Under the Lens

Bioprotection Aotearoa
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Natural Sciences

What happens when you put science, community, and real-world challenges under the lens? You get science that talks back. Under the Lens explores the stories behind the research shaping Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. We look at the places we live in, the people connected to them, and the knowledge that helps ecosystems stay healthy and resilient. Co-hosted by Professor Amanda Black, Professor Peter Dearden and Dr Nick Waipara, each episode blends lived experience with research to spark clarity, curiosity, and sometimes the tough questions we need to ask. From soil microbes to forest futures, we explore how science and people work together to protect the places and communities we care about. Created by Bioprotection Aotearoa, a national Centre of Research Excellence, the series offers clear, grounded conversations that connect research to everyday life. We welcome diverse perspectives, speak in plain language, and shine a light on the practical insights and decisions that shape environmental futures. Subscribe and join us as we put today’s pressing issues under the lens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. Can we go there? Your feedback, your questions and what’s coming next

    3 days ago

    Can we go there? Your feedback, your questions and what’s coming next

    Your feedback, your questions and what’s coming next. Season one sparked more conversation than we expected. In this episode your three co-hosts Amanda, Peter, and Nick work through the feedback, comments, and questions that came in after season one, covering weeds, kauri dieback, and genetic modification. The GM debate generated the most heat, and what came out of it was bigger than the technology itself, a conversation about ownership, oversight, food security, and food sovereignty, brought into sharp focus by COVID and a recent fuel crisis. We also celebrate a remarkable community effort, a 14,000 tree kauri refuge being established at Taieri Beach as a seed bank while science works toward a solution for kauri dieback.   The episode closes with a preview of season two, which turns the lens on the biosecurity system itself. Follow us: YouTubeInstagramLinkedIn Chapters:   00:00 Welcome Back 00:26 Season One Feedback 01:32 Weeds Episode Praise 02:19 Hay Fever and Pine Trees 05:26 The GM Debate Reactions 06:51 Can We Go There 08:06 GM Hype vs Reality 09:55 Food, GM and Imports 15:06 Fuel Crisis and Food Security 16:31 A Tool, Not a Category 18:55 Ownership and Sovereignty 20:52 A Food Security Wake Up Call 22:10 GMO Power and Oversight 22:52 Hybrid Seeds Explained 24:04 The Canterbury Seed Economy 25:02 Capitalism and Our Food System 26:16 Beetroot and Identity 28:09 A Kauri Refuge Forest 32:20 Weed Funding and Biocontrol 36:31 Agapanthus and Prevention 37:19 Season Two Tease 39:07 Thanks and Sign Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min

  2. 05/12/2025

    Under the Lens: Weeds Hidden in Plain Sight

    Weeds are everywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand. They creep along roadsides, smother forest edges, clog waterways and hydrodams, and quietly take over harbour hillsides. Most of us just see green. In this conversation, Professor Margaret Stanley, recently recognised as Science Communicator of the Year, helps us see what is really going on in that green backdrop. She explains what makes a plant a weed, why only a small fraction of introduced species become invasive, and how new weeds continue to “jump the fence” from gardens, forestry, horticulture and houseplants. We look at problem species like banana passionfruit, ragwort, agapanthus, climbing asparagus, aquatic weeds and more. Margaret talks through the tools we currently have, from herbicides and hand-pulling to biocontrol agents like beetles and rust fungi, and why each tool has limits. The episode also explores how climate change will shift weed ranges, why aquatic weeds are so hard to manage, and how nursery choices, urban planting and cultural values shape the plants around us. Above all, it highlights the role of communities in early detection and prevention through tools like iNaturalist, local council programmes and on-the-ground volunteer mahi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min

