The Spinoff

Good week/bad week: It was a bad week for the world In an unexpected twist, the US war in Iran may trigger regime change in New Zealand....

Good week/bad week: It was a bad week for the world

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending March 6 Award nominees galore....

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending March 6

As National hits 28% in new poll, is Christopher Luxon’s leadership at risk?  Will the prime minister be rolled, will he decide to bow out, or will National's memories of the 2020 election stop any change at all?...

As National hits 28% in new poll, is Christopher Luxon’s leadership at risk?

Echo Chamber: Christopher Luxon’s worst week in parliament Stumbling over Iran and scolded by the speaker, it was a rough week to be Christopher Luxon....

Echo Chamber: Christopher Luxon’s worst week in parliament

‘I can polish poo – but I can’t polish diarrhoea’: Māori blast RMA overhaul Submissions to parliament reveal fierce opposition to the government’s plan to replace the Resource Management Act....

‘I can polish poo – but I can’t polish diarrhoea’: Māori blast RMA overhaul

The cost of being: a retiree who watches grocery prices ‘like a hawk’ 'I don’t take my eye off the till display at the checkout and always get a receipt.'...

The cost of being: a retiree who watches grocery prices ‘like a hawk’

Social media ban for under-16s moves one step closer Social media ban for under-16s moves one step closer...

Social media ban for under-16s moves one step closer

What New Zealand’s Next Top Model taught me A new documentary has exposed how America’s Next Top Model damaged contestants, but let’s not forget how the franchise also screwed up millions of young women watching at home....

What New Zealand’s Next Top Model taught me

Why Warriors fans still believe, even after 30 years without an NRL premiership Maybe it isn’t our year. But it’s still our team....

Why Warriors fans still believe, even after 30 years without an NRL premiership

Memo from NZ to Mark Carney, governor of Canada, northern USA An unhinged rebuke on a matter of historical fact....

Memo from NZ to Mark Carney, governor of Canada, northern USA

Writers festivals, a prayer for peace, Siva Afi and more: The Spinoff event guide It's festival fever again this week....

Writers festivals, a prayer for peace, Siva Afi and more: The Spinoff event guide

Vale Neville Peat, 1947–2026 Remembering the respected conservationist, prolific author and man of extraordinary talent and generosity....

Vale Neville Peat, 1947–2026

One MP, One Pint: Francisco Hernandez on the Greens being ‘so fucking back’ The Green MP on 'trying to fuck the government', and the 'niche Filipino' issue he wants to lobby Christopher Luxon on....

One MP, One Pint: Francisco Hernandez on the Greens being ‘so fucking back’

How to survive in Wellington right now The mood around the Phoenix reflects the feeling of the city at large: the good days are behind us. But there are plenty of reasons for not giving up on Pōneke....

How to survive in Wellington right now

Help Me Hera: Is the world ending? And if so, should I be having more gay sex?...

Help Me Hera: Is the world ending?

Are welfare reforms leaving vulnerable New Zealanders with nowhere to turn? New data reveals that emergency assistance is getting harder to access – and that benefit sanctions aren't reducing the number of people on the dole....

Are welfare reforms leaving vulnerable New Zealanders with nowhere to turn?

A timeline of Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong’s dramatic first term Being escorted from a council meeting with tape over his mouth was the culmination of months of eyebrow-raising behaviour....

A timeline of Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong’s dramatic first term

The most curious costs from a year of ministerial credit card bills We've trawled through thousands of tatty receipts and scrawled signatures so you don't have to....

The most curious costs from a year of ministerial credit card bills

Dave Rennie possesses the most important attribute for an All Blacks coach All the best All Blacks coaches look more or less permanently like they've just watched someone open-mouth sneezing into their meal....

Dave Rennie possesses the most important attribute for an All Blacks coach

NZR couldn’t lose by announcing Dave Rennie as new All Blacks coach This is their chance to flip the script....

NZR couldn’t lose by announcing Dave Rennie as new All Blacks coach

Carrying the weight of Prima Facie, the most important play of the post-MeToo era How does it feel to perform a one-woman sexual assault courtroom drama every night?...

Carrying the weight of Prima Facie, the most important play of the post-MeToo era

Emergency food grant decline rates up 60% in two years The Ministry of Social Development's 'strengthened hardship approvals' are seeing more emergency assistance requests being turned down....

Emergency food grant decline rates up 60% in two years

‘Eat a lemon and sound tougher’: Wayne Brown’s election advice for party leaders With Auckland shaping up as the key battleground, the mayor issues the tips and dishes the dirt....

‘Eat a lemon and sound tougher’: Wayne Brown’s election advice for party leaders

The lucky country’s luck might be running out For the first time in years, Australia's growth is set to fall behind New Zealand's. How the heck did that happen?...

The lucky country’s luck might be running out

It’s surprising that Jacinda Ardern has made the 2026 Ockham Book Awards shortlist Surprise inclusions, shock exclusions and plenty of debates to be had. The 16 books still in the running for the biggest prize in NZ literature, revealed....

It’s surprising that Jacinda Ardern has made the 2026 Ockham Book Awards shortlist

New Zealand’s economy is set to outpace Australia’s. Will it convince Kiwis to come home? The Reserve Bank thinks the New Zealand economy will grow faster than Australia's over the next two years. But don't start celebrating too soon....

New Zealand’s economy is set to outpace Australia’s. Will it convince Kiwis to come home?

Lunar eclipse debate: I’m sick of the damn moon vs what is wrong with you, you joyless sadsack Tonight, New Zealanders will be able to observe a rare total lunar eclipse. The Spinoff’s resident moon hater and moon enthusiast ask, what’s the point?...

Lunar eclipse debate: I’m sick of the damn moon vs what is wrong with you, you joyless sadsack

I got to listen to the private thoughts and feelings of David Lange Greg Bruce is one of the few to have ever listened to David Lange's diaries. He came away angry that we have stopped recording diaries with prime ministers....

I got to listen to the private thoughts and feelings of David Lange

Vale Jim Wilson: poster baron, poetry advocate and all-round colourful character Remembering the man behind Phantom Billstickers with a typically lively excerpt from his 2022 memoir....

Vale Jim Wilson: poster baron, poetry advocate and all-round colourful character

Auckland’s Queens Arcade is closing for a luxury makeover. Where will the stores go? With the historic shopping spot getting a high-end revamp, we find out what's happening to the current tenants....

Auckland’s Queens Arcade is closing for a luxury makeover. Where will the stores go?