This week, the Norwegian band A-ha will play their first ever dates in New Zealand. Though it’s been more than three decades since the release of their timeless debut single ‘Take on Me’, sometimes it seems like it was only yesterday, writes Catherine McGregor. It’s a Saturday evening in the spring of 1985 and I’m … Read more
You may not be punching strangers’ seats, but there’s plenty of other behaviour that is guaranteed to make your fellow passengers seethe with rage. Here’s how to travel by plane without making people hate you. You’ve probably seen the video: a woman leans back in her reclined seat as a man punches the back of … Read more
Catherine McGregor revisits some classic cafes and discovers some newcomers on a nostalgic weekend of culture and bread in Wellington. When I moved back to New Zealand from London in 2008, it took a while to feel at home. I had moved into a converted boatshed overlooking Pauatahanui inlet, a half hour north of Wellington, … Read more
From unpaid teachers to match fixing and rogue clamping, these are the news stories that outraged New Zealand in the 2010s. Paul Henry The decade in NZ scandal started out strong thanks to TV and radio host Paul Henry (for the edification of younger readers, he was like Mike Hosking, but with a louder laugh … Read more
The government will start phasing out polystyrene packaging and beverage containers in response to a major new report calling for a nationwide rethink on plastics in New Zealand, PM Jacinda Ardern announced today. Here’s what you need to know about the announcement, and the Rethinking Plastics in Aotearoa report. For much of the year, a … Read more
Early on Thursday NZ time, the Trump impeachment inquiry kicks into high gear, as the previously closed-door proceedings are replaced with televised public hearings. Here’s the lowdown. What’s about to happen? Just over seven weeks since Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced an impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump’s dealings with Ukraine, televised hearings are … Read more
What’s the issue with online porn, and is there really any way to keep kids from watching it? Porn you say? On a Sunday? Lord forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, but we need to talk about smut. Specifically, smut on the internet. The government is considering a number … Read more
The Aotearoa-born breed is having a moment in the spotlight, thanks to The Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Peter Quill. Kunekune pigs are great and all, but why should I care about them now? A big overseas celebrity has mentioned them – why else? Newlyweds Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger have welcomed two kunekune pigs into … Read more
Auckland is great – but, argues Catherine McGregor, Melbourne’s restaurants, cafes and bars still have the edge. Long before ‘cool’ even existed, Melbourne was cooler than wherever you lived. Take it from me: if you’d stopped a 19th century dandy flaneur-ing his way along Karangahape Road to ask what he thought of Melbourne, the reply … Read more
The government today announced a raft of measures aimed at making rental homes warmer, drier and healthier. If there’s one thing tenants enjoy more than totting up how much of their wages are going to fund an extension to their landlord’s Waiheke holiday home, it’s enumerating all the highly specific ways in which their own … Read more
The time to start tuning in, the races to look out for, the chances of a Democratic ‘blue wave’, and why today’s result could completely alter the course of American politics. READ OUR LIVE BLOG: Some important updates, and some unimportant updates, from America’s big day of democracy. It’s been a long, long time coming. … Read more
A New York Times feature on the new breed of Washington lobbyists lays bare the weird connection between the New Zealand embassy under Tim Groser and Robert Stryk, a Trump-connected political player. Catherine McGregor explains. The night of 20 January was a massive one on Washington DC’s party circuit, as Republican politicians, lobbyists and assorted hangers-on thronged … Read more
The news that the Greens’ medical marijuana bill is to go before parliament has prompted speculation that cannabis law is set for a long-overdue change. Catherine McGregor sat down with law reform advocate Professor Max Abbott to discuss all things marijuana. When it comes to cannabis law reform in New Zealand, it can often feel … Read more
From Chinese 3D manufacturing to Korean soap operas to Japanese street fashion, the 21st century belongs to Asia. Little wonder, then, that an increasing number of young New Zealanders are ditching the UK OE and heading to Asia instead. In the second of a two part series on The Asia OE, Catherine McGregor talks to … Read more
Today marks the publication of the third issue of Bauer Media’s new Auckland commuter-focused free magazine, Paperboy. Catherine McGregor sat down with the magazine’s editor Jeremy Hansen to discuss urbanism, optimism and why he’s glad to be a cheerleader for the new Auckland. The Spinoff: Free commuter magazines are a completely new model for Bauer, … Read more
As the acclaimed contemporary dance company prepares for arrival in Auckland, artistic director Paul Lightfoot tells Catherine McGregor what audiences should expect. Plus, tips for the contemporary dance first-timer. The news that Nederlands Dans Theater is on its way to Auckland has the New Zealand dance community members jeté-ing for joy. They have a message … Read more
The Australian comedian, performing in Auckland and Wellington next week, does toilet humour with a difference. She talks with Catherine McGregor about making comedy out of mental illness. “God bless toilets. They’re a games room, they’re a prayer room, they’re a confessional, they’re a lounge room. They’re whatever you want them to be. I’m a … Read more
Catherine McGregor sits in on the Games of Thrones panel at Comic Con in New York, and finds out exactly what Margaery Tyrrell and Kermit the Frog’s new girlfriend have in common. New York Comic Con doesn’t attract quite the same fan frenzy as its San Diego cousin, but the gap is closing fast. Since … Read more
Following in the footsteps of Liz Lemon, Jerry Seinfeld and Louie CK, Catherine McGregor eats at the iconic food vendors of New York television comedy. “I’m going to go talk to some food about this” – Liz Lemon. The Seinfeld Diner Finding out that Seinfeld was shot in Los Angeles sits high in my personal pantheon … Read more
Our US correspondent Catherine Mcgregor watched the brave, televised testimonies of Bill Cosby’s victims in the A&E special The Women Speak, and recounts some of the most affecting evidence against the entertainer. (Trigger warning: this article discusses sexual violence). As a broad-strokes telling of the Cosby story, the A&E special Cosby: The Women Speak didn’t tell us much … Read more
With most of America still at the beach or sheltering from the heat inside frigid movie theatres, must-see TV is thin on the ground. As the networks prepare to launch their autumn schedules, US correspondent Catherine McGregor takes a look at some of the new shows on now. Public Morals The world needs yet another … Read more
Former Metro digital editor Catherine McGregor recently moved to New York. Naturally, her first priority was obtaining a television, so she could watch the first Republican debate on Fox News. On my local public radio station, morning call-in listeners described how they were planning to watch the show. Comparisons were made to stand-up comedy, WWE, and the audition rounds … Read more