Portfolios of the public sector are distinct for a reason. They are distinct to focus, lead and be specialists in their areas. They take a role advocating their portfolio and its nuances in the complexity of cross govt decision making. 1/2 #nzpol

Words matter, and that word always makes me wince

I am really struggling to drag myself to the finish line this year, and I’ve got things that need the effort due right up till Xmas I don’t know about other work places, but in my realm people seem really really tired

"Legislation is law-making...You don't bang it through because a minister has an idea." #nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

There's a massive feature in next week's Listener on the global rise of the right and its influence locally. Worth picking up a copy

Probably preaching to the choir here but if you can spare a copper this Christmas The Aunties' annual Christmas appeal is underway. Help get the kids something fun under the tree. givealittle.co.nz/cause/the-au...

If you're in a position to donate food or funds, this is a great time of year to do it. Help the Foodbank to keep our community going this summer period. Details for how on their website. www.thekapitifoodbank.co.nz

It's that time again! Time to vote for your favourite NZ plant www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/favour...

Starting to see more and more analysis like this - a cutting piece by Carole Cadwalladr on the broligarchy and the AI circle-jerk and it’s finances when this bubble bursts it’s gonna be ugly

‘These companies are stealing every scrap of data they can find, throwing compute[r] power at it, draining our aquifers of water and our national grids of electricity and all we have so far is some software that you can’t trust not to make things up.’

Went out for a drink, and a group of old gnarled bikers bought us Pinot Gris in exchange for taking our table in the sun at the pub and I’m not to proud to be bribed with booze by elderly men in leather

“A democracy is held together not by statutes alone but by the character of leaders who know that power is lent, not owned. Once that character is lost, leadership fragments, especially among new, or new to New Zealand, public servants.” A simple, clear, chilling summary #nzpol

Had a friend come round with her puppy who had diarrhoea all over our floor which has led to having the north windows open in the lounge today and it’s really blowy out there if you are exposed to the northerly #obviouslyworthit

We’ve sort of started house hunting and I’m approaching each one with *will this suit a cat? which means this could take some time

At the end of a very busy week this is the shot I needed to see I used to live down there, walking or running that beach in all weathers - watching the old posts fading in and out of waves or mist or bright sun Love Ōtepoti Dunedin

Crap I’m considering grow lights for my houseplants which I assume is a descension into full houseplant shennigans 🌱🇳🇿

I woke up to my feed being full of pictures of the type of toilet Abraham Lincoln would have used

My grumpy child-disinterested tradie partner came home with a sack of lollies and has made up baggies *just in case* getting soft in his old age or intending to eat a shit load of chocolate tonight #halloween #aotearoa

My partner was given this dessert wine by a bloke he occasionally works with. The bloke, Shanne, says his granddad makes all kinds of wine. This one is tamarillo. IT IS AMAZING. When the apocalypse comes, Shanne from Auckland’s grandad is going to make a killing.

Ah shit, this isn’t good. It’s a really good time to check if you’ve been vaccinated and to book a vaccine if you haven’t. It’s free for many and can be done at a pharmacy. Ideal is two doses, at least a month apart

NZ is in the middle of an extreme weather event. Climate change makes these winds, storms, fires and floods more frequent and intense. Right now, the Luxon Govt is actively undermining global efforts to reduce climate pollution. Hold them accountable.

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]

Hey Kāpiti 🌱 🌱people, I’m trying to find a Cornstalk Dracaena … tried Mitre Ten and Harrison’s but no luck … any ideas?

If you are getting up for the train this morning in Kāpiti, you may want to go back to bed

Today is the most cup of tea and a book on the couch day we’ve had in ages, it feels like squalls have been coming through for about twenty hour hours non stop

I just said to my partner, yes but the REAL time is 6pm and he said exist in the here and now my love, EXIST IN THE HERE AND NOW #daylightsaving 🇳🇿

Made my first moss pole. Yes, it is the size of a restaurant kebab. That small golden pothos better climb it like a monkey. 🌱🇳🇿

Do you reckon we are ever going to stop doing day light saving?

