part of the problem with the american public is the inability of them to understand the scale of a billion dollars like for 38 billion you could EASILY build 38 Palace of Versailles I guarantee 30 billion of this will be graft like you see in the russian military but probably worse

Given all the really important shit that this government says we "can't afford" it's amazing what they manage to find money for.

Wild that there was an open lane called "what if we just explain things clearly to people?" and he's the first one to ever fill it

After 14 short years, Tucker left us unexpectedly this week - curled up in a favourite spot and didn't wake up. I thought he'd slow down, rack up bills insurance wouldn't cover, and eventually we'd have 'the talk' with the vet. But that wasn't his style & he will be sorely missed. Pat your pets x

The downside of following @musicalchairs.bsky.social and @bernardchickey.bsky.social is that the financial illiteracy of the Herald Letter Writers is even more frustrating than it was in the past.

FYI, paying subscribers have asked me to open this one up to all for reading, listening, watching and sharing. #nzpol So free for all to read now. thekaka.substack.com/p/fridays-ea...

I support the thousands of public servants striking today. You do good work, essential work, and you deserve fair pay, safe working conditions, adequate time for rest and recovery, and to not be snarked at by those who were elected to represent us all. Please stay safe in these winds.

Damn, I read Judith's letter! I'll leave the politics to others, but, lord, the Govt spending stuff is REALLY BAD! I'll try and keep this short. First up, this bare-faced lie. The countries in the pink circle have a similar-sized economy to NZ. Govt spending is a lot higher in all but one . [🧵 1/n]

Let's make hope normal again. youtu.be/qxt4HCjd7VA?...

These words that Nigel Latta wrote in 2015 have always stayed with me

This is great. Do please watch it.

Always say 'thank you' to the bus driver. Always. #NewZealandValues

There’s renewable energy ads and there’s mother**cking wind farm ads. This, blissfully, is the latter.

What I also want to know is why proper reporting like this is behind a paywall while the lies these harmful arseholes spread get splashed everywhere. Well, we know why. It’s horrific that the media companies are so complicit in this.

Suppose it were a woman MP who was caught on camera, maggoted and ranting at an event. She'd be gearing up for a fortnight-long news cycle in which she'd be forced to admit having an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, encouraged to divulge personal information, and made to apologise repeatedly.

It's been 8 years since the iconic moment Tom Holland lip-synced "Umbrella" by Rihanna for Zendaya. 🎥

$19 a kg for Mainland edam... I seem to remember Tasty being this price being a national scandal...

This. They're not nostalgic for the factory. They're frustrated that--unlike their parents/grandparents--they can't afford to live in a "nice" house in a "nice" neighborhood, get married, raise kids on one income, and retire comfortably at 65 *unless* they also take on mountains of student loan debt

It is 2002. I am 18 years old. We are in a once-in-a-generation economic crisis. It is 2008. I am 24 years old. We are in a once-in-a-generation economic crisis. It is 2020. I am 36 years old. We are in a once-in-a-generation economic crisis. It is 2025. I am 41 years old. We are in a—

Penny Arcade for March 25th 2002, 23 years ago today was a classic. See children, the Xbox controller was very big… www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2002/0...

Penny Arcade for March 19th 2004, 21 years ago today. This comic is officially old enough to drink. www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/0...

I look forward to David Seymour in opposition. (Wait, I lost my train of thought there…) I look forward to David Seymour in opposition displaying his newfound “Close enough is good enough” attitude towards his political adversaries.

I got milk in school. My mother got child benefit. There were Dental nurses at schools.Tertiary Ed was free. Rent/housing were affordable. There were award wages - my factory job paid my rent/living costs, holidays & I could save. “Back in my day... Your mother received the Family Benefit” - DR BEX

Luxon: Trusts Donald Trump Doesn't trust Māori with Three Waters

Oh no. JD Vance is 40. Millennials are going to get blamed for ruining an 80 year old Western alliance aren’t we?

Of all motherfuckers, I can’t believe the country is going down with this motherfucker.

If you think National backbench MPs and Christopher Luxon were worried about his popularity before the start of Term One, just wait until the 'Soccer Moms' and 'Netball Moms' find out what's happening in their schools... thekaka.substack.com/p/seymours-l...

I assume Australia's statistics are similar. #auspol #nzpol

Yesterday I discovered that my beloved did not know what a Cyber Truck was and I aspire to be that offline. (Yes, yes, Alanis. I know. I know!)

Absolutely fuck these people. We shouldn't have to feel that our children are unsafe just being themselves out in the world.

Having watched with growing alarm the developments of the last 24 and 36 hours in Washington, I thought I’d take a stab at how the US media would cover this story if it was happening in a foreign country. Here’s that story that should be written this weekend: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/musk-s-jun...

But... but... I thought all inflation was Labour's fault and had nothing to do with the global situation! www.stuff.co.nz/money/360545...

And check out this beautiful poem by Tusiata Avia that begins: And today, Hana-Rawhiti rose – more than stood – she rose like Nafanua, goddess of war like Hine-nui-te-po, goddess of death ... tusiata.substack.com/p/in-praise-... (link to support her work at bottom of poem)

I wonder if Coldplay is gonna be like reverse EQC with one person in Wellington claiming they can hear it. It’s crystal clear 1km from the stadium so maybe…

After Trump’s first win Frank Turner released the album “Be More Kind”. While tracks like ‘1933’ and ‘Make America Great Again (by making racists ashamed again)’ are once again relevant, the opening track, ‘Don’t Worry’ is currently on high rotation in my head. Enjoy! youtu.be/px_vFaZanmE?...

"You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you! Goddamn you all to hell!"

Always 💖 Don't make me tap the sign

Time to post things I can delete or use as evidence of my omnipotence: 1. Harris wins with 325 electoral college votes (or more). 2. As soon as the Georgia early vote comes in, there'll be a collective unclenching from democrats. 3. MAGA will pivot from "Too Big to Rig" to "Too Big to be True".

maybe if I refresh one more time I will finally read a post that tells me exactly what’s going to happen on Tuesday

If you had to choose, I'd give Tory Whanau durable power of attorney over my personal finances over Simple Simeon Brown every day of the week Re-skeet if you agree. Like if you're just existentially exhausted by all this nonsense.. #NZPol

Being in the ‘20s sounds so weird. It's so synonymous with the 1920s. Sounds like a long time ago when women were fighting for their rights, the upper classes were living a life of hedonism and hoarding wealth, while people starved & the world was on the verge of economic collapse and war. Wait

Just like Mr Seymour, I too was the perfect parent who followed all the rules. Then I had kids. www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

My feed is full of people excited about the protest in Dunedin, but based on recent history, I suspect National will give 1000 fucks for every tractor involved in the protest. Zero.

the same people who spent 15 years saying YOU'LL NEVER BUY A HOUSE BECAUSE YOU KEEP BUYING COFFEE AND AVOCADO TOAST are now screaming YOU'RE DESTROY THE ECONOMY YOU NEED TO BUY MORE COFFEE AND AVOCADO TOAST

My corporate role helps a business that employs more kiwis than the MoE to succeed. Each employee pays tax and there’s tax on any profits, some of which come from overseas sales. Tax that can be spent making things better (or to pay a public servant to carry out David Seymour’s whims).

my new comic, inspired by the lady who shows up at local planning meetings with a megaphone to shout down new housing developments in neighbourhoods she does not live in

story also contains some context on cycling spending