Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Greens push policy at restive annual conference, police alarm Ihumātao protectors by showing rifles, and two major stories about dodgy historic rubbish dumps. The Green Party have held their annual conference over the weekend, and it heralded both policy drives, and organisational blows. We’ll start with … Read more
Vodafone just announced that they’ll be flicking on the new generation of mobile signal in four centres before the end of the year. Hold the phone. What just happened? In an all singing, all dancing, all hologramming extravaganza at its Auckland HQ, Vodafone announced that it will be switching on a 5G network in December … Read more
Rizzoli & Isles was gayer than you thought it was – or at least, it should’ve been. Sam Rutledge reflects on the frustrating experience of being a queer fan of the ridiculously named cop procedural. They say it’s harder to write about something you love than something you hate, so it’s a good thing I … Read more
Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden, Michèle A’Court tackle the past month in women, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. This month on On the Rag, we have a lot of making up to do after skipping out on our July episode. You haven’t missed much though, because Brian Tamaki is still screaming about abortion … Read more
The popular and staunchly independent Auckland eatery Coco’s Cantina has launched a ghost restaurant on UberEats, and it ‘shows that our industry is not in a healthy place’, says its owner. Over the past couple of weeks, as they idly scrolled through the mind-boggling array of dinner possibilities, Auckland UberEats users may have noticed something … Read more
Brothers Fred and Kawhena both wore the black jersey 40-odd years ago, and now their achievements have been outdone in some style by the next Woodman generation, writes Jamie Wall in this extract from his new book. “All I heard growing up was: oh, is your dad Kawhena or Fred? Ohhhh, I played alongside your … Read more
It’s like Christmas every fortnight, and an antidote to the great plastic pile-up, writes Kerryanne Nelson. Every day, once my daughter has gone to sleep, I pick up around 30 plastic toys strewn across my house and shovel them into a room where I can’t see them. Trips to the shops to get groceries or … Read more
What’s the best way to get adults reading? Get them reading when they’re children – and there’s no better place to start than the Unity Children’s Bestseller Chart. These lists of the bestselling children’s books at Unity Wellington and Little Unity in Auckland cover the four weeks to August 2 2019. AUCKLAND 1 Lizard’s Tale … Read more
Want to feel better and sharper, and get a better night’s sleep? Nick Atkinson has just the thing, and it’s very cold and wet Winton’s caught a couple of great looking snapper. He’s kayaked to Te Kākāwhakaara/Watchman Island and I’m about to meet him after swimming out from one of the ratty little Herne Bay … Read more
What’s it like to wait over a decade for a new record from one of your favourite bands? David Farrier writes about the joys, perils and embarrassment of being a Tool fan in 2019. Before you say it, let me: Tool fans are the worst. “You tall faggot!” a Tool fan yelled at me during … Read more
The Lightbulb asks innovators and entrepreneurs how they turned their ideas into reality. This week we talk to Brad Parsonson, co-founder of Miuwi (pronounced me-you-we) – a platform that allows you to own a home faster and cheaper through co-ownership. First of all, give us your elevator pitch for Miuwi. It’s been described as ‘the … Read more
Coroner Tim Scott’s comments regarding the death of Carla Neems have the potential to plunge New Zealand into a moral panic. But having freedom and responsibility is an essential part of child development, writes Jai Breitnauer. When I was six, my mum walked me and my friend Marie to school every day. In the evening, … Read more
The AUT vice-chancellor denies that a Tiananmen Square commemoration was cancelled at the request of the Chinese embassy, but the emails released are enough to send a severe chill through New Zealand’s universities, writes Jacob Edmond Auckland has a long and proud history of remembering the victims of the June 4, 1989 crackdown on student … Read more
One woman’s online mission to blow the cover of false prophets around the world is becoming more and more taxing. Anke Richter talks to guru hunter Be Scofield, who is determined to bring sexual abuse in spiritual disguise to light. On our first meeting, via video link, Be Scofield was somewhere on the east coast … Read more
