Lyric Waiwiri-Smith

Politics reporter

Lyric is an award-nominated politics reporter at The Spinoff. She covers parliament from the press gallery, pens the weekly column One MP, One Pint and is endlessly curious about what makes our decision-makers tick. Off the clock, Lyric loves a live gig, a cold brew, and being a Wellingtonian (on a good day).

Nicola Willis, Paul Goldsmith and Gerry Brownlee. (Photos: Getty Images)

Who’s up, down and in the danger zone as National releases its election party list

On current polling, National could lose a bunch of MPs come November 7. As the party unveils its final election lineup, we sort the definites from the maybes.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 8th August, 2026

Politics reporter

Chlöe Swarbrick and Gerry Brownlee.

Echo Chamber: The Winston Peters double standard

By Thursday, there was only one true answer to the Peters problem: blow the entire system up with an MMP referendum.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 7th August, 2026

Politics reporter

James Christmas

James Christmas on his angry teen years and ditching National

For the next three months, One MP, One Pint is morphing into One Candidate, One Pint, with parliamentary hopefuls in the hot seat. First up: the Act candidate for Tāmaki.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 7th August, 2026

Politics reporter

NZ First super-supporter Jackson Fowler has followed Winston Peters everywhere he goes on the campaign trail. (Photo: supplied. Design: The Spinoff)

The 24-year-old who wears Winston Peters’ ink

We're a party that doesn't just talk, we deliver. We don't just speculate on what tattoos we might get, we roll up our sleeves and go for gold.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 7th August, 2026

Politics reporter

From left, Labour’s finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds, Wellington Bays candidate Craig Renney, leader Chris Hipkins and small business spokesperson Dan Rosewarne.

Luck on Labour’s side as party eyes up small business ‘partnership’

The timing couldn't be better for Labour to try to woo a constituency that has never been theirs.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 6th August, 2026

Politics reporter

Cameron Brewer.

One MP, One Pint: Cameron Brewer on why being funny is the best skill an MP can have

National's newest minister on being a prank victim of David Farrar, and getting shamed by Paul Goldsmith.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 6th August, 2026

Politics reporter

Lawrence Xu-Nan and Winston Peters.

Echo Chamber: As English is made official, a ‘certain politician’ tests its limits

Respected orator Winston Peters yet again showed off his expansive vocabulary in the House.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 31st July, 2026

Politics reporter

Katie Nimon.

One MP, One Pint: Katie Nimon on Stuart Nash and the power of karma

The Napier MP on resisting toxic politics, and the laziest thing she's done this term.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 30th July, 2026

Politics reporter

Dr Claire Achmad leaves her post as children’s commissioner on Friday.

Children’s commissioner on her early exit: ‘I have a lot more left to give’

Claire Achmad has laid down a wero for her successor: 'Continue to hold decision-makers, including the government, to account.'

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 28th July, 2026

Politics reporter

Willow-Jean Prime.

One MP, One Pint: Willow-Jean Prime on juggling basketballs, babies and big issues

She had dreams of being a train driver, a basketball player and a te reo teacher, but MP isn't a bad plan B – even if she hasn't had a decent night's sleep in a decade.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 27th July, 2026

Politics reporter