Analysis: Bipartisanship gets a welcome and historic shot in the arm, as major parties join forces to advance new law on modern slavery in supply chains.

Another go at #visiblemending bsky.app/profile/kiwi...

[I am reposting as I have fixed an error in processing the csv file (in turning dates in Jan and Oct from text to date where Excel truncated year.month x.10 to x.1) Visualisation of how much bread the minimum wage can afford to buy, which is well below 2016 when National were last in government.

I'm rather pleased with this first attempt at 'visible' darning - I mended a couple of holes in an old towel as practise for mending holes in a chair squab. #visiblemending Thanks to www.youtube.com/@thegreenwra... for guidance and @ferrous1972.bsky.social for putting me on to her videos!

this still slaps youtu.be/ZQ_MEFVx5jM?...

It's that time of year when it's hard enough remembering what day it is, let alone whether you're supposed to be back at work yet. Here's our very scenic solution to this very real problem! We have a just a handful of calendars left; they're now $25 + shipping. birdandbeach.co.nz/product-cate...

Thinking about what to cook on Christmas Day? Or looking for chocolate gifts? Sadly, there's slave labour used in the supply chains of lots of festive food. Check out Just Kai's Christmas recommendations for slave-free options justkai.org.nz/blog/2025-12... #Kai #Kikorangi

If you around in Petone today and tomorrow, Ash and her team mates are selling goodies and raffle tickets for their Australian youth club champs tour in April. Raffle tickets are $2 for 1 or 3 for $5. We have lolly bags, toffee apples, slices et

I lead a voluntary project raising awareness about slave-labour in the supply chains of food, and identifying slave-free options here in Aotearoa. It sucks that this is even necessary, but hopefully we make it easier for you to buy slave-free! Check out our Christmas resources, released today :-)

I vote for 20!

I lead a voluntary project raising awareness about slave-labour in the supply chains of food, and identifying slave-free options here in Aotearoa. It sucks that this is even necessary, but hopefully we make it easier for you to buy slave-free! Check out our Christmas resources, released today :-)

@liangrhea.bsky.social I came across an entirely different method for cooking bubble tea tapioca pearls and it worked brilliantly! whattocooktoday.com/large-pearl-.... Basically briefly pre-boil, soak overnight, boil a bit more, stand for 15 min. They came out really well :-)

🧵 Rest in power, Alice Wong. @sfdirewolf.bsky.social A trailblazer, a fierce advocate, and a relentless voice for disability rights. Her work changed the landscape for so many. /1

A busy but satisfying day today, getting ready to talk about slave-free food for JustKai.org.nz at the Grey Lynn Park Festival next weekend :-)

Is it wrong that I’m just a little bit chuffed with myself with the way these are turning out? I really like the round birds and the pōhutukawa in particular. Investing in the equipment to print these ourselves was a good decision. 🤩

Speaking of coasters, did e we ever show you the presentation boxes that the sets of 4 come in? We’re very into slow production here, so we designed the boxes so that we can run the printed sheets through our cutting machine, and then fold and glue the them ourselves.

I've finished the hats I've been making for my neighbours' twin babies. Now need to get over my cold so I can go and meet them! I've got Bill the Cat modelling one in the meantime :-)

Glorious summer weather in Tāmaki Makaurau today :-)

Yesterday I spotted two huge bird of paradise bushes near our new place. I suspect they were self-seeded as they were tucked away behind some other bushes on public land. I'm very much enjoying the three blooms I picked - the middle one was a bud picked in error, but it's started to open already.

@birdandbeach.bsky.social what a delightful surprise and honour!

This is epic!!

Hey - guess who just had a hmmm and realised that tomorrow is a public holiday, and if I don't want to spend the day sorting out my fabric order, I could just keep tea towel pre-orders open for another day... Because I wouldn't want you to miss out on the new Absurbirdies - Kiwi on the Couch & IYKYK

Did you see the news? Birdandbeach.co.nz is live! We have the 2026 Calendars ready to go, and as a special treat, tea towel pre-orders are live right now through until Sunday 26 Oct. There are 4 new designs to complement the ones we used to offer as @thesewphist.bsky.social. Go check it out!

