Toby Manhire returned to New Zealand at the end of 2010 after 11 years in the UK, 10 of those at the Guardian, and the last two as comment editor. He still writes bits and pieces for the Guardian and edits for its publishing arm. Years ago he worked at the much-mourned Wellington weekly City Voice, and before that edited the Victoria student rag Salient.
Toby Manhire
Ken Levine’s adventures in New Zealand
The renowned comedy writer and blogger goes down under and delivers some tips for tour guides. [more]
International media on Christchurch, a year on
A selection of the coverage from abroad in the leadup to the anniversary of the February 22 earthquake. [more]
Interview: Stephen Mateer
The Lyttelton Coffee Company co-owner on the dramatic day a year ago, and his ambitious rebuild project. [more]
Boy’s big American adventure – and Taika’s advice for the Oscars
On Taika Waititi's Kickstarter project and his tips to improve the Awards ceremony. Plus: Osombie and the Axis of Evil Dead. [more]
Australian press on NZ export Paul Henry
The papers prepare readers for the new Ten morning host. But does he look and sound like an Australian? [more]
The Friday quiz 17.02.12
A politician-and-picture special. Quite NZ-centric in parts. Sorry, Johnny Foreigner. [more]
The book club that skips the books
The Wall Street Journal visits a New York Review of Books reading group. If only the personal ads were as good as the LRB's. [more]
Spanish academy refuses to revise official Franco “hagiography”
Conflicting versions of the country's dictatorial past continue to bedevil Spain. [more]
The middle finger ages
MIA's Superbowl salute has, no doubt as intended, sparked a probe of the history of the single-digit insult. [more]
Pakistan online protest ousts TV “vigil-aunty”
The success of a campaign against Maya Khan's efforts to trap dating couples in public parks has been hailed as a watershed moment. [more]
The Friday quiz, 10.02.12
Shake it like a Polaroid picture. [more]
The death of the cyberflâneur and the rise of the sharing fetish
Evgeny Morozov has opened another flank in his wrangle with the cyber-evangelists. He's at least half right. [more]
The Global Mail: Australian not-for-profit news site launches
A Wotif.com founder has poured $15m into a new public-interest project. Despite the teething problems, there's much to chew... [more]
Chinese media defend veto of Syria resolution
The UN resolution would have sent the wrong message to armed groups, claim the state-run papers. [more]
Sorry seems to be the hardiest word
John Key's apology "if there was offence" is a classic example of the non-apology apology, as detailed in a range of new studies. [more]
Unholy din at de Botton’s atheist temple
The pop philosopher's proposal to copy religion in a secular cause has found few friends. [more]
Rupert Murdoch turns 100. On Twitter. Sort of.
The beleaguered media mogul's first month tweeting has won a mostly warm reception. [more]
Hollande’s famous words: Not Shakespeare’s, nor Shakespeare’s
The mystery of the French presidential hopeful's misattribution grows curiouser and curiouser. [more]
All those email folders? A waste of time
Research suggests email users who use the search function find their stuff faster than assiduous filers. [more]