Nearly one in three bags containing human body parts taken during healthcare procedures have leaked on their way to disposal.

Garth Harris, Ron Martin and Jim Syme argue against a new marine reserve proposed for an area off the coast of Waiheke Island. "How would this area of Waiheke cope with such a visitor attraction? "

Scientists are trying to solve the mystery cause of persistent high levels of water pollution at some of Auckland's west coast beaches.

If you're worried about dressing ethically, chances are you think about sweatshop conditions in developing countries, writes Tullia Jack.

Up close, after it has travelled more than 300km, the Waikato River is so muddy that you cannot see your feet if you are standing just knee-deep beside its banks.

In London they're making some big changes to the roads, adding two-way segregated cycle tracks along around 25 Km of bike routes.

About 225 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year. New Zealand imported nearly 210,00 tonnes of nurdles last year and 61 per cent of plastics made in New Zealand are used for packaging.

Godwits fly here every year from Alaska, but new developments in China threaten their route. How many will be back? A new book reveals the threat to their continued globe-spanning migration.

Wanganui residents are fed up with the "disgusting" foul stench coming from the city's water treatment plant, but know it will be a while before the problem is fixed.

Hu Li's heart sank when she realised that she could gauge how close she was to home by the colour of the air.

Lime will be spread over Wanganui's wastewater treatment ponds from today to try and stifle the foul odour coming from the plant and drifting across most of the city.

International wastewater experts Cardno BTO are in Wanganui to look at ways of reducing the smell from the city's water plant.

The foul-smelling black sludge clogging up the river mouth at a Northland beach is not human or animal effluent, but it's still not a good idea to swim in the area, officials say.

A beachgoer is disgusted with the state of one of Auckland's top beaches, after it was left with so much rubbish on the sand it resembled "a dump".

People are being warned to protect themselves and their dogs against toxic algae in Masterton's Waipoua River after levels increased.

Some of Wanganui's largest businesses could be temporarily shut down if the Wanganui District Council receives an expected abatement notice from Horizons Regional Council.

A mining sector group says New Zealand should be doing more to capitalise on the use of pollution-soaking clay to clean up dairy land.

Discharging untreated wastewater into the sea is "not an option" for the Wanganui District Council, says Mayor Annette Main.

Auckland Council scientists are developing a computer model that will predict, for beach swimmers, the amount of sewage pollution on any given day.

Thirteen days before the world's top male triathletes dived into the chilly, salty Waitemata Harbour for the grand final of their championship series, the water was sampled for signs of bacterial contamination.

John Key has dismissed criticism of New Zealand's "100% Pure" brand, by comparing it to a McDonalds marketing campaign.