Zoe Madden-Smith

‘Not trans enough’: What it took for me to call myself trans

Intimidated about exploring your gender identity? New series The Gender Agenda wants to help you.

NZers are getting teeth removed because it's cheaper than fixing them

New report shows how much the dental care system is costing Aotearoa

People tell us why they ghost other people

Is it ever okay to ghost someone?

‘Dungeons and Dragons come to life’: Three NZers on why they LARP

"It basically feels like spending the weekend in the sun, which is kind of rare these days."

What to expect when you stop smoking weed

“Nobody talks about how hard it is to stop."

Science has worked out why women are freezing at work

Spoiler it’s because of the patriarchy.

'Peeing hot shards of glass': Struggle to treat chronic UTIs

“Controversy and misinformation means patients are mistreated and suffer.”

Auckland uni students say they’ll stop paying rent after 8% hike

“The rent strike is a last resort method to stand up to them.”

Period poverty: NZ company to supply period underwear in Gaza

“We have a space here to offer manaakitanga.”

Painful periods aren’t normal. This myth delayed my endometriosis diagnosis

“It’s just terrible how [the health sector] doesn’t really take women’s pain seriously.”

Instagram is limiting what political content you see

Here’s how you can turn the setting off

The ins and outs of snoring etiquette

“You’re allowed to be pissed off”

I spent 18 months surfing porn sites for research, here’s what I learnt

“I found everything from the truly horrific, through to gorgeous, sexy, and fabulous.”

Being queer in a small town doesn’t have to be shit

“If I hadn't moved to small town New Zealand, my life would be a lot smaller.”

Five people tell us their STI stories

'Chlamydia is how I found out she cheated on me’

What the coalition deal means for students

Will students be better or worse off? It depends who you ask.

NZ’s ‘discriminatory’ blood donation rules are getting in the way of saving lives

Feeling too broke to donate to a charity? Donate your blood instead.

Why I had an abortion: Young NZers share their stories

Despite abortion being decriminalised, it remains a divisive topic in New Zealand.

Policy breakdown: Health

Get an overview of each New Zealand political parties' policy on health.

Policy breakdown: Rainbow rights

Here's what political parties say they'll do about rainbow rights if they're elected.

Policy breakdown: Education

Here's what political parties say they'll do about education.

Which political parties get the most donations?

It’s no secret political parties rely heavily on donations to do what they do.

Election issues: Why are so many students skipping school

School attendance was at 70% in 2015, but then declined to just 40% in 2022.

Nearly half of NZers can't afford to go to the dentist

NZ’s dental care system is in crisis, what is the fix?

Toilet politics: Trans people more likely to be victims, not perpetrators

“This fear-mongering is an absolute flipping over of what’s correct and who poses a threat to who.”

My life as a trans wahine sex worker

“Even if society rejected us, it didn’t matter. We had our own society.”

Why NZ loves doing spots so much

“It appeals to the New Zealand DIY spirit."

I fainted after a cervical smear. I’m so glad we can now self-test

Self-testing is the biggest change to cervical screening since it's conception, what will it change?