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MediaJuly 27, 2018

Good week, bad week with Toby Manhire

By Toby Manhire

Editor-at-large

Screen Shot 2018-07-26 at 7.08.37 PM

The Spinoff’s editor reviews the last seven days in New Zealand news, sorting out those riding high from those who wish they could crawl back under the bedcovers.

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Pineapple custard filled pies from Sāmoa. (Image: Archi Banal)

Recipe: Sāmoan paifala pineapple pies

Nothing beats a freshly baked pineapple pie from the Pacific.

By Sela Jane Hopgood

Pacific communities editor | Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air

Sally Morgan’s mum, Jean (Photo supplied, additional design by Archi Banal)

Mum, Covid and the DNR we did not want

Across England, and without consultation, elderly Covid patients were taken out by Do Not Resuscitate orders.

By Sally J Morgan

Image: The Spinoff / Archi Banal

Sausage sizzle chaos: What happened when the The Spinoff met Masterchef

As Masterchef NZ returns to our screens, four Spinoff staff get a 'terrifying' taste of what it’s like to cook for the three new judges.

By Charlotte Muru-Lanning

The Sunday Essay: Growing up with Shortland Street

The Sunday Essay: Growing up with Shortland Street

An ode to Shortland Street by Rebecca K Reilly, who watched from the very beginning.

By Rebecca K Reilly

David Farrier on the buzziest Shortland Street interviews of his career

David Farrier on the buzziest Shortland Street interviews of his career

'There were no questions on my notepad, only prompts: Alien Life. Conspiracy Theories. Women. The Pyramids.'

By David Farrier

Contributing writer

Perfume Genius, acclaimed musician, unhinged tweeter. (Image Design: Archi Banal)

The two wolves inside Perfume Genius

He's a highly successful indie musician, but many people only know him for his wild tweets.

Staff feature writer

Amy Satterthwaite leaves the field after being dismissed during the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and England at Eden Park on March 20, 2022. (Photo: Fiona Goodall-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Chasing Amy away

Was dropping a player as talented as Amy Satterthwaite the right move by NZ Cricket?

By Dylan Cleaver

Contributing writer

The gates at Footrot Flats Fun Park were open for a good time, not a long time. (Image: Archi Banal)

‘Disneyland of the Pacific’: The rise and fall of West Auckland’s Footrot Flats Fun Park

What became of the fun park that was meant to be 'bigger than Rainbow's End'?

By Chris Schulz

Behind the music: Making the Shortland Street theme song

Behind the music: Making the Shortland Street theme song

Please stand for the unofficial national anthem of Aotearoa.

Mad Chapman, Editor

Aotearoa continues to adapt to a new reality and The Spinoff is right there, sorting fact from fiction to bring you the latest updates and biggest stories. Help us continue this coverage, and so much more, by supporting The Spinoff Members.Madeleine Chapman, EditorJoin Members

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Departing Able NZ chief executive Wendy Youens (Photo: Supplied / Tina Tiller)

Able and the battle to make NZ television accessible to all

Around 40% of us regularly use closed captions when watching TV. Accessibility is huge – but are broadcasters getting it right?

By Duncan Greive

CEO / Publisher

Image: Tina Tiller

TVNZ-RNZ likely to be detached from NZ On Air in biggest media reforms since 1989

NZ On Air’s decades-long dominance of public media funding is set to be upended, sources say.

By Duncan Greive

CEO / Publisher

Ashley Bloomfield finishes as director general of health at the end of July. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Bogus Ashley Bloomfield vaccine letter goes viral among US far right and QAnon followers

The faked letter, which has spread across Facebook, Twitter and Telegram, peddles the falsehood that unvaccinated New Zealanders face a $15,000 fine or jail time.

By Toby Manhire

Editor-at-large

David Shanks is finishing up after five years as chief censor. Image: Tina Tiller

‘I don’t feel it’s done me lasting damage’: David Shanks on five years as chief censor

As he leaves the role, Shanks tells us what he's seen, and why the system needs to change.

By Toby Manhire

Editor-at-large

Image: Tina Tiller

The curious case of The Pilgrim, a decade-old script tearing the screen industry apart

The chief executive of the Film Commission is on leave and lawyers are involved as a row over a screen project heats up.

By Duncan Greive

CEO / Publisher