Episode 10 of The Handmaid’s Tale hits Lightbox today. Sophie Smith lists her hopes and dreams for the series finale. ????SPOILER ALERT???? This list contains a lot of spoilers from the first nine episodes. Last week I wrote down some feelings I had about the pilot of The Handmaid’s Tale. I have since marathoned the … Read more
Simon Wilson is fresh back from France and filled with enthusiasm for ways to make Auckland better. Here’s the first: a great big bike share scheme. Ten days ago I rode a bike around the Place de la Concorde. It’s that roundabout in Paris with about 10 lanes, none of them marked on the … Read more
As the immigration debate takes centre-stage in election year, politicians, the media and everyone else need to take serious stock of the language being used, writes Andrew Chen in this edited extract from his book Fair Borders? Migration Policy in the Twenty-First Century. The number of people arriving in New Zealand has become a constant … Read more
It’s late at night and you’re looking for parenting advice online. Suddenly you’re confronted with list after list of the five things you absolutely should not be doing as a parent. Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes is no expert – but she does have a top five list for you. While looking for some advice … Read more
Josie & T are best friends, Auckland University students, and rising social media stars who’re unafraid to speak out on social issues. Their latest video goes in on and straight at ‘blackface’ Youtuber Jimi Jackson. Zaskiya Lesa talked to Josie & T about why they’re happy to be outspoken. Online video star Jimi Jackson is no stranger … Read more
Jane Yee, Duncan Greive and special guest Joseph Harper gather around the oval table to talk about the latest happenings in New Zealand television and real life in New Zealand. Alex has gone to Wellywood, so Jane and Duncan convinced her mere male Joey Harper to join the pod and give us a glimpse into life … Read more
On Monday 19 June we’re releasing Lorde: Behind the Melodrama, an 11 episode track-by-track podcast interview with Lorde about her new album, Melodrama. Over two afternoons in May, Spinoff Music editor Henry Oliver sat in a boardroom in Auckland with Lorde, talking about the lyrics, songwriting, and production of her new album, and hearing the … Read more
It is a succinct, disquieting, apparently context-less tweet that has become a classic of the form. But why did Piers Morgan write it? Calum Henderson investigates. At 12:51pm EDT on Sunday the 2nd of September, 2012, Piers Morgan tweeted “I want to die.” Those four words typed by the divisive television personality and former newspaper … Read more
All this week the Spinoff Review of Books looks at the new memoir by former Green MP Holly Walker. Today: we asked author Tessa Duder to respond to the chapter which credits her classic YA novel Alex as a formative influence. During the winter of 1986, I wrote the first book of the Alex quartet. … Read more
In an engrossing radio interview, the foreign minister goes full diplomat-speak over relations with Israel, and again refuses to stand by a six-month-old UN resolution sponsored by New Zealand, writes Toby Manhire. “I’m an excellent student, a great learner,” said the new foreign minister, Gerry Brownlee, a month ago. He was relishing the opportunity – … Read more
John Campbell makes his TVNZ debut and a strong case for a regular return to mainstream TV in What Next, TVNZ’s most public-spirited show since the charter was scrapped. Duncan Greive reviews the ambitious week-long TV event. What Next, currently two fifths of its way through its run on TVNZ 1, is something of a … Read more
The former political spin doctor talks to Toby Manhire about the controversial tour, and what happens when the media guy becomes the story. Read our interview with Campbell about the UK election omnishambles here. The 2005 British and Irish Lions side arrived in New Zealand full of promise. Coach Clive Woodward, still enjoying the afterglow … Read more
What exactly happens at a ’90s nostalgia tour meet-and-greet? Daniel Smith, an usher in the VIP room at the recent I Love The ’90s tour in Auckland, reports from deep inside the sweaty belly of the beast. I was born in 1996. This gives me, among other things, the ability to remember the 90s – … Read more
‘It hurts, and it’s hard, and it’s weird.’ Simon Sweetman writes about the miscarriages he and his wife suffered together, and the love that saw them through on their journey towards parenthood. Content warning: Simon talks about miscarriage in this post. If you have suffered a miscarriage this post may be upsetting for you. If … Read more
