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NZ TV

David Lomas’s life in TV (Image: Tina Tiller)

‘I’ve watched them all’: David Lomas on his soft spot for rom coms

'They are a bit like my own programme I suppose, in that they always have a happy ending.'
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By My Life in TV | 26th December, 2025
Guest writer
What it was like to have Fred Dagg as a dad

What it was like to have Fred Dagg as a dad

'We always felt like we shared him.'
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By Alex Casey | 22nd December, 2025
Senior writer
Image: Tina Tiller

Why are our TV ads so hellish now? 

New Zealand’s television commercials were once a point of national pride. What happened?
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By Alex Casey | 15th November, 2025
Senior writer
Lauren Lyle stars in Neon’s new drama The Ridge (Photo: Neon)

Review: New local drama The Ridge tells a familiar tale

The rugged scenery is sure to appeal to international audiences, but the story itself could have been set anywhere.
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By Tara Ward | 24th October, 2025
Staff writer
Image by Alex Casey

All 251 tasks from Taskmaster NZ, ranked from worst to best

The task to end all tasks.
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By Group Think | 19th September, 2025
A bunch of people
It’s Jackie van Beek’s life in television (Photo: TVNZ / Design: Tina Tiller)

‘People were appalled’: Jackie van Beek’s Taskmaster NZ confession

The writer, actor, director and star of Taskmaster NZ takes us through her life in television.
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By My Life in TV | 30th August, 2025
Guest writer
Remembering John Barnett, a colossus of New Zealand culture

Remembering John Barnett, a colossus of New Zealand culture

The local entertainment industry pays tribute to the late John Barnett. 
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By The Spinoff | 26th August, 2025
Staff writers
Image by Tina Tiller

‘Completely by accident’: How Karen O’Leary got her big Chippy scoop

'He looked a little bit flustered... then he announced the policy the next day.'
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By My Life in TV | 23rd August, 2025
Guest writer
It’s Mike Puru’s life in TV (Image: The Spinoff)

‘Fluffed my way through’: Mike Puru’s worst weather faux pas

'Luckily, only one person noticed.'
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By My Life in TV | 9th August, 2025
Guest writer
Eat Well For Less hosts Michael Van de Elzen and Ganesh Raj (Photo: TVNZ)

Eat Well For Less NZ couldn’t have returned at a more appropriate time

The series that teaches us how to eat healthier while saving money isn’t here to rage against the machine – though sometimes I wish it would.
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By Tara Ward | 18th July, 2025
Staff writer
Siobhan Marshall’s life in TV

‘Even after all these years’: Siobhan Marshall on forever being called Pascalle West

'Seeing what she got up to was always fun. It was like, 'what's in the next script, what happens in this one?''
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By My Life in TV | 12th July, 2025
Guest writer
Wolf (Grant Bowler) and Cheryl (Robyn Malcolm) in Outrageous Fortune (Photo: SPP)

Twenty years on, Outrageous Fortune remains as relevant as ever

Do yourself a favour and enjoy a West family reunion this weekend.
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By Tara Ward | 11th July, 2025
Staff writer
Image: Tina Tiller

The best needle drops in Outrageous Fortune, ranked

'Gutter Black' is just the beginning
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By Gareth Shute | 11th July, 2025
Contributing Writer
Image: Tina Tiller

How the West was worn: The fashion of Outrageous Fortune

Whether it was Sharkies and slogan tees or leopard print and lace, the Wests' style remains unmatched.
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By Emma Gleason | 10th July, 2025
Contributing writer
From Grandpa Ted’s ‘slutty pants’ to Pascalle’s ‘fuckity, fuckity, fuck’, Outrageous Fortune painted a picture of New Zealand swearing that we had never seen before.

‘Fuckity, fuckity, fuck’: The many riches of the Outrageous Fortune swear jar

'My favourite BSA ruling was the one where they basically said to the complainant: 'look, it's Outrageous Fortune – what were you expecting?''
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By Alex Casey | 9th July, 2025
Senior writer
The birth of the Wests: How Outrageous Fortune came to be

The birth of the Wests: How Outrageous Fortune came to be

Twenty years ago this week, New Zealand television’s most famous family stormed onto our screens.
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By Tara Ward | 7th July, 2025
Staff writer
It’s Xavier Horan’s life in TV (Photo: TVNZ / Design: Tina Tiller)

‘So fulfilling’: Xavier Horan on making new spiritual comedy Dead Ahead

'At the wrap party, everyone was so grateful, so happy. That's what I valued, that human experience.'
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By My Life in TV | 28th June, 2025
Guest writer
Janine Morrell-Gunn shares her life in television.

‘A big, brave thing’: Janine Morrell-Gunn on What Now’s huge pivot

'After 42 years on television, it's been tantamount to moving the Titanic.'
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By My Life in TV | 21st June, 2025
Guest writer
It’s Suzy Cato’s life in television (Design: Tina Tiller)

‘I was a great big doofus’: Suzy Cato on the joy of making 90s kids TV

'We would educate by way of osmosis, without kids even realising that they were being taught anything. They were there to have fun.'
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By My Life in TV | 14th June, 2025
Guest writer
Jarvis Cocker and Pulp (Photo: SPP)

Huge news: Chris Warner has made it to Brokenwood

Could Dr Love be about to become... Dr Death?
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By Tara Ward | 13th June, 2025
Staff writer

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The Spinoff is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must be first directed in writing, within one month of publication, to info@thespinoff.co.nz. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the online complaint form at www.presscouncil.org.nz along with a link to the relevant story and all correspondence with the publication.

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