Ranking the Dunedin malls that are actually one mallOne mall to rule them all, one mall to find them, one mall to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them; in the Meridian where the shadows lie.By Hera Lindsay Bird | 13th December, 2024Contributing writer
The Friday Poem: ‘Cash register ding’ by Eliana GrayA new poem by Eliana Grey.By Eliana Gray | 13th December, 2024Guest writer
How ‘cell towers in the sky’ are bringing signal and safety to rural NZTexting from the middle of nowhere will soon be possible, benefitting everyone from trampers to truck drivers.By Jihee Junn | 9th December, 2024Contributing writer
The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending December 13New short stories from Owen Marshall, and the finale to a sci-fi series that fans have been hanging out for. By The Spinoff Review of Books | 13th December, 2024⚖️
Conan O’Brien just gave us the weirdest two minutes of Shortland Street everFor the past three decades, there’s only been room for one Dr Love in Ferndale. Until now.By Tara Ward | 13th December, 2024Staff writer
Five classic summer road trips, with burgers to matchLollies and chips can only sustain you so far. Here are five of our favourite New Zealand road trips, with burger pairings to enjoy along the way.By The Spinoff | 11th December, 2024Staff writers
A gift guide for people who really don’t want to buy shitGifts can be a source of joy this Christmas even if you hate capitalism.By Gabi LardiesStaff writer & Shanti Mathias | 13th December, 2024Staff writer
The cost of being: A 30-something dad with a mortgage and a bike'Squirrel the small stuff, splash on something big.'By The Cost of Being | 13th December, 2024Guest writer
The week in two minutes and 10 storiesA whistlestop tour through a big week in the news.By Toby Manhire | 13th December, 2024Editor-at-large
All those recent political polls: a quick recapICYMI: that festive pileup of opinion polling, in one snapshot.By Toby Manhire | 13th December, 2024Editor-at-large
The most memorable local television moments of 2024From Chris Warner’s beard to Newshub’s tearful goodbye, these are the TV moments that gripped the nation this year.By Alex Casey & Tara Ward | 13th December, 2024
OpinionWhat we should have done with Candace Owens is nothingImmigration NZ could have made any decision on the controversial speaker's visa and it would've been better than a minister intervening. By Madeleine Chapman | 12th December, 2024
Gone By Lunchtime: A plan to have a plan about some ferriesReady the lifeboats: the coalition boat appears to be listing. By The Spinoff | 12th December, 2024
A love letter to community newspapers From mullet competitions to ram raids, if it happened in Te Awamutu, the Courier was there to cover it.By Bethany Rolston | 12th December, 2024
The Spinoff’s best NZ book covers of 2024In which we judge this year's New Zealand books by their covers, and pick the top 10.By Claire Mabey | 12th December, 2024
A brief history of celebrity cameos on Shortland StreetFrom Holmes to Sheeran, a look back at some of the more memorable visitors Ferndale has ever seen.By Alex Casey | 12th December, 2024
Help Me Hera: How do I navigate Auckland traffic without going insane?The selfishness of this city's drivers never fails to ruin my day. How do I get from A to B without wishing retribution on my fellow motorists?By Hera Lindsay Bird | 12th December, 2024
An ‘announcement of an announcement’ of two new boatsThe long-awaited drama about the new Interislander ferries reaches a pivotal moment.By Joel MacManus | 12th December, 2024
The inside story of Auckland’s Korean culinary boomFrom fried chicken and franchises to fusion and fine dining, Korean cuisine has taken over Tāmaki Makaurau.By Jihee Junn | 12th December, 2024Contributing writer
Kirihimete gift guide 2024: cool stuff from Māori and Pasifika-led brandsOur legendary guide is back to help you through another silly season.By Group Think | 11th December, 2024A bunch of people
How does New Zealand produce so many successful child actors?Move over meat and dairy – these are our highest quality exports. By Alex Casey | 11th December, 2024Senior writer
The Spinoff’s best NZ books of 2024This year's best local fiction, nonfiction and poetry for adults and children, as chosen by our panel of readers. By The Spinoff Review of Books | 10th December, 2024⚖️
