An essay by Finlay Macdonald on a typically brilliant and impossible to categorise work of biographical art by the late James McNeish. A journalist friend of mine once fell foul of the establishment so badly that he was forced to leave the country. It was an unhappy time, and he later suggested he’d like to … Read more
You can’t move for a symposium or petition bemoaning the state of current affairs on television today. Yet John Campbell’s Checkpoint is a throwback to exactly the kind of programming people say they want, writes Duncan Greive. Yesterday on Face TV, a channel I have never knowingly before watched, we got a glimpse into TV’s … Read more
To be honest it would be weird if someone else revealed our campaign plans, but still, writes Spinoff politics editor Toby Manhire. Many are counting the days. But what about the hours? There are now fewer than 4,000 of them till the polls close on September 23, and what better arbitrary unit of distance to … Read more
In her first entry for our new Election 2017 Candidate Diary series, National candidate Erica Stanford recounts the decision to stand for East Coast Bays, the mounting pressure with just over five months to go and the struggle to remember names and faces. The last time I kept a diary it was 1995. I was 16. Barkers’ … Read more
In her debut candidate diary for the Spinoff, Labour hopeful Kiri Allan explains why she decided to return to the East Coast and stand for parliament, and the devastating impact of flooding on Edgecumbe and the region. Ko Mauao te maunga Ko Tauranga te moana Ko Ngāti Ranginui, ko Ngāi Te Rangi ko Tūwharetoa ngā iwi Ko Kiri … Read more
Sacred Heart College opened its music-focused School of Imagination last week. Play It Strange CEO Mike Chunn says it a guiding light for how schools can nurture and embrace creativity. The opening of the School of Imagination at Sacred Heart College last week is the great leap forward for the creative pursuits of the young … Read more
Jane Yee, Duncan Greive and Alex Casey gather around the oval table and talk about the latest happenings in New Zealand television and real life in New Zealand. The Bachelor took a giant emotional dump on us this week, via the tearful elimination of Nina, the show’s everywoman heart. Jane, Alex and Duncan picked themselves up off the … Read more
Jessica Hammond Doube’s daughters are at risk at every playdate, every time they go to a restaurant or cafe, and at school every day. And at Easter, the risks posed by their severe food allergies are even more pronounced. Here Jessica writes about how allergies affect her family’s life, and what she wishes other parents … Read more
You’d be surprised how much being a successful comedian comes down to admin. Spinoff Comedy co-editor Sam Brooks sat down with Wellington’s Jerome Chandrahasen to chat about the intricacies of running comedy shows and why people love trivia. Sam Brooks: So, the most basic question: how did you get into comedy? Jerome Chandrahasen: I started back at … Read more
Alex Casey tackles the fourth week of The Bachelor NZ, including The Others, an elephant and a dramatic injury. Honestly, put me inside an egg and soak me in horse pee for 100 days if this wasn’t the best week of The Bachelor NZ so far. In his own words, Zac’s whole world has been turned upside … Read more
We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today: Madeleine Chapman reveals where to find the best chocolate hot cross bun in New Zealand. Karori is pretty bad. I lived there from birth until I went off to university and I loved every moment of it, but it’s … Read more
A razor gang at the Auckland Council led to yesterday’s announcement that the city’s libraries are cutting 74 members of staff. Former Auckland librarian Ethan Sills reports. Libraries are magical institutions. It can feel unreal that they still exist, given how fantastical the idea of them seems. Buildings where you can go and borrow books … Read more
We’re seeking a partnerships editor to join our cool team and manage the work we do with brands, NGOs and agencies. The Spinoff is seeking an experienced writer and editor to join our Auckland team. The role is partnerships editor and is critical for the business, overseeing all content created for clients, on or beyond the … Read more
Is the daily anti-abortion vigil for Lent a peaceful, prayer-focused protest, or is it more intimidating than that? Alex Braae reports. Every day when staff from the Auckland Medical Aid Centre go to work they are stared at. Across the road a rotating group of people wait for them in the morning and they’re still … Read more
We asked retro packaging super-collector Steve Williams for his top 10 Kiwi food labels of all time, and this is what he told us. Read more about Steve Williams’ collection of historic NZ food packaging here. 1. 1969 Nestle Milky Bar Chocolate Wrapper. “Great early example of the classic “Milky Bar Kid” on a wrapper.” … Read more
