Madeleine Chapman 
Unladylike shouting from Madeleine Chapman at Alan Duff’s Herald piece on ‘unfeminine’ women, Samoan cleaners and what makes a real Kiwi. Alan Duff went to a bar and heard some women loudly laughing nearby and it made him angry. So he went home and wrote a column about why “unfeminine” women and television presenters aren’t real … Read more
Among the resurgence of adult animated shows, Bob’s Burgers stands out for its joyous, optimistic look at working class family life. Madeleine Chapman spoke to John Roberts about impersonating his own mum and how that became a full-time gig as Linda Belcher. I watched three seasons of Bob’s Burgers before bothering to look up the voice cast and I … Read more
In a world of excess and greed, Madeleine Chapman just wants everyone to get the most out of their food. When I was in my final year at university, I had my heart broken. Not by a young man, but by Hilary Barry. The spear she used to pierce my heart was this tweet. For years … Read more
With the release of his fifth album, The Afterlove, James Blunt has managed to keep making music despite being the recipient of perhaps the most unreasonable level of hate from around the world. Madeleine Chapman caught up with one of her favourite musicians to find out how he blocks out the haters. It’s hard work being a … Read more
Season two of All Talk With Anika Moa premieres tonight on Māori Television. Madeleine Chapman attended the taping and was transformed into a star. The studio audience wasn’t big. In fact, it took me just a few seconds to count 19 bodies total, including me. I knew the audience for All Talk With Anika Moa would be … Read more
Madeleine Chapman flew to Los Angeles on United Airlines and flew back on Air New Zealand. One was better. You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone. Is something that annoying people love to say out of context. But sadly it’s true, and no more so than when a New Zealander finds him or … Read more
Tom O’Connor bravely penned an opinion piece for the Waikato Times on how men suffer from a woman’s period. Madeleine Chapman responds to each of his relevant points. “Only a very brave man or a fool would dare give women advice on how to manage their menstrual cycle. I am not sure which one I am but–” You’re a … Read more
Fresh from rocking Coachella, movie score titan Hans Zimmer is coming to Auckland to perform one show only, Hans Zimmer Revealed. He spoke to Madeleine Chapman about some of his most recognisable scores and how he avoids repeating himself. Whether he realises it or not (he definitely doesn’t), Hans Zimmer has scored the past five years … Read more
The UN has declared internet access a basic human right, but at-home internet remains out of reach for many struggling New Zealand families. Madeleine Chapman learns how the Spark Jump programme is attempting to bridge the digital divide. For most of last year, a Belmont family took regular visits to their nearest McDonalds. Not for … Read more
Game of Bros returned to Maori television tonight and picked up right where it left off: in a vat of coconut oil. Madeleine Chapman made a few crucial and important observations to keep an eye out for as the show progresses. Before I go any further I feel I must disclose that Aunty Henga and … Read more
Don Henley, drummer/singer/songwriter of the Eagles, one of the most loved and loathed bands ever, plays in Auckland on Thursday. So, it must be asked, are the Eagles good or are they bad? Madeleine Chapman argues the former. There are very few things in life that make me genuinely mad. But the look of pure … Read more
Game of Bros is back, sans the free Bachelor marketing, and browner than ever. Before the season two premiere, Madeleine Chapman sat down with Game of Bros superfan* Aunty Henga to judge the contestants based solely on their calendar photo and quote. By the time we got to the Game of Bros season finale last year, my Aunty Henga was about … Read more
Max Key is touring the country to promote his new single ‘All The Way’. The Spinoff sent known recluse Madeleine Chapman along for the full VIP experience. “You paid to be here? That’s crazy.” The young man laughed as I hurriedly explained that no, I hadn’t paid $59 for a VIP ticket to Max Key’s … Read more
Amy Satterthwaite is the second person, and only woman, to score four consecutive ODI centuries. Madeleine Chapman caught up with her to see about making it five. “If you just read it as it’s spelled, it’s quite straightforward, but people seem to freak out.” Amy Satterthwaite doesn’t sound too bothered by the fact that commentators … Read more
Regardless of today’s verdict, the assumptions made and line of questioning pursued by Kuggeleijn’s lawyer Philip Morgan over the course of two trials were extremely troubling, writes Madeleine Chapman. A jury of six men and six women has found Scott Kuggeleijn not guilty of raping a woman in May 2015. Many have expressed relief at … Read more
