From stinging killer to painkiller

June 2016

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June 2016

Dr. Buenz has developed techniques that allow the extraction of medicinal compounds to occur in the field during collection. Photo: Supplied
An iwi and polytech in Nelson are collaborating on research into the deadly native nettle ongaonga, which might hold secrets to new drugs Eric Buenz’s daughter is teething right now – so he jokes, perhaps a little wearily, that the powerful ongaonga he’s studying might help her pain and her parent’s sleep if he rubbed […]
Naomi Arnold

About the author

Naomi Arnold

Naomi Arnold is a Nelson tramper, journalist, and author. She particularly enjoys writing about nature, travel, science and adventure. Some of her favourite assignments have been reporting on dotterels from Rakiura, stoats from Preservation Inlet, ice science from Antarctica, and tramping Te Araroa while writing her 2025 trail memoir, Northbound.

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