It’s the biggest question in public art: which of these strolling sculptures would smash the other? Tara Ward plays referee. Who would win in a fight: Boy Walking or Giant Hand? It’s a question that’s perplexed both scientists and statues for at least a week, and a mystery so consuming I will never rest until … Read more
Flamingo and the Uber-owned Jump launch in the capital today, with the city becoming New Zealand’s fifth to see shareable e-scooters Eight months after the invasion of the Limes scandalised the previously 100% safe streets of Auckland, Wellington is to get its first taste of electric scooters, with two rival providers having received permits from … Read more
Cantabrians have shown great compassion and generosity to Muslim and migrant communities following the terrorist attacks. But properly healing the wounds of March 15 also requires facing up to the city’s racist history, writes Dr Rawiri Taonui Content warning: this post includes offensive images and descriptions of violence and racist language. Following the terrorist attacks … Read more
As of 2018, the Independent Police Conduct Authority had zero Māori employees. For a police system that loudly embraces diversity, that’s not good enough, writes Carrie Buckmaster. We have known that Māori do not receive a fair go from the justice system for some time. In 2015 the Police Commissioner spoke with media about unconscious … Read more
We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today, Alex Casey borrows a dog and goes on a magical journey. Look, I had extremely high hopes for the day that pets were finally allowed on trains. I wanted guinea pigs wearing tiny backpacks. I wanted to see a … Read more
Seven years on from his arrest, the extradition battle between Kim Dotcom and the United States reached New Zealand’s Supreme Court this week. RNZ‘s Kate Newton went to court to find out whether anyone seems to be winning. Ron Mansfield – bearded and bespectacled – stood at a blond wooden lectern in the centre of … Read more
Nicole Tuxford’s death is up there with the worst failures of the justice system in New Zealand history, writes Newshub’s Patrick Gower. Our justice system helped kill Nicole Tuxford. These are extreme and hurtful words to put next to Nicole’s name, but sadly they are true. Because torture, rape and murder are also extreme and … Read more
The chance discovery of an 18-year-old book of spells (for men) leads Critic‘s Charlie O’Mannin on a journey to the dark side. In the depths of time before the world came into being (2001), in a dark and distant land (the American Midwest), a book was made. This book was called Wicca Spellcraft for Men … Read more
A Fine Balance opened yesterday in Auckland, marking a historic collaboration between two pillars of Auckland theatre. Sam Brooks talked to two of the team – Prayas president Amit Ohdedar and director Ahi Karunharan – about the show. On paper, it seems like a no-brainer of a collaboration. Auckland Theatre Company, arguably the biggest theatre company … Read more
Responding to reports that packs of cat-sized rats have taken over Titirangi, Don Rowe travelled to West Auckland to find out the truth. There’s an infestation in Titirangi and it’s not just white girls with dreadlocks. Rats “the size of cats”, ten to a pack, staring down residents like a gang of mean teenagers. Frothing, … Read more
Emily Writes reflects on being out and proud, three years after accepting and embracing her sexuality. In church I listened to sermons about people with the devil in their hearts. People who would go to Hell even if they were good people. God hates the sin. There’s so much sin. We have to be strong … Read more
Unless we look closely sometimes we forget the important role our closest guides have on our lives. On his grandmother’s 103rd birthday, Arun Jeram takes a moment to examine his grandparents’ legacy. When most people discover I have a granddad who is 103 and a grandmother who is also 103, and they are both alive … Read more
How do you reconcile wanting a kinder, gentler world and also wishing for nothing but misfortune for your enemies? You accept the cleansing power of a deep and passionate grudge, says Emily Writes. The famous philosopher Will Smith once said: “Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume … Read more
Women walk more, drive less, cycle less and use public transport more than men, on average – so why aren’t we designing urban spaces with that in mind, asks former Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown. We love to skite about New Zealand women getting the vote first without looking closely at the numbers that followed. We’ve … Read more
