The New Zealand insect expert and author, aged 10

Olly Hills couldn’t find a field guide to native New Zealand cicadas, so he decided to fill the gap in our biological literature. Angela Cuming caught up with the young biologist to talk about his first book. The idea for Cicadas of New Zealand came to Olly Hills the same way many other authors stumble … Read more

How a kids’ show about a sentient roller coaster might just be the future of NZ TV

International co-production Nori: Roller Coaster Boy is one of two new Lightbox Originals, representing the TV service’s first foray into original programming. Alex Casey talked to the NZ creatives behind it. Nestled in the shadow of Peter Jackson’s enormous Park Road Post studio in Miramar is POW studios, a small sound production company in quiet … Read more

Tami Neilson on her new album and being a mother on the road

Tami Neilson’s new album Sassafrass! is all for the women. She talks to Bridie Chetwin-Kelly about its themes and life on the road as a musician and a mother. The last two years have been about patience for Tami Neilson. With her new album all wrapped up by November last year, she’s been playing the waiting … Read more

The Bulletin: Doctor leaves the House

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Former health minister Jonathan Coleman quits politics, a hospital is riddled with rot and mould, and letting fees could be banned.  National’s Northcote MP and Health spokesman Jonathan Coleman is leaving politics. He’s off to be the CEO of Acurity Health Group, an owner and operator of private … Read more

Start saving for your children, now.

When should you start you children’s KiwiSaver? Simplicity’s Amanda Morrall says it depends on how much you can contribute.  When someone offers you $1,000 for free, you’d be an idiot to say no.  Kiwis aren’t dumb and this sweet incentive was key to KiwiSaver’s early success. The additional $1,000 a year in matching funds from the … Read more

Cash, crypto and crowdlending: meet New Zealand’s rising FinTech future

From a platform that helps you lend support to the Māori economy to a system that allows you to donate your transactions fees to charitable causes, this year’s cohort for the second ever Kiwibank FinTech Accelerator promises big things for the future of the country’s financial system. Sharesies was built on a simple idea: to make investing … Read more

The Bulletin: Eight Million Dollar Man out

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Fonterra looks to future as boss resigns, confusion at the top of the coalition government, and charities board denies Greenpeace again.  There is comprehensive coverage of the resignation of Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings on the NBR. Mr Spierings stepped down on the same day Fonterra announced its interim financial results. … Read more

Your field guide to the sitcom that lets you relive your 80s kid dreams

It’s got big hair, rollerskating, and Reebok hi-tops, but what exactly is The Goldbergs? Tara Ward is here to give you the low-down on this 80s-set sitcom, which drops all four of its seasons on Lightbox today. What’s the story? The Goldbergs is a family comedy that will speak to anyone who lived through the ‘80s, knows … Read more

The Bulletin: Tensions take off between Air NZ, government

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Finance Minister considers influencing Air NZ through board appointments, Plunket volunteers might walk out, and everyone’s favourite former President is in town.  Air New Zealand has complained to finance minister Grant Robertson, over attacks by regional economic development minister Shane Jones, reports the NZ Herald. But the complaints don’t … Read more

The Bulletin: PM walks fine line on oil

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: PM Jacinda Ardern walks a fine line on oil exploration, nurses are set to strike, and a senior judge speaks out on youth crime. Greenpeace have delivered a petition to Parliament, calling for a ban on oil exploration, reports Stuff. It was received by PM Jacinda Ardern, … Read more

The Bulletin: Greens give Nats parliamentary gift

Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Greens do a Parliamentary deal with National, maternity care faces growing crisis, and Hamilton’s mayor hits out at Kirikiriroa coverage. The Greens will give the bulk of their Parliamentary questions to the National Party for the rest of the term. Leader James Shaw made the announcement … Read more

Taking high fashion to the streets of downtown Auckland

To mark 4 Days of Fashion in the City, four of downtown Auckland’s fashion personalities are sharing their experiences of the industry. Today, Simon Pound of Ingrid Starnes writes about putting fashion on the street and the community it takes to make it happen. Last year, on a late March night, with dusk landing just … Read more

The family shoe store that first brought Dr Martens to New Zealand

To mark 4 Days of Fashion in the City, four of downtown Auckland’s fashion personalities are sharing their experiences of the industry. Today, iconic shoe store owner Pat Menzies recalls the era when flares and platforms graced the nightclubs of Queen St, and how that history has kept his store relevant in 2018. One day … Read more

A chat with The Good Doctor’s Freddie Highmore, the politest TV star in the world

Henry Oliver sits down with Freddie Highmore to talk about his TV journey from the cellars of Bates Motel to the corridors of The Good Doctor. In The Good Doctor, Freddie Highmore plays Shaun Murphy, a surgical resident with autism and savant syndrome. So, basically, he’s both a genius with diagnostic powers exceeding those of his superiors at … Read more

