Behind the Story en The Spinoff 2024 Join The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman as she sits down with a staff writer or contributor to gain more insight about a big story on The Spinoff from the week.  Alongside getting the inside info, Behind the Story goes beyond the byline – enabling listeners to learn more about the amazing writers that make The Spinoff such a unique and important platform in the digital media landscape.  For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/91b1ea5e-0695-11ef-812c-c724556204b0/image/7a15205fdab627c371fae54792ab2aac.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress Behind the Story episodic Join The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman every Saturday as she sits down with a staff writer or contributor to gain more insight about a big story on The Spinoff from the week. The Spinoff Join The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman as she sits down with a staff writer or contributor to gain more insight about a big story on The Spinoff from the week.  Alongside getting the inside info, Behind the Story goes beyond the byline – enabling listeners to learn more about the amazing writers that make The Spinoff such a unique and important platform in the digital media landscape.  For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Join The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman as she sits down with a staff writer or contributor to gain more insight about a big story on The Spinoff from the week. 


Alongside getting the inside info, Behind the Story goes beyond the byline – enabling listeners to learn more about the amazing writers that make The Spinoff such a unique and important platform in the digital media landscape. 


For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters

]]> The Spinoff podcasts@thespinoff.co.nz Outrageous Fortune: 20 years on Staff writer Tara Ward has been writing about local TV on The Spinoff for over a decade. Today we published her Cover Story looking back at how Outrageous Fortune came to be, 20 years after the first episode aired on New Zealand TVs. Tara spoke to the creators, writers, directors and stars of one of New Zealand’s most beloved shows, and tells the behind the scenes tales of its journey to our screens. If you’ve never seen Outrageous Fortune, I’d suggest reading Tara’s feature and then pressing play on episode one. And if you’re a longtime fan, The Spinoff will have Outrageous stories running all week to celebrate its 20 year anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sun, 06 Jul 2025 19:20:00 -0000 Outrageous Fortune: 20 years on full The Spinoff Staff writer Tara Ward joins Madeleine Chapman as they look back on how Outrageous Fortune came to be, 20 years after the first episode aired on New Zealand TVs. Staff writer Tara Ward has been writing about local TV on The Spinoff for over a decade. Today we published her Cover Story looking back at how Outrageous Fortune came to be, 20 years after the first episode aired on New Zealand TVs. Tara spoke to the creators, writers, directors and stars of one of New Zealand’s most beloved shows, and tells the behind the scenes tales of its journey to our screens. If you’ve never seen Outrageous Fortune, I’d suggest reading Tara’s feature and then pressing play on episode one. And if you’re a longtime fan, The Spinoff will have Outrageous stories running all week to celebrate its 20 year anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Staff writer Tara Ward has been writing about local TV on The Spinoff for over a decade. Today we published her Cover Story looking back at how Outrageous Fortune came to be, 20 years after the first episode aired on New Zealand TVs. Tara spoke to the creators, writers, directors and stars of one of New Zealand’s most beloved shows, and tells the behind the scenes tales of its journey to our screens. If you’ve never seen Outrageous Fortune, I’d suggest reading Tara’s feature and then pressing play on episode one. And if you’re a longtime fan, The Spinoff will have Outrageous stories running all week to celebrate its 20 year anniversary.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1049 Cover Story: Is everyone getting Botox without me? Five years on from the Zoom Boom and in the middle of a cost of living crisis, Alex Casey investigates what is motivating women to get Botox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sun, 29 Jun 2025 16:30:00 -0000 Cover Story: Is everyone getting Botox without me? full The Spinoff Five years on from the Zoom Boom and in the middle of a cost of living crisis, Alex Casey investigates what is motivating women to get Botox. Five years on from the Zoom Boom and in the middle of a cost of living crisis, Alex Casey investigates what is motivating women to get Botox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Five years on from the Zoom Boom and in the middle of a cost of living crisis, Alex Casey investigates what is motivating women to get Botox.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1657 The rise and rise of Botox in Aotearoa Senior writer Alex Casey has always been fascinated by the multi-billion-dollar appearance industry, both as a consumer and a journalist. Today The Spinoff published a Cover from Alex, headlined “Is everyone getting Botox without me?” Alex is 33 and looks 23, or so a Botox specialist said. But she’s been thinking about injectables and how they seem to be everywhere she turns. So she spoke to dozens of women about their decisions to either get Botox or stay away from it, as well as those who’ve administered them, with mixed feelings. The story is a thoroughly researched but also deeply personal feature about the decisions women must make about their bodies every day. Alex appeared on Behind the Story to talk first-person feature writing, ageing and having your mind changed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sun, 29 Jun 2025 16:00:00 -0000 The rise and rise of Botox in Aotearoa full The Spinoff Senior writer Alex Casey joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss her fascination by the multi-billion-dollar appearance industry both as a consumer and a journalist and what ageing means to them. Senior writer Alex Casey has always been fascinated by the multi-billion-dollar appearance industry, both as a consumer and a journalist. Today The Spinoff published a Cover from Alex, headlined “Is everyone getting Botox without me?” Alex is 33 and looks 23, or so a Botox specialist said. But she’s been thinking about injectables and how they seem to be everywhere she turns. So she spoke to dozens of women about their decisions to either get Botox or stay away from it, as well as those who’ve administered them, with mixed feelings. The story is a thoroughly researched but also deeply personal feature about the decisions women must make about their bodies every day. Alex appeared on Behind the Story to talk first-person feature writing, ageing and having your mind changed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Senior writer Alex Casey has always been fascinated by the multi-billion-dollar appearance industry, both as a consumer and a journalist. Today The Spinoff published a Cover from Alex, headlined “Is everyone getting Botox without me?” Alex is 33 and looks 23, or so a Botox specialist said. But she’s been thinking about injectables and how they seem to be everywhere she turns. So she spoke to dozens of women about their decisions to either get Botox or stay away from it, as well as those who’ve administered them, with mixed feelings. The story is a thoroughly researched but also deeply personal feature about the decisions women must make about their bodies every day.

Alex appeared on Behind the Story to talk first-person feature writing, ageing and having your mind changed.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1425 The unreported reality for NZ veterans Ātea editor Liam Rātana has reported two stories recently on the same topic, a topic that is so often ignored by both media and everyday New Zealanders: veterans. Our returned or retired army personnel are at the sticky end of almost every social measure: unemployment, mental health, suicide. But without even a national register of how many veterans we have, it’s even harder to tell the stories of a community that hasn’t been quantified yet. Liam’s work covers the recent Waitangi Tribunal hearings into the treatment of Māori veterans as well as a veteran group’s call to boycott the formal ceremonies of Anzac day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 25 Apr 2025 02:00:00 -0000 The unreported reality for NZ veterans full The Spinoff Liam Rātana joins host Madeleine Chapman to discuss reporting on an underserved community: veterans. Ātea editor Liam Rātana has reported two stories recently on the same topic, a topic that is so often ignored by both media and everyday New Zealanders: veterans. Our returned or retired army personnel are at the sticky end of almost every social measure: unemployment, mental health, suicide. But without even a national register of how many veterans we have, it’s even harder to tell the stories of a community that hasn’t been quantified yet. Liam’s work covers the recent Waitangi Tribunal hearings into the treatment of Māori veterans as well as a veteran group’s call to boycott the formal ceremonies of Anzac day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Ātea editor Liam Rātana has reported two stories recently on the same topic, a topic that is so often ignored by both media and everyday New Zealanders: veterans. Our returned or retired army personnel are at the sticky end of almost every social measure: unemployment, mental health, suicide. But without even a national register of how many veterans we have, it’s even harder to tell the stories of a community that hasn’t been quantified yet. Liam’s work covers the recent Waitangi Tribunal hearings into the treatment of Māori veterans as well as a veteran group’s call to boycott the formal ceremonies of Anzac day.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1060 Why are big shows shorter in New Zealand? Alex Casey is a pop culture writer and expert and also an incredible investigative journalist. This week she combined the two to investigate why popular global shows in New Zealand are just a little bit shorter than overseas in ‘Mystery of the missing minutes: Why are TV shows shorter in New Zealand?’ And what happens when the answer to a question is a little bit boring but you still want to write about it? Plus, there’s wild chat about Lorde’s new album teaser and why it suggests her greatest ever work is about to come out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 11 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0000 Why are big shows shorter in New Zealand? full The Spinoff Alex Casey joins host Madeleine Chapman to discuss investigating a potential conspiracy and Lorde’s upcoming album. Alex Casey is a pop culture writer and expert and also an incredible investigative journalist. This week she combined the two to investigate why popular global shows in New Zealand are just a little bit shorter than overseas in ‘Mystery of the missing minutes: Why are TV shows shorter in New Zealand?’ And what happens when the answer to a question is a little bit boring but you still want to write about it? Plus, there’s wild chat about Lorde’s new album teaser and why it suggests her greatest ever work is about to come out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Alex Casey is a pop culture writer and expert and also an incredible investigative journalist. This week she combined the two to investigate why popular global shows in New Zealand are just a little bit shorter than overseas in ‘Mystery of the missing minutes: Why are TV shows shorter in New Zealand?’ And what happens when the answer to a question is a little bit boring but you still want to write about it?


Plus, there’s wild chat about Lorde’s new album teaser and why it suggests her greatest ever work is about to come out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1168 What does broadcast TV in NZ look like now? As the premier local TV writer at The Spinoff, Tara spends a good chunk of her time thinking about what’s on our screens and why. This year has gotten off to a roaring start, with the big hitters of television returning, like Severance, White Lotus and Handmaid’s Tale, as well as new trendsetters like Adolescence. Tara joins Behind the Story to talk old favourites and the current state of broadcast television in New Zealand. Subscribe to Rec Room and other Spinoff newsletters here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 04 Apr 2025 03:19:00 -0000 What does broadcast TV in NZ look like now? full The Spinoff Staff writer and Rec Room editor Tara Ward joins host Madeleine Chapman to discuss the return of big-hitter TV and the enduring excellence of Country Calendar. As the premier local TV writer at The Spinoff, Tara spends a good chunk of her time thinking about what’s on our screens and why. This year has gotten off to a roaring start, with the big hitters of television returning, like Severance, White Lotus and Handmaid’s Tale, as well as new trendsetters like Adolescence. Tara joins Behind the Story to talk old favourites and the current state of broadcast television in New Zealand. Subscribe to Rec Room and other Spinoff newsletters here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices As the premier local TV writer at The Spinoff, Tara spends a good chunk of her time thinking about what’s on our screens and why. This year has gotten off to a roaring start, with the big hitters of television returning, like Severance, White Lotus and Handmaid’s Tale, as well as new trendsetters like Adolescence. Tara joins Behind the Story to talk old favourites and the current state of broadcast television in New Zealand.


Subscribe to Rec Room and other Spinoff newsletters here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 979 The war on woke continues as people march for gender-affirming care On Sunday 23rd March, hundreds marched to parliament in support of gender-affirming care for youth. Meanwhile, Winston Peters declared a “war on woke” in his state of the nation address. Lyric Waiwiri-Smith wrapped the two together in a story we published earlier this week, calling the dichotomy “two visions of New Zealand”. She joins Gabi Lardies to talk about all the attention on trans healthcare and the so-called “woke mind virus”. A vision of two New Zealands: The ‘war on woke’ and a hīkoi for trans healthcare The Winston Peters glossary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 28 Mar 2025 02:30:00 -0000 The war on woke continues as people march for gender-affirming care full The Spinoff Political reporter Lyric Waiwiri-Smith joins guest host Gabi Lardies to discuss all the attention on trans healthcare and the so-called “woke mind virus”. On Sunday 23rd March, hundreds marched to parliament in support of gender-affirming care for youth. Meanwhile, Winston Peters declared a “war on woke” in his state of the nation address. Lyric Waiwiri-Smith wrapped the two together in a story we published earlier this week, calling the dichotomy “two visions of New Zealand”. She joins Gabi Lardies to talk about all the attention on trans healthcare and the so-called “woke mind virus”. A vision of two New Zealands: The ‘war on woke’ and a hīkoi for trans healthcare The Winston Peters glossary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices On Sunday 23rd March, hundreds marched to parliament in support of gender-affirming care for youth. Meanwhile, Winston Peters declared a “war on woke” in his state of the nation address. Lyric Waiwiri-Smith wrapped the two together in a story we published earlier this week, calling the dichotomy “two visions of New Zealand”. She joins Gabi Lardies to talk about all the attention on trans healthcare and the so-called “woke mind virus”.


