Pop Culture

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The Spinoff Members

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Move over meat and dairy – these are our highest quality exports. 

How does New Zealand produce so many successful child actors?

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New documentary gives insight into what is driving the country's youth to carry out ram raids and why prison might not be the answer.

Review: Ram Raid Mums provides a blueprint for breaking the cycle

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‘If I didn't do it, no other bugger would.’

The small town cinemas holding on at the edge of the world

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Including a new Christmas eve action film to rival Die Hard, good news for Inside Out fans and a 90s romantic classic. 

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

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'That's the thing about live TV, and especially live sports ... there's always that element of jeopardy.'

‘Damn near knocked me out’: Scotty Stevenson’s biggest live TV headache

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'This laid down a challenge that I couldn’t ignore, and haunted me for much of my life...'

‘Māori Bass should be its own genre’: Mokotron’s perfect weekend playlist

Gabi Lardies

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Some much-needed life is being breathed back into Auckland's all-ages scene. Two former underage gig-goers enter the mosh once more.

Review: Double Whammy’s first all-ages gig proves punk is for the children

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A few all-time classics, a couple of new releases, some that stretch the definition of 'Christmas movie'... and Lindsay Lohan in a pear tree.

Our favourite Christmas movies and where to watch them

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There are better ways to support the artists who got you through 2024.

A reminder about your Spotify Wrapped 

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In a Q+A interview on Sunday, the prime minister said 'what I say to you is' 26 times in 30 minutes. 

A journey through the 26 times Luxon said ‘what I say to you is’ on Q+A

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Meticulously put together, energy sky high, not a single moment or movement or cowboy hat wasted.

Review: Troye Sivan turns Spark Arena into a sexy, sweaty spectacle 

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Including another side of ram raids, a new Star Wars adventure, and the Marmalade-loving bear we all need right now.

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From meditative surfer types to raps that rhyme Hone Heke with 'teke', here's the best bits we caught at The Others Way festival on Saturday.

Six hours and 10 acts at The Others Way

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The comedian takes us through his life in television, including the genius of Spongebob and the pitfalls of being 'the Burger King guy'.

‘Blood everywhere’: David Correos on his shocking Give Us a Clue appearance

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From naughty grooves to rock'n'roll that refuses to sink into the swamp – 10 tunes that make Sam Fowles' weekend perfect.

‘It’s so funky here, you can smell it’: Sam Fowles’ perfect weekend playlist

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Here's your chance to catch up on the best local shows you might have missed this year.

Where to watch all the big winners from the NZ TV Awards

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It's the first Disney film in an indigenous language to premiere at the same time as its English equivalent – and it could be a game-changer for Aotearoa.

Moana 2 Reo Māori makes history

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Including HBO's latest crime drama, Martin Scorsese's new Beatles documentary and a season with the Chiefs.

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If you're a fan of cosy British biopics and Bill Nighy swearing in a lab coat, this is the film for you.

Review: Thomasin McKenzie out-sasses Bill Nighy in Netflix’s Joy

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'Whenever you're writing about TV, there's always a bit of memoir in it.'

‘You bring your whole life to watching TV’: Critic Diana Wichtel on a life in review

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The long-awaited drama about the new Interislander ferries reaches a pivotal moment.

An ‘announcement of an announcement’ of two new boats

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From 'testing' to 'tiring', there's a clear theme.

The world in 2024, in one sentence

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From fried chicken and franchises to fusion and fine dining, Korean cuisine has taken over Tāmaki Makaurau.

The inside story of Auckland’s Korean culinary boom

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The government says it's a 'technology-led approach'. Critics say it's an 'abject failure'. 

The finalised second Emissions Reduction Plan is out – what’s in it and what’s not?

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The writer and professor shares some of his favourite books – and the one he'd purge from his memory if he could.

‘A sick wish fulfilment fantasy, so badly written’: Harry Ricketts’ biggest book regret

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Our legendary guide is back to help you through another silly season.

Kirihimete gift guide 2024: cool stuff from Māori and Pasifika-led brands

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A much maligned old friend is reborn as a field of dreams. 

How Mt Smart turned into the most electrifying Auckland destination of 2024

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Leaked emails and documents show that the media giant will soon break apart – opening up a range of options for owner Sinead Boucher.

Stuff ‘consciously uncouples’ into two separate digital and print businesses

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With funding stagnant since 2008, the broadcaster is racing to adapt to a digital world – but at what cost?

With its daily news bulletin scrapped, what’s next for Whakaata Māori?

Nothing delivers authority or menace like a deep, rumbly voice. Join José Barbosa on a journey of discovery, from 

, as he celebrates TV’s deepest, most sonorous voices.

Click below to enjoy the brand new, extra gravelly season of 

, coming express to Lightbox every Sunday

This content, like all television coverage we do at The Spinoff, is brought you thanks to the excellent folk at Lightbox. Do us and yourself a favour by 

clicking here to start a FREE 30 day trial of this truly wonderful service.

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Join José Barbosa on a journey of the larynx as he celebrates some of TV's lowest, most gravelly voices. Warning: may rattle windows and loosen bowels.

The Spinoff

Pop CultureJanuary 28, 2016

Video – The Spinoff salutes television’s most gravelly voices

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Pop CultureJanuary 28, 2016

Video – The Spinoff salutes television’s most gravelly voices

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