I wish strongly that I didn't read this the same week as polls are looking unfavourable for change.

Stuff really knocking it out of the park, with their story+headline order here, starting with the 'found a man an umbrella' story (how that is a story however?).

I saw someone use the acronym 'ai;dr' and I can see I'm going to be using it a lot

A shout-out to Stuff for treating women's sport as sport. No distinction here at all for 'womens' team. It's just the Phoenix all the way through. 💛🖤

Everyone!!! I spent my lunchbreak today thinking about what I value in my friends, then texting it to them (or calling) for Galentine's Day. Best idea ever. 10/10 would recommend to everyone.

FYI I’ve opened this up for full public reading, listening & sharing after requests from paying subscribers. Their support allows me to do this kind of public interest journalism on Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate & poverty in public. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/why-not-sp...

Yeah. 'Cause an incident that ended with the bad guys running away and one person receiving a minor injury would definitely have been improved with guns.

My dad died 19 years ago today. So Waitangi Day for me is always coloured with personal remembrance. The sun always rises, the world is a beautiful place. Fight on. Thank you for the moment of needed beauty, @tairawhitidoc.bsky.social .

Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again. #Pinks #ProudBlue

Evergreen reminder that this was something she came up with, not something she was advised to do. In fact she was pretty specifically advised it was a terrible idea (it was) but she went ahead with it anyway because something something Not Real Science

I'm watching skycraper live. WHY AM I WATCHING SKYCRAPER LIVE?? My kid is a climber. I feel a bit ill.

So we're in the car and I'm eavesdropping on my 16yo and his mate. We've been at a wake. "My cousin's bf is goated" he says Hmm, I think, where is this going? "Yeah, everytime you look at him he's making tea, or helping out, or baking scones or something." 🥹. Take that, manosphere.

You know what they say, everyone's a communist in their youth, but when they get older just get really into gardening and artisanal handcrafts to prepare their mind, body and community for societal collapse and rebuilding along anarchocommunist & indigenous principles.

Here’s a short poem about the power of poetry to change the world.

THE HUMAN BRAIN: so we’re going to need between seven and nine hours of sleep every night in order to function HUMANS: okay THE HUMAN BRAIN: and I’m gonna do everything in my power to make sure we never, ever get it.

Spoiler: it's choosing to be 1% better each day. Awesome. Today I'm running 30 minutes. Tomorrow 30.18... This time next year I'll be up to 18 hours a day. Magic.

If you're in Christchurch, NZ, come to a (free) talk by me at Tūranga Wed 28th Jan 6pm christchurch.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/69...

My kid, absolutely nailing the cream-on-lamington brief. (He tells me that if he eats the rest in one mouthful, it works?)

One teenager is upstairs 'playing' (I can almost call it playing) Fairytale of New York on a tin whistle. At least the other teenager is probably not still asleep.

PSA This is the Christmas album you need this year. No Mariah, no Kelly, no Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. Just Christmas songs the way you want them. In that voice. Thanks to my 17yo (Spotify Wrapped age 81) for the recce.

That was some storm, Canterbury (woe the vege gardeb. Woe, woe).

In an absolute triumph of willpower, we have had Makana Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch in the house for two days and I have not eaten it. I mean, it's wrapped up to give someone for Christmas, but paper has limited value as a deterrent.

It's an Astreiant revival! The first book was published in 1995. They were hard to get hold of for a while, so this is exciting! If you like your fantasy with some crime solving mystery, a matriarchal society, super decent MCs and a world bending towards justice, this is for you.

Bonus side benefit from joining/watching #SecretSantaNZ: many new people to follow! Nothing like knowing who joins in sending random thoughtful gifts to strangers to find your tribe. (Who knew there were so many crafty, book loving, politics geeks in AoNZ anyway?!)

