MH-60R is a 26 year old upgrade of 1970s SH-60B. 50+ year old helicopter. European AW159 is a newer helicopter (entered service 2015), or the NH90. So the Euro ones would've been newer futureproofing alternative to 1970s U.S. design. This is Trump pleasing deal, rather than upgrade of NZ military

This is what happens when citizens aren't engaged in politics, & forget what public good is. Theft of public good is seen as 'fiscal responsibility' & 'curbing wasteful spending'. Without public good, what's the point of the state? Social contract - outsourced transaction?

People have been brainwashed for so many years about the threat of 'communism', that most NZrs aren't able to admit or recognise when we get Right Wing authoritarianism: "Removal of elected members from Teaching Council shows disdain for profession, says Chris A. president of PPTA" #nzpol

Dear everyone, if you want your partner to miraculously get up from bed, fully recovered from debilitating flu, simply tell them: "just don't go into the light".... thanks, FFS!

Making science compulsory in year 11 seems like a risky policy from a government who are in power thanks to voters who think climate change is a hoax and vaccines are poison

It seems it will be easier for me to enter North Korea or Afghanistan....

"Students should be in class" is a worn-out dinosaur line, justifying selling out the present with, "not in my lifetime" logic. Yet, those who will inherit our mess are told to, "stay in class, it's none of your business." Well, good on them, & It is their business, & theirs alone #nzpol

The last seat at the edge of the world #Aoraki

I'm bit annoyed at friends & acquaintances who act shocked at mad genocidal regimes of Israel & U.S. Framing it as 'over there problem', while ignoring the problem HERE: NZ Govt coalition openly stands as closest allies with Trump & Netanyahu. We! Have a problem Here! #nzpol

Did NZ PM at least issue a statement in response to trumps call to genocide & destruction of an entire civilisation? Will Winston bring it up with Rubio? No? We all have to accept that NZ has itself chosen barbarism over principals & respect for international law. We saw that in Gaza #nzpol

To my #Christian friends & whanau, I wish you a joyful #Easter Sunday, & may you have a peaceful day… My thoughts are also with Palestinian Christians who are facing persecution & ethnic cleansing as all Palestinians are…

Or what, they’ll bomb Iran? “Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage in the Strait of Hormuz…” RNZ & others report this kind of nonsense ‘with a straight face’, as if we all have short-term memory.

Trumpism is international. Culture wars & the politics of the spectacle worked in the U.S. & by being in power with ACT, Winston knows it works here. It’s as simple as that.

But that sounds like socialism

I hope some realise now, that most protesting #genocide weren’t simply ‘choosing a side’. After US & Israel were allowed to level Gaza & kill 37,000+ children with impunity, why not do th same to Tehran? Why be shocked at U.S. War Secretary saying proudly, “we’re punching them while they’re down”?

“It was never meant to be a fair fight…We’re punching them while they’re down”. U.S. War Secretary. & to remind us all, this coalition Govt decided to be afraid of this bully. Does anyone even remember NZs stance on being nuclear free? taking pride in independent foreign policy? #nzpol #BendTheKnee

I shed no tears for #Khamenei, but I do for the innocent (like those killed in the school bombing), and for the world shaped by Netanyahu & Trump’s “whatcha gonna do about it?” diplomacy. #Iran #Israel #US

The Onion writes better headlines

#Kilkenny always leads to “ #reunification “ & “f**k the monarchy” for some reason #FridayVibes

Talk about ceding sovereignty. First the FBI office, now this… might as well build a Trump tower in Wanaka #nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

So police can ‘fine’ homeless, for being homeless? Have powers to ‘move on’ homeless. But where? Prisons? We are at imprisoning homeless stage of NZs far right transition. #nzpol

Winston: we would’ve blocked the bill, if unions only asked. Workers First Union: ahm, we met with you at least 8 times since 2024 to discuss the bill! PSA: & we met in August last year! Winston: As I was saying, if unions only asked on time… #nzpol #CTU #WorkersFirstUnion

This coalition keeps telling us, ‘facts don’t matter’, & therefore ‘integrity does not matter’ (in the age of disinformation & culture wars). Please read Workers First release: #nzpol #nzfirst#workersfirstunion

Something strange is happening in #Ōtepoti Dunedin, some kind of yellow light can be seen protruding through the clouds. Sky colour is changing in parts too. Is this normal? Should we be worried?

