Our MBIE Endeavour project, "Accelerating Adaptation to climate change: From decisions to action" led by the Earth Sciences New Zealand, is just kicking off. It has never been more relevant or needed.

I've been sitting next to David Seymour in WLG Koru lounge. I think I should remarkable self control not to tell him how I feel about him and his party....

So much this

The soundtrack of my summers and public holidays for 20 years. Such a shame RNZ funding cuts has seen the end of this iconic show.

I'm heading back to work tomorrow. I'm not sure I've ever felt less ready or enthusiastic about the prospect!

A better place to be on Christmas Eve than the malls

"His lack of tolerance, his dictatorial exclusion of ‘others’ & his complete lack of self reflection, forgiveness & tolerance show this." - This could be applied to a number of other 'fundamentalist Christians' I know. [In quotes because I also know many Christians not like this].

My goodness there's a lot of weather hitting Lincoln right now- thunder, lightning hail and torrential rain. Not great for the fruit trees or Christmas berries!

And yet our current government.... #nzpol

Made a cup of drinking chocolate with the spilt remains in the NZ Post bag. YUM! Enjoying it in one of my favourite mugs I made #SecretSantaAoNZ

My Santee has opened their gift and seems pleased. Now time for me to open my own #SecretSantaAoNZ gift. As mentioned when parcel arrived after a sabbatical in Wiri, there was some leakage (cocoa), so I opened with some trepidation 1/

Have been lying in bed watching #SecretSantaAoNZ present opening. I'm on leave, it's pouring with rain, and I have two cats and a dog for company. Love watching all this joy unwrapped.

One staple of childhood Christmas was 'carrot jelly'. Grated carrot and parsley set in lemon jelly. SUCH a dish of the 70s, when everything had to be in a jelly mold. Actually, I think I've just inspired myself to make it again this Christmas.

Non traditional favourites: White Wine in the Sun - Tim Minchin Making Gravy - Paul Kelly Fairytale of New York - The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl Traditional/carols: Handal's Messiah Little Drummer Boy Silent Night

Another flower photo from the Dunedin Botanic Gardens yesterday. F 5.6 ISO 200, Exposure 1/320.

I had many plans for my first day of leave .... instead I've been lying on my bed with a book and a cat.... This will do 😀

Hmmm... only 'games' we play are ,"can we get through the afternoon without some sort of tension/argument?" With my ex inlaws it was usually ok - but my own immediate family it's been hard, especially since Covid with the racist, anti-vax, climate change denying portion.

I'M OFFICIALLY ON LEAVE UNTIL 2026* .... *I still have marking to do, emails to respond to, am forms to sign over the next few days, however.

Presentation at the French Residence done. Heading home. Last flight of the day is on time, which is a nice surprise

Made it. An iconic image on a beautiful day in Wellington. Have even completed some hand written notes for my presentation tonight. Could do with some painkillers and more caffeine now

Busy day- completed my PD&A documents for meeting tomorrow, followed by 2 hour face to face tutorial. Next, mad dash to airport for flight to WLG where I will be speaking at the French Embassy this evening. Then cocktails, trip back to airport and home. Hope to prepare said presentation on flight

Just checked the tracking details... said parcel was delivered at 8.12am. Nothing on doorstep, so checked letterbox..... ... TA DA!! #SecretSantaAoNZ

Poppy led me astray - false alarm #parcelwatch #SecretSantaAoNz

Exciting update on my parcel!! #SecretSantaAoNZ After setting up basecamp in Wiri for the last five days, my parcel made a late night dash down the country and delivery seems imminent!!

Waiting.... waiting... NZ Post says my parcel will arrive today 👀 #SecretSantaAoNZ

Lots of things on my 'to do' list this weekend. Most not achieved (again. Too hot). But got onto the most important item 🌟 #SecretSantaAoNZ

I got the message that my 🎁 is on its way.... I will be watching and waiting 😁 #SecretSantaAoNz

You won't get any progressive policy or action post 2026 by voting for anyone but the @greens.org.nz Do it for your kids💚 #nzpol

My daughter has just finished her first year of university (UC). Received an A- average, with only one B+ grade. She went to virtually no lectures (but did attend most tutorials). She also didn't watch the lectures she missed usually (just looked at powerpoint). She did virtually no readings 1/n

I'm going to sound like a grinch. There has been nothing christmassy in my house since my daughter was 14ish... doesn't seem worth the effort and she doesn't care. My family were never really big into gifts for adults. It's quite likely the only gift i receive this year will be #SecretSantaAoNZ

Another WFH day... with two feline colleagues. Black cat Lexie has displaced Poppy the dog, who has had to find another seat, not in the morning sunshine

I raised muscovy ducklings in my lounge and then in my garden

Shame no one will want our goods anymore due to our lack of action on climate change. Gosh this lot are dim. #nzpol

And this here is why I see no alternative but to vote Green next election if we want any hope of transformational change on climate, pay equity, te tiriti or ANYTHING else. #nzpol

Definitely a coffee drinker... not so much tea. For morale? Luxurious hot chocolate maybe? Or wine. But I definitely don't need more wine.

The only activity of this type I do is jigsaws which i enjoy while listening to audiobooks. I've found that weeding the garden gets me into a similar flow state to mindful colouring, but is more useful #SecretSantaAoNZ

Seems timely to repost this #nzpol

A different location (in sunny end of house) but same loyal cat companion. I will admit, Maisie is my favourite colleague. I'll also admit, I mostly work from home.

No is the short answer. I was a committed Wordle doer for quite a while (although I preferred Octordle). I've been known to resort to Sudoku on a rainy holiday. Not sure when I last played a board game bit it was probably tivial pursuits.

My colleagues while working from home. I will make no comments regarding how they compare to my human colleagues.

Definitely a cat person. I have always had a soft spot for snails 🐌 which conflicts with my desire to grow vegetables. And the whole process of tadpoles turning into frogs has fascinated me since childhood

Not a big movie watcher these days - mostly see them on planes. Love most of what Taika has done, and quirky &/or atmospheric dramas. TV - gentle British/NZ murder mysteries (Midsomer Murders, Brokenwood etc). WDYTYA, Time Team. Not horror or US sitcoms, most of which I don't find funny

I read a lot. Mostly fiction (there's enough non fiction at work). Have lots of favourite authors/ books but mostly into classics and contemporary fiction. Five favourite 5-star reads this year include Orbital, A Farewell to Arms, Nesting, Dune, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

I don't think I can do this one... TOO HARD... but I'll try. Music - all sorts of things... very dependent on mood and what I'm doing... if I was to name three artists I've listened to the most this week it would be: Bach, Fat Freddy's Drop, boygenius.

No allergies, but white chocolate isnt chocolate... dark chocolate for the win. Not a fan of asparagus. #SecretSantaAoNZ

Taking time to stop and enjoy the little beautiful things in nature 🌼🪴

While I might not know what day Black Friday, I would definitely make a better guess than the 2 Gen Zers on the news: "is it next Monday?"; "is it Thursday?" 🙄

Due to an 'excessive leave balance' I am taking Fridays off for the rest of the year. Decided to take my first trip of the season to our boatshed. There are worse places to be at 2pm on a warm Friday

Very happy with my giftee, but I wasnt already following them, so I'm now going through BlueSky and happily following a lot of other lovely humans (and their cats) also taking part, to cover my tracks #SecretSantaAoNZ

I have a big vegetable garden, so I spend a lot of time on that, out of necessity really. I read a lot, and have dabbled in pottery over the last five years. Im not particularly good st it, but I find it very relaxing and a nice change from my day job.