Saturday, 02 December 2023
advertisement
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Follow The New Zealand Herald on:

advertisementadvertisement
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe
Karl Puschmann
Culture Editor and Entertainment Columnist

Karl Puschmann is the Culture Editor and an Entertainment Columnist for New Zealand’s Herald. His fascination lies in finding out what drives and inspires creative people.

Hello, there! I’m Karl Puschmann, Culture Editor and entertainment columnist for the New Zealand Herald and its stable of premium magazines. As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a writer. A misspent youth at art school and playing in bands saw me gravitate towards writing about the arts. After completing my Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism at AUT in 2004 I freelanced for every local pop culture, entertainment and lifestyle magazine worth a damn, before becoming editor of New Zealand’s iconic music magazine Rip It Up in 2005.  In 2014 I started my weekly pop culture column in the Herald before joining the entertainment desk full-time in 2016. In 2021 I became the title's first Culture Editor.  Most days I talk to inspiring and creative people who are making really cool stuff. I find it fascinating to find out what drives them, to hear the stories behind their art, and to get their thoughts and views on the big topics like life, death, love, loss and everything in between. I’ve spoken to a lot of amazing people over the years, but some of the most memorable include living legends Paul McCartney and Martin Scorsese, personal inspirations Jerry Seinfeld and Johnny Marr from The Smiths and artists I admire Aldous Harding and Taika Waititi.  My personal philosophy is that entertainment writing should in itself, be entertaining. That mind-set is behind everything I write.

Check out Karl’s latest content
Six bonkers things I learnt about Napoleon from the movie
Entertainment

Six bonkers things I learnt about Napoleon from the movie

24 Nov 03:00 AM
Karl Puschmann: TikTok comedian Matt Rife’s leap to primetime an evolutionary misstep
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: TikTok comedian Matt Rife’s leap to primetime an evolutionary misstep

23 Nov 04:00 PM

In Natural Selection he vents his anger at all of his 18 million followers.

Review: Does Taika score again with his new film, or is it an own goal?
Entertainment

Review: Does Taika score again with his new film, or is it an own goal?

21 Nov 05:55 PM

Has Waititi's winning touch brought home the win for this underdog story?

Tash Sultana gets real: ‘I’m as self-aware as I possibly could be’
Lifestyle

Tash Sultana gets real: ‘I’m as self-aware as I possibly could be’

18 Nov 04:00 PM

The muso on brain chemistry, relying on no one and licking Guatemalan cave toads.

Twin Flames Universe guaranteed true love but delivered real hell
New Zealand

Twin Flames Universe guaranteed true love but delivered real hell

16 Nov 04:00 PM

Escaping Twin Flames, a new three-part documentary, dives deep into the heart of the cult.

This is who I am: Shorty’s Marianne Infante on finally being seen
Entertainment

This is who I am: Shorty’s Marianne Infante on finally being seen

11 Nov 04:00 PM

How the soap taught her to be Kiwi, and how she’s bringing Filipino culture to Kiwis.

Karl Puschmann: I don’t know why you say hello, the Beatles say goodbye
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: I don’t know why you say hello, the Beatles say goodbye

09 Nov 04:00 PM

The Fab Four reach the end of their long and winding road with Now and Then.

Review: Why Marvel’s newest movie is a galaxy-sized win for women
Entertainment

Review: Why Marvel’s newest movie is a galaxy-sized win for women

09 Nov 01:00 AM

With starring roles on both sides of the camera, change is afoot in the MCU.

Karl Puschmann: Can Bill Burr’s Old Dads learn any new tricks in his woke-roasting comedy?
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: Can Bill Burr’s Old Dads learn any new tricks in his woke-roasting comedy?

02 Nov 04:00 PM

It’s a coming-of-age film for men in their 50s who should know better.

Tom Sainsbury on his debut horror film and being laughed at in his undies
Entertainment

Tom Sainsbury on his debut horror film and being laughed at in his undies

02 Nov 03:00 AM

The comedian's horror movie Loop Track could ruin tramping for generations.

Karl Puschmann: After the Party, who will you believe?
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: After the Party, who will you believe?

26 Oct 04:00 PM

Robyn Malcolm created and stars in one of the year's best shows.

Seven years in the making: The Streets on music, movies and life
Entertainment

Seven years in the making: The Streets on music, movies and life

25 Oct 04:00 PM

After a long hiatus, Mike Skinner is back with his most ambitious project yet.

Karl Puschmann: The diagnosis on the Frasier reboot
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: The diagnosis on the Frasier reboot

19 Oct 04:00 PM

After almost 20 years everybody’s favourite snooty psychiatrist returns to TV.

Premium
Cabaret star Meow Meow on sex, danger and the theatre
Lifestyle

Cabaret star Meow Meow on sex, danger and the theatre

12 Oct 05:00 PM

'My legs go everywhere. What’s a girl to do with such magnificent showbiz legs?'

