The Spinoff Weekly: What you need to know about NZ’s big vaccine play
December 14 – December 21
The Spinoff Weekly will be taking a break over the summer. We’ll be back to round up more great stories in late January. Meri Kirihimete!
The story behind the fight to save Ihumātao
Five years ago a group of local cousins began a campaign to stop a proposed Fletcher Building housing development and restore the whenua into iwi ownership. Yesterday a deal was signed paving the way for its return. Justin Latif speaks to the woman who started it all about how they defied the odds and the doubters.
Siouxsie Wiles: What you need to know about NZ’s big vaccine play
New Zealand has agreed to buy four Covid-19 vaccines, in volumes that are more than enough for everyone in New Zealand and for some of our Pacific neighbours too. Siouxsie Wiles on what yesterday’s announcement means, and what comes next.
Ex-staff of MAGA-linked Hoppers bar speak out on ‘intense and upsetting’ culture
An Auckland bar attracted heat last month for hosting a US election party attended by MAGA hat-wearing Trump supporters. Three former employees have come forward to say that incident is the least of its issues.
Rhymes of the ancient murderer: How a racist killer became an NCEA question
An NCEA history exam this year included a poem by Lionel Terry, a white supremacist and cold-blooded murderer. Chris Tse, who wrote a book inspired by Terry’s victim, explains why the exam question has caused such hurt within the Chinese New Zealand community.
Dean Hall flies very close to the sun
The ex-military, gay, Lamborghini-driving CEO of Rocketwerkz is one of the highest profile figures in New Zealand gaming. Michael Andrew went to the new Auckland office to meet the man known as “rocket”.
Has the world grown tired of the Kiwi success story? NZ in 2020, from afar
Last year Al Jazeera news anchor Kamahl Santamaria wrote one of our most read stories, reflecting on a tumultuous 2019 for Aotearoa, as observed from the other side of the world. Here he shares his thoughts on how the world saw his homeland throughout another huge year.
This Steinlager ad distorts the truth about anti-nuclear protest in the Pacific
Did a group of plucky young New Zealanders really save the Pacific from nuclear testing with some boats, bravery and beer? Not quite, write Sylvia Frain and Rebecca H. Hogue.
Life’s too short for burning bridges, and other meditations on regret
For many whānau, Christmas can be a difficult time of the year, accentuating the absence of those who have passed away. Nadine Anne Hura reflects on love, loss and regret on this first Christmas without her brother.
Twenty books that were a tonic in 2020
Books editor Catherine Woulfe runs through her favourites.
How Covid-19 turbocharged technology
Partner content
The global pandemic forced millions inside and online, changing the way the world interacts and does business, and accelerating technology adoption. George Driver discovers how this year, New Zealand brought the future a little closer.