A vision of two New Zealands: The ‘war on woke’ and a hīkoi for trans healthcare

The Winston Peters glossary

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1642 The Spinoff Book Club - Live in Wellington! A five-strong line-up of guests began with avid reader Courtney Johnston who discussed her passion for reading and the books she loves most; writers Carl Shuker and Duncan Sarkies joined to chat about their latest novels and how they came to be; to round off the group Unity Books manager Susanna Andrew and Unity's Aotearoa book buyer Melissa Oliver (Ngāti Porou) joined the stage to give insights on the health of our publishing sector, current trends, and some sparky views on the "Shockams". Books by the authors in the episode: Duncan Sarkies' latest novel: Star Gazers Carl Shuker's latest novel: The Royal Free Book recommendations from our guests: Courtney Johnston: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith A Touch of Mistletoe by Barbara Comyns Irma Voth by Miriam Toews Carl Shuker: Vanishing Point by David Markson Duncan Sarkies: Black Cat, White Dog by Kelly Link The Dark Dark by Samantha Hunt Doppelganger: A trip into the mirror world by Naomi Klein Susanna Andrew:  Makeshift Seasons by Kate Camp Melissa Oliver: This Ragged Grace by Octavia Bright Ash by Louise Wallace The Chthonic Cycle by Una Cruickshank Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 21 Mar 2025 02:30:00 -0000 The Spinoff Book Club - Live in Wellington! full The Spinoff Books editor Claire Mabey speaks to readers, writers and booksellers for the first ever Spinoff Book Club, live on stage at the Hannah Playhouse in Wellington. A five-strong line-up of guests began with avid reader Courtney Johnston who discussed her passion for reading and the books she loves most; writers Carl Shuker and Duncan Sarkies joined to chat about their latest novels and how they came to be; to round off the group Unity Books manager Susanna Andrew and Unity's Aotearoa book buyer Melissa Oliver (Ngāti Porou) joined the stage to give insights on the health of our publishing sector, current trends, and some sparky views on the "Shockams". Books by the authors in the episode: Duncan Sarkies' latest novel: Star Gazers Carl Shuker's latest novel: The Royal Free Book recommendations from our guests: Courtney Johnston: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith A Touch of Mistletoe by Barbara Comyns Irma Voth by Miriam Toews Carl Shuker: Vanishing Point by David Markson Duncan Sarkies: Black Cat, White Dog by Kelly Link The Dark Dark by Samantha Hunt Doppelganger: A trip into the mirror world by Naomi Klein Susanna Andrew:  Makeshift Seasons by Kate Camp Melissa Oliver: This Ragged Grace by Octavia Bright Ash by Louise Wallace The Chthonic Cycle by Una Cruickshank Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices A five-strong line-up of guests began with avid reader Courtney Johnston who discussed her passion for reading and the books she loves most; writers Carl Shuker and Duncan Sarkies joined to chat about their latest novels and how they came to be; to round off the group Unity Books manager Susanna Andrew and Unity's Aotearoa book buyer Melissa Oliver (Ngāti Porou) joined the stage to give insights on the health of our publishing sector, current trends, and some sparky views on the "Shockams".


Books by the authors in the episode:

Duncan Sarkies' latest novel: Star Gazers

Carl Shuker's latest novel: The Royal Free


Book recommendations from our guests:


Courtney Johnston:

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

A Touch of Mistletoe by Barbara Comyns

Irma Voth by Miriam Toews


Carl Shuker:

Vanishing Point by David Markson


Duncan Sarkies:

Black Cat, White Dog by Kelly Link

The Dark Dark by Samantha Hunt

Doppelganger: A trip into the mirror world by Naomi Klein


Susanna Andrew: 

Makeshift Seasons by Kate Camp


Melissa Oliver:

This Ragged Grace by Octavia Bright

Ash by Louise Wallace

The Chthonic Cycle by Una Cruickshank

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 4795 Shanti heads to Christchurch After three years and eight months writing from the Auckland office, staff writer Shanti Mathias is heading south. In that time, she has eaten locusts, ranked nuts, interviewed someone while cycling, and found herself in sewage pipes. Very intrepid! Shanti joins Gabi Lardies on Behind the Story to look back on four of her most iconic stories, her particular interests in science, conservation, gambling and transport, and to get the scoop on her unfinished business. Getting rid of predators is one thing. Keeping them gone is another Rainbow warmth and garish colours: When did stripy polyprop disappear? Sinking lids and rising profits: The problem with pokies Inside the exclusive, chaotic, painful NFT party at Auckland’s Longroom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 14 Mar 2025 02:30:00 -0000 Shanti heads to Christchurch full The Spinoff Staff writer Shanti Mathias joins guest host Gabi Lardies on the eve of her move south to Ōtautahi Christchurch. They look back on Shanti's almost four-year run as a staff writer at The Spinoff and pick out some personal highlights. After three years and eight months writing from the Auckland office, staff writer Shanti Mathias is heading south. In that time, she has eaten locusts, ranked nuts, interviewed someone while cycling, and found herself in sewage pipes. Very intrepid! Shanti joins Gabi Lardies on Behind the Story to look back on four of her most iconic stories, her particular interests in science, conservation, gambling and transport, and to get the scoop on her unfinished business. Getting rid of predators is one thing. Keeping them gone is another Rainbow warmth and garish colours: When did stripy polyprop disappear? Sinking lids and rising profits: The problem with pokies Inside the exclusive, chaotic, painful NFT party at Auckland’s Longroom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices After three years and eight months writing from the Auckland office, staff writer Shanti Mathias is heading south. In that time, she has eaten locusts, ranked nuts, interviewed someone while cycling, and found herself in sewage pipes. Very intrepid! Shanti joins Gabi Lardies on Behind the Story to look back on four of her most iconic stories, her particular interests in science, conservation, gambling and transport, and to get the scoop on her unfinished business.

Getting rid of predators is one thing. Keeping them gone is another

Rainbow warmth and garish colours: When did stripy polyprop disappear?

Sinking lids and rising profits: The problem with pokies

Inside the exclusive, chaotic, painful NFT party at Auckland’s Longroom

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1831 When should a journalist tell their own story? This week we published a deeply researched and reported story by Liam Rātana. It takes an inside look at what many people face when they are considering starting a family – tricky ethical choices and less than ideal medical and legal systems. When Liam pitched the story in our weekly editorial meeting a few weeks ago, it was a personal experience, but he chose to focus the final article on others’ experiences and interviews with experts in the field. I wanted to know the thinking behind his approach, and what the process of reporting had been like for him. The genetic gamble: Having children when you carry a hereditary condition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 07 Mar 2025 02:30:00 -0000 When should a journalist tell their own story? full The Spinoff Gabi Lardies and Liam Rātana discuss when to tell a story from your point of view and when to defer to others. This week we published a deeply researched and reported story by Liam Rātana. It takes an inside look at what many people face when they are considering starting a family – tricky ethical choices and less than ideal medical and legal systems. When Liam pitched the story in our weekly editorial meeting a few weeks ago, it was a personal experience, but he chose to focus the final article on others’ experiences and interviews with experts in the field. I wanted to know the thinking behind his approach, and what the process of reporting had been like for him. The genetic gamble: Having children when you carry a hereditary condition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This week we published a deeply researched and reported story by Liam Rātana. It takes an inside look at what many people face when they are considering starting a family – tricky ethical choices and less than ideal medical and legal systems. When Liam pitched the story in our weekly editorial meeting a few weeks ago, it was a personal experience, but he chose to focus the final article on others’ experiences and interviews with experts in the field. I wanted to know the thinking behind his approach, and what the process of reporting had been like for him.

The genetic gamble: Having children when you carry a hereditary condition

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1652 If you sleuth hard enough, there are new answers to old questions While many journalists are trawling Reddit, X and TikTok for stories, Joel MacManus is browsing Papers Past, an online archive of digitised historical media. This week he may have solved the murder case of an emu that died at the Wellington Zoo in 1907 and last year he made a near definitive ruling on whether or not Te Rauparaha really did drink at the Thistle Inn. The resulting investigations make for gripping reading. Gabi Lardies takes over the mic on this week’s Behind the Story and is joined by Joel MacManus to discuss why he is so intrigued by these questions and how he sets about solving them. Windbag: The unsolved case of the Wellington emu murder Windbag: Did Te Rauparaha really drink at the Thistle Inn? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 28 Feb 2025 02:30:00 -0000 If you sleuth hard enough, there are new answers to old questions full The Spinoff Gabi Lardies takes over the mic on this week’s Behind the Story and is joined by Joel MacManus as they discuss the process of researching 100-year-old mysteries. While many journalists are trawling Reddit, X and TikTok for stories, Joel MacManus is browsing Papers Past, an online archive of digitised historical media. This week he may have solved the murder case of an emu that died at the Wellington Zoo in 1907 and last year he made a near definitive ruling on whether or not Te Rauparaha really did drink at the Thistle Inn. The resulting investigations make for gripping reading. Gabi Lardies takes over the mic on this week’s Behind the Story and is joined by Joel MacManus to discuss why he is so intrigued by these questions and how he sets about solving them. Windbag: The unsolved case of the Wellington emu murder Windbag: Did Te Rauparaha really drink at the Thistle Inn? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices While many journalists are trawling Reddit, X and TikTok for stories, Joel MacManus is browsing Papers Past, an online archive of digitised historical media. This week he may have solved the murder case of an emu that died at the Wellington Zoo in 1907 and last year he made a near definitive ruling on whether or not Te Rauparaha really did drink at the Thistle Inn. The resulting investigations make for gripping reading.

Gabi Lardies takes over the mic on this week’s Behind the Story and is joined by Joel MacManus to discuss why he is so intrigued by these questions and how he sets about solving them.

Windbag: The unsolved case of the Wellington emu murder

Windbag: Did Te Rauparaha really drink at the Thistle Inn?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1453 Everyone’s got an opinion, here’s mine This week, everyone and their dog was talking Destiny Church and Man Up punching their way into a an Auckland Pride children’s event, terrifying staff and families alike. Head of audience and senior writer Anna Rawhiti-Connell wrote a column about the prime minister’s, in her view, weak response to the event and what it said about him politically.Anna joined me on Behind the Story to share how she lands on column ideas, the purpose and value of opinion alongside reporting, and what it is that turns a passing thought into a thousand written words. When protest isn’t peaceful, you don’t have to be a church mouse about condemning it Christopher Luxon’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 21 Feb 2025 02:30:00 -0000 Everyone’s got an opinion, here’s mine full The Spinoff Mad Chapman is joined by Anna Rawhiti-Connell to discuss the art and curse of opinion writing. This week, everyone and their dog was talking Destiny Church and Man Up punching their way into a an Auckland Pride children’s event, terrifying staff and families alike. Head of audience and senior writer Anna Rawhiti-Connell wrote a column about the prime minister’s, in her view, weak response to the event and what it said about him politically.Anna joined me on Behind the Story to share how she lands on column ideas, the purpose and value of opinion alongside reporting, and what it is that turns a passing thought into a thousand written words. When protest isn’t peaceful, you don’t have to be a church mouse about condemning it Christopher Luxon’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This week, everyone and their dog was talking Destiny Church and Man Up punching their way into a an Auckland Pride children’s event, terrifying staff and families alike. Head of audience and senior writer Anna Rawhiti-Connell wrote a column about the prime minister’s, in her view, weak response to the event and what it said about him politically.Anna joined me on Behind the Story to share how she lands on column ideas, the purpose and value of opinion alongside reporting, and what it is that turns a passing thought into a thousand written words.

When protest isn’t peaceful, you don’t have to be a church mouse about condemning it

Christopher Luxon’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1793 Live! Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club This week The Spinoff hosted a galentines party at Q Theatre in Auckland to celebrate the release of Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club, a six-part video series following two crack up comedians on their quest for love. Brynley Stent and Kura Forrester are both single and looking to change that. In Singles Club, they travel the country looking for love and speaking to all sorts of people about what it means to be single as you get older. The show is equal parts hilarious and heart-wrenching. After watching the first episode with a live audience, I spoke to Bryn and Ku for a live Behind the Story about making such a vulnerable show, the chaos of dating on camera, and whether or not the search for love was fruitful. The first episode of Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club is out now on The Spinoff, Instagram and Youtube, with new episodes released every Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 14 Feb 2025 02:45:00 -0000 Live! Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club full The Spinoff Mad Chapman is joined live onstage by comedians Brynley Stent and Kura Forrester to discuss the making of their new show. This week The Spinoff hosted a galentines party at Q Theatre in Auckland to celebrate the release of Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club, a six-part video series following two crack up comedians on their quest for love. Brynley Stent and Kura Forrester are both single and looking to change that. In Singles Club, they travel the country looking for love and speaking to all sorts of people about what it means to be single as you get older. The show is equal parts hilarious and heart-wrenching. After watching the first episode with a live audience, I spoke to Bryn and Ku for a live Behind the Story about making such a vulnerable show, the chaos of dating on camera, and whether or not the search for love was fruitful. The first episode of Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club is out now on The Spinoff, Instagram and Youtube, with new episodes released every Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This week The Spinoff hosted a galentines party at Q Theatre in Auckland to celebrate the release of Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club, a six-part video series following two crack up comedians on their quest for love.

Brynley Stent and Kura Forrester are both single and looking to change that. In Singles Club, they travel the country looking for love and speaking to all sorts of people about what it means to be single as you get older. The show is equal parts hilarious and heart-wrenching. After watching the first episode with a live audience, I spoke to Bryn and Ku for a live Behind the Story about making such a vulnerable show, the chaos of dating on camera, and whether or not the search for love was fruitful.

The first episode of Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club is out now on The Spinoff, Instagram and Youtube, with new episodes released every Tuesday.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1297 The Fold: How the media covers Waitangi Recorded on the sandy shores of the mighty North, guest hosts Liam Rātana and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (along with regular producer Te Aihe Butler) take over The Fold for a behind-the-scenes look at how the media covers Waitangi. After three days of politician stand ups, haukāinga-led forum panels and more story leads than we had time to cover, what stood out? What did we learn? And how can The Spinoff get a golf cart for Waitangi 2026? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:00:00 -0000 The Fold: How the media covers Waitangi full The Spinoff In a special Waitangi edition of The Fold, Ātea editor Liam Rātana and politics reporter Lyric Waiwiri-Smith recap a politically charged few days at Waitangi. Recorded on the sandy shores of the mighty North, guest hosts Liam Rātana and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (along with regular producer Te Aihe Butler) take over The Fold for a behind-the-scenes look at how the media covers Waitangi. After three days of politician stand ups, haukāinga-led forum panels and more story leads than we had time to cover, what stood out? What did we learn? And how can The Spinoff get a golf cart for Waitangi 2026? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Recorded on the sandy shores of the mighty North, guest hosts Liam Rātana and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (along with regular producer Te Aihe Butler) take over The Fold for a behind-the-scenes look at how the media covers Waitangi. After three days of politician stand ups, haukāinga-led forum panels and more story leads than we had time to cover, what stood out? What did we learn? And how can The Spinoff get a golf cart for Waitangi 2026?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1671 The Spinoff enters the press gallery This week was the first week back for politicians in parliament, which meant a big week for anyone reporting in the gallery. Newly minted Spinoff political reporter Lyric Waiwiri-Smith spent 12 hours listening to oral submissions to the select committee on the treaty principles bill, and started her new column Echo Chamber, which recaps the lively question times in the House for those too busy to watch parliament TV. Lyric joined Madeleine Chapman to share how she’s settling in and what her aspirations are for the next six months in the gallery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 31 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0000 The Spinoff enters the press gallery full The Spinoff Politics reporter Lyric Waiwiri-Smith joins Mad Chapman to share how she plans to tackle the year to come, working right at the coalface of political journalism in Aotearoa. This week was the first week back for politicians in parliament, which meant a big week for anyone reporting in the gallery. Newly minted Spinoff political reporter Lyric Waiwiri-Smith spent 12 hours listening to oral submissions to the select committee on the treaty principles bill, and started her new column Echo Chamber, which recaps the lively question times in the House for those too busy to watch parliament TV. Lyric joined Madeleine Chapman to share how she’s settling in and what her aspirations are for the next six months in the gallery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This week was the first week back for politicians in parliament, which meant a big week for anyone reporting in the gallery. Newly minted Spinoff political reporter Lyric Waiwiri-Smith spent 12 hours listening to oral submissions to the select committee on the treaty principles bill, and started her new column Echo Chamber, which recaps the lively question times in the House for those too busy to watch parliament TV.

