To show or no? A short history of prime ministers at Waitangi in election year
Luxon will be there tomorrow, but how often have his predecessors taken part? The political centrepiece of the…
Did Māori cede sovereignty? The historical answer is clearer than politics allows
The treaty debate has become a battlefield of ideology. The historical record tells a more disciplined – and…
How an old Māori song became the anthem of the Pacific
Alongside a plume of cannabis smoke and 50 shades of red, gold and green, there is almost always…
Both coloniser and colonised: reckoning with my family history
A cemetery search, a toddler, and a family tree that is far from simple. There we are, trodding…
Your digital identity is not under New Zealand jurisdiction
The government stores our most important data on US-owned cloud infrastructure, making it subject to US laws. Software…
My ancestors were colonisers | The Spinoff
A stunning essay from Max Rashbrooke examining his ancestors’ role in the shaping of Aotearoa, and what that…
The Spinoff guide to life: How to return home like a pro this summer
City slickers can antagonise whānau when they head home for the break – often without any idea they’re…
The hunt for the ancient pounamu slab lost in an Auckland cave
Nearly three centuries ago, a massive greenstone gong belonging to a powerful chief was hidden near Maungawhau. Where…
After the treaty settlements: Kotahitanga Fund signals new phase
It’s been three decades since the first treaty settlements were signed. Now, settled entities are turning their focus…
Kirihimete gift guide 2025: Cool stuff from Māori and Pasifika-led brands
Your annual roundup of beautiful, sparkly, delicious and silly things from Māori and Pasifika-led brands. Stuck on Christmas…
Redacting the Crown’s lies: Why I defaced an exhibition in our national museum
In September, Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn was convicted of graffiti vandalism and ordered to pay Te Papa $1,500 in reparations…
Eru Kapa-Kingi: The first declaration of Māori sovereignty and why it still matters
Signed 190 years ago today, He Whakaputanga still defines the Māori struggle for mana and self-determination. The very…