This is why we are where we are

always remember, & remind your friends & family, that Judith Collins once said “Trump is the best president US ever had”. #ElectionYear #nzpol

It’s interesting how ‘we shouldn’t get involved in foreign politics’ people (who criticised anti-genocide protesters), are now experts on international relations, defending US regime attacking & kidnapping foreign leaders, & even defending brown shirts (ICE) murder of civilians…. #nzpol

“Law & order party” is now, “rules don’t apply to us party”. It is ‘others’ that shouldn’t work from home, Luxon can do whatever the fuck he wants. It is also demonstrable in their unconditional support of the autocratic US regime.

If you accidentally open the comment section of talkback ZB & stuff (strongly advise against it though), it is depressing how many kiwis defend kidnapping of foreign leaders & cold blooded murder of a civilian by US ICE thugs. The problem isn’t just ‘over there’. It is here too…

We need more sanctions on Russia, I mean, if you speak against Putin you just get taken away! oh, wait…

International law & order are dead. Israel/US killed any false sense of security smaller nations had (under UN). This is a sign of things to come. NZ govt have aligned NZ with Trump & Netanyahu. We need to understand & accept this. We can only apply pressure on the opposition & vote #nzpol

US regime attacking another sovereign country for their resources didn’t shock me. What I’m still sad about is the absence of any meaningful opposition. And how easy it was for NZ media to ignore our government’s alignment with such regime #nzpol

At the rate I’m experiencing passing of time, I’m just leaving the damn tree up… Happy today, everyone

So, Palestinian Christians aren’t innocent?

On this day in 1888, Van Gogh cut off his ear. While this incident marked the turning point in artist’s mental health, it had little influence on others - unlike the partition of #Ireland by the British parliament. Which also happened on this day in 1920, when Government of Ireland Act was passed.

As long as NZ govt maintains our vassal state status to the Trumpist regime, brown shirts like Destiny will only get emboldened with time. I didn’t hear a single journalist ask our PM what is NZs position on ICE raids, troops on streets, & undemocratic consolidation of power by the regime #nzpol

Dunedin’s Dr Robert C Begg led “The New Zealand Legion” in 1930s. A crypto-fascist movement that allegedly had 20,000 members, largely businessmen & ex military conservatives. After legion’s breakup, Begg returned to private life while prominent members & supporters joined the newly formed National

Outlook auto-reply set, check. Place work phone in a sealed plastic bag & burry it in the backyard, check.

We know this terrorist attack will be used by those who feed divisions & collectivise us into “us & them”, like Netenyahu already has. But do remember Ahmed, who risked his life to save others. Thoughts with all Jewish & Muslim communities who fear for their safety due to actions of hateful few

#FIFA giving a crypto-fascist a ‘peace prize’, reminds us when Mussolini didn’t use the 1934 world cup hosting for propaganda purposes. It also demonstrates that FIFA isn’t corrupt or about money…

“Drill baby drill” Minister, worried about climate change? #nzpol

‘First World’ problems: cabbage tree (tī kōuka) leaves caught in the line trimmer spinny thing. Oh FFS!

seen few “Paris is destroying us” billboards on various farm properties (I presume they’re talking about Paris Agreement?)… But the 1 I saw today just outside Twizel, & in front of a multi million $ new build house, takes the cake. I guess we interpret “destroying us” differently…

Regressive NZ government can remove a requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, but can’t stop teachers & Tangata Te Tiriti parents honouring our obligations. Dad is very slow, but Una makes us proud with her reo… #OneTermGovernment #Toitū Te Tiriti #nzpol

To call any political party that made it to parliament “a joke” is in bad taste. But to call the only party in the country that solely represents the interests of mana whenua, the indigenous, is vile. #nzpol #Luxon

A “Good Government” would #Ban #Homeless by making sure they all had somewhere to live, & enough money to survive, & good job opportunities or the help they needed. It would #TaxTheRichest, to fund free public health, dentists, education, childcare & reduce inequality, poverty & crime #GreensBudget

post dinner drawing #nzpol #culturewars #Racism #EricaStanford

Aotearoa, 2025, Indigenous people have to ASK for their language to be taught in school? This govt will ignite all sorts of racism & ‘culture wars’ to distract us all from theft of public good & their path to full alignment with far right authoritarian regimes #nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...?

Netanyahu is an ICC fugitive accused of genocide, NZ meets Israel diplomats & cooperates militarily. Trump announces supporting Netanyahu in his domestic corruption trial, bombs & threatens to invade Venezuela & Nigeria, sends troops to US ‘blue’ cities… Luxon invites Trump to golf in NZ #nzpol

NZgovt are trumpist ideological extremists. This is the latest attack on teacher independence and professionalism: The Ministry taking over all professional standard-setting, teacher Ed, registration criteria, Teaching Standards… So Erica & Seymour making a final call… #nzpol #organise