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New York mayor Zohran Mamdani (right), one of many international politicians looking to NZ for answers to the housing crisis, and housing minister Chris Bishop. (Photos: Getty Images. Composite image: The Spinoff)

Why the world thinks New Zealand solved the housing crisis

From Zohran Mamdani to the Financial Times, international media and politicians seem to think NZ has fixed housing affordability. Um… what?
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By Joel MacManus | 9th September, 2026
Senior writer
The rocket lift at Sky World (Photo: Chris Schulz. Design: The Spinoff)

She was assaulted in the rocket lift, now she’s fighting for more security in dilapidated Sky World

Is the entertainment hub on Auckland's Queen Street a dangerous building? The victim of a late-night sexual assault says yes.
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By Chris Schulz | 7th September, 2026
Guest writer
Gate Pā Reserve in Tauranga, where Ross Kennedy died in October 2024. (Design: Emily Wong/The Spinoff)

When a homeless person becomes the news

The trial of a homeless woman accused of the murder of another homeless person has us asking the wrong questions.
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By Ruben Miller | 6th September, 2026
Guest writer
John Summers’ new book is a fascinating exploration of getting lost in the bush. (Composite image: Tina Tiller)

Lost in the New Zealand bush: John Summers’ Green Sea, reviewed

What happens when something that is supposed to be so good for us goes wrong? 
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By Claire Mabey | 5th September, 2026
Books editor
Concerning: It seems government MPs don’t know their own policies

Concerning: It seems government MPs don’t know their own policies

Simon Watts criticised councils for implementing the government’s own parking policies. He’s not the only one who seems confused.
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By Hayden Donnell | 3rd September, 2026
Senior writer
Green MP Tamatha Paul has thrown around some accusations about rental housing. (Image: The Spinoff)
Opinion

Tamatha Paul got her property facts wrong – and I’m in the middle of it

I think I can explain what’s going on.
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By Joel MacManus | 2nd September, 2026
Senior writer
Image: The Spinoff

Revealed: Six months of roadside drug testing in New Zealand, by the numbers

Where it's happening, how many drivers have tested positive, what drugs have been detected and more.
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By Alice Neville | 2nd September, 2026
Deputy editor
An artist’s impression of the gulls at Pak’nSave Moorhouse. (Composite image: Tina Tiller/The Spinoff)

‘It’s mesmeric’: The Christchurch supermarket thousands of seagulls call home

Come for the cheap groceries, stay for the free nighttime seagull show.
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By Alex Casey | 30th August, 2026
Senior writer
Noelle McCarthy (Photo: Kristine Crabb. Design: The Spinoff)

Noelle McCarthy on facing people after you’ve told your story of alcoholism and horrible sex

Having a memoir out is like people have gotten hold of your diary and the reason they have it is because you gave it to them. 
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By Noelle McCarthy | 29th August, 2026
Guest writer
Dame Lynda Topp on Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (Photos: ThreeNow, additional design by Tina Tiller)

Plea: Put Dame Lynda Topp on every television show right now 

Nobody puts a Dame in the Dunce's Corner.
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By Alex Casey | 27th August, 2026
Senior writer
The big words. Images from the parties’ social media

What the election slogans say – and what they whisper

It is slogan season in election year – and the party choices are evocative, in more ways than one.
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By Toby Manhire | 27th August, 2026
Editor-at-large
Wayne Brown is trying to ignore the stuff that’s annoying him until the election. (Image: Tina Tiller)

Wayne Brown has given up on the government

'This is a slogan government. Roads of National party significance, city deals, localism. It’s all bollocks.'
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By Hayden Donnell | 27th August, 2026
Senior writer
Aotearoa by night (Photo: Getty Images)

Top towns of the NZ economy – where is the recovery firing, and where is it not?

The recovery feels elusive to many, but some parts of New Zealand are booming.
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By Shamubeel Eaqub | 25th August, 2026
Guest writer
No journalists were harmed in the making of this story.

I lived: A true story of surviving the cycle lanes of Molesworth Street

This week, Christopher Luxon drew attention to a little-known parliamentary peril: crossing the road. We dared to give it a go.
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By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 20th August, 2026
Politics reporter
Paul Goldsmith wearing his 11 ministerial hats. (Image: Tina Tiller)
Opinion

How Paul Goldsmith can fit 11 ministerial roles into his schedule

10am: Rewatch the video of Judith Collins saying ‘my husband is Samoan, so talofa’. Minister for Pacific peoples job status: Complete.
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By Hayden Donnell | 19th August, 2026
Senior writer
(From left) John Key, Simon Bridges, Len Brown, James Bews-Hair and Penny Hulse might not be cutting the ribbon, but they deserve the credit. (Image: Tina Tiller)

The real heroes of the City Rail Link

Plenty of politicians will line up to cut a ribbon and take credit. Here’s who really deserves the plaudits.
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By Hayden Donnell | 18th August, 2026
Senior writer
Photo: Supplied / Additional design: The Spinoff

‘Worse than Covid’: An ambulance officer’s daily reality as 111 calls hit record highs

After a record number of calls to emergency services last week, one ambulance officer talks about the stress of the job. 
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By Anonymous | 17th August, 2026
Guest writer
Anna Fifield was one of hundreds of journalists laid off by the Washington Post earlier this year (Photos: supplied; Getty Images. Design: The Spinoff)
Opinion

What Bezos did at the Washington Post could well happen here

This past year has seen some worrying developments in New Zealand involving a seemingly politically-driven billionaire seeking media influence and a government that looked like it was attempting to intimidate media figures.
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By Anna Fifield | 17th August, 2026
Guest writer

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The Spinoff is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, via our contact page. 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.

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