Had a visit from some candidates from one of my videos today, in the middle of a market. They were very vocal in their displeasure which isn’t a surprise. Lots to process but they genuinely felt that their “personal beliefs wouldn’t impact our ability to do the job as a Councillor”. Then why run?

Hope someone in the coalition saw the numbers for today’s Pay Equity March - cause they need to realise what they did was not popular.

I appreciate this reporting so much, but man I wish everywhere else in the country got as much focus as Wellington. We desperately need more funding for local reporting - because it's happening everywhere but because it's not reported on, people can't see it.

The only place I’ve come across where I found former staffers from Bolger and Ardern running for community boards 🤔 not that either of them ended up on my list. Paul's Red Flags - Kāpiti Coast youtu.be/vOILcuJAPVg

If you're sick of this government and this absolute race baiting bullshit and attacks on Māori across the board - vote in your local election and vote to keep Māori wards. Your council is ONLY having a referendum because this government is forcing them to. How embarrassing if they all get kept.

TPU Fails to whip up foment about Rates Caps - and gives us a handy list of who to avoid in this years local elections youtu.be/pr46vpbfnSg

When is a ticket not a ticket? When candidates try and be independent together in the Tron - Paul's Red Flags - Hamilton City Council youtu.be/beJPlqXohSk

That NZFirst conference audience was a who’s who of who’s cooked. Just another reason we need to get the vote turnout up to minimise the impact these people have in further dragging our democracy into the gutter with them.

My youngest moved to Dunedin a month or so ago - haven’t heard if he needed his passport to get into the sovereign United States of Pamela-land where conspiracies flow like tears in rain. Paul's Hard Right Red Flags - Dunedin City Council youtu.be/09--UJEOHwI

Uhm…

Better Waipa? Better think really carefully about voting for a group that includes someone who wanted to storm Parliament or shows up on your doorstep to “debate” an online comment disagreeing with you. Paul's Hard Right Red Flags - Waipa District Council youtu.be/3yxSF38CdCo

This one has one of the most prolific serial candidates in the country - who once claims the Covid vaccine killed 30 of her whānau. Trying for a different seat to her usual Hamilton attempts this time. Paul's Hard Right Red Flags - Waikato District youtu.be/i8CtwSLbBqM

Waimakariri is kind of unique in terms of hard right candidates - because they teamed up. It includes one of the most recognisable racists from the general election, and well, when you lie down with dogs, you get fleas. Paul's Hard Right Red Flags - Waimakariri District Council youtu.be/YkNERi8VmTo

Slowly working my way through the country. I have to say though, everywhere I’ve looked at also has some really passionate people really keen on helping their communities. Voters should celebrate them! Paul's Hard Right Red Flags - Thames Coromandel District Council youtu.be/3IqigE09exE

Had an amazing kōrero with Dr Timoti Te Moke this week about his best selling book - The Unlikely Doctor. It’s the lived experience of all the research you see that debunks current government policies. Brilliant man and poignant read! Dr Timoti Te Moke - Best selling Author youtu.be/nSL6KUvOWg4

So much for the “moderate” member of the coalition - here’s Tauranga MP and Bed Leg aficionado Sam Uffendell accepting a petition and praising the work of well known disinfo peddler (and the next potential NZFirst MP) Kirstin Murfitt. Actions like this legitimise their beliefs to the wider public.

When the most well known disinformation group in the country says your council is one they think is one of the most successful for their goals, you may want to rethink who you vote for. Paul's Far Right Red Flags - Whangarei District Council youtu.be/KAjL8PQyeRU

Working my way down the country (cause if I did this alphabetically I’d spend forever looking at W places) looking at the far right red flags being waved by candidates this local election. So here’s the first one - FNDC! Paul's Far North District Council Hard Right Red Flags youtu.be/TgBJCDOnHX4

Why hasn’t Newstalk posted a dozen times on the Friday info dump about the cost of the cancelled ferries like they did about former ministers not being needed for public meetings about the Covid witch hunt? Weird…

Humbled by the shout out @sanjanah.bsky.social and constantly in awe of your mahi!

