Liam Rātana

Ātea editor

Liam Rātana (Ngāti Wairupe/Ngāti Kurī) is editor of The Spinoff's Ātea section. He is passionate about indigenous and minority issues. Liam enjoys cooking, poetry, photography, and exploring the outdoors.

My Instagram grid circa 2014 after the Warriors missed out on the finals. (Image: The Spinoff)

Warriors fans, you know how this goes

This was supposed to be our year. Then came a sold-out Mt Smart, a second-half collapse and that old familiar feeling.

By Liam Rātana | 15th September, 2026

Ātea editor

Phil Gould spent less than a year with the Warriors, but has had a larger impact than most realise. (Photo: Warriors. Additional design: Tina Tiller).

Phil Gould spent one year at the Warriors. Six years later, his fingerprints are all over their success

The Warriors owe a large part of their current success to one man.

By Liam Rātana | 11th September, 2026

Ātea editor

David Seymour and Act are keen to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal. (Design: Emily Wong).

Act wants to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal. What do experts make of the party’s policy?

David Seymour says the Waitangi Tribunal has done its dash. But do experts like Carwyn Jones and former treaty negotiation ministers like Andrew Little and Chris Finlayson agree?

By Liam Rātana | 11th September, 2026

Ātea editor

The Warriors deserve to play their finals at Mt Smart. (Photo: Liam Rātana. Additional design: Emily Wong).

Opinion

The Warriors have earned a home final. Don’t take Mt Smart away from them

Why the Warriors could be forced to play their finals elsewhere.

By Liam Rātana | 4th September, 2026

Ātea editor

Kuīni Ngawai hono i te po celebrates her second Koroneihana as the Māori monarch this week. (Photo: Kīingitanga. Additional design: Emily Wong).

After two years on the throne, Kuīni Nga wai hono i te po is forging her own path

As thousands gather at Tūrangawaewae for the anniversary of the coronation of the Māori queen, we take a look at what has defined her reign so far.

By Liam Rātana | 3rd September, 2026

Ātea editor

Clockwise from left, sashimi, crispy pork belly, tuna tartare and beef tataki at Ebisu (Photos: Liam Rātana)

Liam Rātana

Warriors fans, you know how this goes

Phil Gould spent one year at the Warriors. Six years later, his fingerprints are all over their success

Act wants to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal. What do experts make of the party’s policy?

The Warriors have earned a home final. Don’t take Mt Smart away from them

After two years on the throne, Kuīni Nga wai hono i te po is forging her own path

New and approved: Ebisu, Auckland

Where political parties stand on Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Greatsouth on making music and what it really means to be a good Kiwi

There are more Māori on the Māori roll than ever. Will they turn out to vote?

The story behind Ngā Tamatoa, the Warriors’ history-making haka

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