Last week Trevor McKewen wrote of his epiphany about Real Men Wear Black, the bestseller he wrote in 1992. It didn’t sound like the book I read a long time ago as an impressionable young rugby fan, writes Jamie Wall. I mean, I get what Trevor was saying, that we need to address toxic masculinity … Read more
Ah, the tamarillo, another curiously New Zealand fruit that’s not actually a New Zealand fruit. But who cares when these tart, egg-shaped beauties make for as good a pud as this. We have a tamarillo tree that grows behind a row of feijoa trees up against our old shed down the back of our garden. … Read more
How do we expect vets to care for our animals when we don’t always care for our vets? Ellen Sinclair reports on the struggles of an industry that is far more complex than it seems. Veterinarians and vet nurses commit their lives to helping our beloved pets, but few animal lovers are aware how rife … Read more
‘Fail fast’ has gone from an intriguing idea to mainstream business orthodoxy in just a few short years. Jihee Junn went along to the pricey business event dedicated entirely to ‘falling forward’. It was about 9am by the time I arrived and instantly my senses were overloaded. One moment I’m wading through rush hour traffic making … 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, with the interview available as both audio and a transcribed excerpt. This week he talks to Angela Lim, co-founder and CEO of a … Read more
In 1992 the New Zealand cricket team had an unlikely and romantic run at the World Cup. Simon Day retraces the tournament that changed his life forever. I went to the opening game with my grandma and fell in love with Martin Crowe. After every game I watched on TV I’d call her to debrief. … Read more
A new production of Once, the musical based on the hit film, opens in Auckland tonight. Sam Brooks talks to the director Jesse Peach about putting the New Zealand premiere on its feet. Being a musical theatre fan in New Zealand can be a testing experience. If you’re a die-hard fan, you’re likely to have already … Read more
Welcome to the Bulletin World Weekly. Normally, this will be an email exclusively for and supported by Spinoff Members, but just this once it’ll be free for all. If you want to sign up for membership, all the details are here. One of the most fascinating things about weather reports is the use of context. … Read more
It’s a scary world out there, and there’s a lot for you as a parent to be frightened of. But what are the things you should be most freaked out about right now? Emily Writes has some suggestions. When I was pregnant with my firstborn I was extremely anxious about almost everything. Was my baby … Read more
A new challenger has entered the augmented reality ring. Wizarding wonder Harry Potter is coming for Pokémon GO’s title — but despite the shared basics, they’re very different games. I downloaded Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and immediately on opening it was told it was out of date, much like J.K. Rowling’s alleged views on the … Read more
As part of the Deep South National Science Challenge, the small coastal town of Omaio is placing mātauranga Māori and climate science at the centre of their food and water management. Photos by Sylvie Winray I meet Peter Insley on a low promontory that rests above the Hāparapara River. Kids have built a rickety jumping platform in the pūriri … Read more
Ahead of their new album release, Toby Morris wore a different Beastwars t-shirt every day. He reflects upon his week and the entire Beastwars catalogue. Monday This week the impossible is happening: the mighty Beastwars, probably New Zealand’s most beloved metal band are back from dead (almost literally) with a new album. I’ve decided to … 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 Normal People by Sally Rooney (Faber & Faber, $23) Please someone write us an essay about the Roonster and why she … Read more
The Real Pod assembles to dissect the week in reality television and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s. We’ve got a whole litre of taurine fizz cranking through the studio this week as The Real Pod Collective convenes to recap another hectic week in reality TV land. The Celebrity Treasure Island cast have been announced, … Read more
New poetry by Auckland writer Joanna Cho. 1:52 Tsukuru, I wish I could watch a kererū with you. The roots of hyacinths are soft like leeks in the frying pan, or feet in the bath , and it’s these that make a mess. The locations of pipes, … Read more