Lyric joined Madeleine Chapman to share how she’s settling in and what her aspirations are for the next six months in the gallery.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 956 Summer reissue: Raygun and the meme Olympics Behind the Story is taking a break over summer. We’ll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here’s one of our favourites from 2024: Anna Rawhiti-Connell knows more about the internet and how it functions than probably any other journalist in New Zealand. And this week she had the perfect subject: Raygun, the Olympic breakdancing competitor from Australia. Raygun has been many different things since she first revealed herself in the final weekend of the Paris Games. She’s been an icon, an embarrassment, a hero, and now apparently the subject of an investigation. Anna tracked her rise and fall and rise and fall in a deep dive for The Spinoff. She joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about the latest developments, as well as share in some lukewarm takes about New Zealand’s success in Olympic sports. Anatomy of an Olympic internet sensation: Raygun’s fall and rise and fall and rise and… ‘That’s hip hop’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 10 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0000 Summer reissue: Raygun and the meme Olympics full The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell joins Mad Chapman to discuss Raygun, the Olympic breakdancing competitor from Australia. Behind the Story is taking a break over summer. We’ll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here’s one of our favourites from 2024: Anna Rawhiti-Connell knows more about the internet and how it functions than probably any other journalist in New Zealand. And this week she had the perfect subject: Raygun, the Olympic breakdancing competitor from Australia. Raygun has been many different things since she first revealed herself in the final weekend of the Paris Games. She’s been an icon, an embarrassment, a hero, and now apparently the subject of an investigation. Anna tracked her rise and fall and rise and fall in a deep dive for The Spinoff. She joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about the latest developments, as well as share in some lukewarm takes about New Zealand’s success in Olympic sports. Anatomy of an Olympic internet sensation: Raygun’s fall and rise and fall and rise and… ‘That’s hip hop’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Behind the Story is taking a break over summer. We’ll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here’s one of our favourites from 2024:

Anna Rawhiti-Connell knows more about the internet and how it functions than probably any other journalist in New Zealand. And this week she had the perfect subject: Raygun, the Olympic breakdancing competitor from Australia.

Raygun has been many different things since she first revealed herself in the final weekend of the Paris Games. She’s been an icon, an embarrassment, a hero, and now apparently the subject of an investigation. Anna tracked her rise and fall and rise and fall in a deep dive for The Spinoff. She joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about the latest developments, as well as share in some lukewarm takes about New Zealand’s success in Olympic sports.

Anatomy of an Olympic internet sensation: Raygun’s fall and rise and fall and rise and…

‘That’s hip hop’

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1260 Summer reissue: A turning point for Māori activism Behind the Story is taking a break over summer. We’ll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here’s one of our favourites from 2024: The Spinoff’s new Ātea editor Liam Rātana started in his role on Monday May 27. On the Thursday of that week, there were nationwide protests against government policies affecting Māori, as well as the release of the coalition government’s first budget. Rātana jumped straight in, writing a number of stories including a feature on the protests that looked more broadly at Māori activism and asked: Is protesting still the most effective way to bring about lasting change? It’s a compelling read, presenting the views of those who favour different methods of lobbying, and is a strong indication of how Liam approaches his work – with a curious mind and an interest in hearing out all perspectives. Liam joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk te ao Māori reporting and his quest to develop more Māori print journalists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 03 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0000 Summer reissue: A turning point for Māori activism full The Spinoff Liam Rātana joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss reporting on te ao Māori. Behind the Story is taking a break over summer. We’ll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here’s one of our favourites from 2024: The Spinoff’s new Ātea editor Liam Rātana started in his role on Monday May 27. On the Thursday of that week, there were nationwide protests against government policies affecting Māori, as well as the release of the coalition government’s first budget. Rātana jumped straight in, writing a number of stories including a feature on the protests that looked more broadly at Māori activism and asked: Is protesting still the most effective way to bring about lasting change? It’s a compelling read, presenting the views of those who favour different methods of lobbying, and is a strong indication of how Liam approaches his work – with a curious mind and an interest in hearing out all perspectives. Liam joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk te ao Māori reporting and his quest to develop more Māori print journalists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Behind the Story is taking a break over summer. We’ll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here’s one of our favourites from 2024:

The Spinoff’s new Ātea editor Liam Rātana started in his role on Monday May 27. On the Thursday of that week, there were nationwide protests against government policies affecting Māori, as well as the release of the coalition government’s first budget. Rātana jumped straight in, writing a number of stories including a feature on the protests that looked more broadly at Māori activism and asked: Is protesting still the most effective way to bring about lasting change?

It’s a compelling read, presenting the views of those who favour different methods of lobbying, and is a strong indication of how Liam approaches his work – with a curious mind and an interest in hearing out all perspectives. Liam joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk te ao Māori reporting and his quest to develop more Māori print journalists.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1335 The Year in Review - Live in Auckland! Senior writer at The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell rounds out the year with special guests Emma Wehipeihana and Hayden Donnell, live on stage at Q Theatre in Auckland. They jumped backwards into the year’s headlines, political dramas, and some of the best Spinoff yarns. Listen to the recording of this Spinoff Live event for a smattering of karaoke, a Ray Gun retrospective, a vote on whether Hayden is "brat", predictions for next year, and some spicy takes about the year's big moments. To find out more about The Spinoff's series of live events visit https://thespinoff.co.nz/events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 27 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0000 The Year in Review - Live in Auckland! full The Spinoff The Spinoff senior writer Anna Rawhiti-Connell is joined live on stage by Emma Wehipeihana and Hayden Donnell for a rollicking ride back through the year’s biggest headlines. Senior writer at The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell rounds out the year with special guests Emma Wehipeihana and Hayden Donnell, live on stage at Q Theatre in Auckland. They jumped backwards into the year’s headlines, political dramas, and some of the best Spinoff yarns. Listen to the recording of this Spinoff Live event for a smattering of karaoke, a Ray Gun retrospective, a vote on whether Hayden is "brat", predictions for next year, and some spicy takes about the year's big moments. To find out more about The Spinoff's series of live events visit https://thespinoff.co.nz/events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Senior writer at The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell rounds out the year with special guests Emma Wehipeihana and Hayden Donnell, live on stage at Q Theatre in Auckland. They jumped backwards into the year’s headlines, political dramas, and some of the best Spinoff yarns.

Listen to the recording of this Spinoff Live event for a smattering of karaoke, a Ray Gun retrospective, a vote on whether Hayden is "brat", predictions for next year, and some spicy takes about the year's big moments.

To find out more about The Spinoff's series of live events visit https://thespinoff.co.nz/events.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 3592 Help Me Hera - Live in Wellington! After more than 80 columns, Hera’s advice spanned the spectrum of human troubles. For our second live event, we revisited four problems from the archives, talked about Hera’s response, and heard updates from the callers themselves. Note: the callers emailed in their updates so the voices you hear won’t be their actual voices. Instead you’ll hear some of the greatest voice talent that works in the Spinoff offices. Recorded in September 2024. Help Me Hera: Men I haven’t seen in years keep crawling out of the woodwork Help Me Hera: My friend dumped me and I don’t know why Help Me Hera: I need my partner to eat some goddamn veges Help Me Hera: How do I stop being the nosiest person alive? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 20 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0000 Help Me Hera - Live in Wellington! full The Spinoff Madeleine Chapman and Hera Lindsay Bird review a series of life updates from people who have written in to Hera’s advice column, live on stage at the Hannah Playhouse in Wellington. After more than 80 columns, Hera’s advice spanned the spectrum of human troubles. For our second live event, we revisited four problems from the archives, talked about Hera’s response, and heard updates from the callers themselves. Note: the callers emailed in their updates so the voices you hear won’t be their actual voices. Instead you’ll hear some of the greatest voice talent that works in the Spinoff offices. Recorded in September 2024. Help Me Hera: Men I haven’t seen in years keep crawling out of the woodwork Help Me Hera: My friend dumped me and I don’t know why Help Me Hera: I need my partner to eat some goddamn veges Help Me Hera: How do I stop being the nosiest person alive? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices After more than 80 columns, Hera’s advice spanned the spectrum of human troubles. For our second live event, we revisited four problems from the archives, talked about Hera’s response, and heard updates from the callers themselves. Note: the callers emailed in their updates so the voices you hear won’t be their actual voices. Instead you’ll hear some of the greatest voice talent that works in the Spinoff offices.

Recorded in September 2024.

Help Me Hera: Men I haven’t seen in years keep crawling out of the woodwork

Help Me Hera: My friend dumped me and I don’t know why

Help Me Hera: I need my partner to eat some goddamn veges

Help Me Hera: How do I stop being the nosiest person alive?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 3048 Aotearoa and its love of movies Senior writer Alex Casey has a long history with cinema, both as a reviewer and as a former projectionist. This week she wrote two film-adjacent features. The first had Alex travel to Akaroa to speak to the people running a bustling local cinema and then go down a rabbit hole of South Island cinemas holding on to the movies as a third space. And the second is just a fun appreciation of our strangely high proportion of successful child actors, and what makes it possible to succeed here at 11 years old. She appeared on Behind the Story to talk local reporting, the magic of movies and the very best of our child actors. The small town cinemas holding on at the edge of the world How does New Zealand produce so many successful child actors? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 13 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0000 Aotearoa and its love of movies full The Spinoff The Spinoff senior writer Alex Casey talks to Mad Chapman about a pair of stories she wrote this week, each touching on a different aspect of film in Aotearoa. Senior writer Alex Casey has a long history with cinema, both as a reviewer and as a former projectionist. This week she wrote two film-adjacent features. The first had Alex travel to Akaroa to speak to the people running a bustling local cinema and then go down a rabbit hole of South Island cinemas holding on to the movies as a third space. And the second is just a fun appreciation of our strangely high proportion of successful child actors, and what makes it possible to succeed here at 11 years old. She appeared on Behind the Story to talk local reporting, the magic of movies and the very best of our child actors. The small town cinemas holding on at the edge of the world How does New Zealand produce so many successful child actors? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Senior writer Alex Casey has a long history with cinema, both as a reviewer and as a former projectionist. This week she wrote two film-adjacent features.

The first had Alex travel to Akaroa to speak to the people running a bustling local cinema and then go down a rabbit hole of South Island cinemas holding on to the movies as a third space. And the second is just a fun appreciation of our strangely high proportion of successful child actors, and what makes it possible to succeed here at 11 years old.

She appeared on Behind the Story to talk local reporting, the magic of movies and the very best of our child actors.

The small town cinemas holding on at the edge of the world

How does New Zealand produce so many successful child actors?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1410 The Year in Review - Live in Wellington! Last month, senior writer at The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell was joined on stage at the Hannah Playhouse by Wellington editor Joel MacManus, along with special guests RNZ's Charlotte Cook and Billy T nominee Maria Williams, to review the year. They jumped backwards into the year’s headlines, political dramas, and some of the best Spinoff yarns. Listen to the recording of this Spinoff Live event for a smattering of karaoke, a Ray Gun reveal, a vote on whether Wellington was "brat", predictions for next year, and some spicy takes about the year's big moments. If you’d like to attend The Year in Review live at Auckland’s Q Theatre on Wednesday 11th December, get your tickets here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 06 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0000 The Year in Review - Live in Wellington! full The Spinoff The Spinoff senior writer Anna Rawhiti-Connell is joined live on stage by Joel MacManus, Charlotte Cook and Maria Williams for a rollicking ride back through the year’s biggest headlines. Last month, senior writer at The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell was joined on stage at the Hannah Playhouse by Wellington editor Joel MacManus, along with special guests RNZ's Charlotte Cook and Billy T nominee Maria Williams, to review the year. They jumped backwards into the year’s headlines, political dramas, and some of the best Spinoff yarns. Listen to the recording of this Spinoff Live event for a smattering of karaoke, a Ray Gun reveal, a vote on whether Wellington was "brat", predictions for next year, and some spicy takes about the year's big moments. If you’d like to attend The Year in Review live at Auckland’s Q Theatre on Wednesday 11th December, get your tickets here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Last month, senior writer at The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell was joined on stage at the Hannah Playhouse by Wellington editor Joel MacManus, along with special guests RNZ's Charlotte Cook and Billy T nominee Maria Williams, to review the year. They jumped backwards into the year’s headlines, political dramas, and some of the best Spinoff yarns.

Listen to the recording of this Spinoff Live event for a smattering of karaoke, a Ray Gun reveal, a vote on whether Wellington was "brat", predictions for next year, and some spicy takes about the year's big moments.

