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.
!['It’s just been devastating': What this extreme summer did to our beaches](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'It’s just been devastating': What this extreme summer did to our beaches
Many of NZ's famous northern beaches left markedly eroded by a slew of summer storms.
![Weather: What we know about tomorrow’s ‘atmospheric river’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Weather: What we know about tomorrow’s ‘atmospheric river’
Many of the key weather elements behind Friday’s freak deluge may align again tomorrow.
![Covid 19: How many lives did NZ's pandemic response save?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
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?
![Auckland families reinfected with Covid for third time](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Auckland families reinfected with Covid for third time
Te Whanau o Waipareira Trust is seeing more families reporting Covid-19 reinfections.
![Three new cases since 1pm - one has link to border; AUT student among 10 cases - in lecture with 84 others](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
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.
![A large earthquake is happening right now - but you can't feel it](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
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.
![Budget 2021: Govt puts $28m into war against kauri killer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
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.
![Major 8.1 quake a rare and 'very notable event' - scientist](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
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.
![Summer heat set to roll on amid another northern dry](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Summer heat set to roll on amid another northern dry
Summer-like weather set to linger into autumn in already-parched parts of NZ, Niwa says.
![Why aren't we seeing more Covid-19 cases in Northland?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Why aren't we seeing more Covid-19 cases in Northland?
Why have there been no further Northland community cases? An expert proposes two reasons.
![Live: 3.5-hour wait for Covid testing as officials urge patience](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
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.
![30C scorcher: NZ set to swelter in the sun; forecasters also on cyclone watch](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
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.
![The big wet: Upper NZ, Auckland set to be deluged](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
The big wet: Upper NZ, Auckland set to be deluged
Weeks after it was soaked by a severe storm, Northland is in for another big deluge.
![Revealed: Which regions are driving NZ's emissions?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Revealed: Which regions are driving NZ's emissions?
Canterbury's cows singled out alongside Auckland's cars for driving NZ emissions.
![Our lost continent Zealandia - as never seen before](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Our lost continent Zealandia - as never seen before
New interactive maps have revealed a never-before-seen look at our sunken continent.
![Why our seas scorched: NZ's back-to-back freak marine heatwaves](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Why our seas scorched: NZ's back-to-back freak marine heatwaves
Scientists have shed fresh light on two of the most freakish climate events in NZ history.
!['This trend is not our friend' - 2019 NZ's fourth hottest year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'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'.
![Deep geothermal: Is this NZ's clean energy future?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Deep geothermal: Is this NZ's clean energy future?
The key to driving NZ's emissions to net zero by 2050 may lie kilometres beneath our feet.
!['Welcome back to the dark ages': Our measles disaster explained](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Welcome back to the dark ages': Our measles disaster explained
Why are we still battling a disease that should have been stamped out decades ago?
![Monster kauri log to shed light on mysterious ancient event](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Monster kauri log to shed light on mysterious ancient event
Monster kauri log unearthed near Kaikohe could prove immensely important to science.
![Northern seabird populations at risk of extinction](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Northern seabird populations at risk of extinction
Up to 90 per cent of northern NZ seabird populations at risk of extinction, review finds.
![Hunting season shaping up to be quacker](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Hunting season shaping up to be quacker
Going shooting this weekend? Here's everything you need to know ahead of opening morning.
![Report card on NZ's vanishing nature: Must try harder](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Report card on NZ's vanishing nature: Must try harder
More work urgently needed to arrest decline of NZ's vanishing nature, report finds.
![Coming months to be warmer - with potential downpours](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Coming months to be warmer - with potential downpours
Niwa is picking a warm few months ahead - but with the chance of big downpours.
![Students march over climate change: 'We need adults to listen - this is our future'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Students march over climate change: 'We need adults to listen - this is our future'
Student says although she can't participate in elections, being at protest "was her vote".
!['Peak' heatwave today, with temps up to 37C](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Peak' heatwave today, with temps up to 37C
Will this heatwave officially be a heatwave? Jamie Morton explains.
![Scorcher! 2018 was NZ's 'hottest year' on record](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Scorcher! 2018 was NZ's 'hottest year' on record
NZ just saw its warmest year in one and a half centuries of records, scientist says.
![Typical or tropical? NZ's forecast for summer is in](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Typical or tropical? NZ's forecast for summer is in
There's a 50/50 chance of a typical NZ summer – or one even balmier than normal.
![EVs travelling further than fuel vehicles - report](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
EVs travelling further than fuel vehicles - report
EVs averaging 14,100km each year, survey shows.
![Three of four NZ freshwater fish 'staring extinction in the face'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Three of four NZ freshwater fish 'staring extinction in the face'
A new study looking at plight of native fish and land use change paints a grim picture.
![Niwa forecast: NZ likely to get another El Niño](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Niwa forecast: NZ likely to get another El Niño
It's now likely New Zealand will see another El Niño climate system soon.
