All 29 road tunnels in New Zealand ranked from worst to bestAn essential guide to all the holes you can drive through in this country.By Group Think | 26th December, 2024A bunch of people
A life storyWhen he died, my friend Doug got no media obituary. Hardly anyone outside his tiny rural community knew him. But everyone inside that community did.By David Hill | 26th December, 2024Contributing writer
‘The mission is clearly possible’: On watching every single Tom Cruise movie ever madeI watched all 46 of Tom Cruise's films over the past 12 months. The question on everyone's lips: why?By Caroline Shepherd | 26th December, 2024Guest writer
A trip to the beach with the poo detectivesHow a little jar of seawater ends up as a red cross that ruins your day-at-the-beach plans – but keeps you safe from swimming in sewage.By Shanti Mathias | 26th December, 2024Staff writer
Cover StoryWho killed the Johnsonville mall?After two decades of promised redevelopment, Johnsonville Shopping Centre remains neglected and half empty. By Joel MacManus | 26th December, 2024Wellington editor
Returning to a different New Zealand after 32 years awayHas the country changed all that much in three decades? Loveni Enari compares his two New Zealands.By Loveni S Enari | 25th December, 2024Guest writer
I survived five hours on Christchurch’s first murder mystery train rideA dark and stormy night of mushrooms and murder, sorbet and suspicion, and more fedoras than you've ever seen in your life. By Alex Casey | 25th December, 2024Senior writer
The need for speed: What I learnt competing in an online jigsaw puzzle competitionSpeed puzzling is like a marathon for the mind – intense, demanding, surprisingly exhausting. But does turning it into a sport destroy it as a relaxing pastime?By Calum Henderson | 25th December, 2024Production editor
The complete top 100 NZ TV shows of the 21st CenturyPresenting our full top 100 countdown for your reading pleasure.By The Spinoff's Top 100 | 25th December, 2024Guest writer
Cover StoryThe epic inside story of The Spinoff’s first 10 yearsTold in one crucial moment from every year, by The Spinoff’s founder Duncan Greive.By Duncan Greive | 25th December, 2024Founder
‘A curse and a blessing’: Ginette McDonald on how Lyn of Tawa changed her life'A few old boomers still think I actually am Lyn ... I choose to take this as a compliment.'By My Life in TV | 24th December, 2024
Making a splash: Is this the most impressive select committee submission ever?You really won't guess how it ends.By Stewart Sowman-Lund | 24th December, 2024
Finding Joy: The fascinating and painful life of Aotearoa’s most prolific writerJoy Cowley reveals her enthralling life story, from a difficult childhood, to getting drunk with Roald Dahl, to encountering an Arctic polar bear.By Maggie Tweedie | 24th December, 2024
Nadia Lim and Carlos Bagrie on swapping the hustle for the harvest'We say to our kids every dinner time, you have no idea how lucky you are that we have all our own food here. And they just go ‘yeah yeah whatever mum'.'By Alex Casey | 24th December, 2024
Chinese, but not a Chinatown: The rise and rise of Dominion RoadDominion Road has made a name for itself as a destination for authentic, regionally-specific Chinese food. How did it get here?By Eda Tang | 24th December, 2024
How was Maddi Wesche’s final shot put throw not over 20m? A Spinoff investigationWas it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence? By Madeleine Chapman | 23rd December, 2024
NZ Media Council upholds complaint against The Spinoff article on Palestine exhibition The NZ Media Council upheld the complaint under principle four: comment and fact.By The Spinoff | 23rd December, 2024
Pretty much every common nut in Aotearoa, reviewed and rankedWould a pistachio beat a pecan in a fight?By Shanti Mathias | 23rd December, 2024
A life storyWhen he died, my friend Doug got no media obituary. Hardly anyone outside his tiny rural community knew him. But everyone inside that community did.By David Hill | 26th December, 2024Contributing writer
‘The mission is clearly possible’: On watching every single Tom Cruise movie ever madeI watched all 46 of Tom Cruise's films over the past 12 months. The question on everyone's lips: why?By Caroline Shepherd | 26th December, 2024Guest writer
I survived five hours on Christchurch’s first murder mystery train rideA dark and stormy night of mushrooms and murder, sorbet and suspicion, and more fedoras than you've ever seen in your life. By Alex Casey | 25th December, 2024Senior writer
