Madeleine Chapman

Staff Writer

Madeleine Chapman is a staff writer at The Spinoff. Email her on madeleine@thespinoff.co.nz

Music

Dec 18, 2018

The Spinoff Hot Take Advent Calendar: December 18

Every day in the lead-up to Christmas, open the door to reveal a Spinoff writer’s short, sizzling commentary on a weighty subject. Our arbitrary and strictly enforced word limit: 365. Today: Madeleine Chapman doesn't understand the obsession with Michael Bublé.

Ātea

Dec 13, 2018

Why is Christchurch Hospital displaying photos of staff in blackface?

A ‘Christmas tradition’ featuring photos of urology consultants in dark brown makeup and afro wigs has angered members of the public.

Politics

Dec 6, 2018

My beef-only week living as Jordan Peterson

Jordan Peterson, the polarising Canadian psychologist, is coming to New Zealand in February. In an attempt to understand his appeal, Madeleine Chapman spent a week in Peterson's beef-filled shoes.

Media

Dec 3, 2018

Why does Rotorua hate Mike Hosking?

Mike Hosking's Newstalk ZB breakfast show rates highly in every city and region in the country except Rotorua. Madeleine Chapman investigates.

Music

Nov 24, 2018

Going to PHAROS this weekend? Here’s what to expect

The much-anticipated PHAROS event debuted last night just outside of Auckland. Here's what you need to know about the notoriously secret event.

Society

Nov 21, 2018

Take a look at this shitty weather forecast

Seriously, look at it.

Society

Nov 20, 2018

Cancel the prizegiving, but don’t discourage competitiveness

Some people simply love to compete. Madeleine Chapman writes in defence of competitiveness.

Food

Nov 14, 2018

Onions on top or bottom? A desperate search for the sausage sizzling truth

Bunnings Warehouse will now recommend that sausage sizzle onions be placed on the bread before the sausage. Madeleine Chapman went on a journey of discovery to find the correct way to assemble a snag.

Politics

Nov 13, 2018

Which MP occupies the worst seat in parliament? A Spinoff investigation

There are so many issues facing the nation but one rises above them all. Madeleine Chapman goes on a quest to find the worst seat in the House.

Society

Nov 10, 2018

The marathon runner they tried to tackle out of the race, for being a woman

The Olympic women's marathon was first held in 1984, largely thanks to one woman and her historic run 16 years earlier.

Sports

Nov 6, 2018

The Spinoff reviews New Zealand #74: Watching lawn bowls

There's a new game in town and it's bloody good fun to watch. Madeleine Chapman reviews Bowls3Five at New Lynn Bowling Club.

Ātea

Nov 1, 2018

How a new programme is helping school students avoid payday lenders

A new programme being rolled out in 111 schools teaches students how to manage money – and the difference between good and bad debt.

Business

Oct 26, 2018

WORLD U-turns over legality of ‘Fabriqué En Nouvelle Zelande’ tags

After its initial stubborn refusal to accept wrongdoing and attacking the integrity of Spinoff reporting, the NZ fashion retailer WORLD has changed its tune, accepting a likely breach of law over clothing labels, following a Commerce Commission investigation

Auckland

Oct 23, 2018

Are Auckland’s new Lime e-scooters any good? And how do they compare to OnZos?

Madeleine Chapman rode to Huntly on an OnzO bike. Sadly, she won't be doing the same with a Lime scooter.

Politics

Oct 17, 2018

Just some memes about Jami-Lee Ross and the National Party

Every great political moment births a thousand not-so-great political memes. Madeleine Chapman gets the ball rolling on the Ross-Bridges saga.

Society

Oct 13, 2018

Why the Breakers’ ‘family values’ and Barstool Sports don’t go together

Website Barstool Sports has been called misogynist, racist and a cyber bully. It's also the latest sponsor of the NZ Breakers basketball team

Politics

Oct 12, 2018

Too many girls quit sport. Will this breathe fresh life into future Olympians?

The government announced a $10m strategy yesterday to boost women and girls in sport. Madeleine Chapman wonders if the nice sentiment will turn into action.

Objectspace

Oct 11, 2018

Weaving a life: Lakiloko and the functional beauty of Tuvalu art

Madeleine Chapman explores the beauty and purpose of Tuvalu art, and meets one of its foremost creators, Lakiloko Keakea.

Sports

Oct 9, 2018

The rarest piece of NZ sporting merchandise? A Black Ferns jersey

It's literally impossible to buy Black Ferns merchandise. Madeleine Chapman still tried, and got very angry in the process.

Business

Sep 28, 2018

The Great New Zealand Dessert Box War

Influencers may promote your product for a fee, but loyalty is not included.

Business

Sep 28, 2018

Last night Derek Handley gave a talk called ‘Making bold moves for your career’

The man embroiled in the scandal that saw Clare Curran sacked by Jacinda Ardern challenged an audience at AUT to think about their careers

Politics

Sep 17, 2018

A soon-to-be-deleted look at New Zealand politicians’ worst tweets

No platform has caused as much career havoc as twitter.com. Madeleine Chapman looks back (but not that far back) on New Zealand politics' best worst tweets.

Ātea

Sep 10, 2018

How did a 77-year-old white guy become the go-to media voice on Māori issues?

If Don Brash can be invited onto national television to speak about Māori language week then I can speak about almost anything too.

Society

Sep 6, 2018

C’s get degrees: the extra tough law school grading at Victoria University

Victoria University has this week been shown to award significantly more C and D grades to its law students than the Universities of Auckland and Otago. But does it matter?

Unitec

Sep 5, 2018

We need more houses and we need women to help build them

New Zealand is in desperate need of skilled tradespeople, which means it’s past time we got women onboard and on the drills.

Politics

Sep 2, 2018

A special episode of The Block NZ: Kiwibuild edition

The first of a promised 100,000 Kiwibuild homes was revealed today. Madeleine Chapman dons her safety glasses and jumps in the bath.

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