New Zealand Listener

New Zealand Listener is the country’s most respected general interest magazine, bringing you a wide variety of news, stories, columns, reviews, plus TV listings, every week.

New Zealand Listener

Ask a librarian • Government services are increasingly online and automated. Erin Maessen asks, what happens to people who don’t know how to access them?

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Tax me more

THE POLITICAL CARTOON

“Quote Marks”

10 Quick Questions

Bright Lines • Creative words competition

Cherry-picking the numbers • The major parties are finally waking up to the reality of failed policies, as voters desert them in droves.

Into the abyss

Stars in our eyes

Ghost roads

Professional overreach

Keeping up appearances

So long, Sam • A look back at the career of Sir Sam Neill, the versatile screen actor, winemaker, environmental activist and Southern Man who has died aged 78.

IN HIS OWN WORDS

A slippery slope • Landslide fatalities and damage claims are surging with climate change, yet we’re still building homes in unsuitable areas. The race is on to usher in consistent national policies.

A friend in Ōrewa • STEVE BRAUNIAS concludes his report on his encounters with a cult figure convicted of causing the death of a follower and dumping her body in Gulf Harbour.

Party animals • Chris Finlayson and Phil Goff were once fierce political rivals. Now, they’re touring together. DIONNE CHRISTIAN asks, ‘What happened?’

Hornets’ nest • Propulsive debut explores the tightrope walked by Kiwi soldiers in war-torn Trieste at the end of WWII.

Short cuts • BY MARK BROATCH

SOPHIE, STANDING THERE

Sophie’s choices • Kiwi Meg Mason’s follow-up to the acclaimed Sorrow and Bliss is a bittersweet triumph.

TOP 10 NON-FICTION

Digging up secrets • Ghosts haunt two new debut antipodean thrillers.

TO RULE A RULER: Better to be feared than to be forgotten

Behind the throne • Murder, intrigue and power grabs propel terrific historical sequel from Kiwi author.

Pompeian house

TOP 5 FICTION

Bollywood dreaming • Five emerging NZ film-makers were given the chance to explore Mumbai’s booming movie industry, and the Listener joined the crew.

THE FILM-MAKERS

Gin’s tonic • Hospitality stalwart and mother of two tries her hand at music.

Glasgow for it • Your viewing guide to Kiwis competing at the Commonwealth Games.

Moneybags • UK broadcaster revives its record-breaking hit 40 years on. BY RUSSELL BROWN

Does my liver look fat in this? • Fatty liver disease is reaching epidemic levels and greater focus is needed on lifestyle changes to avoid it.

Green with envy • Melbourne-Kiwi Jessica Prescott takes low-cost, everyday vege to another level.

A spoonful of sugar • An Australian brand known for its sweeter drops & lower alcohol has a firm foothold here.

Mob rule • Your environment can have a marked effect on your behaviour, especially on a population-wide basis.

Beating the burps • New players have entered the high-risk, high-reward race to produce a methane vaccine.

THE GREEN GOLIATH

Call of the wild