18 Feb 2026

The growing popularity of admin parties

From Nights, 9:25 pm on 18 February 2026

Is there a subscription you keep meaning to cancel? Is your inbox overflowing, like sewage into Wellington's bays? Is life getting on top of you?

Maybe you need.an admin night.

Grabbing a few friends, some good food, and setting aside an hour or two of your evenings to tackle mundane and boring life admin, together,

It's the brainchild of American writer Chris Colin, who first popped the idea in the Wall Street Journal.

He joins Emile Donovan.

A group of adults gathered in a lounge on a dining table, each with paper work and their laptops out.

American journalist Chris Colin's admin night parties are held on weekdays, when friends have usually found it hard to hang out because they need to finish their life admin. Photo: Supplied / Chris Colin