On the back of particularly bad music review, by Simon Sweetman, James Griffin asks the question: why do some people hate the ukulele so much?

Bette Midler talks frankly to Bryony Gordon about sex, self-respect and survival.

Baby-faced yet self-assured, Leonardo DiCaprio has just turned 40. Robbie Collin applauds an actor who is truly ageless.

INTERACTIVE: Our annual guide to the best books to give and receive this Christmas. Guess which ones made the list.

In 2008 Auckland’s most famous record store almost closed its doors, its owners broke and broken. But six years on the story couldn’t be more different.

Standards are kept high at Andiamo, a constant that ensures regulars stay faithful.

In an extract from a new book of photographs by Andris Apse, which pays tribute to the South Island, former All Black captain Anton Oliver tells how the Central Otago landscape reduced him to tears.

Get ready for high-octane glamour this season.

New Zealand’s own spice girls of cuisine tell Greg Dixon about eating their way around india, visa hassles and sharing bunks in a train.

Coming out, being rich, feeling broody, getting drunk, dating when you’re famous and why a dog is better than a boyfriend.

Each year American novelist Richard Ford heads to Ireland to shoot woodcock. Robert McCrum joins him on the Irish coast.

There is no pain like watching your first-born leave home, but eventually every mum has to learn to let go, says Allison Pearson.

Bad taste is good taste when it comes to dressing ladylike separates with a kick.

Comic book artist Ant Sang talks to David Larsen about his ‘transformational journey’