Since he swept to power in June, President Rodrigo Duterte has ruthlessly pursued his promised violent crackdown, lashed out at foreign leaders and emboldened vigilantes. In a Manila slum, Iris Gonzales meets his supporter and his critics. Jomalene Mabag has seen it all – the rapists, the robbers, the killers. They’re all drug users and … Read more
Under the Unitary Plan at least 400,000 new homes will be built to meet the growth of Auckland over the next 30 years. But while we wait for the Plan to take effect, let’s take a look at how many dwellings are being built right now. News that 35 Auckland apartment development projects have collapsed … Read more
Trained psychotherapist and resident advice guru Ms X on shitty jobs and the fine art of knowing when to walk away. Hi Ms X, I’ve been working in a new job for about 10 months now. It’s my first one out of uni and when I started it was quite enjoyable. The woman who hired … Read more
Your topic for this week’s quickfire quiz: how much do you know about marriage and divorce in New Zealand? Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here.
With the domestic sale of electronic cigarettes set for legalisation, the Ministry of Health is deciding on regulations to govern where, how and to whom they’re sold. The NZ Initiative’s Jenesa Jeram makes the argument for a light hand. Condoms are not 100 percent effective, but there are few who would advise that it means … Read more
Josh Drummond should be delighting at the former Conservative Party leader being hoist by his own legal petard, he writes. But instead he just feels disgust Colin Craig! The one-time leader of the Conservative party is in the news again, this time after a court found that he had defamed Jordan Williams, to the tune … Read more
Every month host Alex Casey is joined by comedian/writer Michele A’Court and Mana magazine editor Leonie Hayden to discuss what happened in the world of women over the preceding four weeks. The three raggers reflect on what Trump says about gender politics, how baking soda can solve almost anything and why New Zealand definitely doesn’t need a Minister for … Read more
Are we a nation of binge drinkers? This week’s charts from Figure.NZ shed some light. The Losi Filipo case has brought renewed attention to New Zealand’s chronic problem with binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled assault. Three Figure.NZ charts take a look at our heaviest drinkers. Want to know more about our drinking habits? Check out … Read more
The government has formal yardsticks and ‘ambitious targets’ coming out its ears. But not on child poverty. “It sounds airy-fairy but it’s the advice we get.” That was the prime minister this morning on RNZ Morning Report, in response to questions from Guyon Espiner over the government refusal to set a target for reducing child … Read more
In-house psychotherapist Ms. X has some good advice for couples stuck in the fight/make up/fight rut. Hey Ms. X, This is such a cool idea first of all! I tried to start an advice column at my uni mag but it didn’t work. I guess I’m the one who should be getting advice, not giving … Read more
It’s a struggle to like either of the creeps who locked horns in the High Court, but the measure of the winner’s character will be in how he spends the damages, writes Toby Manhire The Hollow Men was turned into a stage play. Secret Power was adapted into a visual art spectacular. And now another … Read more
This week’s quickfire quiz: how much do you know about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States? Wednesday’s car-crash of a presidential debate meant a big day for excellent Kiwi Twitter account @MovingToEnZed. I reckon @MovingToEnZed is going to get a good workout during the debates eh — Somon (@simonpnz) September 27, 2016 With polls … Read more
Rapid divestment decisions by funds with money in nuclear weapons, landmines and cluster bombs is a credit to people power. But the battle is far from over, writes Grant Bayldon If you like a good David and Goliath story, you’re in luck. News broke in August that millions of New Zealanders had unwittingly invested in … Read more
Hordes of shoppers will descend on an Auckland shopping mall tomorrow for the opening of fast-fashion retailer H&M’s first New Zealand store. Anny Ma explains why she’s staying home instead. High fashion and fast fashion represent two opposing poles of the garment industry. One is aspirational, inspirational and dreamily sartorial; the other is a rogue … Read more
Don Brash is the public face of Hobson’s Pledge, a new identity for his longstanding campaign against ‘special privileges’ for Māori. Deborah Mahuta-Coyle explains why for her, it feels personal. Kia ora Don, When I was 11 years old I took part in my school’s yearly speech competition. The topic was a famous Māori leader … Read more
