The Best Of

Ben McKay

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The return of the glitteriest rubber gongs of New Zealand politics.

The 2024 Golden Jandals for conspicuous contributions to NZ politics

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From fried chicken and franchises to fusion and fine dining, Korean cuisine has taken over Tāmaki Makaurau.

The inside story of Auckland’s Korean culinary boom

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Our legendary guide is back to help you through another silly season.

Kirihimete gift guide 2024: cool stuff from Māori and Pasifika-led brands

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Move over meat and dairy – these are our highest quality exports. 

How does New Zealand produce so many successful child actors?

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This year's best local fiction, nonfiction and poetry for adults and children, as chosen by our panel of readers. 

The Spinoff’s best NZ books of 2024

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‘If I didn't do it, no other bugger would.’

The small town cinemas holding on at the edge of the world

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It's supplied breast milk to thousands of newborns in need, all thanks to donors, volunteers and philanthropists.

Freezers, pasteurisers and funding woes: A day at a human milk bank in Christchurch

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After four decades, the last buttons will be counted out at Geoff’s Emporium on Dominion Road early next year.

‘More than a business’: Auckland institution Geoff’s Emporium to close after 44 years

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From picture books to bell hooks, some reading inspiration for every age.

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

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According to a Wellington urban legend, the notorious Ngāti Toa chief used to pull his waka onshore to drink at the city’s oldest pub. Is it true?

Windbag: Did Te Rauparaha really drink at the Thistle Inn?

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How a free concert in Aotea Square ended in chaos – and Dave Dobbyn being charged with inciting a riot.

Booze, brawls, batons and blood: The Queen Street riot, 40 years on

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'Pākehā don’t have a base camp like marae, or the tradition of dedicated ringawera in the kitchen, but we improvise.'

What I ate while I grieved

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The rising star MP on chairing the committee that will attract untold heat, his own path to politics, and whether haka are welcome at the hearings. 

Meet James Meager, the man left holding the treaty principles bill

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Artisanal upstarts, sad suburban relics and sprawling retail kingdoms: the city of the future has it all.

All 4.8 malls in Hamilton ranked from worst to best

Gabi Lardies

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A conversation about Damien Wilkins' latest novel.

What we thought about: Delirious by Damien Wilkins

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There’s plastic everywhere, and efforts to reduce it are limited by the power of big oil.

Is New Zealand – and the world – doing enough to tackle the plastic problem?

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Act had disproportionate influence in year one, says David Seymour. Is he right? 

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In a Q+A interview on Sunday, the prime minister said 'what I say to you is' 26 times in 30 minutes. 

A journey through the 26 times Luxon said ‘what I say to you is’ on Q+A

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'It could end up costing people their lives for the sake of a tan.'

‘Really dangerous’: The TikTok UV tanning trend that has made it to Aotearoa

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In praise of the people who turn up in service of other people's health.

God defend the breast screeners of New Zealand

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'I want to check in at the pearly gates and have them say, ‘theres nothing left here, he’s worn to a nub, put it in the bin’.'

‘I prioritise the mission, not my health’: Adam McGrath’s perfect weekend playlist

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'It’s just so lovely to see a dog again.'

The rescue dog bringing joy to Christchurch retirement homes

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The Friday Poem: ‘Bejeweled log’ by Holly Fletcher

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The 2024 Christmas cliffhanger screens on Monday, and you can expect the final episode to be bigger and badder than ever before. 

The one episode of Shortland Street you need to watch this year

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The bestselling books of the year, revealed.

The Unity Books bestseller chart for 2024

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A couple of weeks after Spotify Wrapped comes a much more comprehensive survey of New Zealand’s listening.

The real NZ Wrapped: Analysing the 2024 NZ Music charts

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Bubbles, pearls or boba – no matter what you call them, they've taken New Zealand by storm. 

‘Just like the pie’: Bubble tea is here to stay

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From Mansfield Park to Jurassic Park, some reading inspiration for every age.

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

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What you were reading, what you engaged with the most, and what you might see more of next year in The Spinoff's daily news wrap.

The Bulletin wrapped, 2024

Summer reissue: New Zealand is one of the worst countries in the world at providing parental leave to partners. Why do we expect one parent to do it all alone? The Side Eye investigates.

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The Side Eye is a monthly non-fiction comic by Toby Morris, supported by NZ On Air. 

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New Zealand is among the worst in the world at offering parental leave for partners. Why do we expect one parent to do it all alone?

The Spinoff

The Best OfJanuary 8, 2024

The Side Eye: Case of the missing dads

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