The inquiry is of real value, but predetermined terms of reference, a lack of transparency and an inherent conflict of interest limits its potential to deliver the scrutiny and change Aotearoa needs, writes Anjum Rahman, a member of the Commission’s Muslim Community Reference Group. The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attacks on Christchurch … Read more
Tāmaki Makaurau is a city under construction, but are Māori and Pasifika architects and designers being given the opportunities they deserve? It seems everywhere you go in Auckland right now, there’s a new development of some sort. Whether it’s a new bridge, playground, some public housing or a refreshed streetscape, almost all these projects include … Read more
The pandemic has shown us how we can do things differently. When we come out the other side, let’s ensure the 1 billion disabled people worldwide aren’t left behind, writes disability rights commissioner Paula Tesoriero. Worldwide, the response by governments to Covid-19 has emphasised that we are all in this together. It got me thinking … Read more
While the March 15 terrorist was not on the intelligence agencies’ radar, Haamid Ben Fayed has been. He hopes the inquiry will be a chance to address the systemic discrimination faced by Muslims in this country – but, as he tells Jo Malcolm, he doesn’t hold out much hope for change. Haamid Ben Fayed thinks … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 2. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.00pm: The day in sum Parliament formally declared a climate emergency, and the government announced it would be going carbon neutral. The auditor general issued a damning assessment of the University of Auckland purchase of a Parnell home for its vice … Read more
So is capital gains tax a good idea or…? Depends who you ask, but this Auckland house (Janaye Henry) that just made $140,000 in a year makes a pretty strong case for why it might be good, actually. As your average Auckland house, I’ve got to say 2020 has been pretty great for me. Just … Read more
The fallout from the Mercy Pictures exhibition People of Colour continues to inflame the Aotearoa art world. Here, art writer and former gallerist Sarah Hopkinson attempts to understand the often contradictory values that produced Mercy Pictures, and what the tumult means for the future of the industry. In October I attended the opening of Mercy … Read more
Pill testing at music festivals is set to become law as legislation begins a rush through parliament in time for the start of festival season. It’s a change welcomed by Courtenay Chenery, who remembers how a rogue pill led to the most miserable New Year’s of her life. “Hey Dad…I’m not feeling very well. I … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 1. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 8.10pm: The day in sum There were three new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation, and the Ministry of Health issued a warning to be vigilant during the Christmas party season Auckland mayor Phil Goff released a proposal for a rates … Read more
There are many unanswered questions about how technologies are being used, why they are necessary, and whether they risk infringing on human rights or privacy, write Andrew Chen and Kristiann Allen. The idea of “emergence”, in a philosophical sense, is the notion that a system can have properties, behaviours and naturally forming rules or patterns … Read more
In the third part of Coming Home, hosts Duncan Greive and Jane Yee talk to recently returned New Zealanders about the different factors that brought them home this year. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you usually listen to podcasts. We’ve heard a lot so far about the factors that have for decades driven New Zealanders to … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 30. Reach us on info@thespinoff.co.nz 7.00pm: The day in sum Worksafe has laid charges against 13 organisations and individuals in relation to last year’s Whakaari/White Island eruption. Two of those charged have been confirmed as government agencies. The government revealed its plan to double sick leave from … Read more
Renting in Wellington can seem like a nightmare, but you just need to look a little harder. We’ve found some of the best-value flats in town. It’s been a long week for Wellingtonians, who’ve had their city shat on multiple times, a burden they didn’t need on top of the literal shit flowing through the … Read more
It’s a New Zealand institution – one that Emily Writes wanted no part of. So no one was more surprised than her when a family getaway to the local Top 10 turned out to be kinda blissful. About 15 years or so ago, my husband and I were planning a holiday. I am of the … Read more
Currently, investors are essentially subsidised to outbid homebuyers. Instead, why not give homebuyers a tax cut and make the speculators pay? Have you ever wanted to throw a party but worried no one would come? My wife and I thought of having a party this year to celebrate paying off our mortgage but quickly realised … Read more
