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Nic Rawlence

Nic Rawlence

The Conversation

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How Sam Neill’s Jurassic Park performance inspired a generation of palaeontologists

As Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, Sam Neill portrayed a scientist who was authentic, normal and relatable. For many budding paleontologists, it was...

21.07.2026 20

The Conversation

Nic Rawlence

How Sam Neill’s Jurassic Park performance inspired a generation of paleontologists

As Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, Sam Neill portrayed a scientist who was authentic, normal and relatable. For some budding paleontologists, it was...

21.07.2026 20

The Conversation

Nic Rawlence

De‑extinction company says it’s made an artificial egg – if true, it could help save living species

Colossal Biosciences’ artificial egg technology would deliver a useful tool for the conservation of threatened birds, but only if it’s made...

20.05.2026 20

The Conversation

Nic Rawlence

To help save NZ’s native species, we must move past the extinction blame game

Debates over responsibility for past species loss generate heat but little light. Moving forward requires context, evidence and Indigenous knowledge.

10.03.2026 30

The Conversation

Nic Rawlence

Meet the ‘Old Mother Goose’ from NZ’s subtropical prehistoric past

The newly described fossil goose Meterchen luti lived alongside crocodilians and turtles on the shores of the ancient Lake Manuherikia.

01.03.2026 40

The Conversation

Nic Rawlence

The discovery of an extinct shelduck highlights the rich ancient biodiversity of the remote Rēkohu Chatham Islands

Many birds on Rēkohu Chatham Islands show how ‘island syndrome’ influences evolution – they are distinct but remain closely related to species...

14.08.2025 30

The Conversation

Nic Rawlence

First the dire wolf, now NZ’s giant moa: why real ‘de-extinction ’ is unlikely to fly

US company Colossal Biosciences claims wide support by Māori for its plans to resurrect the flightless moa, but many iwi are opposed to de-extinction.

10.07.2025 30

The Conversation

Nic Rawlence

Return of the huia? Why Māori worldviews must be part of the ‘de-extinction ’ debate

There is nothing to stop de-extinction companies using specimens from museum collections, despite little Māori support for reviving lost native...

15.05.2025 30

The Conversation

Nic Rawlence