A new ‘one nation’ New Zealand movement has sprung up, albeit from the usual suspects. Toby Manhire is captivated by the unique face of modern, anti-separatist New Zealand. Like sands through the hour glass, so are the anguished screams of “Māori special treatment fnarrrrrr!” The latest caterwaul comes in the form of Hobson’s Pledge. You … Read more
Everyone appreciates public toilets, but for anxiety disorder sufferers they’re truly indispensable. Lucy Gable explains how toilets help her deal with her agoraphobia, then counts down her five best and worst in Auckland. It’s mid-morning and I am sitting beside a stone-walled harbour on the southern coast of Croatia. The landscape is heartstoppingly beautiful, a … Read more
Community worker Ngaiterangi Smallman argues that the Moana movie is an opportunity Pacific communities should be grasping with both hands. This column was submitted as a letter to the editor (info@thespinoff.co.nz); we decided it deserved its own post. For more letters and reader comment, on this and other topics, click here. Two years ago I … Read more
Three Figure.NZ charts offer an insight into the 2011 earthquake’s ongoing impact on the Garden City. Our recent post on Christchurch’s local election apathy was inspiration for this week’s charts from Figure.NZ – a snapshot of a city in three acts. Hungry for more Christchurch data? Check out Figure.NZ.
In this week’s advice column, in-house psychotherapist Ms. X helps out a concerned big sister. Dear Ms. X, I am a 21 year old woman needing some help with how to advise my younger sister about sex stuff. She is nearly 16 and has a 17 year old boyfriend. You can probably imagine what my … Read more
Content warning: This feature contains descriptions, though not the details, of sexual and physical abuse, which may be triggering to survivors. When I walk into the courtroom I see the back of my father’s head. It is grey-haired now, but I still want to smash it into pieces with some large, pointed, heavy instrument. Something … Read more
To mark the occasion of our endorsements for Auckland council and mayor, this week’s quiz looks at the differences between the Big Smoke and the country beyond the Bombay Hills.
A Black woman living in New Zealand talks about this week’s episode of Real Housewives, and why it’s indicative of a broader racist culture in New Zealand we still refuse to acknowledge. This week’s episode of Real Housewives has left many people shocked. They cannot believe that there are white people who think it’s okay … Read more
For all the hand-wringing over the economic damage done by the housing crisis, precious little attention is paid to its health effects – particularly on those living in poverty. Dr George Laking explains why house prices should come with a health warning. Warning: contains photos of doctors and gory things. We loved our scuzzy flat … Read more
Disney have once again come under fire for cultural appropriation, this time for the release of their Maui costume for kids. Madeleine Chapman explains why it might not be so bad. Mulan is my favourite movie. Not my favourite Disney movie or even my favourite children’s movie. Mulan is my favourite movie, period. I’ve seen … Read more
Newly purchased works from the acclaimed NZ entry at the Venice Biennale have just been unveiled at Te Papa. Toby Manhire caught up with the artist at the notorious Urban Cafe in Newmarket to discuss the politics of his exhibition, the appeal of technology, and whether he might yet get into watercolours. When Simon Denny’s … Read more
Following an acclaimed showing at the Venice Biennale, Simon Denny’s politically charged Secret Power is now on view at Te Papa. Henry Oliver spoke to investigative journalist Nicky Hager about his role as special adviser on the exhibition. I met Nicky Hager last year on the Golden Staircase of the Marciana Library in Piazzetta San … Read more
Figures on the ethnic breakdown of cannabis convictions show the folly of the prime minister’s faith in ‘police discretion’, writes Don Rowe. A majority of New Zealanders now support the decriminalisation of marijuana, according to a poll released last month by the New Zealand Drug Foundation. The survey, conducted by the same company that polls … Read more
Working hard or hardly working? A look at who isn’t participating in the labour force, and why. Inspired by the Real Housewives of Auckland, this week’s charts from Figure.NZ provide an insight into the real lives of New Zealand’s ‘housewives’ and others not in paid work. Want to know more? Check out Figure.NZ.