A bit later than usual due to moving house (we aim for late September), but 2025's Christmas cakes are out of the oven :-)

We've recently moved ad today I went for a wander in my nearest park, Chalmers Reserve. I was delighted to discover a lovely bushy glade that was a great spot for a think :-) I was less delighted to discover and remove a bunch of rubbish - including 6 disposable nappies :-(

Such a gorgeous wee fellow!

🇳🇿🌱

Very excited to see all my coelogyne cristata orchids have developed flower spikes! I divided my original plant into four last year (of which three took), and expected the babies not to flower for a few years. So pleased to be wrong! Second image is the parent plant in bloom a year ago.

Love this :-)

My fitness has been improving and last week my husband and managed to bike the 35km-ish from Manukau train station to Waitawa Regional Park for some camping. Very satisfying, and a refreshing break! blog.puriri.nz/2025/07/camp...

Whoops, I might have ended up sewing longer than intended, but here is what got stitched this evening. 17 tea towels, all of my own design. If you want a closer look at the designs, feel free to have a browse at www.thesewphist.com/product-cate... I have most designs in stock at the moment.

Great little video -

I have a silk skirt that's strained at the seam, leading to rips I can't mend conventionally so I'm having a go at #sashiko #VisibleMending. I'm probably going to do the hemp flower all around, but for now I've just put that where it most needs strengthening. Will do more if it holds up to wearing!

My cartoon for this week’s @newscientist.com

Not the answer to your question, please ignore if not helpful. I have this one and have found it works well and it's super-cheap so may be something you could afford to just buy: www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplac...

Oh hey, it’s just a video of me, making lampshades for a customer from fabric that I also designed myself. This customer liked the kākāriki design so much they ordered 3 of them! Would you like me to make you one (or more)? Here’s where you can order online! www.thesewphist.com/product-cate...

With the change of seasons, the days get shorter, the nights longer; it's time to think about lighting in your home. Shades can make a real difference to ambience, so why not make a statement with your lamps or ceiling? I hand make native bird shades, to order. www.thesewphist.com/product-cate...

Today I'm celebrating two very different achievements: 1. After 6+ hours of v. physical work over several months, I've removed a huge pile of composting mulch that was infested with kikuyu - and now have a clear garden bed, 7 bags of kikuyu to go to the transfer station and 7 bags of compost for me.

Having a last minute stress because your #MWSecretSantraAoNZ gift didn't work out the way you hoped? I've got you covered - I'm doing a courier run later this afternoon, and I'm happy to giftwrap & send on your behalf. Bonus: use the hashtag as a coupon to get 15% off coin purses. thesewphist.com

These earrings looks so cool! There's a draw to win them :-)

If everyone could please repost this and share it on ur social media please…. Until we figure out how to link it from our website main page… This is absolutely everything the women need right now - furniture etc… aunties.co.nz/pages/wants-...

Two months into sabbatical I feel ready to start being more mentally active and posting some thoughts. Expect ocassional thoughts on podcasts I am listening to, but who knows what I will settle on as worth posting.

Wanna see something cool? At the Grammy's in 1976, Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Torme explained what jazz is. The result? The crowd losing its mind. 🔥

Here's some of what I've been up to the past month or so. blog.puriri.nz/2025/05/whan...

Also, in case your mum doesn’t like birds, you could get her some flowers instead.

Need a new wallet… or does your mum need one? Have I got a deal for you! Handmade from fabric I’ve had bespoke printed with my own original artwork, and currently on special at just $35!* *Normally $45 www.thesewphist.com/product-cate...

Lots of interesting mushrooms at Heron Park today!

I wrote this bonus, alt-text version but then I forgot to put it in ☹️ Here it is anyway William Carlos Williams voice I have tested the samples that were in the lab and which you were probably planning to analyse Forgive me they were intriguing so significant and so quantifiable

Christ is Risen! Happy Easter!

Auckland's entire train network is shut down until just after ANZAC day so they can 'lift the tracks'. Today I was startled to learn they meant that quite literally! Photo taken near Avondale. Looks like they're replenishing the gravel.