Spoiler alert: They didn’t find it, writes Joel MacManus, editor of Otago University’s student magazine Critic. Correction, 16 July: Following communications with the University of Otago, this story has been updated to reflect the actual costs of the Loch Ness DNZ project, and to include a response from Professor Neil Gemmell, the head of the … Read more
Many of the attendees at a protest against Auckland Council banning Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux feel they get a raw deal from media. So, here’s exactly what they said. The events that led to the protest are already well covered. Auckland mayor Phil Goff stepped in to prevent two Canadian speakers from using Council … Read more
The purchase of four surveillance planes signals an even closer military alignment with the United States, and the reflects badly on our non-aligned status, writes former Green Party defence spokesperson Keith Locke. It was disappointing to see a Labour-led government agree to spend $2.3 billion on four P8A surveillance planes equipped to detect and fight submarines. Back in … Read more
Singer-songwriter Theia tells her story of self-harm and taking back the power by writing about it. I break out in cold sweats a lot at the moment. I’m hit with major waves of crippling terror every time I think too intently about the fact that I’m releasing a new song. Not just any song, but … Read more
The NRL’s International Rugby League proposals are a sign that they’re finally waking up to the potential of giving Pacific Island nations something serious to play for. On the face of it, it seems obvious. An Oceania Cup between New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji and an international Nines tournament in 2019. A Four Nations … Read more
One of TOP’s former candidates, Dr Jenny Condie, is speaking out about why she thinks the Gareth Morgan-dominated party failed, and what should have been done better. “At the heart of this is my concern that you are simply unable to relinquish the control and direction of this party to anyone other than yourself and … Read more
As part of RNZ’s sexuality podcast, Bang!, Melody Thomas looks at Māori sexuality and gender expression prior to colonisation. Despite spending more than a year learning about sex, sexuality and relationships in Aotearoa – until recently, I knew very little about pre-colonial Māori perspectives on these things. I’d have more easily defined the indigenous North … Read more
In an interview to launch the new podcast series Venus Envy, the prime minister calls for more ‘conversations around consent and healthy relationships’ in the wake of the global outrage sparked by the Harvey Weinstein revelations. The New Zealand prime minister has called for the energy of the #MeToo movement to be translated into action. … Read more
Every week on The Primer we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Fresh As founder Tommy Roff whose company freeze-dries everything from mandarins and feijoas to liquorice and Red Bull. ONE: How did Fresh As start and what was the inspiration behind it? I had a … Read more
Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes looks back on the change to her family when she had a second child. When I was pregnant I really worried my relationship with my first baby would change. We were so close, and I was concerned that a new addition to the family would put a strain on us. … Read more
Welcome back to Waterdeep Mountain High, a Dungeons & Dragons podcast set in a below average school in the mystical land of Faerun. “I’ve decided to use the only thing left in my arsenal…my sexuality.” A fight-filled episode as our heroes try to destroy some book monsters while Forrest attempts to heal the heart of … Read more
The week’s best-selling books at the Unity stores in Willis St, Wellington and High St, Auckland. WELLINGTON UNITY 1 Less by Andrew Sean Greer (LittleBrown, $25) This gay US comedy has really taken off in New Zealand; it’s scarcely been out of the Unity top 10 for the last two, three months, and word of … Read more
New verse by Wellington poet Tayi Tibble. Ode to Johnsonville’s Cindy Crawford 1. Once at a Jehovah’s Witness convention an old frightened man pleaded, Adrienne? Is that you? His face was a screwed-up ball of God-fearing agony and, accused, I blurted, No! I’m just her daughter! I remember the relief in his features; it was … Read more
We’ve come to the end of the dystopian conservative marathon that is the second season of The Handmaid’s Tale – and oh my god what have you done, June! Tara Ward recaps. For the love of all things red and capey, why did you not get in the truck? It was the last few minutes … 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 Simon talks to Hadleigh Ford of SwipedOn. If you’ve headed into an office … Read more
