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.
Mt Ruapehu’s crater lake cools to record level; what that means for eruption chances
Volcano's crater lake registers coldest temperature in seven decades of monitoring.
Did material from lake-making Taupō ‘super-eruption’ reach Australia?
Discovery in Australia has scientists pointing to prehistoric super-eruption at Taupō.
Lightning and La Nina: Weather to watch out for this spring
Forecasters pick spring weather to be even messier than usual. Jamie Morton explains why.
Surprise findings: What scientists just learned about the major tsunami threat to NZ’s north
New simulations change what scientists understand about subduction zone's quake potential.
What’s going on at Whakaari/White Island?
Erupted ash from Whakaari has forced flight cancellations. What can we expect next?
'Polar vortex' to influence NZ weather patterns as intense downpour forecast
People across the upper North Island are being told to brace for severe weather.
Study reveals how NZ's biggest quake-maker stokes world-famous volcanic zone
What puts the fire in the belly of a local volcanic zone that's produced monster blows.
'Devastating' influenza outbreak hits Whitianga - six dead
Tragic Whitianga outbreak shows why infected people should avoid rest homes, expert says.
Hidden wonders: What scientists just discovered beneath Lake Rotorua
Lakefloor survey reveals thousands of pockmarks, an ancient river and hydrothermal system.
‘Cooking with gas’: Forecasters surprised to find NZ in another marine heatwave
On a day tipped to bring scorching temperatures, our seas are also running unusually warm.
Climate change: Parts of NZ could be getting hotter and drier more quickly than we think
Scientists think a heating, drying feedback loop seen elsewhere could be happening in NZ.
28m high: Scientists model NZ’s risk from tsunami-making quakes
New analysis points to rare but extreme potential for huge tsunamis hitting NZ's coasts.
More than a 'mega-thrust': Hidden power of our largest fault revealed
New 3D images reveal how NZ's largest fault - the Hikurangi Subduction Zone - moves.
Shaky Isles: Has this year really been ‘quakier’ than usual?
NZ's been rocked by several 5.0-plus quakes in 2023, amid 11,000 others. Is that normal?
Warning of slips, flooding as second big rain-maker set to soak north-east again
NZ's north-east is in for yet another soaking later this week after heavy rain hits today.
More chilly nights in store as temperatures plunge below zero around NZ
High hovering over NZ expected to bring some of year's coldest temperatures this week.
Explained: The science behind today’s big quakes
Today's big Hawke’s Bay jolts struck in an area well-known for seismic activity.
'Nasty bug': Flu season begins early ahead of another bumper year, warning for daycares
Virologist says flu is already on the rise in NZ, as long-absent strains return.
Can data-crunching AI warn us of imminent eruptions?
AI-powered model shows recent bouts of unrest at Whakaari had similar trigger mechanisms.
See ya, La Niña: Autumn to bring different flavour for drenched northeast
After three years of meddling with our weather, La Niña's finally shuffling off the stage.
Stronger than Bola? New analysis shows how Cyclone Gabrielle compares
Gabrielle appears to have been a stronger cyclone system than even 1988’s disastrous Bola.
Explained: Our lousy 2023 summer - why we need to brace for more heavy rainfall on horizon
La Niña isn't done with NZ's drenched north, with another soaking possible in early March.
Weather: What we know about tomorrow’s ‘atmospheric river’
Many of the key weather elements behind Friday’s freak deluge may align again tomorrow.
NZ’s marine heatwave is back - get set for a humid, sticky summer
NZ's sea temperatures now running 1-3C above average, with scorching days ahead.
NZ's quiet supervolcano explained: What's going on beneath Taupō?
For the first time, GeoNet has raised the volcanic alert level at Taupō. Should we worry?
Covid 19: How many lives did NZ's pandemic response save?
NZ remains one of only nine countries with negative excess mortality since pandemic began.
3302 cases today as Covid becomes one of NZ's biggest killers
One in seven recent NZ deaths were from Covid-19. So why are we growing indifferent to it?
'Freight train of low pressure': New Zealand's 10 wettest spots this month
A 'freight train of low pressure' has helped deliver NZ one of its soggiest months ever.
More than 300 quakes under Lake Taupō since May
Scientists observe spate of Taupō quakes but the supervolcano isn't any closer to blowing.
Giant rainmakers: Another 'atmospheric river' is heading our way - what is it?
Scientists have learned surprising new insights about what are NZ's biggest rain-makers.
Auckland families reinfected with Covid for third time
Te Whanau o Waipareira Trust is seeing more families reporting Covid-19 reinfections.
How hidden seismic cues could tip off the next big blow
Could hidden seismic signals be the key to predicting New Zealand's next big eruption?
Experts: Why we're seeing more sharks this summer
Scorching seas have warmed up the surf at our beaches. Have they also lured more sharks?
NZ scientists to model steam-driven eruptions like Whakaari tragedy
New study could bring us closer to forecasting steam-driven blows like Whakaari tragedy.
Climate change: quarter of Kiwis 'alarmed' over crisis
New polling pin-points five main views toward climate change among Kiwis.
Live: Hospital baby tests positive; more Raglan household cases; PM hints at easing Auckland restrictions
Experts warn Auckland can't move to level 2 given current cases and virus spread.
Volcanoes, tsunamis, underwater landslides: Mapping NZ's 'near-shore' threats
Scientists are exploring NZ's risk from offshore volcanoes and tsunami-making landslides.
