The Best Of

Sam Neill surveys his paddocky vines in Central Otago. (Photo: Ross Land/Getty Images)

‘You thought he would always be there, like the Southern Alps’: Memories of Sam Neill

A giant of the pictures, paddocks (two) and protest, Sir Sam Neill has died at 78. Friends and colleagues share their memories of an extraordinary New Zealander.

By Toby Manhire | 14th July, 2026

Editor-at-large

Sam Neill’s life in TV.

Sam Neill’s extraordinary life on our screens, in his own words

New Zealand actor Sam Neill has died at the age of 78. In 2024, he spoke with Alex Casey about his extraordinary life on our screens.

By Alex Casey | 13th July, 2026

Voting isn’t a privilege; it’s our foundational democratic right.

Idea: We should let people vote

Winston Peters called voting a 'privilege' that should be reserved for citizens. Counterpoint: it’s actually our foundational democratic right.

By Hayden Donnell | 8th July, 2026

Andrew Little, Dean Silvester and Ray Chung.

Police denied making a complaint about Ray Chung. So, what’s this text?

The Spinoff tried to get details about concerns police raised with Wellington’s mayor. Three months later we’ve finally found out what happened.

By Joel MacManus | 3rd July, 2026

Unity, though not necessarily the kind she wanted. (Image: Tina Tiller)

Unity at last: the Opportunity Party is being hated on by both left and right

Qiulae Wong has called on our political parties to stop bickering and pursue common goals. It’s happened, but maybe not in the way she envisaged.

By Hayden Donnell | 1st July, 2026

David Seymour was the architect of the revised school lunch programme (Image: The Spinoff)

School lunches inquiry finds long list of failures

It’s saving money. But that’s about it.

By Alice Neville | 30th June, 2026

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown reveals his reading life.

‘Greatest New Zealand writer? Me!’: Wayne Brown’s life in books

'Who would have thought I'd be New Zealand's bestselling author in Brazil?'

By The Spinoff Review of Books | 30th June, 2026

Winston Peters appears to have been cursed. (Image: Tina Tiller)

Political curse: Winston Peters keeps voting for legislation he hates

There’s a common thread linking Winston Peters’ least favourite bits of recent legislation: NZ First voted them into law.

By Hayden Donnell | 30th June, 2026

Simon Sherlock, beloved local artist.

The inside story of Simon the sign guy, Wellington’s favourite street artist

From a traumatic cliff fall to a stint in a Thai prison, Simon Sherlock has been to some dark places. Now he just wants to spread the love.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 27th June, 2026

Politics reporter

Image by Tina Tiller.

The milk bandit of Alexandra is back – and now the mayor has weighed in

He's back – and he's got a new weapon in his arsenal.

By Alex Casey | 25th June, 2026

Former Wellington mayor Tory Whanau at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cambridge Terrace improvements. Image: The Spinoff

Why Wellington can’t build

The Golden Mile, the housing crisis, and the problem with progressive cities.

By Joel MacManus | 24th June, 2026

Some like it, some don’t.

All the times National has trashed its own campaign policies

National once derided KiwiSaver and Working for Families. Now the Labour schemes are part of its pitch to voters.

By Hayden Donnell | 23rd June, 2026

Workplace relations and safety minister Brooke van Velden (Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty. hart hat: The Spinoff)

One of Brooke van Velden’s final acts as a politician will also be her most dangerous

The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill has been opposed by ACC, business owners and economists, yet persists.

By Max Rashbrooke | 23rd June, 2026

Contributing writer

The man who brought fish and chips to New Zealand

The man who brought fish and chips to New Zealand

Meet James Henry Pomeroy: inventor, fishmonger, and the man responsible for deep fried blue cod on a southern beach.

By Joel MacManus | 21st June, 2026