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Opinion

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
Outgoing Tū Ātea CEO Antony Royal (Design: Tina Tiller).
Opinion

Who gets to decide what happens to assets held on behalf of all Māori?

Charles Royal has dedicated the best part of three decades advancing Māori interests in spectrum.
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By Liam Rātana | 25th June, 2026
Ātea editor
This evidence is overwhelming.
Opinion

The Greens need to commit more crimes

The polling evidence is becoming more clear by the day. Steve Abel must rob a store.
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By Hayden Donnell | 25th June, 2026
Senior writer
Former Wellington mayor Tory Whanau at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cambridge Terrace improvements. Image: The Spinoff
Opinion

Why Wellington can’t build

The Golden Mile, the housing crisis, and the problem with progressive cities.
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By Joel MacManus | 24th June, 2026
Senior writer
New Zealand has largely fixed its original sin, which caused home-buying mania. (Design:The Spinoff)
Opinion

NZ still seems to think house prices will rise. Good luck with that

New Zealand has largely fixed its original sin, which caused home-buying mania.
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By Dan Brunskill | 24th June, 2026
Guest writer
Bad news for Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins: people are increasingly looking elsewhere (Photos: Getty Images; design: The Spinoff)
Opinion

New poll: How the 'purple vote' has plummeted

Has New Zealand fallen out of love with the big two? 
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By Toby Manhire | 24th June, 2026
Editor-at-large
Some like it, some don’t.
Opinion

All the times National has trashed its own campaign policies

National once derided KiwiSaver and Working for Families. Now the Labour schemes are part of its pitch to voters.
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By Hayden Donnell | 23rd June, 2026
Senior writer
Workplace relations and safety minister Brooke van Velden (Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty. hart hat: The Spinoff)
Opinion

One of Brooke van Velden’s final acts as a politician will also be her most dangerous

The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill has been opposed by ACC, business owners and economists, yet persists. 
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By Max Rashbrooke | 23rd June, 2026
Contributing writer
Remember back when you were proud to be a New Zealander?
Opinion

Remember back when you were proud to be a New Zealander?

It feels like we have lost our bravery and our heart.
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By Kate Langdon | 17th June, 2026
Guest writer
Christopher Luxon and the sheep he considers a vertebra of New Zealand’s economy (Photo by SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Opinion

Farming stopped being New Zealand’s economic backbone decades ago

Our reality is closer to Christopher Luxon’s infamous description of a ‘wet, whiny, inward-looking country’.
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By Dan Brunskill | 16th June, 2026
Guest writer
Photo: Getty Images
Opinion

How distrust in healthcare is fuelling multiple outbreaks across the globe

When communication from health officials weakens, and distrusting actors fill the gaps, everyone's health is put at risk.
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By Md Saiful Islam
Guest writer
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, Bianca Middleton
Guest writer
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 & Holly Seale | 15th June, 2026
Guest writer
Get it right, guys. (Image: Tina Tiller)
Opinion

Memo to Labour: Wasteful spending is for roads, not public transport subsidies

Labour made a big mistake saying it would spend $65m making public transport cheaper. We need that money for roughly five metres of highway.                         
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By Hayden Donnell | 12th June, 2026
Senior 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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