Lontalius’ new single ‘Make My Dreams Come True’ is out today. To commemorate its arrival, Matthew McAuley spoke to Eddie Johnston about music, life, and the transient nature of fandom. The last time The Spinoff spoke to multidisciplinary Wellington musician Eddie Johnston, just a few weeks off exactly a year ago, he was an artist … Read more
Naz Khanjani is a social influencer, a professional boxer, a reality star, and now a vodka baron. “We’re drinking sexy back,” says her new product. Josie Adams tried to do just that. Disclaimer 1: this article contains discussion of alcohol consumption and being sexy. The Spinoff does not necessarily endorse either of these things. The … Read more
Aunt Lydia’s pumped, Fred’s pumped, we’re all pumped for this week’s episode of The Handmaid’s Tale. Tara Ward recaps episode six of season three. The Handmaid’s Tale loves a good prayer situation, and this week we had them coming out our ears. Let us bow down before the TV gods and pray this is the episode … Read more
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Makhlouf departs with questions hanging in the air, emissions still not moving the right way, and ministerial roles in housing reshuffled. A few months ago, you’d probably be forgiven for not knowing the name Gabriel Makhlouf. Until yesterday, he was the secretary of Treasury – an … Read more
The Side Eye is a monthly non-fiction comic by Toby Morris, supported by NZ On Air. Read more comics here. Mark’s statistics can be viewed in more detail here.
In this episode of The Offspin podcast, we’re joined by writer and broadcaster Ali Ikram, and his dad Hamid Ikram, to discuss their role in Pakistan’s success at the 1992 Cricket World Cup and their team’s potential in 2019. The parallels are becoming harder and harder to ignore. A round-robin World Cup, with Pakistan needing … Read more
Phil Twyford has avoided an official demotion in the Cabinet reshuffle, but the breakup of the housing portfolio reveals the desperate state of the KiwiBuild programme he oversaw, writes Toby Manhire In 2014, as John Key set the stage for his third term as prime minister, he announced a reshuffle of his National Party cabinet. … Read more
Two Sketches is a webseries featuring Spinoff cartoonist Toby Morris chatting and drawing with a selection of New Zealand illustrators, artists, comic artists, cartoonists, sketchers and doodlers. In episode 3, Toby sits down with activist illustrator Sam Orchard. The Spinoff’s chill-out, slow-form web series Two Sketches returns with another draw and a chat hosted by … Read more
The incoming R&D tax credits scheme makes government research and development incentives available to a much wider range of Kiwi businesses. But there are caveats to be aware of, reports Jihee Junn. You don’t need to know a whole lot about business to understand the value of R&D. It’s what keeps businesses competitive, sustainable and … Read more
Every few years, as the Māori economy grows, someone floats the idea of an iwi-owned financial institution. The list of pros and cons is long, writes business advisor and Treaty commentator Joshua Hitchcock. It has been a challenging period for the banking industry in New Zealand. Moves by the Reserve Bank to strengthen capital carrying … Read more
A few years ago, deep into middle age, Britta Stabenow found solace in the world of gaming. Now she’s part of a passionate community: those who love, and collect, video games. I’ll always be a video game collector, that will never change. But the collecting community reached a really low point this year with the … Read more
Why are so many companies having to pay out extra holiday pay? Here’s all you need to know. A long list of companies are being forced to pay out extra holiday pay to their employees after failing to interpret the Holidays Act correctly. The latest is Restaurant Brands, which joins the likes of NZ Police, … Read more
The young Indian man assaulted on the streets of Sandringham earlier this month migrated to New Zealand believing it was a peaceful, tolerant place. Our history suggests otherwise, writes Scott Hamilton. Content warning: contains racist language and descriptions of violence. The man had been enjoying the June winter sunshine, walking the deserted midday streets of … Read more
On the latest episode of The Good Citizen podcast, Jacqueline Paul talks to Jeremy Hansen about the housing crisis, inequality and the damage racist stereotyping is doing to Auckland. Landscape architect, housing advocate and aspiring local body politician, Jacqueline Paul (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga), isn’t sitting around waiting to be heard. She’s speaking … Read more