The leader of the ill-fated Australasian Antarctic Expedition has apologised for the inconvenience caused to rescuers, while authorities estimate the bill could reach $2.6m.

Kiwi scientists who helped to pinpoint the 'microchip' in our brain that can control fertility are now working on the next crucial piece in the puzzle - how to influence it.

A humanoid robot, which resembles the classic character from Lost in Space, has become the first of its kind to hit the New Zealand market.

A colony of ants have set up home in the International Space Station as part of an experiment to see how their behavior changes in an environment of low gravity.

It has been "sleeping" quietly in space for more than two and a half years.

Prostate operations become safer and painless with more accurate, powerful device.

Does working in a high-rise building or spending a lot of time downtown expose you more to dust-borne bugs?

The Russian ship that became stuck in Antarctic ice for two weeks has sailed into a New Zealand harbour.

Kiwi businesses are calling for more research and development incentives from the Government, as the election looms later this year.

Do you remember your wedding day? The birth of your first child?

Despite whatever else 2014 enters the history books for, it's likely to be remembered as the year that saw the birth of everyday wearable computing.

Scientists monitoring solar activity believe a mass ejection of particles from the sun could mean people in some parts of Britain and North America are treated to a rare glimpse of the Aurora Borealis over the next few hours.

Genetically modified organisms were illegally sent out of the country by University of Auckland staff.

When Dr Benjamin O'Brien invented technology that gave artificial muscle devices lifelike reflexes, he unlocked a world of endless possibilities.

Pastafarian minister Christopher Schaeffer was sworn into the Pomfret New York Town Councilwith a colander on his head throughout the ceremony to represent his unique religious beliefs.

A promotional demonstration of KODE Biotech technology.

Massey University researchers are painstakingly unravelling DNA sequences in the hope of gaining valuable insight into the causes of cancer.

Pre-school teacher Nicola Fahey is one of just 0.5 per cent chosen from the original pool of people who put their hands up for a one-way ticket.

The ability to make friends with those who have similar personality traits dates back to when chimps and humans were on similar evolutionary paths, scientists say.

It's a frightening figure - 11 per cent of early deaths in NZ are due to poor nutrition and obesity. So what can be done to reverse the trend?

Early childhood education centres are targeted in a new study examining some of the root causes of NZ's growing obesity problem.

All 52 passengers, including six Kiwis, from a ship trapped in thick Antarctic ice, have been helicoptered off.

Passengers aboard the Akademik Shokalskiy are now being evacuated from the research ship that has been stuck in Antarctic sea ice for more than a week.

If there was ever a reason not to be nosey, then this video is it. And if you happen to be an arachnophobe, the scenes here are the stuff of your darkest nightmares.

Passengers on board a research ship that has been trapped in Antarctic ice for a week are expected to be rescued by helicopter, officials say.

A rescue icebreaker sent to retrieve more than 70 people on a marooned research ship in the Antarctic sea ice has been forced to turn around after coming within 19km of the vessel.

Observer writers look at hot topics for next year, from surveillance to missions to map out the galaxy.