The Spinoff Live: Join us in Auckland and Wellington

The Spinoff Live: Join us in Auckland and Wellington

Our popular columns, podcasts, pop culture takes and politics are hitting the road. The Spinoff Live is a 10-event series across Auckland and Wellington, featuring live chats between our writers and special guests.

We’re kicking off in July with a special Gone By Lunchtime in Wellington, on the 40-year anniversary of the famous 1984 snap election.

Throughout the series, Madeleine Chapman, Duncan Greive, Anna Rawhiti-Connell, Alex Casey, Hera Lindsay Bird and more will take to the stage to have the crack-up and consequential conversations that people expect from Aotearoa’s most innovative independent media organisation.

Upcoming events – Wellington

Gone By Lunchtime Live

4pm, Sunday July 14
Hannah Playhouse

NZ’s favourite political podcast makes its Wellington debut. Host Toby Manhire will be joined by Annabelle Lee-Mather (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Māmoe) and Ben Thomas (former press secretary in the Key government) to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 snap election and our new six-part podcast Juggernaut.

This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast Gone By Lunchtime. If you missed out on a ticket, you can add your name to the waitlist here.


Help Me Hera Live

4pm, Sunday September 8
Hannah Playhouse

After a year of writing The Spinoff’s advice column, Hera has a question: has it helped? Did the anonymous writers appreciate her wise counsel? What happened next?

Join Hera Lindsay Bird and The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman as they follow up on some of the memorable advice given over the past year, checking in with the recipients and revealing their findings.

This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast Behind the Story.


The Year in Review

7pm, Wednesday November 13
Hannah Playhouse

Senior writer at The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell will take a running jump backwards into the year’s biggest headlines, political dramas and some of the best Spinoff yarns. Anna will be joined onstage by Wellington editor Joel MacManus, special guests, and early Christmas cheer.

This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast Behind the Story.


The Fold Live

February 2025

Duncan Greive, The Spinoff founder and host of New Zealand’s biggest (maybe only?) media podcast The Fold, pulls together some of our smartest media minds for a very special live episode. Join Duncan and special guests having candid and challenging conversations about the culture and business of media in Aotearoa.

This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast The Fold.

Part of the NZ Fringe Festival


Letters to The Spinoff

March 2025

We are in the business of letters. Our inbox explodes with pitches and tips, our writers tackle a wide range of topics, and our Facebook comments are, at times, comprehensible. Books editor Claire Mabey and special guests will dive into the ocean of correspondence and present for you live readings of the fun, funny, thoughtful and bizarre.

This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast Behind the Story.

Upcoming events – Auckland

Help Me Hera Live

7.30pm, Thursday August 29
Q Theatre

After a year of writing The Spinoff’s advice column, Hera has a question: has it helped? Did the anonymous writers appreciate her wise counsel? What happened next?

Join Hera Lindsay Bird and The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman as they follow up on some of the memorable advice given over the past year, checking in with the recipients and revealing their findings.

This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast Behind the Story.


Best TV Show Ever

7pm, Thursday October 31
Q Theatre

What is the best show in the history of NZ television? The Spinoff wants to find out. Join Alex Casey and special guests as they present their case on what is the best of the best.

This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast Behind the Story.


The Year in Review

7pm, Wednesday 11 December
Q Theatre

Senior writer at The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell will take a running jump backwards into the year’s biggest headlines, political dramas and Spinoff yarns. Anna will be joined onstage by special guests, rose-tinted glasses and Christmas cheer.

This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast Behind the Story.


The Fold Live

February 2025

Duncan Greive, The Spinoff founder and host of New Zealand’s biggest (maybe only?) media podcast The Fold, pulls together some of our smartest media minds for a very special live episode. Join Duncan and special guests having candid and challenging conversations about the culture and business of media in Aotearoa.

This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast The Fold.


Gone By Lunchtime

March 2025

Join NZ’s favourite political podcast live in Auckland. Host Toby Manhire will be joined by Annabelle Lee-Mather (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Māmoe) and Ben Thomas (former press secretary in the Key government) as they boldly step out of the studio and in front of an audience to cast a curious and caustic eye on New Zealand politics.

This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast Gone By Lunchtime.