The 10 most thrilling backdrops of the NZ parliament chez Zoom

Just like the rest of us, it turns out our elected representatives have a lot of weird stuff in their homes and offices.  Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning for the past four weeks, members of the parliamentary Epidemic Response Committee and invited guests have met online for a series of Zoom meetings. Like many … Read more

The definitive ranking of all 59 Warriors jerseys

An update to James Dann’s groundbreaking 2016 investigation, now with 25% more shirts. It has been three years since the first Warriors Jersey Power Rankings appeared on The Spinoff, and a lot has changed in that time. They qualified for the finals for the first time in close to a decade, lost their best-ever player … Read more

So much more than meatballs: The Spinoff’s official IKEA food rankings

The Swedish retail monster is coming to New Zealand, but amid all the excitement, its greatest asset has been left in the shadows. No longer: here we celebrate the unique culinary experience that is eating at IKEA. Even though globalisation has had its slimy tentacles tightly gripped around Aotearoa for some years now, we still … Read more

Summer Reissue: A definitive ranking of every Blackcaps ODI shirt from best to worst

Someone had to do it. First published 13 January 2018. In 2015, around the time of the World Cup, the New Zealand Cricket Museum started selling this stunningly attractive poster. Designed by Into the White Press, it details the evolution of the New Zealand one day international cricket uniform, from its beige beginnings to years … Read more

Project Runway Power Rankings, week three: Ctrl+Alt+Shifty

In the third episode of Project Runway New Zealand, the designers had to make a two-piece look out of scrapped technology. Henry Oliver ranks the results. Project Runway is back, baby! After complaining last week about the lack of quips, the lack of drama, the lack of, y’know, interesting clothes, the good ship fashion began … Read more

Project Runway Power Rankings, week two: A breadstick in Paris

It’s the second episode of Project Runway New Zealand, in which the designers have to make a streetwear look inspired by … Sylvia Park? Henry Oliver ranks the results. In the words of guest judge James Dobson (Jimmy D), can I be really honest… this was a shitshow. The streetwear challenge should have been a gimme for … Read more

The Dancing with the Stars NZ Power Rankings: The first seven

They challenge you to a dance-off. No trash talk, no back walk. Dance off. These are the power rankings for the first episode of highly anticipated celebrity-moving show, Dancing with the Stars NZ. From its first moments, it was clear Dancing with the Stars NZ came here to play. They knew they had stars, they knew … Read more

Every single Warriors season, power-ranked

After ending their dreadful 2017 season with a 9-game losing streak, the Warriors will be looking to create some more positive memories for their beleaguered fans. But where does last year’s abysmal failure sit within the pantheon of poor performances? James Dann looks back over the club’s history since 1995 to rank each of their … Read more

Ranking New Zealand’s greatest celebrity animals

With his death going viral, Nigel the Mana Island gannet joins a proud tradition of New Zealand celebrity animals. Calum Henderson pays tribute to the creatures we’ve loved and lost. This article was first published in February 2018. A dead gannet is the latest New Zealand animal to attain celebrity status. Nigel, of Mana Island, … Read more

A definitive ranking of all the Blackcaps ODI shirts from best to worst

Someone had to do it. In 2015, around the time of the World Cup, the New Zealand Cricket Museum started selling this stunningly attractive poster. Designed by Into the White Press, it details the evolution of the New Zealand one day international cricket uniform, from its beige beginnings to years of glorious grey, the teal … Read more

Jane Yee on the Block: Bathroom week is a drain

It’s the most important room in the house! Jane Yee checks in on bathroom week on The Block NZ. Click here for last week’s installment. “Is anyone getting that sinking feeling?” Mark ‘Rigor’ Richardson asked this week, smashing out another cracking pun in honour of bathroom week. Me. I am. I’m getting that sinking feeling, … Read more

Survivor NZ Power Rankings, Week Six – Queen Barb’s reign of terror

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

The Bachelor NZ Power Rankings, Week Two – Why can’t anyone use cutlery right?!