In this completely unbiased search, we asked New Zealand webseries makers to pick their favourite episodes and tell us the stories behind them. Roseanne Liang of Flat 3 The absolute best thing about making webseries, for me, is creative freedom. The budgets are so low, and the viewership so niche that you can take risks … Read more
The Gone By Lunchtime team returns, with more hot takes than a jalapeno thief. In the latest medium-intensity-hitting Spinoff politics podcast, Toby Manhire is joined by Annabelle Lee of The Hui and Ben Thomas of Exceltium to sigh, pontificate and radio-jingle on a range of subjects including a dramatic UK election and what it means for New Zealand, … Read more
Superfan Joseph Harper tackles the sixth week of Survivor NZ, including artistic pizza and some subversive beachwear. Click here for last week. It’s the week we’ve all been waiting for! A blindside! The rise of a dastardly matriarch! We are finally getting down to the meat and potatoes. Unlike in real Survivor, I have a … Read more
The former Labour communications chief talks to Toby Manhire about being proven wrong by Jeremy Corbyn, Theresa May’s ‘catastrophic’ deal with the DUP, and the chances of a Tony Blair comeback. Tomorrow: Campbell on the Lions tour As spin doctor in chief for Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell became a massive presence in British politics – not … Read more
Welcome to Top of the Pile, a gaming series in which the participants are forced to play a game at the top of the ‘just released’ list. Will they get a shitter? Will they be pleasantly surprised? Will they be amped? In episode three José Barbosa and his guest Calum Hendeson take on the horrors of … Read more
We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today: Calum Henderson takes down an awful bear. When I was five I had a nightmare that a wolf walked into my house on its hind legs and kicked me to death in the kitchen. You don’t forget a dream … Read more
All this week the Spinoff Review of Books is covering the new, very candid memoir by former Green MP Holly Walker, and the mental health issues she experienced in parliament. Today: an interview conducted by Green candidate Chlöe Swarbrick. Read an excerpt from Walker’s book, The Whole Intimate Mess, here. Chlöe Swarbrick: What was it like … Read more
To fix the housing crisis in Auckland, mayor Phil Goff put most of the key players in a room and locked the door. Good plan. And guess what? They’ve produced a really good report, full of good ideas and provocative proposals, says Simon Wilson. Now we’ll see who really wants to fix Auckland’s housing problems. … Read more
Sam Brooks reviews If There’s No Dancing at the Revolution, I’m Not Coming and Power Ballad, two plays by rising star dramturgist Julia Croft on now at The Basement. Winter brings us many things. It’s the weather for holding your hot water bottle tight, for drinking coffee for warmth as well as staying awake and … Read more
Spinoff Parents columnist and advocate for children with disabilities Tessa Prebble writes about ableism and why the able-bodied community need to stop ignoring or excusing it. Picture this: you’re looking for a place to live for you and your partner and your three year old daughter. You look for months and then finally find something … Read more
Jared Ipsen, who has been playing in bands and putting on shows for over 10 years, responds to Grace Stratton’s recent plea for more all ages shows. All ages shows are just not worth it. Ask almost any all ages show promoter in New Zealand and you’ll probably get the same answer. If bars and … Read more
To finally get to our dream jobs at The Spinoff, our staff have been through some pretty terrible employment. From flagrant sexism to gagging on fur balls from beard clippings, we at The Spinoff were exploited and used by our former employers. But now you don’t have to suffer the indignity that we endured, because … Read more
Zaskiya Lesa talks to Kris Fox about finding fame online, beauty blogger sellouts and why he can’t go to the mall anymore. I tend to find myself mindlessly scrolling through social media to kill time, and without fail a Kris Fox video will always pop up on my timeline. His sassy, rambunctious tone is always … Read more
We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today: José Barbosa reflects on an essential item of his wardrobe. First, let’s get something straight: this hat is fucking dope. It has dope embroidered on the front in mint-as gold thread. The ‘O’ of the dope is extra wide and … Read more
There’s two kinds of people in the world: the kind who haven’t played Pokémon and the kind who formed a deep emotional and transformational attachment with Pokémon. Sam Brooks pays homage to the pocket monster constant in his life. If you’re a 90s kid who was even slightly engaged with pop culture or being cool … Read more