The small town cinemas holding on at the edge of the world‘If I didn't do it, no other bugger would.’By Alex Casey | 10th December, 2024Senior writer
Freezers, pasteurisers and funding woes: A day at a human milk bank in ChristchurchIt's supplied breast milk to thousands of newborns in need, all thanks to donors, volunteers and philanthropists.By Shanti Mathias | 10th December, 2024Staff writer
‘More than a business’: Auckland institution Geoff’s Emporium to close after 44 yearsAfter four decades, the last buttons will be counted out at Geoff’s Emporium on Dominion Road early next year.By Gabi Lardies | 10th December, 2024Staff writer
A book for every year of your life: Part one, ages 0-30From picture books to bell hooks, some reading inspiration for every age.By Hera Lindsay Bird | 9th December, 2024Contributing writer
Windbag: Did Te Rauparaha really drink at the Thistle Inn?According to a Wellington urban legend, the notorious Ngāti Toa chief used to pull his waka onshore to drink at the city’s oldest pub. Is it true?By Joel MacManus | 9th December, 2024Wellington editor
A gift guide for people who really don’t want to buy shitGifts can be a source of joy this Christmas even if you hate capitalism.By Gabi LardiesStaff writer & Shanti Mathias | 13th December, 2024Staff writer
The cost of being: A 30-something dad with a mortgage and a bike'Squirrel the small stuff, splash on something big.'By The Cost of Being | 13th December, 2024
Help Me Hera: How do I navigate Auckland traffic without going insane?The selfishness of this city's drivers never fails to ruin my day. How do I get from A to B without wishing retribution on my fellow motorists?By Hera Lindsay Bird | 12th December, 2024
OpinionHow Mt Smart turned into the most electrifying Auckland destination of 2024A much maligned old friend is reborn as a field of dreams. By Toby Manhire | 11th December, 2024
The cost of being: A thrifty apprentice who’s saving up to travel'If there's a way I can get a bargain, I'll choose that option nearly every time.'By The Cost of Being | 10th December, 2024
Freezers, pasteurisers and funding woes: A day at a human milk bank in ChristchurchIt's supplied breast milk to thousands of newborns in need, all thanks to donors, volunteers and philanthropists.By Shanti Mathias | 10th December, 2024Staff writer
The Spinoff guide to life: How to attend a tangiRemain respectful, bear in mind that tikanga Māori is central to all proceedings, and you’ll be fine.By Liam Rātana | 9th December, 2024Ātea editor
When can I buy alcohol in Auckland?From today, liquor stores will have to close at 9pm. By Gabi Lardies | 9th December, 2024Staff writer
Too hot to handle: How climate-friendly housing is becoming unliveableFor a long time, New Zealanders have focused on the issue of cold homes. But for at least a couple of decades, the opposite problem has been appearing in townhouses and apartments.By Kasey McDonnell | 9th December, 2024Guest writer
All those recent political polls: a quick recapICYMI: that festive pileup of opinion polling, in one snapshot.By Toby Manhire | 13th December, 2024Editor-at-large
OpinionWhat we should have done with Candace Owens is nothingImmigration NZ could have made any decision on the controversial speaker's visa and it would've been better than a minister intervening. By Madeleine Chapman | 12th December, 2024
Gone By Lunchtime: A plan to have a plan about some ferriesReady the lifeboats: the coalition boat appears to be listing. By The Spinoff | 12th December, 2024
The world in 2024, in one sentenceFrom 'testing' to 'tiring', there's a clear theme.By Group Think | 12th December, 2024
The finalised second Emissions Reduction Plan is out – what’s in it and what’s not?The government says it's a 'technology-led approach'. Critics say it's an 'abject failure'. By Shanti Mathias | 12th December, 2024
OpinionAuckland Council opposes new housing because motorists won’t be able to see a hillBelieve it or not, this is not a joke headline.By Gabi Lardies | 11th December, 2024Staff writer
The Al-Assad dynasty is over and a new day dawns in SyriaThe roadmap for a peaceful transition to a democratic future in Syria already exists and it’s ready to be actioned.By Myra Williamson | 9th December, 2024Guest writer
Meet James Meager, the man left holding the treaty principles billThe rising star MP on chairing the committee that will attract untold heat, his own path to politics, and whether haka are welcome at the hearings. By Toby Manhire | 6th December, 2024Editor-at-large