Cover StoryThe epic inside story of The Spinoff’s first 10 yearsTold in one crucial moment from every year, by The Spinoff’s founder Duncan Greive.By Duncan Greive | 25th December, 2024Founder
Finding Joy: The fascinating and painful life of Aotearoa’s most prolific writerJoy Cowley reveals her enthralling life story, from a difficult childhood, to getting drunk with Roald Dahl, to encountering an Arctic polar bear.By Maggie Tweedie | 24th December, 2024Guest writer
How was Maddi Wesche’s final shot put throw not over 20m? A Spinoff investigationWas it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence? By Madeleine Chapman | 23rd December, 2024Editor
What it’s like to be made redundant by the Ministry of EducationI was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here's exactly how it played out.By Anonymous | 23rd December, 2024Guest writer
Why can’t I pick up my own dropped phone on a plane?How is it so important that it's mentioned in every safety video?By Gabi Lardies | 23rd December, 2024Staff writer
Juggernaut: The ghosts of 1984Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on?By Toby Manhire | 23rd December, 2024Editor-at-large
All 29 road tunnels in New Zealand ranked from worst to bestAn essential guide to all the holes you can drive through in this country.By Group Think | 26th December, 2024A bunch of people
A life storyWhen he died, my friend Doug got no media obituary. Hardly anyone outside his tiny rural community knew him. But everyone inside that community did.By David Hill | 26th December, 2024
A trip to the beach with the poo detectivesHow a little jar of seawater ends up as a red cross that ruins your day-at-the-beach plans – but keeps you safe from swimming in sewage.By Shanti Mathias | 26th December, 2024
Returning to a different New Zealand after 32 years awayHas the country changed all that much in three decades? Loveni Enari compares his two New Zealands.By Loveni S Enari | 25th December, 2024
NZ Media Council upholds complaint against The Spinoff article on Palestine exhibition The NZ Media Council upheld the complaint under principle four: comment and fact.By The Spinoff | 23rd December, 2024
Why can’t I pick up my own dropped phone on a plane?How is it so important that it's mentioned in every safety video?By Gabi Lardies | 23rd December, 2024Staff writer
Survive to 25 (December, that is)Christmas is often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here's how to make it easier on yourself. By Anna Rawhiti-Connell | 22nd December, 2024Senior writer
The rescue dog bringing joy to Christchurch retirement homes'It’s just so lovely to see a dog again.'By Alex Casey | 21st December, 2024Senior writer
Help Me Hera: I hate spending Christmas with my in-lawsI grew up in a family where Christmas was all about tradition and hospitality. My husband's family takes a different approach. How do I get over my resentment and have a nice day? By Hera Lindsay Bird | 19th December, 2024Contributing writer
Making a splash: Is this the most impressive select committee submission ever?You really won't guess how it ends.By Stewart Sowman-Lund | 24th December, 2024The Bulletin editor
What it’s like to be made redundant by the Ministry of EducationI was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here's exactly how it played out.By Anonymous | 23rd December, 2024
Juggernaut: The ghosts of 1984Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on?By Toby Manhire | 23rd December, 2024
OpinionAll I want for Christmas is modern day slavery legislationIt would be a more wonderful time of year if I knew there was no exploitation under the Christmas tree.By Shanti Mathias | 22nd December, 2024
A world on fire: the World Bulletin year in reviewLooking back at the events that made headlines around the globe in 2024. By Catherine McGregor | 19th December, 2024
In six hours, everything changed: Watching Korea’s political turmoil from afarBy Rebekah Jaung | 18th December, 2024Guest writer
The 2024 Golden Jandals for conspicuous contributions to NZ politicsThe return of the glitteriest rubber gongs of New Zealand politics.By Toby ManhireEditor-at-large & Ben McKay | 18th December, 2024Guest writer
Our outlandish political predictions for 2024, revisitedDid anyone make an accurate call? Let's find out.By Stewart Sowman-Lund | 18th December, 2024The Bulletin editor
