John Campbell makes his TVNZ debut and a strong case for a regular return to mainstream TV in What Next, TVNZ’s most public-spirited show since the charter was scrapped. Duncan Greive reviews the ambitious week-long TV event. What Next, currently two fifths of its way through its run on TVNZ 1, is something of a … Read more
What exactly happens at a ’90s nostalgia tour meet-and-greet? Daniel Smith, an usher in the VIP room at the recent I Love The ’90s tour in Auckland, reports from deep inside the sweaty belly of the beast. I was born in 1996. This gives me, among other things, the ability to remember the 90s – … Read more
In this completely unbiased search, we asked New Zealand webseries makers to pick their favourite episodes and tell us the stories behind them. Roseanne Liang of Flat 3 The absolute best thing about making webseries, for me, is creative freedom. The budgets are so low, and the viewership so niche that you can take risks … Read more
Superfan Joseph Harper tackles the sixth week of Survivor NZ, including artistic pizza and some subversive beachwear. Click here for last week. It’s the week we’ve all been waiting for! A blindside! The rise of a dastardly matriarch! We are finally getting down to the meat and potatoes. Unlike in real Survivor, I have a … Read more
We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today: Calum Henderson takes down an awful bear. When I was five I had a nightmare that a wolf walked into my house on its hind legs and kicked me to death in the kitchen. You don’t forget a dream … Read more
Jared Ipsen, who has been playing in bands and putting on shows for over 10 years, responds to Grace Stratton’s recent plea for more all ages shows. All ages shows are just not worth it. Ask almost any all ages show promoter in New Zealand and you’ll probably get the same answer. If bars and … Read more
Zaskiya Lesa talks to Kris Fox about finding fame online, beauty blogger sellouts and why he can’t go to the mall anymore. I tend to find myself mindlessly scrolling through social media to kill time, and without fail a Kris Fox video will always pop up on my timeline. His sassy, rambunctious tone is always … Read more
Regardless of whether she is good or bad, there’s no denying that Julie Christie made a tonne of iconic New Zealand reality television. Calum Henderson breaks down her top five efforts. They don’t call Julie Christie the queen of reality TV for nothing. The recently-appointed Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit has … Read more
Nigel Latta and John Campbell are going to lead New Zealand into a brave new future in TVNZ’s multi-night extravaganza What Next? Tara Ward does the questionnaire that will decide our fate. If you like to spend your evenings staring into the abyss and worrying about what the future holds, then TVNZ 1’s new show … Read more
The Spinoff and Spark proudly present Pod On The Couch, a weekly podcast exploring music and the people that make it. This episode: Henry Oliver talks to Peter Dickens from the Music Foundation and Matt Paul from the band Ghost Wave. Spinoff Music editor Henry Oliver talks to Peter Dickens and Matt Paul about mental health issues in … Read more
Sophie Smith, a superfan of Atwood’s dystopian novel, reviews the first episode of The Handmaid’s Tale. I first read Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale in one evening when I was working the night shift at a mine (the processing plant was down and out – and on that particular shift it actually wasn’t my fault). … Read more
While watching the Comey trial, Lorde announced the first leg of her Melodrama world tour this morning, including New Zealand dates. Here’s where she’s playing when and how to (let in line to) buy tickets. 7 NOV – DUNEDIN @ TOWN HALL 8 NOV – CHRISTCHURCH @ ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL 11 NOV – WELLINGTON @ … Read more
In 1987, at the tail-end of The Smiths’ five year lifespan, a call went out to fans: apply now to be featured in the music video with lead singer Morrissey. Among those chosen was Hector Hazard, who talks to Helen Lehndorf about his memories of the day, and shares some never before seen photos of … Read more
Lucy Zee remembers the iconic infomercial to end all infomercials. The first time I saw the Magic Bullet advert, I didn’t realise I was watching an infomercial until it was too late. It looked like a cooking show, but also a sitcom, but also a soap opera. Who were these people, what were they doing … Read more
Alex Casey delves into the endless relevance of The Handmaid’s Tale, arriving exclusively on Lightbox today. I first encountered The Handmaid’s Tale during high school English. They were simpler times, when you could buy three full size (!) Moro bars for $2 at the tuck shop, and the world didn’t feel like it was absolutely, 100% … Read more
