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Sports

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Ben Hildred rode 3048 vertical metres a day for 100 days. He achieved his goal – now what? (Image: Callum Wood Photos)

Meet the man and mind that biked a million vertical feet in 100 days

Ben Hildred spent three months riding uphill. Now he's learning to stop.
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By Shanti Mathias | 29th April, 2025
Contributing writer
Watch live: the 2025 NZ Scrabble Masters

Watch live: the 2025 NZ Scrabble Masters

The top-rated Scrabble players in the country go head-to-head this Easter weekend.
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By Calum Henderson | 17th April, 2025
Production editor
Lots on (Photos: Getty Images)

All the sport on at Eden Park this weekend, ranked

Get ready for a lunar eclipse of live sport.
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By Calum Henderson | 20th March, 2025
Production editor
Wellington-based unicyclist Ken Looi.

One wheel drive: the Ken Looi story

Nearing the end of his career, the world’s greatest unicycle racer chases the sport's most elusive record.
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By Joel MacManus | 11th February, 2025
Wellington editor
Shane Bond sends the Eden Park crowd into a bowl-out frenzy (Photo: DEAN TREML/AFP via Getty Images)
Opinion

Bring back the bowl-out, cricket’s version of going to penalties

We're one of the only nations to experience this thrilling tiebreak method, and have suffered more than anyone from its demise. Who better to bring it back?
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By Calum Henderson | 31st January, 2025
Production editor
In petrolhead heaven filming Checkered Flag (Photo: Supplied)

Confessions of an unlikely petrolhead

I wind down my window at the lights to profess my love to the strangers in the black De Tomaso Pantera. They accommodate me with amused grins.
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By Natalie Wilson | 8th January, 2025
Guest writer
Speed puzzling at the 2024 Masters Games (Design: Tina Tiller)

Getting jiggy with it: Inside the wild world of competitive speed puzzling

If you thought jigsaw puzzles were meant to be relaxing, think again.
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By Tara Ward | 1st January, 2025
Staff writer
Image: Tina Tiller

The need for speed: What I learnt competing in an online jigsaw puzzle competition

Speed puzzling is like a marathon for the mind – intense, demanding, surprisingly exhausting. But does turning it into a sport destroy it as a relaxing pastime?
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By Calum Henderson | 25th December, 2024
Production editor
How was Maddi Wesche’s final shot put throw not over 20m? A Spinoff investigation

How was Maddi Wesche’s final shot put throw not over 20m? A Spinoff investigation

Was it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence?
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By Madeleine Chapman | 23rd December, 2024
Editor
Gambling events are now designed to photograph well for Instagram. (Image: Screenshots/The Spinoff)

How the gambling industry is using influencers to appeal to a new generation

Party holes, paid partnerships and podcast appearances – it's all part of a concerted effort to attract young people to gambling.
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By Shanti Mathias | 20th December, 2024
Contributing writer
Action shots from Premier House. Image: Joel MacManus

A ball-by-ball analysis of backyard cricket at the prime minister’s house

A detailed summary of everything we were allowed to report from the PM's cricket party at Premier House.
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By Joel MacManus | 5th December, 2024
Wellington editor
TJ Perenara made sure he made a statement with his final haka as All Black. (Image: instagram.com/allblacks with additional design by Liam Rātana)
Opinion

All Blacks haka controversy: A bold statement or brand risk?

It was his last time leading an All Blacks haka and TJ Perenara was sure it sent a message.
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By Liam Rātana | 26th November, 2024
Ātea editor
Photo: Every Word Counts

Watch live: New Zealand vs Australia in the Trans-Tasman Scrabble Challenge

The Bledisloe Cup of Scrabble is streaming live on YouTube all weekend. Here’s how to watch and everything else you need to know. 
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By Calum Henderson | 15th November, 2024
Production editor
House near Go Media Stadium in Penrose. (Photo: Jin Fellet).

In pictures: MMT fans turn Penrose red ahead of Tonga’s thrilling win

On Saturday afternoon, Mate Ma'a Tonga (MMT) fans were on their way to watch a historic rugby league game.
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By Jin Fellet | 4th November, 2024
Senior producer
Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu celebrate victory after defeating South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup Final at Dubai International Stadium. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

With the World Cup won, there’s something else the White Ferns really want

And before the ‘oldies’ are gone.
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By Toby Manhire | 24th October, 2024
Editor-at-large
The Port, Auckland FC, at Go Media Stadium for the new side’s first game. (Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Oh no… I think I’ve fallen for Auckland FC

An occasion so impressive it made me do something I thought I never would.
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By Toby Manhire | 21st October, 2024
Editor-at-large
Winners. Images: Social media

The winningest weekend for New Zealand sport

Have we ever been winninger?
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By Toby Manhire | 21st October, 2024
Editor-at-large
Just a man, standing in front of a rugby league club, asking them to take him to the promised land
Opinion

Mike Hosking is one of the Warriors' biggest fans, and it doesn't make a lick of sense

His 'common sense' world view holds little time for losers and dreamers... with one major exception.
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By Pete Douglas | 4th October, 2024
Guest writer
The agony and ecstasy of competitive pinball (Photo: Supplied)

How I became the 193rd best pinballer in New Zealand

A shallow dive into the deeply competitive world of pinball in Aotearoa.
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By Matt Casey | 28th September, 2024
Contributing writer
The All Blacks aura files (Image: Archi Banal)

Have the All Blacks lost their aura? Finally, a definitive answer

It's a question that's been in the headlines for years. The problem is we’ve been looking to rugby writers for answers only psychics can offer.
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By Hayden Donnell | 24th September, 2024
Contributing writer

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