Karl du Fresne is a Wairarapa-based journalist who rejoined “The Listener” on a temporary basis in January 2013 after a gap of more than 30 years. He previously wrote for the magazine from 1978 till 1982. A freelance journalist for the past 10 years, Karl is a newspaper columnist and an occasional blogger. His publications include “The New Zealand Wine Lover’s Companion” and “The Dom: A Century of News”, the centennial history of The Dominion newspaper, of which he is a former editor. In between Listener assignments, he is working on a travel book with a musical theme – a road tour of American towns and cities whose names will be familiar to lovers of pop, rock and country music.
By Karl du Fresne in Life
Issue 3791 27th Dec 2012
Decades may have passed since the epochal civil rights struggles of the 1950s and 1960s, but it’s still virtually impossible to travel in the Deep South without being confronted by the past.
By Karl du Fresne in Current Affairs
Issue 3790 20th Dec 2012
The “peeping and prying tort” judgment in the case of a man who secretly recorded his flatmate in the bathroom sets new privacy boundaries for New Zealanders’ personal lives.
By Karl du Fresne in Art
Issue 3789 13th Dec 2012
New Zealand’s proud cartooning tradition deserves to be celebrated.
By Karl du Fresne in Politics
Issue 3785 24th Nov 2012
Critics claim radical changes to the way we are governed and to the role of the Treaty could be on the way, as our constitution is quietly reviewed.
By Karl du Fresne in Food
Issue 3784 17th Nov 2012
Restaurateur Tony Astle this month celebrates the 40th anniversary of the opening of one of Auckland’s most enduring fine dining establishments.
By Karl du Fresne in Music
Issue 3778 6th Oct 2012
When Peter Hubscher left Montana Wines, he and his wife set up a school music programme that is helping to change the world, one child at a time.
By Karl du Fresne in Books
Issue 3758 19th May 2012
“On the subject of fairness, no nation in the world has more to teach than New Zealand,” says a Pulitzer Prize-winning American historian and author.
By Karl du Fresne in Commentary
Issue 3734 3rd Dec 2011
On a balmy evening in San Jose, Karl du Fresne attends a performance of Garrison Keillor's long-running radio show.
By Karl du Fresne in Television
Issue 3719 20th Aug 2011
No channels, no charter; is there no hope for TV that isn't driven by ratings?
By Karl du Fresne in Commentary
Issue 3708 4th Jun 2011
How many songs have been written about wheelbarrows or willies? Radio’s anarchic Matinee Idle will give you the answer – and play them for you as well.