Both the Black Caps and White Ferns had impressive wins yesterday on the cricket pitch. But while the Black Caps are all over the news, the White Ferns performed a greater feat and were arguably more entertaining, or so says women’s sports apologist Madeleine Chapman. On Wednesday afternoon, while avid cricket fans were at work with … Read more
In New Zealand to promote the return of Suits to Lightbox, Rick Hoffman revealed the secrets of mudding, catchphrases, and his mysterious assistant Norma to Madeleine Chapman. The first ever episode of The AM Show aired on Monday morning, and its first ever studio guest was actor Rick Hoffman – aka the man we love to … Read more
The Moana soundtrack can be heard anywhere; in Countdown, at the movies, blasting from the car next to you at the Royal Oak roundabout. Madeleine Chapman sat down with one of the men responsible for the movie’s music, Opetaia Foa’i, to talk Disney, collaboration, and knowing when to draw the line. I spotted Opetaia Foa’i in Ponsonby … Read more
Max Key has come under very mild fire for photoshopping a shark into an image of himself on holiday. Madeleine Chapman looked into the shark’s history and found that it’s been in a lot more iconic photos than you’d think. On Waitangi Day, at peak social media time, Max Key posted an image of himself … Read more
The stationery store Typo is known for its quirky slogans and inspiring messages. Madeleine Chapman followed their advice to see just how positive it really is. Whenever I buy stationery, it’s aspirational. I aspire to be more organised and write in a planner every day. I aspire to buy a pad of refill and use the … Read more
Everybody wants to be like The Rock but what happens when you actually try and live like him? Madeleine Chapman was foolish enough to find out. First published May 18, 2016. Gym, movie set, movie set, gym, throwback Thursday, movie set, gym. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Instagram page is both inspiring and extremely repetitive. Whether … Read more
Early in June the then prime minister told reporters there were plenty of (relatively) affordable Auckland homes on Trade Me. Madeleine Chapman searched the site to see if he was right. Originally published June 2, 2016 Asked yesterday about Auckland’s average house price nearing the $1 million mark, John Key was as upbeat as ever: … Read more
In September Disney once again came under fire for cultural appropriation, this time for the release of their Maui costume for kids. Madeleine Chapman explains why the costume might not be so bad. First published September 20, 2016. Update: Shortly after the publication of this article, Disney announced it was withdrawing the Maui costume from … Read more
The Warehouse and Kmart are two of the busiest stores throughout the Christmas season. But which one is better? Madeleine Chapman dived deep into affordable late-night shopping and emerged with a scoresheet. We’ve all been there, desperately trying to find the last box of fairy lights because someone stepped on just one of the bulbs and … Read more
After attending the National Digital Forum in Wellington, Madeleine Chapman returned to her work desk with the key to a whole new world of knowledge. Last month, the National Digital Forum (NDF) was held across two days at Te Papa museum in Wellington. A gathering of GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) personnel to share ideas … Read more
The Spinoff once again reshapes the media landscape, this time with The Spinoff Snapchat Gaming Review. This week Madeleine Chapman gives Out Run a hoon. Follow the old Spinoff on Snapchat at the_spinoff. Thanks. The extent of my gaming ability ends as soon as two hands are required, working in unison. Which is why old … Read more
The HP 48Hours short film competition held its grand finals and awards ceremony on Friday. Madeleine Chapman went along for the first time and came away with some lasting impressions, both good and bad. I’ve never entered the 48Hours film competition, though I’ve been tempted. It seems like something fun and excruciating to do with … Read more
Madeleine Chapman taks a tour through the so-called bishop’s mind via his ridiculous Twitter page. This story was first published in November 2016. This week, Bishop Brian Tamaki of Destiny Church claimed in a sermon that earthquakes and other natural disasters are caused by sexual deviance, for example, homosexuality. Tamaki, a self-anointed prophet who often … Read more
Congratulations, New Zealand. The court of public opinion has outdone any mere judge, delivering a punishment that reeks of knee-jerk outrage and lazy prejudice, writes Madeleine Chapman. Losi Filipo was today re-sentenced to nine months’ supervision and counselling for assault. After being discharged without conviction earlier this year, the victims spoke out to the media … Read more