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." - Desmond Tutu

Loving the sun being out on the train ride home on a Friday night

New Zealand prevaricates on whether to recognise Palestine as a state, or not. My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol #Palestine #Gaza

Currently engaged in how the hell do I avoid Christmas planning which seems early but I need to get on it before the It is Christmas [insert obligation] people start asking what I’m doing

And here we are. DrC going to the lines later this morning. This isn't on the front page of Stuff or RNZ or the NZ Herald. You wouldn't even know it was happening if you didn't have a doctor in the family, an appointment today, or Toast in your skyline. F* these people. All of them.

I think the Stuff all day live coverage of Charlie Kirk memorial & 1News leading with the story shows that there's some heavyweight interest in pushing US culture and Republican talking points into NZ living rooms. NMZE is naturally already atuned, posting headlines painting Kirk positively #nzpol

Accredited Living Wage Employers pay directly employed workers and regular contractors, like cleaners and security guards, at least a Living Wage. #LivingWageEmployers #EthicInAction #TheRealDeal You can find accredited employers on our website here: www.livingwage.org.nz/accredited_e...

Did a clean of four plants yesterday with the Sexy Plant Juice and am happy at how well they came out. Definitely brought a shine to the leaves, even the delicate Never Never has a bit of gloss onher big papery leaves. 🌱 🌱

Whenever I meet people who are playing round the edges alt-right, I think of the Lily Allen lyric in Fuck You, “do you get a little kick out of being small-minded?” Yeah, yeah they do. This creator explains the inherent tantrum in these ideologies and the uselessness of looking for meaning .

Proud of this kaupapa. Iwi and unions uniting for the first time is a historic moment and gives me hope for the future.

Having a beer in the sticks cos the train threw us all off in Paekākāriki

What’s remarkable about this is not that the EIU has assessed the US as a flawed democracy but that the map shows just how limited full democracy is across the globe. AoNZ still a nice dark blue (on 2024 data)

Te Wiki o te Reo Mãori Mäori Language Week HEPETEMA 2025

Ahiahi mārie Kāpiti, today's a great day to vote to keep our Māori Ward on Kāpiti Coast District Council and Māori Constituency on Greater Wellington Regional Council. Remember to tick both boxes when you fill out your voting papers - the GWRC box is on the back page!

Right, time for blue and green (sea, sky or plant, wherever you can find it ) 🌱 I’ve just made the famous @paigetailyn Sexy Plant Juice (water, neem oil, liquid peppermint soap and isopropyl alcohol) and am gonna see how my wee green ZZ likes it.

I’ve been quiet on here mainly because I’m back working in the public service and feel less able to express myself. But I’ve been having a lot of thoughts about checks and balances, and the fragility of our democracy. I’ve always assumed that there is fundamental decentness and plodding 1/ #nzpol

Has any one in Kāpiti got any ideas on where to find info on local government candidates? God it’s a mire trying to figure out who is who and what they actually stand for apart from ‘no rates sensible council I used to run a business’

Scrolls furiously looking for fibreglass fruit

This a great piece on the big picture of political change here and how its part of a bigger movement, simple, clear and I don’t think it had any swears so you can send it to your nana

Quick video for the 'we saved too many lives, spent too much $, sent inflation to the moon, made interest rates go up, and now we have to pay for our sins 😢' crowd. The idea that NZ could have 'opted out' of global inflation surge is daft. Almost as daft as NZ opting almost uniquely for a recession.

There’s someone I follow on here that’s done amazing work and compiled all local govt candidates and their known affiliations- I meant to favourite it and didn’t- now I can’t find it- urgh- can someone help me out? #nzpol

Wanna know the common thread in Aotearoa’s ever-worsening cost of living crisis? LACK OF COMPETITION. Monopolies, duopolies & cartels. Supermarkets. Building supplies. Powercos. Fuel companies. Fonterra. Banks. Pray for a future Gov brave enough to break up or regulate these sectors.