The Spinoff Essay

On being my own mother this Mother’s Day

On being my own mother this Mother’s Day

Sometimes, when you want something done well, you just have to do it yourself.

By Gráinne Patterson | 10th May, 2025

Author Neil Gaiman has been accused of rape and sexual assault

Why I defended the men who hurt me

Allegations of sexual assault against Neil Gaiman have led the author to present texts from Scarlett Pavlovich that he says 'demonstrate' their relationship was consensual. One woman explains why she sent similar messages to the men who hurt her.

By Sarah Grace | 12th April, 2025

Image: Getty

Do you want your two-year-old to be hot?

A story about you, your two-year-old daughter, and hot girls everywhere.

By Madeleine Holden | 29th March, 2025

Image: The Spinoff

The Spinoff Essay: All my daughter’s daddies

The highs, lows and silver linings of single-parenting a toddler.

By Alice Neville | 15th March, 2025

The Spinoff Essay: Little bud

The Spinoff Essay: Little bud

On the lonely pain of miscarriage.

By Heidi North | 22nd February, 2025

Illustration: Bob Kerr

The Spinoff Essay: Sunset Limited

Two nights, five states and one train journey along the border, pencil and paper in hand.

By Bob Kerr | 15th February, 2025

Why am I wearing a white shirt again? (Photo: Troy Rawhiti-Connell)

The Spinoff Essay: The celebration you’re looking for is just around the bend

At Waitangi, the celebration frequently demanded by those who feel robbed of having a 'national' day is right there for the taking.

By Anna Rawhiti-Connell | 8th February, 2025

Image: Getty Images; additional design The Spinoff

The Spinoff Essay: Bus bloke

Everyone who catches the No 8 bus knows Murray, writes David Hill.

By David Hill | 1st February, 2025

Contributing writer

The author in the great outdoors. (Photos: Anna Sophia, design: The Spinoff)

The Spinoff Essay: Walking off the old me

In my late 50s, I discovered long-distance hiking – and woke up to a new life infused with the rhythms of nature.

By Anna Sophia | 25th January, 2025

Image: Tina Tiller

A decade of painful sex

Painful penetrative sex isn't just a medical symptom. It's a brick wall, a monster, an unwanted third partner in the bed.

By Amber O’Sullivan | 20th January, 2025

Don’t we all feel we’ve been on epic quests in search of love? (Photo: Getty Images)

Following the Swiss wolf, who walked 2,000 kilometres for love

When we insert ourselves into the lives of animals, we become complicit in their fates.

By Kathryn van Beek | 3rd January, 2025

On being undeniably, irretrievably old

On being undeniably, irretrievably old

David Hill is in his ninth decade. In a touching tribute to his late friend, he challenges some myths about 'old farts'.

By David Hill | 2nd January, 2025

Contributing writer

Even if I could afford what I wanted, I could not buy what I was looking for. (Image: The Spinoff)

Should I buy the murder house?

Realising she can afford to buy a house – but only one that contained meth use or murder – Kristin Kelly reflects on the true value of a home.

By Kristin Kelly | 29th December, 2024

I was destined to love Tom Cruise, that brilliant freak, all my life. (Image: The Spinoff)

‘The mission is clearly possible’: On watching every single Tom Cruise movie ever made

I watched all 46 of Tom Cruise's films over the past 12 months. The question on everyone's lips: why?

By Caroline Shepherd | 26th December, 2024

A love letter to my five friends

A love letter to my five friends

It's all about quality over quantity.

By Venetia Sherson | 14th December, 2024

Contributing writer

Image: The Spinoff

What I ate while I grieved

'Pākehā don’t have a base camp like marae, or the tradition of dedicated ringawera in the kitchen, but we improvise.'

By Denise Irvine | 7th December, 2024

Not Anna’s boobs, but not a bad approximation (Image: Archi Banal, Tina Tiller)

God defend the breast screeners of New Zealand

In praise of the people who turn up in service of other people's health.

By Anna Rawhiti-Connell | 30th November, 2024

If this is how it plays out, will you stand in judgement, there in your spot on the wall? (Photo: Getty)

The Nobel Prize in Not Beating Up Your Kids

On the most extraordinary human achievements you’ll never, ever notice, and possibly shouldn’t celebrate.

By Madeleine Holden | 16th November, 2024

On being undeniably, irretrievably old

On being undeniably, irretrievably old

David Hill is in his ninth decade. In a touching tribute to his late friend, he challenges some myths about 'old farts'.

By David Hill | 10th November, 2024

Contributing writer

Even if I could afford what I wanted, I could not buy what I was looking for. (Image: The Spinoff)

Should I buy the murder house?

Realising she can afford to buy a house, but only one that contained meth use or murder, Kristin Kelly reflects on the true value of a home.

By Kristin Kelly | 19th October, 2024