The epic Spinoff leaders’ debate #2 drinking game

Tonight on Three at 8.30pm, Jacinda Ardern and Bill English meet again, in the first leaders’ debate since the other day. It’s a feature-length 90 minutes tonight, so here’s something to keep your energy up. We strongly advise using apple juice. Take a sip when you hear/see: Gower guffaws “Paddy” “The fact of the matter” … Read more

Kiwis of Snapchat: Bill and Paula plan their next moves

In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens and luminaries making the news. Today: Bill and Paula may have finally hit on a way to show they’re as cool as Jacinda. Click here for all our Kiwis of Snapchat videos.  

The days are getting longer so here’s some new TV to binge

On the first day of Spring, we present to you all the content sprouting forth in September for you to enjoy on Lightbox.  Happy Valley (S2 available now) The second season of the British chiller returns with Police Sergeant Catherine Cawood back on her murder beat. With a string of homicides hitting West Yorkshire, and … Read more

Kiwis of Snapchat: post-leaders’ debate debrief

In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today: didn’t we all do well? Morning has broken on the day after the first TV leaders debate. Bill English, Jacinda Ardern and Mike Hosking give their reflections on how they think the debate went. … Read more

Kiwis of Snapchat: Bill to Jacinda – ‘Let’s do… this debate’

In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today: Bill English gets hyped for tonight’s leaders’ debate. Click here for all our Kiwis of Snapchat videos. This content is entirely funded by Simplicity, New Zealand’s only non-profit fund manager, dedicated to making Kiwis wealthier … Read more

The epic Spinoff leaders’ debate drinking game

Tonight on TVNZ1 at 7pm, Jacinda Ardern and Bill English will go head-to-head in the first leader’s debate of the 2017 election. To make the viewing experience all the more exciting, we’ve assembled the mother of all drinking games. We strongly advise using non-alcoholic beverages. Take a sip when you hear/see: “Let me finish” “With … Read more

Kiwis of Snapchat: Peter Dunne says his goodbyes

In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today: United Future MP Peter Dunne has announced his retirement from politics.  Click here for all our Kiwis of Snapchat videos. This content is entirely funded by Simplicity, New Zealand’s only non-profit fund manager, dedicated to … Read more

The bumper Spinoff guide to watching the NZ election 2017: the debates and the big night

Everyone is competing for your eyeballs this election and it’s hard to know where to direct them and when. We’ve compiled your guide to leaders’ debates, election night coverage and the morning-after walk-of-shame. These are available to view or listen to by the public on broadcast television, radio or streamed live via the miracle of the … Read more

Kiwis of Snapchat: Gerald Cobb, Auckland commuter

In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today: Aucklander Gerald Cobb walks us through his early morning commute. Click here for all our Kiwis of Snapchat videos. The Spinoff Auckland is sponsored by Heart of the City, the business association dedicated to the … Read more

Covering climate change: journalism’s biggest and most difficult story, ever

Climate change is the defining challenge of our times. The Spinoff is devoting a week of coverage to the issue, its advocates, complexities, and solutions. Today, five journalists discuss the intricacies and importance of covering climate change. Climate change is the biggest story on any editor’s newslist right now. Legendary environmentalist David Suzuki wants journalists to … Read more

The best of The Spinoff this week

Compiling the best reading from your friendly local website. Kiki Van Newtown: What it’s like to grow up poor in New Zealand “The thing about being poor is that nobody ever intends to end up that way. My family were always working class, but I was about seven when I realised we were actually poor, … Read more

Mātakitaki #1: Our first episode could be our last

Welcome to Mātakitaki, a show about Māori people, issues and stuff. Leonie Hayden is joined by comedians Jessica Hansell (aka Coco Solid) and Jamaine Ross (aka the best beard in New Zealand comedy) to discuss monetising racial trauma, the politics of a brown writers’ room and their brand new comedy series, ‘Only In Aotearoa’. We didn’t … Read more

How to watch 10 documentaries on your lunch break

Feast upon this year’s Loading Docs selection featuring ten snack size local documentaries that you can watch in half an hour. If you struggle at times to hold focus during a 10 second Snapchat – let alone a 59 minute Game of Thrones episode – your scatterbrain might be well-suited to the short, sharp wonders of Loading Docs. With … Read more

Kiwis of Snapchat: James ‘Arya Stark’ Shaw

In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today: Green Party leader James Shaw is hopping mad about losing co-leader Metiria Turei.   Click here for all our Kiwis of Snapchat videos. This content is entirely funded by Simplicity, New Zealand’s only nonprofit fund … Read more

The best of The Spinoff this week: Arise, Jacinda, saviour of the left (maybe)

Compiling the best reading from your friendly local website. Toby Manhire: Jacinda Ardern and Kelvin Davis: why this is terrible for Labour, and why it is brilliant “At her first press conference as leader of the Labour Party, Jacinda Ardern has promised to run “the campaign of our lives”. She and new deputy Kelvin Davis, who … Read more

Kiwis of Snapchat: Meet Mr Jacinda Ardern

In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today: Did you know that Labour leader Jacinda Ardern’s partner, broadcaster Clarke Gayford, really, REALLY likes fishing? Click here for all our Kiwis of Snapchat videos. This content, like all television coverage we do at … Read more

Unity Books best-seller chart for the week ending July 28

The best-selling books at the two best bookstores which sell books. WELLINGTON UNITY 1 The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy (Hamish Hamilton, $38) Tedious, fatuous novel longlisted for the 2017 Man Booker award. 2 The New Zealand Project by Max Harris (Bridget Williams Books, $40) Max! 3 Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls … Read more

Kiwis of Snapchat: Bill and Paula have a message for the youth of NZ (WATCH)

In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today: Bill English and Paula Bennett have a plan to target the youth vote. Click here for all our Kiwis of Snapchat videos. Want more politics? Check out the Spinoff’s Gone By Lunchtime political podcast, … Read more

Announcing the winners of the 2017 Surrey Hotel writers residency award

Huzzah! Congratulations to the winner and two runners-up of New Zealand’s grooviest writers residency award. Auckland writer Serena Benson is winner of the prestigious 2017 Surrey Hotel Steve Braunias Memorial Writers Residency In Association With The Spinoff Award. Jesse Mulligan made the announcement on his Radio New Zealand show this afternoon, and also named the … Read more

Why Canadians will soon be allowed to buy weed – legally (WATCH)

In July 2018 Canada will become the second country in the world to universally legalise cannabis (Uruguay took the plunge earlier this year). Former Canadian deputy prime minister Anne McLellan, who led the task force advising the government on what a regulated marijuana market should look like, was in Wellington earlier this month to talk … Read more

The Unity Books best-seller chart for the week ending July 21

The best-selling books at the two best bookstores in the galaxy. NOTE: The Spinoff’s mystery bestseller commentator is off on a hike or something, leaving this week’s list stripped of furniture. But the important details still remain. AUCKLAND UNITY 1 A Horse Walks Into a Bar by David Grossman (Vintage, $26) 2 No Is Not … Read more

The Figure-Friday quiz: on doctors and The Doctor

Jodie Whittaker will play the 13th Doctor on Doctor Who. Here’s a quiz that uses the word doctor in its many forms. Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here. The Spinoff Media is sponsored by MBM, an award-winning strategic media agency specialising in digital, with vast experience across all channels. We deliver smart, tailored media … Read more