Energy is everything

Energy is everything
Ernest Rutherford. (Image: Getty)
Simon Robertson
"The Crocodile" was Ernest Rutherford's nickname, given by his colleague Pyotr Kapitsa. It came from the idea that a crocodile is always moving forward, symbolising Rutherford's forward-thinking and relentless pursuit of scientific discovery.For those living in a cave, Rutherford (1871-1937) was a New Zealand-born physicist. In 1917, at the University of Manchester, he bombarded nitrogen atoms with alpha particles (sounds fun), which led to the observation of protons being emitted, effectively splitting the atom. Legend.T...

More Opinion

The back-to-front ferry deal
Opinion

Pattrick Smellie: The back-to-front ferry deal

Will the wharves be ready when the new ferries arrive?

Pattrick Smellie 20 Nov 2025
AI is reshaping work – but not the way you think
Opinion

Peter Griffin: AI is reshaping work – but not the way you think

AI isn’t the job killer many predicted it would become.

Peter Griffin 19 Nov 2025
How KiwiSaver helped, maybe
Opinion

David Chaplin: How KiwiSaver helped, maybe

Has KiwiSaver really lifted the national confidence rate? Dunno.

David Chaplin 18 Nov 2025
Equality of opportunity in schooling? Nope
Opinion

Cameron Bagrie: Equality of opportunity in schooling? Nope

The Govt's Equity Index contribution needs to be significantly increased.

Cameron Bagrie 17 Nov 2025