The Donbox is a regular series where killing machine Don Rowe watches a movie based on, inspired by, or just damn ripped from a video game. This week Don watches 1993’s Super Mario Bros, a hellacious shit of a movie based on a premise dreamed up by a stoned 15 year old. Neil Gaiman, a visionary … Read more
We have been waiting for a dramatic political event to live blog, and the unraveling events of yesterday’s ghastly meeting of local politics and a ceremonial sword fit the bill. 8.45am: As politics editor of the reality-television-and-housing-issues-focused New Zealand website The Spinoff, I have been waiting for an opportunity to launch a live blog. Preferably … Read more
NZ has been a world leader in eradication of cluster bombs, landmines and nuclear weapons. Where today are the moral principles the National government has shown before, asks Amnesty International’s Grant Bayldon. On the 16th of April this year, in a village in Yemen 10 kilometres from the Saudi border, two brothers aged 9 and … Read more
The timing of a show about the wilful extravagance of the ultra-rich could not be worse. But the show couldn’t be better, says Duncan Greive. There are only two things you need to know about The Real Housewives of Auckland. Firstly, it is absolutely appallingly timed: a show featuring some of the city’s wealthiest residents … Read more
This is Auckland, where new money meets old. Alex Casey is going to try and laugh at The Real Housewives of Auckland through her weekly power rankings – because if we can’t laugh then all we have is the void. The first episode of The Real Housewives of Auckland left me reeling in shock, clinging to the … Read more
The Rio Olympics are over, but how can we keep up our medal run in Tokyo? Madeleine Chapman says we have to invest more into female athletes. The 2016 Rio Olympic Games were the first where New Zealand sent more female athletes than male to compete. Linked: it was also our most successful Games ever, with 18 … Read more
Tara Ward brings you her rankings for Shortland Street last week, including Leanne’s facelift, Rachel McKenna’s pashfest and Damo’s stark white thighs. 1) Rachel makes a startling announcement “I’m not made of fingers, Damo!” The strain of being a drug-dependent alcoholic who couldn’t make her computer print got to Rachel, and she began to unravel like an out-of-control … Read more
Today the Spinoff and Figure.NZ launch a new weekly feature, in the form of a chart that tells us something about New Zealand. After extensive thought, we have decided to call it the ‘Chart of the Week’. The plan: to bring more data to more people, explains Lillian Grace, Figure.NZ CEO. After catching a glimpse … Read more
A survey commissioned for the Spinoff’s War for Auckland pop-up site puts the Labour MP well in front of his nearest rival, Vic Crone, just weeks out from voting. But many remain undecided. Phil Goff has established a commanding lead in the Auckland mayoral race with less than four weeks until voting begins. The former … Read more
The 2016 Rio Olympics have been historic for any number of reasons, not least of which the sheer number of athletes joyously chomping down on the medals they just won. Whether to verify karat-count or as an homage to an inspiring medal-biter from the past, everyone seems to be having a munch on their precious … Read more
Will The Real Housewives of Auckland meet the glitzy standards of the international franchise? Angella Dravid creates a handy infographic to help us manage our expectations. The Real Housewives of Auckland will be on our screens tonight. To those unfamiliar with the show, a camera crew follow six wealthy women in Auckland – like Big Brother meets … Read more
To launch the new Figure.NZ feature on the Spinoff, here’s how New Zealand’s biggest city has increased in population, and how it is projected to increase further. To completely disabuse readers of any impression that the Spinoff is Auckland-centric and fixated on the city’s growth, we’ve chosen for the inaugural installment of our new collaboration … Read more
Compiling the best reading of the week from your friendly local website. Duncan Greive: Stuff Circuit and the weird dance we do around publicly funding journalism “There are dozens of reporters capable of this kind of important work. But there aren’t hundreds. And there are fewer working with each passing year. And while I seem … Read more
Madeleine Chapman recalls the moment she first laid eyes upon pole vaulter Eliza McCartney – a gangly kid who just capped an extraordinary rise to claim bronze in Rio. In 2013, while I was training in the javelin at the Millennium Institute in Albany, there was always a small group of athletes training in pole … Read more
