The latest literary funding grants from Creative New Zealand, featuring established novelists, literary festivals, and The Spinoff Review of Books. Where there’s a trough, there’s a snout. 248 applicants competed for the latest Creative New Zealand funding round, and requested a total of $7,486,318. Dream on! CNZ were able to award $2,032,544 in 92 grants. Among them … Read more
Compiling the best reading from your friendly local website. Henry Oliver: ‘What if birds aren’t singing, they’re screaming?’: Inside Aldous Harding‘s head “Harding’s music is deep and weird and mythic. It exists in its own world and follows its own symbolic logic. She might not want to talk about her music because she doesn’t want to … Read more
The best-selling books in the two best bookstores in the Western world. AUCKLAND UNITY 1 Idaho by Emily Ruskovich (Chatto & Windus, $37) We have received Kim Hill’s review of this remarkable, shocking US novel of family life, and will publish it as Book of the Week on Thursday. 2 The Sellout by Paul Beatty … Read more
In 1987, an election was held, petrol was cheaper, and people were fewer. But how much has really changed in New Zealand in 30 years? Take the quiz to test your knowledge of 1987. Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this but, that’s just how outrageous I am!” The fourth instalment of our video series Comedians Answer Our Questions is here! Featuring a number of funny people appearing in this year’s NZ International Comedy Festival, this time comedians tell us about the things they hate more than anything else in … Read more
It’s the end of the second week of the Comedy Festival, the third episode of The Laugh-Off podcast and the day we lose it. The third episode of our comedy festival podcast sees actor, writer and comedy expert Chelsea McEwan Millar, comedy editor Sam Brooks and performer Jess Brien attempt to keep things together as … Read more
Compiling the best reading from your friendly local website. Jack Tame: ‘Janice’s email stood out for its dazzling ignorance’: Jack Tame on the racist email which made him snap “Of my two broadcasting gigs, some associate Newstalk ZB with pushing conservative agendas. So, some hosts don’t believe in climate change? Perhaps someone suggests on air … Read more
The best-selling books at the two best book stores in Christendom. WELLINGTON UNITY 1 Along for the Ride by Tony Simpson (Blythswood Press, $48) Political memoir by one of the most fascinating back-room figures in New Zealand politics; highly recommended. 2 The New Zealand Project by Max Harris (Bridget Williams Books, $40) In some respects … Read more
How much parental leave can New Zealanders take? Do dads get paid more than mums? Is the Pope catholic? Take the quiz to find out. Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here.
In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources Snapchat footage of extraordinary Kiwi citizens. Today, Auckland landlord David McNeil shares some of his exciting new rental opportunities with us. Click here to watch Kiwis of Snapchat #1 featuring Jami-Lee Ross Click here to watch Kiwis of Snapchat #2 featuring Kelvin Cruickshank Click … Read more
It’s the end of the first week of the Comedy Festival, the second episode of The Laugh-Off podcast and our first/last live record. The second episode of our comedy festival podcast sees actor, writer and comedy expert Chelsea McEwan Millar joined by comedy editor Sam Brooks and award-winning comedian Rhys Mathewson (filling in for comedy editor … Read more
Many, including the PM, were surprised this week to learn that blasphemy remains an offence under NZ law. The one and only case of prosecution dates from 1922, when John Glover was prosecuted in the Supreme Court for republishing in his paper the Maoriland Worker the anti-war poem ‘Stand-to: Good Friday Morning’ by Siegfried Sassoon … Stand-to: … Read more
“And she stood up and said, ‘It’s just not funny!’” Welcome to the third instalment in our video series Comedians Answer Our Questions, featuring a number of funny people appearing in this year’s NZ International Comedy Festival. This time we asked comedians to tell us about the worst heckle they’ve ever had. The answers we got … Read more
Compiling the best reading from your friendly local website. Michele A’Court: Here, let me help. Start by imagining your penis is bleeding “So… imagine that you are you, Tom. All good? And that for a few days every month, you bleed out of your penis. Sometimes a little bit, sometimes a lot. And your testicles (which … Read more
International Workers Day was celebrated on May 1st. How much do you know about New Zealand’s workforce? Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here.
In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today, local man Kenneth Cooper shares his Survivor NZ application with us. Click here to watch Kiwis of Snapchat #1 featuring Jami-Lee Ross Click here to watch Kiwis of Snapchat #2 featuring Kelvin Cruickshank This … Read more
Host Chelsea McEwan Millar is joined by Spinoff Comedy co-editors Sam Brooks and Natasha Hoyland to talk about the kick-off of the NZ International Comedy Festival. The first episode of our comedy festival podcast sees actor, writer and comedy expert Chelsea McEwan Millar joined around the oval table by Sam and Natasha to talk about … Read more
“As she’s going over, her pants just split right up the middle.” Welcome to the second instalment in our video series Comedians Answer Our Questions, featuring a number of faces in this year’s NZ International Comedy Festival. This time we asked comedians to tell us about the funniest thing they’ve ever seen, from unexpected peeing, … Read more
Today we all witnessed the extraordinary moment that The High Court went to 8 Mile, where both some sick rhymes and legal arguments were dropped. We took things one step further. The Spinoff’s music content is brought to you by our friends at Spark. Listen to all the music you love on Spotify Premium, it’s free … Read more
The best-selling books at the world’s best two bookstores. WELLINGTON UNITY 1 The New Zealand Project by Max Harris (Bridget Williams Books, $40) Max! Number one in both Wellington and Auckland. He’s cool. 2 Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo (Particular Books, $40) Inspirational role modelling. 3 Rule of … Read more
Has the New Zealand film industry been expanding or shrinking? Find out by taking the quiz below. Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here.
In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today, Sensing Murder psychic Kelvin Cruickshank attempts to contact Jonah Lomu, again. Click here to watch Kiwis of Snapchat #1 featuring Jami-Lee Ross
Compiling the best reading from your friendly local website. Bree Brown: A teenager on what 13 Reasons Why gets dangerously wrong about teen suicide “The main failing of this show is that it continues to perpetuate the idea that suicide is a direct result of a person or an event. For years, experts have emphasised … Read more
In association with our mates Bigpipe Broadband we’re livestreaming a different video game every Wednesday at 7pm on Facebook Live. Join José Barbosa and a cast of roped in innocents for these highlights from a journey into utter mayhem. One of 2017’s most eagerly anticipated games is the new Zelda, and José Barbosa and Liam … Read more
The best-selling books at the world’s best two bookstores. AUCKLAND UNITY 1 The New Zealand Project by Max Harris (Bridget Williams Books, $40) Woah, number one in Auckland and Wellington! We really must approach the publisher and ask for an excerpt from this geek-lit best-seller. 2 Idaho by Emily Ruskovich (Chatto & Windus, $37) We … Read more
Polish up on your knowledge of the New Zealand Armed Forces with our special ANZAC quiz. Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here.
Inside the Lightbox is a sponsored feature where we trawl their catalogue for shows you might want to watch. This week, we outline six things you need to know about Six. New to Lightbox this month, History Channel original action series Six follows the daily lives of the members of the Navy SEAL Team 6 … Read more
Introducing our new video series Kiwis of Snapchat, wherein comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today, Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross is still steamed about window-washers.
In association with our mates Bigpipe Broadband we’re livestreaming a different video game every Wednesday at 7pm on Facebook Live. Join José Barbosa and a cast of roped-in innocents for these highlights from a journey into utter mayhem. True blue real life hunter Don Rowe takes fretful townie José Barbosa on a crash course on … Read more