Bank Robber. Fraudster jailed for bringing accountancy into disrepute. Alleged War Crimes. Selling Nazi memorabilia. Just a few of the people running in local elections this year. Please research and vote this local election people!

For those keeping track, the Campaign Company has now been involved in: - Stop 3 Waters - Rates Cap Campaign - Anti Māori Wards Billboard campaigns Clearly there’s some big money backers out there trying to manipulate local elections. Gotta ask yourself why that might be and who is sharing it!

A former MP repeats the viral hoax that some classrooms have litter boxes for kids who identify as cats. He then complains about people letting their beliefs usurp reality. Incredible.

And if this story of running as moderates outwardly while espousing conspiracy theory beliefs quietly disturbs you, you are probably wondering, how am I going tell who's who? And how can I inform others? Well, @paulbarlownz.bsky.social has you covered: paultheotherone.com/facts/ 2/

It's time to Check your enrolment details! Like right now! There’s three big reasons on the horizon why - the Tāmaki Makaurau by election, the local body election (with Māori ward referendums) and next years general election changes! youtu.be/kfn6TUskzsk

Are you or someone you know considering running for Council this year? Nominations close on Friday so now’s the time to get it sorted! Thinking of standing for Council? Maybe you should... youtu.be/Mn6Ahv8yuEo

Abuse and defamation of women and minorities online is out of control. We can change it and I’m committed to keeping the pressure on. Follow researchers @sanjanah.bsky.social and @legallyfeminist.bsky.social for their expertise if you’re interested. #nzpol

I do like the new City Rail Link building but, and I say this as a self confessed nerd, it does feel a little Borg Cube-ish to me.

Need a quick guide into how to safely decide who to vote for this election? Then here’s a handy guide - like an airline safety plan. Watch out for candidates pushing specific ideologies based on pseudo law and organisations known to spread disinformation. They won’t help your community.

Who would have thunk it!

In the immortal words written by Hamiltonian legend Richard O’Brien - I’m going home! Next stop - Tāmaki Makaurau!

Talking to the local dairy owner here in Brisbane and he picks up on the accent: “you guys got a new Prime Minister right? Seems to be driving people here - can’t be as bad as ScoMo though, he went on holiday while Aussie was burning!” “Oh ours went on holiday while we were flooding”

Oh looks like some of Hamilton’s “fiscally conservative” candidates, sharing content from places like Pseudo law group Challenging Councils and disinformation group Better Hamilton have preemptively blocked me on socials. Fascinating 🤔 they seem to be worried about me like that…

I was slightly miffed yesterday when the media reporting on Ray Chung didn't mention how it is also gendered disinformation. Put together this wee explainer for my Instagram. Hope it helps #nzpol

Remember you need to be registered to vote by AUGUST 1 If you are planning to vote in this year’s local body elections. And that it’s next to impossible to fire a Councillor once they’re elected so sitting out an election seems like a big risk right now…

Tarsiers! So adorable!

The Far Right are worried you woke folks will vote! youtu.be/M_KQJ7Gc28U

Bumped in to Judith Collins today in Manila - was a bit of a shock seeing her here but her husband is Samoan so I made sure to say Talofa.

I'd say this is a serious theme all around the country

A dirty martini on a restaurant 32 stories up - I dislike olives, heights and making movie references that don’t really fit the situation, but here I am, with a view to a kill!

This cat is definitely in a Queen tribute band.

At the Legazpi Sunday Markets in Makati - so much Kai and koorero! And cute little puppies!

I couldn’t fit this in my suitcase but I was really tempted to try!

The weather here moves so fast - in the span of maybe 15 minutes we’ve had sunshine, 30° heat a thunderstorm and lost all visibility and now it’s back to normal again!

Studied VFF's planning for upcoming local government elections posted online recently. It's a *significant* step-up in scale, strategy, & sophistication from '22's templates, in a transnational context which sees big far-right gains in electoral outcomes, esp. at LG levels. Entryism is entrenched.

I think I hit a nerve - now I’m getting the wrath of farming astroturfs and evangelicals alike!

I think I hit a nerve - aw well, very sad. In other news, Fabricated Consent is available now! youtu.be/bOekmUdnN80