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At Large with Toby Manhire

The Spinoff

Bringing the insight, wit and energy of The Spinoff to your podcast feed, At Large with Toby Manhire dives into a story in the news, drawing on Spinoff talent and newsmakers to cast light on the issues of the moment. Each episode centres on an illuminating but unstuffy interview that helps the listener get their head around a subject, followed by How Good, a short, unashamedly exuberant celebration of something new = anything from a live band to a biscuit.

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37 episodes
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English

Episodes 37

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Yesterday · 27 min
Qiulae Wong on the backlash and the bottom lines
Toby Manhire speaks to the leader of the Opportunity Party about affecting political change, allegations of a toxic work culture and whether or not fourth time will be the charm.
Tuesday · 24 min
The bizarre story of the Kiwibank sheep that conquered the world
Toby Manhire speaks to Hayden Donnell about the saga of Buck the sheep, and to Lyric Waiwiri-Smith about the case for making political party campaign buses mandatory.
Monday · 51 min
Ali Mau on Tika, and the experiences that built it
Toby Manhire speaks to Ali Mau about Tika, a pioneering new online service for survivors of sexual harm, and the experiences that lead her to this point.
October 15 · 43 min
Winston Peters on a life in politics – and the moment that ‘cost me psychologically’
Toby Manhire speaks to the New Zealand First leader about what's driving him on his 18th general election campaign.
October 13 · 48 min
Jacinda Ardern's media man on five seismic years
Toby Manhire speaks to Andrew Campbell, former media man for Jacinda Ardern, about steering the former PM’s communications strategy through a laundry list of national crises, and to Emma Gleason about a classic local album that turns 25 this year.
October 12 · 40 min
‘Looming disaster’: Andrew Geddis answers your questions on enrolment and voting
Toby Manhire asks electoral law expert Andrew Geddis all the pressing questions voters want answered ahead of the general election.
October 8 · 25 min
How do you make this election funny?
Toby Manhire speaks to comedian James Nokise about politics, comedy and travelling the length of the country to perform a show about both.
October 6 · 34 min
A political lobbyist on ‘reprehensible’ tactics in NZ democracy
Toby Manhire speaks to Holly Bennett, founder of government relations agency Awhi, about the reality of lobbying in Aotearoa, and to Spinoff deputy editor Alice Neville about the very best of canned margaritas.
October 5 · 24 min
The army of indies igniting election 2026
Toby Manhire looks at the independent creators attempting to address the problems with youth enrolment, before speaking to Shanti Mathias from Policy.nz and Jean Donaldson from On the Fence about how their respective tools can help voters find clarity during a hectic election campaign.
October 1 · 26 min
Winners and losers in debate for Mt Albert, the box-office contest of election 2026
Toby Manhire speaks to Spinoff writers Hayden Donnell and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith to assess the highs and lows of The Great Mt Albert Debate.
September 29 · 31 min
The pre-election books are open – is Nicola Willis right to cheer?
Toby Manhire speaks to Bernard Hickey, fresh from the pre-election fiscal update lockup, to assess the state of our national accounts, and to Chris Schulz about a teaser clip for Nathan Fielder's upcoming documentary.
September 28 · 37 min
Jack Tame on getting ghosted by Luxon and hosting the first big debate
Toby Manhire speaks to Jack Tame about moderating the TVNZ leaders debate and the PM's poor record of attendance on Q+A , and to Tara Ward about a local gem that has just premiered on Whakaata Māori.
September 23 · 21 min
Nicky Hager and Dirty Work: the author responds to his critics
Toby Manhire speaks to Nicky Hager about his latest book 'Dirty Work', and the criticism he has received in the immediate aftermath of the book's release.
September 22 · 28 min
NZ is spending millions to lure the big acts. Is it working?
Toby Manhire speaks to music journalist Chris Schulz about the government’s approach to funding major events across Aotearoa, and to Emma Gleason about the best (and worst) political merchandise available in the lead up to election 2026.
September 21 · 33 min
Is the recovery finally here in the NZ economy?
Toby Manhire speaks to Shamubeel Eaqub about the latest GDP figures, the looming monetary policy statement and the political pledges being made to shape up the supermarket sector.
September 16 · 38 min
OK so is AI really about to wipe out the humans? (And what is NZ doing about it?)
Toby Manhire speaks to Tom Barraclough, founder of Brainbox Institute, to talk through the latest warnings about the pace of AI development and whether or not New Zealand has the right policies in place.
September 14 · 35 min
The coalition v the Māori language: how has Te Reo fared this term?
Toby Manhire speaks to Liam Rātana about the various measures pursued by the coalition government over the past three years that have affected Te Reo Māori, and it's current place in our society more broadly.
September 10 · 24 min
The kingmaker myth, and the hill Qiulae Wong and Opportunity must climb
Toby Manhire speaks to Peter Dunne, former leader of United Future, about the role smaller parties play in MMP and the challenge awaiting The Opportunity Party as it hovers around the 5% threshold.
September 8 · 26 min
Labour falls under 26% – one bad poll or time to change course?
Toby Manhire speaks to Lyric Waiwiri-Smith about the Labour Party’s perilous position after the latest political poll, and to Hayden Donnell about a record breaking mating season for kākāpō.
September 7 · 33 min
How National ankle-tapped Labour on KiwiSaver, with Sam Stubbs
Toby Manhire speaks to Sam Stubbs, managing director of Simplicity, about KiwiSaver, tax and the upcoming election, and to Sophie Albornett about a hidden gem on Wellington’s Courtenay Place.

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