Wow #SecretSantaAoNZ ! I am blown away by the time and thought put into this! Thank you so much! I mentioned learning to knit and look at this! A personalised guide with hints and a video to learning. Unbelievable. ❤️❤️❤️ Plus choc, socks, and very pretty earrings. #spoilt

It’s #SecretSantaAoNZ opening day today! If you don’t know, here in Aotearoa New Zealand some lovey peeps organise a country-wide secret Santa over Bluesky/Mastadon with people buying/making gifts for people they don’t know. Follow the feed today if you need reminding how awesome social media can be

I have had kind of a rough day. My lovely Aunty who has been living with bowel cancer was admitted to hospice. And then I came home to kindness from a stranger, and I'm still sad, but reminded too that there is hope and light and good things in the world. Thank you Secret Santa. 🥰 #SecretSantaAoNZ

My Wrapped age: 34, my 50+ partner's: 35, my 16 and 17 year old kids? 78 and 80. Is this algorithm failure, a brilliant way to get people taking, or our family is weird? In related news, Ella Fitzgerald's wishing you a swinging Christmas is the album du jour, thanks teen 1.

Does your boyfriend showing you a video of UK football fans belting it out a capella count? Asking for a friend #whamageddon

Important for those here who aren't on Twitter. Some very important, and interesting questions to consider. | The New Zealand MFAT’s seeking public views on next Strategic Foreign Policy Assessment. Complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/J7J8P9V #nzpol

Science communication people: the last SCANZ networking event for 2025 is tomorrow night (tonight in Nelson). Otautahi friends, there will be chat, excellent pizza, and perhaps another round of #scicomm bingo at Space Academy from 5.30. All welcome, incl non-members. www.scanz.co.nz/events/2024/...

Great culture can save lives. Literally. Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard

Not even half way, what was I thinking? It will be fine. So fine.

This is interesting. On my teenagers Christmas wish list: a digicam, and a camcorder. They want the vintage vibe in their photos/videos. It feels like a longing for authenticity.

It's got to be on purpose, right? Except it's Spotlight... (That pearl. Nearly, nearly...). This is not a #SecretSantaAoNZ hint!!

This is my favourite animal, begging pats. How could she not be? I mean, look at that face. Meanwhile, in mythical creatures, have you heard of the Fear Gorta, the Man of Hunger? A phantom in the shape of man. Emaciated, blue with cold. All elbows and torn clothing. #SecretSantaAoNZ🧵

Some people apparently keep china in the sideboard. 🤷‍♀️ #SecretSantaAoNZ.

Better yet, normalise not making alcoholic options your opening offer? What can I get you to drink? We have....

Anyone in the #Pukapuka feed miss out and want to play #SecretSantaAoNZ Last chance! Also my goal to read every day in November has failed miserably. I have been reading Secret Santa posts though. And they have been making me smile. Maybe tomorrow… 📚🇳🇿How are you doing?

This, by @giacgrassi.bsky.social, remains one of the simplest and best climate visuals

I've had a Secret Santa nudge and having written some hints, have concluded that there is no disguising my essential boring middle-aged Pakeha mum-ness. On the bright side, I'm so enamored of the very existence of #SecretSantaAoNZ that you can't go wrong. I will be charmed and delighted.🧵 1/5

Randomly liking 3 month old posts to make people think I'm their Santa #SecretSantaAoNZ

No allergies, some synthetic scents can be headache inducing. Don't get me started on things I don't enjoy and can't tolerate! I'm pretty confident that #SecretSantaAoNZ peeps won't be gift wrapping bigotry or hate this or any year so no worries there 😉 ❤️

How my day started. This is a 'partners who garden' appreciation post.

Things I have learned today: the venn diagram of AoNZ BlueSky #SecretSantaAoNZ cohort and people who read, bake, garden, and craft is approaching a circle. Is that just the world? Are we all (not so) secret readers and crafters?

#SecretSantaAoNZ. #Hints If you would like to share, perhaps a secondhand copy of your favourite book, or music cd, or your favorite recipe. Seeds for my garden next season / year is useful. If you have some succulents, & have some leaves to share, that would be awesome. 2/n

Sorry that i don't post often here. It will make it more difficult for my #SecretSantaAoNZ What i really like are things that are made from the heart. Art, clothing, whatever one might make. I also like snacks a lot. I would be happy if you don't stress and have fun with whatever you do. ❤️

Yes no yes no yes no yes no. Bake, cook, eat, read, run, work, travel, irish dance, weave, crochet, listen to podcasts, play boardgames, drink tea and complain about politics. I'd like to learn to knit one day. #secretsantaAoNZ

I have just read Annie Bot by Sierra Greer and now I really want a sci fi Annie Bot-Murderbot crossover to come take out Doug. Compelling story about AI, relationships, choice, power, what it means to be human and wtf is wrong with (some) men.