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The Best Of

Christopher Luxon, Hipkins, Bishop, Penk and Parker (winner of Celebrity Treasure Island and therefore one of New Zealand’s most powerful public figures).

Why Chrises run the country

An in-depth study of New Zealanders with the name Chris.
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By Joel MacManus | 14th January, 2026
Senior writer
The date of the 2026 election will soon be revealed.

When will the 2026 New Zealand election be held?

September? October? November? Christmas Eve?
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By Toby Manhire | 14th January, 2026
Editor-at-large
How this summer has felt.

Trying to enjoy the summer while the world burns

The sausage of our Kiwi summer has come with a cheesy filling of existential dread.
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By Hayden Donnell | 13th January, 2026
Senior writer
The reason concert merchandise is so expensive and bad now

The reason concert merchandise is so expensive and bad now

'Why do they need to screw every person out of every single dollar they have?'
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By Alex Casey | 12th January, 2026
Senior writer
Photos: Supplied

The secret history of Wellington’s most legendary falafel spot

Fighting on the streets of Beirut, recipes written on scraps of paper and a daring escape from near-certain death: the story of how Phoenician Falafel got its menu.
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By Nick Iles | 9th January, 2026
Contributing writer
The headlines in the image above are from a 2014 Guardian story about Peter de Putron (bottom left) and a government press release from February 2025 (top)
Cover Story

The secretive Tory donor with the golden visa – and the ear of the Beehive

Who is the British billionaire who, during his visit to Wellington in December 2024, met with four ministers in the space of 25 hours?
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By Alice Neville | 7th January, 2026
Deputy editor
Tfw someone else says a bad word

Winston Peters is right about parliament’s declining standards

One MP in particular has been at the heart of the decline, and his name rhymes with Shminston Smeeters.
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By Hayden Donnell | 6th January, 2026
Senior writer
The writing of this article did not involve the use of generative AI except to type out this prompt and screenshot it

‘I wanted to be a teacher not a cop’: the reality of teaching in the world of AI

As AI becomes more ubiquitous, teachers across the board are struggling to adapt.
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By Hera Lindsay Bird | 5th January, 2026
Contributing writer
Photos: Ben Gatting

All 11 of New Zealand’s Great Walks, ranked from worst to best

A definitive ruling from someone who just did them all back-to-back. 
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By Ben Gatting | 4th January, 2026
Guest writer
New Zealand’s best sauce: how BurgerFuel’s aioli broke the tomato monopoly

New Zealand’s best sauce: how BurgerFuel’s aioli broke the tomato monopoly

New Zealand used to have two options for sauce: red or yellow. Then an unsung culinary hero at a fledgling burger chain came along and changed everything.
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By Hayden Donnell | 2nd January, 2026
Senior writer
David Lange Park, Māngere. (Image: Liam Rātana).

An ode to the 275: Fear, hope and the beautiful chaos of life in Māngere

A forensic tent on the morning school run. Gang tattoos in the sauna at the local pool. Otai and prayers at the Saturday market.
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By Liam Rātana | 2nd January, 2026
Ātea editor
Why can’t I just be happy for Auckland FC?

Why can’t I just be happy for Auckland FC?

A Wellington Phoenix supporter watches the new Auckland FC documentary.
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By Calum Henderson | 1st January, 2026
Production editor
Image: The Spinoff

A bunch of wild political predictions for 2026

Outlandish prophecies for the year ahead, courtesy of our posse of politics watchers.
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By Group Think | 1st January, 2026
A bunch of people
All 86 staple items at a classic Kiwi bakery, ranked and reviewed

All 86 staple items at a classic Kiwi bakery, ranked and reviewed

A love letter to every bakery in New Zealand, in the form of a deeply subjective ranking.
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By Tom Augustine | 31st December, 2025
Guest writer
Image: Clas Edvard Friström / Getty Images

The Spinoff Essay: The lie of the land

David Hill on the kindest lie he's ever been told.
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By David Hill | 30th December, 2025
Contributing writer
A book for every year of your life: Part one, ages 0-30

A book for every year of your life: Part one, ages 0-30

From picture books to bell hooks, some reading inspiration for every age.
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By Hera Lindsay Bird | 29th December, 2025
Contributing writer
A book for every year of your life: Part two, ages 31 to the grave

A book for every year of your life: Part two, ages 31 to the grave

From Mansfield Park to Jurassic Park, some reading inspiration for every age.
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By Hera Lindsay Bird | 29th December, 2025
Contributing writer
Joel MacManus in the Well_ngton sign.

Why I was wrong about the Well_ngton sign

How a big shiny sign on the Wellington waterfront exposed a problem with local news.
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By Joel MacManus | 27th December, 2025
Senior writer

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The Spinoff is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must be first directed in writing, within one month of publication, to info@thespinoff.co.nz. 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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