Kia ora

The Spinoff

  • The Spinoff

Opinion

King Charles III and Donald Trump have made amends over war efforts. (Design: Tina Tiller).
Opinion

King Charles III: A symbol of peace, unity and protection

The monarch’s trip west was seen as a resounding success in repairing British and American ties.
avatar
By Liam Rātana | 3rd May, 2026
Ātea editor
Photo: Getty Images
Opinion

For some New Zealanders, not all immigrants are made equal

As election-year rhetoric ramps up, a recent study suggests a quarter of New Zealanders have negative feelings about immigrants from India.
avatar
By Nayantara Sheoran Appleton | 28th April, 2026
Guest writer
How to disappear completely: the Labour Party story
Opinion

How to disappear completely: the Labour Party story

The party’s strategy seems to be staying very quiet and still as its opponents implode.
avatar
By Hayden Donnell | 28th April, 2026
Senior writer
The nation needs a butter chicken tsunami. (Image: Tina Tiller)
Opinion

Butter chicken tsunami? Don’t threaten me with a good time

If critics want to put people off the India FTA, they should stop making it sound so delicious.
avatar
By Hayden Donnell | 27th April, 2026
Senior writer
Tova O’Brien interviews prime minister Christopher Luxon on Breakfast.
Opinion

Luxon quits Breakfast slot: smart tactic or ‘running for the hills’?

The PM will no longer do his weekly TVNZ interview. Is he, too, a ‘lightweight’?
avatar
By Toby Manhire | 25th April, 2026
Editor-at-large
Photo: Getty Images, additional design by The Spinoff
Opinion

The cost of proving you’re poor enough

On paper, the system had worked. In reality, the quiet erosion of dignity had taken a toll.
avatar
By Claire Jewitt | 24th April, 2026
Guest writer
Members of Te Pae Kahurangi perform a haka at the 2026 Tainui kapa haka regionals. (Photos: Te Matatini Enterprises. Additional design: Tina Tiller).
Opinion

Racism has no place in kapa haka, or Aotearoa

‘If we don’t want people to be racist to us, then we can’t be racist to other people.’
avatar
By Liam Rātana | 24th April, 2026
Ātea editor
Moana Jackson and Margaret Mutu led the Matike Mai Aotearoa group. (Design: The Spinoff).
Opinion

A decade of Matike Mai Aotearoa: How far have we come?

avatar
By Carwyn Jones | 23rd April, 2026
Guest writer
Winston Peters, pictured here in a rodeo, or a soap opera, or mustering cattle, who can say?
Opinion

And then along came Winston

Just when Christopher Luxon thought the saga was over, along comes the superstar, Winston Peters, to steal the scene.
avatar
By Toby Manhire | 22nd April, 2026
Editor-at-large
Holly Shervey as Frankie in Crackhead (Photo: Three)
Opinion

Crackhead is the best New Zealand TV drama since After the Party

If there isn’t a second season, we’re going to have to riot.
avatar
By Tara Ward | 22nd April, 2026
Staff writer
From ‘butter chicken’ comments to graffiti, anti-Indian sentiment is a warning signal
Opinion

From ‘butter chicken’ comments to graffiti, anti-Indian sentiment is a warning signal

How did this language become imaginable?
avatar
By Manisha Bhikha | 22nd April, 2026
Guest writer
Christopher Luxon reads a statement to media after the National caucus vote. (Photo: Mark Mitchell/New Zealand Herald via Getty Images)
Opinion

Luxon calls the rebels’ bluff. NZ’s political grandmaster calls it ‘a very bad move’

The PM showed backbone where the moaners did not. But if you think it’s all over, just ask his coalition partner. 
avatar
By Toby Manhire | 22nd April, 2026
Editor-at-large
The National Party’s leadership soap opera finale recapped
Opinion

The National Party’s leadership soap opera finale recapped

A plot twist has seen a controversial character spared from the cutting room floor, and the return of a familiar villain.
avatar
By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 21st April, 2026
Politics reporter
The deciders.
Opinion

Who decides the New Zealand government? 

Voters: 10%. Winston Peters: 15%. The Reserve Bank governor, 18 months ago: 30%.
avatar
By Hayden Donnell | 20th April, 2026
Senior writer
The lack of entry-level jobs is about so much more than unemployment
Opinion

The lack of entry-level jobs is about so much more than unemployment

If businesses are doing less of the practical work of developing early-career talent, universities will need to do more.
avatar
By Rod McNaughton | 20th April, 2026
Guest writer
Christopher Luxon takes part in a virtual meeting with other world leaders about opening the Strait of Hormuz, in an image shared on his social media on Saturday.
Opinion

Is this the poll that spells the end for Luxon?

Frustrated MPs have figured a resignation is the only way. Last night's numbers could stiffen their sinews.
avatar
By Toby Manhire | 20th April, 2026
Editor-at-large
Christopher Luxon and Chris Bishop speaking to media. (Image: Getty)
Opinion

Luxon's 100-hour gauntlet to save his job

Seven potential hazards across the coming days.
avatar
By Toby Manhire | 17th April, 2026
Editor-at-large
It looks like it’s goodbye to Moana Pasifika (Photo: Getty)
Opinion

Moana Pasifika: ‘We don’t just lose a team, we lose a village’

When the team goes, the relationship between Pacific communities and New Zealand Rugby will be strained.
avatar
By James Nokise | 17th April, 2026
Guest writer
Charlisse Leger-Walker (Photo: Getty Images)
Opinion

We should have known Charlisse Leger-Walker’s name before this

Get your Connecticut Sun merch because a New Zealander has made it into the WNBA! But you know why we'd never heard of her until this month, eh?
avatar
By Zoe George | 15th April, 2026
Guest writer
Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon want to make the 2026 election about Covid-19.
Opinion

NZ is about to have its third Covid election

Remember the pandemic? Well you’re going to – if Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon have anything to do with it.
avatar
By Joel MacManus | 15th April, 2026
Senior writer

Sections

  • Video
  • Kai
  • Internet
  • Partners
  • Science
  • Society
  • Books
  • Sports
  • Media
  • Business

About

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Use of Generative AI 
  • Advertise
  • Jobs

Members

  • Donate
  • Members terms

Subscribe

  • Newsletters

FOLLOW US

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Privacy PolicyThe Spinoff Members Terms and ConditionsThe Spinoff Advertising Terms and Conditions

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.

© The Spinoff 2026
×
▼

Loading...