Karl Puschmann: What’s the deal with the Seinfeld reunion?
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: What’s the deal with the Seinfeld reunion?

12 Oct 04:00 PM

The man who made a career out of nothing has just teased… well, something.

Karl Puschmann: Alone is tense, stressful and creepy. You should watch it
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: Alone is tense, stressful and creepy. You should watch it

05 Oct 04:00 PM

The Netflix thriller does nothing new. This is why it’s so good.

Review: Why Kiwi star's new Dunedin-based film is a must see
Entertainment

Review: Why Kiwi star's new Dunedin-based film is a must see

04 Oct 07:58 PM

Julian Dennison tackles the big topics in this local coming-of-age dramedy.

Karl Puschmann: The John Wick prequel series is action-packed and morally questionable
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: The John Wick prequel series is action-packed and morally questionable

28 Sep 05:31 PM

A puzzling and problematic casting choice threatens to take out the series.

Premium
‘I can’t live off my YouTube money’
Lifestyle

‘I can’t live off my YouTube money’

23 Sep 07:00 PM

Jordan Watson shares the reality of being an internet star.

Premium
Josh Fountain on Benee, Leisure and writing hits
Lifestyle

Josh Fountain on Benee, Leisure and writing hits

22 Sep 08:00 PM

Josh Fountain on new album, success with Benee and writing hits

Karl Puschmann: Doco series Telemarketers a wild ride of drugs, scams and charity
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: Doco series Telemarketers a wild ride of drugs, scams and charity

21 Sep 05:00 PM

You don’t have to be mad to work for a telemarketer, but it helps …

Premium
Agatha Christie and me: James Prichard on his great-grandmother and A Haunting in Venice
Entertainment

Agatha Christie and me: James Prichard on his great-grandmother and A Haunting in Venice

14 Sep 06:00 PM

He’s in charge of Agatha Christie’s company, but for James Prichard, it’s more than a job.

Is Netflix’s violent and weird 6ixtynin9 this year’s Squid Game?
Entertainment

Is Netflix’s violent and weird 6ixtynin9 this year’s Squid Game?

14 Sep 05:00 PM

OPINION: This crime-thriller from Thailand is violent, funny and extremely odd.

The rules go out the unpainted window in Three’s new reno reality show
Entertainment

The rules go out the unpainted window in Three’s new reno reality show

10 Sep 08:00 AM

House Rules NZ sees contestants leaving strangers to renovate their house.

Premium
Kura Forrester on cancel culture and her biological clock: ‘I’m feeling that tick louder than ever.’
Lifestyle

Kura Forrester on cancel culture and her biological clock: ‘I’m feeling that tick louder than ever.’

09 Sep 08:00 PM

The award-winning comedian and actor has a revelation talking about the big issues.

Karl Puschmann: Strange Planet is quirky, cutesy and … just a little bit dull
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: Strange Planet is quirky, cutesy and … just a little bit dull

07 Sep 05:00 PM

The creator of Rick and Morty tones it right down in this gently amusing new series.

Karl Puschmann: TVNZ’s killer comedy is a good time - unless you’re a snake
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: TVNZ’s killer comedy is a good time - unless you’re a snake

31 Aug 05:00 PM

Killing It is violently funny, and at times surprisingly heartfelt.

DJ Vasan's love letter on wax
Lifestyle

DJ Vasan's love letter on wax

25 Aug 12:00 AM

Wellington DJ honours legacy of Red Astaire with a special red vinyl record.

Karl Puschmann: The New Star Wars series is as gripping and exciting as a nice cup of tea
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: The New Star Wars series is as gripping and exciting as a nice cup of tea

24 Aug 05:00 PM

Ahsoka is watchable but that doesn’t mean it’s any good.

Karl Puschmann: Is Tem Morrison and Robyn Malcolm’s new drama Far North a hit or a meth?
Entertainment

Karl Puschmann: Is Tem Morrison and Robyn Malcolm’s new drama Far North a hit or a meth?

17 Aug 05:00 PM

It's addictive viewing and one taste will be enough to get you hooked.

Robyn Malcolm and Temuera Morrison tell all on 'dark' new drug TV thriller
Entertainment

Robyn Malcolm and Temuera Morrison tell all on 'dark' new drug TV thriller

13 Aug 05:00 PM

The former 'Shortland Street' stars have reunited for a fantastic new true crime thriller.

Premium
At home with Tiki Taane: ‘I’m worried if I take my foot off the accelerator things would fall apart’
Lifestyle

At home with Tiki Taane: ‘I’m worried if I take my foot off the accelerator things would fall apart’

12 Aug 07:00 PM

The award-winning muso tells us about the passion project he’s been working on for years.

Premium
TV host's plus-size travel mission: 'I'm not here to promote obesity'
Lifestyle