The changes to research funding in Aotearoa, explainedWhat are Marsden grants, and why have this week's changes to them caused such a stir?By Shanti Mathias | 5th December, 2024Staff writer
Conan O’Brien just gave us the weirdest two minutes of Shortland Street everFor the past three decades, there’s only been room for one Dr Love in Ferndale. Until now.By Tara Ward | 13th December, 2024Staff writer
The most memorable local television moments of 2024From Chris Warner’s beard to Newshub’s tearful goodbye, these are the TV moments that gripped the nation this year.By Alex Casey & Tara Ward | 13th December, 2024
A brief history of celebrity cameos on Shortland StreetFrom Holmes to Sheeran, a look back at some of the more memorable visitors Ferndale has ever seen.By Alex Casey | 12th December, 2024
How does New Zealand produce so many successful child actors?Move over meat and dairy – these are our highest quality exports. By Alex Casey | 11th December, 2024
Review: Ram Raid Mums provides a blueprint for breaking the cycleNew documentary gives insight into what is driving the country's youth to carry out ram raids and why prison might not be the answer.By Liam Rātana | 10th December, 2024
The small town cinemas holding on at the edge of the world‘If I didn't do it, no other bugger would.’By Alex Casey | 10th December, 2024Senior writer
New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this weekIncluding a new Christmas eve action film to rival Die Hard, good news for Inside Out fans and a 90s romantic classic. By Thomas Giblin | 9th December, 2024Guest writer
‘Damn near knocked me out’: Scotty Stevenson’s biggest live TV headache'That's the thing about live TV, and especially live sports ... there's always that element of jeopardy.'By My Life in TV | 7th December, 2024Guest writer
‘Māori Bass should be its own genre’: Mokotron’s perfect weekend playlist'This laid down a challenge that I couldn’t ignore, and haunted me for much of my life...'By Weekend playlist | 7th December, 2024💿
Home EducationThe Baker whānauWhen a whale washed up on Tokomaru Bay, Israel and Petrina Baker decided it was important to take time out of school so that their tamariki could learn how to harvest the taonga. Truancy officers were not too pleased, so the whānau’s home education began through Te Kura. 12 Nov 202416:58
Home EducationOn the road with the RasmussensThe Rasmussens have travelled the country in a house bus for over a decade. Bridie is the ‘road-schooling’ mum to seven kids, all at different stages. On the bus near the beach, the kids design an ancient civilisation together. 5 Nov 202414:04
Home EducationAlesha & KenseyKensey was slipping behind at school due to illness, so Alesha and Damien decided to do something different – something they’d only seen on Country Calendar. Now Kensey writes books about unicorns and gathers toheroa with her whanau. 29 Oct 202415:09
Home EducationThe Fairul Izad familyIrma does not know the answer to “Does space have a bottom?” but says it’s valuable for her boys to be taught by someone who loves them. Now, her son’s love for ballet doesn’t have to feel like a secret. 22 Oct 202415:40
Home EducationRachel & FelixRachel never thought she’d be homeschooling, but Felix was having trouble fitting in at school. Now, he’s making friends at Forest School, and growing his confidence at improv theatre classes which he bounds out of happily. 15 Oct 202415:10
Home EducationJen & the Dahlia kidsThree years ago, Jen gave her kids $100 to start a business as a learning project, which has led to a thriving dahlia farm. Gracie, Milly and Lexie learn maths at the till, science while testing flower food and art when marketing their flowers. 8 Oct 202415:23
Home EducationHome Education – TrailerFrom a dahlia farm to a house bus, six families find their own ways of educating their children. Episode one of our docu-series premieres on The Spinoff Tuesday 8 October. 1 Oct 20240:44
Takeout KidsKylaKyla and her sister, Kylee, trade makeup tips in front of the mirror, using their mum’s cosmetics. In the nail salon where her mum works, Kyla shares her pepeha with customers after a long day of chatting about crushes in the playground. 17 Sep 202412:13
Takeout KidsPhitchaPhitcha bonds over shrimp noodles with her schoolmates, and watermelon and ice cream with her parents. A heart-to-heart with her dad heals the scars of separation. 10 Sep 202411:01
