I don't want to see any more stories about current or past leader's bladder issues. When did we start mocking people with catheters or wearing pads? What makes us think it affects their abilities to lead? Imagine how it feels to others with similar disabilities leading perfectly normal lives.

This long, personal story takes place in New Zealand, where healthcare is free. Hope it might help someone. In May I was visiting my Dad in the hospital after he had a heart attack. While I was there Canterbury Breastcare rang to say there was something unusual on my Mammogram.

We've been watching John Cambell's series on Destiny Church. We were inspired to donate to Rainbow Reading's Givealittle page to fund their lawsuit after Destiny ruined their business. You can help too. Here is the link: givealittle.co.nz/cause/drag-q... #nz #nzpol

Excellent news about the media council decision. As for Michael Organ... what a _______ (insert insult/ expletive here).

He lies. Most of New Zealand is more than ready, but adapting the words of Chloe Swarbrick, we can't find enough coalition politicians with a spine. #nzpol www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/3...

Damn autocorrect. Sent a message to someone going through a rough time and it changed kia kaha to kia haha! #nz

This could be a series where a new person is added every day: - I investigated J6 - I'm a vaccine advocate - I'm a Democrat politician - my grandmother was Mexican until we finally get to ... - I posted on BlueSky

Unbelievable. This government has stripped the Reserve Bank of staff, fired or made it impossible for the Governor to continue, maybe used crony-ism in new appointments, fired multiple long serving staff, and now is to blame for the decline of the economy. #nzpol www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

I'm guessing this comes from a US perspective, but it is a cautionary tale for some of the nonsense coming from the Coalition in NZ. #nzpol

SPLIT ENZ IS GETTING BACK TOGETHER! Just for Electric Avenue. Memories of concerts in the Wellington Town Hall are flooding back. Now to figure out if I can cope with a late night, big crowds, and if my super will stretch that far. #nz #splitenz

I just read that it's 50 years since Jaws was released. I've never seen it, but I remember choosing not to go with my friends. 50 years! You will find me in the fetal position wondering where the time went. BTW, I didn't go because I would have been in the fetal position in the movie theatre!

I grew up in an evangelical church, so James Dobson was part of my culture. The day I read the title of the article "Breaking the Spirit of the Child" was the day I went off him. I was in my mid-20s. He got more intractable and cruel with age, while I became more progressive.

Thank you, Amy!. How about a little game to name all the politicians in living memory about whom this could be said?

How to exacerbate teacher shortages. First lie about their pay, then take all negotiating power away. I'm glad I'm retired. This would be a final straw. www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...

I'm a legend! Who knew?

I'm watching Hawaii News about the tsunami on YT. Really shocked by the comments, both unscientific and downright abhorrent. Things about a lot of fuss over maybe just 30cm through to solving the homeless problem. Others believe it is fake news originated by Biden. Shocked!

Dear Damien Grant: Hundreds of thousands of us watched J Ardern's daily Covid briefings & Q&A & were reassured by her competence, comprehension & concise communication in a time of deep crisis. You denial & diminution of this speaks to your cheap political motives, rather than any worldly analysis.

People need to know this. Winston is on a mission, and we all know what that looks like. He will become more entrenched and more hateful. The minority who agree with him will become more vicious towards LGBTQ+ people. This is not who we are, NZ. #nzpol

Gender Minorities Aotearoa have documented and archived the resources Sport NZ have now removed - which in fact looks to be the whole rainbow section of the website, because it mentioned "transgender", including a rainbow inclusion e-learning module. genderminorities.com/resources/sp...

Unbelievable. Carefully researched guidelines ditched by Winston Peters and Chris Peters. These were for community sports, not about elite sports people. Government orders Sport NZ to scrap transgender inclusive community sport guidelines www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic... #nzpol

I have spent quite a bit of time at Canterbury Breastcare recently (DCIS - treatable but lots of steps). I am so impressed by this part of our health system and think it has aspects that could inform other areas. Some of the things I have noticed are:

I haven't written about the Roy Chung saga because everyone's all over it but can I just say how tragic it is that the guy was whining about his "personal emails" being used in public life, while trying to use others' supposed personal stories as political fodder. #nzpol

Ray Chung vs Ray Chung #NZPol

How to tell that you are getting old. You watch a YouTube short about the historic wringer machine you used when you were 21. youtube.com/shorts/BoQss...

I love this. youtu.be/eqYAaljpqbI?...

If a Dame writes an open letter to John Key about the terrible things he did to NZ, will it be published, or is that reserved for men writing to women?

On "Open Letters": People of my generation and older (I'm 65) don't use first names in formal letters except, possibly, when we are on an equal footing or superior to the person we are writing to. So I would always write "Dear Ms Ardern" or "Dear Mr Luxon".

trickle down economics trickle down economic trickle down economi trickle down econom trickle down econo trickle down econ trickle down eco trickle down ec trickle down e trickle down trickle dow trickle do trickle d trickle trickl trick

People who've had Nimbus, how long before the ears unblock? The cicadas inside them are driving me mad!

Great news! I've watched students get further behind while waiting for a diagnosis. GPs, nurse practitioners will soon be allowed to diagnose and treat ADHD www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

Thought for the Day…

If Trump can do it, then so can I.

These last few days and weeks have really brought it home- words MATTER. Before you say it or share it ask yourself: Is what I'm about to say 🔎ACCURATE? 🔧 HELPFUL? 🔑NECESSARY? Add to the conversation, not the noise. Chill your hot takes to make sure you're helping, not hurting.

This is a metaphor. In the 19th century, colonial authorities in the UK planned the streets of Dunedin without information about the terrain. Nearly two centuries later... www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...

Yes, but I think we also need to understand that the same person saying "Thistoll is a f***wit" over and over again tends to wear others down to believe the slur. People actually came to believe that Joe was sleepy and Hillary was crooked. If it takes a law to prevent it, so be it, imo.

They can have him! www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...

How come, as a teacher, I was not allowed to take photos or recordings of kids destroying other kid's work, making gun gestures, or pretending to engage in sex acts because that was illegal, but a deputy press secretary can take pictures of women and sex workers and it's legal?

Hopefully, the charges will quickly be shown to be "trumped up" (pun intended). www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

Who keeps the car in the divorce?

How to tell you are old: You are scrolling BlueSky on your phone and see a screenshot with a name blacked out. You momentarily wonder if you can make out the name if you hold it up to the light.

There's a word for this, or several, isn't there? waateanews.com/2025/06/02/o...

Yeah no Luxo, it wasn't "an opinion on music". It was an opinion on Mãori. #nzpol

Glad we now have a way to report this travesty, said no one ever. #nzpol Govt launches road cone tipline as WorkSafe overhaul begins www.1news.co.nz/2025/06/03/g...

Can Peter Thiel's NZ citizenship be revoked? Or do we have to live with this man representing Kiwis on the world stage, even though he had only spent 12 days in NZ when granted citizenship? Can Nathan Guy be investigated for corruption over allowing this strange decision? #nzpol

gm