The Spinoff Essay: The celebration you’re looking for is just around the bend

Iconic Kiwi treat Jaffas, the orange chocolate balls made by RJ's, have been discontinued due to declining sales, as confirmed by a company representative. Despite their nostalgic appeal for many, the lack of consumer demand has led to their removal from store shelves and the RJ's product page. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Jaffas, a popular Kiwi candy, are going away forever because not enough people are buying them. Want More Context? 🔎

A driver in a white ute reported a near-miss incident on State Highway 2 in Hawke's Bay when an overtaking van approached dangerously. The van narrowly avoided a collision as the ute braked heavily, with the event captured on the dashcam of the truck being overtaken. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A driver in a white truck got really scared when a fast-moving van almost crashed into him while trying to pass another...

The Advertising Standards Authority has mandated the removal of a TV ad for The Warehouse that features a child's light-purple school backpack and the tagline "Can't do long division," due to complaints that it reinforces the stereotype that "girls aren't good at maths." This decision highlights ongoing concerns about gender representation in advertising. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A TV ad showing a girl’s schoolbag was told to stop airing because it suggested...

A new investigation into the Christchurch mosque shooting explores the radicalization of Australian terrorist Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 worshippers at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre on March 15, 2019. The six-part podcast, Secrets We Keep: Lone Actor, examines Tarrant's violent ideology and his shift towards extremism between 2014 and 2015, questioning whether he acted alone. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A new podcast tells the story of a man named...

New data from credit reporting agency Centrix indicates a 14% increase in the number of people experiencing financial hardship compared to last year, with 24,000 individuals struggling to pay their mortgages. While household arrears are stabilizing, challenges persist for businesses in sectors like construction, property, and hospitality. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Many more people are having a hard time paying their bills this year, with 24,000 struggling to pay their house loans....

A woman named Julia DeLuney is accused of murdering her 79-year-old mother, Helen Gregory, in their Khandallah home on January 24 last year. The court heard that DeLuney, reportedly facing financial difficulties in her cryptocurrency dealings, struck her mother both while she was standing and again as she lay in a spare bedroom where she ultimately died. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A woman is on trial for allegedly hurting her mother very...