If you’d like to attend The Year in Review live at Auckland’s Q Theatre on Wednesday 11th December, get your tickets here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2882 A special edition of The Fold: The future of The Spinoff Normally on The Fold, we discuss events in the wider media, but today, the subject is us and the future of The Spinoff. Published on site today is an open letter from Duncan, The Spinoff’s editor Madeleine Chapman, and its CEO Amber Easby. It toplines where The Spinoff is right now as a platform – this paradoxical place where our audience is the strongest it has ever been, outside of events like Covid or elections – but that the stagnant ad market, and a hard drop in public funding for our work, has left us in a really tricky situation needing to make a very real call for help. First, Duncan speaks to our editor, Madeleine Chapman, and our head of audience, Anna Rawhiti-Connell about what we’re asking for and why we’re asking for it. Duncan is then joined by Spinoff CEO Amber Easby to dig into some numbers that show just how radically our revenue picture has changed and explain why our audience is now our last, best shot at retaining the ability to carry on doing what we do. Please take the time to read the open letter at https://thespinoff.co.nz/sos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 27 Nov 2024 16:00:00 -0000 A special edition of The Fold: The future of The Spinoff full The Spinoff Duncan Greive is joined by The Spinoff’s editor Madeleine Chapman, head of audience Anna Rawhiti-Connell and CEO Amber Easby to discuss the future of The Spinoff and make a very important announcement. Normally on The Fold, we discuss events in the wider media, but today, the subject is us and the future of The Spinoff. Published on site today is an open letter from Duncan, The Spinoff’s editor Madeleine Chapman, and its CEO Amber Easby. It toplines where The Spinoff is right now as a platform – this paradoxical place where our audience is the strongest it has ever been, outside of events like Covid or elections – but that the stagnant ad market, and a hard drop in public funding for our work, has left us in a really tricky situation needing to make a very real call for help. First, Duncan speaks to our editor, Madeleine Chapman, and our head of audience, Anna Rawhiti-Connell about what we’re asking for and why we’re asking for it. Duncan is then joined by Spinoff CEO Amber Easby to dig into some numbers that show just how radically our revenue picture has changed and explain why our audience is now our last, best shot at retaining the ability to carry on doing what we do. Please take the time to read the open letter at https://thespinoff.co.nz/sos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Normally on The Fold, we discuss events in the wider media, but today, the subject is us and the future of The Spinoff. Published on site today is an open letter from Duncan, The Spinoff’s editor Madeleine Chapman, and its CEO Amber Easby. It toplines where The Spinoff is right now as a platform – this paradoxical place where our audience is the strongest it has ever been, outside of events like Covid or elections – but that the stagnant ad market, and a hard drop in public funding for our work, has left us in a really tricky situation needing to make a very real call for help.

First, Duncan speaks to our editor, Madeleine Chapman, and our head of audience, Anna Rawhiti-Connell about what we’re asking for and why we’re asking for it. Duncan is then joined by Spinoff CEO Amber Easby to dig into some numbers that show just how radically our revenue picture has changed and explain why our audience is now our last, best shot at retaining the ability to carry on doing what we do.

Please take the time to read the open letter at https://thespinoff.co.nz/sos.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 3144 Cover Story: My near decade of violent harassment by a man I barely know Zeni Gibson has been stalked and gruesomely harassed for nearly nine years by a man she rejected when she was 17. This is her story. Content warning: this story contains graphic descriptions of threatened violence, including sexual violence. Please take care. As told to Madeleine Holden. Read by Anna Rawhiti-Connell. Made with support from The Spinoff Members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sun, 24 Nov 2024 15:40:00 -0000 Cover Story: My near decade of violent harassment by a man I barely know full The Spinoff Zeni Gibson has been stalked and gruesomely harassed for nearly nine years by a man she rejected when she was 17. This is her story as told to Madeleine Holden. Zeni Gibson has been stalked and gruesomely harassed for nearly nine years by a man she rejected when she was 17. This is her story. Content warning: this story contains graphic descriptions of threatened violence, including sexual violence. Please take care. As told to Madeleine Holden. Read by Anna Rawhiti-Connell. Made with support from The Spinoff Members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Zeni Gibson has been stalked and gruesomely harassed for nearly nine years by a man she rejected when she was 17. This is her story.

Content warning: this story contains graphic descriptions of threatened violence, including sexual violence. Please take care.


As told to Madeleine Holden.

Read by Anna Rawhiti-Connell.


Made with support from The Spinoff Members.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2682 The apology and the hīkoi Last week, staff writer Lyric Waiwiri-Smith attended the Auckland event of the national apology to survivors of abuse in care. That historic event was quickly followed by another, with the nine-day hīkoi arriving in parliament to protest a number of government decisions, particularly the Treaty Principles bill. Lyric and Ātea editor Liam Rātana reported on the hīkoi as it passed through Auckland. As journalists these were big stories, but as Māori journalists, they held an even greater weight and sense of responsibility to tell them in the right way. It’s a responsibility not shared by most other journalists in New Zealand, and one that can be hard to leave at work at the end of the day. Lyric and Liam join editor Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to discuss the apology, the hīkoi, and the challenge of separating work and life when your work involves reporting on your own lived experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 22 Nov 2024 08:39:55 -0000 The apology and the hīkoi full The Spinoff Lyric Waiwiri-Smith and Liam Rātana join Madeleine Chapman to discuss the challenge of separating work and life when your work involves reporting on your own lived experiences. Last week, staff writer Lyric Waiwiri-Smith attended the Auckland event of the national apology to survivors of abuse in care. That historic event was quickly followed by another, with the nine-day hīkoi arriving in parliament to protest a number of government decisions, particularly the Treaty Principles bill. Lyric and Ātea editor Liam Rātana reported on the hīkoi as it passed through Auckland. As journalists these were big stories, but as Māori journalists, they held an even greater weight and sense of responsibility to tell them in the right way. It’s a responsibility not shared by most other journalists in New Zealand, and one that can be hard to leave at work at the end of the day. Lyric and Liam join editor Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to discuss the apology, the hīkoi, and the challenge of separating work and life when your work involves reporting on your own lived experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Last week, staff writer Lyric Waiwiri-Smith attended the Auckland event of the national apology to survivors of abuse in care. That historic event was quickly followed by another, with the nine-day hīkoi arriving in parliament to protest a number of government decisions, particularly the Treaty Principles bill.

Lyric and Ātea editor Liam Rātana reported on the hīkoi as it passed through Auckland. As journalists these were big stories, but as Māori journalists, they held an even greater weight and sense of responsibility to tell them in the right way. It’s a responsibility not shared by most other journalists in New Zealand, and one that can be hard to leave at work at the end of the day.

Lyric and Liam join editor Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to discuss the apology, the hīkoi, and the challenge of separating work and life when your work involves reporting on your own lived experiences.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2113 Cover Story: Inside the urgent race to solve homelessness in Aotearoa As homelessness hits an all-time high, New Zealand’s frontline organisations are embracing unconventional and innovative strategies. Joel MacManus takes a closer look at the crisis and meets the people who claim to have the cure. Story by Joel MacManus. Read by Te Aihe Butler. Made with support from The Spinoff Members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sun, 10 Nov 2024 16:00:00 -0000 Cover Story: Inside the urgent race to solve homelessness in Aotearoa full The Spinoff Joel MacManus takes a closer look at the homelessness crisis in Aotearoa and meets the people who claim to have the cure. As homelessness hits an all-time high, New Zealand’s frontline organisations are embracing unconventional and innovative strategies. Joel MacManus takes a closer look at the crisis and meets the people who claim to have the cure. Story by Joel MacManus. Read by Te Aihe Butler. Made with support from The Spinoff Members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices As homelessness hits an all-time high, New Zealand’s frontline organisations are embracing unconventional and innovative strategies. Joel MacManus takes a closer look at the crisis and meets the people who claim to have the cure.


Story by Joel MacManus.

Read by Te Aihe Butler.


Made with support from The Spinoff Members.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 3573 Homelessness in Aotearoa and how to solve it Every other week we read reports of the rising rates of homelessness in our major cities. These stories are sometimes about homelessness itself and other times about the siblings of homelessness, like crime and welfare. Wellington editor Joel MacManus spent months speaking to those on the frontline in the fight to solve homelessness once and for all. It’s a long read, so for the first time ever we’ve made Cover Stories available in audio form. If you’d rather hear the story than read it, Te Aihe Butler has voiced Joel’s story and you can find it right here in the Behind The Story feed. Joel’s reporting covers the causes, the implications and the potential solution for homelessness in New Zealand. A comprehensive assessment of where we are at as a country in caring for our most vulnerable, and far we still have to go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sun, 10 Nov 2024 15:45:00 -0000 Homelessness in Aotearoa and how to solve it full The Spinoff Wellington editor Joel MacManus joins editor Madeleine Chapman to talk about his latest Cover Story and his time speaking to those on the frontline in the fight to solve homelessness once and for all. Every other week we read reports of the rising rates of homelessness in our major cities. These stories are sometimes about homelessness itself and other times about the siblings of homelessness, like crime and welfare. Wellington editor Joel MacManus spent months speaking to those on the frontline in the fight to solve homelessness once and for all. It’s a long read, so for the first time ever we’ve made Cover Stories available in audio form. If you’d rather hear the story than read it, Te Aihe Butler has voiced Joel’s story and you can find it right here in the Behind The Story feed. Joel’s reporting covers the causes, the implications and the potential solution for homelessness in New Zealand. A comprehensive assessment of where we are at as a country in caring for our most vulnerable, and far we still have to go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Every other week we read reports of the rising rates of homelessness in our major cities. These stories are sometimes about homelessness itself and other times about the siblings of homelessness, like crime and welfare. Wellington editor Joel MacManus spent months speaking to those on the frontline in the fight to solve homelessness once and for all. It’s a long read, so for the first time ever we’ve made Cover Stories available in audio form. If you’d rather hear the story than read it, Te Aihe Butler has voiced Joel’s story and you can find it right here in the Behind The Story feed. Joel’s reporting covers the causes, the implications and the potential solution for homelessness in New Zealand. A comprehensive assessment of where we are at as a country in caring for our most vulnerable, and far we still have to go.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1489 Elemeno P released a new song for the first time in 13 years, but is it real? After receiving a tip-off from an Elemeno P fan about a suspicious sounding new song from Elemeno P, staff writer Gabi Lardies followed the trail to a Ukrainian music producer, a distribution platform being sued for half a billion dollars, and the unresolved question: If it’s not Elemeno P, why is it on their official music pages? Gabi sat down with editor Madeleine Chapman for Behind the Story to discuss the new world of stories about AI, and the frustration when you can’t quite crack the case. Elemeno P released a new song for the first time in 13 years, but is it real? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 08 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0000 Elemeno P released a new song for the first time in 13 years, but is it real? full The Spinoff Staff writer Gabi Lardies joins editor Madeleine Chapman to discuss the new world of stories about AI, and the frustration when you can’t quite crack the case. After receiving a tip-off from an Elemeno P fan about a suspicious sounding new song from Elemeno P, staff writer Gabi Lardies followed the trail to a Ukrainian music producer, a distribution platform being sued for half a billion dollars, and the unresolved question: If it’s not Elemeno P, why is it on their official music pages? Gabi sat down with editor Madeleine Chapman for Behind the Story to discuss the new world of stories about AI, and the frustration when you can’t quite crack the case. Elemeno P released a new song for the first time in 13 years, but is it real? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices After receiving a tip-off from an Elemeno P fan about a suspicious sounding new song from Elemeno P, staff writer Gabi Lardies followed the trail to a Ukrainian music producer, a distribution platform being sued for half a billion dollars, and the unresolved question: If it’s not Elemeno P, why is it on their official music pages? Gabi sat down with editor Madeleine Chapman for Behind the Story to discuss the new world of stories about AI, and the frustration when you can’t quite crack the case.

Elemeno P released a new song for the first time in 13 years, but is it real?

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]]> 1017 Best TV Show Ever - Live! Last week, The Spinoff unveiled its top 100 New Zealand TV shows of the 21st century, sparking plenty of debate about what truly deserved the top spot. This week, The Spinoff senior writer and Top 100 listmaster Alex Casey is joined by a panel of TV fanatics – Kura Forrester, Rhiannon McCall, Stewart Sowman-Lund and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith – for a special Behind The Story recorded live event at Q Theatre in Auckland. Together, they'll unearth some beloved TV gems and make their cases for their all-time favourite local TV show, with the live audience helping choose a new winner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 01 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0000 Best TV Show Ever - Live! full The Spinoff Senior writer Alex Casey is joined by Kura Forrester, Rhiannon McCall, Stewart Sowman-Lund and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith for The Spinoff Live event at Q Theatre to celebrate some of their all-time television favourites. Last week, The Spinoff unveiled its top 100 New Zealand TV shows of the 21st century, sparking plenty of debate about what truly deserved the top spot. This week, The Spinoff senior writer and Top 100 listmaster Alex Casey is joined by a panel of TV fanatics – Kura Forrester, Rhiannon McCall, Stewart Sowman-Lund and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith – for a special Behind The Story recorded live event at Q Theatre in Auckland. Together, they'll unearth some beloved TV gems and make their cases for their all-time favourite local TV show, with the live audience helping choose a new winner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Last week, The Spinoff unveiled its top 100 New Zealand TV shows of the 21st century, sparking plenty of debate about what truly deserved the top spot. This week, The Spinoff senior writer and Top 100 listmaster Alex Casey is joined by a panel of TV fanatics – Kura Forrester, Rhiannon McCall, Stewart Sowman-Lund and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith – for a special Behind The Story recorded live event at Q Theatre in Auckland. Together, they'll unearth some beloved TV gems and make their cases for their all-time favourite local TV show, with the live audience helping choose a new winner.