A certain style: moving fashion forward by looking back

To mark 4 Days of Fashion in the City, four of downtown Auckland’s fashion personalities are sharing their experiences of the industry. Today, founder of the New Zealand Fashion Museum Doris de Pont celebrates the legacy of Bruce Papas. Fashion is synonymous with change and while the 4 Days of Fashion in the City is providing … Read more

The Bulletin: Ron Mark flies into controversy

Good morning, happy Friday, and welcome to The Bulletin. The Defence Minister is defending the use of Air Force for travel, the Police get pinged for checkpoint targeting activists, and the latest on the diplomatic saga over the spy attacked with a nerve agent. Defence minister Ron Mark has been accused of abusing the Air Force … Read more

How to make men like shopping

To mark 4 Days of Fashion in the City, four of downtown Auckland’s fashion personalities are sharing their experiences of the industry. Today, Barkers’ managing director Jamie Whiting, discusses the changes technology has brought to bricks and mortar retail.   The changes for fashion retailers in the last decade, but particularly the last three to … Read more

Ship happens: Cruising on the Interislander

Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes took her family to Nelson care of the Interislander Kaitaki. She writes about what it’s really like for families on board. We were somewhere around Torea Bay, on the edge of Waikawa, when the screaming began to take hold. The baby had a sore tum and had been wriggling and … Read more

The Bulletin: Labour admits serious failures

Good morning, and welcome to the Bulletin. In today’s edition:Labour announces a full review into sexual harassment and assault in the party, nobody is that keen on America’s Cup plans, and the tax working group is getting down to business. The Labour leader has ordered a comprehensive review of the entire party in the wake of … Read more

Flipping capitalism on its head

The key to better jobs, more money and a successful economy for all New Zealanders? Investors need to quit thinking like shareholders and start thinking like stakeholders, says Simplicity’s Sam Stubbs. Let me start by declaring my bias here. I’m a capitalist. I believe that competition and markets are the best way to maximise wealth … Read more

New to Lightbox this month: Sunny times in Philadelphia, more Harvey Specter… and Caitlin Moran

Alex Casey and Sam Brooks round up the new content coming to Lightbox this month, including some sunny Philadelphians, Harvey Specter’s return and Lightbox’s first original content ever! It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Seasons 9-12 arrive March 15) They’re the worst people on TV – and some of the funniest. If you’ve missed the show for the … Read more

The Bulletin: NZ dragged into spy row over Russia

Good morning and welcome to the Bulletin. In today’s edition: Britain calls on New Zealand’s support after alleged Russian attack, there’s been another sexual assault allegation at a Labour Party function, and Dr Lance O’Sullivan could be about to join TOP. Britain is calling on New Zealand to join diplomatic action against Russia, after British PM Theresa … Read more

The Bulletin: Ardern admits mistakes made after youth camp assaults

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. Labour’s launched an investigation after reports of sexual harassment and assault at a party run youth camp, glaciers on the Southern Alps are in bad shape, and Lyttelton Port workers have gone on strike. The Labour Party has launched an investigation after reports of sexual harassment and assault taking … Read more

Josh Fountain is everywhere, if you know where to listen

After taking over Joel Little’s Auckland recording studio, Josh Fountain has become one of the most in-demand producers in New Zealand pop music. Hussein Moses goes behind the scenes to find out how he got here and where he’s going next. Peek inside Golden Age Studios, just down the road from St Lukes mall in … Read more

The Bulletin: Bridges keeps Collins close

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. Simon Bridges has put former rivals at the top of his reshuffled caucus, Finance Minister Grant Robertson hints at pay boosts for teachers and nurses, and the tourism industry is struggling to keep track of visitor numbers. New National leader Simon Bridges has reshuffled his caucus. The NZ Herald has a … Read more

Boom! Meet Millie, the girl who builds playgrounds in the world’s poorest countries

In the fourth story in our series celebrating the amazing things young New Zealanders do every day, meet Millie Whetu, a young entrepreneur who believes big business needs big dreams, big vision and a big heart. Most kids would have spent time during the summer school holidays at their local playground. But not Millie Whetu. … Read more

Beck: ‘Now I get to just do what I do. I can just be myself’

Henry Oliver talks to Beck about guitars, Bruno Mars, and his new album Colors. Last weekend, I left the early-afternoon heat of Auckland City Limits to meet Beck, a seemingly ageless musician who’s been musically mutating for over 25 years now. In person, Beck is small, slight and smiley. He talks in a deep, mid-paced … Read more

Ten brilliant TV shows created by awesome women

Cops, doctors, variety shows writers, reality show producers, women are running the show – and running the shows. To celebrate International Women’s Day, Tara Ward is saluting ten of Lightbox’s best shows made by women.  It’s a well-known fact that women are awesome. They also make awesome television, whether its comedy, drama or a bicycle-riding … Read more

The Bulletin: Public money used to spy on quake survivors

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. Sign up here to get The Bulletin direct to your inbox every single morning.  Public money has been used to spy on earthquake victims, Amy Adams gets a top job in National, and marine protection network proposals in the South Island are disappointing to environmentalists.  Patrick Gower returns to Newshub in his … Read more