People ask, “How do we fund UBI?” That’s skipping the first question: how did a few people get so rich in the first place? The answer isn’t just hard work. It’s control of land, resources, and systems everyone depends on UBI is the share everyone gets when access is taken away

A wealthy #US businessman implicated in an $800,000 scam involving a Remuera finance company director has denied wrongdoing and threatened to sue #NZ Police for dragging his name through the mud #nzpol www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/...

I mean, you’d think it was pretty obvious, wouldn’t you? 💭🙄 #nzpol

Don't want to upset the holiday mood of folks in New Zealand by posting aspects of awful commentary inciting hate, & harm inspired by, & directly associated with Brian Tamaki's rally over the weekend. The rally was widely covered in Indian media, as well as foreign social media accounts. #nzpol

Happy 14th anniversary to this youtube video

People power > elite power. We beat the NZTA-political complex last time, and we'll do it again. www.stuff.co.nz/national/102...

This is what happens when the people with all the power work in your town but don't live in your town.

As an Aucklander who's visited Wellington a bunch, traveling from airport to city every time, obviously... The traffic just isn't that bad! Like it's a little annoying sometimes, but honestly it's a short drive that doesn't take that long even when it's congested.

This is a great example of how genAI steals from us all on multiple levels. It's stolen a promotional spot for real books and authors, it's stolen a job from an actual journalist who could have compiled this, it's stolen an opportunity for parents to be recommended good NZ books for their kids

Great thread! Me and @pipadam.bsky.social were talking about writing through today — how sometimes you have to write what it isn’t to get closer to what it actually *is*.

Not now, haunted Victorian shoes

The same Russel Brand who was a headliner at the Turning Point USA America Fest? What a shocking turn of events who could have even predicted.

On one level, Splore calling it a day is ... well, things do end, better a graceful exit and a proper farewell to a unique festival. On another, a Linkin Park show at Spark getting NZ taxpayer funding that Splore didn't is everything that's wrong with the world. thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/...

Holiday makers warned to check destination water is safe to drink

🎉

When Luxon is asked what his biggest challenge was this year and replies “quarter two”. He’s right but just not in the way he that he thinks. That language and his inability to shake it is what’s causing him to be so unlikeable to the general public.

The endless number of fully redacted pages will definitely cool the interest and frenzy around the Epstein files

This is bonkers, neoliberalism destroying our healthcare system on purpose. www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

"The Epstein files have been released."

The Epstein Files, everybody!

Just recorded our annual Worst Takes of the Year episode!

the epstein files as rick owens fall/winter 2024

AI got my poetry collection disqualified from the book awards – here’s my side of the story

This is by far the best thing I have read about writing and ai. Also this collection is stunning - I'm quite heartbroken to see it disqualified. Thank you Jiaqiao Liu. 'AI got my poetry collection disqualified from the book awards – here’s my side of the story.' thespinoff.co.nz/books/20-12-...

Find someone in life who loves you as much as the gov loves the alcohol lobby... #nzpol .https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/582300/restaurants-may-be-able-to-sell-take-home-alcohol-under-revised-law

The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality. And trans lives are grounded in reality. We see y'all. No matter what. www.popsci.com/science/tran...

Probably my most unpopular take ever is that our National Broadcaster has never had a co-host who is Tangata Whenua on their flagship news program and every time a white guy leaves I always get hopeful and then sad.

I gave an interview to Henry Cooke of The Post. www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

Congratulations to all Te Waka Toi Awards 2025 recipients. Especially my mate Emma. Thank you Toi Aotearoa. creativenz.govt.nz/news-and-blo...

What kind of person feels hard done by when those with nothing slightly approach pay levels that reflect human decency? Not only have I never felt this or known anyone else to feel this, it was actually beyond my wildest imagination before I saw this. These people are bizarre anti-humans.

B said last night, 'Imagine if this year's % of the $12.8 billion pay parity claims cut by the government were in the economy right now?' Add to this the loss in workers through cuts & Australia & the cuts to benefits. We're more than consumers & taxpayers but also we buy things & pay tax.

Fuuuuuuuuuuck.

Data centres are being marketed as 'vital cogs in the energy transition', but the metaphor is wrong. They're black holes, sucking up time, light, matter and energy from the decarbonisation space and redeploying it to protecting big tech's profits. www.businessinsider.com/ford-data-ce...

This one’s important e hoa mā - a few of our orgs are collaborating on this fund to ensure that no trans young person in Aotearoa misses out on lifesaving care. Alternative treatment pathways exist but are expensive and we need your help. givealittle.co.nz/cause/we-got...

Spotted: Shout out to @pipadam.bsky.social on @mealofthorns.bsky.social

Take care online today. Following the terror attack in Australia, please be aware of: explicit videos of the attack, AI generated videos of the attack, any disinformation about the shooting, shooter, or victims. Report anything that seems suss to the platform you saw it on and Netsafe. ❤️❤️❤️

This is such patronising bullshit. We’re not aspiring to “unrealistic” things like a three-day work week, a holiday house and a pony. We want kids fed, a health system, a role in life for everyone. Those things aren’t unrealistic, they’re a *choice* successive governments are making to deny us.

We like to joke (or complain) that the only practice for writers is writing, but that's sorta like saying scales aren't singing. There are lots of ways for writers to do studies--like rewriting scenes in other genres or tones, or even just the act of recrafting individual lines as they occur to you.

Dick Van Dyke making it to 100 after tackling his alcohol problem and quitting smoking in his 50's is a heart warmer because sometimes you might think middle age fixes you into your habits, that it's too late or whatever. Maybe not? Maybe it's all a learning journey.

The handling of Health NZ feels like it sums up modern #nzpol - Commit to not outsourcing - then outsource - Implement cost savings - which increase costs - Lay of hundreds of people in Data and Digital - while implementing telehealth and digital health initiatives www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...

So we’ve had Bishop deliberately not seeking the House’s approval for a massively truncated select committee period for one bill, and now the Minister of Justice deliberately circumventing the rules on omnibus bills. Attacks on normal procedure will harm public trust. www.rnz.co.nz/news/thehous...

Wooo! Look at this! 💛

Ppl are rightly upset about a tiny rise to the minimum wage. Wish they would be upset about the minimum wage exemption. #Ableism infests systems & structures if anyone but #disabled ppl noticed. Wallace Chapman was "outraged" last night on RNZ The Panel to "discover" that #access is still an issue!

Sad to lose Brent McLachlan, one of the nicest people in NZ music. I first heard him play in 1980, at an early Gordons gig, in an old hall in Hillsborough. I still recall thinking "Are you *allowed* to sound like this?" www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjDc...

Buy someone a calendar for Christmas and support a residency for NZ writers www.robertlordwriterscottage.nz/p/joyful-and...

Never vote to give a government power you wouldn't give to your worst enemy

writing as an act of joy, yes, always. but also writing as a method of coping.

“Have you seen the latest poll?” For the New Zealand election? The 2026 New Zealand election? The 2026 second half of the year New Zealand election? Those aren’t polls, they’re pre-xmas report cards. I give them slightly less weight than the NBA championship predictions.

💯✊🏻 with alt text #NZPol

In a year of heartbreak this interview had me weeping. We have to do better for our peers. I'm not sure if this recording includes the response from the Minister which was the final kick in the guts. If this cruelty keeps driving policy we are all fucked. www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...