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]]> 4408 The top 100 NZ TV shows of the 21st century Senior writer Alex Casey spent the past couple of months deep in local television, leading one of our most ambitious projects to date: The Spinoff top 100 NZ TV shows of the 21st century. Every day this week we have counted down 20 shows, each given its time in the sun as a crucial piece in our cultural puzzle. On Friday, we released the final 20, crowning a winner and drawing to a close more than 30,000 words published on New Zealand Television in one week. Alex joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss the complex process of judging local television, the surprise hits and the value in looking back at what we’ve produced as a country. The Spinoff top 100 NZ TV shows 100-81 80-61 60-41 40-21 20-1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 25 Oct 2024 03:13:02 -0000 The top 100 NZ TV shows of the 21st century full The Spinoff Senior writer Alex Casey joins editor Madeleine Chapman to discuss the complex process of judging local television, the surprise hits and the value in looking back at what we’ve produced as a country. Senior writer Alex Casey spent the past couple of months deep in local television, leading one of our most ambitious projects to date: The Spinoff top 100 NZ TV shows of the 21st century. Every day this week we have counted down 20 shows, each given its time in the sun as a crucial piece in our cultural puzzle. On Friday, we released the final 20, crowning a winner and drawing to a close more than 30,000 words published on New Zealand Television in one week. Alex joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss the complex process of judging local television, the surprise hits and the value in looking back at what we’ve produced as a country. The Spinoff top 100 NZ TV shows 100-81 80-61 60-41 40-21 20-1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Senior writer Alex Casey spent the past couple of months deep in local television, leading one of our most ambitious projects to date: The Spinoff top 100 NZ TV shows of the 21st century. Every day this week we have counted down 20 shows, each given its time in the sun as a crucial piece in our cultural puzzle. On Friday, we released the final 20, crowning a winner and drawing to a close more than 30,000 words published on New Zealand Television in one week. Alex joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss the complex process of judging local television, the surprise hits and the value in looking back at what we’ve produced as a country.

The Spinoff top 100 NZ TV shows

100-81

80-61

60-41

40-21

20-1

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]]> 1665 Controversial human rights commissioners not recommended by hiring panel Senior writer Anna Rawhiti-Connell steps into the hosting chair to talk to editor Madeleine Chapman about her exclusive reporting on the hiring process for three human rights commissioner roles. The process was overseen by justice minister Paul Goldsmith, with an independent assessment panel conducting interviews and making recommendations to him. After raising an eyebrow at two of the appointed commissioners (Stephen Rainbow and Melissa Derby), Madeleine requested information through an OIA. This week, that OIA returned with some interesting redactions, showing neither Rainbow nor Derby were on the hiring panel’s shortlists of recommended candidates. Madeleine and Anna sat down for Behind the Story to discuss the art of painting a picture around redacted information, what these roles might mean and if there’s more to uncover in this story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 18 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000 Controversial human rights commissioners not recommended by hiring panel full The Spinoff Senior writer Anna Rawhiti-Connell steps into the hosting chair to talk to editor Madeleine Chapman about her exclusive reporting on the hiring process for three human rights commissioner roles. Senior writer Anna Rawhiti-Connell steps into the hosting chair to talk to editor Madeleine Chapman about her exclusive reporting on the hiring process for three human rights commissioner roles. The process was overseen by justice minister Paul Goldsmith, with an independent assessment panel conducting interviews and making recommendations to him. After raising an eyebrow at two of the appointed commissioners (Stephen Rainbow and Melissa Derby), Madeleine requested information through an OIA. This week, that OIA returned with some interesting redactions, showing neither Rainbow nor Derby were on the hiring panel’s shortlists of recommended candidates. Madeleine and Anna sat down for Behind the Story to discuss the art of painting a picture around redacted information, what these roles might mean and if there’s more to uncover in this story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Senior writer Anna Rawhiti-Connell steps into the hosting chair to talk to editor Madeleine Chapman about her exclusive reporting on the hiring process for three human rights commissioner roles.

The process was overseen by justice minister Paul Goldsmith, with an independent assessment panel conducting interviews and making recommendations to him. After raising an eyebrow at two of the appointed commissioners (Stephen Rainbow and Melissa Derby), Madeleine requested information through an OIA.

This week, that OIA returned with some interesting redactions, showing neither Rainbow nor Derby were on the hiring panel’s shortlists of recommended candidates. Madeleine and Anna sat down for Behind the Story to discuss the art of painting a picture around redacted information, what these roles might mean and if there’s more to uncover in this story.

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]]> 2060 Observing those who teach their kids at home with filmmakers Chris Pryor and Miriam Smith - Live! Chris Pryor and Miriam Smith are arguably New Zealand’s best observational documentary makers. After two award-winning feature-length documentaries (The Ground We Won and How Far is Heaven), Chris and Miriam turned their attention to the shorter form, and dived deep on home education – parents who teach their kids at home. The six-part series follows six different families approaching education in six unique ways. From a dahlia farm to a bus, to a simple living room, Home Education explores the many reasons parents choose not to send their kids to school. Chris and Miriam joined Madeleine, live from the series launch at The Spinoff offices, to discuss observational filming, the allure of conviction in beliefs and how making the show changed their own views as new parents. Episode one: Jen and the dahlia kids Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 11 Oct 2024 02:30:00 -0000 Observing those who teach their kids at home with filmmakers Chris Pryor and Miriam Smith - Live! full The Spinoff Award-winning filmmakers Chris Pryor and Miriam Smith join Madeleine Chapman, live from the series launch at The Spinoff offices, to discuss observational filmmaking, the allure of conviction in beliefs and how making the series changed their own views as new parents. Chris Pryor and Miriam Smith are arguably New Zealand’s best observational documentary makers. After two award-winning feature-length documentaries (The Ground We Won and How Far is Heaven), Chris and Miriam turned their attention to the shorter form, and dived deep on home education – parents who teach their kids at home. The six-part series follows six different families approaching education in six unique ways. From a dahlia farm to a bus, to a simple living room, Home Education explores the many reasons parents choose not to send their kids to school. Chris and Miriam joined Madeleine, live from the series launch at The Spinoff offices, to discuss observational filming, the allure of conviction in beliefs and how making the show changed their own views as new parents. Episode one: Jen and the dahlia kids Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Chris Pryor and Miriam Smith are arguably New Zealand’s best observational documentary makers. After two award-winning feature-length documentaries (The Ground We Won and How Far is Heaven), Chris and Miriam turned their attention to the shorter form, and dived deep on home education – parents who teach their kids at home. The six-part series follows six different families approaching education in six unique ways. From a dahlia farm to a bus, to a simple living room, Home Education explores the many reasons parents choose not to send their kids to school. Chris and Miriam joined Madeleine, live from the series launch at The Spinoff offices, to discuss observational filming, the allure of conviction in beliefs and how making the show changed their own views as new parents.

Episode one: Jen and the dahlia kids

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]]> 1162 Digging deep through the government’s big targets Deputy editor Alice Neville joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss OIAs, wading through document dumps and making government speak accessible. Alice spends most of her time editing other writers’ work but when she does find time to write, she dives deep. Three weeks ago, we published a longform feature from Alice headlined “Inside the government’s beleaguered bid to reduce violent crime”. It detailed the many complicated layers in the government’s violent crime target, and walked us through why a simple target isn’t so straightforward. This week, she followed up by reporting on the details that weren’t included in the government’s recent updates. Including that the vast majority of additional violent crime victims in the latest survey were women, and the connection between financial stress and violent crime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 04 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000 Digging deep through the government’s big targets full The Spinoff Deputy editor Alice Neville joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss OIAs, wading through document dumps and making government speak accessible. Deputy editor Alice Neville joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss OIAs, wading through document dumps and making government speak accessible. Alice spends most of her time editing other writers’ work but when she does find time to write, she dives deep. Three weeks ago, we published a longform feature from Alice headlined “Inside the government’s beleaguered bid to reduce violent crime”. It detailed the many complicated layers in the government’s violent crime target, and walked us through why a simple target isn’t so straightforward. This week, she followed up by reporting on the details that weren’t included in the government’s recent updates. Including that the vast majority of additional violent crime victims in the latest survey were women, and the connection between financial stress and violent crime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Deputy editor Alice Neville joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss OIAs, wading through document dumps and making government speak accessible. Alice spends most of her time editing other writers’ work but when she does find time to write, she dives deep. Three weeks ago, we published a longform feature from Alice headlined “Inside the government’s beleaguered bid to reduce violent crime”. It detailed the many complicated layers in the government’s violent crime target, and walked us through why a simple target isn’t so straightforward. This week, she followed up by reporting on the details that weren’t included in the government’s recent updates. Including that the vast majority of additional violent crime victims in the latest survey were women, and the connection between financial stress and violent crime.




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]]> 1495 Why did a tech start up get half a million dollars of arts funding? This week, staff writer Gabi Lardies steps in as guest host, joined by Books editor Claire Mabey to discuss her in-depth investigative cover story. Claire is deeply embedded in the publishing industry in Aotearoa, so she clearly remembers the shock when Narrative Muse was awarded $500,000 to boost sales of New Zealand books. In a closely connected sector, no-one had heard of Narrative Muse, or any of the people behind it, before. Three years later, Claire has canvassed the industry to see what impact that half a million dollars had, if any. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 27 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Why did a tech start up get half a million dollars of arts funding? full The Spinoff This week, staff writer Gabi Lardies steps in as guest host, joined by Books editor Claire Mabey to discuss her in-depth investigative cover story. This week, staff writer Gabi Lardies steps in as guest host, joined by Books editor Claire Mabey to discuss her in-depth investigative cover story. Claire is deeply embedded in the publishing industry in Aotearoa, so she clearly remembers the shock when Narrative Muse was awarded $500,000 to boost sales of New Zealand books. In a closely connected sector, no-one had heard of Narrative Muse, or any of the people behind it, before. Three years later, Claire has canvassed the industry to see what impact that half a million dollars had, if any. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This week, staff writer Gabi Lardies steps in as guest host, joined by Books editor Claire Mabey to discuss her in-depth investigative cover story. Claire is deeply embedded in the publishing industry in Aotearoa, so she clearly remembers the shock when Narrative Muse was awarded $500,000 to boost sales of New Zealand books. In a closely connected sector, no-one had heard of Narrative Muse, or any of the people behind it, before. Three years later, Claire has canvassed the industry to see what impact that half a million dollars had, if any.

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]]> 1572 When the police call you to say ‘get off your phone’ Bulletin editor Stewart Sowman-Lund has had a few roles in his time at the Spinoff, first as live updates editor, then reporter, and now as bulletin editor. Writing a bulletin every morning takes up plenty of his time, but he also specialises in following those random, one-off tips that every journalist gets.This week’s tip was from a man who had strangely been called by the police while driving, to tell him to stop using his phone while driving. ‘It was quite baffling’: Police call driver on motorway to say ‘stop using your phone’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 20 Sep 2024 04:22:48 -0000 When the police call you to say ‘get off your phone’ full The Spinoff Stewart Sowman-Lund joins Madeleine Chapman this week to discuss writing in different formats, following a scent and dealing with feedback. Bulletin editor Stewart Sowman-Lund has had a few roles in his time at the Spinoff, first as live updates editor, then reporter, and now as bulletin editor. Writing a bulletin every morning takes up plenty of his time, but he also specialises in following those random, one-off tips that every journalist gets.This week’s tip was from a man who had strangely been called by the police while driving, to tell him to stop using his phone while driving. ‘It was quite baffling’: Police call driver on motorway to say ‘stop using your phone’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Bulletin editor Stewart Sowman-Lund has had a few roles in his time at the Spinoff, first as live updates editor, then reporter, and now as bulletin editor. Writing a bulletin every morning takes up plenty of his time, but he also specialises in following those random, one-off tips that every journalist gets.This week’s tip was from a man who had strangely been called by the police while driving, to tell him to stop using his phone while driving.

‘It was quite baffling’: Police call driver on motorway to say ‘stop using your phone’

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]]> 1106 Ten years of The Spinoff This week 10 years ago, a website was launched. It was a TV blog, dedicated to the most prestige and the most comforting of shows, and it had two writers on staff, founder Duncan Greive and film critic Alex Casey. The first article ever published by thespinoff.co.nz was about the return of Full House. Today, that website has an editorial team of 20, with writers and editors in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. We have podcasts, like this one, video series and live events. The Spinoff 10 years on looks very different to the little TV blog that launched in September 2014. But some names persist.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:00:00 -0000 Ten years of The Spinoff full The Spinoff Madeleine Chapman is joined by Duncan Greive, Toby Manhire and Alex Casey to take a brisk walk through a decade of The Spinoff. This week 10 years ago, a website was launched. It was a TV blog, dedicated to the most prestige and the most comforting of shows, and it had two writers on staff, founder Duncan Greive and film critic Alex Casey. The first article ever published by thespinoff.co.nz was about the return of Full House. Today, that website has an editorial team of 20, with writers and editors in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. We have podcasts, like this one, video series and live events. The Spinoff 10 years on looks very different to the little TV blog that launched in September 2014. But some names persist.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This week 10 years ago, a website was launched. It was a TV blog, dedicated to the most prestige and the most comforting of shows, and it had two writers on staff, founder Duncan Greive and film critic Alex Casey. The first article ever published by thespinoff.co.nz was about the return of Full House. Today, that website has an editorial team of 20, with writers and editors in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. We have podcasts, like this one, video series and live events. The Spinoff 10 years on looks very different to the little TV blog that launched in September 2014. But some names persist. 

