A collage shows people walking together holding woven bags, a group seated outdoors being filmed by media crews, and a press conference with speakers and microphones. Text reads "WAITANGI 2026.

Photos: Getty Images; Hayden Donnell

PoliticsFebruary 5, 2026

Live updates from Waitangi: Luxon’s speech met with boos and heckles

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A collage shows people walking together holding woven bags, a group seated outdoors being filmed by media crews, and a press conference with speakers and microphones. Text reads "WAITANGI 2026.

Photos: Getty Images; Hayden Donnell

All the news from Waitangi as it happens.

David Seymour at parliament. Photo: Getty

Distasteful, unnecessary, offensive: RNZ board member on David Seymour attacks

Of course the board is appointed ‘with purpose’, the deputy PM says in response.

By Toby Manhire | 19th May, 2026

Editor-at-large

Photo: Michael Klajban/CC BY-SA 4.0; design by The Spinoff

The quiet but major shift slipped in among the conservation law reforms

A late addition to the suite of reforms changes the overarching purpose of the Conservation Act. Its impact could be profound.

By Melanie Nelson | 19th May, 2026

Image: The Spinoff

The cost of being: A ‘broke’ student who forks out to spend time with friends

'Where do I see myself in five years? Definitely better off. Any level of employment would be an improvement.'

By The Cost of Being | 19th May, 2026

Winston Peters and his object of desire. (Photo: Getty Images/Victor Komarovsky/The Spinoff)

‘Preposterous. Crazy. Off the planet loopy’: Peters’ BNZ plan meets its critics

NZ First's plan to buy back the Bank of New Zealand has attracted scepticism – even downright ridicule – from across the political spectrum.

By Catherine McGregor | 19th May, 2026

Contributing writer

Peter Newport, journalist and founder of Crux Media. Image: Joel MacManus

How Queenstown’s Crux Media became a ‘one-man crusade’

The strange saga of New Zealand’s most controversial local news startup.

By Joel MacManus | 19th May, 2026

The prevalence of choking in pornography is having real world impacts.

Sexual assault clinics raise alarm about ‘worrying’ strangulation rates in under-25s

'It's a huge problem that we're only seeing a very thin end of the wedge of'

By Alex Casey | 19th May, 2026

Vince Geddes In-Depth Journalism Fund 2026 opens

Vince Geddes In-Depth Journalism Fund 2026 opens

Freelance journalists can apply to the fund.

By The Spinoff | 19th May, 2026

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 the final ever season of Hacks, and the return of Jack Ryan.

By Thomas Giblin | 18th May, 2026

The ‘K’road Ballroom dress’ by Doris de Pont and John Pule, 2004. Yuki Kihara Dresstories, 2026, Milford Gallery. (Images: NZ Fashion Museum, Aotearoa Art Fair).

If fashion is art, why doesn’t CNZ fund it?

Fashion design being explicitly excluded in Creative New Zealand's funding criteria because of its 'commercial' nature is 'absolute rubbish', say critics.

By Emma Gleason | 18th May, 2026

Contributing writer

Politics

Design: Tina Tiller

Updated: A timeline of Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong’s dramatic first term

But wait, there's more.

By Tara Ward | 15th May, 2026

Tom Rutherford.

One MP, One Pint: Tom Rutherford on the coward punch that changed his life

The Bay of Plenty MP is the baby of the National Party, a newly-wed and a local boy 'trying to do my best'.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 14th May, 2026

Opposition warns reforms open up conservation estate to sale as government pushes on

Modernising conservation management and cutting red tape, or putting 'commercialisation over conservation'?

By Russell Palmer of RNZ | 13th May, 2026

Māori politics just got even more interesting

With Te Pāti Māori splintering, a new party in the north and the possible reappearance of a familiar face, the battle for the Māori seats is set to be one for the ages.

By Liam Rātana | 13th May, 2026

The Maiki Sherman saga: What actually happened

Emotions are running high and allegations are being thrown around. But what do we actually know about the lead up to the TVNZ journalist's resignation?

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 12th May, 2026