Carbon-14 measured in trace gases in clean air helps to determine the sources of such gases, their long-range transport in the atmosphere, and their exchange with other carbon cycle reservoirs. In order to separate sources, transport, and exchange, it is necessary to interpret measurements using models of these processes. Presents atmospheric ¹⁴CO₂ measurements made in New Zealand since 1954 and at various Pacific Ocean sites for shorter periods. Analyzes these for latitudinal and seasonal variation, the latter being consistent with a seasonally varying exchange rate between the stratosphere and troposphere. The observed seasonal cycle does not agree with that predicted by a zonally averaged global circulation model. Discusses recent accelerator mass spectrometry measurements of atmospheric ¹⁴CH₄ and the problems involved in determining the fossil fuel methane source. Current data imply a fossil carbon contribution of ca. 25%, and the major sources of uncertainty in this number are the uncertainty in the nuclear power source of ¹⁴CH₄, and in the measured value for delta¹⁴C in atmospheric methane.