The National leader’s mana-enhancing approach was as impressive as the Labour leader’s ‘not kaupapa’ outburst was depressing, says Carrie Stoddart-Smith. Bewitched by a glass (or two) of smooth red merlot, intoxicated by the ambience of festoon lights nestled among the grapevines in the Hawkes Bay, I sputtered out to the universe (via Twitter) that I … Read more
Arriving out of a clear blue sky during the 7pm news/soaps came a maddeningly short slice of the first single from Lorde’s second album, out this Friday, 3 March. Lorde previewed the first single from her forthcoming album across New Zealand’s major TV channels on Monday night. Here’s everything we know: It’s upbeat, got cool house … Read more
An anonymous mother from New Zealand shares her story of marrying a man who has donated sperm multiple times in Australia – and the ongoing impact of decisions made more than a decade ago. Years before we met, my husband donated sperm. I can’t remember at what stage we were at in our relationship when … Read more
‘Best Songs Ever’ features various contributors to The Spinoff Music assessing recent songs and singles. SONG OF THE WEEK Calvin Harris ft. Frank Ocean & Migos – ‘Slide’ This is everything internet-buzz pop music is right now, rolled into a more radio-friendly format. Sure, you may love Blonde and Culture, but you’re not going to … Read more
In a special edition of On the Rag, the gang travel back in time to talk about the Equal Pay Act of 1972, and how men and women are still not paid the same in 2017. We are all about Scooby Doo, Dr Hook and cords this week, as Alex, Leonie and Michele meet in … Read more
We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. There once was a Countdown in central Hamilton. It lost it’s ‘o’, and became C-untdown. How we laughed. That laughter, and the store in question, are dust in the winds of time. Judging by the quality of their wares, Countdown … Read more
As part of Equalise My Vocals, a new Spinoff project focusing on equality in the music community, Coco Solid speaks with Jessie Moss about her research on gendered participation in the music industry. Jessie Moss is an educator, musician, writer and Te Reo Māori enthusiast who lives in Newtown, Wellington, with her partner and two … Read more
To mark the return of Sensing Murder – and to kick off Murder Week, our ill-advised week-long celebration of the show – long-time skeptic Paul Casserly tries his best to become a convert. So Sensing Murder is back. Ten years ago I hated this show with such a vengeance that I took to it with … Read more
All week this week the Spinoff Review of Books looks at Scott Hamilton’s brilliant new book, The Stolen Island, his investigation into the people-snatching raid on the Tongan island of ‘Ata. In this excerpt, he writes about visiting ‘Eua, the island where the survivors of the 1863 raid were re-settled; their descendants live in the … Read more
The party with the most to do after Saturday’s by-election is the Greens. But the party that came out of the weekend in the worst shape may turn out to be Act, writes Simon Wilson There’s a whole bunch of reasons why the Greens didn’t do well in Mt Albert and none of them should … Read more
The shocking true story of a law professor, a student radio station and a pro-cannabis political party conspiring to introduce US-style negative election campaigning to the nation’s airwaves, all with the help of the NZ Court of Appeal. As regular readers of The Spinoff may be aware, 2017 is an election year in New Zealand. … Read more
Compiling the best reading from your friendly local website. Hayden Donnell: Finding Rosemary: In search of the unsung hero who invented Kiwi Onion Dip “Our disregard for the dip’s architect has bugged me for years. Every time I’ve bitten down on a dip-drenched chip, I’ve wondered the culinary savant behind the flavour miracle being performed … Read more
The Commerce Commission’s decision to deny the Vodafone / Sky merger could have grave consequences for New Zealand sports fans in years to come, writes Tim Martin, CEO of RugbyPass.com. The Commerce Commission’s decision to deny Sky and Vodafone the right to merge has been met with applause in New Zealand, yet I believe it … Read more
The NZ Herald hosting a video attacking children for the bathrooms they use at a New Zealand high school has shone a spotlight on the hate promulgated by Family First. Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes shares some advice on how families can fight back. The hate group Family First is at it again. This time … Read more
