Kia ora

The Spinoff

  • The Spinoff
  • Politics
  • Pop Culture
  • Ātea
  • Podcasts

Sections

  • Video
  • Kai
  • Internet
  • Partners
  • Science
  • Society
  • Books
  • Sports
  • Media
  • Business
Search for an author...

SEARCH


AUTHOR SEARCH

Search for an author...

Sections

  • Video
  • Society
  • Kai
  • Books
  • Internet
  • Sports
  • Partners
  • Media
  • Science
  • Business

About

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • About us
  • Jobs
  • Use of Generative AI 

Members

Subscribe

  • Newsletters

Events

  • All Events
  • Auckland
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin

Featured

Protestors approach the rope line at Waitangi 2026. (Photo: Liam Rātana).

The rope line at Waitangi – and what it taught me about power

Liam Rātana ponders exclusion, access, and the uncomfortable reality of flashing a media pass and being waved through into the roped-off area at Waitangi.
avatar
By Liam Rātana | 7th February, 2026
Ātea editor
How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics from New Zealand: Everything you need to know

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics from New Zealand: Everything you need to know

When it’s on, how to watch, our medal hopefuls, and one prediction.
avatar
By Calum Henderson | 7th February, 2026
Production editor
Waiata of Waitangi: What parliamentarians sang

Waiata of Waitangi: What parliamentarians sang

'Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi' is a classic, but maybe it's time to find another waiata to make famous.
avatar
By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 7th February, 2026
Politics reporter
Peeni Henare and Shane Jones had mad beef this week.

Good Week/Bad Week: Peeni Henare gets to leave politics and Shane Jones channels Lady Whistledown

All anyone can hope for when they begin a career in politics is that one day they’ll be allowed out to be a normal person.
avatar
By Joel MacManus | 6th February, 2026
Senior writer
Chappell Roan. I mean holy fucking shit.

Laneway review: Chappell Roan, Wolf Alice and many other glorious acts

Holy fucking shit! Chappell fucking Roan! How to even sum her up?
avatar
By Group Think | 6th February, 2026
A bunch of people
Protestors march towards the Te Whare Runanga on Waitangi Day February 06, 2007 (Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Ranginui Walker: Te Tiriti and the abyss of meaning

If you read one piece of writing today, make it this.
avatar
By Ranginui Walker | 6th February, 2026
Guest writer
Lawrence Krauss, Peter Theil, Brian Boyd and Harlene Hayne are among the people with ties to New Zealand who feature in the Epstein files. Image: Tina Tiller.

The Epstein files and NZ: Managers, models and the Kiwi billionaire

A controversial billionaire, an esteemed professor and two property managers are among the New Zealanders with links to the notorious sex trafficker.
avatar
By Joel MacManus | 5th February, 2026
Senior writer
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds are in Pōneke this week.

Waitangi Day, Laneway, Nick Cave and Nostalgia: The Spinoff event guide

Reasons to leave the house this week.
avatar
By Claire Mabey | 5th February, 2026
Books editor
90s Raglan grommet life (Photos: Olly Coddington)

Surfing’s elite are coming to Raglan. But I was there when a great slipped in to ride our waves

The time some of Raglan's most annoying little shits spotted an international surfing legend riding the left-hand break.
By Luke McPake | 3rd February, 2026
Guest writer
Scotty Morrison presents the third season of Origins (Photo: TVNZ)

Scotty Morrison on why every New Zealander should watch Origins

'To be able to physically go and see the areas that are in our oral traditions... that really enriched my knowledge of who I am and what our origin story is.'
avatar
By Tara Ward | 3rd February, 2026
Staff writer
The effects of TikTok’s transition period have been felt by users around the world. (Design: The Spinoff. Map: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Map 3307)

Why New Zealand is seeing the impact of the sale of TikTok US

Users here and abroad have been complaining about technical glitches, blocked words and censorship. What's going on?
avatar
By Emma Gleason | 3rd February, 2026
Contributing writer
Image: The Spinoff

Flippin’ heck! New Zealanders are getting less tolerant of swearing

It may have been a big year for swears, but 2025 saw New Zealanders clutching their pearls over rude words more than ever.
avatar
By Stacey Wood | 3rd February, 2026
Guest writer
New To Streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week

New To Streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week

Including a new American workplace comedy and a thriller performance to rival Hannibal Lecter.
avatar
By Thomas Giblin | 2nd February, 2026
Guest writer
Watch out for overly potent MDMA this summer (Image: Tina Tiller)

FYI, that MDMA in your pocket might be extra extra strong

Many drugs are more potent, more affordable and more available this summer.
avatar
By Emma Gleason | 2nd February, 2026
Contributing writer
Nicola Russell’s new employer will pay a 17% superannuation contribution.
Opinion

KiwiSaver vs Australian Super: there’s no comparison

Christopher Luxon says if National is in government after the election he’ll increase KiwiSaver contributions to match Australia’s 12% rate. But the comparison just doesn’t add up.
By Nicola Russell | 2nd February, 2026
Guest writer
There’s a reason we’re obsessed with stressful entertainment

There’s a reason we’re obsessed with stressful entertainment

We used to watch TV and go to to the movies to relax. What happened?
avatar
By Alex Casey | 31st January, 2026
Senior writer
Are over-consultative managerial middle class parents the prime architects of this shift?

The pitch deck generation

How kids hack tired parents with PowerPoint presentations to get what they want.
avatar
By Henry Oliver | 31st January, 2026
Guest writer
It’s the end of an era. (Photo: The Spinoff)

Last call: Legendary K Road watering hole Charlie’s shuts its doors

Inside the final days of the famous bar – and what's next for the family behind it.
avatar
By Emma Gleason | 31st January, 2026
Contributing writer
Peaks of the week for January 30.

Good Week/Bad Week: Trump must do without Luxon’s contribution to global diplomacy

How will the US president solve Gaza’s problems without knowing what Luxon would say to you?
avatar
By Joel MacManus | 30th January, 2026
Senior writer
David Seymour.

Echo Chamber: King David Seymour the fifth

What's more embarrassing: having cabinet overrule your decisions, or getting the name of your boss wrong?
avatar
By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 30th January, 2026
Politics reporter

Sections

  • Video
  • Kai
  • Internet
  • Partners
  • Science
  • Society
  • Books
  • Sports
  • Media
  • Business

About

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Use of Generative AI 
  • Advertise
  • Jobs

Members

  • Donate
  • Members terms

Subscribe

  • Newsletters

Events

  • All Events
  • Wellington
  • Dunedin
  • Auckland
  • Christchurch

FOLLOW US

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Privacy PolicyThe Spinoff Members Terms and ConditionsThe Spinoff Advertising Terms and Conditions

The Spinoff is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must be first directed in writing, within one month of publication, to info@thespinoff.co.nz. 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.

© The Spinoff 2026
×
▼

Loading...