A tiny minority of local residents – led by a former PM – are holding back the joy of hundreds of thousands, and millions in economic benefits. On Friday night Eden Park hosted a thrilling seesaw of a T20 between New Zealand and the West Indies. On Saturday the Tasman Mako secured back-to-back Mitre 10 … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 28-29. Reach me on aliceneville@thespinoff.co.nz Sunday, November 29 1.40pm: One new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation The Ministry of Health is reporting one new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation today, and no new community cases. The new case is a person who arrived from Jordan … Read more
Perimenopause and its big sister, menopause, can seem like the cruellest of jokes after a lifetime of hormone-related struggles. Ensemble‘s Rebecca Wadey felt overwhelmed and panicked, until she started talking, and listening, and realised she wasn’t the only one. 2020 has been a confusing mess. I pride myself on my ability to cope with stress, … Read more
Transgender pioneer, the last surviving member of Hillary’s Everest team, and one of the world’s greatest travel writers – Jan Morris, who died this week aged 94, was one of a kind. Just as international travel has become a vicarious pursuit, one of the great travel writers has passed away. Jan Morris wrote about the … Read more
The 1918 Spanish flue devasated Samoa, and its impact is still felt today, writes Tootoooleaav Dr Fanaafi Aiono-Le Tagaloa. Within minutes of news that crew members of the cargo ship Fesco Askold had tested positive for Covid-19, a social media storm broke across Samoa. Covid-free until then, the island nation’s anxiety was understandable. More so … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 27. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 1.35pm: Seven new cases of Covid-19; six from Pakistan cricket team Updated There are seven cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation today, the Ministry of Health has announced. There are no new cases in the community. Six of the cases are members … Read more
After hearing how much Jetstar charges if you try to travel with a heavy carry-on bag, Stewart Sowman-Lund gets good and mad on behalf of those who have been forced to fork out. There’s nothing more satisfying than beating the system at its own game. Not paying for parking and not getting a ticket, not … Read more
The harassment of teaching assistants by students in tertiary institutions is a widespread but under-reported problem, write Sarah Ives and Ann E. Bartos When the #MeToo movement gained momentum in 2017, it exposed widespread sexual harassment in the workplace, and academia was no exception. Yet the Covid-19 pandemic has dimmed the spotlight on this issue … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 26. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.30pm: The day in sum The Air NZ worker who tested positive on arrival in China most likely caught Covid-19 overseas, said the Ministry of Health in a statement that also announced one new imported case. Six members of the Pakistan men’s … Read more
Michelle Kidd defines her role at Auckland’s specialist family violence court as te kaiwhakatere – the navigator. It’s a one-of-a-kind job, helping guide defendants through the court system. And there’s no one better suited to it than Whaea Michelle. Whaea Michelle is part of Frame, a series of short documentaries produced by Wrestler for The Spinoff. “If … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 25. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 6.00pm: The day in sum A New Zealand soldier was charged with four counts of espionage, after being arrested at Linton Military camp late last year. The Bloomberg review ranked New Zealand top in the best places to be in the era … Read more
A new study of NZ children has found no link between birth type and test scores. That’s no surprise, says Emily Writes, so why do many new mums still have to put up with being judged? While pregnant with my first baby and attending antenatal classes, I was introduced to a new fear – the … Read more
On Sunday, Stuff published a column by journalist Andrea Vance saying Wellington’s good days were over. Wellingtonian Emily Writes steps up to defend the city’s honour. I’m a big Andrea Vance stan so I was shocked when I saw the headline to her column “Wellington, I’m sorry to say it, but your good days are … Read more
New Zealand has some of the worst rates of family violence and abuse. Addressing those, especially in the courtroom, is about more than punishment. Teuila Fuatai reports. Whaea Michelle is part of Frame, a series of short documentaries produced by Wrestler for The Spinoff. Tucked away on the third floor of the Auckland District Court house … Read more