Immersed in reo

Hona Black's first book tackled metaphors; his second tackles humour. At the heart of both is tīkanga.

A bit on the nose

It's hard to decide what's worse: when companies openly treat people like idiots, or when they do it by stealth.

A story in notes

For five years, I have been collecting medical anecdotes. They exist in a file of short stories, anonymised, and with invented names.

A tale of two stars

Almost 16 years ago, I wrote a review of a memoir written by the English comedian and sometimes film star Russell Brand. The book was scandalous, libidinous and often very funny. Brand discussed his heroin addiction, his sex addiction and his crazed pursuit of fame.

Lift up their voice

West of Alice Springs, where gentle sandhills meet an ancient stone range, a frail cluster of corrugated iron shelters and rickety houses cling to the wild desert.

Just Acting up

While pre-election performances career from farcical to fatiguing, hapless voters are left counting the days until October 14.

Places, please

As the election campaign kicks up a gear, politicians start behaving as if they've won lead roles in a local amateur dramatics show.

Water, water everywhere

Undersea freshwater sources could help to counter the impacts of climate change.

Normal people

The hallmarks of a serial killer may be there but you have to know what you're looking for.

HEART TO HEART

A simple pulse wave test could be a lifechanger for a group of people unknowingly on a path to cardiac disease.

Music in the beautiful nowhere

The AWE chamber music festival takes place in some of Aotearoa's most stunning scenery.

It's very debatable

What the channels are doing in the first week of election programmes.

Southerly change

Celebrating Celebrity Treasure Island's bold new direction.

Faking his own life

\"Succession\" star does a Reginald Perrin in true scandal drama.

Finding true south

Nina Simone's enduring live power and the Blind Boys of Alabama bid farewell.

The WOW factory

As the World of WearableArt gears up for its annual extravaganza in Wellington, DIONNE CHRISTIAN asks the garment wranglers, riggers, models and designers about putting it all together.

Monuments to patience

The late Francis Pound's homage to one of our greatest painters is a magnificent mystery story told by a master.

Breaking the ice

Kiwi scientists are behind a digital great leap forward in interpreting Antarctica and what it can tell us about climate change.

The power of connection

Oprah, the psychiatrist and the Hokianga marae visit that revolutionised thinking about how we should nurture our young.

Triumph of te reo

The adoption of Māori words into English is an affirmation of a voice that will not be silenced, writes Marty Pilott.

Anthems that heal

Since her transformative waiata at the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Hinewehi Mohi has used music to bring us together.

They are all our children

Funnelling children into the criminal justice system is surely populist and shortsighted.

Clowning around

The circus serves candidates by distracting voters from asking questions.

Of sticks and stones

They could send van de Molen to loom over Hipkins like Donald Trump did in that stomach-churning 2016 presidential debate with Hillary Clinton.

Bump and ride

It's just what airlines are allowed to do to travellers: take their money and then muck them around at will.

The Beths go fourth

Barack Obama's fave NZ band gets yet another Silver Scroll nomination.

In need of a hug

More laidback heartache from Summer Thieves and Violet Hirst’s emotional debut.

Kinfolk epiphany

Playing in their ancestral home of Aberdeen led to a new musical direction for sister act Purple Pilgrims and a new name.

RADICAL RETHINK

A new film about Māori academic, activist writer and long-time Listener columnist Ranginui Walker shines a light on the long shadow he cast over Aotearoa - and his family.

How to mum

Mother of three Lucy Jones examines the myths and preconceptions surrounding childbirth and parenthood.