The "for the children" line is a cover story. It’s easy to see if you compare what, say, Casey Costello told fans on the NZ First website, compared to the party line to media. bsky.app/profile/notj...

#NZpol Rumination/rant Part of politicians’ job is to back infrastructure needs with funding, etc., but MPs & (minor) parties reaching in to install their ideological positions into our institutions is overreaching, and an authoritarian approach.

I see a few people suggesting it’s "testing the waters" for trying on banning abortions and similar. Even without that it’s hands in the wrong place, but with that it’s added pressure to get them to stop reaching, imposing their ideological baggage.

Hello Aotearoa businesses if you want people's 💰 👇

Can I just point out that these warnings are far, far from empty alarmism. Look at the states. Repro rights orgs started warning people years ago as the antis chipped away at our rights until finally Roe v Wade fell. We can’t let it happen here. We need a new govt. #nzpol

Wassup with asset sales? Why is a wealth tax a bit meh? Quick 🧵 Glib analogy, but life in the neoliberal economy is like monopoly. You work, earn cash, and pay for things you need as you go round the board. If you earn more than you spend, you can buy an asset - some shares, a house etc... [1/n]

I’m not entering the Christmas promo scramble. I’m simply gesturing to the killer gift of the season: The Cat Operator’s Manual, and trusting the gays and the cat mums to take it from here. cuddleUnit5.com

Puberty blockers: why politicians overriding doctors sets a dangerous precedent www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-...

Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other. Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq

Former Finnish PM Sanna Marin put it bluntly: “To end the conflict, Russia must leave Ukrainian territory.” Just one point. Nothing more to discuss.

Can't help feeling we've been significantly short-changed. Compromise COP30 climate deal doesn't mention fossil fuels www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/5...

Great article. An important point is the blatant hypocrisy that the legislation only applies to trans kids. Cis kids can still be prescribed these medications for their medical needs. This makes a mockery of their narratives. This is blatant harmful bigotry to cause suffering. THAT'S ILLEGAL !

😻😻😻PROFESSOR BISCUIT!😻😻😻

#NZ #Police corruption: Now a Senior Auckland detective is also under investigation over alleged objectionable material, after bestiality & child sex exploitation material was allegedly found on his work devices #nzpol www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/senior-au...

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky said he and the US were working to carve out a “dignified and effective” path for peace. But Ukraine’s leader has warned the war-torn country faces a “very difficult choice”

I stepped out into the garden with the puppy and a balloon drifted over us, quite low, from beyond the trees. (Puppy wasn't bothered ar all.)

Does MAGA think they're "American numerals" or something?

“BTW, corporate NZ has never given Ardern credit for the economic benefits that her style of leadership earned this country on the world stage. No flash marketing campaign could deliver anything like the positive brand recognition that NZ gained during her tenure.” #nzpol

Great little story 😊

One of the things cis women have long fought for bodily autonomy with are cries such as "get your laws off my body" & "my body, my choice" ... trans folks are no different. This is why the ban on puberty blockers for trans folks is so incredibly stupid and ideological. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

I shouldn't have to spell it out, but if such forces feel like they can legislate against the bodily rights & autonomy of self for one group, they can do it for other groups whom they deem also aren't inhabiting their bodies 'correctly'. If they come for others, they will come for us.

Though honestly regardless, even if this wasn't all part of the same damn system and structures and wouldn't effect us at all, just care for trans folks and empower them as fellow human beings, for crying out loud.

It's very suspicious that puberty blockers are OK for cis chn but not trans. What's difft? A woman in my old book grp had a daughter transitioning to a boy. She said she wasn't surprised as her daughter had always felt odd. It worries me how many issues this CoC chgd. Flip flops aren't helpful.

This. Targeting trans youth is a test of how far they can push. If the coalition is re-elected, expect more restrictions. Note which parties are speaking out now and making official statements - they’re the ones likely to resist further erosion, and should be voted for strongly when the times comes.

You’re a pretty shitty lawyer, Mike.

🦠 #NZ Measles – Two more cases, both in Nelson - closely linked to an existing case in Nelson - *new* locations in Nelson, Auckland and Waikato ⬇️ - full locations of interest, there are a lot: info.health.nz/conditions-t... If you have symptoms, please contact Healthline Healthline on 0800 611 116

“National (& Bishop) has repackaged a reduced social housing budget & is now delivering fewer homes than it promised just months ago,” Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty… “The Housing Investment Plan is nothing more than a rebrand – underfunded & underdelivering.” #nzpol

Rewarding a dictator-aggressor always leads to another war. One that is usually even worse.

Also, if companies are happy to lose workers over AI, then society Universal Basic Income needs to become a reality. There's a lot of unemployed people out there with no available positions going.

Time to move past the neverending trial stage. Yes, basic income reduces homelessness.

I turned the TV on for the puppy...

All of this 👇

Excellent news! www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

Doctors and parents should make decisions about what it best for their kids' health - not politicians.

THIS bears repeating as long as media outlets and politicians keep amplifying the fantasy fiction that "gender activists" are roaming the streets throwing buckets of puberty blockers at every passing child, like some pharmaceutical lolly scramble.

I feel the general public has been complacent & unbothered with the creep of fascist authoritarianism imported to AoNz - but it’s here- this abuse of Trans whanau is way past bots online or Destiny ranting. We have to stand up & say THIS IS NOT US - - first they came for …poem.

How spectacular would it be seeing this 😲 “One of the most epic moments I have caught on film..... this morning I decided to film motion from the boat and these two amazing Humpback Whales decided to put on a show... wow wow wow” ~ Photographer Craig Parry. I absolutely agree ~ wow, wow, wow! 🐳

Jeepers, this is alarming. The Terrifying Problem Of Fraud In Women's Health open.substack.com/pub/gidmk/p/...

Well, of course he does. In his mind it's vaccines all the way.

I'd like to think Kirikiriroa local body politicians would take heed (but I'm not holding my breath).

Again comparisons of who is talking to who show something interesting. 1News’ coverage reported what financial/investment people thought. By contrast if you read people with technical backgrounds who understand what AI _is_, from the inside as it were, you read a lot of concern. 6/n

- I found comparing what one politician (Casey Costello) sung to her fans informative. Her piece was a rant reeking of ideological motivation. bsky.app/profile/did:... The comparison of what she sold to fans suggests the pitch to media is, essentially, a cover story. 4/n

Two thoughts: - rather than "just" repeat _what_ the politicos say, I’m often left wishing for _why_ they are saying it, and what they get out of it 3/n

Just when I didn't think I could loathe him more than I already do. US President Donald Trump moves to strip protections for endangered and threatened species www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/5...

Let's be clear: this is not a 'scandalette'. This is a Minister of the Crown taking $27m allocated for one vote (housing) and spending it on another IN HIS OWN ELECTORATE. Amazing how Tory reporters can minimise this when it suits them. #nzpol

Dear Kāpiti Coast District Council,...

I’ve never liked a National Government or National led Coalition government but I can’t remember a time when they completely disregarded human rights and human decency, thanks to Act & NZ first. Every day a new horror. Every day dragged back decades

They don't take any notice. They don't take any notice of emails, and they don't take any notice of submissions, and they don't take any notice of marches or strikes. They take no notice of experts or academics or even their own public servants' advice. These fuckers do not give 1/100th of a shit

New soccer star in the making.