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 mission is clearly possible’: On watching every single Tom Cruise movie ever madeI watched all 46 of Tom Cruise's films over the past 12 months. The question on everyone's lips: why?By Caroline Shepherd | 26th December, 2024Guest writer
I survived five hours on Christchurch’s first murder mystery train rideA dark and stormy night of mushrooms and murder, sorbet and suspicion, and more fedoras than you've ever seen in your life. By Alex Casey | 25th December, 2024
The complete top 100 NZ TV shows of the 21st CenturyPresenting our full top 100 countdown for your reading pleasure.By The Spinoff's Top 100 | 25th December, 2024
‘A curse and a blessing’: Ginette McDonald on how Lyn of Tawa changed her life'A few old boomers still think I actually am Lyn ... I choose to take this as a compliment.'By My Life in TV | 24th December, 2024
Nadia Lim and Carlos Bagrie on swapping the hustle for the harvest'We say to our kids every dinner time, you have no idea how lucky you are that we have all our own food here. And they just go ‘yeah yeah whatever mum'.'By Alex Casey | 24th December, 2024
‘We were as famous as Tom Cruise’: Craig Parker on 90s Shortland St fandomAs he makes a surprise return to Shortland Street, actor Craig Parker takes us through his life in television.By My Life in TV | 21st December, 2024Guest writer
‘I prioritise the mission, not my health’: Adam McGrath’s perfect weekend playlist'I want to check in at the pearly gates and have them say, ‘theres nothing left here, he’s worn to a nub, put it in the bin’.'By Weekend playlist | 21st December, 2024💿
The one episode of Shortland Street you need to watch this yearThe 2024 Christmas cliffhanger screens on Monday, and you can expect the final episode to be bigger and badder than ever before. By Tara Ward | 20th December, 2024Staff writer
The real NZ Wrapped: Analysing the 2024 NZ Music chartsA couple of weeks after Spotify Wrapped comes a much more comprehensive survey of New Zealand’s listening.By Duncan Greive | 20th December, 2024Founder
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
Cover StoryWho killed the Johnsonville mall?After two decades of promised redevelopment, Johnsonville Shopping Centre remains neglected and half empty. By Joel MacManus | 26th December, 2024Wellington editor
Cover StoryThe epic inside story of The Spinoff’s first 10 yearsTold in one crucial moment from every year, by The Spinoff’s founder Duncan Greive.By Duncan Greive | 25th December, 2024
OpinionAll I want for Christmas is modern day slavery legislationIt would be a more wonderful time of year if I knew there was no exploitation under the Christmas tree.By Shanti Mathias | 22nd December, 2024
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, 2024
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, 2024Founder
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
‘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
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
Empty classrooms, silent language: Kōhanga reo faces a crisisAt the heart of the issue is a system struggling to balance cultural preservation with operational realities.By Liam Rātana | 17th December, 2024Ātea editor
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
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, 2024Staff writer
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
Chinese, but not a Chinatown: The rise and rise of Dominion RoadDominion Road has made a name for itself as a destination for authentic, regionally-specific Chinese food. How did it get here?By Eda Tang | 24th December, 2024Contributor
Pretty much every common nut in Aotearoa, reviewed and rankedWould a pistachio beat a pecan in a fight?By Shanti Mathias | 23rd December, 2024
‘Just like the pie’: Bubble tea is here to stayBubbles, pearls or boba – no matter what you call them, they've taken New Zealand by storm. By Gabi Lardies | 20th December, 2024
The boozeless bubbly of Aotearoa, reviewed and rankedThere’s plenty on offer beyond Grapetise these days – but is any of it any good?By Group Think | 20th December, 2024
What happened to the Queenstown KFC road sign?The iconic 'No left turn except access to KFC' road sign has vanished. Joel MacManus investigates.By Joel MacManus | 18th 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