In a move half shocking and half not at all surprising to Samoa’s LGBT community, Apia’s Apollo Cinemas will not be screening the Elton John musical Rocketman. Sapeer Mayron reports from Apia on the decision and its impact on the Samoa’s LGBT community. Despite locking it in for screenings, the Apollo cinema has had to … Read more
In what is being touted as “paw-some” news by AT, domestic pets will be allowed on trains in Auckland from Sunday 16 June. Here are all your burning questions answered. First of all, what the hell is a so-called domestic pet? Domestic pets are defined as “tame animals that live inside the customer’s home” by … Read more
A trans-Tasman conference is being held this Friday to discuss the cultures that breed racism and extremism in Australasia. Tayyaba Khan, founder of Khadija Leadership Network, and Farida Sultana, founder of Shakti New Zealand and Australia spoke to The Spinoff about why it’s so important to continue the discussion. There was not much else on … Read more
The Court of Appeal has decided that China’s criminal justice system is so flawed that a murder suspect living in New Zealand should not be extradited there. That’s an extraordinary development in the already strained NZ-China relationship, writes law professor Andrew Geddis. I am fortunate enough to be a citizen of three countries – New … Read more
Millions of women spend hours a day shaving, trimming, plucking, waxing and lasering their hair to maintain a certain ‘acceptable’ level of body hair. But why and where did the pressure come from? Alice Webb-Liddall investigates. In the years leading into puberty, my mum told me not to shave. I have light, fine hairs on … Read more
She has scores of credits to her name, awards galore, she’s an CNZM, and she stars in the cabaret Delicious Oblivion, opening tonight in Auckland. Jennifer Ward-Lealand talks to Sam Brooks about her most memorable roles. It’s not hyperbole to call Jennifer Ward-Lealand a living legend. Across her 40-year career, the actress has graced both … Read more
Mark Longley on his new podcast Death and what inspired him to tackle one of our last taboos: what we do when someone dies. This story was first published on Newshub. I was at a social function about three months after my daughter Emily died and I was talking to a guy I knew, but not well. … Read more
In her second column for The Spinoff, activist Anjum Rahman recounts her experience at a recent media event as a way of examining what’s at stake in the free speech debate. To receive an invitation to the renowned Hamilton Press Club lunch is quite a thing, given that many media personalities and prominent community members … Read more
Residents of New Plymouth are suggesting Austin, Texas, become their next sister city. Taranaki-raised Josie Adams compares the two. New Plymouth, the nipple of the North Island, has two sister cities: Mishima (Japan) and Kunming (China). This is apparently not enough, and the city is looking to add the clout of an American to its … Read more
Large breasts can be great, but they can also wreak havoc – mentally, physically and sexually. Erin Gourley talks to university students who want to reduce their cup size by going under the knife. This story was first published in Critic Te Arohi, the University of Otago student magazine. “I found my old bra the … Read more
There are few things New Zealanders love more than walking around the city without shoes or socks on. And now, just maybe, the Northern Hemisphere is ready to get onboard. Betteridge’s law states that any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word ‘no’. Though often true, it can sometimes … Read more
Climate change will affect us all, but it already affects women and other marginalised genders differently. The United States is in the midst of a battle over reproductive freedom. Seizing on the conservative political fervour of the moment, politicians are attempting to strip back women’s rights to abortion, contraception and other reproductive health care. Women’s … Read more
Lucy Kelly’s essay ‘How working in an abortion clinic changed my mind about terminations‘ remains one of the most popular posts in Spinoff history. Two years on, she reflects on its international impact, and how the abortion debate has, and hasn’t, moved on in New Zealand. Two years ago I published an essay about how … Read more
For those attempting to seek asylum in New Zealand, the path is rarely straightforward. Tim Maurice of Asylum Seekers Support Trust gives us a glimpse of life as an asylum seeker. The room is alive with conversation. Before us, a meal is set out on the brown Formica table: a traditional Pakistani dish made from … Read more
The memory of Sir Edmund Hillary is still fresh, but as the years roll by it may not stay that way. Josie Adams ranks the ways future generations could learn about our national hero. As we head into winter and ski season I’m reminded of our country’s biggest snowbunny, Sir Edmund Hillary. We know … Read more