Takeout KidsLaurenEvenings at the Auckland night markets frying doughnuts turn into long, yawning school days for Lauren. Her family and school are encouraging her to think about the future – stay with the family business, or follow her own dreams. 3 Sep 202411:48
Ranking the Dunedin malls that are actually one mallOne mall to rule them all, one mall to find them, one mall to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them; in the Meridian where the shadows lie.By Hera Lindsay Bird | 13th December, 2024Contributing writer
Kirihimete gift guide 2024: cool stuff from Māori and Pasifika-led brandsOur legendary guide is back to help you through another silly season.By Group Think | 11th December, 2024
Stuff ‘consciously uncouples’ into two separate digital and print businessesLeaked emails and documents show that the media giant will soon break apart – opening up a range of options for owner Sinead Boucher.By Duncan Greive | 11th December, 2024
The small town cinemas holding on at the edge of the world‘If I didn't do it, no other bugger would.’By Alex Casey | 10th December, 2024
‘More than a business’: Auckland institution Geoff’s Emporium to close after 44 yearsAfter four decades, the last buttons will be counted out at Geoff’s Emporium on Dominion Road early next year.By Gabi Lardies | 10th December, 2024
All 4.8 malls in Hamilton ranked from worst to bestArtisanal upstarts, sad suburban relics and sprawling retail kingdoms: the city of the future has it all.By Anna Rawhiti-Connell | 6th December, 2024Senior writer
Is New Zealand – and the world – doing enough to tackle the plastic problem?There’s plastic everywhere, and efforts to reduce it are limited by the power of big oil.By Shanti Mathias | 5th December, 2024Staff writer
Meta is fighting scam ads in Australia – but has ‘no plans’ to do so in NZIt underlines the stark gap between Australia's tough approach to big tech and New Zealand's meek, deferential attitude.By Duncan Greive | 5th December, 2024Founder
One NZ has tied its future to SpaceX rockets. Will the mission succeed?The final frontier is coming to New Zealand, with profound implications for us all.By Duncan Greive | 2nd December, 2024Founder
Kirihimete gift guide 2024: cool stuff from Māori and Pasifika-led brandsOur legendary guide is back to help you through another silly season.By Group Think | 11th December, 2024A bunch of people
With its daily news bulletin scrapped, what’s next for Whakaata Māori?With funding stagnant since 2008, the broadcaster is racing to adapt to a digital world – but at what cost?By Liam Rātana | 11th December, 2024
Review: Ram Raid Mums provides a blueprint for breaking the cycleNew documentary gives insight into what is driving the country's youth to carry out ram raids and why prison might not be the answer.By Liam Rātana | 10th December, 2024
The Spinoff guide to life: How to attend a tangiRemain respectful, bear in mind that tikanga Māori is central to all proceedings, and you’ll be fine.By Liam Rātana | 9th December, 2024
Review: A decolonial trip through femininity in Ngahuia Murphy’s Intuitive RitualWhatever the practice, the end goal is the same: to provide connection to Māori and indigenous women in a post-colonial world.By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 7th December, 2024
A new tool maps Aotearoa with a Māori lensA take on land ownership that challenges how we often think about property, access and our connection to the whenua.By Stephen Day | 3rd December, 2024Guest writer
OpinionArmed police at gang tangi: Who’s intimidating who?The tension between law enforcement and Māori communities came to a head last week at a gang tangi in Matapihi, sparking questions about respect, overreach and trust.By Liam Rātana | 3rd December, 2024Ātea editor
Moana 2 Reo Māori makes historyIt's the first Disney film in an indigenous language to premiere at the same time as its English equivalent – and it could be a game-changer for Aotearoa. By Liam Rātana | 28th November, 2024Ātea editor
OpinionAll Blacks haka controversy: A bold statement or brand risk?It was his last time leading an All Blacks haka and TJ Perenara was sure it sent a message.By Liam Rātana | 26th November, 2024Ātea editor
