Poetry for the soul

Poetry for the soul

BooksNovember 20, 2015

Books: The Friday Poem – Chum, by Brian Turner

Guest writer

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Poetry for the soul

Poetry for the soul

Chum

Likes, friends, the more chum

we spread the more our pond

fills up with eager, hungry fish.

Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung and rapper Drake

The Weekend: Nothing unites the masses like a deeply embarrassing man

And this week's man was Ray Chung.

By Madeleine Chapman | 19th July, 2025

It’s Casey Kopua’s life in television (Photo: Three / Design: Tina Tiller)

‘It fills your cup’: Netballer Casey Kopua on returning to the court in Game On

'We’ve all shown a bit of vulnerability to put ourselves back out into that public eye to be scrutinised.'

By My Life in TV | 19th July, 2025

Mountains and a mystery involving an orange Datsun are some of what inspired Gina Butson’s novel.

Mountains, memory and Mona Blades: the geology of a novel

How layers of time, memory and place form the foundations of a story.

By Gina Butson | 19th July, 2025

The New Zealand Youth Choir in 2025 and the early 2000s when the author was a member

The New Zealand Youth Choir global award shows there’s soft power in more than just sports

Labour arts spokesperson Rachel Boyack reflects on her experiences touring with the choir over 20 years ago.

By Rachel Boyack | 19th July, 2025

The Friday Poem: ‘Frost Tender’ by Rebecca Hawkes

The Friday Poem: ‘Frost Tender’ by Rebecca Hawkes

A new poem by Rebecca Hawkes.

By Rebecca Hawkes | 18th July, 2025

New books hitting the charts.

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending July 18

In which the former prime minister’s memoir is unseated by a local crime novel from 2023.

By The Spinoff Review of Books | 18th July, 2025

Eat Well For Less hosts Michael Van de Elzen and Ganesh Raj (Photo: TVNZ)

Eat Well For Less NZ couldn’t have returned at a more appropriate time

The series that teaches us how to eat healthier while saving money isn’t here to rage against the machine – though sometimes I wish it would.

By Tara Ward | 18th July, 2025

Image: Getty Images; design The Spinoff

When immunisation is a health target, why isn’t the flu vaccine free for kids?

Although it's a common illness, the flu can be very serious – even in healthy and active young people.

By Harriet Wild | 18th July, 2025

The cost of being: An international flight attendant who’s studying part-time

The cost of being: An international flight attendant who’s studying part-time

'I would love to have more money for: Travel!!'

By The Cost of Being | 18th July, 2025

Books

David Hill explains why he is dismayed that NZ had to withdraw from being Guest of Honour at the 2027 Bologna Children’s Book Fair. (Image: Tina Tiller)

‘Nose stuck in a book’ and other stubborn misconceptions around kids and reading

'How dare any government department imply that our children's books are anything less than vital to Aotearoa's future?'

By David Hill | 10th July, 2025

Contributing writer

A photograph of the Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior on the sea with a sunny blue sky with clumps of cloud above.

‘Storm clouds are gathering’: 40 years on from the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior

Helen Clark looks back at the events of 1985 and what has happened since.

By Helen Clark | 10th July, 2025

‘Keri Hulme brought me thumping back to earth’: Ross Calman’s books confessional

'I described my ideal writing situation ... a cottage by the sea away from all the distractions of modern life. She said I was really just procrastinating.'

By The Spinoff Review of Books | 9th July, 2025

Heard about The Salt Path by Raynor Winn? Here’s what to read instead

Five local books about long walks that you can reach for instead.

By Claire Mabey | 8th July, 2025

‘I’m aware I sound nuts’: How tarot helped Stacy Gregg land her biggest book deal yet

A flooded house, a manuscript about cats and several decks of tarot cards – the unlikely story behind The Last Journey.

By Stacy Gregg | 5th July, 2025