Our popular columns, podcasts, pop culture takes and politics are hitting the road. The Spinoff LIVE is a ten event series across Auckland and Wellington, featuring live chats between our writers and special guests.
We’re kicking off in July with a special Gone By Lunchtime, on the 40 year anniversary of the famous snap election, Toby Manhire will chat to special guests in Wellington about the highs, lows and legacy of the 1984 election.
Throughout the series Madeleine Chapman, Duncan Greive, Anna Rawhiti-Connell, Alex Casey, Hera Lindsay Bird and more will take to the stage to have the crack-up and consequential conversations that people expect from Aotearoa’s most innovative independent media organisation.
Upcoming events – Wellington
Gone By Lunchtime LIVE
4pm, Sunday 14 July
Hannah Playhouse
NZ’s favourite political podcast makes its Wellington debut. Host Toby Manhire will be joined by Annabelle Lee-Mather (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Māmoe) and Ben Thomas (former press secretary in the Key government), marking the 40th anniversary of the 1984 snap election and the launch of our new 6-part podcast Juggernaut.
Help Me Hera LIVE
4pm, Sunday 8 September
Hannah Playhouse
After a year of writing The Spinoff’s advice column, Hera has a question: Has it helped? Did the anonymous writers appreciate her wise counsel? What happened next?
Join Hera Lindsay Bird and The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman as they follow up on some of the memorable advice given over the past year, checking in with the recipients and revealing their findings. This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast Behind the Story.
The Year in review, Wellington Edition
7pm, Wednesday 20 November
Hannah Playhouse
Senior writer at The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell will take a running jump backwards into year’s biggest headlines, political dramas, and some of the best Spinoff yarns. Anna will be joined onstage by Wellington editor Joel MacManus, special guests, and Christmas cheer.
The Fold LIVE
February 2025
Hannah Playhouse
Duncan Greive, The Spinoff founder and host of New Zealand’s biggest (maybe only?) media podcast, The Fold, pulls together some of our smartest media minds for a very special live episode. Join Duncan and special guests having candid and challenging conversations about the culture and business of media in Aotearoa.
Part of the NZ Fringe Festival.
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Letters to The Spinoff LIVE
March 2025
Hannah Playhouse
We are in the business of letters. Our inbox explodes with pitches and tips, our writers tackle a wide range of topics, and our facebook comments are, at times, comprehensible. Hosted by books editor Claire Mabey, join us and special guests as we dive into the ocean of correspondence and present for you live readings of the fun, funny, thoughtful and bizarre.
Upcoming events – Auckland
Help Me Hera LIVE
7.30pm,Thursday 29 August
Q Theatre
After a year of writing The Spinoff’s advice column, Hera has a question: Has it helped? Did the anonymous writers appreciate her wise counsel? What happened next?
Join Hera Lindsay Bird and The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman as they follow up on some of the memorable advice given over the past year, checking in with the recipients and revealing their findings. This will be a live recording of The Spinoff podcast Behind the Story.
Top 100 NZ Shows
7pm, Thursday 31 October
Q Theatre
What is the best show in the history of NZ television? The Spinoff wants to find out. Join Alex Casey and special guests as they present their case on what is the best of the best.
Special guests to be announced…
The Year in review 2024
7pm, Wednesday 11 December
Q Theatre
Senior writer at The Spinoff Anna Rawhiti-Connell will take a running jump backwards into year’s biggest headlines, political dramas, and Spinoff yarns. Anna will be joined onstage by special guests, rose-tinted glasses and Christmas cheer.
The Fold LIVE
February 2025
Q Theatre
Duncan Greive, The Spinoff founder and host of New Zealand’s biggest (maybe only?) media podcast, The Fold, pulls together some of our smartest media minds for a very special live episode. Join Duncan and special guests having candid and challenging conversations about the culture and business of media in Aotearoa.
Gone By Lunchtime LIVE
March 2025
Q Theatre
Join NZ’s favourite political podcast live in Auckland. Host Toby Manhire will be joined by Annabelle Lee-Mather (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Māmoe) and Ben Thomas (former press secretary in the Key government), as they boldly step out of the studio and in front of an audience to cast a curious and caustic eye on New Zealand politics.
