More local home grown/ made options for #SecretSantaAoNZ

Colour makes me happy. Earthy orangy autumns, blue the colour of our rivers. Sometimes I mix everything together and nothing matches. Other-times I’ll just go all black with colourful accessories. #SecretSantaAoNZ

We are supposed to honour our agreements, and that's what a treaty is! - please sign: our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/pr...

One of the things I like best about #SecretSantaAoNZ is the recs for homegrown, made here gifts. Of course I remember @thesewphist.bsky.social from MW but hit me with some more ideas. 💡

Reflecting on an African context but still relatable “But what is becoming clear in this moment is that we are entering an era in which the contradictions between ordinary people and those who hold all forms of power are too sharp for the status quo to be tenable any more”. One can only hope.

I’m all signed up and ready to go! #secretsantaAoNZ. Got to be fast of the mark this year as heading away to colder pastures on 1 Dec so not a lot of shopping time! Happily my MW Santa’s scarf will get some wear again!!

Unsurprising but problematic. Esp given wikipedias inherent biases. All I can say is Contribute!! theconversation.com/wikipedia-ha...

One of the reasons I’m excited to teach high school Social Sciences and History in Aotearoa New Zealand is the curriculum that integrates the value and lessons to be drawn from ALL of the country’s past. But this government ruins everything it touches and I’m too furious for words.

I’m feeling a bit freaked out 😱 by the fact my youngest child is about to finish school in 4 days time 😬. No more “it’s a school night you have to by home by ⏱️convo’s. No more lunches 🥪 to make. No future plans for offspring as yet. So I’m just gonna have to chill. 😎. Eeek

Just in case anyone wants to add Simeon or Luxons face to this for Thursdays strike

As a parent of a soon to be jobless school leaver so much of this rings true. For us it’s not about the $$. It’s about the self esteem, independence and confidence of our young person who really is trying! :-(

Welfare changes are trying to drag us back to a time most of us have left behind Max Harris #nzpol

This mornings partial solar eclipse. TIL what a lens flare was. The little blue reflection on the right is the shadow sun. Cool hey?

👏👏👏

We are currently waiting for a response from the two Chrises (lol) and other parties. Will probs be a while! If u agree with us, here's some things u can do (1) sign the letter (2) share it w someone you know who cares abt the impact of AI on their work or community (3) contact your local MP. #nzpol

Not one listing for Waitaha region or Ōtautahi :-(. That sucks!

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I’ve guilty hung onto meta products for the “justified” convenience of “but my mom uses WhatsApp/ FB” Etc. I’m outta there now. Sorry it too me so long my children / our futures deserve better m.economictimes.com/news/interna...

futuremakers.nz/2025/08/10/r... seems so obvious doesn’t it? The need to prepare our youth for the (uncertain) future rather than the present or (as the NCEA changes suggest) the past!

Fascinating and “next level” disturbing. Really worth the read.

Nuanced article on the intended scrapping of NCEA from my fab colleague @dchpomeroy.bsky.social

Whew long 4 hours for #internetNZ AGM. Tense in parts, funny in others. Glad members motions defeated and to see @dylanreeve.com make it through. Got to keep looking on the bright side. #notawin for FSU.

Shoutout to Simon from Mi-voice at the #internetNZ AGM for looking so cool calm and collected each time the spotlight turns to him! With this many motions you gotta hold it together 😂

First #internetnz AGM and whilst I’m not excited about a 3 hr Thurs night zoom, I am appreciating the accessibility features, and scaffolding and time given to participants as they try out new systems and become familiar with process. Although the “Muzak” is driving me a bit crazy 🤪

Mesmerising

SO distracted today. If I stop for a mo and pick up my phone I’m a goner. So much caring/ cool back stories/ clever gifting and overall happiness on #MWSecretSantaAoNZ. I have a whole new set of peeps to follow now bc - this game - it brings out the best!

#MWSecretSantaAoNZ Santa and Elves! Thanks a bloody million for getting this over the line. What am absolute treat to participate again this year. He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata ❤️🖤🤍

It’s quite a thing when a person you don’t know takes such thought and care to send you a gift(s) #MWSecretSantaAoNZ. Thank you to my Giftee for sharing what you love about Aotearoa with me and the fam and for making me something so special.

This is an example of the magic that is #MWSecretSantaAoNZ. Wow - just WOW

#MWSecretSantaAoNZ. I’ve unboxed but saving till after the morning chores so I can sit in front of the fire and just enjoy. Sorry for the wait Giftee. P.S I’ve been bragging about “my” secret Santa gift but see you kindly have something for us All - Aren’t we lucky!

The elves are really ramping up the #MWSecretSantaAoNZ vibes! I can’t quite get into the “dress up” vibes but am seriously looking forward to a bit of me time when I awake on Sat am. What a lovely way to start a wintery weekend.

Whilst I don’t fully understand the RSB I do know many people whose intellect I respect are raising a Big Red Flag 🚩. I will make a submission as government needs to be inundated. Please do so too.

It’s here. And I didn’t do anymore than open the box “just to make sure”! It did say Gifts Wrapped so wasn’t cheating 😉 #MWSecretSantaAoNZ

Yay. 🥳 my #MWSecretSantaAoNZ gift is in the hands of the giftee 🎁. Always a bit nerve wracking when signed for by “John @ security” a “rando” as my teen would say 😂

been pretty much buying local and love how I hardly have to wrap any of my #MWSecretSantaAoNZ gifts bc the creators are doing such a fab job already. Anyways I’m almost ready to post 🎉💃

#dontbuyresene if u need paint!

Amidst the all round craziness of NZ (and global) politics at the mo I am finding solace in #MWSecretSantaAoNZ. Kind of gone for the "lucky dip" idea as although I have hints from my giftee - pinning down their "taste & style" is a bit tricky. Proud to (mostly) support NZ small business.

Something I wish I'd written myself. Lol. Great job Alex Beatty this is great. I appreciate the foregrounding of the equity angle - namely who is missing out/ marginalised by this.

My feelings exactly

My reaction to a cute wee members bill to ban teens from social media is "thanks, I hate it." But also, here's my more thoughtful comments - happy to share my latest opinion piece, kindly published by The Spinoff thespinoff.co.nz/internet/07-... #nzpol

I’ve made my submission. Found the InsideOut guide useful. Also concerning: 📲 lack of acknowledgement of young peoples digital lives. Really only part of framework from teenage years. ** Issues affecting R & S eg body image, bullying, misogyny, “d* pics”, are real from a very young age.

Ah yes. Reached Aotearoa. Mr 17 and the mates been stepping up in the cool autumn weather 😂. Although it got them away from gaming for a while so defn achieved something!

Ahh sunshine and my humans have taken me out to watch the local home game #ucrfc #goodlife

I love a long weekend. Sat that feels like a Sun so just popped some peanut butter salty choc chip cookies in the oven. Ready for next weeks snacking!

Introducing the “new girls on the block”. Freda & Chook (behind the fence) unsure of new arrivals (18 month old “retirees” from local free farm). Lots of bok bok bokking going on 😂

A helpful and clear unpacking of the implications of this rulings for Aotearoa. WP's proposed bill is "legally meaningless and logistically absurd" - we (and our trans whānau) deserve better.

"[T]here are good reasons to believe that by individualising learning, focusing on mastery, automating teachers’ tasks and increasing the influence of private companies, [AI] will have a negative impact on the democratic dimension of education," writes Michał Wieczorek.

Here’s some good news from the other side of the Tasman.

Nothing better than lazy days and a book. Everything from trashy to literary. #MWSecretSantaAoNZ