Gianina Schwanecke

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Gianina Schwanecke

A group of researchers at Canterbury University have developed a chainsaw drone to help tackle risky trees. The university's Vision team has spent the last eight years developing unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAVs, like drones, that can use precise complex, dynamic environments. Last year, the team developed a drone that was capable of carrying a pruning tool which could do precision jobs. They wanted to create something which could handle larger branches though.

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Gianina Schwanecke

A report commissioned by Beef + Lamb found the returns on forestry land could be twice those of sheep and beef farms, but forestry created fewer jobs. Photo / RNZ, Kate NewtonBy Gianina Schwanecke of RNZWhole farm-to-forest conversions continue, according to a new report released by Beef + Lamb New Zealand. The research, carried out by Orme and Associates on behalf of Beef + Lamb, found that close to 40,000 hectares of sheep and beef farms had been sold for forestry since September last year.

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Gianina Schwanecke

Whole farm-to-forest conversions continue, according to a new report released by Beef and Lamb New Zealand. The research, carried out by Orme and Associates on behalf of Beef and Lamb, found close to 40,000 hectares of sheep and beef farms had been sold for forestry since September last year. The report also confirmed 29,518ha had sold in 2023 and 30,483ha in 2024. It brings the total amount of farm-to-forestry conversions since January 2017 to more than 300,000-ha.

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Gianina Schwanecke

Scientists say microplastics are silently spreading from soils to salads to people. A review from Murdoch University in Western Australia has stressed that agricultural soils now hold around 23 times more microplastics than oceans or waterways. PhD candidate Joseph Boctor, who led the study, said the results were "scary" and "quite concerning".

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Gianina Schwanecke

Successful hunters have their game weighed at the Pongaroar event. Photo / Gianina Schwanecke, RNZ, Country LifeBy Gianina Schwanecke of RNZThere’s a steady stream of utes winding down the usually quiet main street of Pongaroa, waiting their turn to have their game weighed as part of the Pongaroar hunting competition. The annual Easter event brings together hundreds of hunters, farmers, locals and spectators to raise funds for the Grassroots Rescue Helicopter.