The inside story of Auckland’s Korean culinary boomFrom fried chicken and franchises to fusion and fine dining, Korean cuisine has taken over Tāmaki Makaurau.By Jihee Junn | 12th December, 2024Contributing writer
What I ate while I grieved'Pākehā don’t have a base camp like marae, or the tradition of dedicated ringawera in the kitchen, but we improvise.'By Denise Irvine | 7th December, 2024
A beginner’s guide to yum chaHow and what to order, from tea to egg tart.By Jean Teng | 20th November, 2024
Where does kai come from? Learning in the māraSince taking part in growing kai from seed to harvest, my appreciation for every vegetable I eat has deepened.By Lucinda Bennett | 15th November, 2024
Who are the New Zealanders who can’t afford nourishing food?After household bills are paid, one in five in the working-age population doesn't have enough income for decent kai.By Shanti Mathias | 13th November, 2024
Nobody panic, but we’re in the midst of a global chocolate crisisPrice hikes, disappearing products and sourcing struggles – could this be the new normal for the chocolate industry?By Gabi Lardies | 5th November, 2024Staff writer
Why do we make it so hard to dine outside?Outdoor dining seems like something a country with a very nice outdoors should be good at.By Anna Rawhiti-Connell | 1st November, 2024Senior writer
I hate the sexy Grimace busIt's not just a bad ad, it's a symbol of everything rotten in our lives.By Madeleine Chapman | 29th October, 2024Editor
David Seymour’s new school lunches, reviewedSamples of the new cost-cutting kai were served up at parliament today. So how was it?By Joel MacManus | 22nd October, 2024Wellington editor
Meta is fighting scam ads in Australia – but has ‘no plans’ to do so in NZIt underlines the stark gap between Australia's tough approach to big tech and New Zealand's meek, deferential attitude.By Duncan Greive | 5th December, 2024Founder
Cover StoryBanks are grappling with a scam ‘crisis’ while Facebook profits from itThe CEOs of Westpac and Kiwibank are contemplating quitting Facebook over its inaction on scams.By Duncan Greive | 18th November, 2024
Millennial Snot will not give way to a new age of sincerity and clarityThe way online millennials speak is cringeworthy and bad, but the New Right won’t usher in better prose.By Madeleine Holden | 22nd October, 2024
Liam Payne and the mourning of a (modern) childhood'My first memory of One Direction is holding an iPad incredibly close to my face to soak in every pixel of the five boys through the screen.'By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 19th October, 2024
Happy Niue language week: The Samoans are fighting againThe Spinoff's fake Samoan editor explains the latest poly drama.By Madeleine Chapman | 16th October, 2024
The Spinoff guide to life: How to send a text without being annoyingAnd what to do if you are very, very late to reply.By The Spinoff guide to life | 16th October, 2024Contributor
I hate CAPTCHAs, the unnecessary ritual of having to prove you’re a human beingCorrectly identifying traffic lights doesn't make you human – but feeling irritated by it just might.By Shanti Mathias | 14th October, 2024Staff writer
Why young women like me are rotting in our bedroomsIt's become an internet trope, but the art of girl rotting dates back at least to the 19th century. By Maya Field | 12th October, 2024Guest writer
Hear me out: Stop saying ‘problematic’Just say what the problem is. By Madeleine Holden | 30th September, 2024Guest writer
The Friday Poem: ‘Cash register ding’ by Eliana GrayA new poem by Eliana Grey.By Eliana Gray | 13th December, 2024Guest writer
The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending December 13New short stories from Owen Marshall, and the finale to a sci-fi series that fans have been hanging out for. By The Spinoff Review of Books | 13th December, 2024
The Spinoff’s best NZ book covers of 2024In which we judge this year's New Zealand books by their covers, and pick the top 10.By Claire Mabey | 12th December, 2024
‘A sick wish fulfilment fantasy, so badly written’: Harry Ricketts’ biggest book regretThe writer and professor shares some of his favourite books – and the one he'd purge from his memory if he could.By The Spinoff Review of Books | 11th December, 2024
The Spinoff’s best NZ books of 2024This year's best local fiction, nonfiction and poetry for adults and children, as chosen by our panel of readers. By The Spinoff Review of Books | 10th December, 2024
