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What Now

Janine Morrell-Gunn shares her life in television.

‘A big, brave thing’: Janine Morrell-Gunn on What Now’s huge pivot

'After 42 years on television, it's been tantamount to moving the Titanic.'
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By My Life in TV | 21st June, 2025
Guest writer
The most memorable local television moments of 2024

The most memorable local television moments of 2024

From Chris Warner’s beard to Newshub’s tearful goodbye, these are the TV moments that gripped the nation this year.
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By Alex Casey
Senior writer
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 & Tara Ward | 13th December, 2024
Staff writer
It’s broadcaster Chris Kirk’s life in TV (Photo: Whitebait Media / Design: Tina Tiller)

‘Really worried’: What Now’s Chris Kirk on smuggling gunge out of New Zealand

'I know America can be very strict with that kind of stuff. I just packed it in my luggage, and was like, I'll see what happens.'
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By My Life in TV | 16th November, 2024
Guest writer
Image by Tina Tiller

The top 100 NZ TV shows of the 21st Century (20-1)

It's the one you've all been waiting for.
By The Spinoff's Top 100 | 25th October, 2024
Guest writer
What Now presenter Chris Kirk (Screengrab)

‘A lot of crazy stuff’: Kids review the new-look What Now

What do our most discerning viewers (7-12-year-olds) make of the show's pivot to YouTube?
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By Tara Ward | 10th March, 2024
Staff writer
A stressed out adult. Image: Whitebait Media (additional design by Archi Banal)

I went on a kids’ quiz show and it was a deeply humbling experience

Alex Casey is eviscerated on the set of Brain Busters, the longest-running kids’ game show in Aotearoa.
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By Alex Casey | 13th January, 2024
Senior writer
Barbie who? (Image: YouTube / Design: Archi Banal)

Before the Barbie movie, there was What Now’s Serial Stuff

Lifestyle Sharon and Manly Jack would have kicked Barbie and Ken’s arse.
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By Tara Ward | 9th January, 2024
Staff writer
Jason Gunn’s life in TV (Image: Archi Banal)

‘A terrifying day’: The cream pie that nearly killed Jason Gunn

'I’m no firefighter, but being a children’s TV presenter can be scary stuff.'
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By My Life in TV | 16th December, 2023
Guest writer
What Now hosts Trubie and Stella with Camilla the Gorilla (Design: Archi Banal)

‘We must pivot’: Why What Now will look different in 2024

NZ's longest running kids' show is undergoing its biggest change in years.
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By Tara Ward | 6th December, 2023
Staff writer
Image by Archi Banal

Remember when a death metal band played on The Erin Simpson Show?

We talk to the key players involved in one of the greatest moments in New Zealand television history.
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By Alex Casey | 2nd November, 2023
Senior writer
Tāmati Coffey (Image: Tina Tiller)

Can Tāmati Coffey make an East Coast comeback?

A last-minute candidate shake-up, a retirement reversal and a seat that has historically swung between left and right – the campaign for the East Coast has been anything but dull.
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By Charlotte Muru-Lanning | 12th October, 2023
Contributing writer
Image: Tina Tiller

Remember when Justin Bieber broke Aotearoa and we broke him?

'German? I don't know what that means...'
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By Alex Casey | 7th September, 2023
Senior writer
Barbie who? (Image: YouTube / Design: Archi Banal)

Before the Barbie movie, there was What Now’s Serial Stuff

Lifestyle Sharon and Manly Jack would have kicked Barbie and Ken’s arse.
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By Tara Ward | 20th July, 2023
Staff writer
A stressed out adult. Image: Whitebait Media (additional design by Archi Banal)

I went on a kids’ quiz show and it was a deeply humbling experience

Alex Casey is eviscerated on the set of Brain Busters, the longest-running kids’ game show in Aotearoa.
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By Alex Casey | 8th July, 2023
Senior writer
The What now studio in 2023 (Photo: Supplied / Additional design: Archi Banal)

Crying on the set of What Now

The gunge flows – and so do the tears – on a surprisingly emotional visit to New Zealand's oldest kids' TV show.
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By Alex Casey | 25th June, 2023
Senior writer
What Now presenters old and new celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary in 2006 (Photo: Whitebait Media)

What Now’s greatest presenters: Where are they now? 

Where were you the day Si and Cath left?
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By Tara Ward | 29th April, 2023
Staff writer
WHAT NOW HOSTS STELLA MARIS AND ERIN WELLS LIVE FROM THEIR CHRISTCHURCH FLAT. PHOTO: WHAT NOW

Inside What Now’s chaotic, joyous live lockdown episode

A Christchurch crew confronted a logistical nightmare to create two hours of live TV for children during a level four lockdown. How?
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By Chris Schulz | 27th December, 2021
Guest writer
WHAT NOW HOSTS STELLA MARIS AND ERIN WELLS LIVE FROM THEIR CHRISTCHURCH FLAT. PHOTO: WHAT NOW

Inside What Now’s chaotic, joyous live lockdown episode

A Christchurch crew confronted a logistical nightmare to create two hours of live TV for children during a level four lockdown. How?
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By Chris Schulz | 28th August, 2021
Guest writer
Decade in review: The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade (100-81)

Decade in review: The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade (100-81)

At 2pm every day this week, The Spinoff will be counting down 100 local television moments of the decade.
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By The Spinoff | 16th December, 2019
Staff writers
Should What Now be encouraging kids to use Instagram? 

Should What Now be encouraging kids to use Instagram? 

It’s been a Sunday morning staple for Kiwi kids for decades, but What Now may be facing new challenges in the era of social media. 
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By Alex Casey | 9th December, 2019
Senior writer

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