News

Editorial coverage from the Auckland New Zealand Wire newsroom.

Technology
Microdramas are booming. AI could make it even harder to stop binge-watching
They’re dubbed duanju, or microdramas – and they’ve become big business.
SyndicatedJohnny Chan, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau8 Oct 20264 min read
Science
Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror-image molecules
The 2026 Nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to two researchers for their work on mirror-image molecules.
SyndicatedMatthew Addicoat, Senior Lecturer in Functional Materials, Nottingham Trent University8 Oct 20263 min read
Health
These state supreme court races could decide abortion access and trans rights
In the heated news coverage of what’s at stake in the 2026 midterms, state supreme court races are drawing relatively little attention. Yet these are highly significant elections.
SyndicatedRachel Rebouché, Professor of Law, The University of Texas at Austin8 Oct 20265 min read
Environment
Coolcations: tourism boom is taking a toll on chillier destinations
Rising numbers of visitors headed for destinations in northern Europe in the summer of 2026, seeking respite from the heat.
SyndicatedMehri Khosravi, Energy and Carbon Senior Research Fellow, University of East London; United Nations University8 Oct 20264 min read
Science
We analysed 30 years of debate on genetic modification. This is what’s been missing
A quarter-century ago, genetic modification stood as one of the most contentious political and environmental issues in New Zealand.
SyndicatedSylvia Nissen, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Policy, Lincoln University, New Zealand7 Oct 20264 min read
Culture
Eva Marie Saint has died at 102: the last star of Hollywood’s Golden Age
Eva Marie Saint, who has died aged 102, was showered in awards across her long career. Her performances spanned from her first stage appearances in 1942 to her final film appearance in 2019.
SyndicatedMarcus Harmes, Professor in Pathways Education, University of Southern Queensland7 Oct 20264 min read
Government
NZ election poll watch: Opportunity holds as potential kingmaker in tight race
With a month to go to the New Zealand election on November 7, a Reid Research poll for RNZ has given the left bloc its first lead over the right in any poll since June.
SyndicatedAdrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne7 Oct 20263 min read
Education
Truth, evidence and controversy: Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion at 20
In my youth, somewhere in the late 1990s, when I was a goth or a punk or something, I had a t-shirt proclaiming, “Ignorance should not reproduce”. Along with the text there was a provocative image, which included the Christian cross.
SyndicatedJamie Q. Roberts, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Sydney7 Oct 20268 min read
Science
NZ’s next government could be a four-party coalition. Get used to the new normal
Going by recent opinion polls, the combined votes of National and Labour in the coming election may be the lowest ever – below 60%.
SyndicatedGrant Duncan, Research Associate, Public Policy Institute, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau7 Oct 20265 min read
Health
Why antidepressants can stop working after initially helping
Antidepressant use continues to rise. In England, 96 million antidepressant prescription items were dispensed to an estimated 9.1 million patients in 2025 to 2026.
SyndicatedColin Davidson, Professor of Neuropharmacology, University of Lancashire7 Oct 20264 min read
Culture
How to build an expansion club: the challenges and opportunities for the new NRL and AFL teams
The 2026 Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL) seasons have finished in a blaze of glory for the Brisbane Lions and Sydney Roosters.
SyndicatedGeoff Dickson, Adjunct Professor of Sport Management, La Trobe University6 Oct 20264 min read
Science
Where are the best places for life in the cosmos? A universe in a supercomputer yields the answer
Earth seems like a troubled place right now, but at least our cosmic surroundings appear peaceful. But this is not universally true, as explosions, collisions and other dangers lurk in other places and times.
SyndicatedLuke Barnes, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Western Sydney University6 Oct 20264 min read