Archive

Academic Analysis

CoveragePost

NDIS changes to be unveiled on Wednesday will provide budget’s biggest cuts

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government on Wednesday will unveil the biggest source of cuts in the May 12 budget, when it announces a sweeping overhaul of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It wants to get the $49 billion-a-year scheme, now growing at ... <a title="NDIS changes to be unveiled on Wednesday will provide budget’s biggest cuts" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/ndis-changes-to-be-unveiled-on-wednesday-will-provide-budgets-biggest-cuts-280584/" aria-label="Read more about NDIS changes to be unveiled on Wednesday will provide budget’s biggest cuts">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

Is there really untold oil wealth in Queensland’s Taroom Trough? Here’s why scepticism is warranted

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kevin Morrison, Industry Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney As Australian leaders scramble to secure fuel supplies on the international market, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has been quick to pitch a domestic option: begin extracting the “sea of oil” in the Taroom Trough, a ... <a title="Is there really untold oil wealth in Queensland’s Taroom Trough? Here’s why scepticism is warranted" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/is-there-really-untold-oil-wealth-in-queenslands-taroom-trough-heres-why-scepticism-is-warranted-280707/" aria-label="Read more about Is there really untold oil wealth in Queensland’s Taroom Trough? Here’s why scepticism is warranted">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

An ‘ordinary’ storm with extraordinary impacts: what made Wellington’s deluge so intense?

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Renwick, Professor of Physical Geography (Climate Science), Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington At their most intense, the downpours that drove widespread flash flooding across Wellington early on Monday morning would have counted as extreme even by tropical standards. But here in 2026, it ... <a title="An ‘ordinary’ storm with extraordinary impacts: what made Wellington’s deluge so intense?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/an-ordinary-storm-with-extraordinary-impacts-what-made-wellingtons-deluge-so-intense-281016/" aria-label="Read more about An ‘ordinary’ storm with extraordinary impacts: what made Wellington’s deluge so intense?">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

Perspectives on a collection: why you should explore New Asian Art at the National Gallery of Australia

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Burchmore, Senior Lecturer, Art History and Curatorial Studies, Australian National University Displays of artworks from the permanent collections of state and national galleries are often overlooked. Critics tend to flock to a crowded calendar of blockbusters and temporary shows. These may offer greater novelty and relevance ... <a title="Perspectives on a collection: why you should explore New Asian Art at the National Gallery of Australia" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/perspectives-on-a-collection-why-you-should-explore-new-asian-art-at-the-national-gallery-of-australia-280261/" aria-label="Read more about Perspectives on a collection: why you should explore New Asian Art at the National Gallery of Australia">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

Both the US and Iran are firing on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Are both sides acting lawfully?

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin Bergman, International Affairs Editor, The Conversation Over the past several days, there have been conflicting reports about the Strait of Hormuz. It’s difficult to know what’s happening from one moment to the next. Iran said the waterway was open to commercial shipping again, then turned around ... <a title="Both the US and Iran are firing on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Are both sides acting lawfully?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/both-the-us-and-iran-are-firing-on-commercial-ships-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-are-both-sides-acting-lawfully-281008/" aria-label="Read more about Both the US and Iran are firing on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Are both sides acting lawfully?">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

What is RSV? And why should older Australians have this free vaccine?

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Allen Cheng, Professor of Infectious Diseases, Monash University Winter respiratory illnesses are often thought of as a nuisance that can keep you in bed and away from work or school for a few days. But if you’re susceptible to severe infection, they can land you in hospital. ... <a title="What is RSV? And why should older Australians have this free vaccine?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/what-is-rsv-and-why-should-older-australians-have-this-free-vaccine-281006/" aria-label="Read more about What is RSV? And why should older Australians have this free vaccine?">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

Here’s how using more recycled plastic could ease the pain of oil shocks

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Omid Zabihi, Research Fellow, Institute for Frontier Materials Carbon Fibre and Composites, Deakin University As the crisis in the Middle East continues, much of the public focus has been on fuel prices and the cost of living. But there’s another oil-related product that often gets overlooked: plastic. ... <a title="Here’s how using more recycled plastic could ease the pain of oil shocks" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/heres-how-using-more-recycled-plastic-could-ease-the-pain-of-oil-shocks-280591/" aria-label="Read more about Here’s how using more recycled plastic could ease the pain of oil shocks">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

Preserved orchids show pollination has fallen 60% since the 1970s

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanne Bennett, Senior Research Fellow Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University With their dazzling blooms, orchids are among the most famous and collected flowering plants on Earth. But orchids are not just beautiful and rare. They can also provide clues into the broader health of global ecosystems. From ... <a title="Preserved orchids show pollination has fallen 60% since the 1970s" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/preserved-orchids-show-pollination-has-fallen-60-since-the-1970s-280819/" aria-label="Read more about Preserved orchids show pollination has fallen 60% since the 1970s">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

One Nation’s rise turns around as Newspoll and Resolve both have Labor well ahead

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Has One Nation reached its polling peak? That’s the intriguing question from the latest batch of polls. On Friday I covered a DemosAU poll that was one ... <a title="One Nation’s rise turns around as Newspoll and Resolve both have Labor well ahead" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/one-nations-rise-turns-around-as-newspoll-and-resolve-both-have-labor-well-ahead-280991/" aria-label="Read more about One Nation’s rise turns around as Newspoll and Resolve both have Labor well ahead">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

Dying for a drink? How midlife NZ women think about alcohol – and its long-term risks

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Kersey, Research Fellow, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau For many midlife women busily juggling work and care responsibilities, an evening glass of wine can feel like the perfect antidote. But that everyday habit comes with real risks. Beyond the familiar hangover, ... <a title="Dying for a drink? How midlife NZ women think about alcohol – and its long-term risks" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/dying-for-a-drink-how-midlife-nz-women-think-about-alcohol-and-its-long-term-risks-280592/" aria-label="Read more about Dying for a drink? How midlife NZ women think about alcohol – and its long-term risks">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

How we worked out a fossilised ‘pterosaur’ was actually a fish – new research

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Unwin, Reader in Palaeobiology, School of Heritage and Culture, University of Leicester Georges Cuvier, the 19th-century French anatomist who first recognised pterodactyls as flying reptiles, wrote that “of all the beings whose ancient existence has been revealed to us, [they are] the most extraordinary”. Now known ... <a title="How we worked out a fossilised ‘pterosaur’ was actually a fish – new research" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/how-we-worked-out-a-fossilised-pterosaur-was-actually-a-fish-new-research-280848/" aria-label="Read more about How we worked out a fossilised ‘pterosaur’ was actually a fish – new research">Read more</a>

CoveragePost

Ancient teeth reveal clues to the environment humans’ early ancestors evolved in millions of years ago

April 20, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zelalem Bedaso, Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton Teeth are like tiny biological time capsules. They tell stories about ancient diets and environments long after their owners have died and landscapes have changed. After bones break down, tooth enamel stays hard and unchanged, ... <a title="Ancient teeth reveal clues to the environment humans’ early ancestors evolved in millions of years ago" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/ancient-teeth-reveal-clues-to-the-environment-humans-early-ancestors-evolved-in-millions-of-years-ago-279544/" aria-label="Read more about Ancient teeth reveal clues to the environment humans’ early ancestors evolved in millions of years ago">Read more</a>