Ahiahi mārie, welcome to The Spinoff Daily. Today on The Spinoff: What Act’s Nicole McKee misunderstands about te Tiriti o Waitangi, the difference between a crash at 80km/h and 100km/h and the Whanganui gamer who’s teaching people about the Bible on Twitch. But first: People often claim they just want Waitangi Day to be a celebration. At Waitangi, away from the headlined political acrimony and the marae ātea, celebrating is what most people are doing, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell.
“As a Pākehā, I told my husband that I felt like I was riding along as a passenger on his journey when we first went to Waitangi three years ago. He has gently chided me many times for that, saying it’s for everyone. While I no longer feel like I need my Māori husband’s swipe card to be there, our marriage is tested and strengthened each time we go. We slip in and out of habits and behaviour spotlighted by being on holiday together and observe change in each other in an environment where identity is loudly and boldly celebrated. We occasionally fight about things, both big and small. Sometimes, I walk far ahead of him, tension dividing us. We both get irritated at each other for not being where we said we’d be. Mostly, we eat, drink, laugh, swim and compete on daily step counts as we trek back and forth between Paihia and the Upper Treaty Grounds at Waitangi. We leave renewed and fulfilled.”
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Windbag: What Act’s Nicole McKee misunderstands about te Tiriti o Waitangi Henry Cooke: Are we back in the early 1990s? A retired anaesthetist on the difference between a crash at 80km/h and 100km/h Gone By Lunchtime: Winston wants a word with Mr Brown
This week on Gone By Lunchtime: A diplomatic scuffle with the Cook Islands. Plus: What went down at Waitangi. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Meet the Whanganui gamer who’s teaching people about the Bible on Twitch Review: Mammals is the best reality show on Earth Five things you need to know before Shortland Street returns New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week
Join us at Bryn & Ku's Singles Club PartyOn the day before Valentine’s, join Brynley Stent and Kura Forrester for a viewing party to celebrate the launch of their new series, Bryn & Ku's Singles Club, on The Spinoff. Bryn & Ku will be live on stage at Q Theatre on February 13, with Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman, to talk about discovering new ways of living and loving and maybe even finding The One. Open to anyone who has ever been single.
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The celebration you’re looking for is just around the bend
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