The Best Of

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On the most extraordinary human achievements you’ll never, ever notice, and possibly shouldn’t celebrate. 

The Nobel Prize in Not Beating Up Your Kids

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'It was pretty ugly, but when my life fell apart was actually when it all started.'

The rebuilding of Fazerdaze

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All 14 malls in Christchurch ranked from worst to best

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Despite its dwindling locations and reduced service, NZ Post remains a pillar in every community.

You’re gonna miss the post office when it’s gone

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The overwhelming feeling (other than exhaustion) was that we had protected our tīpuna and mokopuna.

‘Whaka round, find out’: When the hīkoi came to Auckland

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'Historians will be pointing to today and saying this was an important event in nation-building for this country.'

A hīkoi dispatch from Ōtautahi

Joel MacManus

Lyric Waiwiri-Smith

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Reports from Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch as the prime minister and agency leaders delivered a national apology.

Three rooms, one apology: Survivors gather across the motu for abuse in care reckoning

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A public apology may be imminent, but redress and accountability still look to be a long way off.

For abuse in care survivors, an apology without action means nothing

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An in-depth examination of the causes, implications and potential cures for homelessness across the country.

Inside the urgent race to solve homelessness in Aotearoa

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Hīkoi (v.24)

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David Hill is in his ninth decade. In a touching tribute to his late friend, he challenges some myths about 'old farts'.

On being undeniably, irretrievably old

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The seventh and final day of one man's foolish attempt to travel from the bottom of the country using only public transport.

The longest commute, day seven: Joel has reached the end*

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Vic Books closed down in January 2023, but its website and Twitter handle have risen from the dead. What's going on?

What’s up with the curious resurrection of a beloved Wellington bookstore?

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A reverse honeymoon that ended with a secret wedding, and the best first wedding gift imaginable: an XXL bottle of Irn Bru.

My Greatest Trip: Eloping and Nessie hunting in Scotland

Catherine McGregor

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Donald Trump claims victory on ‘the day the American people regained control’

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The ideal candidate for a foreign exchange is personable, adventurous and charismatic enough to transcend the language barrier. I was none of these things.

My Greatest Trip: My awkward high-school exchange to Germany

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Pressure to visit as many European destinations as possible is causing harm to local communities and the climate. Is there an alternative?

New Zealanders in London are engaging in competitive ‘overtourism’. Can we redeem the classic OE?

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Exclusive: New messages released under the OIA show Rainbow acknowledged he 'didn't get the HRC job' – then suddenly he did. 

‘I didn’t get the HRC job’: Stephen Rainbow’s Human Rights Commission appointment just got weirder

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Three adults, seven days: here’s how we survived our latest family holiday. 

Parent trapped: A collaborative guide to travelling with your parents

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The Q+A host reflects on his career in broadcasting, and the moment he realised it was all worth it.

‘I’ve never lived it down’: The Breakfast live cross that still haunts Jack Tame

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An interview with the acclaimed journalist ahead of his appearance in Aotearoa.

‘Everything is becoming a culture war’: Jon Ronson on conspiracies and cycleways

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'The best TV performance of the year is by an actor most British viewers won’t recognise, in a production that most won’t see.'

‘Deserves a Bafta’: After the Party premieres in the UK to five-star reviews 

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The new movie musical is undoubtedly a fun watch, but proof that bigger isn’t always better.

Review: The magic of Wicked and the curse of corporate greed

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There are calls for New Zealand’s Family Violence Act to name economic harm as a standalone type of violence.

Financial forms of family violence affect one in seven of us – but the law is lagging

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My parents are finally getting divorced. So why do I feel like my stepdad's feelings are still my problem?

Help Me Hera: Should I cut contact with my ex-stepdad?

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Gang members say it will create more problems, but the government argues it's about improving public safety.

Will banning gang patches actually make New Zealand safer?

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It’s a shambles of our own making, but it’s still one we can turn around.

It’s not too late to halt the death spiral of New Zealand’s public health system

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The 'free ride' for gangs has ended, says the government. But it might not be that simple.

The gang patch ban is now in force. What’s going to happen?

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The bill's author reflects on what it means for the Samoan community.

New law gives up to 3,480 Samoan elders back their right to NZ citizenship

In the final instalment of The Side Eye, Toby Morris investigates a small town mystery and uncovers a hidden gem: 82-year-old Errol Johnstone, a master of his craft.

Editor’s note: This is the 55th Side Eye comic The Spinoff has published since 2017. For half a decade, Toby Morris has illustrated the stories of Aotearoa, from broad explanations of inequality to deeply personal tales of life as a working New Zealander. This is the final instalment, but all 55 in the series will always be relevant and available to read 

The Side Eye is a monthly non-fiction comic by Toby Morris, supported by NZ On Air. Read the rest of the series 

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The final instalment of The Side Eye investigates a small town mystery and uncovers a hidden gem: 82-year-old Errol Johnstone, a master of his craft.

The Spinoff

The Best OfAugust 31, 2023

The Side Eye: Signs of life

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