![EV owners: Cash carrots needed to wean drivers off petrol](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
EV owners: Cash carrots needed to wean drivers off petrol
More cash incentives are needed to wean NZ motorists off petrol, EV owners' poll finds.
![More weather-related EQC claims closer to the coast](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
More weather-related EQC claims closer to the coast
Study finds clear trends among $300m of weather-related claims paid out by EQC since 2000.
![NZ experts rid remote South Georgia Island of pests](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
NZ experts rid remote South Georgia Island of pests
NZ pest control expertise has rid South Georgia Island of predators.
![NZ's climate faces wilder, wetter, warmer, future](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
NZ's climate faces wilder, wetter, warmer, future
A top panel has laid out starting points for NZ to prepare for a warmer, wilder future.
![Greenest Budget ever, says Greens leader Shaw](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Greenest Budget ever, says Greens leader Shaw
What's touted as the "the greenest Budget ever" puts over $600m toward environment areas.
![What to expect this winter: The balmy weather continues](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
What to expect this winter: The balmy weather continues
New Zealand is in for a warmer winter, as one of the hottest years on record rolls on.
![Fly-overs find 450 potential kauri dieback sites](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Fly-overs find 450 potential kauri dieback sites
Fly-overs reveal hundreds of new sites possibly infected with kauri dieback disease.
![Major report: What we've done to NZ's landscape](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Major report: What we've done to NZ's landscape
NZ now losing nearly 200m tonnes of soil each year, with consequences for our environment.
![Our storm explained: A wild beast with a sting in the tail](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Our storm explained: A wild beast with a sting in the tail
Yesterday's storm was a strange stew packing a dying marine heatwave and side-swipe low.
![What you need to know about NZ's tornadoes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
What you need to know about NZ's tornadoes
On the rare occasion they hit New Zealand towns, tornadoes are dramatic events.
![Record heat: 2018 our warmest start to a year, ever](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Record heat: 2018 our warmest start to a year, ever
It's been the hottest first three months of a calendar year on record, Niwa says.
![Next three months: warmth lingers on](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Next three months: warmth lingers on
After our La Nina-fired summer, there's a chance spring could bring a meddling El Nino.
![Our hottest summer: what caused it?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Our hottest summer: what caused it?
A "trifecta" of big drivers combined to make this summer what will be NZ's hottest ever.
![Gita 'revved up' by record summer's warm oceans](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Gita 'revved up' by record summer's warm oceans
What could be a record summer has come with warmer water that "revved up" Cyclone Gita.
![Q&A: The science of... mugginess](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Q&A: The science of... mugginess
Sick of the stickiness? Here's where it comes from and why it makes us uncomfortable.
![Record marine heatwave to 'energise' coming storm](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Record marine heatwave to 'energise' coming storm
Record "marine heatwave" could fuel a low-pressure system forecast to hit NZ next week.
![NZ's 'bad' lakes: Where you should avoid](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
NZ's 'bad' lakes: Where you should avoid
Scientists have begun a sprawling health check of hundreds of New Zealand lakes.
![Come take a dip, dairy industry tells Sir Tim Smit](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Come take a dip, dairy industry tells Sir Tim Smit
Dairy NZ invites the UK's Sir Tim Smit over for a dip in response to dirty river remarks.
![Fed Farmers drop Northland GMO appeal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Fed Farmers drop Northland GMO appeal
Federated Farmers signals the end of lengthy legal saga over GMO regulation in Northland.
![Uncovered: Our north's fiery, 260m-year history](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Uncovered: Our north's fiery, 260m-year history
The fiery, dramatic history of New Zealand's north has been retold by a veteran geologist.
![A bone-chiller: Year's coldest morning](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
A bone-chiller: Year's coldest morning
A spectacular clear night has led to sub-zero temperatures across New Zealand.
![Officials work to contain fungal threat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Officials work to contain fungal threat
Biosecurity teams in Kerikeri are trying to contain the fungal plant disease myrtle rust.
![Myrtle rust threatens NZ native species](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Myrtle rust threatens NZ native species
Many native plant species are under threat after myrtle rust disease is detected in NZ.
![Cook vs Debbie: The science of the storms](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Cook vs Debbie: The science of the storms
How does Cyclone Cook compare with last week's big storm? Experts explain.
![Are councils prepared enough for oil spills?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Are councils prepared enough for oil spills?
Fewer than half of councils have enough staff trained to respond to marine oil spills.
![Fed Farmers lose GMO fight](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Fed Farmers lose GMO fight
As campaigners hail a High Court ruling allowing regional councils to decide whether GMOs can be banned in their areas, an organisation representing bio-scientists calls for a legislation overhaul.
![Possum mystery a curly tale](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Possum mystery a curly tale
How did thousands of possum tails end up littering State Highway 1?