Wellington

NZ racism hits different: ‘I’m not even going to try to pronounce the next name’

NZ racism hits different: ‘I’m not even going to try to pronounce the next name’

After swapping Wellington for London, Preyanka Gothanayagi was surprised to find people treated her like an actual person.

By Preyanka Gothanayagi | 13th December, 2025

The greater Wellington region has a population of 545,000, represented by eight mayors and nine councils. (Image: GWRC)

Could Wellington finally be ready to merge?

Wellington's mayors have agreed to explore amalgamation – a decade after the last attempt collapsed.

By Catherine McGregor | 12th December, 2025

Contributing writer

Pōneke’s dating pool feels more like a paddling pool (Image: The Spinoff)

‘Wait, you hooked up with them too?’ Tales from Wellington’s scarily tiny dating pool

Welcome to the cursed reality of looking for love in the capital.

By Jessie Davidson | 8th December, 2025

Mr Ward’s Map is an intricate insight into Wellington’s past.

‘Elephants so big you could see them for nothing’: Inside Mr Ward’s Wellington

A glimpse inside a stonking new book that brings historic Wellington alive, one map at a time.

By Elizabeth Cox | 6th December, 2025

There could be hidden wins for walking, cycling and public transport

The second Mt Victoria tunnel is a money pit, but there could be a silver lining

Buried inside a megaproject for cars is a rare opportunity to carve out bus lanes, bike routes, and walkable streets – if Wellington’s leaders are bold enough to take it.

By Joel MacManus | 3rd December, 2025

Chris Bishop (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images/Treatment by The Spinoff)

Why regional councils will cease to exist, and what comes next

Here's what you need to know about the biggest shake-up in local government in decades.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 26th November, 2025

Politics reporter

An artist’s depiction of the Golden Mile upgrade on Courtenay Place. (Image: WCC)

Is the Golden Mile pause the beginning of the end?

A fresh review of the troubled project has revived questions about the city’s faltering confidence in its own future.

By Catherine McGregor | 25th November, 2025

Contributing writer

Andrew Little and Ray Chung are teaming up to delay Wellington building things.

Andrew Little buddies up to the right

In his first council meeting as Wellington mayor, Andrew Little opened a political rift between Labour and the Greens.

By Joel MacManus | 25th November, 2025

Wow! It’s a golden 25m!

Reviewed: The first (and only) 25 metres of the Golden Mile

In this flow state, you achieve enlightenment: a vision of the Wellington of 2040 beckons you forward. 'Dream to live in a better city,' it dares you.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 24th November, 2025

Politics reporter

Nicola Willis and Christopher Luxon.

Fixing the basics, sticking with Luxon: the National Party’s 2026 plan

A year out from the election, against a backdrop of ramped-up coup rumours, the National Party took its first step onto the campaign trail.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 24th November, 2025

Politics reporter

Greg O’Connor.

One MP, One Pint: A visit to Wellington’s ‘last true public bar’ with Greg O’Connor

'This is going to make me sound like a bloody drunk, but mind you, I’ve got to 67 years with everyone knowing I like a drink.'

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 19th November, 2025

Politics reporter

OceanaGold’s existing open-pit gold mine in Waihi (Photo: Getty Images)

Greens vow to scrap mining consents as fast-track changes rushed through

The public was given just 11 days to make submissions on dozens of controversial changes to the fast-track law.

By Catherine McGregor | 18th November, 2025

Contributing writer

(Photo: Shannon Doyle, treatment: The Spinoff)

The five best moments from the launch of Juggernaut 2

Chris Bishop on ditching MMP, Linda Clark on waiting for Winston and plenty more from Wellington's one-night-only trip back to the 90s.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 15th November, 2025

Politics reporter

Charley Noble in Post Office Square, Wellington.

Why I had an exceptional time at Wellington’s Charley Noble

The Wellington institution is a traditional steakhouse, but is thrilling in the way it executes every last detail.

By Nick Iles | 1st November, 2025

Contributing writer

An old colonial building with a horrifying past? Groundbreaking.

A spooky tour through parliament’s truly terrifying history

We mark Halloween with a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the debaucherous MPs, fires and feral animals that haunt parliament’s past.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 31st October, 2025

Politics reporter

To achieve herd immunity, 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated

Aotearoa’s measles outbreak, by the numbers

With cases continuing to rise and immunisation coverage 'way too low', here's what you need to know.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 31st October, 2025

Politics reporter

Sam O’Brien, Caitlin Wilson and Keshaan Te Waaka.

Where to from here, with the country’s new crop of young councillors

Winning is the first step. The next is keeping up the hype.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 29th October, 2025

Politics reporter

Twirling, twirling, twirling at Circus Hub’s 20th anniversary showcase.

How The Circus Hub survived 20 years on the tightrope of creative arts finances

Amid shrinking arts funding, a Wellington circus school has managed to last two decades. How have they pulled it off?

By Sammy Carter | 28th October, 2025

Inside Legacy: the MLM that thrives in secrecy

Inside Legacy: the MLM that thrives in secrecy

Has your friend started wearing a suit, posting from ‘business conferences’ and using the diamond emoji a lot? They may have joined Legacy.

By Janhavi Gosavi | 14th October, 2025

Andrew Little won the Wellington mayoralty in a red wave.

Windbag: Key takeaways from Wellington’s red wave local election

Andrew Little won the largest mayoral victory in 142 years, and Labour and the Greens grew their governing majority at the council table.

By Joel MacManus | 13th October, 2025