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.

Masthead

Under Paparoa with my dad • As the government seeks to roll back workplace safety laws, the lessons of Pike River are being ignored, says Jeffrey Paparoa Holman.

Letters

Quips & Quotes

10 Quick Questions

Honourable members, take a bow • The late Tariana Turia set a high bar, so who deserves the top gongs in the Listener’s 2025 political prowess awards?

The kids are alright

The broken man

Mercy not strain’d

The more things change

That thinking feeling • Far from being emotionally driven, gut feelings can help us to make the best decisions, says a US expert on entrepreneurialism.

Thinking and feeling • In this edited extract, Laura Huang explains how watching investors shaped her ideas about the role of gut feelings.

Lives in a holding pattern • Syrian refugees who fled civil war are increasingly unwelcome in the countries that took them in. But they face going home to renewed violence and a devastated economy.

Diamonds in the rough • In a year in which our usual sources of sporting pride stumbled, some unlikely heroes sparkled.

Inspect a gadget

Something in the air • Polymath author and adventurer Simon Winchester on his ‘grasshopper mind’ and current fascination – the wind.

Heavyweight division

Art & nature

Piece train • Very readable collection of novellas unified by seasoned writer’s keen observations.

The sound of 2025 • In a year of great musical diversity and strong entries from local artists, GRAHAM REID picks out 10 essential albums, along with tips to expand your playlist.

Ancient & modern

Hum dinger • The year’s NZ music books have a high-volume encore.

Heavenly hubbies • Til death do we part gets a clever rethink in afterlife romcom.

As bad as it gets • Veteran filmmaker wide of the mark in dated political comedy drama.

Less sharp but still cutting • Former Prince Charles and ex-007 play detective duo.

Christmas Television Picks

TV Films

Saturday/Rāhoroi December 20

Sunday/Rātapu December 21

Monday/Rāhina December 22

Tuesday/Rātū December 23

Wednesday/Rāapa December 24

Thursday/Rāpare December 25

Friday/Rāmere December 26

Radio

You should have been there • It was a year of wonderful performances but fewer wonderful concerts.

Shelling out • Eggshells are a great source of calcium, but think again if you’re contemplating adding them to your diet.

Thai up • Rocker Jimmy Barnes and wife Jane deliver seasonal recipes with an accent on Southeast Asia.

To absent friends • A search of Listener issues from ages past reveals the lack of classy wines was long lamented.

Flake news • Yes, those denigrated as ‘snowflakes’ do tend to be more liberal and likely to see injustice in the world.

Slap the slop this summer • 2025 was the year AI slop oozed into every corner of the internet. I’m taking the summer to go cold turkey.

Build It & They Will Come

An aspirational Christmas