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Pacific profiles: Hele Christopher-Ikimotu on keeping Banaban culture alive

'Many people – even within our Pacific communities – don’t know we exist.'

By Litia Tuiburelevu | 10th February, 2026

What it’s like to spend summer on a remote subantarctic island

'It feels like time is flying by, because everything we’re doing is directly in front of us... you can’t ever think too hard about the outside world.'

By Alex Casey | 10th February, 2026

You can trace NZ’s lack of AI regulation back to Flight of the Conchords

As a nation, we're so anxious about being left behind that we're apparently unwilling to take a sober-minded look at this burgeoning tech phenomenon.

By Tom Augustine | 10th February, 2026

The cost of being: A charity worker back in New Zealand after a year off in Europe

'We had the most incredible year that I will never regret – but it was financially very stressful.'

By The Cost of Being | 10th February, 2026

Insurance policy or expensive detour? The government bets on LNG

Ministers say importing LNG will stabilise the energy system and save millions. Opponents argue it's a short-term fix we could end up regretting for decades.

By Catherine McGregor | 10th February, 2026

Contributing writer

We’ll soon now whether Te Huia is going off the rails.

Idea: Let’s not screw up our train system just as it’s getting good

As Auckland’s rail network finally gets up and running, we're at risk of losing the upper North Island’s only regional train service.

By Hayden Donnell | 10th February, 2026

New Zealand emergency rooms: No place for old men (or women)

New Zealand emergency rooms: No place for old men (or women)

Arriving at a hospital emergency department can spell the start of a downward spiral for elderly people. Can't we do things differently? Yes, according to two NZ hospitals.

By Venetia Sherson | 10th February, 2026

The Fold: The Warehouse’s big, brave ad bet

The Fold: The Warehouse’s big, brave ad bet

Glen Kyne and Duncan Greive discuss a flood of major media stories.

By The Spinoff | 10th February, 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

Between a new Tom Sainsbury show and the return of Married at First Sight Australia, there's no shortage of colourful characters this week.

By Thomas Giblin | 9th February, 2026

Illustration: Toby Morris; photos: Mike Chillingworth CC BY-SA 4.0; design: Tina Tiller

Siouxsie Wiles: Why this giant worm should be crowned New Zealand’s best bug

It's more than a metre long and can expel glowing yellow ooze from its anus. Doesn't that sound like Bug of the Year material to you?

By Siouxsie Wiles | 9th February, 2026

Tom Sainsbury in Small Town Scandal. Image: Supplied

The small town scandals that made Tom Sainsbury

The creator and star of Small Town Scandal on how growing up on a dairy farm helped shape his comedic voice.

By Alex Casey | 9th February, 2026

Are more storms coming for Airbnb and other short-term accomodation providers? (Image: The Spinoff)

Is 2026 the year New Zealand councils crack down on Airbnb operators?

They're supposed to pay higher rates and abide by the rules, but many don't – which critics say exacerbates housing shortages.

By Shanti Mathias | 9th February, 2026

A Wellington Water graphic showing the the epicentre of the sewage overflow at Moa Point, marked by the pink star. The red stars are water testing locations, while the overlay shows the extent of the rāhui. (Image: Wellington Water)

How Wellington’s sewage crisis exposed years of dysfunction

The Moa Point wastewater plant failure has reignited criticism over under-investment – and raised serious questions about the company that runs it.

By Catherine McGregor | 9th February, 2026

It’s been a rollercoaster.

Allbirds at 10: How a $6 billion sustainable footwear dream unravelled

A decade on from those first wool sneakers, let’s trace the road from 2016 to 2026.

By Emma Gleason | 9th February, 2026