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.

Knowledge and actions • Public health experts are as likely to eat fish and chips on the beach or drink a beer as anyone else, says Jason Gurney.

Our polite decline

“Quote Marks”

Bright Lines • Creative words competition

Cruel waters • The apparent rift within National’s ranks goes far deeper than a prime minister’s popularity rating.

Returning to battle

Best laid plans

Unlawful? Oh, well …

Building hope

Rating yourself

A hard act to follow • As Split Enz embark on what might be their final reunion tour, the members ponder the band’s past and its place in NZ culture.

Beginning of the Enz • Simon Grigg on how Split Enz became a live phenomenon in their early Auckland days.

Home birth • Louise Chunn on the other siblings who were part of Split Enz – and her family – history.

Skin in the game • Booker Prize winner David Szalay, here for the Auckland Writers Festival, talks about the male experience and writing awkward sex scenes.

Who’s the boss? • A leading political economist believes blindly following the rules leads to inefficiency, less accountability and blunted democracy.

Earthly magic • The transformation of an old tip into the internationally acclaimed Hamilton Gardens is now the subject of a film – despite a star who prefers to remain in the shade.

Baby love • Kiwi author’s latest novel explores the lengths a husband will go to fulfil his wife’s dying wish.

BESTSELLERS

Broken agreement • Beautifully told time-straddling tale of colonialism, displacement and the power of community.

Handing it down • Whirlwind of a novel explores the many things we inherit from our parents.

Not as they seem • Engrossing new mystery novels ranging from small-town Australia to late-30s Paris.

BESTSELLERS

Book of life • A clever three-hander where one of the central characters is a sentient novel.

My boyfriend the ATM • Fable-like story muses on what’s truly valuable in life, when a strapped Parisian couple discover an easy route to cash.

Funny you should say that • As the NZ International Comedy Festival begins, we asked some of our top comics how they got their start and where it’s taken them.

You’re back again • The Crocodiles and Fables make belated returns.

Thrill? Er... • Michael Jackson biopic lacks groove, and stops short of his legal troubles.

Out of the shadows • Jazz Thornton fronts a documentary series in which she and other women share their stories of terrifying harassment.

The wild years • Beloved documentary-maker Sir David Attenborough is celebrated on his 100th birthday.

In contrary motion • NZTrio tours work by a composer who wrote music for the King’s coronation.

Not too young • Early-onset bowel cancer is rising alarmingly in NZ. Though early detection usually means successful treatment, young people raising concerns may not be listened to.

Pick & mix • Australian nutritionists Julia Tellidis and Lauren Skora get the school term off to a healthy start.

Grey eminence • Popular in NZ since the beginning of last century, pinot gris remains an easy-drinking favourite.

Hey, good lookin’ • Which of all the academic disciplines is most physically attractive?

Softening the landing • Modelling may have advanced since 1972 but the outlook for humanity is still as bleak unless we limit growth.

A GORILLA IN HIS MIDST • SCENE: The Rwandan highlands, 1978.

Copycats