Kia ora

The Spinoff

  • The Spinoff
  • Politics
  • Pop Culture
  • Ātea
  • Podcasts

Sections

  • Video
  • Kai
  • Internet
  • Partners
  • Science
  • Society
  • Books
  • Sports
  • Media
  • Business
Search for an author...

SEARCH


AUTHOR SEARCH

Search for an author...

Sections

  • Video
  • Society
  • Kai
  • Books
  • Internet
  • Sports
  • Partners
  • Media
  • Science
  • Business

About

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • About us
  • Jobs
  • Use of Generative AI 

Members

Subscribe

  • Newsletters

Events

  • All Events
  • Auckland
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin

The Best Of

Christopher Luxon and the umbrella movement. Also pictured: Gary Weiss. Photo by Michael Craig/New Zealand Herald via Getty Images

One man, one instinct, one umbrella: When everything changed for Christopher Luxon

Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes they carry umbrellas. 
avatar
By Toby Manhire | 16th February, 2026
Editor-at-large
Iain Lees-Galloway on crashing out of parliament and his new Opportunity 
Cover Story

Iain Lees-Galloway on crashing out of parliament and his new Opportunity 

He went to therapy, grieved the career he torpedoed with an inappropriate relationship, and now the former Labour minister is back in politics with a new party.
avatar
By Veronica Schmidt | 16th February, 2026
Editor
Image: Tina Tiller

How Captain Cook called the cops on me 250 years after his arrival in Aotearoa

'We just want to make sure everyone is safe.'
avatar
By Ben Fagan | 14th February, 2026
Community manager
Image by Tina Tiller

Our possums are a problem. Could Selena Gomez be the solution?

How one pop star's limited edition Oreo flavour became a vital weapon in the war against one of Aotearoa's biggest pests.
avatar
By Alex Casey | 12th February, 2026
Senior writer
Two former Poet Laureates launch new collections today.

Uncomplicated pleasures in a complicated world

Two of Aotearoa’s greatest poets are launching new collections today. We review them both.
avatar
By Claire Mabey | 11th February, 2026
Books editor
So much poo. (Image: Tina Tiller)

Holy cow, so much poo is spilling into the sea

It would take you 2,535 years of non-stop shitting to produce as much waste as the Moa Point plant is expelling every day.
avatar
By Hayden Donnell | 11th February, 2026
Senior writer
What it’s like to spend summer on a remote subantarctic island

What it’s like to spend summer on a remote subantarctic island

'It feels like time is flying by, because everything we’re doing is directly in front of us... you can’t ever think too hard about the outside world.'
avatar
By Alex Casey | 10th February, 2026
Senior writer
New Zealand emergency rooms: No place for old men (or women)

New Zealand emergency rooms: No place for old men (or women)

Arriving at a hospital emergency department can spell the start of a downward spiral for elderly people. Can't we do things differently? Yes, according to two NZ hospitals.
avatar
By Venetia Sherson | 10th February, 2026
Contributing writer
It’s been a rollercoaster.

Allbirds at 10: How a $6 billion sustainable footwear dream unravelled

A decade on from those first wool sneakers, let’s trace the road from 2016 to 2026.
avatar
By Emma Gleason | 9th February, 2026
Contributing writer
The unshakeable Sunny Kaushal

The unshakeable Sunny Kaushal

How one man complained himself into a top job and changed the Crimes Act.
avatar
By Madeleine Chapman | 9th February, 2026
Special correspondent
Image: The Spinoff

National milestone: It’s been 10 years since the Waitangi dildo strike

When Josie Butler threw that dildo, she split our nation’s timeline into two eras: before dildo (BD) and after dildo (AD).
avatar
By Hayden Donnell | 5th February, 2026
Senior writer
Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies. (Image: The Spinoff).
Opinion

Waitangi remembers. Politics moves on

From Treaty talk to funding threats, how Waitangi politics actually plays out over time.
avatar
By Liam Rātana | 5th February, 2026
Ātea editor
Photo: Getty Images
Opinion

Marilyn Waring: Librarians’ work is essential – and still treated as expendable

After hearing their testimony to the People's Select Committee, I'm outraged at how brutally librarians' right to equal pay was legislated away.
avatar
By Marilyn Waring | 4th February, 2026
Guest writer
Laser kiwi, bottom left, and its relative laser loon, top right (Images: Supplied; additional design by Tina Tiller)

How Aotearoa's own laser kiwi influenced this viral anti-Ice flag in Minnesota

Over a decade on from New Zealand’s flag referendum, the influence of cult favourite laser kiwi continues to be felt around the world. 
avatar
By Alex Casey | 4th February, 2026
Senior writer
90s Raglan grommet life (Photos: Olly Coddington)

Surfing’s elite are coming to Raglan. But I was there when a great slipped in to ride our waves

The time some of Raglan's most annoying little shits spotted an international surfing legend riding the left-hand break.
By Luke McPake | 3rd February, 2026
Guest writer
The rent is too damn high. Or too damn cheap. Or something.

Rent is getting cheaper. Here’s why that’s not necessarily a good thing

No, New Zealand has not magically transformed into a more equitable place for the young, poor and disenfranchised.
avatar
By Joel MacManus | 3rd February, 2026
Senior writer
Voters dissatisfied with the government are flocking to NZ First. (Image: Tina Tiller)

Impressive: Winston Peters is in government and opposition at the same time

Finding a way not only to elude anger over the government's performance, but actively benefit from it, might be the NZ First leader's most impressive MMP magic trick yet.
avatar
By Hayden Donnell | 2nd February, 2026
Senior writer
There’s a reason we’re obsessed with stressful entertainment

There’s a reason we’re obsessed with stressful entertainment

We used to watch TV and go to to the movies to relax. What happened?
avatar
By Alex Casey | 31st January, 2026
Senior writer

Sections

  • Video
  • Kai
  • Internet
  • Partners
  • Science
  • Society
  • Books
  • Sports
  • Media
  • Business

About

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Use of Generative AI 
  • Advertise
  • Jobs

Members

  • Donate
  • Members terms

Subscribe

  • Newsletters

Events

  • All Events
  • Wellington
  • Dunedin
  • Auckland
  • Christchurch

FOLLOW US

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Privacy PolicyThe Spinoff Members Terms and ConditionsThe Spinoff Advertising Terms and Conditions

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.

© The Spinoff 2026
×
▼

Loading...