Alex Casey

Senior writer

Alex Casey is a senior writer at The Spinoff with over a decade of experience writing about popular culture and social issues in Aotearoa. She lives in Ōtautahi and likes watching reality TV and walking the dog, occasionally at the same time.

The start of a beautiful journey. Main photo: Double Image Brewery, additional design elements from Canva, Oscar the Grouch from Getty Images.

The R18 online quirk that feels like a relic of the old internet

Under 18 and trying to access a booze site? Oh, the places you’ll go.

By Alex Casey | 23rd August, 2026

Composite image: Tina Tiller/The Spinoff

New Zealand’s most frenzied supermarket promotions, ranked and reviewed

Never bring a Smeg knife to an Ooshie fight, and more lessons from over a decade of madness.

By Alex Casey | 21st August, 2026

2026 has been a bold year for debuts. (Photos: Supplied, additional design by Tina Tiller)

Why 2026 is the most exciting year for debut New Zealand films in ages

A steady stream of bold debut local features have provided a much-needed beacon of hope in 2026.

By Alex Casey | 17th August, 2026

Yvette Parsons, Hannah Lynch and Jonny Brugh in Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant. (Photo: Supplied)

Review: Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant is a slimy and smart local body horror

Under its gooey surface, this is a skewering of a system still hellbent on controlling women’s bodies.

By Alex Casey | 11th August, 2026

Nikki Berry runs Reclaim Your Voice. (Photo: Gary Easterbrook, additional design by Tina Tiller)

What I learned at a singing course for the shy and shamed-out

Staring down a lifelong fear of singing flat, Alex Casey attends a nerve-wracking community course to conquer her demons.

By Alex Casey | 8th August, 2026

The new season of Alone has unearthed a mystery. (Image: Supplied/Tina Tiller)

Why Alone episodes on TVNZ+ are so much shorter than those shown overseas

It’s one of the most popular reality franchises on TVNZ+, so why are Alone fans so unhappy?

By Alex Casey | 6th August, 2026

Image by Tina Tiller

A brief history of music scandals rocking New Zealand politics

After Tamatha Paul was accused of ripping off Metallica, Alex Casey looks at the times politics and music have collided.

By Alex Casey | 31st July, 2026

What’s going on with all these gender bill submissions being rejected?

What’s going on with all these gender bill submissions being rejected?

With over 40,000 public submissions made on the definition of a woman and man bill, questions remain over the number of rejections.

By Alex Casey | 30th July, 2026

National just loves mums (composite graphic by The Spinoff)

Amazing: National has finally discovered women exist

A groundbreaking discovery that could change everything.

By Alex Casey | 28th July, 2026

We thought we’d hate The Odyssey – we were so wrong

We thought we’d hate The Odyssey – we were so wrong

Alex Casey and Claire Mabey discuss Christopher Nolan’s latest epic The Odyssey.

& Claire Mabey | 24th July, 2026