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Opinion

It’s all good! (Photo: Getty Images. Design: The Spinoff)
Opinion

Nothing to see here: Christopher Luxon has the full support of his caucus

There’s no reason to doubt the prime minister’s claim that his caucus is united. Provided you ignore all the reasons to doubt his claim that his caucus is united.
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By Hayden Donnell | 13th August, 2026
Senior writer
Luxon at the lectern in April. (Photo: Annaleise Shortland/New Zealand Herald via Getty Images)
Opinion

Yesterday Luxon won, again. Who lost?

Call it a cluster, call it a shitshow: the result is a pair of grim sequels. 
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By Toby Manhire | 13th August, 2026
Editor-at-large
When the self-checkout machine asks me to scan my loyalty card, I close my eyes and press ‘skip’. (Image: The Spinoff)
Opinion

Rage against the machine: I refuse to join any supermarket rewards programmes

It's potentially a futile and quite costly protest, but it’s the one I have chosen.
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By Madeleine Chapman | 11th August, 2026
Contributing editor
Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) celebrate in New Delhi on July 25 following the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, after days of protests demanding he step down. (Photo: Elke Scholiers/Getty Images)
Opinion

Why New Zealanders should care about the student protests in India

As complex societal forces roil the world’s most populous country, there are lessons for Aotearoa as we strengthen our ties.
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By Nayantara Sheoran Appleton | 10th August, 2026
Guest writer
Chris Bishop and Wayne Brown laughing about the mistimed CRL announcement. (Photo: The Spinoff)
Opinion

Why the City Rail Link opening date gaffe matters

A mistimed billboard and a flub from the transport minister made for a funny morning, but both spoke to the pressure people feel to get this right.
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By Joel MacManus | 6th August, 2026
Senior writer
Our classrooms aren’t the only places being disrupted by bad behaviour. (Image: Tina Tiller/The Spinoff)
Opinion

The little shits are coming from inside the House

Act wants to deal with the little shits in the classroom. Perhaps they should clean up the ones on their own turf first.
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By Hayden Donnell | 5th August, 2026
Senior writer
Design: Tina Tiller / The Spinoff
Opinion

I get it, Prime Minister, I wouldn’t want to call Winston Peters either

The prime minister had a bad weekend. It didn’t get any better during his regular Monday morning RNZ interview.
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By Tara Ward | 3rd August, 2026
Staff writer
Te Aka Whai Ora may be gone, but the lessons remain. (Design: Tina Tiller).
Opinion

Te Aka Whai Ora may be shut down but Māori health leaders are continuing its work

What was disestablished in 2024 was a Crown entity with a name, a board and a budget. The institution of Māori leadership in decisions about hauora Māori is much harder to dismantle.
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By Mataroria Lyndon | 3rd August, 2026
Guest writer
Tottenham and Auckland FC players take the field at Eden Park in July (Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty)
Opinion

Auckland gets to host the big football matches now but it has Wellington to thank for the honour

In the space of a month, Auckland will host two premier international clubs. One of those matches should've been held in Wellington.
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By Jesse Gerritsen | 3rd August, 2026
Guest writer
Some things are just intolerable. Some aren’t. (Image: Tina Tiller)
Opinion

The things that are and aren’t compatible with National’s values

Wanting to tax land: absolutely not. Xenophobia? That we can work with.
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By Hayden Donnell | 31st July, 2026
Senior writer
Help me figure out my gender, Winston Peters, Stuart Nash, George Ngatai and Jenny Marcroft (Photos: The Spinoff; Getty; Supplied)
Opinion

Am I still a woman? NZ First has me confused as all hell

I have a pussy and a pair of tits but I don’t know where to shop for clothes, shoes and chocolates. 
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By Veronica Schmidt | 29th July, 2026
Editor
Gabriel Langton and one local news outlet’s invitation to watch his fall (Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images, additional design: The Spinoff)
Opinion

DON’T WATCH: Gymnast's horror Commonwealth Games fall isn’t entertainment

Viewers of the 6pm 1News bulletin on Saturday were subjected to multiple replays of a teenager falling three metres onto his head. 
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By Madeleine Chapman | 29th July, 2026
Contributing editor
National just loves mums (composite graphic by The Spinoff)
Opinion

Amazing: National has finally discovered women exist

A groundbreaking discovery that could change everything.
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By Alex Casey | 28th July, 2026
Senior writer
Photo: Peter Morris/Fairfax Media via Getty Images
Opinion

With contentious fisheries reforms on hold, should NZ rethink bottom trawling?

It's time to step back from the immediate political debate and consider what balance to strike between seafood production and the long-term health of the oceans.
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By Simon Francis Thrush | 27th July, 2026
Guest writer
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 | 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

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