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, 2024Guest Writer
A beginner’s guide to yum chaHow and what to order, from tea to egg tart.By Jean Teng | 20th November, 2024Guest writer
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, 2024Guest writer
How the gambling industry is using influencers to appeal to a new generationParty holes, paid partnerships and podcast appearances – it's all part of a concerted effort to attract young people to gambling.By Shanti Mathias | 20th December, 2024Staff writer
I made it to the end of 2024 without finding out what ‘hawk tuah’ meansAnd I hope I never do.By Alex Casey | 16th December, 2024
I see hundreds of ads for togs so why is it so hard to find a decent pair?The struggle to find a decent pair of togs is real.By Anna Rawhiti-Connell | 14th December, 2024
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, 2024
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, 2024Guest writer
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, 2024Staff writer
Happy Niue language week: The Samoans are fighting againThe Spinoff's fake Samoan editor explains the latest poly drama.By Madeleine Chapman | 16th October, 2024Editor
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
Finding Joy: The fascinating and painful life of Aotearoa’s most prolific writerJoy Cowley reveals her enthralling life story, from a difficult childhood, to getting drunk with Roald Dahl, to encountering an Arctic polar bear.By Maggie Tweedie | 24th December, 2024Guest writer
A hater and an enthusiast review The Royal Free by Carl ShukerOur reviewers debate a new novel about a grieving copyeditor in London.By Claire Mabey & Madeleine Chapman | 22nd December, 2024
The Friday Poem: ‘Bejeweled log’ by Holly FletcherA new poem by Holly Fletcher.By Holly Fletcher | 20th December, 2024
The Unity Books bestseller chart for 2024The bestselling books of the year, revealed.By The Spinoff Review of Books | 20th December, 2024
A book for every year of your life: Part two, ages 31 to the graveFrom Mansfield Park to Jurassic Park, some reading inspiration for every age.By Hera Lindsay Bird | 20th December, 2024
The best books of 2024: The people’s choiceThe results of our reader survey of the best books of the year.By The Spinoff Review of Books | 17th December, 2024⚖️
A love letter to my five friendsIt's all about quality over quantity.By Venetia Sherson | 14th December, 2024Contributing writer
Wasteland: A response to a university restructure'For its purposes we were not people, just dollar amounts representing the salary that might be returned to the university’s coffers once we no longer worked there.'By Hannah August | 14th December, 2024Guest writer
The Friday Poem: ‘Cash register ding’ by Eliana GrayA new poem by Eliana Grey.By Eliana Gray | 13th December, 2024Guest writer
Ten stories that defined New Zealand’s media in 2024It was a torrid year for almost every aspect of New Zealand’s media – with one vast, existential threat lurking underneath.By Duncan Greive | 19th December, 2024Founder
Announcing the Vince Geddes In-Depth Journalism FundA new fund has been launched to provide freelance writers with grants to work on ambitious, in-depth journalism.By The Spinoff | 16th December, 2024Guest writer
To all the TV news we lost in 2024Bulletins and beloved current affairs programmes fell like flies in an agonising year for screen journalism.By Toby Manhire | 16th December, 2024Editor-at-large
The Weekend: The phrase of the year is ‘gingle malt’Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was.By Madeleine Chapman | 14th December, 2024Editor
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
The need for speed: What I learnt competing in an online jigsaw puzzle competitionSpeed puzzling is like a marathon for the mind – intense, demanding, surprisingly exhausting. But does turning it into a sport destroy it as a relaxing pastime?By Calum Henderson | 25th December, 2024Production editor
How was Maddi Wesche’s final shot put throw not over 20m? A Spinoff investigationWas it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence? By Madeleine Chapman | 23rd December, 2024Editor
How the gambling industry is using influencers to appeal to a new generationParty holes, paid partnerships and podcast appearances – it's all part of a concerted effort to attract young people to gambling.By Shanti Mathias | 20th December, 2024Staff 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
