# The thorny issue of the long-spined urchin

An episode of [Our Changing World](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/208013620), 2 Mar 2026, 27 min.

Audio: https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1772426849/audio/ocw/ocw-20260303-0500-the_thorny_issue_of_the_long_spined_urchin.mp3

A native species is taking over a jewel-in-the crown marine reserve. But what can be done? Centrostephanus, the long-spined urchin, is munching its way through the world-renowned rock walls and kelp beds of the Poor Knights Islands. DOC, University of Auckland scientists and a local hapū are running removal trials to investigate whether this might be a way to manage its march. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.… Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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