A close reading of the United Healthcare CEO suspect Luigi Mangione’s Goodreads accountThe suspect was arrested today. His Goodreads page sheds much light on his views of the world.By Madeleine ChapmanEditor & Hera Lindsay Bird | 10th December, 2024Contributing writer
A book for every year of your life: Part one, ages 0-30From picture books to bell hooks, some reading inspiration for every age.By Hera Lindsay Bird | 9th December, 2024Contributing writer
Review: A decolonial trip through femininity in Ngahuia Murphy’s Intuitive RitualWhatever the practice, the end goal is the same: to provide connection to Māori and indigenous women in a post-colonial world.By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 7th December, 2024Staff writer
The Friday Poem: ‘Lamium purpureum’ by Joel LeBlancA new poem by Joel LeBlanc.By Joel LeBlanc | 6th December, 2024Guest writer
A love letter to community newspapers From mullet competitions to ram raids, if it happened in Te Awamutu, the Courier was there to cover it.By Bethany Rolston | 12th December, 2024Guest writer
Stuff ‘consciously uncouples’ into two separate digital and print businessesLeaked emails and documents show that the media giant will soon break apart – opening up a range of options for owner Sinead Boucher.By Duncan Greive | 11th December, 2024Founder
With its daily news bulletin scrapped, what’s next for Whakaata Māori?With funding stagnant since 2008, the broadcaster is racing to adapt to a digital world – but at what cost?By Liam Rātana | 11th December, 2024Ātea editor
The Weekend: Seriously, you need to wear sunscreenMadeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was.By Madeleine Chapman | 7th December, 2024Editor
The Weekend: A guide to The Spinoff, for readers old and newMadeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was.By Madeleine Chapman | 30th November, 2024Editor
An open letter about the future of The SpinoffAn important announcement from the CEO, the editor and the founder of The Spinoff. By Madeleine Chapman | 28th November, 2024Editor
The hidden problem when ‘news’ isn’t popularAn expiration date on longform video journalism means news shared to TVNZ+ is destined for a short shelf life.By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 27th November, 2024Staff writer
OpinionThe Weekend: What would you march for?Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was.By Madeleine Chapman | 23rd November, 2024Editor
OpinionThe Weekend: In defence of Auckland’s ‘incredibly’ expensive Christmas treeAnna Rawhiti-Connell reflects on the week that was.By Anna Rawhiti-Connell | 16th November, 2024Senior writer
A ball-by-ball analysis of backyard cricket at the prime minister’s houseA detailed summary of everything we were allowed to report from the PM's cricket party at Premier House.By Joel MacManus | 5th December, 2024Wellington editor
OpinionAll Blacks haka controversy: A bold statement or brand risk?It was his last time leading an All Blacks haka and TJ Perenara was sure it sent a message.By Liam Rātana | 26th November, 2024Ātea editor
Watch live: New Zealand vs Australia in the Trans-Tasman Scrabble ChallengeThe Bledisloe Cup of Scrabble is streaming live on YouTube all weekend. Here’s how to watch and everything else you need to know. By Calum Henderson | 15th November, 2024Production editor
In pictures: MMT fans turn Penrose red ahead of Tonga’s thrilling winOn Saturday afternoon, Mate Ma'a Tonga (MMT) fans were on their way to watch a historic rugby league game.By Jin Fellet | 4th November, 2024Senior producer
With the World Cup won, there’s something else the White Ferns really wantAnd before the ‘oldies’ are gone.By Toby Manhire | 24th October, 2024Editor-at-large
Oh no… I think I’ve fallen for Auckland FCAn occasion so impressive it made me do something I thought I never would.By Toby Manhire | 21st October, 2024Editor-at-large
The winningest weekend for New Zealand sportHave we ever been winninger?By Toby Manhire | 21st October, 2024Editor-at-large
OpinionMike Hosking is one of the Warriors' biggest fans, and it doesn't make a lick of senseHis 'common sense' world view holds little time for losers and dreamers... with one major exception.By Pete Douglas | 4th October, 2024Guest writer
How I became the 193rd best pinballer in New ZealandA shallow dive into the deeply competitive world of pinball in Aotearoa.By Matt Casey | 28th September, 2024Contributing writer
