The Best Of

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.

By Hayden Donnell | 2nd February, 2026

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?

By Alex Casey | 31st January, 2026

Are over-consultative managerial middle class parents the prime architects of this shift?

The pitch deck generation

How kids hack tired parents with PowerPoint presentations to get what they want.

By Henry Oliver | 31st January, 2026

No matter the trail, New Zealanders can be seen ploughing through all kinds of abominable conditions in their shorts (Illustration: Talisker Scott Hunter)

You can spot a NZ hiker by their shorts. Here’s why we won’t don trousers

Even in the dead of winter, New Zealanders refuse to wear trousers to hike – and there’s practical and historical reasons as to why.

By Talisker Scott Hunter | 26th January, 2026

All of these musicians have found success with their versions of E Papa Waiari. (Design: The Spinoff).

How an old Māori song became the anthem of the Pacific

Tracing the origins of a classic waiata famous around Aotearoa and beyond.

By Liam Rātana | 26th January, 2026

Jacinda Ardern continues to receive feedback at an astounding rate.

It sure looks like people are never going to get over Jacinda Ardern

The former PM retired three years ago. The very mention of her name still has the power to send grown men spiralling,

By Hayden Donnell | 24th January, 2026

Fifteen Marian Keyes novels ranked and reviewed.

Every Marian Keyes novel, ranked and reviewed

Exactly 9,087 pages of Marian Keyes’ fiction later, Mad Chapman sorts the duds from the must-reads.

By Madeleine Chapman | 23rd January, 2026

Special correspondent

Geopolitics could feature more in this election than most.
Design: Tina Tiller

Christopher Luxon and the 195-country election

The prime minister’s country tally is just one clue to an election year in which the outside world will play a big role.

By Toby Manhire | 21st January, 2026

Editor-at-large

David Kirk, Scott Weenink, Jennie Wyllie, Noeline Taurua and Scott Robertson – some of the major players in the tumult (Photos: Getty Images)

Rugby, netball and cricket’s leadership breakdowns all have one thing in common

Last year was a calamitous one for the leaders of the country's three biggest team sports – and this year hasn’t started any better.

By Dylan Cleaver | 20th January, 2026

Contributing writer

Hmm. (Headline source: Newsroom, RNZ and The Post)

If the rules-based system is really crumbling, what could that mean for New Zealand?

Everybody's talking about World War Three, but we're as safe as safe can be… right? We asked some experts.

By Emma Gleason | 20th January, 2026

Contributing writer

A picture of the author at her most ripped, before her life spiralled out of control. (Photo: author’s private collection)

Stop trying to nail life or you too could lose it all

In the maelstrom of new year's resolution season, I went all-in on self-improvement. It ended in calamity.

By Veronica Schmidt | 19th January, 2026

How we die: Inside New Zealand’s looming crisis in palliative care

How we die: Inside New Zealand’s looming crisis in palliative care

As New Zealand’s population ages, the number of people dying each year will rise rapidly. With hospices already experiencing funding shortages, who will care for us at the end of our lives?

By James Borrowdale | 19th January, 2026

Robert Maas keeps an eye on gatherers returning at Army Bay, Whangaparāoa. (Image: Liam Rātana).

‘It’s been relentless’: Locals patrol Auckland rockpools to stop ‘bucket people’

Whangaparāoa volunteers say they're not going to sit by while the rockpools are emptied.

By Liam Rātana | 16th January, 2026

How to actually stay off your phone in 2026

How to actually stay off your phone in 2026

What works and what doesn’t, according to one recovering phone addict.

By Alex Casey | 16th January, 2026