Emily Writes

Parents Editor

Emily Writes is editor of The Spinoff Parents. She is a mother of two, the best-selling author of Rants in the Dark - From one tired mama to another, writer and speaker. He second book Is it bedtime yet? is out now in all good bookstores. Email her on emily@thespinoff.co.nz

Society

Jan 21, 2021

Sorry, but I checked and Facebook comments continue to be a toxic cesspit

How does one turn into a rabid extremist over the description of a children's bike?

Media

Sep 9, 2020

Are you a troll? A simple guide to finding out

Is 2020 the year of the troll? Are you a troll? Emily Writes has a quiz to see if you can change.

Society

Aug 31, 2020

Emily Writes: OnlyFans is for sex workers, not attention-hungry celebrities

What is OnlyFans and why are sex workers upset about celebrities using it?

Society

Aug 24, 2020

Emily Writes: What’s wrong with being wrong?

How can we help people realise they've made a mistake without falling into the 'callout culture' trap?

Society

Aug 12, 2020

Emily Writes: Tackling all the terrible new Covid-19 takes in one go

Within minutes, the online community transmission of dumb takes was going like wildfire.

Society

Aug 11, 2020

I complained about my stalker, over and over again. Then he killed

'I look carefully at every police car driving by. I don’t sleep. I'm terrified.'

Te Hiringa Hauora

Jul 29, 2020

Born in lockdown: Stories of mothers giving birth during Covid-19

It’s estimated about 6700 babies were born in New Zealand during alert levels four and three. Emily Writes collected birth stories from mothers around the country.

Society

Jul 29, 2020

Enduring the unendurable: The podcast shining a light on a silent tragedy

It’s a podcast almost four years in the making on a topic 'shrouded in silence'. Emily Writes speaks to Susie Ferguson about The Unthinkable.

Society

Jul 28, 2020

‘I feel helpless’: The nine-month wait for action on a sexual assault complaint

In October 2019, she laid a complaint of sexual assault. Police say they’re ‘still waiting for a free detective’ to assign to the case.

Food

Jul 16, 2020

Emily Writes: If you don’t know the price of cheese, you’re not fit to run the country

The leader of the National Party, Judith Collins, doesn't know how much cheese costs.

Society

Jul 6, 2020

Movement against bible study in schools ramps up with court action and petition

A new petition calling for an end to religious instruction in primary schools is part of a renewed campaign to make state schooling truly secular, reports Emily Writes.

Parents

Jun 25, 2020

It’s time New Zealand takes post-birth care seriously

A group of mothers, personal trainers, and physiotherapists have joined together to try to address New Zealand's lack of post-birth care. Here's why.

Television

Jun 24, 2020

Emily Writes: High School Mums should be a call to action

There's no doubt the young women of High School Mums will leave you feeling inspired. But the show should also spur change.

Television

Jun 12, 2020

If America can cancel Cops, New Zealand can bin Police Ten 7

After 31 years on air, the American police television show Cops was finally cancelled on Wednesday. Is it time for New Zealand to do the same to Police 10-7?

Society

Jun 9, 2020

The sperm drought: Why New Zealand needs more donors

You may snigger, but it's a serious issue. Emily Writes asked embryologist Emily Wilson why our nation needs more sperm donors.

Books

Jun 5, 2020

Emily Writes reports on a new and frankly upsetting twist on #TurnArdern

Emily Writes interviews Steve McSteverson about his traumatic and tragic ordeal this week.

Television

May 28, 2020

Emily Writes: In celebration of Soft TV

Emily Writes celebrates wholesome shows and the rise of cosy television.

MOE

May 26, 2020

Emily Writes: On coming ‘home’ to school and our community

'Standing on the hopscotch with the sun shining down, it felt like everything was right. And it hasn’t felt like that for a long time.'

Music

May 16, 2020

A brutal kind of therapy: Wellington band Giantess on their new break-up record

What's it like to grow an album over two years and then labour it during a lockdown?

Society

May 14, 2020

Emily Writes: The industries set to go off post-lockdown

In celebration of both level two day and budget day, Emily Writes puts on her business reporting hat to take a look at the winners of the post-lockdown economy.

Society

May 10, 2020

Emily Writes: Yes, marriage sucks, so why did I renew my vows?

With fewer couples than ever getting married, women are realising marriage is not all it's cracked up to be.

Parents

May 8, 2020

Emily Writes: The complete Mother’s Day gift guide for every kind of mum there is

Mother's Day is just around the corner and this year it will be different – no, not because of the pandemic.

Business

May 7, 2020

The dehumanising reality of working in customer service during a pandemic

Working in customer service has never been easy, but now it's pushing workers to the brink.

Parents

May 5, 2020

Covid-19 has only made it harder to be a midwife

On International Day of the Midwife, New Zealand midwives share what it’s like working through a pandemic.

Politics

Apr 30, 2020

Mental health first aid could be just what our country needs

New Zealand workplaces are training staff in mental health first aid to support employees and break the stigma.

MOE

Apr 23, 2020

Together, apart: Keeping kids connected under rāhui

Emily Writes watches her sons hold on to connections in isolation.

Parents

Apr 23, 2020

In their own words: Children talk about level four lockdown

At the beginning of lockdown Emily Writes spoke to children across the country about how they were feeling. Almost four weeks on, she checked in on them again.

The Spinoff is made possible by the generous support of the following organisations.
Please help us by supporting them.