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

Space invaders • A scattergun approach is helping introduced weeds to overwhelm native species, writes MR Blackley. A grassroots approach is called for.

Changing tribes

“Quote Marks”

10 Quick Questions

Bright Lines

Mind the gaffe • A poor poll for National may reflect the government’s failure to hit most of its economic targets.

Bringing the social back to media

Beggars and choosers

Recognising reality

Garynomics on the Shore

Take a breath • Much of the accepted wisdom on breathing techniques is wrong, says a stressed-out-lawyer-turned-‘breath-instructor’ who says we need to listen as we inhale and exhale.

A safe state • In this extract from her book, Brooke Elliston outlines the yoga techniques she used to help a hyperactive client gain relief from her racing thoughts.

Not safe in care • It was only by chance the physical abuse of dementia patient Jan Foreman was captured on video, say her family, who have waived a payout to warn others.

Theft Within Whānau • Uncovering family members’ financial abuse of his sister left a former detective with ‘one of the most difficult decisions to make’.

On the lumpy highway • Concluding his series, Steve Braunias visits some of the more diminutive of Auckland’s remaining volcanic cones and finds not all are accessible.

Criminal intent • Australian author Helen Garner is an acute observer of awful things, with a fierce reputation. Turns out, she is her own fiercest critic.

The pick of the fest • Books editor Mark Broatch nominates eight highlights of the just-announced 2026 Auckland Writers Festival line-up.

What goes up • A thoroughly researched, deeply fascinating history of the rise and fall of nations.

Man and angels • A wryly funny and humane Tennyson biography beautifully evokes the charismatic poet, and the age he lived in.

Pieces of eight • Splintered story explores the longlasting effects of an affair on two families.

A vine romance • Light-bodied, flavoursome novel with just enough zest to keep you drinking it in.

Go with the territory • Before she takes on The Traitors NZ, Madeleine Sami returns as one of Darwin's more original species in cop comedy Deadloch.

Bow before the king • Guest reviewer Shayne Carter contemplates the new Elvis Presley in-concert movie assembled from his Vegas years.

Till death do us part • Outstanding leads lift American Gothic riff on Mary Shelley.

Bill and Will’s testaments • Alt-country amigos deliver stirring and reflective new solo sets.

Fly my pretty

Without prejudice • The much-put-upon Mary Bennet gets her own story, with help from a Kiwi screenwriter.

What say the cast of The Other Bennet Sister?

Tv Picks of the week

Tv Films

Sunday/Rātapu March 22

The lights fantastic • Benjamin Britten’s ‘shimmering’ Illuminations comes to Christchurch.

Beating the boss • A New Zealand researcher aims to revolutionise motor neurone disease therapies by switching off “bossy” molecules.

Healthy & heavenly • UK nutritionist Erica Rodriguez celebrates her love of wholefood cooking.

What is wine quality?

Get a life • Slavish devotion to work is unhealthy, but will lowering your effort and goals actually help?

Tracking te reo • An academic has developed a model to assess uptake of the Māori language.

Forward Thinker

Lost letter mysteries