ICYMI: All the times Judith Collins made a joke in her debut leader speech
27 July – 3 August
Memebers of parliament: the week in politics, told in memes
Welcome to memebers of parliament, a political column by Madeleine Chapman for people who just want the memes.
Eyebrow comedy: All the times Judith Collins made a joke in her debut leader speech
Judith Collins unlocked the secret of her political comedic code. ‘When my eyebrow goes up, it’s a joke,’ she told reporters. Enlightened, Stewart Sowman-Lund went back through her first speech as National leader, to excavate the punchlines.
Siouxsie Wiles & Toby Morris: The race for a Covid-19 vaccine, explained
Well over 150 vaccine candidates for Covid-19 are in development, and they take a myriad of forms. Siouxsie Wiles helps make sense of the different approaches, with illustration by Toby Morris.
The strange case of the election hoarding vandalised by Photoshop
The social media page of New Conservative candidate Rudi du Plooy erupted last night with claims his sign had been vandalised before social media users pointed out it was an obvious Photoshop. So what really happened? Alex Braae gave him a call.
Think we’re no longer criminalising people for using cannabis? Think again
Those who oppose cannabis law reform often argue that people are already avoiding arrest for possession of minor amounts of the drug. That’s not the reality for thousands of cannabis users every year, reports Madeleine Holden.
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- Michael Gray, Spinoff Member
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Megan Woods, the minister for everything
Her public profile has exploded thanks to her new role as the minister in charge of border isolation and quarantine, but Megan Woods has long been known as the most reliable pair of hands in government. She talks to Michelle Langstone about her slew of portfolios, chairing Labour’s 2020 election run, and the secret to keeping so many balls in the air.
Font, tick, face, tick: The great 2020 election hoardings design review
In contrast with last year’s often terrifying local election offerings, 2020’s election signage is big on bold colours and simple messaging. Spinoff creative director Toby Morris delivers his analysis of the best and worst designs.
Confessions of a jaded NZ bookseller
We can’t tell you who wrote this piece, or where they work. What we can tell you is it’s not Unity.
Ka kite anō au i a koutou: A farewell letter to New Zealand
After months trying to get back to her husband and daughter in Hungary, Daisy Coles is finally on her way home. So why is it so hard to say goodbye?
Asking big questions to make our future better: Introducing our new podcast series
Partner content
From the rubble of 2020 comes the opportunity to create a new future. Conversations That Count – Ngā Kōrero Whai Take will examine what that could look like. Subscribe here ahead of the first episode out this week and read host Stacey Morrison’s introduction below.
