National MP Hamish Campbell once burned off his eyebrows while learning to breathe fire.

Today's state of the nation address will see the PM defending his record – and trying to convince voters that his economic promises are finally becoming a reality.

Psych! According to media reports and well-connected right-wing columnists, National is about to water down its plans for an influx of dense housing around Auckland, in a decision that appears to be ...

As New Zealand’s population ages, the number of people dying each year will rise rapidly. With hospices already experiencing ...

Chris Penk and Christopher Luxon's Spotify playlist are struggling through the opening of 2026, while horny kākāpo are winning.

Overnight, my majka and deda became refugees in a new world. Deda soon found work as a farm labourer, and Majka lived with a family as their housemaid. They got married in November 1957 – first in a ...

The National-led government gave Auckland Council permission to scrap Plan Change 78, but only if it wrote a new plan that provided for the same number of houses – enough for at least the next 30 ...

Here are all the reasons the simple beach sandwich is the perfect summer bite, with additional commentary from The Spinoff’s haters and enthusiasts.

The current, 54th parliament turns into a pumpkin on November 9, if not dissolved before. The last legal date for an election in 2026 is Saturday, December 19.

Peters has jealously protected his role as foreign minister. He doesn’t like anyone stepping on his turf. He gave David Seymour a public telling off for “talking out of his field” on Palestine, and ...

Back at the beach, semi-retired Robert Maas, a member of Protect Whangaparāoa Rockpools and self-proclaimed “coastie”, drives down the boat ramp in his old white ute. He’s wearing a white surf singlet ...

It’s finally here. We’ve had the warm-up year, the practice run year, and now it’s the year of the slow-motion sprint to a finish line with a prize you might not even want. The general election is ...