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]]> 3352 Help Me Hera - Live! After more than 80 columns, Hera’s advice spans the spectrum of human troubles. For our live event, we revisited three problems from the archives, talked about Hera’s response, and heard updates from the callers themselves. Note: the callers emailed in their updates so the voices you hear won’t be their actual voices. Instead you’ll hear some of the greatest voice talent that works in the Spinoff offices. To find out more about The Spinoff's series of live events visit https://thespinoff.co.nz/events Help Me Hera: An acquaintance is in love with me and it’s making me uncomfortable Help Me Hera: I’m trans and my mum is a Posie Parker superfan Help Me Hera: I’m desperate to have kids but my partner is stalling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 06 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Help Me Hera - Live! full The Spinoff Madeleine Chapman talks to Hera Lindsay Bird in The Spinoff's very first Help Me Hera live event, recorded at Q Theatre in Auckland last week. After more than 80 columns, Hera’s advice spans the spectrum of human troubles. For our live event, we revisited three problems from the archives, talked about Hera’s response, and heard updates from the callers themselves. Note: the callers emailed in their updates so the voices you hear won’t be their actual voices. Instead you’ll hear some of the greatest voice talent that works in the Spinoff offices. To find out more about The Spinoff's series of live events visit https://thespinoff.co.nz/events Help Me Hera: An acquaintance is in love with me and it’s making me uncomfortable Help Me Hera: I’m trans and my mum is a Posie Parker superfan Help Me Hera: I’m desperate to have kids but my partner is stalling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices After more than 80 columns, Hera’s advice spans the spectrum of human troubles. For our live event, we revisited three problems from the archives, talked about Hera’s response, and heard updates from the callers themselves. Note: the callers emailed in their updates so the voices you hear won’t be their actual voices. Instead you’ll hear some of the greatest voice talent that works in the Spinoff offices.

To find out more about The Spinoff's series of live events visit https://thespinoff.co.nz/events

Help Me Hera: An acquaintance is in love with me and it’s making me uncomfortable

Help Me Hera: I’m trans and my mum is a Posie Parker superfan

Help Me Hera: I’m desperate to have kids but my partner is stalling

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]]> 3228 A night with Auckland’s radical leftists Staff writer Gabi Lardies has been to plenty of radical left gatherings in her time. But despite her enthusiasm for the causes, she’s found herself increasingly disillusioned with the results, or lack thereof. Last week, Gabi headed along to yet another meeting of Auckland’s radical leftists to report from the inside and see if this time would be any different. The result is a gentle yet illuminating portrait of radical groups, regardless of the lean. ‘Where angels fear to tread’: A night at Auckland Irish Club with radical leftists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 30 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000 A night with Auckland’s radical leftists full The Spinoff Gabi Lardies joins Madeleine Chapman to talk about experiential reporting, writing about your own communities and finding inspiration in a cold community hall. Staff writer Gabi Lardies has been to plenty of radical left gatherings in her time. But despite her enthusiasm for the causes, she’s found herself increasingly disillusioned with the results, or lack thereof. Last week, Gabi headed along to yet another meeting of Auckland’s radical leftists to report from the inside and see if this time would be any different. The result is a gentle yet illuminating portrait of radical groups, regardless of the lean. ‘Where angels fear to tread’: A night at Auckland Irish Club with radical leftists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Staff writer Gabi Lardies has been to plenty of radical left gatherings in her time. But despite her enthusiasm for the causes, she’s found herself increasingly disillusioned with the results, or lack thereof. Last week, Gabi headed along to yet another meeting of Auckland’s radical leftists to report from the inside and see if this time would be any different.

The result is a gentle yet illuminating portrait of radical groups, regardless of the lean.

‘Where angels fear to tread’: A night at Auckland Irish Club with radical leftists

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]]> 1153 Takeout Kids and growing up inside a shop Documentary maker Julie Zhu is the director of Takeout Kids, an observational series following five children as they work and grow up in their parents’ shops. The series is beautiful, both in the stories it tells but also literally, with a focus on scene-setting and stunning cinematography. Julie joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about how she finds the short stories within hours and hours of footage, and the special considerations required when filming with young people. Takeout Kids season two trailer The Ground We Won trailer Takeout Kids season one Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 23 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Takeout Kids and growing up inside a shop full The Spinoff Documentary maker Julie Zhu joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss Takeout Kids, an observational series following five children as they work and grow up in their parents’ shops. Documentary maker Julie Zhu is the director of Takeout Kids, an observational series following five children as they work and grow up in their parents’ shops. The series is beautiful, both in the stories it tells but also literally, with a focus on scene-setting and stunning cinematography. Julie joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about how she finds the short stories within hours and hours of footage, and the special considerations required when filming with young people. Takeout Kids season two trailer The Ground We Won trailer Takeout Kids season one Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Documentary maker Julie Zhu is the director of Takeout Kids, an observational series following five children as they work and grow up in their parents’ shops.

The series is beautiful, both in the stories it tells but also literally, with a focus on scene-setting and stunning cinematography. Julie joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about how she finds the short stories within hours and hours of footage, and the special considerations required when filming with young people.

Takeout Kids season two trailer

The Ground We Won trailer

Takeout Kids season one

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]]> 1053 Raygun and the meme Olympics Anna Rawhiti-Connell knows more about the internet and how it functions than probably any other journalist in New Zealand. And this week she had the perfect subject: Raygun, the Olympic breakdancing competitor from Australia. Raygun has been many different things since she first revealed herself in the final weekend of the Paris Games. She’s been an icon, an embarrassment, a hero, and now apparently the subject of an investigation. Anna tracked her rise and fall and rise and fall in a deep dive for The Spinoff. She joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about the latest developments, as well as share in some lukewarm takes about New Zealand’s success in Olympic sports. Anatomy of an Olympic internet sensation: Raygun’s fall and rise and fall and rise and… ‘That’s hip hop’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 16 Aug 2024 05:20:00 -0000 Raygun and the meme Olympics full The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell joins Mad Chapman to discuss Raygun, the Olympic breakdancing competitor from Australia. Anna Rawhiti-Connell knows more about the internet and how it functions than probably any other journalist in New Zealand. And this week she had the perfect subject: Raygun, the Olympic breakdancing competitor from Australia. Raygun has been many different things since she first revealed herself in the final weekend of the Paris Games. She’s been an icon, an embarrassment, a hero, and now apparently the subject of an investigation. Anna tracked her rise and fall and rise and fall in a deep dive for The Spinoff. She joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about the latest developments, as well as share in some lukewarm takes about New Zealand’s success in Olympic sports. Anatomy of an Olympic internet sensation: Raygun’s fall and rise and fall and rise and… ‘That’s hip hop’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Anna Rawhiti-Connell knows more about the internet and how it functions than probably any other journalist in New Zealand. And this week she had the perfect subject: Raygun, the Olympic breakdancing competitor from Australia.

Raygun has been many different things since she first revealed herself in the final weekend of the Paris Games. She’s been an icon, an embarrassment, a hero, and now apparently the subject of an investigation. Anna tracked her rise and fall and rise and fall in a deep dive for The Spinoff. She joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about the latest developments, as well as share in some lukewarm takes about New Zealand’s success in Olympic sports.

Anatomy of an Olympic internet sensation: Raygun’s fall and rise and fall and rise and…

‘That’s hip hop’

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]]> 1250 The insidious trend of skincare for kids Senior writer Alex Casey has this week written an incredible longform feature about the rising trend of young children coveting skincare. Note: this is not about makeup or wearing your mum’s lipstick. It’s about 10 year olds using serums and anti-wrinkle creams. Alex has been thinking, writing about and living the beauty industry for years, and this is likely just the first in a series of big features about a billion-dollar industry with controversial aims. She joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about the unique challenges of interviewing kids and her own spotty history with skincare and beauty. ‘It’s insidious and dangerous’: The kids fighting wrinkles before their 10th birthday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 09 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000 The insidious trend of skincare for kids full The Spinoff Alex Casey joins Madeleine Chapman this week to discuss her longform feature article about the rising trend of young children coveting skincare. Senior writer Alex Casey has this week written an incredible longform feature about the rising trend of young children coveting skincare. Note: this is not about makeup or wearing your mum’s lipstick. It’s about 10 year olds using serums and anti-wrinkle creams. Alex has been thinking, writing about and living the beauty industry for years, and this is likely just the first in a series of big features about a billion-dollar industry with controversial aims. She joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about the unique challenges of interviewing kids and her own spotty history with skincare and beauty. ‘It’s insidious and dangerous’: The kids fighting wrinkles before their 10th birthday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Senior writer Alex Casey has this week written an incredible longform feature about the rising trend of young children coveting skincare. Note: this is not about makeup or wearing your mum’s lipstick. It’s about 10 year olds using serums and anti-wrinkle creams.

Alex has been thinking, writing about and living the beauty industry for years, and this is likely just the first in a series of big features about a billion-dollar industry with controversial aims. She joins Madeleine Chapman this week to talk about the unique challenges of interviewing kids and her own spotty history with skincare and beauty.

‘It’s insidious and dangerous’: The kids fighting wrinkles before their 10th birthday

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1023 The sports that should be culled from the Olympics Hera Lindsay Bird has been writing the extremely popular Help Me Hera advice column for over a year now, offering incisive, funny and wise guidance to New Zealand’s biggest and smallest problems. And soon, you’ll be able to hear her talk about that advice at some Spinoff live events. Hera joins Madeleine Chapman this week as she’s also an Olympics obsessive and has written about the games, specifically which events should be culled and which should be added. It’s surprisingly reasoned and justified for such a hot take. Help Me Hera Ten sports we should cut from the Olympic programme (and what could replace them) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 02 Aug 2024 04:25:00 -0000 The sports that should be culled from the Olympics full The Spinoff Hera Lindsay Bird joins Madeleine Chapman this week to discuss which events should be culled from the Olympics (and which events should replace them), as well as her much-loved advice column Help Me Hera. Hera Lindsay Bird has been writing the extremely popular Help Me Hera advice column for over a year now, offering incisive, funny and wise guidance to New Zealand’s biggest and smallest problems. And soon, you’ll be able to hear her talk about that advice at some Spinoff live events. Hera joins Madeleine Chapman this week as she’s also an Olympics obsessive and has written about the games, specifically which events should be culled and which should be added. It’s surprisingly reasoned and justified for such a hot take. Help Me Hera Ten sports we should cut from the Olympic programme (and what could replace them) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hera Lindsay Bird has been writing the extremely popular Help Me Hera advice column for over a year now, offering incisive, funny and wise guidance to New Zealand’s biggest and smallest problems. And soon, you’ll be able to hear her talk about that advice at some Spinoff live events. Hera joins Madeleine Chapman this week as she’s also an Olympics obsessive and has written about the games, specifically which events should be culled and which should be added. It’s surprisingly reasoned and justified for such a hot take.

Help Me Hera

Ten sports we should cut from the Olympic programme (and what could replace them)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1165 Planning ahead for breaking and devastating news Alice Neville has been with The Spinoff since 2018, originally hired as the food editor and now the deputy editor. Within our small team, she oversees any news coverage we run, particularly around politics and social issues. Alice joins Madeleine Chapman as this week was a big week of news on The Spinoff, with the release of the final report from the royal commission of inquiry into abuse in care. It was breaking news but also something we knew was coming, which is a very particular type of challenge for a small team without any dedicated news reporters. Plus, Alice makes a case for the crucial work that the invisible sub-editors do every day. Righting the wrongs of the past: The abuse in care inquiry’s key recommendations A long list of ministers and leaders found at fault for allowing abuse in care ‘I’m even more concerned’: A survivor’s response to the final abuse in care report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 26 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Planning ahead for breaking and devastating news full The Spinoff Alice Neville joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss The Spinoff's editorial response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in care report released this week, as well as the crucial work of the often invisible sub-editor. Alice Neville has been with The Spinoff since 2018, originally hired as the food editor and now the deputy editor. Within our small team, she oversees any news coverage we run, particularly around politics and social issues. Alice joins Madeleine Chapman as this week was a big week of news on The Spinoff, with the release of the final report from the royal commission of inquiry into abuse in care. It was breaking news but also something we knew was coming, which is a very particular type of challenge for a small team without any dedicated news reporters. Plus, Alice makes a case for the crucial work that the invisible sub-editors do every day. Righting the wrongs of the past: The abuse in care inquiry’s key recommendations A long list of ministers and leaders found at fault for allowing abuse in care ‘I’m even more concerned’: A survivor’s response to the final abuse in care report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Alice Neville has been with The Spinoff since 2018, originally hired as the food editor and now the deputy editor. Within our small team, she oversees any news coverage we run, particularly around politics and social issues.

Alice joins Madeleine Chapman as this week was a big week of news on The Spinoff, with the release of the final report from the royal commission of inquiry into abuse in care. It was breaking news but also something we knew was coming, which is a very particular type of challenge for a small team without any dedicated news reporters. Plus, Alice makes a case for the crucial work that the invisible sub-editors do every day.

Righting the wrongs of the past: The abuse in care inquiry’s key recommendations

A long list of ministers and leaders found at fault for allowing abuse in care

‘I’m even more concerned’: A survivor’s response to the final abuse in care report

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1337 Selling security, delivering anxiety: The rise of home surveillance cameras Gabi Lardies wrote this week's Cover Story about the rise of home surveillance cameras. It’s a big piece of work that started as a simple observation of something she had seen in local Facebook groups. The feature unpicks aspects of human behaviour, crime and mass survellieance and it asks a big question about the trade-offs we make when embracing ubiquitous, convenient and cheap technology solutions to perceived problems. Gabi joins Anna Rawhiti-Connell to discuss her observational instinct as a journalist, how she substantiates those observations, and how she balances empathetic and human storytelling with very big and often morally questionable forces on a topic like this. Stories discussed:  Selling security, delivering anxiety: The rise of home surveillance cameras Yes, those are testicles hanging from my car Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 19 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Selling security, delivering anxiety: The rise of home surveillance cameras full The Spinoff Gabi Lardies joins Anna Rawhiti-Connell to discuss the art of observation and surprisingly big stories Gabi Lardies wrote this week's Cover Story about the rise of home surveillance cameras. It’s a big piece of work that started as a simple observation of something she had seen in local Facebook groups. The feature unpicks aspects of human behaviour, crime and mass survellieance and it asks a big question about the trade-offs we make when embracing ubiquitous, convenient and cheap technology solutions to perceived problems. Gabi joins Anna Rawhiti-Connell to discuss her observational instinct as a journalist, how she substantiates those observations, and how she balances empathetic and human storytelling with very big and often morally questionable forces on a topic like this. Stories discussed:  Selling security, delivering anxiety: The rise of home surveillance cameras Yes, those are testicles hanging from my car Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Gabi Lardies wrote this week's Cover Story about the rise of home surveillance cameras.

