David Farrier

Contributing writer

David Farrier is a New Zealand investigative journalist and Spinoff contributing writer. He is the co-director of the documentary feature Tickled and the creator of the Netflix series docu-series Dark Tourist.

The Best Of

Dec 31, 2018

Summer Reissue: The mystery of Zach, New Zealand's all-too-miraculous medical AI

An artificial intelligence bot called Zach is creating a stir in the medical community. But AI experts are not convinced. David Farrier goes in search of Zach.

Society

Dec 19, 2018

It’s time YouTube and Google stopped profiting from porn with kids in it

After writing about fetish videos involving kids on YouTube two years ago, the problem has only got worse, writes David Farrier. When will Google do something about it?

Society

Nov 4, 2018

Two dogs, one ukulele, and the extraordinary man who played it

David Farrier went in search of the New Zealand hero who played the ukulele to two horned up doggos

Media

Oct 26, 2018

A website tricking people into making fetish content? Sound familiar?

David Farrier becomes suspicious about yet another website that is very quick to point out that it is not porn. Definitely not porn.

Media

Aug 5, 2018

Peasville: the bizarre story of one man’s obsession with anthropomorphic peas

David Farrier delves into the 30-year-old mystery of Richard A Kontos, a man with a dream of a better world. A man obsessed with anthropomorphic peas and the tiny town of Peasville.

Society

Jul 3, 2018

‘This thing is weird’: Get ready for New Zealand’s Gay Oscars

David Farrier loves a good awards ceremony, especially one for which he’s nominated. But what are the New Zealand LGBTI Awards?

Music

Jun 19, 2018

The strange story of how a NZ musician was led into the world of financial dominatrixes

Why some men are paying Princess Chelsea hundreds of dollars for one song.

Auckland

Jun 4, 2018

David Farrier goes to the Auckland International Film Festival and, guess what, it is total balls

The organiser calls him the 'idiot guy who don't know anything about festival'. But that won't deter our reporter from heading along to see what this mysterious event really amounts to.

Media

May 19, 2018

Mysteries of the ‘Auckland International Film Festival’: the sequel

David Farrier has slowly been going crazy trying to get an answer about who’s actually behind the odd film festival that might not even play your stupid film anyway.

Media

May 5, 2018

Waaaait, is this the Auckland film festival I think it is?

The “Auckland International Film Festival” is Definitely Not the “New Zealand International Film Festival”, mmmkay?

Isle of Dogs

Apr 26, 2018

From Bottle Rocket to Isle of Dogs, Wes Anderson just keeps getting better

In the new film Isle of Dogs, David Farrier finds director Wes Anderson has produced his most artistic, political and detailed film yet.

Music

Apr 16, 2018

Billy Howerdel and Maynard James Keenan on resurrecting A Perfect Circle

David Farrier talks to one of the most wildly enigmatic frontmen in music, Maynard James Keenan, and his partner in crime, Billy Howerdel about 18 years of friendship, music, and being very, very enigmatic.

Auckland

Mar 14, 2018

The clamps fall silent: a eulogy for Bashford Antiques

Eighteen months after David Farrier first reported on the strange antics of Bashford Antiques, he returns a final time to bid it farewell.

Media

Mar 13, 2018

David Farrier talks with his old friend who had sex with a dolphin

Seven years after first interviewing him about having sex with a dolphin, David Farrier reconnects with Malcolm Brenner for an update.

The Best Of

Mar 9, 2018

The mystery of Zach the miracle AI, continued: it all just gets Terribler

Earlier this week David Farrier lifted the lid on the very strange case of the Christchurch AI that would supposedly revolutionise global medical practice. What has he discovered since?

The Best Of

Mar 6, 2018

The mystery of Zach, New Zealand’s all-too-miraculous medical AI

An artificial intelligence bot called Zach is creating a stir in the medical community. But AI experts are not convinced. David Farrier goes in search of Zach.

Music

Feb 21, 2018

David Farrier goes to the David Duchovny show, alone

Last night David Farrier took himself to see one of his non-musical heroes, X-Files star David Duchovny, play music. Here's what happened.

Television

Feb 5, 2018

‘It felt like he was making TV specifically for me’: David Farrier on his love for Jeremy Wells

Ahead of Jeremy Wells' return to television tonight, David Farrier looks back at some of his favourite moments from the deadpan broadcaster.

Music

Dec 21, 2017

Fazerdaze, from Morningside to the world

Since releasing her debut album Morningside in May, Amelia Murray has had a whirlwind year, but finally catching her breath back in New Zealand for Christmas.

Media

Dec 11, 2017

Breaking: New Zealand mobile news alerts are intensely weird

Originally conceived to notify you of important breaking news, news alerts in New Zealand have morphed into something altogether stranger. David Farrier reports.

Business

Oct 10, 2017

The Bashford Antiques saga, part III: $760 for a half hour’s parking

A Sunday night in Ponsonby revives the Bashford Antiques saga, with revelations it's still unlicensed and still clamping – now for a scarcely believable amount. David Farrier investigates.

Television

May 29, 2017

WATCH: Here’s all the Real Talk with Dave, Cam and Ben that didn’t make the cut

In the final episode of Real Talk with Dave, Ben and Cam, we present the glorious outtakes.

Television

May 28, 2017

WATCH: Shortland Street’s Ben Mitchell and Cam Jones discuss objectification with David Farrier

Today, Shortland Street's Ben Mitchell and Cam Jones discuss the objectification of men.

Television

May 27, 2017

WATCH: Shortland Street’s Ben Mitchell and Cam Jones discuss cyclists with David Farrier

Today, Shortland Street's Ben Mitchell and Cam Jones discuss cyclists with David Farrier.

Television

May 26, 2017

WATCH: Shortland Street’s Ben Mitchell and Cam Jones discuss conspiracy theories with David Farrier

Today, Shortland Street's Ben Mitchell and Cam Jones discuss their favourite conspiracy theories.

Television

May 25, 2017

WATCH: Shortland Street’s Ben Mitchell and Cam Jones discuss outrage culture with David Farrier

Today, Shortland Street stars Ben Mitchell and Cam Jones discuss the culture of outrage with David Farrier.

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