The Spinoff

  • The Spinoff
  • Politics
  • Pop Culture
  • Kai
  • Podcasts

Sections

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

SEARCH


AUTHOR SEARCH

Search for an author...

Sections

  • Society
  • Internet
  • Ātea
  • Books
  • Sports
  • Partners
  • Media
  • Science
  • Business

Watch

  • Videos

Members

  • Donate
  • =
  • Log in

About

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • About us
  • Jobs

Subscribe

  • Newsletters

Events

  • Wellington
  • Auckland

The Best Of

Image: The Spinoff
Opinion

Once again, workers pay the price in the fight against inflation

If prices start to rise, it's never the companies making excess profits that bear the burden of bringing them down again.
avatar
By Max Rashbrooke | 8th May, 2025
Contributing writer
Why doesn’t the South Island get the comedy festival? 

Why doesn’t the South Island get the comedy festival? 

Our national comedy festival barely crosses the Cook Strait.
avatar
By Alex Casey | 8th May, 2025
Senior writer
Illegal cigarette smuggling man: an appreciation

Illegal cigarette smuggling man: an appreciation

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round cigs in the square holes.
avatar
By Hayden Donnell | 8th May, 2025
Contributing writer
Bottom left, Nicola Willis speaking in support of the Equal Pay Amendment Bill in parliament in 2020. Top right, Willis defending the overhaul on May 6, 2025.

What have the women of the coalition said about pay equity?

Nicola Willis on the passing of the Equal Pay Amendment Bill in 2020: 'This is an important moment. Equal pay matters.'
avatar
By Alice Neville | 7th May, 2025
Deputy editor
Another sitting block kicks off – good thing absolutely nothing has happened.

Echo Chamber: Pay equity, private emails and petty politicians

A mob of female National ministers moving towards the House could only mean one thing: this is a coalition for the girlbosses.
avatar
By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 7th May, 2025
Politics reporter
Batteries that get damaged can start fires – like these batteries that caused an Envirowaste fire. (Image: Envirowaste/Wellington City Council, additional design by The Spinoff)

Why batteries keep causing fires – and how the problem can be fixed

Batteries have been the culprit in 13 fires in Auckland this year so far, including last month's massive North Shore blaze. So what's the solution?
avatar
By Shanti Mathias | 7th May, 2025
Contributing writer
Five of the many fake ‘local’ boutique stores operating online

The rise and rise of fake ‘local’ boutiques

The Commerce Commission has received more than 100 enquiries about them this year alone, but the fake storefronts continue to operate.
avatar
By Madeleine Chapman | 7th May, 2025
Editor
‘Lacking in logic’: The NZ screen industry reacts to Trump’s 100% tariff on non-US films

‘Lacking in logic’: The NZ screen industry reacts to Trump’s 100% tariff on non-US films

The local screen industry has been left concerned – if not slightly confused. 
avatar
By Alex Casey | 5th May, 2025
Senior writer
Work and Income has apologised to a woman who claims the agency had accused her of faking her deafness.

Work and Income pledges review after deaf woman denied service

'I have the right to communicate in the ways that I need... they don’t have the right to tell me I’m faking it.'
avatar
By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 5th May, 2025
Politics reporter
Design: Liam Rātana

Reviewing John Campbell’s fearless exposé of Brian Tamaki and Destiny Church

The new TVNZ+ docuseries is a gripping and unsettling look at how Destiny Church has amassed money and power – and why its growing aggression should alarm us all.
avatar
By Liam Rātana | 30th April, 2025
Ātea editor
Looks easy

We did the police college fitness tests to see whether they’re actually easy

It will be remembered as a great act of gonzo journalism.
avatar
By Hayden Donnell | 30th April, 2025
Contributing writer
How this playground became ‘the jewel in the crown’ of Ōtautahi

How this playground became ‘the jewel in the crown’ of Ōtautahi

A visit to Tākaro ā Poi, the Margaret Mahy Family Playground, nearly a decade on from its opening.
avatar
By Alex Casey | 30th April, 2025
Senior writer
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.
avatar
By Shanti Mathias | 29th April, 2025
Contributing writer
Finally, the Golden Mile is under way (Photos: Supplied)
Opinion

The Golden Mile gets going, with or without the nimbys

Dare we dream of a reality that makes us a real city? Dare we want more from this life?
avatar
By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 29th April, 2025
Politics reporter
A scene from Bluey’s Big Play, and the moment immediately preceding ballgate (Photos: Tom Grut/ Live Nation; Alice Neville)

My kid didn’t get to touch Bluey’s big balls and I’m spiralling 

The live theatre show based on the wildly popular Aussie cartoon was full of delights, plus one crushing disappointment.
avatar
By Alice Neville | 28th April, 2025
Deputy editor
An argument against the new English curriculum released in April 2025.
Opinion

Why I’ve told my principal I will not teach the new proposed English curriculum

'If the ministry is unable to provide us with something fit for purpose, it is not my job to compound the harm it will cause to my students, but to protect them from it.'
avatar
By David Taylor | 28th April, 2025
Guest writer
On the left, the original portrait of Te Aho-o-te-Rangi Wharepu (Ngāti Mahuta). On the right is the version on display at Kokomo.

The mystery of the Goldie AI reproductions hanging in a Christchurch restaurant

AI remakes of Māori portraits hang in a Christchurch restaurant — who made them and why are they there?
avatar
By Liam Rātana | 28th April, 2025
Ātea editor
Roughly the route followed by Moehanga on the Ferret (Image: The Spinoff)

The Māori who discovered Europe

April 27 is Moehanga Day, the anniversary of the day in 1806 when Ngāpuhi warrior Moehanga became the first Māori to visit England.
avatar
By Joel MacManus | 26th April, 2025
Wellington editor
Daniel Kalderimis’s book Zest stars Middlemarch by George Eliot.

George Eliot and Daniel Kalderimis and me: on the healing power of Middlemarch

Sometimes a book finds you at just the right time.
avatar
By Heidi Thomson | 26th April, 2025
Guest writer
When terrestrial television feels like a holiday

When terrestrial TV feels like a holiday

Away from wifi and streaming platforms, you are forced to rely on trained programming professionals. And maybe that's a good thing.
avatar
By Alex Casey | 26th April, 2025
Senior writer

Sections

  • Society
  • Ātea
  • Sports
  • Media
  • Business
  • Internet
  • Books
  • Partners
  • Science

Watch

  • Videos

    Members

    • Donate
    • Members terms

    About

    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • About us
    • Jobs

    Subscribe

    • Newsletters

    Events

    • Wellington
    • Auckland

    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 2025
    ×
    ▼

    Loading...