Sanda Arambepola

Christchurch

National Journalist at Stuff.co.nz

National Journalist @nzstuff

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Articles

Poop Deck: This disgusting Netflix documentary will put you off cruises for life

2 days ago | stuff.co.nz | Sanda Arambepola |Sam Smith |Matthew Knott |Charlotte Grieve

Anita Singh is Arts and Entertainment Editor at The Telegraph. OPINION: Sure, you’ve had bad holidays. The one where it rained every day. That time the airline lost your luggage and you had to spend 48 hours wearing the same pants. But have you ever been forced to spend four days defecating into a plastic bag on a cruise ship that just caught fire and is now adrift in the Gulf of Mexico?
Why matchmakers are conflicted about the new rom-com about matchmakers

5 days ago | stuff.co.nz | Sanda Arambepola |Charlotte Grieve |Rachel Moore |Robert van Royen

Materialists trailerThe tickers of the New York Stock Exchange flashed with a surprising array of options last week. Instead of showing the prices of Microsoft or Amazon shares, the boards lit up with the ages, heights, incomes and more of single men across the city. The Big Board also included a rating for each man, showing their falling or rising “romantic value” on the market.
Brazilian comedian sentenced to 8 years in prison for ‘bigoted’ jokes

2 weeks ago | stuff.co.nz | Bridie Witton |Manuel Rueda |Sanda Arambepola |Edward Gay

Standing before the audience in a red shirt emblazoned with the words, “HA HA,” the comedian warned the audience that he wasn’t going to hold back. “I make jokes about everything and everyone,” the comedian Leo Lins said during his set in mid-2022. “What show could be more inclusive?
City councillor 'stunned' at fake shooting video

2 weeks ago | stuff.co.nz | Hamish McNeilly |Michael Daly |Sanda Arambepola |Ian Taylor

Nelson city councillor Campbell Rollo was supposed to be having a relaxing weekend in Wellington catching up with friends and family. But out for dinner last Friday night, his phone started to “go crazy”, bleeping with messages and calls. Using Rollo’s profile photo on social media, someone had made a video of the 27-year old-councillor firing a powerful, military-style weapon, and had posted it on a community Facebook group.
Watch: Katy Perry keeps singing as fan storms stage and puts arm around her

2 weeks ago | stuff.co.nz | Sanda Arambepola

Fan storms stage and puts arm around Katy PerryKaty Perry’s Sydney concert took an unexpected turn when a fan jumped on stage mid-performance, but the pop star barely blinked. The chaotic moment happened on Monday at Qudos Bank Arena, during Perry’s Lifetimes Tour. Just as she launched into Hot N Cold, a concert-goer suddenly rushed the stage and threw his arm around her. Clearly caught off guard, Perry spun out of his grip and kept right on singing, even as the fan tried to dance beside her.
Watch: Keanu Reeves gets straddled at the Tony Awards

2 weeks ago | stuff.co.nz | Sanda Arambepola

Broadway fans were treated to a surprise at the 2025 Tony Awards when Jonathan Groff jumped into Keanu Reeves’ seat - quite literally. Groff, who was performing a Bobby Darin tribute at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, left the stage mid-song and straddled Reeves during a high-energy medley. Balancing on the armrests, the Hamilton star continued belting out Darin’s hits like Mack the Knife while towering above his Matrix Resurrections co-star. Reeves, 60, didn’t flinch.
Who is Lucy Liu, NZ’s richest woman?

2 weeks ago | stuff.co.nz | Sanda Arambepola

Lucy Liu is New Zealand’s richest woman. She entered the National Business Review Rich List for the first time with an estimated net worth of $700m. Liu co-found Airwallex, a cross-border payments company that catapulted her into the financial elite. Lucy Liu has become a star of New Zealand’s business world, quietly entering the National Business Review (NBR) Rich List for the first time with an estimated net worth of $700m.
‘We feel better off’: Couple who swapped the UK for Auckland say it’s cheaper here

2 weeks ago | stuff.co.nz | Sanda Arambepola

UK couple has revealed that lower living costs and lifestyle made their move to NZ worthwhile despite expensive rent. Groceries and petrol are cheaper, but housing costs in Whangaparāoa has surprised them. The couple appreciate the better sense of community despite some settling challenges. After living and working across Asia and Australia, UK couple Robert and Sabrina Eaton have finally settled in New Zealand — and they say the cost of living is one of the reasons they’re staying.
Brit accused of trying to kill girlfriend after pushing her into river knowing she can’t swim

2 weeks ago | stuff.co.nz | Sanda Arambepola

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‘Sustained victimisation’: Addict’s crime spree targets retailers

3 weeks ago | stuff.co.nz | Ava Whitworth |Steve Kilgallon |Sanda Arambepola |Sam Smith

A man who went on an 18-month crime spree targeting commercial and retail premises is in no position to repay the debt they incurred as result of his relentless offending, a court has heard. Tan Ropitini, 36, committed the first offence in December 2023 when he stole a pair of shoes from Rebel Sports in Hastings, and continued his offending until January 2025 when he was arrested in Foxton while in possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.