Everyone’s favourite teenage detective is now a grown up. So what does that mean for the return of Veronica Mars? Note – this review will avoid explicit, direct spoilers, but if you’re very touchy about them, reader discretion is advised. After a meandering third season, a cheesy fan-servicing movie and many years in the wilderness, … Read more
Business is Boring is a weekly podcast series presented by The Spinoff in association with Callaghan Innovation. Host Simon Pound speaks with innovators and commentators focused on the future of New Zealand. This week he talks to Flamingo Scooters co-founders Nick Hyland and Jacksen Love. Around Auckland lately, and Wellington for a little longer, you … Read more
A new poem by Motueka writer and performer Donna McLeod. Ihumātao Our first born is holding the blue line. Blessed by mana whenua kaumātua, Kīngitanga, an eviction notice is served. Houses can be built on confiscated land, deals have been struck. Our first born is their visual might. Our first born is still holding the … Read more
Pumpkin and blue cheese is one of the most comforting flavour combos of our time, so make a big pot of this and dive in (literally, if you want – we won’t judge). There is something wonderful about the combination of sweet, deep orange pumpkin and salty, sharp blue cheese. Even better when served alongside … Read more
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Three Women by Lisa Taddeo (Bloomsbury, $35) Long may they reign. 2 Normal People by Sally Rooney (Faber & Faber, … Read more
It was the best episode of The Handmaid’s Tale this season, with an arrest, an attack, and a whole lot more muffins. Tara Ward recaps. The second I laid eyes on this cheeky little chappie, I knew this was going to be a very special episode of The Handmaid’s Tale. Did the happiest little muffin … Read more
Māori protests in New Zealand have often been led by women. From the suffrage movement in the late 1800s to the fight for Ihumātao today, here are five wāhine Māori leaders who faced large criticism, but left larger legacies. “The protest at Ihumātao is a feminist issue,” explained Pania Newton during a hīkoi of the … Read more
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Regional alarm at polytech centralisation plans, Pfizer confirms vaccines for Northland were available, and BNZ facing scrutiny after massive document leak. Alarm has been sounded in the regions about the confirmation of the government’s industry training centralisation plans. It has been confirmed that all 16 institutes … Read more
Longed for stirrings in the local investment sector are a positive sign that New Zealand businesses may be able to keep calling Aotearoa home. What do hydrofoiling freight boats, chicken-free chicken and a customer feedback platform have in common? Not much, except that they are the first Kiwi businesses to be backed by Australian investor … Read more
From Shepherds Bush to Acton, Wimbledon to Wandsworth, and even Hackney, London is sprinkled with New Zealander strongholds, writes Elle Hunt. I am a little less than halfway through the Hackney Half Marathon when I realise that I haven’t done enough training, and that that was a mistake. Choosing to listen to Louis Theroux’s Desert … Read more
On the most dramatic season of The Block NZ yet, two boys from Te Kuiti aren’t taking the bait. It was Master Bedroom week on The Block NZ when judge Jason Bonham opened the door and collapsed into a fit of laughter at apartment three’s latest offering. Sure, it was an extremely blue room with … Read more
Air New Zealand released their new safety video this morning, featuring the legendary Louis Litt from legal drama Suits. Tara Ward buckles up to watch. Prepare yourself for the brace position, because Air New Zealand just dropped its latest safety video. In typical Air New Zealand safety fashion, it’s filled with famous faces like Cliff Curtis, George … Read more
All the key details on TheMarket, The Warehouse Group’s $12 million foray into e-commerce. What is TheMarket? TheMarket is a brand new online shopping platform that was launched today by The Warehouse Group (TWG). It’s an online marketplace, similar to e-commerce sites like ASOS and The Iconic, but with an even wider range of products … Read more
The most notorious publication of the digital media era in New Zealand has closed down for good. Alex Braae writes the obituary to Whaleoil. It is customary to say kind words about a person or entity when they leave this world forever. So what then can one say about Whaleoil, the blog which in 2014 … Read more
What are you going to be watching in August? The Spinoff rounds up everything that’s coming to streaming services this month, including Netflix, Lightbox, Neon, Amazon Prime and TVNZ on Demand. Click here to read our listings for July. The Biggies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt0QuaQ0huk Veronica Mars (Neon, Seasons 1-4 + Movie, August 2) Praise be, because our … Read more