It’s a big piece of work that started as a simple observation of something she had seen in local Facebook groups. The feature unpicks aspects of human behaviour, crime and mass survellieance and it asks a big question about the trade-offs we make when embracing ubiquitous, convenient and cheap technology solutions to perceived problems.

Gabi joins Anna Rawhiti-Connell to discuss her observational instinct as a journalist, how she substantiates those observations, and how she balances empathetic and human storytelling with very big and often morally questionable forces on a topic like this.


Stories discussed: 

Selling security, delivering anxiety: The rise of home surveillance cameras

Yes, those are testicles hanging from my car

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1208 Remembering Suzanne Paul’s ‘cursed’ Māori Village Lyric Waiwiri-Smith started at The Spinoff as a staff writer two weeks ago and has three stories under her belt already. Her story this week, "Remembering Suzanne Paul’s ‘cursed’ Māori Village", marked twenty years since Paul closed the doors on her Māori cultural theme park on Auckland’s North Shore. Lyric was three years old when it all went down, so used records of journalism past to piece together a current-day view of a really weird moment in our pop culture history and a venture described as “the most significant event in Paul’s demise”. Lyric joins Anna Rawhiti-Connell on Behind the Story to discuss whether the internet truly never forgets, celebrity profile writing, her love of pop culture, and live blogging while trying to buy tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras concert. Read the story: Remembering Suzanne Paul’s ‘cursed’ Māori Village Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 12 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Remembering Suzanne Paul’s ‘cursed’ Māori Village full The Spinoff Lyric Waiwiri-Smith joins Anna Rawhiti-Connell to discuss discovering and reviving our pop culture history Lyric Waiwiri-Smith started at The Spinoff as a staff writer two weeks ago and has three stories under her belt already. Her story this week, "Remembering Suzanne Paul’s ‘cursed’ Māori Village", marked twenty years since Paul closed the doors on her Māori cultural theme park on Auckland’s North Shore. Lyric was three years old when it all went down, so used records of journalism past to piece together a current-day view of a really weird moment in our pop culture history and a venture described as “the most significant event in Paul’s demise”. Lyric joins Anna Rawhiti-Connell on Behind the Story to discuss whether the internet truly never forgets, celebrity profile writing, her love of pop culture, and live blogging while trying to buy tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras concert. Read the story: Remembering Suzanne Paul’s ‘cursed’ Māori Village Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Lyric Waiwiri-Smith started at The Spinoff as a staff writer two weeks ago and has three stories under her belt already. Her story this week, "Remembering Suzanne Paul’s ‘cursed’ Māori Village", marked twenty years since Paul closed the doors on her Māori cultural theme park on Auckland’s North Shore. Lyric was three years old when it all went down, so used records of journalism past to piece together a current-day view of a really weird moment in our pop culture history and a venture described as “the most significant event in Paul’s demise”.


Lyric joins Anna Rawhiti-Connell on Behind the Story to discuss whether the internet truly never forgets, celebrity profile writing, her love of pop culture, and live blogging while trying to buy tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras concert.


Read the story: Remembering Suzanne Paul’s ‘cursed’ Māori Village

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1181 Reporting on the news within the news Spinoff founder Duncan Greive has been writing regularly this year on business, politics and pop culture. But his slightly more niche area of interest is the media itself. This week was a big week for the media with AM and Newshub airing their final episodes and a new lease on life for the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. If you don’t know what that bill is, check out Duncan’s author page on the Spinoff, as he has written more about it than probably anyone else in the country. He also spoke to Samantha Hayes and Mike McRoberts about their time at Three in a sprawling, emotional interview. Duncan joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about what he’s looking for in exit interviews, how he keeps a story interesting over a number of years, and what compels him to write. An abrupt U-turn from National, a brave new world for news in New Zealand Sam Hayes and Mike McRoberts look back in awe and sorrow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 05 Jul 2024 04:04:57 -0000 Reporting on the news within the news full The Spinoff Duncan Greive joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss reporting on industry colleagues and finding new story angles as a founder and business owner. Spinoff founder Duncan Greive has been writing regularly this year on business, politics and pop culture. But his slightly more niche area of interest is the media itself. This week was a big week for the media with AM and Newshub airing their final episodes and a new lease on life for the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. If you don’t know what that bill is, check out Duncan’s author page on the Spinoff, as he has written more about it than probably anyone else in the country. He also spoke to Samantha Hayes and Mike McRoberts about their time at Three in a sprawling, emotional interview. Duncan joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about what he’s looking for in exit interviews, how he keeps a story interesting over a number of years, and what compels him to write. An abrupt U-turn from National, a brave new world for news in New Zealand Sam Hayes and Mike McRoberts look back in awe and sorrow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Spinoff founder Duncan Greive has been writing regularly this year on business, politics and pop culture. But his slightly more niche area of interest is the media itself. This week was a big week for the media with AM and Newshub airing their final episodes and a new lease on life for the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill.

If you don’t know what that bill is, check out Duncan’s author page on the Spinoff, as he has written more about it than probably anyone else in the country. He also spoke to Samantha Hayes and Mike McRoberts about their time at Three in a sprawling, emotional interview.

Duncan joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about what he’s looking for in exit interviews, how he keeps a story interesting over a number of years, and what compels him to write.


An abrupt U-turn from National, a brave new world for news in New Zealand

Sam Hayes and Mike McRoberts look back in awe and sorrow

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1155 Staring down the ‘silent epidemic’ of myopia in children Spinoff staff writer Shanti Mathias sat down to record a test pilot episode of Behind the Story two months ago, about her recent feature “Staring down the ‘silent epidemic’ of myopia in children”. Just last week, Shanti was awarded Best Emerging Journalist at the inaugural science journalism awards, for this particular story. The judges were impressed with how ‘on-the-scene’ the reporting was, including the voices of school students and the team running the vision-checking bus. A hugely deserving win and the perfect excuse to release the tapes. Shanti joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about what she learned, the surprising lack of data available in New Zealand around our eyes, and some practical tips to keep your eyes stronger for longer. Stories discussed: Staring down the ‘silent epidemic’ of myopia in children Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 28 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Staring down the ‘silent epidemic’ of myopia in children full The Spinoff Shanti Mathias joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss putting a human face to science journalism. Spinoff staff writer Shanti Mathias sat down to record a test pilot episode of Behind the Story two months ago, about her recent feature “Staring down the ‘silent epidemic’ of myopia in children”. Just last week, Shanti was awarded Best Emerging Journalist at the inaugural science journalism awards, for this particular story. The judges were impressed with how ‘on-the-scene’ the reporting was, including the voices of school students and the team running the vision-checking bus. A hugely deserving win and the perfect excuse to release the tapes. Shanti joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about what she learned, the surprising lack of data available in New Zealand around our eyes, and some practical tips to keep your eyes stronger for longer. Stories discussed: Staring down the ‘silent epidemic’ of myopia in children Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Spinoff staff writer Shanti Mathias sat down to record a test pilot episode of Behind the Story two months ago, about her recent feature “Staring down the ‘silent epidemic’ of myopia in children”.

Just last week, Shanti was awarded Best Emerging Journalist at the inaugural science journalism awards, for this particular story. The judges were impressed with how ‘on-the-scene’ the reporting was, including the voices of school students and the team running the vision-checking bus. A hugely deserving win and the perfect excuse to release the tapes.

Shanti joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about what she learned, the surprising lack of data available in New Zealand around our eyes, and some practical tips to keep your eyes stronger for longer.


Stories discussed:

Staring down the ‘silent epidemic’ of myopia in children

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 948 A year of My Life in TV https://thespinoff.co.nz/podcasts/behind-the-story Spinoff staff writer Tara Ward has loved and examined local TV for longer than any other Spinoff writer. As the longest consistent contributor to The Spinoff outside of its founder, Tara has long been the go-to voice for local matters on screen. A master of the power ranking format, Tara’s ability to both genuinely love and critique New Zealand’s most iconic (and obscure) shows is unique among journalists. More recently, she’s become the editor of pop culture newsletter Rec Room (subscribe here) and interviewer for The Spinoff’s weekend format My Life in TV. Tara joins Madeleine Chapman to talk a year of My Life in TV, getting to know her favourite screen talent, and what our local shows tell us about ourselves as a nation. Click here to read about the best things Tara and Alex have learnt after a year of My Life in TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 21 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000 A year of My Life in TV full The Spinoff Tara Ward joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss writing about local television for a decade. Spinoff staff writer Tara Ward has loved and examined local TV for longer than any other Spinoff writer. As the longest consistent contributor to The Spinoff outside of its founder, Tara has long been the go-to voice for local matters on screen. A master of the power ranking format, Tara’s ability to both genuinely love and critique New Zealand’s most iconic (and obscure) shows is unique among journalists. More recently, she’s become the editor of pop culture newsletter Rec Room (subscribe here) and interviewer for The Spinoff’s weekend format My Life in TV. Tara joins Madeleine Chapman to talk a year of My Life in TV, getting to know her favourite screen talent, and what our local shows tell us about ourselves as a nation. Click here to read about the best things Tara and Alex have learnt after a year of My Life in TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Spinoff staff writer Tara Ward has loved and examined local TV for longer than any other Spinoff writer. As the longest consistent contributor to The Spinoff outside of its founder, Tara has long been the go-to voice for local matters on screen.

A master of the power ranking format, Tara’s ability to both genuinely love and critique New Zealand’s most iconic (and obscure) shows is unique among journalists. More recently, she’s become the editor of pop culture newsletter Rec Room (subscribe here) and interviewer for The Spinoff’s weekend format My Life in TV. Tara joins Madeleine Chapman to talk a year of My Life in TV, getting to know her favourite screen talent, and what our local shows tell us about ourselves as a nation.


Click here to read about the best things Tara and Alex have learnt after a year of My Life in TV

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 825 Listen Now: episode one of Juggernaut – I Love You, Mr Lange https://thespinoff.co.nz/juggernaut We thought you might like a wee taster of our brand new #1 series, Juggernaut: The Story of the Fourth Labour Government, hosted by Toby Manhire. Click here to follow Juggernaut so you get every episode as soon as it's released! 1. I love you, Mr Lange Fuelled by brandy and fury, Sir Rob Muldoon calls a snap election, sparking a 1984 campaign of contrasts – the menacing, protectionist National PM against the fresh, upbeat Labour leader, David Lange. The pretext for the election is the decision by Marilyn Waring, a young, gay MP, to back an anti-nuclear bill and quit the National caucus, prompting an earful from Muldoon. Lange, meanwhile, is joined at the hip by a hungry would-be finance minister, Roger Douglas. They are about to confront a profound crisis, and launch a revolution. Includes previously unheard interviews with David Lange from the 84 campaign trail, and new and exclusive interviews with Marilyn Waring, Roger Douglas, Geoffrey Palmer, Richard Prebble, Peter Harris, Margaret Wilson, Bob Harvey and Gary McCormick. Click here for full details of archive material used in this series Juggernaut was made with the support of NZ On Air. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mon, 17 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0000 Listen Now: episode one of Juggernaut – I Love You, Mr Lange full The Spinoff The Spinoff is proud to present Juggernaut: The Story of the Fourth Labour Government, hosted by Toby Manhire. Listen to episode one now and follow the series wherever you get your podcasts. We thought you might like a wee taster of our brand new #1 series, Juggernaut: The Story of the Fourth Labour Government, hosted by Toby Manhire. Click here to follow Juggernaut so you get every episode as soon as it's released! 1. I love you, Mr Lange Fuelled by brandy and fury, Sir Rob Muldoon calls a snap election, sparking a 1984 campaign of contrasts – the menacing, protectionist National PM against the fresh, upbeat Labour leader, David Lange. The pretext for the election is the decision by Marilyn Waring, a young, gay MP, to back an anti-nuclear bill and quit the National caucus, prompting an earful from Muldoon. Lange, meanwhile, is joined at the hip by a hungry would-be finance minister, Roger Douglas. They are about to confront a profound crisis, and launch a revolution. Includes previously unheard interviews with David Lange from the 84 campaign trail, and new and exclusive interviews with Marilyn Waring, Roger Douglas, Geoffrey Palmer, Richard Prebble, Peter Harris, Margaret Wilson, Bob Harvey and Gary McCormick. Click here for full details of archive material used in this series Juggernaut was made with the support of NZ On Air. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices We thought you might like a wee taster of our brand new #1 series, Juggernaut: The Story of the Fourth Labour Government, hosted by Toby Manhire. Click here to follow Juggernaut so you get every episode as soon as it's released!


1. I love you, Mr Lange

Fuelled by brandy and fury, Sir Rob Muldoon calls a snap election, sparking a 1984 campaign of contrasts – the menacing, protectionist National PM against the fresh, upbeat Labour leader, David Lange. The pretext for the election is the decision by Marilyn Waring, a young, gay MP, to back an anti-nuclear bill and quit the National caucus, prompting an earful from Muldoon. Lange, meanwhile, is joined at the hip by a hungry would-be finance minister, Roger Douglas. They are about to confront a profound crisis, and launch a revolution.

Includes previously unheard interviews with David Lange from the 84 campaign trail, and new and exclusive interviews with Marilyn Waring, Roger Douglas, Geoffrey Palmer, Richard Prebble, Peter Harris, Margaret Wilson, Bob Harvey and Gary McCormick.

