Rebecca Fox

New genetic research will help guide the conservation of New Zealand's most inquisitive bird, the kea, University of Otago scientists say.

Agresearch's plan to downsize Invermay is sending the wrong message to the next generation of potential scientists, University of Waikato professor of agribusiness Jacqueline Rowarth says.

While Otago and Southland's agricultural sector could benefit from higher rainfall and warmer winters, the region's coastal environments will be at risk from greater erosion and storm events, Niwa climate scientist Dr Andrew Tait says.

It could be the turn of depleted northern hemisphere whale populations next, University of Otago Assoc Prof Liz Slooten fears.

Caricatures, shell casings, diaries, medals and even bayonets came out of their cupboards and cases this weekend as their keepers hoped to nab a spot on the Tony Robinson's Tour of Duty television series.

As another outbreak of potentially toxic algae hits Tomahawk Lagoon, the Otago Regional Council has promised to brief the community on the problem.

Some difficult strategic decisions will need to be made by the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust this year as it reaches a turning point in penguin conservation.

Urgent action is needed to develop new approaches and improve tools to protect New Zealand's environment and economy from pests as some older approaches to pest management become ''obsolete'', a new Royal Society of New Zealand report says.

West Taieri's $1.1 million pumping station upgrade has future-proofed drainage of about 7000ha of productive pastoral land, Otago Regional Council engineering manager Ramon Strong says.

On the surface Todd Campbell was a ''healthy, strapping young lad'', who was the life of the party, but behind the smile he struggled with epilepsy, a condition which ultimately claimed his life aged 22.

High rabbit numbers combined with warmer winters and a lack of resources could mean contractors will struggle to complete the poisoning programmes needed to keep pest numbers down to acceptable levels this winter.

New Zealand has the time, the resources and the people - all it needs to do is make a start towards a green economy, Emeritus Prof Gerry Carrington, of Dunedin, says.

Helping others losing their sight through sharing her own experiences has won Dunedin woman Joan Kernaghan a national Blind Foundation award.