Nigel Farage faces a stern challenge in a Clacton byelection from an alien space warrior with a bin on his head and a manifesto packed with nonsense. New Zealand has its own history of joke political parties (most famously the McGillicuddy Serious Party) but the satirical larder looks bare today. Ben Uffindell, who led the Civilian Party to admirable failure in 2014, joins Toby to talk about the role of silly and satirical parties in democracy, where he went wrong, where he went right, and whether a return is on the cards in 2026.
Plus: In praise of cinema splendour at the Civic at film festival time in Auckland.
At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler, Jin Fellet and The Spinoff. Read more at ⁠thespinoff.co.nz⁠.

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At the last election, you could enrol on election day. This time the deadline is 13 days before. University of Otago professor Andrew Geddis joins Toby to talk through the changes, who is most affected, and whether the justifications stack up.
Plus: In How Good, medals at the Commonwealth Games are good, but a mascot with a cone on its bonce is better, says Madeleine Chapman.
At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler, Jin Fellet and The Spinoff. Read more at ⁠thespinoff.co.nz⁠.

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Some say the case for moving to Australia is dimming – Shamubeel Eaqub works through the data with Toby Manhire to assess the arguments for and against.

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The Māori electorates are always fascinating, but this time there’s an extra edge-of-the-seat quality. Lara Greaves, associate professor at Victoria University of Wellington, joins Toby to talk through the parties competing, the overhang potential, and why voters choose one roll ahead of the other.

Plus: In How Good, Hayden Donnell is besotted by Maurice Williamson’s luscious beard.
At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler, Jin Fellet and The Spinoff. Read more at ⁠thespinoff.co.nz⁠.

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As Christopher Luxon declares he’ll “die trying” to get something done in banning social media for New Zealand children under 16, it’s a good time to ask: how is the pioneering Australian prohibition going? Hal Crawford, editorial director at Mumbrella and former boss of Newshub NZ, joins Toby to explain, seven months in, what is working, what isn’t, and what he’d say to the NZ PM if he was called into the Beehive.

Plus: in How Good, Robbie Nicol goes on a journey. To the Imax. To watch Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.

At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler, Jin Fellet and The Spinoff. Read more at ⁠thespinoff.co.nz⁠.

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Since 1990 the Reserve Bank has been tasked with taming inflation independently from the government of the day. But is the tool it uses today, the official cash rate, with its focus on hitting an inflation rate of 1%-3%, causing more pain that it’s alleviating? Bernard Hickey joins Toby to make the case.

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A giant of the pictures, paddocks and protests, Sam Neill has died at 78. A glittering cast share their memories of an extraordinary New Zealander. Tributes from Robyn Malcolm, Oscar Kightley, Gaylene Preston, Ian Taylor, Kate Rodger, Rachel House, Lucy Lawless, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Gregory O’Brien, Peter Mullan and Paul Goldsmith.
Many thanks to all who contributed.

At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler, Jin Fellet and The Spinoff. Read more at ⁠thespinoff.co.nz⁠.

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Blockades in the Strait of Hormuz have laid bare our reliance on global energy supply. Climate change keeps bursting river banks. And Young New Zealanders are drifting away. Does anyone have a big vision to take all this on? Pattrick Smellie does and he’s urging our politicians to jump on board. The BusinessDesk founder and columnist talks to Toby.
Plus: In How Good, Alex Casey joins Kristen Stewart in raving about Big Girls Don’t Cry, the new film from Paloma Schneideman that opens this year’s NZ International Film Festival.
At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler, Jin Fellet and The Spinoff. Read more at ⁠thespinoff.co.nz⁠.

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From the press gallery to spin doctor for Helen Clark and chief of staff to Jacinda Ardern, Mike Munro has seen plenty of the kaleidoscope in New Zealand politics and media. He joins Toby to talk about those roles and how it all has changed through the decades.
Plus: In How Good, Liam Rātana on Matariki with a bonus beat from Te Aihe on Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club, season two.
At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler, Jin Fellet and The Spinoff. Read more at ⁠thespinoff.co.nz⁠.

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When the People’s Liberation Army launched a nuclear-capable long-range missile into the Pacific Ocean, it was testing its capability, but it was also flexing its muscles. Anna Fifield joins Toby to explain who was the message for, and what it means for New Zealand.

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