It’s global competition time and to celebrate Joseph Harper returns to an old sports favourite. He also lays down some serious button mashing tips: get involved. The Olympics is almost over, but they don’t have to be. Through the magic of video games you can make every day into an Olympiad. This week, to celebrate … Read more
a special longform feature brought you by The Spinoff and DB Breweries Rose Hoare speaks to chefs, architects, critics and hospitality identities to evaluate the state of the art in eating and drinking – without once using the word ‘foodie’. Even trends are getting trendier Let’s address the elephant in the room right away: kale has peaked. … Read more
‘Joining the Pieces’ at Poirirua’s Pātaka Museum is a celebration of resilience, told through artworks created by the women and children survivors of domestic violence. For Jeff Mercer, the show inspired memories of his own abuse, and reflections on how far he’s come. Content warning: This essay concerns the topic of domestic violence, which may … Read more
Alex Casey talks to Debbie Stoller, editor-in-chief of feminist magazine BUST, on the power of nail polish, reclaiming knitting and what pop culture can tell us about society. I remember the first time that I saw a copy of BUST magazine in the central Auckland library, presented to me as a teenager by dear friend … Read more
While sewing and knitting might have once symbolised a second-class life for women, crafts are now a vehicle for empowerment, argues Louise Hutt. This post first appeared on Louise Hutt’s blog Say Cheese Louise. Being into crafts generally gets me one of two comments: “What are you, 90?” or “Wow I wish I could [insert … Read more
In the midst of a suicide crisis, why are people waiting so long for mental healthcare? Jack Close attempts to find out. Two months ago I stood up to walk to the bathroom and felt nagging pain in my right testicle. After two weeks of ferocious Googling and panicking over questionable WebMD diagnoses, I gave … Read more
New verse by Wellington writer Jenny Bornholdt Time We woke to spring nuzzling at the window. Winter’s passed, like last night’s hail in the gin. Frozen puddle in the freezer a reminder; like our son’s placenta, still there after eleven years— us frozen by indecision, which tree and where? Sons grown to men. One … Read more
Which of the mayoral candidates have the most effective hoardings, and what hidden meanings do they reveal? The Spinoff’s chief billboard semiotics correspondent, Toby Manhire, reports. It’s just like Christmas but without anything remotely joyful. All across the country, the mugs of the brave individuals hoping to represent their communities in local body politics have … Read more
This excerpt from former editor-in-chief of New Zealand Herald Gavin Ellis’s new BWB Text, Complacent Nation, has been modified for exclusive republication with The Spinoff. In November 2015 an acknowledged academic authority on gang culture revealed – with the backing of his Vice-Chancellor – that he had been deemed by the New Zealand Police to be … Read more
Duncan Greive watches The Hard Stuff with Nigel Latta, TVNZ’s new series that boldly explores some of the most complex issues facing New Zealanders today. Content warning: this article contains discussion of mental health and suicide Nigel Latta is a weird fish. A diminutive and thin fellow, he’s a psychologist by training, but has evolved into an … Read more
This week, psychotherapist Ms X advises a single woman who finds herself suddenly “sexual catnip” to her coupled friends. Dear Ms X, I’m a happily single woman in my early 30s. I have no boyfriend or girlfriend, no kids, no commitments and it’s wonderful. I do what I want. I am living the dream. The … Read more
Our new weekly podcast about what looks to be a tentpole reality TV series, The Real Housewives of Auckland. Your old idiot mates are back to talk about what is already indisputably the greatest reality show in New Zealand’s history. The Real Housewives of Auckland debuts on Monday – but host Jane Yee and her loyal servants … Read more
Comprised of over 18 quintillion (yes, that’s a number) planets, No Man’s Sky is a seemingly infinite game. Sarah Illingworth spoke to Paul Wolinski from 65daysofstatic, the Sheffield band behind its soundtrack – also the band’s new album – to find out how you go about creating audio for a limitless game. This interview first appeared … Read more
CONTENT WARNING: The following post contains information that may ruin your life. Are you standing? I’m going to need you to sit down. Set aside any hot liquids. Swallow any large morsels of food. Make sure there are no sharp objects nearby. Are you ready? Are you sure? I have some terrible news. The K in … 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. The art business is an interesting one. Gallery owners need to be … Read more