It’s been touted as the best performing asset of 2020, so what’s been driving Bitcoin’s recent success amid a global pandemic? Janine Grainger from Easy Crypto has a few ideas. The fact that Bitcoin has survived the stress-test of Covid-19 has been indisputable. Not only did it recover much quicker when compared to the other … Read more
For years, the traditional wine establishment has been able to decree what’s good and what isn’t. Some of them can’t accept that that’s changing. For those of you who do not keep abreast of wine news, here are some facts: Jim Harré, the chief judge of the New World Wine Awards and a wine consultant … Read more
Inez is a funny, kind, smart 11-year-old kid. But life for her has been very difficult in a way that will resonate with a lot of families. Inez is part of Frame, a series of short documentaries produced by Wrestler for The Spinoff. Inez wakes up at 6:30am every day, but some mornings she’s still late to … Read more
It’s the new national pastime and New Zealand’s fastest-growing tech industry. Jonathan Cotton finds out how New Zealand is staying connected to this billion-dollar global opportunity. Gus, my 11-year-old son, will talk to you about gaming. He’ll talk to himself about gaming. Under the right circumstances, he’ll talk to a potted plant about gaming. And … Read more
David Hill reflects on his mother’s life of servitude, and that of many others like her. My mother spent most of her adult life being a servant. We don’t have servants now. We have service industries (I actually thought all industries provided services), but we don’t call their employees “servants”. They’re enveloped in euphemisms: “personal … Read more
In this cursed annum, when that purest of joys – being fed by someone else – was briefly snatched away from us, we turned in desperation to our lord and saviour, the world wide web. It seems unfathomable now, but for 41 long days across March and April, we had to cook. Remember that? No … Read more
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Infratil fends off first takeover bid but another run likely, Otago graduation ceremonies cancelled after threat, and port processing backlogs strain supply chains For today’s main story, there’s a really interesting bit of high stakes business brinkmanship going on at the moment that’s worth unpacking. Massive … Read more
Oil industry insiders and critics are sounding the alarm over the sale of a Taranaki oil well, warning that the buyer is gambling on oil that may not be there – and that taxpayers may be left holding the bag if the bet doesn’t pay off. Update, 10 June: A response from the Petroleum Exploration … Read more
The government has accepted the Royal Commission’s recommendations, but the job is far from done, says Abbas Nazari – we underestimate the threat of white supremacy at our peril. With the government making an “in-principle” commitment to all 44 of the recommendations made by the Royal Commission, no doubt the response to the Christchurch mosque … Read more
After a three-year wait, Imugi 이무기 have just released their sophomore EP, Dragonfruit. Matt McAuley caught up with the Auckland band to learn what they’ve been up to since their 2017 debut. Attending Rangitoto College on Auckland’s North Shore in the mid-2010s, Yery Cho and Carl Ruwhiu first entered each other’s orbits mostly because they’d … Read more
What did we check out during the hellfire year of 2020, and what does it say about us? Tara Ward asks nine libraries around the country. Covid-19 marked a new chapter for New Zealand libraries. As the physical buildings closed during the first lockdown, libraries around the country saw a dramatic increase in online memberships … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 9. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.00pm: The day in sum A ceremony was held in Whakatāne to mark one year since the Whakaari eruption that claimed 22 lives. Parliament adjourned for the year. There were three new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation facilities. A police … Read more
Stats NZ released a report yesterday that provides the most comprehensive view to date on housing in New Zealand. The findings are not pretty. It’s no surprise to anyone to hear that New Zealand’s housing is beset by great many problems. But it’s quite different to see the extent of the crisis laid out and … Read more
The fate of Māngere’s much-maligned cycle path network has become something of an obsession for Justin Latif. Now, he writes, solutions are being proposed – but not all are being welcomed by the community. I have the strange honour of having written several thousands of words about Māngere’s Te Ara Mua Future Streets cycleways for … Read more
With crisp notes of family, the beach and Christmas, a bottle of bubbles is much more than just a drink, it’s a moment. The Spinoff staff share their favourite memories and recommendations for Champagne and sparkling wine. Simon Day: Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV My wife’s birthday is right in the middle of December and … Read more