Alex Casey tackles the second week of The Bachelor NZ, including Shakespeare, funny tummies and bathroom tears. Time is limited. You could go at any point. Nobody is safe. That is both a beautiful haiku about the fragility of human mortality, and a direct quote from The Bachelor NZ last night. It’s the second week … Read more

Shortland Street Power Rankings: Chris Warner dances because nobody’s watching

Tara Ward brings you her rankings for Shortland Street last week, including Bella’s move to Raglan, Chris Warner’s afternoon delight, and Boyd being miserable yet again. 1) Bella makes like a tree and leaves It took sitting on a park bench for Bella to realise that the universe was telling her to leave Ferndale. “Get out,” … Read more

Shortland Street Power Rankings: Curtis goes to prison on the worst Halloween ever

Tara Ward brings you her rankings for Shortland Street last week, including the sad departure of Curtis, Halloween disasters, and way too much condensed milk. 1) TK’s fabulous Halloween tribute to…um, Cheryl West? It’s the halloween gift that keeps on giving. This is spectacular on a bazillion different levels, so feast your eyes, my pretties. Wait til … Read more

Shortland Street Power Rankings: Surprise, surprise, Curtis is in trouble

Tara Ward brings you her rankings for Shortland Street last week, including rashes, a ghost, and conceiving babies in hospital corridors. 1) Curtis takes one for the team Life was grand for old mate Curtis, but no amount of pashing Esther in the hospital café could stop him becoming tangled in Cam’s web of lies. Somebody needs … Read more

Shortland Street Power Rankings: TK is a grumpy old man, again

Tara Ward brings you her rankings for Shortland Street last week, including undercover superheroes, fishy dilemmas, and Esther’s messy love life. 1) Rajiv is a superhero in a plastic apron Whipping off his jacket and throwing it aside like he was Patrick Swayze about to pull Baby from the corner, Rajiv revealed that he wasn’t just a … Read more

Shortland Street Power Rankings: Harry earns a sad belt in karate

Tara Ward brings you her rankings for Shortland Street last week, including super-yacht surgery, love triangles, and the arrival of a brand new cocky doctor.  1) Drew: oh Captain, my Captain Talk about better work stories: “Kylie, remember that time we were cooking tenderloins and were suddenly taken hostage on that super-yacht? With the anaesthelogist who … Read more

Shortland Street Power Rankings: farewell to Leanne, the queen of Ferndale

Tara Ward brings you her rankings for Shortland Street last week, including the arrival of Sass, sad bears, and everyone’s favourite, Damo. 1) Leanne is a sweet scented, demented Jezebel The 100% pure romance of Leanne and Howard’s love affair pierced my cold dead heart like a pungent sprig of rosemary through a freshly butchered piece of … Read more

Shortland Street Power Rankings: We are all Glen

Tara Ward brings you her rankings for Shortland Street last week, including handbags at dawn, Ferndale’s Taxi Fight Club and our weekly dose of Damo. 1) Lucy puts herself in the corner TFW you realise your father only loves you for your liver. With Glen diagnosed with liver failure, Lucy faced a tough decision: should she give Glen … Read more

Shortland Street Power Rankings – A C-bomb has gone off in Ferndale

Tara Ward brings you her rankings for Shortland Street last week, including Vinnie’s fridge swear and Leanne’s fixation with workplace exercise. 1) Leanne ponchos above her weight Nothing will stop Leanne in her quest to reach 10,000 steps a day, other than her complete inability to reach 10,000 steps a day. Jogging on the spot, running in … Read more

A champion is crowned – Judging the uso of Game of Bros with Aunty Henga, Week Six

Madeleine Chapman and her Aunty Henga assess the skills, builds, and tattoos in Game of Bros, Māori television’s reality quest for the ultimate Polynesian warrior. The Game of Bros champion has been crowned after seven long weeks of baby oil, Ludus hoodies, and coconut cream. While the whole series has been primarily focused on the humour and silliness, this finale … Read more

Shortland Street Power Rankings: Fifty shades of Ferndale

Tara Ward brings you her Shortland Street Power Rankings for last week, including Leanne’s street talk, Ali’s book tease, and the Warner’s controversial new room. 1) Norelle calls time on Ferndale and everything else basically  This was a bloody howler. The tears poured down my face like Huka Falls in flood when Norelle passed away, with … Read more

KFC Super Rugby Power Rankings week 5: Hail to the Chiefs

New Zealand teams claim the gold, silver, bronze, and fourth place medals in Scotty Stevenson’s latest Super Rugby power rankings. 1. Chiefs Rd 5: 53-10 v Force Last week: 4 (up 3) For most of the first half against the Force, the Chiefs chased the ball like it owed them money, but when they finally settled into … Read more

KFC Super Rugby power rankings: Ugly wins and even uglier jerseys

Big wins for the Highlanders and Chiefs, heartbreaking losses for the Blues and Sunwolves, and the Brumbies juggernaut just keeps on rolling. Scotty Stevenson assesses all the movers and shakers after round 3 of Super Rugby. 1. The Brumbies Rd 2: 31-14 v Force Last week: 1 (N/C) David Pocock played for ten minutes of … Read more