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 Politics
Issue 3839 28th Nov 2013
For many years, ex-National Party president John Collinge has been dogged by a rumour he hopes will now be scotched following legal action and the republishing of a book without its offending content.
By Karl du Fresne in Current Affairs
Issue 3837 14th Nov 2013
A key figure in the new Vatican regime tells of the winds of change blowing through the Church.
By Karl du Fresne in Current Affairs
Issue 3836 12th Nov 2013
The state broadcaster defends allegations of fraud as a 10-year-old employment dispute goes to court.
By Karl du Fresne in Books
Issue 3836 8th Nov 2013
A Masterton bookseller who has worked with some of the great names in British pop also has an unusual connection to rock’s Mr Grumpy.
By Karl du Fresne in Music
Issue 3827 5th Sep 2013
Former Shadow Hank Marvin, the original guitar hero, talks about his forthcoming tour.
By Karl du Fresne in Business
Issue 3826 3rd Sep 2013
The Government’s player in the venture-capital business has a lot of money to spend on potentially brilliant but untested ideas.
By Karl du Fresne in Current Affairs
Issue 3825 27th Aug 2013
Natural history has traditionally been at the heart of the national museum, but scientists are feeling excluded under the new regime.
By Karl du Fresne in Current Affairs
Issue 3825 22nd Aug 2013
Baby boomers are a huge demographic controlling most of the disposable income but their spending power is being largely ignored.
By Karl du Fresne in Commentary
Issue 3819 11th Jul 2013
The UK seems to have made a mess of its immigration – are we making the same mistakes here?
By Karl du Fresne in Current Affairs
Issue 3817 27th Jun 2013
Insolvency specialist Michael Stiassny has been brought in to sort out MediaWorks, the troubled company behind TV3. What drives this “corporate hard man” who also has a social conscience?