The 90% Project: Why NZ's vax drive must shoot for the moon
NZ needs sky-high vaccination rates to shield itself from Delta. But what's realistic?
Covid-19: 10 maps that reveal NZ's vulnerability
Is your part of NZ more vulnerable to Covid? Experts share images that tell the story.
Interactive: Predicting Delta's spread with NZ's 'super model'
NZ's smartest Covid-19 model - run on a supercomputer - predicts spread at suburb-level.
Just how did Delta get into NZ?
NZ's Delta outbreak has swelled to 72 cases. How did it start? Here's what we know so far.
Three new cases since 1pm - one has link to border; AUT student among 10 cases - in lecture with 84 others
Ten Covid cases confirmed - AUT student was in lecture with 84 other students.
Polar blast: The science behind NZ's deep freeze
A polar blast has briefly chilled what's been NZ's warmest start to winter. What drove it?
Earthquake swarm reveals NZ's hidden magma reservoir
Scientists think they've located the magma chamber within the supervolcano.
A large earthquake is happening right now - but you can't feel it
No one can feel it, but a large - and very slow - quake is unfolding off NZ's East Coast.
Photos: 'Once in a lifetime' - blood supermoon rises over NZ
Kiwi stargazers were treated to a lunar spectacular overnight.
Blood supermoon: Best places to see rare eclipse
Cloud might block the view for some, but other parts of New Zealand are in for a treat.
Blood supermoon: How to capture tonight's rare spectacle
Staying up to snap Wednesday's 'blood supermoon'? Don't bother with your phone camera.
Budget 2021: Govt puts $28m into war against kauri killer
Govt spending $28m at effort to stop as-yet incurable disease killing NZ's iconic kauri.
Money or the jab? High-risk workers miss vaccine appointments - can't afford pay cut
Port workers should get paid breaks to ensure they get the Covid-19 shot, union says.
Rongoā Māori: Plant chemical found in kōwhai helps smokers quit
A chemical found in the kōwhai may offer a cheaper medicine to help people quit smoking.
Major 8.1 quake a rare and 'very notable event' - scientist
Scientist says 8.1 'thrust' event can spark tsunami due to rare size and shallow depth.
Covid-19: New cases' missing match 'hugely significant'
Virologist says it's worrying that no genomic matches in MIQ have been found to new cases.
Covid-19: Traveller's worries over mingling at isolation hotel
Traveller alarmed at new arrivals and people soon to leave mixing in MIQ hotel car park.
Live: 3.5-hour wait for Covid testing as officials urge patience
Two more of the community case's close contacts are waiting for test results.
Rising tide: How will climate change hit NZ property values?
NZ coastal homes are likely to be hit by climate impacts. But to what extent and how soon?
'Warm years are piling up' - 2020 was NZ's seventh hottest on record
Amid a pandemic NZ saw its seventh hottest year in 2020, carrying on a dire warming trend.
Danger looms as NZ beaches heat up again - and may keep warming
After cooler December, NZ coastal waters are heating up again. Will they keep warming?
30C scorcher: NZ set to swelter in the sun; forecasters also on cyclone watch
Some spots could hit 30C this week, with warm, sunny weather in store for most regions.
What you need to know about NZ's Covid vaccine announcement
NZ has its first Covid-19 vaccine purchase deal. Jamie Morton explains what that means.
Scientists glimpse transformed seafloor around White Island
Seafloor survey around White Island reveals a mass of ash discharged in deadly eruption.
Revealed: Which regions are driving NZ's emissions?
Canterbury's cows singled out alongside Auckland's cars for driving NZ emissions.
New alert system could have warned of Whakaari tragedy - scientists
NZ-designed system could've given 16 hours' warning of deadly eruption, scientists say.
The deadly 85m high tsunami that New Zealand can't ignore
Volcanic eruption caused a collapse into the sea, triggering a devastating tsunami.
7.4 quake: NZ 'lucky to avoid tsunami', says scientist
Early morning quake's side-to-side motion stopped it from causing a tsunami, expert says.
Six months on, White Island could erupt again with little warning
Six months after White Island's deadly blow, fresh magma has been found near its surface.
What's the difference between level 1 and 2? And when will we get there?
After a weekend of relative freedom, are we ready for more?
Kiwi scientists in race for Covid cure; vaccine could be made in NZ
Company spearheading NZ effort says successful vaccine could be manufactured domestically.
New data reveals bullet NZ dodged by locking down when we did
Why scientists think 'worst-case scenario' is longer relevant if we continue containment.
Worst-case virus disaster: NZ may have been spared in 'nick of time' - expert
After a two-week lag, NZ will start seeing whether its unprecedented lockdown has worked.
'This trend is not our friend' - 2019 NZ's fourth hottest year
Last year was NZ's fourth hottest on record - continuing a trend 'that is not our friend'.
Where are NZ's worst swimming spots?
Dozens of popular swimming spots have been designated as no-go zones as summer heats up.
White Island eruption: New light shed on what caused deadly blow
A week after White Island blew, scientists have some answers about what caused eruption.
White Island eruption: What makes pyroclastic surges so deadly?
Scientists making pyroclastic currents - like that at White Island - to better model risk.
White Island eruption: How blow transformed face of volcano
A widened crater and several new vents have emerged on White Island after deadly eruption.
White Island eruption: Was tragedy a management failure?
Monday's tragedy has prompted wider questions around how NZ's volcanic risks are managed.
'Beautiful but deadly': NZ's ever-present volcanic risk
Home to a dozen volcanoes under regular watch, NZ's risk of eruption is ever-present.