A week-long case starring the leader of the opposition has come to an end with a mixed bag of a verdict from the jury. Observing from the Wellington High Court, Asher Emanuel was left wondering why it was happening at all This afternoon just before 5pm 12 jurors – three women and nine men – … Read more
Don Rowe speaks to Steve Williams, a Palmerston North man who has curated the most incredible collection of packaging materials in New Zealand – and possibly the world. See Steve Williams’ 10 favourite Kiwi food labels here. There once was a time when sliced cheese came in a Ninja Turtle box. A time when chewing … Read more
The games industry here in NZ is taking off and there’s now all manner of small indie teams putting out fun wee titles for your pleasure. Liam Maugren was recently in a room with a whole bunch of them and here’s what he reckons your next purchase should be. Last weekend, Auckland played host to … Read more
Daniel Campbell’s daughter was born 11 weeks premature. Here he shares the experience and tells how you can support other parents whose children arrive early. It was May. Our baby was due in August and we were looking forward to starting antenatal classes the following week. Our very first baby, an exciting time. We were … Read more
Our regular round-up of new songs and singles, this week featuring Ria Hall, Banks, Desiigner, Bye Bye Fishies and more … SONG OF THE WEEK SONG OF THE WEEK Ria Hall – ‘Tell Me’ (ft. Che Fu) A contemporary reggae protest anthem Five minutes fifty is a bit of an epic runtime for a song that (I … Read more
Facing a growing tension between a security alliance with the US and economic links with China, the idea of independence for New Zealand looks increasingly strained, writes international relations lecturer Reuben Steff. In what was dubbed a “farewell speech”, the outgoing minister of foreign affairs Murray McCully last week repeated the oft-stated claim that New Zealand has an “independent” foreign policy. … Read more
So there he goes, a titan of New Zealand comedy has left us. Has any other satirist caught the ridiculousness of New Zealand life better than John Clarke? He’s famous for Fred Dagg and We Don’t Know How Lucky We Are of course, but here are some lesser know classics. See also: Tributes to John Clarke from … Read more
Memories and accolades from Michele A’Court, Kim Hill, Oscar Kightley, Guy Williams and more One of the sharpest wits this country ever produced has died at the age of 68. John Clarke, originally of Palmerston North, created an inspiring example for New Zealand comedy initially as laconic farmer Fred Dagg and latterly as one half of the … Read more
Some of New Zealand’s top comedians share the most offensive, obnoxious and flat-out sexist comments they’ve received over the course of their careers. “I don’t want to be kissed by you, you stubbly, smelly, fuckwit with a beard in an unhappy marriage, go kiss Ben Hurley” was Justine Smith’s response to a guy who ran … Read more
We normally review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time etc. But today an anonymous Spinoff writer was in Denver, witnessing NBA history. Russell Westbrook has been tied with Oscar Robertson for most triple-doubles in a regular season at 41 apiece since the Thunder wasted the Bucks at home on … Read more
Education in New Zealand is obsessed with assessment and ticking the right boxes, and not doing the Wrong Thing. A new book argues in favour of positive disobedience as practised and taught by that apparent figure of authority: the teacher. It’s late at night. Outside you can hear the hum of commuters as they make their … Read more
With the third season of Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul arriving on Lightbox tomorrow, José Barbosa makes his case for why the prequel may well be even better than the original. Remember around 2010, 2011 when everyone was talking about the continuing misadventures of Walter and Jesse? The show was so good people lost their shit, so much so … Read more
Just when you thought transport planning in Auckland was beyond all hope, here’s a plan to save us all. Or something close to it. Welcome to the Congestion Free Network, version 2.0. Do you have to be a nerdy traffic analyst to fall in love with a map? Probably. I like to think I’m not … Read more
The latest skirmish in an epic battle between two Waihekes took place at Matiatia ferry terminal this morning, writes Duncan Greive. “If they try and do a swifty we’re waiting,” says Susi Newborn, the leader of a protest on a cool, bright morning at the Matiatia ferry terminal on Waiheke. ‘They’ are Fullers, operators of … Read more