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SocietyNovember 27, 2019

The Side Eye: The Trap Life

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The Side Eye is a monthly non-fiction comic by Toby Morris, supported by NZ On Air. Read the rest of the series here.

Please stop calling the Spanish consulate. It’s just Tasha

Please stop calling the Spanish consulate. It’s just Tasha

'I wanted to help, but I live in Kaitaia. I don’t even know what the Spanish embassy is.'

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 16th July, 2026

Politics reporter

Sweet dreams are made of these (Screengrab)

Did we just witness Shortland Street’s most bonkers episode yet?

Even after 34 years, our longest-running soap is still full of surprises.

By Tara Ward | 15th July, 2026

Dating Files: A 33-year-old who’s ‘profoundly aware of my biological clock’

Dating Files: A 33-year-old who’s ‘profoundly aware of my biological clock’

'If a man can't confidently pick up dinner on the first date, he is definitely not picking up any emotional labour or future childcare.'

By Dating Files | 15th July, 2026

The Pai Mārire faith plays an important role in the retelling of the story. (Image: RNZ).

NZ Wars: Waerenga-a-Hika is necessary viewing for healing the past

A story of survival and hope for an iwi forced off their lands.

By Liam Rātana | 15th July, 2026

Jackie Lee Morrison had some time on her hands, so she started a free festival platforming marginalised writers.

A new, free festival puts marginalised writers on the main stage

'At big festivals we always end up in the side rooms.'

By Claire Mabey

& Jackie Lee Morrison | 15th July, 2026

Photos: Lachlan Woods Davidson; design: The Spinoff

The Michelin man should’ve made more room at the table

If spring rolls piled high on paper plates can win Bib Gourmands abroad, why not butter chicken pies stuffed into white paper bags here?

By Lachlan Woods-Davidson | 15th July, 2026

Paul Henry is running for parliament – and could be a bigger problem for Luxon than for Labour

Paul Henry is running for parliament – and could be a bigger problem for Luxon than for Labour

The controversial broadcaster has announced he is standing for Act in the 2026 election.

By Henry Oliver | 15th July, 2026

Bulletin editor

Chris Bishop has been saddled with the task of restoring economic reality. (Image: Tina Tiller)

Who could have predicted this? National can’t afford its roads

It was easy to figure out Simeon Brown’s roading promises were a fantasy from the start. He still got an easy ride from much of our media.

By Hayden Donnell | 15th July, 2026

Image by Tina Tiller

100 more outstanding New Zealand songs that didn’t make RNZ’s Waiata 100 list

There is simply too much good New Zealand music out there.

By The Spinoff | 15th July, 2026

Society

We must go back. (Image: Tina Tiller)

What are they up to? The people who kept their Hotmail email addresses

Once derided as luddites, Hotmail holdouts have watched their ancient email provider become cool again.

By Hayden Donnell | 14th July, 2026

‘It’s relentless’: What it’s like to be an ED nurse in New Zealand right now

'It really feels like shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic'

By The Spinoff | 14th July, 2026

I was lost – no, actually, literally lost – without my smartphone

Forced to live without, I realised how many different parts of my brain my phone had been replacing – and how much those parts had atrophied over time.

By Naomi Arnold | 13th July, 2026

I’m a referee – I want to quit because of the abuse

Wellington rugby refs refused to take the field over the weekend due to ongoing abuse. But it’s not just a rugby problem.

By Guest Writer | 13th July, 2026

Love, actually, at 31: A ‘sexually non-exclusive’ couple who can’t agree on having kids

'I would feel terrible bringing kids into this world, but she thinks I would make a good dad.'

By Love actually | 12th July, 2026