  3. 04/12/2025

    Under the Lens: The Great Genetic Modification Debate in Aotearoa New Zealand

    Genetic modification has shaped public debate in Aotearoa New Zealand for more than 25 years, influencing how we think about risk, responsibility and the future of our environment. This episode unpacks what genes and DNA actually are, how gene editing and genetic modification work, and why these tools have become so central to conversations about pests, diseases and climate change. Our hosts revisit the early 2000s Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, the surge of public concern that followed, and how the science has advanced in the decades since. They explore the differences between gene editing, transgenesis and synthetic biology, the benefits and limitations of each, and the global momentum that is pushing these technologies forward. The kōrero also explains how forensics, medicine, agriculture and pest control already rely on genetic tools, often in ways most people never see. We also look at the ethical, cultural and regulatory questions that guide how Aotearoa New Zealand uses these technologies, including who takes the risk, who benefits and how Māori and communities are involved in decision making. The episode highlights both the promise of genetic tools and the responsibilities that come with them as the country enters a pivotal moment in shaping its future with the Gene Technology Bill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min

  4. 02/12/2025

    Under the Lens: Kauri Dieback, Where Biodiversity Intersects with Biosecurity

    Kauri dieback, caused by the pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida, has reshaped how Aotearoa New Zealand understands risk, responsibility, and care for the natural world. This episode unpacks the biology of the pathogen, the cultural significance of kauri, and the long journey from confusion to coordinated response. Our hosts revisit the early days when dead and dying kauri began raising alarms, the rapid surge in concern from communities, and the urgent scramble to understand a pathogen unlike anything researchers had dealt with before. They explore how soil, water, animals, and people move the disease, why early management had to adapt quickly, and how molecular tools reshaped what we know about this organism. We also look at the important contributions of iwi, community groups, scientists, landowners, and volunteers who stepped into leadership roles during a time of uncertainty. The episode highlights both the complexity of the challenge and the resilience of those determined to keep kauri standing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr

  5. 26/11/2025

    Under the Lens: Three Bios, One Outbreak: Lessons from PSA

    The PSA outbreak changed the trajectory of Aotearoa New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry and revealed just how tightly our “three bios” are linked. In this episode, we revisit one of the country’s most significant biological events to unpack how biosecurity, biodiversity, and bioprotection collide in real time. Using PSA as our lens, we trace the story from the first signs of incursion through to industry-wide impact, rapid scientific response, community collaboration, and the innovations that helped growers rebuild. Along the way, the team also touches on recent hornet scares and what they reveal about how quickly biological threats can escalate. This episode shows that the three bios are not policy terms, but interconnected systems that shape the health of our landscapes, the resilience of our industries, and the futures of the communities that depend on them. Revisiting PSA is not just looking back at a crisis. It is understanding a blueprint for how Aotearoa New Zealand can learn, adapt, and strengthen resilience as new threats emerge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  6. 21/11/2025

    Under the Lens: The Intricacies of Bioprotection in Aotearoa New Zealand

    In our very first episode of 'Under the Lens', co-hosts Professor Amanda Black, Professor Peter Dearden and Dr Nick Waipara discuss the complexities of bioprotection in Aotearoa New Zealand. They delve into the necessity of managing all ecosystems in Aotearoa New Zealand, the challenges of returning to a 'natural state', and the interconnectedness of bioprotection with agriculture, conservation, and community health. The conversation highlights the goal of bioprotection to develop sustainable tools and practices that balance productivity with environmental conservation. The discussion also touches on the importance of community involvement and the long and often challenging journey of scientific research, emphasising the need for innovation and collaboration to address environmental issues effectively. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

What happens when you put science, community, and real-world challenges under the lens? You get science that talks back. Under the Lens explores the stories behind the research shaping Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. We look at the places we live in, the people connected to them, and the knowledge that helps ecosystems stay healthy and resilient. Co-hosted by Professor Amanda Black, Professor Peter Dearden and Dr Nick Waipara, each episode blends lived experience with research to spark clarity, curiosity, and sometimes the tough questions we need to ask. From soil microbes to forest futures, we explore how science and people work together to protect the places and communities we care about. Created by Bioprotection Aotearoa, a national Centre of Research Excellence, the series offers clear, grounded conversations that connect research to everyday life. We welcome diverse perspectives, speak in plain language, and shine a light on the practical insights and decisions that shape environmental futures. Subscribe and join us as we put today’s pressing issues under the lens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Bioprotection Aotearoa
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bioprotection Aotearoa
  • Show Website
    Under the Lens