The Spinoff Weekend: What’s everyone protesting about?
Every story we loved reading this week, and much more...
Mōrena and welcome to The Spinoff Weekend, our Saturday newsletter designed to give you a leisurely catch-up on the week’s news. Today, we’re examining what the ongoing parliamentary protest is all about, and unpacking an interview with “de-platformed” broadcaster Sean Plunket. Also, we’ll cover rising petrol prices, the latest in omicron, the search for N95 masks, and follow one journalist’s journey tracking down a giant version of South Park’s Cartman. Plus, a cute doco on kids who grow up in takeaway shops. You made it, so grab a freshly brewed cup of Coffee Supreme, relax and settle into your weekend.
-Chris Schulz, senior writer
‘It all turned to shit when we got to Wellington’
Coverage of the ongoing protests outside parliament this week raised plenty of questions. Mostly, what’s everyone protesting about? As the protest enters its fifth day, with more police sent to Wellington amid warnings the confrontation could continue into next week, Toby Manhire finds convoy organisers are split over messaging. Cracks are showing. “We had such a beautiful convoy,” one protester said, “and then it all turned to shit when we got to Wellington.” Meanwhile, Dylan Reeve has traced the convoy’s origins all the way back to Canada. “I think many of the people who may have joined the protest initially were perhaps on the less-extreme end of the spectrum, but after a couple of days, it looks like only the more deeply involved have remained,” Dylan told The Bulletin. Meanwhile, of the misinformation fueling the protest, prime minister Jacinda Ardern says “this too will pass”. Bernard Hickey has a different take. “I have watched dumbstruck,” he says, saying it’s time to take the protesters at their word. “I’ve watched camera operators being spat at and shoved. I’ve seen nooses paraded in front of parliament … this has to stop and we have to take it seriously.”
A ‘de-platformed’ broadcaster returns
Across a week when Discovery’s new morning show AM launched against TVNZ’s flashier Breakfast, it was the return of a former morning news giant that became the real talking point. Broadcaster Sean Plunket, who claims he was “de-platformed” by his old bosses at Magic Talk, was this week’s guest on The Fold, Duncan Greive’s weekly media podcast. Plunket didn’t hold back, claiming he predicted the John Banks racism debacle, revealing how he was fired from his old job, and announcing the line-up for his very own online radio brand, The Platform, several days early. With Martin Devlin and Michael Laws on board, will it work? “I do think The Platform has a shot, yeah,” says Duncan. “The odds are stacked against him, as they always are with any start-up, especially with new tech and a changed consumption model involved. But that many famous names and that much money — he has a chance.” Listen to Duncan’s interview, and read his opinion on The Platform, here.
Where is Auckland’s giant Cartman?
Seven years ago, Alex Casey accidentally stumbled upon a giant version of South Park character Cartman in the front yard of a posh St Mary’s Bay home. Or did she? Was it just a fever dream? Alex set out to discover if her memory was real. “That single haunting image of Cartman plagued me for years,” she writes. “It didn’t make any sense. Why Cartman? Why St Mary’s Bay? Who made it? How? I could have sworn I took a selfie with him, but I couldn’t find evidence of it anywhere. I scoured old phones, hard drives, photo albums. Nothing. I asked friends, family, workmates, strangers. Nobody seemed to remember the Cartman.” Follow her journey here.
Where are all the respirator masks?
If you’ve been desperately trying to get your hands on a stockpile of N95 masks, supposedly the most effective masks at limiting the spread of the Covid-19 variant omicron, you’re not alone. They’re scarce, and prices are skyrocketing. While you’re waiting to get yours, Charlotte Muru-Lanning has some good advice. “If you can’t get your sanitised hands on a respirator mask, keep wearing what you have but ensure it maintains a tight seal with no gaps, double mask with a surgical mask underneath a cloth mask, or follow these tips to make your surgical mask fit better.” Speaking of omicron, here’s all you need to know about the fast-spreading sub-variant BA.2, Naomii Seah reports on why the Asian community is behind on its boosters, and Toby Manhire asks aged care facilities if they’re prepared for an outbreak.
