Decade in review: The miracle revival of the Silver Ferns

The Silver Ferns went from top of the world to rock bottom and back again in the 2010s. Four different coaches brought four very different approaches to the game over 10 years, and the team ended up writing the biggest comeback story of the decade. Here’s how. At the start of this decade, the Silver … Read more

Decade in review: The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade (20-1)

Around 2pm every day this week, The Spinoff counts down the 100 most iconic local television moments of the 2010s. Today, moments 20-1. Previously:  The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade, #100 – #81 The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade, #80 – #61 The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade, #60 … Read more

Sharing the joy: What Christmas means for New Zealand’s multicultural workers

With 12,000 employees from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, The Warehouse works hard to make end-of-year celebrations as inclusive and warm as possible. Dina Gharbo may not celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense, but says it’s hard for her not to get swept up by the good vibes of the New Zealand festive season.  … Read more

Decade in review: 10 New Zealand films that summed us up

The 2010s started with Taika Waititi’s breakout movie; it ended with him being tipped for a Best Picture Oscar. But this wasn’t just the Taika Decade. Here are 10 movies that epitomised New Zealand cinema in the 2010s, as judged by Josie Adams, Sam Brooks and Alice Webb-Liddall. Boy It’s not the first film Taika … Read more

Decade in review: The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade (40-21)

Around 2pm every day this week, The Spinoff counts down the 100 most iconic local television moments of the 2010s. Today, moments 40-21. Previously:  The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade, #100 – #81 The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade, #80 – #61 The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade, #60 … Read more

How Josh Thomson became Satan for Christmas

Alex Casey talks to Josh Thomson about his satanic transformation in tonight’s Wellington Paranormal Christmas special on TVNZ2.  There’s a scene in the Wellington Paranormal Christmas special tonight that is sure to cheer up even the grizzliest of Christmas grinches. Due to a clerical error, Tawa Mall has accidentally booked Satan instead of Santa and … Read more

How the new GST charges on overseas retailers will affect your online shopping

Changes to GST for overseas retailers came into effect on December 1. What do these changes mean for consumers, local businesses, and the online shopping market in New Zealand?  This Christmas thousands of smart Kiwi consumers have done a lot of their gift shopping online. After all, it seems a waste of time to join … Read more

Decade in review: The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade (60-41)

At 2pm every day this week, The Spinoff will be counting down 100 local television moments of the decade. Today, moments 60-41.  Previously:  The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade, #100 – #81 The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade, #80 – #61 60) John Oliver is obsessed with us, 2015-2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmoe0tgpxaM “How to … Read more

Decade in review: when the internet turned on us

Madeleine Chapman looks back at ten years of global migration from the real world to the online world.  Nothing has changed humanity and how we navigate it more than the internet in the 2010s. In 2010, the world had the internet. In 2019, the world is Online. The internet at the start of the decade … Read more

The early-intervention parenting project that’s worth its weight in gold

A landmark study has shown the true value of tikanga Māori-based early-intervention childcare using research from a parenting programme in West Auckland. Corrine grew up in a wonderful household; her parents never so much as swore in front of her. In her own words, they were “amazing role models,” but when she became a teenager … Read more

The Single Object: The wood planks that hid Polynesian students from the police

Nina Tonga searches for the hidden history of the Dawn Raids at an Auckland high school. I hold Tip Top bread close to my heart. Not because it’s my preferred loaf (not by far) but because it reminds me of my Uncle Neini, one of the first from my family to move to New Zealand … Read more

Decade in review: How reality ate NZ television

Alex Casey looks back at 10 years of reality television in New Zealand, a genre which reflected both our viewing habits and the good, bad and ugly sides of our national character.  I don’t think I’m alone in feeling like watching television in 2019 has become kind of a stressful chore. What used to be … Read more

Everything you need to know about managed funds

What is a managed fund and how does it work? We’re here to answer all your questions and more. Let’s start with the basics: what even is a managed fund? As the name suggests, a managed fund is an investment fund that’s taken care of by a team of experts. When you put money into … Read more

Decade in review: The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade (80-61)

At 2pm every day this week, The Spinoff will be counting down 100 local television moments of the decade. Today, moments 80-81.  Previously: The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade, #100 – #81 80) Behind Jeff’s Eyes, 2018 The first season of the Great Kiwi Bake Off was notable for many charming things (the hosts, … Read more

First, clench your jaw: The perfect recipe for a quality British crime drama

Another British drama, another moody small town with more murders than actual people – but what makes a truly great one? Drama masterchef Tara Ward has the recipe down. Nothing beats a good crime drama for a binge watch, and nobody does it better than the British. Whether it’s award-winning shows like Broadchurch, Luther and … Read more

