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

Get your houses in order • There is a classier, and cheaper, alternative to the soulless grey boxes that are springing up in answer to our housing shortage, says William Samuels.

Dodging blame

Bright Lines

Quips & Quotes

10 Quick Questions

Taking on the oligarchy • National is embarking on the Quixotic task of forcing ministries to see their charges as people rather than case files.

Hollow chest thump

Power ballads

Few are chosen

When ‘shut up’ isn’t right

Just the job • The gap between education and work has never been wider so it’s important that educators, graduates and employers change their mindsets.

Access all areas • On the eve of the Paris Paralympics, para athletes in this country say more needs to be done to make sport accessible for all.

A genius in the frame • 100 years after Janet Frame’s birth, her literary legacy is putting the past focus on her personal demons in the shade.

The jump of a thing • As the UK acknowledges Frame with a new edition of her third novel, expat Kiwi author Kirsty Gunn reflects on the writer’s influence.

Journey’s end • After walking 800km and enjoying the company of many strangers along the way, Paul Catmur is thankful to make it to the end of the Camino de Santiago.

The rhythms of life • Life transforms the very environment that shapes it, for better or worse, argues philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith in the final part of his trilogy.

Romcom for our times • Australian YA author’s foray into romance for grown-ups is a satisfying, humorous read.

Flipping the Bard • Jodi Picoult fans will devour her latest feisty, feminist doorstopper that pulses with passion across the centuries.

Playing mind games • Tina Shaw’s latest novel deftly tackles the disorder that has become a 21st-century nemesis.

Reigns of terror • Two gripping reads from established writers cement their rightful place in the thriller genre.

Slings and arrows • Fintan O’Toole struggles to offer new insights into Shakespeare’s tragedies.

A key figure • Pioneering jazz artist Mike Nock’s career stretches from the early days of Kiwi rock’n’roll to a career in the US and Australia. Now, he is being inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame. He talks to Graham Reid.

Woman alone • Spanish-born, London-trained actor Beatriz Romilly is relishing the challenge of a tough solo play on the Auckland stage.

The life of Brian • Finally, a movie about the man who took The Beatles to the world.

Revenge is gory

Desert power • Troy Kingi’s annual output, plus an overdone Pumpkins’ album.

TV Picks of the week

Tv Films

Saturday August 31

Sunday September 1

Monday September 2

Tuesday September 3

Wednesday September 4

Thursday September 5

Friday September 6

The King’s singer • One of the UK’s leading baritones makes his NZ debut in September.

A bitter end • Even barely visible green tinges on raw potatoes can mean the cooked results are almost inedible.

Quick smart • Auckland food writer Polly Markus loves fresh, bold flavours and clever, easy takes on old favourites.

Red hot in the Bay

Stick to your knitting • If it’s good enough for an Olympian, it’s good enough for mere mortals trying to cope with stress.

A run for your money • Google’s stranglehold on internet search engines may finally be coming to an end.

Big Norm

A miracle of spring