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The rope line at Waitangi – and what it taught me about powerLiam Rātana ponders exclusion, access, and the uncomfortable reality of flashing a media pass and being waved through into the roped-off area at Waitangi.By Liam Rātana | 7th February, 2026Ātea editor
Lolita is harmful filth. Or is it a satirical masterpiece?Nabokov’s controversial novel is back in the headlines after popping up in the Epstein files. Here's why it sparks such heated debate.By Claire Mabey | 7th February, 2026Books editor
‘Ripe with humour and heart’: Seed by Elisabeth Easther, reviewedWhat’s a little bit of sperm between friends, after all? By Tara Ward | 7th February, 2026Staff writer
How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics from New Zealand: Everything you need to knowWhen it’s on, how to watch, our medal hopefuls, and one prediction.By Calum Henderson | 7th February, 2026Production editor
Waiata of Waitangi: What parliamentarians sang'Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi' is a classic, but maybe it's time to find another waiata to make famous.By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 7th February, 2026Politics reporter
The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending February 6Award nominees, new novels and old favourites.By The Spinoff Review of Books | 6th February, 2026⚖️
Good Week/Bad Week: Peeni Henare gets to leave politics and Shane Jones channels Lady WhistledownAll anyone can hope for when they begin a career in politics is that one day they’ll be allowed out to be a normal person.By Joel MacManus | 6th February, 2026Senior writer
Laneway review: Chappell Roan, Wolf Alice and many other glorious actsHoly fucking shit! Chappell fucking Roan! How to even sum her up?By Group Think | 6th February, 2026A bunch of people
Taonga and top hats: Slick fits from the Waitangi Treaty GroundsWaitangi is the perfect place to make a political statement with your fashion.By Liam Rātana | 6th February, 2026Ātea editor
Rent is getting cheaper. Here’s why that’s not necessarily a good thingNo, New Zealand has not magically transformed into a more equitable place for the young, poor and disenfranchised.By Joel MacManus | 3rd February, 2026Senior writer
Impressive: Winston Peters is in government and opposition at the same timeFinding a way not only to elude anger over the government's performance, but actively benefit from it, might be the NZ First leader's most impressive MMP magic trick yet.By Hayden Donnell | 2nd February, 2026Senior writer
There’s a reason we’re obsessed with stressful entertainmentWe used to watch TV and go to to the movies to relax. What happened? By Alex Casey | 31st January, 2026Senior writer
From Jolene to Jonah: How pop culture influences New Zealand baby namesWhat we call our kids can reveal a lot about national obsessions.By Shanti MathiasContributing writer & Alice Neville | 31st January, 2026Deputy editor