Don Rowe

Contributing writer

Don Rowe (Ngāi Tahu) is a former staff writer at The Spinoff. He was the 2015 Canon Media Awards student journalist of the year and the 2017 junior long form feature writer of the year.

Image: Tina Tiller

Inside the secretive world of weird flavoured chips

What Big Chip doesn't want you to know.

By Don Rowe | 8th November, 2020

Contributing writer

(Image: ASHLEIGH WALKER/ ALICE WEBB-LIDDALL)

How indigenous leadership offers a new way of looking at a changed world

Don Rowe meets the post-graduate students putting tikanga and kaupapa Māori at the centre of learning how to lead.

By Don Rowe | 21st October, 2020

Contributing writer

Israel Adesanya at the Halberg Awards on February 13, 2020 where he was named Sportsman of the Year. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

Fighting in the age of Covid, Israel Adesanya represents a new New Zealand

Israel Adesanya has fought his way to the top of his sport, and into the hearts and minds of New Zealanders – whether they want him there or not. What’s at stake when he fights this weekend in Abu Dhabi?

By Don Rowe | 27th September, 2020

Contributing writer

Photo: Sylvie Whinray.

Ambergris, the whale poo worth more than your car

Dragon tears, meteorites, or just plain shit – ambergris is an olfactory miracle of the deep. Sought after for thousands of years, and worth upwards of $10,000/kg today, ambergris washes up on our beaches all year long.

By Don Rowe | 29th December, 2019

Contributing writer

General strike for climate: everything you need to know

General strike for climate: everything you need to know

The School Strike 4 Climate has been widened to a general nationwide strike. Thousands of New Zealanders are expected to skip work and classes tomorrow. What’s going on, and where?

By Don Rowe | 27th September, 2019

Contributing writer

The Spinoff Reviews New Zealand #98: Fergburger

The Spinoff Reviews New Zealand #98: Fergburger

We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today, Don Rowe eats a Fergburger.

By Don Rowe | 26th September, 2019

Contributing writer

(Getty Images)

Corrections apologises after epileptic inmate left in faeces overnight

An investigation has been launched after an epileptic inmate was left in a soiled cell following a seizure over the weekend.

By Don Rowe | 25th September, 2019

Contributing writer

Race briefing: Queenstown, jewel of New Zealand Incorporated

Race briefing: Queenstown, jewel of New Zealand Incorporated

In our latest local elections 2019 race briefing (read the rest here), Don Rowe looks at the two horse race to control the tourism capital of New Zealand.

By Don Rowe | 23rd September, 2019

Contributing writer

AN ARTIST’S IMPRESSION OF JIM BOULT

Queenstown’s benevolent dictator prepares for battle

Freedom camping, public transport and affordable housing are challenges Queenstown's Mayor Jim Boult says he’s uniquely poised to solve – if only people would do what they’re told.

By Don Rowe | 20th September, 2019

Contributing writer

Flags fly on the maunga at Ihumātao. Photo: Don Rowe.

Cheat Sheet: New Zealand history to be compulsory in schools

Finally, New Zealand history will become a compulsory school subject. So what's so good about that?

By Don Rowe | 12th September, 2019

Contributing writer