It beggars belief for a damehood to be bestowed upon a cultural vandal, argues Simon Wilson. I don’t know why I even give a damn about this. Knighthoods and damehoods, who needs ’em, eh? But we do have them, and they’re our official measure of greatness, so we take notice. Actually, they’re not quite the … Read more
Jane Yee, Duncan Greive and Alex Casey gather around the oval table to talk about the latest happenings in New Zealand television and real life in New Zealand. This week on The Real Pod, the gang travel back to the ancient land of 2017, when knights, dames and maidens roamed the Earth. That’s right, the Queen’s Birthday … Read more
When Julie Christie was announced as recipient of one of our most prestigious honours on Queen’s Birthday, many were shocked and appalled. Duncan Greive, one-time recipient of a defamation letter from Christie, makes the case for her as a worthy Dame. “I pretty much decided that I was going to become a major commercial success … Read more
Our regular round-up of new songs and singles, this week featuring SoccerPractice, Selena Gomez, Dion (D4) Lunadon, Liam Gallagher, Otoboke Beaver and Arcade Fire. SONG OF THE WEEK SoccerPractise – ‘Amene’ Waiata + electronic music + indie rock From the outset, SoccerPractise vocalist Geneva Alexander-Marsters has made a point of incorporating Te Reo Māori into the group’s music, … Read more
Superfan Joseph Harper tackles the fourth week of Survivor NZ, including Barb’s third death and a French fry feast. Click here for last week. We have a merge! Great stuff. All the sweeter for the nice All Blacks themed buffs. As suspected, the likely lads’ plan of ‘treat everyone who isn’t in our alliance badly’, … Read more
With voting for TVNZ’s New Blood webseries competition underway, panelist Alex Casey rounds up the top 10 finalists. You know how fancy overseas countries have a pilot season, where all the exciting brand new shows battle it out to get picked up by networks? New Zealand has finally put on its grown-up pants with TVNZ’s … Read more
Alex Casey peers into the abyss of New Zealand celebrity YouTube channels, and rounds up five of the best. There’s nothing more I love than cracking open the old jar of chocolate chips in the pantry and zoning out on YouTube to someone talking to a camera in their bedroom about their moderately entertaining lives. … Read more
Inside the Lightbox is a sponsored feature where we pick shows from their extensive back catalogue that you might like to watch. This week, we get your long weekend sorted with the best shows to binge watch. Queen’s Birthday weekend is so close we can almost smell the corgi shampoo in the air, and the … Read more
The Spinoff Music team weighs in on Lorde’s new single. Henry Oliver ‘Perfect Places’ is the last song of the party which Lorde’s forthcoming Melodrama is loosely knitted around. It’s the fervent heartfelt anthem to be slurred between the outdoor confessors and belted out on the dancefloor by the drunk and the high before the … Read more
Alaister Moghan reports from The Great Escape festival, where New Zealand artists like Aldous Harding, Kane Strang and Fazerdaze go to get the UK music industry talking. Every May for over a decade, the shores of Brighton are awash with musicians, managers and assorted music industry folk attending The Great Escape – part ‘new music’ festival, … Read more
Jane Yee, Duncan Greive and Alex Casey gather around the oval table to talk about the latest happenings in New Zealand television and real life in New Zealand. In our first Bachelor-free week in a long time, host Jane Yee is joined by Alex Casey and Duncan Greive to still talk about The Bachelor for an extended … Read more
The Handmaid’s Tale is already the most talked-about new shows of 2017, and it’s coming to our shores exclusively on Lightbox from June 8. Alex Casey tells you why you should be psyched. Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s terrifying dystopia first imagined in her 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale is a too-real vision of the future. … Read more
Shortland’s Street big blowout 25th anniversary might be over, but we’re still in the mood to celebrate. From births to deaths, with hostages, heists and cliffhangers aplenty in between, Tara Ward counts down the most-watched Shorty episodes EVER. There’s one more Shortland Street birthday tribute to make before we blow out the candles and take … Read more
Our regular round-up of new songs and singles, this week featuring Carly Rae Jepsen, Future & Kendrick Lamar, Teeks and Drax Project. SONG OF THE WEEK Carly Rae Jepsen – ‘Cut to the Feeling’ Is Carly Rae Jepsen the new Robyn? This is the best straight-up pop song of the year so far. Combining Robyn-esque electro with Belinda … Read more