On the job

Selena Anderson runs horse treks and riding lessons at Ahipara. (All photos supplied)

Dream job or idle fantasy? What it’s like running horse treks in the Far North

Selena Anderson from Ahipara Horse Treks seems to have a perfect job. But what’s it like behind the scenes?

By Madeleine Holden | 30th December, 2024

Should I swim here? (Image: Tina Tiller)

A trip to the beach with the poo detectives

How a little jar of seawater ends up as a red cross that ruins your day-at-the-beach plans – but keeps you safe from swimming in sewage.

By Shanti Mathias | 26th December, 2024

Contributing writer

Selena Anderson runs horse treks and riding lessons at Ahipara. (All photos supplied)

Dream job or idle fantasy? What it’s like running horse treks in the Far North

Selena Anderson from Ahipara Horse Treks seems to have a perfect job. But what’s it like behind the scenes?

By Madeleine Holden | 28th August, 2024

Police get paid to train. Do teachers, nurses and electricians?

Police get paid to train. Do teachers, nurses and electricians?

A political oopsie revealed that the PM is out of touch with police wages, but also that police trainees actually get paid. Does anyone else?

By Gabi Lardies | 25th March, 2024

Contributing writer

Camille Paloma Walton, a rising star in the jewellery world.

The Kāpiti jeweller taking on the world

Camille Paloma Walton has quickly emerged as a rising star in her industry.

By Esme Stark | 24th March, 2024

Chris Baker, the man with the ‘best dead-end job in the world’ (Photo: Shanti Mathias)

‘The best dead-end job in the world’: What it’s like to be a bike courier

Chris Baker used to yearn for a job where he could ride bikes all day. Two decades later, it still hasn't got old.

By Shanti Mathias | 7th March, 2024

Contributing writer

Nick Reynolds checking the progress of incubating Galapagos tortoise eggs. (Photo: Auckland Zoo)

From ‘cleaning and butchering’ to nurturing native frogs: What it’s like being a zookeeper

After a 'horrific' stint looking after tigers in England, Nick Reynolds landed his dream job here. We joined him for an inside peek.

By Madeleine Holden | 26th February, 2024

Should I swim here? (Image: Tina Tiller)

A trip to the beach with the poo detectives

How a little jar of seawater ends up as a red cross that ruins your day-at-the-beach plans – but keeps you safe from swimming in sewage.

By Shanti Mathias | 9th February, 2024

Contributing writer

Photos of the Bat Team in action: Asia Martusia King / Aotearoa Science Agency

We’re going on a bat hunt

In rural South Auckland, a team of conservationists head out on a nocturnal mission to track down Aotearoa's only native land mammal.

By Asia Martusia King | 10th December, 2023

The man behind the camera on filming a family’s most private moments. (Image: Archi Banal)

I film funerals – this is what I do

'You’re part of this family’s little sad moment for half a day, and then you don’t think about it ever again.'

By Sam Brooks | 12th August, 2023

Contributing writer

Image: Archi Banal

I assess assisted dying requests – this is what I do

'I’m very interested in helping people have a good death.'

By Guest Writer | 10th August, 2023

Image: Archi Banal

I deal with your dead pets – this is what I do

'We do get a few prank calls. Someone was constantly asking if we’d cremate their monarch butterfly.'

By Guest Writer | 9th August, 2023

Image: Tina Tiller

I am a crematorium worker – this is what I do

In Aotearoa 70% of people who die are cremated. One crematorium operator talks us through how it happens.

By Guest Writer | 7th August, 2023

Image: Archi Banal

I’m a chocolate judge – this is what I do

Yes, it's as fun as it sounds, but it's also harder than you might think.

By Luke Owen Smith | 1st May, 2023

The most important role of a lawyer for children is to listen (Image: Tina Tiller)

I am a lawyer for children – this is what I do

I never ask kids to take a side. I always tell them that adults are responsible for making a decision.

By Guest Writer | 27th March, 2023

Image: Archi Banal

I am a polar oceanographer – this is what I do

Going to Antarctica is cool. I study how it's getting warmer.

By Guest Writer | 19th March, 2023

(Image: Archi Banal)

I am a publishing assistant – this is what I do

ChatGPT hasn’t run me out of a job just yet.

By Lauren Donald | 18th March, 2023

Image: Archi Banal

I am a full-time Twitch streamer – this is what I do

One of the other biggest misconceptions as a woman in gaming is that your job is to just sit there, look pretty, and get paid.

By Guest Writer | 18th March, 2023

Design: Archi Banal.

I am a KFC worker – this is what I do

My job as a cook at the world's biggest fried chicken chain is... Kinda Fuckin' Crappy.

By Guest Writer | 17th March, 2023

Image: Archi Banal

I am a stay-at-home mum – this is what I do

The job is a constant grind and can move at a glacial pace – but I’ve never been so happy.

By Aimie Cronin | 15th March, 2023