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Opinion

Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters in happier times, 2023. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Opinion

Stuart Nash’s resignation papers over a bitter, deepening coalition rift

Can an enmity-riddled relationship between Winston Peters and Christopher Luxon survive this?
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By Toby Manhire | 23rd July, 2026
Editor-at-large
Stuart Nash in 2023. Image: Getty
Opinion

Breaking: Stuart Nash needs to be told off by his wife again

There’s still one crucial voice who needs to weigh in on his latest blunder. 
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By Alex Casey | 22nd July, 2026
Senior writer
RMA reform minister Chris Bishop holds the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill.
Opinion

Are Chris Bishop’s RMA reforms on shaky ground?

The latest controversial changes to the Resource Management Act risk make the legislative package even more politically toxic. 
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By Joel MacManus | 22nd July, 2026
Senior writer
Image: The Spinoff
Opinion

Survivors’ trust in police has taken another blow. If it’s to be rebuilt, what happens next is crucial

The problem is not a few individuals. It is a culture in which the safety of institutions is still, too often, weighed above the safety of victims.
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By Sandra Fuller
Guest writer
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 & Kyla Rayner | 21st July, 2026
Guest writer
How New Zealand could (and why we should) co-host a Fifa Men’s World Cup
Opinion

How New Zealand could (and why we should) co-host a Fifa Men’s World Cup

A bold and beautiful vision for 2038.
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By Michael Burton Smith | 17th July, 2026
Guest writer
There have been so many stories about Paul Henry.
Opinion

New Zealand’s media has been gripped by Paul Henry mania

The Herald carried an op-ed from Paul Henry on why he was running for parliament before saying 'screw it' and running at least 15 more stories on why Paul Henry is running for parliament.
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By Hayden Donnell | 17th July, 2026
Senior writer
Photos: Lachlan Woods Davidson; design: The Spinoff
Opinion

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?
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By Lachlan Woods-Davidson | 15th July, 2026
Guest writer
Chris Bishop has been saddled with the task of restoring economic reality. (Image: Tina Tiller)
Opinion

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.
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By Hayden Donnell | 15th July, 2026
Senior writer
Countless New Zealand musicians have had their songs taken without consent for AI training
Opinion

My music was stolen by AI – how NZ responds will define our creative future

An impassioned plea from a concerned creative.
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By Vera Ellen | 14th July, 2026
Contributing writer
Voting isn’t a privilege; it’s our foundational democratic right.
Opinion

Idea: We should let people vote 

Winston Peters called voting a 'privilege' that should be reserved for citizens. Counterpoint: it’s actually our foundational democratic right.
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By Hayden Donnell | 8th July, 2026
Senior writer
Left: Gay Liberation Movement demonstrates in Wellington in 1974 (Evening Post/Alexander Turnbull Library). Right: Transgender rights rally, Wellington, 2021 (Getty)
Opinion

From anti-gay to anti-trans: rhetoric’s the same, 40 years after homosexual law reform

It's 40 years since gay sex was decriminalised, but the scare tactics used in the 1980s are still being deployed now.
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By Quentin Allan | 7th July, 2026
Guest writer
Helen Clark is part of a progressive-coded campaign against apartments.
Opinion

The supposedly progressive campaign to restrict housing in posh suburbs

Helen Clark and the Waitematā Local Board want to dump Auckland’s growth on west and south Auckland, but in a nice, left-wing way.
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By Hayden Donnell | 3rd July, 2026
Senior writer
Unity, though not necessarily the kind she wanted. (Image: Tina Tiller)
Opinion

Unity at last: the Opportunity Party is being hated on by both left and right

Qiulae Wong has called on our political parties to stop bickering and pursue common goals. It’s happened, but maybe not in the way she envisaged.
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By Hayden Donnell | 1st July, 2026
Senior writer
Winston Peters appears to have been cursed. (Image: Tina Tiller)
Opinion

Political curse: Winston Peters keeps voting for legislation he hates

There’s a common thread linking Winston Peters’ least favourite bits of recent legislation: NZ First voted them into law.
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By Hayden Donnell | 30th June, 2026
Senior writer
The seven political party leaders and deputy leaders are the most ever in New Zealand’s history. (Design: Tina Tiller).
Opinion

Nicole McKee’s new Act leadership role means record Māori party leaders – but no one Māori voice

It may expose a deeper argument over identity, authenticity and who gets to speak for Māori.
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By Liam Rātana | 30th June, 2026
Ātea editor
A non-scientific graph about science research perceptions
Opinion

The problem with treating science like a startup 

Few New Zealanders spend much time thinking about volcanic monitoring but when a volcano erupts, we expect expertise to exist immediately.
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By Ruben Miller | 29th June, 2026
Guest writer
Dove and Watchful Stedfast in Devotion: The Gloriavale Story (Photo: Three)
Opinion

Julie Christie’s new Gloriavale documentary plays it dangerously neutral

Three’s new docuseries wants viewers to decide for themselves about Gloriavale – but is that fair?
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By Tara Ward | 29th June, 2026
Staff writer
Armchair selectors scout the All Blacks at the 2023 World Cup (Photo: Getty Images)
Opinion

Attention armchair selectors: these are the mistakes you’re making

Think you could pick a better All Blacks squad than Dave Rennie and co?
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By Paul Thomas | 28th June, 2026
Guest writer
Chris Bishop, the minister for nearly everything. (Photo: The Spinoff)
Opinion

Chris Bishop moves fast. It’s his super power and Achilles heel

He’s powerful and polarising and he would really like his mic to work.
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By Joel MacManus | 26th June, 2026
Senior writer
Quotes from the IPCA report ‘Issue of police safety order on protection order applicant not justified’
Opinion

When women are ignored and disbelieved every day, what options do we have left?

A disturbing incident detailed in a newly released IPCA report is part of a pattern that goes back years, across the criminal justice system.
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By Michelle Duff | 26th June, 2026
Guest writer

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