The Bulletin: False alarm sparks tsunami alert concerns

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: False alarm sparks tsunami alert concerns, new development in story haunting NZ First, and unaffordable housing problem getting worse. A false alarm tsunami alert has resulted in changes to fix mistakes in the warning systems. Radio NZ reports a siren sounded on the Bay of Plenty coast, … Read more

Live-blogging the royal scandal

The Spinoff’s royal correspondents report live from the thick of the Megxit fallout. The shock announcement by Prince Harry of Sussex Windsor Buckingham and Meghan Markle Sussex Windsor Buckingham Hull to step down from parades and waving from carriages has shocked the world. We are providing 24-hour news coverage of this fascinating event from our … Read more

Meghan and Harry seem nice. But why the hell are NZ taxpayers paying their bills?

If you’re into the latest royal tour, that’s terrific. But what about the small matters of the thousands we’re paying to make it happen, and the constitutional anachronism, writes Sarah Paterson-Hamlin Yes, I’m going to be that person. The one who can’t just sit back and enjoy the pretty pageantry of this royal tour and … Read more

I waited over an hour to see Meghan Markle’s hand

Spinoff royal correspondent Alex Casey waits at the Auckland Viaduct for the celebrity encounter of a lifetime. ‘They will be here any second,” said a feverish woman holding a GoPro, an accurate 23 minutes before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would wobble their way down the Viaduct like me after a mad night at … Read more

The Bulletin: Crucial moment for abortion law reform

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Report puts abortion law reform back on the agenda, housing shortage likely to worsen despite Kiwibuild, and are the Taxcinda attacks on Labour fair? A Law Commission report has put abortion law reform firmly back on the agenda. The report outlines three potential approaches to reform, based on the … Read more

Revealed: Harry and Meghan’s NZ dining schedule

The expectant royals are here for five days – plenty of time to sample some of Aotearoa’s finest cuisine. As we excitement-starved colony-dwellers eagerly anticipated the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, attention naturally turned to the New Zealand delicacies their Royal Highnesses might be treated to during their five-day visit. Some details … Read more

Exclusive: A New Zealander sold fake dog poo to Princess Diana

As the world fusses endlessly over Ed Sheeran marrying a Suits star, The Spinoff unearths a true royal scandal. The Spinoff has learned that a New Zealander once sold two plastic dog poos to Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1995. This exclusive breaking news arrives on the same day that her youngest son, Prince Harry, … Read more

Elton, Etta or Ed? Our best guesses for the Royal Wedding first dance

For The Spinoff Music, the big question of the day isn’t what dress Meghan Markle is going to wear, but what song she’ll be dancing to with Harry. Thanks to Spotify, here’s our best guess. Choosing a song to have your first dance to as a married couple is either super easy or super hard. … Read more

The official Spinoff TV-watching guide to the Royal Wedding Day™

Obsessed with the royal wedding and not sure what to do with the few hours that are left in the lead-up? Proud royal(wedding)ist Tara Ward shares her pre-planning schedule. Friends, there is one more sleep until Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in the event of the century, and I am gripped by wedding fever. Gripped, … Read more

The Spinoff’s official royal baby name odds

The Spinoff’s royals correspondent Alex Braae has been camped outside a London hospital for the past three weeks, waiting eagerly for the name of the new royal baby. In the meantime, these are his predictions. Another royal baby has been born, another barrier has been placed in the way of Prince Harry one day becoming … Read more