Decade in review: The 100 NZ TV moments of the decade (100-81)

At 2pm every day this week, The Spinoff will be counting down 100 local television moments of the decade. Today, moments 100-81.  100) Kiwi Steve makes it through to Conan, 2017 Not strictly local television, but this moment had about a one in a bajillion chance of ever happening, and yet somehow… it did. In … Read more

How 5G will make Auckland a better place to live

Richard MacManus finds out how 5G will help Auckland smarten up by building better relationships with its citizens.  In its latest Smart Cities Index, Swedish company EasyPark ranked Auckland 58th out of 100 worldwide cities. Decidedly average. But it gets worse, I’m afraid. In the same list, Auckland was ranked 85th out of 100 cities … Read more

Decade in review: The 10 NZ live show moments that defined the decade

From New Zealand’s biggest band selling out Western Springs to a landmark moment for Pasifika women onstage, these are the live events that shaped New Zealand this decade. An anchor in the middle of the deep blue sea: Daffodils, 2014 “Daffodils should play all over the country. It should play all over the world. It resonates … Read more

The freakiest stuff you can buy for just $1 this Christmas

If you want to shock and amaze your friends and family this Christmas, look no further than the deep recesses of $1 reserve Trade Me.  Folks, I’m going to let you in on a huge Christmas secret here: you can get all your presents for $1 if you know where to look. And not just … Read more

The digital human who wants to talk to you about your health insurance

Richard MacManus meets Aimee – the digital assistant with a human touch.  For years we’ve been worried about robots taking our jobs, but in fact it’s “digital humans” that are increasingly joining the workforce. At least, that seems to be the case in customer service. Southern Cross Health Society, New Zealand’s long-time and leading health … Read more

Decade in review: 10 New Zealand scandals that rocked the nation

From unpaid teachers to match fixing and rogue clamping, these are the news stories that outraged New Zealand in the 2010s. Paul Henry The decade in NZ scandal started out strong thanks to TV and radio host Paul Henry (for the edification of younger readers, he was like Mike Hosking, but with a louder laugh … Read more

The decade in politics: From Team Key to Jacindamania

Toby Manhire gazes back at the last almost-10 years in New Zealand politics, leadership and tragedy. When I returned to New Zealand after 11 years away in 2010, John Key had been prime minister for a couple of years and it felt like he’d been prime minister forever. He was a fixture of familiarity and … Read more

10 New Zealand celebrities that defined the decade

Our pop culture superfans at The Real Pod look back at the local celebrities who defined the last decade in Aotearoa. If there’s any group of people we can turn to in these uncertain times, it’s celebrities. And lucky for us, New Zealand suddenly seems to have heaps of them. The definition of celebrity has … Read more

The Spinoff’s must-have board games this summer

If you’re looking for Christmas gifts or just trying to fill the void of silence with your friends and family this festive season, look no further than the humble board game.  Christmas is coming which means long, lazy days with your nearest and dearest, perhaps eating too much and definitely still spending too much time … Read more

Gadgets and gizmos aplenty: The Christmas gift guide for the person who has everything

What the hell are you meant to give the person who has everything? Don’t worry, Sam Brooks has you covered with the gift guide for that person in your life. It’s that time of year again – that time of the year when you have to think about your sociopathic friend. We’ve all got one. … Read more

The decade in media: How the mighty have fallen and broken both their arms

Looking back on 10 years which saw New Zealand’s media transform from a position of near-limitless power and influence to the deeply humbled reality of today.  At the end of 2009 I had resigned from my first good job, convinced that print media was finished. The good job was as editor of Real Groove, a … Read more

What makes New Zealand’s electricity?

OPINION: In the fifth part of the series with our partners at Flick Electric Co to help you make better energy choices, Flick’s Nikki Cockburn breaks down the sources of our electricity.  So we know that regardless of which power company we’re with, the electricity we use is at the mercy of the National Grid. … Read more

Hammin’ it up: How to raise your glaze game this Christmas

Three glaze recipes to take your festive feast from ho-hum to ham-azing. In the middle of November, my aunt suggested in our family WhatsApp group that Christmas lunch should go meat-free in acknowledgement of climate change. I froze at my desk where I’d taken a moment to procrastinate. While I support her sentiment and am … Read more

10 of the most bonkers acts to ever grace Britain’s Got Talent

Before Britain’s Got Talent: Champions hits our screens tonight, let’s take a fond look back at some of the show’s weirdest and most wonderful acts. Place your hands on your Golden Buzzer, because Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions kicks off this weekend. Champions is BGT bigger and better than it’s been before, an international extravaganza featuring … Read more