Everybody wants to rule the world, but who else, asks Simon Wilson in this “partner content” feature, sets out to do it with as much wham-bam glam as the 80s dancefloor revivalist musical Pleasuredome? Just before the intermission, Lucy Lawless gets up close and personal with the woman she’s seducing and slides into ‘Hey little girl … Read more
Morgan Godfery looks back at the four term history of the parliamentary Māori party, 2005-2017. Te Ururoa Flavell, the former Minister for Māori Development, school principal, charity boxer and “Iron Māori”, is out of Parliament after twelve years representing Waiariki, a four-term run that saw him expand Whānau Ora – his party’s signature achievement – … Read more
The Spinoff and Spark proudly present Pod On The Couch, a weekly podcast exploring music and the people that make it. This episode: Henry Oliver reports live from the Silver Scrolls with Chelsea Jade, Bic Runga and more. Spinoff Music editor Henry Oliver flew to Dunedin to attend the Silver Scrolls awards show. Armed with a … Read more
Social enterprise is changing the way we consume. In a discussion with some of the most prominent players in the sector, The Spinoff asks: can we consume our way to a better society? The rise of social enterprise has become an important signal for the direction of our economy. As the sector continues its rapid … Read more
Did Labour’s anti-immigration stance prevent it winning the 2017 election? Branko Marcetic crunches the numbers. Immigration was perhaps the issue of 2017. Apparently inspired by the renewed popularity of New Zealand First and by events overseas – if you’re unsure what I’m referring to, quickly Google either “Brexit,” “Trump” or Le “Pen,” and then make … Read more
Friends of the Earth Australia and Julie Fogarty’s complaint against The Spinoff about three articles related to baby formula nanoparticles has not been upheld. The Press Council has declined to uphold the complaint filed by Friends of the Earth Australia and Julie Fogarty in relation to three articles published by The Spinoff in July 2017. … Read more
New verse by Wellington writer Bill Manhire. Thread A new poem. Wow just wow A new poem that no one will forget any time soon. A new poem. I think it’s important. I wrote a new poem. You’ll be amazed at what happened next. It’s all about momentum A new poem #maintainingthebrand A … Read more
Unemployed, Madison Hamill decided to take control of her future and become a supermodel. But instead, she found herself on the fringes of New Zealand’s modelling industry. “Inhale. Imagine your womb opening like a flower.” I opened one eye to squint. But she had her eyes closed, a lilac buddha, apparently capable of unironic serenity. … Read more
The best-selling books at the two best book stores above ground. WELLINGTON UNITY 1 Out of the Woods: Journey Through Depression & Anxiety by Brent Williams, illustrated by Öztekin Korkut (Educational Resources, $40) A memoir of surviving family violence by the son of a Wellington philanthropist. 2 Cities In NZ: Preferences Patterns & Possibilities edited … Read more
Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes reflects on the last five years on the eve of her oldest child’s birthday. My son is turning five tomorrow. I can’t quite fathom this since it feels like yesterday I was pacing the living room, my cellphone on my shoulder telling a Plunket nurse “Please he won’t stop crying … Read more
Is Vikings fake news or did they really have those exuberant ponytails? Before the new season comes to Lightbox in December, Tara Ward tides herself over with some learning in Real Vikings. After a marathon session of the TV series Vikings, I’m left with as many questions as Rollo has hair combs. Who were the … Read more
Auckland mayor Phil Goff talks tough on the need for a dedicated Māori seat on council. So here’s a cat to throw into the government coalition talks: the Auckland Council wants the new government to let them have a Māori ward, elected by voters on the Māori roll in the same way they elect MPs … Read more
Tonight, Ella Yelich O’Connor, along with her co-writers Jack Antonoff and Joel Little, won the 2017 APRA Silver Scroll Award for Lorde’s song ‘Green Light’. Elle Hunt explains why the song is so powerful. The 2017 Silver Scroll, the award for excellence in New Zealand songwriting, has gone to Ella Yelich O’Connor, along with her … Read more
Fifteen years after it entertained Kiwi kids during that neverending void between school and dinner, Maha Albadrawi and Lucy Zee remember the meta mayhem of WNTV. Every millennial Kiwi remembers What Now in the early 2000s. Everyone remembers Fiona Anderson giving away popcorn machines, everyone remembers Jason Fa’afoi in drag, everyone remembers Carolyn Taylor’s perky smile … Read more
