
DNA-based 'clock' could lead to new medical treatments and insights into how we age.
Youth vaping: NZ study reveals worrying misconceptions among teens
Health researchers say vaping urgently needs to be 'denormalised' among NZ's teens.
The 122km/h gust: Why last night’s extreme weather hit Mangawhai so hard
A forecaster explains what made the storm so powerful, as the weather action shifts south.
Cancer frontiers: Five ways Kiwi scientists are taking on our number one killer
Jamie Morton meets the Kiwi scientists leading five cutting-edge new cancer studies.
Strong support among reformed smokers for measures Govt dropped, study reveals
Study finds overwhelming backing for ‘smokefree generation’ and non-addictive cigarettes.
Mixed reactions: Govt's science revamp aims to drive economic growth
New Zealand's seven Crown Research Institutes to be grouped into three new organisations.
What scientists are learning about potential lava flows in Auckland
A recent eruption in Spain's Canary Islands yields important new insights for Auckland.
Iwi discovers native plant with cannabis-like properties
Discoveries about the plant have exciting potential for new homegrown health products.
Obesity breakthrough: Kiwi scientist in pivotal gene discovery
A Kiwi scientist has helped make a breakthrough that could lead to new obesity treatments.
Space spectacle: ‘Once in a lifetime’ comet to be visible in NZ skies
Kiwis likely to get glimpse at passing comet that’s been making for stunning images.
Nine in 10 Kiwi kids endure trauma by age 8 - new research
But parents can cut the risk of lasting harm, new study finds.
‘Widespread destruction': Kiwi dancer Parris Goebel evacuates home as devastating LA fires spread
NZ's top choreographer joins more than 150,000 LA residents forced to evacuate amid fires.
Eclipses and supermoons: Five things for Kiwi stargazers to look for in 2025, starting this week
From solar eclipses to meteors, there's plenty of action in 2025's astronomical calendar.
Climate change: How worsening heatwaves could hurt your heart
NZ scientists are exploring how crucial cells in our hearts will cope on extra-hot days.
Long-range outlook: What weather’s in store for NZ for the rest of summer?
Niwa’s outlook for rest of summer picks above-average warmth for the North Island.
Revealed: Just how warm was 2024 in New Zealand?
New Zealand again saw one of its hottest years on the books in 2024.
Summer bummer: Just how colder has 2025 been where you live?
We all know it's been colder around NZ over 2025. But how cold? Here are the numbers.
Weather: Parts of Northland approach drought as Wellington freezes
Meteorologists are closely watching fast-drying conditions across the upper North Island.
What NZ scientists are discovering about how our bodies fight infection
Ever wondered if catching one viral nasty spares you from being hit hard by another?
Growing pains: Scientists paint troubling picture for NZ’s crucial farm pastures
Productivity gains in New Zealand’s plentiful pastures have now stalled, or even declined.
Scientists building richest picture yet of NZ’s biggest quake-maker
Scientists are set to untangle the complex mechanics of NZ's monster natural hazard.
Rip currents pose risk at popular NZ beaches, experts warn
What are rip currents – and at what NZ beaches are they most dangerous? Experts explain.
Summer disrupted: Why forecasters are picking a ‘cool lean’ for first half of January
Temperatures forecast to reach 'laughable' 14C in capital tomorrow amid southerly pattern.
Explained: Is your favourite swimming hole safe for a dip?
Kiwis love to visit local swimming spots in the summer. But when is it best to skip a dip?
'They're not dumb': New research on why some of us believe conspiracy theories
What turns Kiwis toward conspiracy theorising? A new study reveals surprising insights.
Science body urges PM to reconsider cuts to research funding
Royal Society Te Apārangi weighs in on Govt-ordered cuts to humanities research grants.
Christmas Day weather: Here’s what forecasters can tell us so far
Long-range forecasts suggest murky weather for Xmas: but don't cancel BBQ plans just yet.
NZ study: How peoples’ emotional cues shape views of genetically modified food
Researchers delved into Kiwis' perception barriers around eating GM and irradiated food.
GNS job cuts: Emergency management bosses told of 'significant risks' for natural hazards watchdog
Cost-cutting GNS Science shake-up sparked worries within NZ's emergency management agency.
‘Nothing but rumour and doubt’: Scientists hit out at Govt secrecy over sector reforms
A scientists’ coalition has hit out at Govt silence regarding a long-planned sector reset.
‘Strong’ marine heatwave conditions around North Island fueling warmth, humidity
Abnormal ocean warmth around northern coasts may already be noticeable for beachgoers.
Covid for Christmas? Here's what the modellers are predicting
Epidemiologist: Catching Covid shouldn’t be framed as an immunity-boosting positive
Muggy days and nights ahead as humid weather system nears NZ
Much of the North Island is in for a sticky end to the week, while Hastings could hit 30C.
Supreme Court rules in new twist for 20-year foreshore and seabed Māori rights saga
The new ruling is the latest twist in the 20-year legal saga regarding customary rights.
Explained: What today’s Supreme Court foreshore and seabed ruling means
NZ's highest court has weighed in on customary rights to the foreshore and seabed.
Dementia danger: Where you live in NZ could be worsening your brain health
Where we live in NZ can raise our risk of cognitive decline – with poorer areas worse off.
Why NZ scientists are studying a prehistoric apocalypse in Antarctica
The event 183 million years ago may reveal more about tipping points under global warming.
Hikurangi Subduction Zone: What overseas quakes just revealed about NZ’s biggest natural hazard
A major study reveals more about the mysterious mechanics of NZ's largest disaster threat.
Driverless cars are here, so why is NZ stuck in first gear?
You jump in a robotaxi in San Francisco or LA. What's holding driverless cars back here?
Niwa’s summer forecast: Scorching days next week, but muggy months to follow
Kiwis are in for a weather roller-coaster ride to Christmas and muggy days lie beyond.
Explained: Everything you need to know about arsenic and drinking water
Drinking water testing has turned up slightly higher arsenic levels. Here's what to know.
Here comes the heat: Parts of NZ to hit 30C this week
Kiwis are in for an early dose of scorching summer days - and nights - later this week.
'Taste, texture, price': Why Kiwis have stopped buying fake meat
Will meatless meat ever appeal to the average Kiwi consumer? Researchers explain.
Omicron variant XEC ‘rising steadily’ in NZ as scientists watch for early signs of Christmas wave
Recently arrived XEC now accounts for about a quarter of Covid-19 cases around NZ.
Heatwave behind NZ’s hottest summer could become ‘almost annual’ by 2040s
Regional NZ heatwaves once considered one-in-300-year events now concerningly more common.
Troubling new analysis: Why NZ needs tougher laws for serial speedsters
Study investigating speeding in NZ reveals a worrying link between tickets and crashes.
Weather outlook: More rain on the way after settled start to the week
More balmy weather is forecast to kick off the working week – but it won't last for long.
Junk food fail: Just how unhealthy are NZ’s school tuck shops?
Our intermediate and secondary schools have received a fail grade for healthy menus.