Hibiscus Coast kayaker Zac Franich was announced as New Zealand’s next Bachelor on The Project tonight. Alex Casey delves deep into the internet underbelly to find everything you need to know. Following Jordan Mauger, proprietor of the worst possible Gollum impression of all time, Zac Franich has just been announced as the next brave soul … Read more
Regardless of today’s verdict, the assumptions made and line of questioning pursued by Kuggeleijn’s lawyer Philip Morgan over the course of two trials were extremely troubling, writes Madeleine Chapman. A jury of six men and six women has found Scott Kuggeleijn not guilty of raping a woman in May 2015. Many have expressed relief at … 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 dorks return for episode two, with a whole lot of new television to discuss. This starts with the impressive debut of The Project NZ, and Duncan’s terrified … Read more
Every Friday, ‘The Album Cycle’ reviews a handful of new releases. ALBUM OF THE WEEK Rhiannon Giddens – Freedom Highway Giddens’ second solo album comprises of a moving 12 tracks that travel through 200 years of black American history, using traditional folk rhythms and powerful storytelling as a means to cover slavery, the civil rights … Read more
In the final season of Parks & Recreation the timeline jumps ahead to 2017. The series was ultimately optimistic about the apparatus and people that constituted the American government. Real life 2017? Not so much. Jose Barbosa compares the two wistfully. Some time ago American illustrator and Law & Order aficionado Brandon Bird tweeted an insightful comment … Read more
It’s all over Instagram but how much do you really know about food? Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here.
New verse by London writer Fleur Adcock. Blue stars To qualify as a New Zealander I’d have to turn against the agapanthus. This wasn’t mentioned at the passport office, but my New Zealand nationality is a part-time thing – a bit of nostalgia. Genuine applicants don’t need to be told. They … Read more
As NASA announces the discovery of seven ‘Earth-like’ planets in deep outer space, Don Rowe chats to certified super genius Dr Brian Greene about space, the multiverse and the frontiers of theoretical physics. It took seven and a half minutes before the conversation turned to wizards. Professor Brian Greene, co-founder of the World Science Festival, specialises … Read more
Adrian Orr’s 23% salary increase has been decried by everyone from the PM down. But Orr is no ordinary public service boss: he’s a savvy corporate investor, responsible for truly remarkable returns. His salary should match that reality, argues Peter Davis. Through the early 2000s both Australia and New Zealand enjoyed good times, thanks to … Read more
2017 is barely through the turnstile, but already ‘best game of the year’ designations are being made. Leo Rae-Brown suggests that despite its flaws, the vicious Nioh deserves your consideration. To say that Nioh has been long-anticipated is an understatement. It practically fell off the face of the earth for nearly a decade after its announcement … Read more
This week’s best-sellers at the two best bookstores in the Western world. WELLINGTON UNITY 1 Norse Mythology (Bloomsbury, $30) by Neil Gaiman Kvasir, the god of knowledge and diplomacy, was killed by two dwarves. 2 Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family & Culture in Crisis (HarperCollins, $35) by J D Vance Any minute … Read more
Tara Ward watches in horror as Jono and Ben return and go live for the first time. Jono and Ben returned to our screens last night, promising a ‘star-studded, prank-filled show’ filmed — wait for it — LIVE TO AIR. Jono and Ben were more excited than the time my toddler found half a chocolate biscuit … Read more
All-American hero, songwriting colossus, rock n’ roll star … under-appreciated fashion icon? To mark Bruce’s New Zealand concerts this week, Pete Douglas shines a light on the best of his looks through the years. You could say that I’m quite a big Springsteen fan. I’m the kind of fan who converts the top 200 songs … Read more
The run up to the Mt Albert by-election might seem quiet but the results are likely to have a huge impact on the NZ political year. Meanwhile, over in Maungakiekie, Green wunderkind Chlöe Swarbrick has been demoted to humble foot soldier. Strange days in Auckland politics, writes Simon Wilson. Did you know there’s a candidate … Read more
From the 70s through the 90s, Auckland’s inner-city streets hosted a population of trans sex workers who were not only outside the protection of the law, but often at the mercy of those who enforce it. Those who survived that era tell Julie Hill about the sexual acts demanded by police, and how they made … Read more