In the latest episode of On the Rag, we look at the intersection of gender and design, including this list of women who invented incredible things and then were promptly forgotten about. Women everywhere know the acute frustration that comes when a man steals your suggestion in a meeting and then presents it to a … Read more
It’s time to shop for Christmas! But what to get for your creepy uncle and judgemental aunt? Emily Writes has some suggestions. Christmas shopping for people you love is fun. But obligatory Christmas shopping for awful people? Not fun at all. But you can at least make it satisfying, by giving gifts that also help … Read more
‘I know you don’t need me any more and I’m happy with that. It’s the way it should be.’ Before you were born, I took a photo of the beach where we lived – this is a long time ago, more than a lifetime for you of course, and buying a first home near the … Read more
Charlotte Muru-Lanning lifts the lid on an intriguing legacy. First published December 9, 2020 When Māori Party MPs Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi were sworn into parliament last week, both wore impressive hats. Their top hat and cowboy hat drew mostly praise, but also some criticism and confusion. In fact, some responses bordered on horror. … Read more
Technology has the potential to save the lives of communities with health issues, as long as it isn’t to hard to use. Ben Fahy learns how St John is using the Internet of Things to respond faster and better to emergencies. In March this year, the day before Aotearoa first went into Covid-19 lockdown, St … Read more
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Response to Royal Commission report into March 15 terrorist attack, slow progress on climate change criticised internationally, and ‘digital handshake’ to be added to Covid app. The security services have come in for criticism in a Royal Commission report into the March 15 terrorist attacks, … Read more
An update to the NZ Covid Tracer app today adds bluetooth functionality, allowing your phone to automatically track other app users you’re near to. New Zealand’s Covid tracer app is getting a significant new feature tomorrow with the incorporation of bluetooth tracking. The additional tool on the app doesn’t replace your daily practice of scanning … Read more
Google has released its list of top trending searches New Zealanders made in 2020, and surprisingly, they’re not all about Covid. In this hellscape year, New Zealanders have turned to many vices to help us through. From Tiger King to TikTok, there’s never been a better time to waste time online. While the world’s population … Read more
A year ago today, the volcano on Whakaari/White Island erupted, leading to the death of 22 people and the injury of 25 more, many of whom suffered severe burns. Dr David Galler, a member of the team of intensive care and burns specialists at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital, writes about that day and its aftermath. As … Read more
The shadow minister for multicultural affairs has made a statement to the Australian parliament calling for reflection and action on the Christchurch mosque attack. Andrew Giles, the opposition spokesperson for multicultural affairs in Australia, has called on his compatriots to take heed of the Royal Commission into the Christchurch mosque terror attack that was released … Read more
After 24 years in business the storied, parliament-adjacent Astoria cafe is to close. Danyl Mclauchlan pays tribute to a hotbed of political intrigue that was ultimately too beautiful for this world. How well I remember my first visit. It was high summer in Wellington, the late 1990s, and I met some friends for a picnic … Read more
Aotearoa’s challenges are clear, but it is incumbent, too, on the Australian government to launch an inquiry of its own – the society that shaped the terrorist and the failure of its own intelligence services, writes Anjum Rahman. My first impression on reading the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attacks … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 8. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 8.00pm: The day in sum The Royal Commission report into the Christchurch terrorist attacks was released, including recommendations to bolster support for ethnic minorities and expand the security state. Jacinda Ardern apologised on behalf of the government for failings prior to … Read more
The prime minister’s speech in response to the publication of the Royal Commission inquiry report. The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terror Attack in Christchurch on March 15 has delivered a comprehensive report that will form the basis of a significant work programme to make New Zealand a safer and ultimately I hope, a … Read more