Auckland Council’s cancellation of two alt-right personalities’ booking at a council-owned venue has been justified on the basis of their ‘divisive’ views. Whatever happened to the liberal ideal of free speech, asks Ali Shakir. Had it not been for the controversy stirred by her New Zealand show’s cancellation, I might never have heard about Lauren … Read more
The Spinoff presents the video premiere of a new song from Fabulous/Arabia (a collaboration between Mike Fabulous and Lawrence Arabia) called ‘Henry’. Lawrence Arabia says: The lyrics While I have, in my own way, been gentrifying various neighbourhoods around the world over the past fifteen years, I still have only written maybe a couple of songs … Read more
Monday’s announcement that the government would be spending billions on surveillance planes was in stark contrast to the nurses’ placards, writes Guyon Espiner for RNZ. It will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the air force has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber’ – so goes the … Read more
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Where to now for striking nurses? 1080 dumped in a National Park, and former National MP brought in to justice reform group. The nurses strike has come and gone without any serious reported incidents, but it is unclear what will happen from here. Nurses who spoke to Newstalk … Read more
As its first candidate and deputy leader, Geoff Simmons was the policy power behind Gareth Morgan’s fledgling, ill-fated party. In the week that Morgan announced its demise, Simmons reflects on the experience It’s been quite sad and surreal to watch TOP’s demise. Even more surreal is being bombarded with requests for my views on what … Read more
Even in New Zealand, where we’re awesome at playing rugby, one team always has to be the worst. For the last 10 years, that team has been the Auckland Blues. The Spinoff TV’s Ra Pomare examines what went wrong. The Spinoff TV, Fridays at 9.45pm on THREE
Is it Normal? is the Spinoff Parents advice column. We’ve been inundated with questions but one keeps popping up! We asked new entrants teacher Jessie Moss to answer it. Is it Normal? is The Spinoff Parents’ advice column, a place for parents to ask experts the questions they Google at 2am. Start here if you’ve … Read more
Each week on The Spinoff TV’s Repressed Memories, James Mustapic delves into pop culture’s graveyard and digs up the bodies. This episode: it’s been going since 1981– but what was New Zealand’s favourite kids’ show like in the first decade of this century? The Spinoff TV, 9.45pm Fridays on THREE
Absolutely Fabulous is one of the best comedies of all time, no question. Sam Brooks explains why. The first television show I remember falling in love with was Absolutely Fabulous. I was four. Now, I can’t remember why exactly I was allowed to watch Absolutely Fabulous, a show where the two lead characters spend more time high than drunk … Read more
Co-working space B:HIVE opened its first two floors in December and a third in February, so it’s a good time to check on its progress as it attempts to scale up the benefits of shared workspaces to the size of a five-storey building. Gareth Shute talks to two B:HIVE tenants and Smales Farm CEO Paul … Read more
A newly formed Free Speech Coalition has raised $50,000 in one day to support the rights of two racists to speak at the Bruce Mason Centre. Hayden Donnell catalogues a few times some of the coalition members have been less fervent in their defence of free speech. David Farrar has written about his inclusion in … Read more
Spinoff Review of Books editor Steve Braunias revives the revolutionary live email interview with a new star of New Zealand literature – the wildly talented Tayi Tibble, author of Poūkahangatus, her debut collection of verse which is launched later today by Victoria University Press. I’ve been thinking for a little while now that something extraordinary … Read more
A Kiwi reporter has been caught in the first known act of World Cup-related violence to affect New Zealand, taking a pint of lager to the face live on the AM Show as England fell to Croatia in extra time. Across the UK the faithful had gathered, stuffing pubs and parks the nation over to … Read more
Hussein Moses attempts to assess all 20 songs on the longlist for this year’s Silver Scroll Award. Take that New Zealand Music Month t-shirt back out of your cupboard because supporting local music this year is not over yet! Without any hype preceding the announcement whatsoever, the longlist for this year’s APRA Silver Scroll Awards … Read more