John Key addresses a bunch of slack-jawed hacks.

John Key addresses a bunch of slack-jawed hacks.

MediaDecember 9, 2016

The Figure-Friday quiz: has New Zealand really changed since 2008?

Staff writers

Share Story

×

×

Share Story

×

John Key addresses a bunch of slack-jawed hacks.

John Key addresses a bunch of slack-jawed hacks.

John Key was first elected Prime Minister in 2008. What was New Zealand like when the era of radio banter, ponytail pulling, and bad singing was just beginning?

Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here.

Donald Trump, Benjamin Netenyahu and Winston Peters

New Zealand and Gaza: Confronting and not confronting the unspeakable

New Zealand has been firm in its stance against Israel’s onslaught on Gaza, yet has been silent on the United States’ enabling of it.

By Robert Patman | 17th March, 2025

David Parker. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

David Parker on what Trump and a whiplash world mean for New Zealand

A wide-ranging conversation with the opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs.

By Toby Manhire | 15th March, 2025

Editor-at-large

Yes, this also happened in the book.

Reading Bridget Jones’s Diary as a thirty-something

Gabi Lardies reflects on the week that was.

By Gabi Lardies | 15th March, 2025

Image: The Spinoff

The Spinoff Essay: All my daughter’s daddies

The highs, lows and silver linings of single-parenting a toddler.

By Alice Neville | 15th March, 2025

Makeshift Seasons by Kate Camp at the beach (Photo: Caoimhe McKeogh)

Why I won’t write about swimming

Poet Kate Camp learned to swim late in life. Now it's a defining component of her identity. But why won't she write about it?

By Kate Camp | 15th March, 2025

‘It was the worst’: Dominic Ona-Ariki’s musical howler on Shortland Street

‘It was the worst’: Dominic Ona-Ariki’s musical howler on Shortland Street

The star of Secrets at Red Rocks, Double Parked and One Lane Bridge takes us through his life in television.

By My Life in TV | 15th March, 2025

Tonight (Friday March 14), approx 7.30-8pm (NZT): if you miss it, you’ll be filled with regret. (Image: The Spinoff)

Urgent PSA: there is a lunar eclipse tonight

Where, when and how to admire this evening’s celestial event.

By Shanti Mathias | 14th March, 2025

The Friday Poem: ‘My grief is like a never-ending anticipation of impending dooms’

The Friday Poem: ‘My grief is like a never-ending anticipation of impending dooms’

A new poem by Ted Greensmith-West.

By Ted Greensmith-West | 14th March, 2025

Three award-nominated books and authors that are all also appearing at Auckland Writers Festival.

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending March 14

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is back.

By The Spinoff Review of Books | 14th March, 2025

Media

The Weekend: Leaders with poor convictions and scripted communications

The Weekend: Leaders with poor convictions and scripted communications

Gabi Lardies reflects on the week that was.

By Gabi Lardies | 1st March, 2025

Photo: Ben Fagan

The Fold: Will Substack save journalism? Or destroy it?

Two of New Zealand's most successful Substackers join Duncan Greive for The Fold: live in Wellington.

By The Spinoff | 25th February, 2025

Brian Tamaki, Simon Court and Mark Mitchell smiling in 2017

The Weekend: This week felt like 2017

Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was.

By Madeleine Chapman | 22nd February, 2025

(Image: Getty, additional design: Archi Banal)

The Fold: Australia’s media lost more than half its value in five years. How and why?

Journalist and author Tim Burrowes on a torrid decade in Australian media, and whether there are reasons to be optimistic amid the carnage.

By The Spinoff | 18th February, 2025

The Weekend: Being single vs being alone

The Weekend: Being single vs being alone

Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was.

By Madeleine Chapman | 15th February, 2025