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Molesworth Station will be managed by Ngāi Tahu Farming. (Photo: Department of Conservation)

Fresh footsteps on old trails: Māori are returning to manage Molesworth Station

The country's largest farm will be managed by Ngāi Tahu.
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By Meriana Johnsen | 13th August, 2026
Guest writer
Luxon at the lectern in April. (Photo: Annaleise Shortland/New Zealand Herald via Getty Images)
Opinion

Yesterday Luxon won, again. Who lost?

Call it a cluster, call it a shitshow: the result is a pair of grim sequels. 
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By Toby Manhire | 13th August, 2026
Editor-at-large
Gone By Lunchtime (Image: Tina Tiller)

Gone By Lunchtime: Do you get déjà coup?

An emergency response to an emergency showdown at the OK caucus. 
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By The Spinoff | 12th August, 2026
Staff writers
The OUSA political leaders debate (Photo and composite image: The Spinoff)

Eight parties vie for students’ votes in raucous Dunedin election debate

Featuring an orange man, curtains and the politest protest in history.
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By Tara Ward | 12th August, 2026
Staff writer
Christopher Luxon (Photo: Getty Images. Design: The Spinoff)

The highs and many lows of Christopher Luxon’s leadership

With a recent run of gaffes, difficulties managing his coalition partners, and two almost-coups, it’s easy to forget that Luxon has also had some significant wins in his time in politics. 
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By Joel MacManus | 12th August, 2026
Senior writer
Dating Files: A 44-year-old man who’s ‘done so many speed dating events it’s not funny’

Dating Files: A 44-year-old man who’s ‘done so many speed dating events it’s not funny’

'When I was travelling I met a woman and we had a really good connection over two dates. That was three years ago, but she has always stuck in my mind. Sad huh?'
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By Dating Files | 12th August, 2026
Guest writer
Another day, another epic caucus meeting. No, this shot wasn’t taken today, Speaker. We know the rules. (Photo by Robert Kitchin-Pool/Getty Images)

The scene inside the National caucus room

Possibly.
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By Toby Manhire | 12th August, 2026
Editor-at-large
Christopher Luxon (Photo: Getty Images. Image design: The Spinoff)

Groundhog Day: Christopher Luxon calls a meeting about his leadership – again

The prime minister's hold on the National leadership is again looking shaky. Here's what you need to know.
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By Veronica Schmidt | 11th August, 2026
Editor
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. 
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By Alex Casey | 11th August, 2026
Senior writer
Paddy Gower: has issues (Photo: Supplied)

Paddy Gower on the best advice Winston Peters ever gave him

'I'm still figuring out what he meant.'
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By Life Advice | 11th August, 2026
Guest writer
Chris Hipkins (Photo: Getty Images. Design: The Spinoff)

‘Minimum viable opposition’: Is Labour’s election strategy backfiring?

Despite weeks of bad headlines for the government, Labour’s poll numbers seem to be flat or falling. What's going on?
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By Joel MacManus | 11th August, 2026
Senior writer
When the self-checkout machine asks me to scan my loyalty card, I close my eyes and press ‘skip’. (Image: The Spinoff)
Opinion

Rage against the machine: I refuse to join any supermarket rewards programmes

It's potentially a futile and quite costly protest, but it’s the one I have chosen.
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By Madeleine Chapman | 11th August, 2026
Contributing editor
David Seymour, Chris Bishop, Winston Peters, Barbara Edmonds and Lawrence Xu-Nan are just some of the MPs their peers love to name drops. (Images: Getty Images/The Spinoff)

The 20 most popular MPs, ranked by other MPs

Bugger the pollsters: The Spinoff reveals who actually has the most clout in parliament.
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By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 10th August, 2026
Politics reporter
Image design: Tina Tiller

NZ’s retirement village population is almost entirely white. Where is everyone else?

Caring for family elders is an ingrained cultural expectation for many New Zealanders, for whom it's both privilege and burden.
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By Madeleine Chapman | 10th August, 2026
Contributing editor
Love, actually, at 51: ‘We have different political views, which is an ongoing source of tension’

Love, actually, at 51: ‘We have different political views, which is an ongoing source of tension’

'We just don't talk about politics any more.'
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By Love actually | 9th August, 2026
Guest writer
John Moughan, Alex Hudson and Matt Pedley have a mini empire of hospitality in Hamilton

Where to eat in central Hamilton – an insider’s guide

Where to go for icy desserts, perfect coffee, spicy bowls of noodles, and more, according to the trio behind some of Kirikiriroa's most celebrated hospitality venues.
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By Charlotte Muru-Lanning | 8th August, 2026
Contributing writer
Gone By Lunchtime (Image: Tina Tiller)

Gone By Lunchtime: What is Mr Luxon doing?

The unforced error problem.
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By The Spinoff | 7th August, 2026
Staff writers
Qiulae Wong has led Opportunity to the best poll result in the party’s history.

The Opportunity Party wave is real, new poll confirms

Labour takes a dive and Luxon breathes a sigh of relief.
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By Toby Manhire | 7th August, 2026
Editor-at-large
Hannah Marshall as Harry and Pax Assadi as Sal in Settling (Photo: SPP/Three)

Review: Settling is a TV rom-com that’s easy to fall in love with

Three’s new series puts a delightful local spin on a popular genre.
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By Tara Ward | 7th August, 2026
Staff writer
It’s a party bag. (Photos: Getty; supplied)

The Spinoff fires the starting gun on Election 2026

Unwrap some new, tasty democracy-flavoured treats.
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By Veronica Schmidt | 7th August, 2026
Editor

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The Spinoff is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, via our contact page. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the online complaint form at www.presscouncil.org.nz along with a link to the relevant story and all correspondence with the publication.

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