Duncan Greive

Auckland

Founder and Publisher at The Spinoff

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Articles

What was Chris Bishop thinking? An earnest attempt to figure it out

3 weeks ago | thespinoff.co.nz | Duncan Greive

It’s an objectively crazy way to behave. But I kind of get it, writes Duncan Greive. This time last week, Chris Bishop was having an awesome day. A massive NZ music fan, heading to the big awards show – a great night ahead of him. I saw him there, standing alongside his colleague Paul Goldsmith, next to the bar during the intermission. Bishop looked like he was having an excellent time, though to be fair everyone did – the awards are huge and informal and a great night out.
Why is Trade Me buying into Stuff? Explaining the stakes of an era-defining media deal

3 weeks ago | thespinoff.co.nz | Duncan Greive

Two decades ago, when news organisations were global business titans able to buy fast-growing tech businesses, Stuff acquired Trade Me. This week’s transaction flips the script. Yesterday was a landmark day in the history of New Zealand’s news media, with each of our largest news publishers undergoing major shakeups in ownership, governance or both.
A close read of the ‘Grenon letter’ - a billionaire’s vision for the future of the NZ Herald

Mar 24, 2025 | thespinoff.co.nz | Duncan Greive

In early March an 11-page letter sent shockwaves through media giant NZME. Duncan Greive analyses its withering critique of the business, and the plan to redirect its news direction after ripping out the board. New Zealand’s sharemarket is typically a fairly sleepy place. Stocks rise and fall, sometimes abruptly – but the battles for control seen in larger markets are rare.
Kiwis uneasy as Canadian billionaire makes play for media control

Mar 7, 2025 | mumbrella.com.au | Hal Crawford |Duncan Greive

A couple of weeks ago NZME – a media company that counts the NZ Herald, Newstalk ZB, BusinessDesk, and a host of radio and entertainment brands among its holdings – held its annual results presentation for shareholders. The hour was dominated by news that its property portal OneRoof might be separated for sale.
Shareholder mutiny brewing at owner of Herald and Newstalk ZB

Mar 5, 2025 | thespinoff.co.nz | Duncan Greive

It’s driven by a Canadian billionaire with seemingly strong views on trans rights, vaccines and te Tiriti. A couple of weeks ago NZME – a media company that counts the NZ Herald, Newstalk ZB, BusinessDesk, ZM and a host of radio and entertainment brands among its holdings – held its annual results presentation for shareholders. The hour was dominated by news that its property portal OneRoof might be separated for sale, along with the announcement of an online news channel built around Ryan Bridge.
Laneway Festival: Inside the decision to ban under-18s in 2025

Feb 4, 2025 | nzherald.co.nz | Duncan Greive

Charli XCX says no 16 or 17-year-olds. Photo / The SpinoffExclusive: The prime minister wants to end New Zealand’s ‘no’ culture. Duncan Greive looks into one big no: how a variety of agencies kept under-18s from Laneway 2025. Originally published by The Spinoff.
Inside the decision to ban under-18s from Laneway

Feb 4, 2025 | thespinoff.co.nz | Duncan Greive

Exclusive: The prime minister wants to end New Zealand’s ‘no’ culture. Duncan Greive looks into one big no: how a variety of agencies kept under-18s from Laneway 2025. It was a deeply unwelcome Christmas present for the roughly 2,000 teenagers who had bought tickets to Laneway 2025: the festival was cancelling and refunding all their tickets after a licensing committee declined an application to have 16 and 17-year-olds at Western Springs.
How the Ted Cruz tweet-storm encapsulates our strange new ‘information space’

Feb 3, 2025 | thespinoff.co.nz | Duncan Greive

The decay of institutional media and immense power of social media combine to open a window into the complex communications world we’re living in. The writer Brian Morrissey frequently uses the phrase “the information space” to describe our current media-communications systems.
Banks are grappling with a scam ‘crisis’ while Facebook profits from it

Jan 7, 2025 | thespinoff.co.nz | Duncan Greive

Summer reissue: The CEOs of two major New Zealand banks say Facebook is rife with fraud – and that Meta is too busy making money from scam ads to try and stop them. Duncan Greive reports. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. The story would have been dystopian a few years ago, but is now routine, almost unremarkable.
Remembering Young George, the barber who cut Auckland’s hair forever

Jan 3, 2025 | thespinoff.co.nz | Duncan Greive

Summer reissue: He earned 5c for his first cut in 1955, and $35 for his last in March. Duncan Greive recalls the life of his late barber, ‘Young’ George Dyas, who never stopped snipping. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. ‘If you’re reading this you know I’ve gone… now I’m off to the other side to look up some old mates.