The Young New Zealander of the Year finalists on their favourite New Zealanders
On Thursday night Georgia Hale became 2020’s Young New Zealander of the Year – a title awarded to an impressive young leader between 15 and 30…
How to stop being afraid of the word 'fat'
Ema Tavola first learnt about BMI when she was at school. “We went around the class. Everyone got weighed, and then we looked at everyone on…
People living with HIV tell us how we can stop the stigma
Modern HIV medication keeps New Zealanders alive and untransmittable. Nowadays, the stigma is harder to live with than the virus itself. Re: spoke with three HIV+…
Illustrations of what I think about on Waitangi Day
This Waitangi Day, we asked illustrators from across Aotearoa to draw what they think about on February 6th. Their images speak of resilience, courage, tenacity and…
Backstage on a giddy night at the Pride Gala
We handed Freya Finch, the director of OurGala, and Hugo Grrrl, drag king and effervescent MC of the night, a disposable camera each to take photos…
A queer beauty pageant that’s moving away from just looking good
We spoke to one of the finalists of Mr Gay New Zealand, Shaneel Lal, about how appearances are judged in the gay community, his advocacy and…
We can’t keep treating indigenous knowledge as a backup plan
Australia is on fire and the seas that surround Aotearoa are rising. Why are we waiting for a climate crisis to listen to indigenous knowledge?
Despite only…
Ihumātao: I know a world like this can exist and I’ve experienced it now
A few days after an eviction notice was served at Ihumātao in July last year, photographer Nicole Hunt (Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Arawa) arrived at the whenua.…
The Solomon Islands skateboarding scene
Solomon Islands is a country made up of six main islands and over 900 smaller islands strung between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, with a population…
It’s now legal for New Zealand companies to produce medicinal cannabis
New regulations passed yesterday define how New Zealand companies can grow, manufacture and sell medicinal cannabis. We spoke to three advocates of medicinal cannabis about their…
Auckland’s Long Lost Slice of Gaming Paradise
Three years ago Auckland’s best arcade shut down. Will Slingsby reminisces on Yifans, the best place to play games in Tāmaki Makaurau.
I’ll never forget the first…
Illustrations of decolonisation
As part of our series Rediscovering Aotearoa, we asked illustrator Virginia Ngaio to visualise some of the statistics and quotes we featured. They speak of love,…
The West Auckland Bail House Trying to Keep Māori Out of Jail
The number of prisoners waiting for case outcomes is at an all-time high. Like the wider muster population, Māori account for at least half. A West…
One Couple, Two Cultures: In Photos
It might seem strange in 2019 to write an article about cross-cultural relationships. But even today, many of us still partner up within our own culture.
In…
Opinion: Bridges beats up on his own
There’s a slim chance Simon Bridges could become New Zealand’s first prime minister who has Māori heritage. He’s trying to increase those chances by shitting on…
“Righteous and Confident”: Being 18 in New Zealand Today
Classic coming-of-age tales used to include some combination of driving, sex, first loves, alcohol and arguing with your parents. But what would the story motifs be…
Will New Zealand’s State Care System Ever be Decolonised?
The state’s child care and protection system is steeped in colonial principles. It has harmed and disenfranchised thousands of Māori. Is change and decolonisation even possible…
Fighting the inequity of our racist health system
In October 2018, the Waitangi Tribunal began the Wai 2575 inquiry into health services and outcomes for Māori.
The resultant report is a stark and disturbing reminder…
‘What we are is enough’: the fight to ban conversion therapy in NZ
Sexual diversity and gender fluidity are nothing new in Aotearoa, they’ve always been around.
New Zealand is currently debating whether or not gay conversion therapy should be…
Crafting a cartoon: Tales of Nai Nai
The new animated show Tales of Nai Nai needed over 400 mouth shapes to be digitally drawn, and most of them appear on their characters face…
Restoring the Imbalance of Māori Perspectives in Aotearoa’s History
Arini Loader drops an armful of books on the table in front of us with a thud. Their spines are coloured in deep blacks and rich…
The power of finding your voice
On a Saturday night in September, dozens of teenagers took to the stage of the Auckland Town Hall. They were there to perform at the grand…
Inside Te Urewera: The overdue pardon of Rua Kēnana
Atamira Tumarae-Nuku, 30, stands looking out over the valley at Maungapōhatu. One hundred years ago this was a thriving village home to over 1000 people, but…
What I know about the business of stripping
Top earners in the world of stripping know the art of the hustle. They understand that for men to feel comfortable spending money on them, they…
Let's talk period sex
Ava*, 26, and Ryan*, 27, have been together for two years. There’s something Ava wants to try in the bedroom - she thinks it could be…
Pasifika voices at the climate strike
In 2012, Tokelau became the first country in the world to switch to 100% renewable energy.
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, we’re extending the lives of our coal…
James Roque is using comedy to heal scars of colonisation
If you’ve ever been caught short you may have popped into the local dairy to grab a few essentials – toothbrush, toothpaste, maybe a bit of…
Our favourite climate strike signs
On Friday 27 September, people young and old throughout Aotearoa striked for climate justice, with numbers in Auckland reaching a reported 80,000.
Here's a collection of our…
Tuvalu as Tuvaluans want you to see it
From above, Fongafale—Tuvalu’s largest island—snakes across the Pacific, a surprise sight in a great expanse of blue. It measures 12km long and at its narrowest point…
Ihumātao feels like how I wish Auckland felt
Sixty-two days ago, Fletchers moved in on Ihumātao, police at their side. Behind them, their diggers and bulldozers waited, ready to claw up earth to make…
