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.
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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.
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The large previously hidden chunk of NZ’s population at risk from coastal flooding
First-of-its-kind study reveals large but hidden chunk of population facing flood risk.
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Weather outlook: Saturday the soggiest in a rain-spoiled Labour Weekend
Labour weekend forecast holds little for Kiwis who'd hoped for some mid-spring sunshine.
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How scientists aim to model volcanic ashfall from the next major NZ eruption
Scientists are developing a smart new model to forecast damage from ashfall in real time.
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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.
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Did material from lake-making Taupō ‘super-eruption’ reach Australia?
Discovery in Australia has scientists pointing to prehistoric super-eruption at Taupō.
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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.
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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.
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What’s going on at Whakaari/White Island?
Erupted ash from Whakaari has forced flight cancellations. What can we expect next?
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'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.
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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.
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'Devastating' influenza outbreak hits Whitianga - six dead
Tragic Whitianga outbreak shows why infected people should avoid rest homes, expert says.
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Hidden wonders: What scientists just discovered beneath Lake Rotorua
Lakefloor survey reveals thousands of pockmarks, an ancient river and hydrothermal system.
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‘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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Explained: The science behind today’s big quakes
Today's big Hawke’s Bay jolts struck in an area well-known for seismic activity.
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'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.
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Can data-crunching AI warn us of imminent eruptions?
AI-powered model shows recent bouts of unrest at Whakaari had similar trigger mechanisms.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Weather: What we know about tomorrow’s ‘atmospheric river’
Many of the key weather elements behind Friday’s freak deluge may align again tomorrow.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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?
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'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.
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More than 300 quakes under Lake Taupō since May
Scientists observe spate of Taupō quakes but the supervolcano isn't any closer to blowing.
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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.
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Auckland families reinfected with Covid for third time
Te Whanau o Waipareira Trust is seeing more families reporting Covid-19 reinfections.
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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?
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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?
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NZ scientists to model steam-driven eruptions like Whakaari tragedy
New study could bring us closer to forecasting steam-driven blows like Whakaari tragedy.
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Climate change: quarter of Kiwis 'alarmed' over crisis
New polling pin-points five main views toward climate change among Kiwis.
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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.
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Volcanoes, tsunamis, underwater landslides: Mapping NZ's 'near-shore' threats
Scientists are exploring NZ's risk from offshore volcanoes and tsunami-making landslides.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Earthquake swarm reveals NZ's hidden magma reservoir
Scientists think they've located the magma chamber within the supervolcano.
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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.
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Photos: 'Once in a lifetime' - blood supermoon rises over NZ
Kiwi stargazers were treated to a lunar spectacular overnight.
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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.
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Blood supermoon: How to capture tonight's rare spectacle
Staying up to snap Wednesday's 'blood supermoon'? Don't bother with your phone camera.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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'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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Scientists glimpse transformed seafloor around White Island
Seafloor survey around White Island reveals a mass of ash discharged in deadly eruption.
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Revealed: Which regions are driving NZ's emissions?
Canterbury's cows singled out alongside Auckland's cars for driving NZ emissions.
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New alert system could have warned of Whakaari tragedy - scientists
NZ-designed system could've given 16 hours' warning of deadly eruption, scientists say.
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The deadly 85m high tsunami that New Zealand can't ignore
Volcanic eruption caused a collapse into the sea, triggering a devastating tsunami.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Kiwi scientists in race for Covid cure; vaccine could be made in NZ
Company spearheading NZ effort says successful vaccine could be manufactured domestically.
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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.
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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.
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'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'.
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Where are NZ's worst swimming spots?
Dozens of popular swimming spots have been designated as no-go zones as summer heats up.
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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.