What’s up with the price of petrol?
You can’t get through a day without someone complaining about the price of petrol. Nearing $3 a litre, it’s easy to see why. When Stewart Sowman-Lund filled up his car recently, it was the first time it cost him more than $100, so he decided others must be feeling the effects of rising transport costs too. “I’m fairly devoted to driving, so I pay close attention to petrol prices and my back pocket,” says the writer of The Spinoff’s daily live updates. Stewart wrote this story and feedback from like-minded drivers soon flooded in. “I wanted to work out why petrol prices were skyrocketing and if there was anyone I could blame. The answer is: not really. Usually when I write anything tangentially connected to politics I get a lot of hate but people seem to be on my side this time. So can we hurry up and get some relief at the pump, please?”
In partnership with Tower Insurance, over the last month we've been taking a close look at the impact of floods on Aotearoa — what that's looked like in the past, and what the modellers reckon it might look like in the future. To learn more about how calculating flood risk really works, and to talk to someone about ensuring your property is properly protected, get in touch with Tower today.
The power of food and whānau
What’s it like growing up next to chillers and deep fryers? With the crinkling of fish and chip paper, the bubbling of frying oil and the jingling of telephone orders just normal, everyday noises? Takeout Kids, a new documentary debuting on The Spinoff next week, follows four children doing exactly that. The series is a way of lifting people we encounter in our day-to-day lives, yet who live on the periphery of society, says the show’s director Julie Zhu. “When we go to a restaurant or a takeaway shop or at the supermarket or you see cleaners – I’ve always been interested in what their lives are beyond what we see.” To prepare for Takeout Kids, read Reweti Kohere’s preview.
It’s a worrying time for all of us, including staff at The Spinoff. I’ve been here for six months and every day I’m amazed by the people I work with, and the care and skill that goes into every single piece that’s published. I love showcasing journalists’ talents in this weekly newsletter, and chatting to them about their stories. With omicron upon us, we’re once again relying on the support of our members to keep us doing what we do best: keeping you up-to-date, informed and entertained. Find out how to help here.
Everything else we loved this week…
Ezmeralda Johns was stabbed twice by a terrorist in an Auckland supermarket. Five months on, NZ Herald (paywalled) helps tell her story of bravery.
Madeleine Chapman is courting controversy again, this time ranking every side dish you can order at the fish and chip shop (crab sticks forever Mad).
For The Atlantic, Olga Khazan gave herself three months to change her personality. The results were, well, mixed — but delivered a great read.
“You have to feel the pain” says Robert Pattinson in this GQ interview in which he admits making ambient electronic music while wearing his Batman suit.
Why does your phone battery last forever on 1%? For The Spinoff, Josie Adams finds it might all be in your mind. Or is it? It is. (Maybe.)
Is it a spiderweb? Or is it art? Find out in this (paywalled) New York Times profile of the Spider-Man of the art world, Tomas Saraceno.
Jane Campion’s The Power of Dog is set for awards success thanks to her Oscar nominations sweep. “I’ve had a very good day,” she tells Deadline.
This Kotaku story about the unravelling of a Guitar Hero (remember that?) video game speedrunner and streamer, is fascinating.
For The Spinoff, Shanti Mathias unravels the knotty social dynamics of online knitting communities in this excellent deep-dive.
If you’re feeling hot and bothered right now, you’re not alone. For The Spinoff, Gabi Lardies explains why all this humidity could be our new normal.
Better Call Saul fans concerned about whether Bob Odenkirk is okay after his heart attack should read this huge (paywalled) New York Times story.
Finally, ‘A Real Thing’ is the new song from Spinoff faves The Beths, so why not chuck this spiky summer jam on repeat to soundtrack what is hopefully a super relaxing weekend. Enjoy!
Hi Spinoff, I suggest you get hold of some of the Zoe tracker information provided by Professor Tim Spector of Oxford University (who has just had Covid). There are some interesting trends they follow from thousands of people in the UK and elsewhere.