Press gang
Subscriber contentBy Karl du Fresne in Current Affairs
Issue 3812 23rd May 2013
The parliamentary press pack is out of control, some observers say, as it focuses on the trivial and hounds MPs out of office.
Karl du Fresne
Karl du Fresne is a Wairarapa-based journalist who rejoined “The Listener” on a temporary basis in January 2013 after a gap of more than 30 years. He previously wrote for the magazine from 1978 till 1982. A freelance journalist for the past 10 years, Karl is a newspaper columnist and an occasional blogger. His publications include “The New Zealand Wine Lover’s Companion” and “The Dom: A Century of News”, the centennial history of The Dominion newspaper, of which he is a former editor. In between Listener assignments, he is working on a travel book with a musical theme – a road tour of American towns and cities whose names will be familiar to lovers of pop, rock and country music.
John Barnett: A man for all seasons
Subscriber contentBy Karl du Fresne in Current Affairs
Issue 3811 16th May 2013
He’s been called the godfather of New Zealand film and TV production. It’s an overused term, but in John Barnett’s case it’s apt.
Job insecurity: Are you in the precariat?
Subscriber contentBy Karl du Fresne in Current Affairs
Issue 3810 9th May 2013
A seismic shift is occurring as the precariat, an amorphous but growing group, learns to live without the security of regular employment.
Two minutes with: Sir Max Hastings
By Karl du Fresne in Two Minutes With
Issue 3810 9th May 2013
The British war historian and former newspaper editor, soon to visit New Zealand, talks about war, British politics and journalism.
Interview with Sir Max Hastings (full version)
By Karl du Fresne in Two Minutes With
Issue Listener Plus 9th May 2013
The full version of Karl du Fresne's two minutes with Sir Max Hastings.
Ale & hearty
Subscriber contentBy Karl du Fresne in Business
Issue 3808 1st May 2013
Craft beer’s cup runneth over, but there’s trouble brewing in some bars and boardrooms.
Pioneer's pressure
Subscriber contentBy Karl du Fresne in Business
Issue 3808 27th Apr 2013
The big two tried to kill Mac’s beer, but only made it stronger.
Ten things you might not know about New Zealand beer
By Karl du Fresne in Lifestyle
Issue Listener Plus 25th Apr 2013
A selection of industry facts by Karl du Fresne.
Play it again, Dennis
1 CommentsBy Karl du Fresne in Music
Issue 3805 18th Apr 2013
Record shops are closing all over the world, thanks to internet downloads and online buying, but Wellington’s Slow Boat Records is defying the trend.
Two minutes with: Al Morrison
Subscriber contentBy Karl du Fresne in Two Minutes With
Issue 3805 4th Apr 2013
The director-general of the Department of Conservation is trying to cut a new track – but the going is rough, and some fellow trampers are grumpy.