While the state has a responsibility to fund public services, that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be delivering them. Jihee Junn reports on Social Enterprise UK CEO Peter Holbrook’s talk at the University of Auckland to find out what we can learn from David Cameron’s controversial 2010 project. Three years ago, the government announced its … Read more
The hotly-anticipated film version of Margaret Mahy’s novel The Changeover opens in cinemas today. Scarlett Cayford examines the peculiar genius of Mahy, and compares the film with the book. I associate Margaret Mahy with colour; I suspect I’m not the only one. Part of the reason is the rainbow wig she wore to all her readings, … Read more
Moata Tamaira grills The Changeover co-director Stuart McKenzie about bringing her favourite book to life. When I heard that someone was making a movie out of my favourite ever book, The Changeover, it put me in a fragile and rather ambivalent state of mind. On the one hand, it’s about time that someone got around to … Read more
Who had the clown cake? Who had the terrible duck with chips for a beak? Who had that bloody train cake? Georgia Munn revisits the book that defined the birthday parties of your childhood. If you grew up in New Zealand or Australia in the 80s or 90s, your household probably had a copy of … Read more
Sam Brooks has never been to the World of Wearable Art before. He reports on his experience as a first-timer to the show and a long-time lover of pretty things. On one level, the World of Wearable Art is the most lavish catwalk show in the world. On another level, it’s an art exhibition blown … Read more
In the fourth episode of our week-long series exploring the possibilities, challenges, and potential of social enterprise in New Zealand, our panel looks at what to expect in the next 10 years. Watch the rest of the series here. What is the vision? Slowly but steadily, social enterprise principles are becoming more mainstream. Nick Wells from Chapman … Read more
The Real Pod team assemble in the boardroom of dreams to talk reality TV and real life in New Zealand, including the return of MKRNZ, Art and Matilda’s new cats and TVNZ’s new season announcements. This week on The Real Pod, worlds collide as Lena Dunham gets onboard with The Real Housewives of Auckland, Max … 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. On the first week of the job at Coca-Cola in 1996, today’s … Read more
We’ve asked people who worked on the major parties’ campaigns to write about their experiences and observations after election 2017. First up: Jenna Raeburn, a PR consultant who worked on the National campaign, detailing life on the big blue bus. If you live in the centre of a big city you could be forgiven for … Read more
New Zealand’s newest and fanciest KFC opened on Fort St in Auckland this week. Vocal KFC fan Madeleine Chapman was there to experience the magic. I showed up to the new KFC opening on Fort St wearing a KFC sweatshirt, KFC trackpants, and a KFC beanie. The security guard at the door was checking names … Read more
TVNZ just announced their new season line-up for 2018. Here’s what TV editor Alex Casey is looking forward to the most. Tonight, TVNZ launched their big new season programme on Auckland’s waterfront, including the likes of Big Bang prequel Young Sheldon, UK nudist horror show Naked Attraction and – gird your loins – an untitled Grey’s … Read more
Chris McDowall has created an extraordinary interactive data-visualisation which shows the party vote results of every single one of the hundreds of voting places in the 2017 general election. He explains his work here – and explore it below. Roughly every three years, New Zealand holds a general election. In the preceding weeks, a small … Read more
In the third episode of our week-long series exploring the possibilities, challenges, and potential of social enterprise in New Zealand, our panel looks at the political risks social enterprises face. Watch the rest of the series here. What are the political risks of operating in the social enterprise sphere? Lisa King from Eat My Lunch talks about … Read more
Are Kiwis wasting thousands unnecessarily decontaminating their homes? Maria Slade looks into a business growth story which appears to be solving a problem which doesn’t exist. Sugar soap and elbow grease “Any standard detergent will do. I’ve suggested they should use two different ones if they want to be sure, and then get it retested,” … Read more
‘There is something slightly unnerving about being this close to the possibility of a real political shift’, writes Laila Harré of the opportunity presented by this election result for NZ First, Labour and the Greens. A majority of us voted for parties who struggle with neo-liberal “certainty and stability”. I can’t think of a single … Read more