Click here for full details of archive material used in this series

Juggernaut was made with the support of NZ On Air.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 3419 yes Juggernaut: The Story of the Fourth Labour Government Spinoff editor-at-large Toby Manhire spent “nearly every waking hour” of the past six months living in 1984. Researching, hosting and executive-producing Juggernaut meant learning everything about the 1984 snap election, David Lange, Roger Douglas and the huge reforms they oversaw. Interviewing more than 20 key people from that era, Toby pulled together hours and hours of transcripts and archive material to create a six-part record of arguably the most impactful government (for better or worse) in New Zealand political history. Toby joins Madeleine Chapman live from the Juggernaut launch to talk switching mediums, working with unreliable memories and resisting the urge to interrogate former politicians. Listen to Juggernaut here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Juggernaut: The Story of the Fourth Labour Government full The Spinoff Toby Manhire joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss jumping back in time while making a historical political podcast. Spinoff editor-at-large Toby Manhire spent “nearly every waking hour” of the past six months living in 1984. Researching, hosting and executive-producing Juggernaut meant learning everything about the 1984 snap election, David Lange, Roger Douglas and the huge reforms they oversaw. Interviewing more than 20 key people from that era, Toby pulled together hours and hours of transcripts and archive material to create a six-part record of arguably the most impactful government (for better or worse) in New Zealand political history. Toby joins Madeleine Chapman live from the Juggernaut launch to talk switching mediums, working with unreliable memories and resisting the urge to interrogate former politicians. Listen to Juggernaut here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Spinoff editor-at-large Toby Manhire spent “nearly every waking hour” of the past six months living in 1984. Researching, hosting and executive-producing Juggernaut meant learning everything about the 1984 snap election, David Lange, Roger Douglas and the huge reforms they oversaw.

Interviewing more than 20 key people from that era, Toby pulled together hours and hours of transcripts and archive material to create a six-part record of arguably the most impactful government (for better or worse) in New Zealand political history. Toby joins Madeleine Chapman live from the Juggernaut launch to talk switching mediums, working with unreliable memories and resisting the urge to interrogate former politicians.

Listen to Juggernaut here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1391 When breaking news overtakes your big story Spinoff staff writer Gabi Lardies recently had a big win at the Voyager Media Awards, for best junior feature writer. Gabi first worked at the Spinoff in 2022 so is categorically a junior writer, but as she confesses, she’s secretly 33 years old and has had a colourful work history prior to becoming a journalist. Her recognised work focuses on observational feature writing, stepping into a very specific scene and painting a picture of it for the reader. And this week, Gabi painted a picture of a hunger strike, particularly Will Alexander’s, who announced a strike for Palestine on May 18 and called it off after 19 days at the request of Palestinians. Gabi joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk switching careers, the importance of mentoring and what happens when your story is overtaken by events.Stories discussed: An interview with Will Alexander, who was willing to die for the people of Palestine A morning at the death cafe Where did the age of consent come from, and how does it work today? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 07 Jun 2024 04:14:00 -0000 When breaking news overtakes your big story full The Spinoff Gabi Lardies joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss feature writing and being scooped. Spinoff staff writer Gabi Lardies recently had a big win at the Voyager Media Awards, for best junior feature writer. Gabi first worked at the Spinoff in 2022 so is categorically a junior writer, but as she confesses, she’s secretly 33 years old and has had a colourful work history prior to becoming a journalist. Her recognised work focuses on observational feature writing, stepping into a very specific scene and painting a picture of it for the reader. And this week, Gabi painted a picture of a hunger strike, particularly Will Alexander’s, who announced a strike for Palestine on May 18 and called it off after 19 days at the request of Palestinians. Gabi joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk switching careers, the importance of mentoring and what happens when your story is overtaken by events.Stories discussed: An interview with Will Alexander, who was willing to die for the people of Palestine A morning at the death cafe Where did the age of consent come from, and how does it work today? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Spinoff staff writer Gabi Lardies recently had a big win at the Voyager Media Awards, for best junior feature writer. Gabi first worked at the Spinoff in 2022 so is categorically a junior writer, but as she confesses, she’s secretly 33 years old and has had a colourful work history prior to becoming a journalist.

Her recognised work focuses on observational feature writing, stepping into a very specific scene and painting a picture of it for the reader. And this week, Gabi painted a picture of a hunger strike, particularly Will Alexander’s, who announced a strike for Palestine on May 18 and called it off after 19 days at the request of Palestinians. Gabi joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk switching careers, the importance of mentoring and what happens when your story is overtaken by events.Stories discussed:

An interview with Will Alexander, who was willing to die for the people of Palestine

A morning at the death cafe

Where did the age of consent come from, and how does it work today?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1935 A turning point for Māori activism The Spinoff’s new Ātea editor Liam Rātana started in his role on Monday. On Thursday there were nationwide protests against government policies affecting Māori, as well as the release of the coalition government’s first budget. Rātana jumped straight in, writing a number of stories including a feature on the protests that looked more broadly at Māori activism and asked: Is protesting still the most effective way to bring about lasting change? It’s a compelling read, presenting the views of those who favour different methods of lobbying, and is a strong indication of how Liam approaches his work – with a curious mind and an interest in hearing out all perspectives. Liam joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk te ao Māori reporting and his quest to develop more Māori print journalists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 31 May 2024 01:55:08 -0000 A turning point for Māori activism full The Spinoff Liam Rātana joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss reporting on te ao Māori. The Spinoff’s new Ātea editor Liam Rātana started in his role on Monday. On Thursday there were nationwide protests against government policies affecting Māori, as well as the release of the coalition government’s first budget. Rātana jumped straight in, writing a number of stories including a feature on the protests that looked more broadly at Māori activism and asked: Is protesting still the most effective way to bring about lasting change? It’s a compelling read, presenting the views of those who favour different methods of lobbying, and is a strong indication of how Liam approaches his work – with a curious mind and an interest in hearing out all perspectives. Liam joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk te ao Māori reporting and his quest to develop more Māori print journalists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices The Spinoff’s new Ātea editor Liam Rātana started in his role on Monday. On Thursday there were nationwide protests against government policies affecting Māori, as well as the release of the coalition government’s first budget. Rātana jumped straight in, writing a number of stories including a feature on the protests that looked more broadly at Māori activism and asked: Is protesting still the most effective way to bring about lasting change?

It’s a compelling read, presenting the views of those who favour different methods of lobbying, and is a strong indication of how Liam approaches his work – with a curious mind and an interest in hearing out all perspectives. Liam joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk te ao Māori reporting and his quest to develop more Māori print journalists.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1325 Fear, hate and a putrid stench: Inside the Unsilenced anti-trans event Wellington editor Joel MacManus appreciates that those we might not agree with can still make for an interesting and worthy story. Last weekend, he attended an anti-trans conference to hear speakers like Brian Tamaki, Posie Parker and NZ First MP Tanya Unkovich speak about the “dangers” of gender ideology. Joel’s feature was a chance to report on a culture war, rather than react to it, and prompted an intense response from the speakers themselves. Joel joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about reporting in hostile environments and how to deal with feedback when it becomes abusive and personal. For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 24 May 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Fear, hate and a putrid stench: Inside the Unsilenced anti-trans event full The Spinoff Joel MacManus joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss reporting in hostile environments. Wellington editor Joel MacManus appreciates that those we might not agree with can still make for an interesting and worthy story. Last weekend, he attended an anti-trans conference to hear speakers like Brian Tamaki, Posie Parker and NZ First MP Tanya Unkovich speak about the “dangers” of gender ideology. Joel’s feature was a chance to report on a culture war, rather than react to it, and prompted an intense response from the speakers themselves. Joel joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about reporting in hostile environments and how to deal with feedback when it becomes abusive and personal. For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wellington editor Joel MacManus appreciates that those we might not agree with can still make for an interesting and worthy story. Last weekend, he attended an anti-trans conference to hear speakers like Brian Tamaki, Posie Parker and NZ First MP Tanya Unkovich speak about the “dangers” of gender ideology. Joel’s feature was a chance to report on a culture war, rather than react to it, and prompted an intense response from the speakers themselves. Joel joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about reporting in hostile environments and how to deal with feedback when it becomes abusive and personal.


For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters

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]]> 1844 Trans Corrections officer brings landmark human rights case against employer https://thespinoff.co.nz/podcasts/behind-the-story Spinoff senior writer Alex Casey is arguably the best journalist in New Zealand when it comes to telling stories of where we are at as a society, through the (often traumatic) experience of one person. This week, we published the story of Adam*, a trans Corrections officer bringing an unprecedented case to the Human Rights Review Tribunal after his experience of bullying and discrimination at work. Alex joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about the unique process and care involved in taking a cold email and turning it into a longform feature. For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 17 May 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Trans Corrections officer brings landmark human rights case against employer full The Spinoff Alex Casey joins Madeleine to discuss the art and humanity of longform feature writing. Spinoff senior writer Alex Casey is arguably the best journalist in New Zealand when it comes to telling stories of where we are at as a society, through the (often traumatic) experience of one person. This week, we published the story of Adam*, a trans Corrections officer bringing an unprecedented case to the Human Rights Review Tribunal after his experience of bullying and discrimination at work. Alex joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about the unique process and care involved in taking a cold email and turning it into a longform feature. For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Spinoff senior writer Alex Casey is arguably the best journalist in New Zealand when it comes to telling stories of where we are at as a society, through the (often traumatic) experience of one person. This week, we published the story of Adam*, a trans Corrections officer bringing an unprecedented case to the Human Rights Review Tribunal after his experience of bullying and discrimination at work. Alex joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about the unique process and care involved in taking a cold email and turning it into a longform feature.


For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters

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]]> 1711 Where NZ's food comes from... and where it goes https://thespinoff.co.nz/podcasts/behind-the-story Spinoff staff writer Shanti Mathias loves to go deep on topics, in a way few people would ever consider. This week, we published her data work on food imports and exports in Aotearoa, finding out where exactly we get such everyday items as wheat, rice and bananas. Who knew Australia grew so much of our food? Shanti joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about the extensive process of parsing massive datasets and research in order to make these stories accessible. For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 10 May 2024 04:00:00 -0000 Where NZ's food comes from... and where it goes full The Spinoff Shanti Mathias joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss the origins of our most common food items. Spinoff staff writer Shanti Mathias loves to go deep on topics, in a way few people would ever consider. This week, we published her data work on food imports and exports in Aotearoa, finding out where exactly we get such everyday items as wheat, rice and bananas. Who knew Australia grew so much of our food? Shanti joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about the extensive process of parsing massive datasets and research in order to make these stories accessible. For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Spinoff staff writer Shanti Mathias loves to go deep on topics, in a way few people would ever consider. This week, we published her data work on food imports and exports in Aotearoa, finding out where exactly we get such everyday items as wheat, rice and bananas. Who knew Australia grew so much of our food? Shanti joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about the extensive process of parsing massive datasets and research in order to make these stories accessible.


For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1077 If you love a dog, you must also love disposing of its shit On Friday, Bulletin editor Anna Rawhiti-Connell sent her final newsletter, and took the opportunity to share what she’s learned about the news over two years of curating it for thousands of New Zealanders. Earlier in the week, she’d seen reports of Auckland dog owners discarding their pets’ turds on the ground after Auckland Council removed bins across the city. And so, the column “If you love a dog, you must also love disposing of its shit” was born. Anna joins Madeleine Chapman to talk about the power journalists have when framing a story and how to find the middle ground between boring and sensational. For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 03 May 2024 03:35:19 -0000 If you love a dog, you must also love disposing of its sh*t full The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell joins Madeleine Chapman to discuss the power of story framing and why readers love a naughty word. On Friday, Bulletin editor Anna Rawhiti-Connell sent her final newsletter, and took the opportunity to share what she’s learned about the news over two years of curating it for thousands of New Zealanders. Earlier in the week, she’d seen reports of Auckland dog owners discarding their pets’ turds on the ground after Auckland Council removed bins across the city. And so, the column “If you love a dog, you must also love disposing of its shit” was born. Anna joins Madeleine Chapman to talk about the power journalists have when framing a story and how to find the middle ground between boring and sensational. For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices On Friday, Bulletin editor Anna Rawhiti-Connell sent her final newsletter, and took the opportunity to share what she’s learned about the news over two years of curating it for thousands of New Zealanders. Earlier in the week, she’d seen reports of Auckland dog owners discarding their pets’ turds on the ground after Auckland Council removed bins across the city.


And so, the column “If you love a dog, you must also love disposing of its shit” was born. Anna joins Madeleine Chapman to talk about the power journalists have when framing a story and how to find the middle ground between boring and sensational.


For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1329 Behind the Story - coming soon What you read on The Spinoff is only half of the work that goes into producing each story. Join the site editor, Madeleine Chapman, as she sits down with a staff writer or contributor to gain more insight into a big story on The Spinoff from the week.  Alongside getting the inside info, Behind the Story goes beyond the byline – enabling listeners to learn more about the amazing writers that make The Spinoff such a unique and important platform in the digital media landscape.  For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 02 May 2024 05:19:00 -0000 Behind the Story - coming soon trailer The Spinoff Introducing The Spinoff's new podcast Behind the Story. Join editor Madeleine Chapman every Saturday to gain more insight into a big story on The Spinoff from the week. What you read on The Spinoff is only half of the work that goes into producing each story. Join the site editor, Madeleine Chapman, as she sits down with a staff writer or contributor to gain more insight into a big story on The Spinoff from the week.  Alongside getting the inside info, Behind the Story goes beyond the byline – enabling listeners to learn more about the amazing writers that make The Spinoff such a unique and important platform in the digital media landscape.  For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices What you read on The Spinoff is only half of the work that goes into producing each story. Join the site editor, Madeleine Chapman, as she sits down with a staff writer or contributor to gain more insight into a big story on The Spinoff from the week. 

Alongside getting the inside info, Behind the Story goes beyond the byline – enabling listeners to learn more about the amazing writers that make The Spinoff such a unique and important platform in the digital media landscape. 

For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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