In my late teens and early 20s I was involved in a lot of protests that sometimes included peaceful occupations of offices such as MOE, university admin and once a uni library (including overnight stays). Even the steps of Parliament for a day in 1996. I was only trespassed once, for a feminist…

Several protesters were trespassed from Fendalton Mall for attempting to hold the government to account for their non-actions #NZPol www.psna.nz/press-releas...

Well fair to say there was a lot of caring loudly at the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board inauguration tonight 😬

trickle down economics trickle down economic trickle down economi trickle down econom trickle down econo trickle down econ trickle down eco trickle down ec trickle down e trickle down trickle dow trickle do trickle d trickle trickl trick

I told the 17yo of my close acquaintance about the Mamdani aunty scandal and they laughed and said “I have like five people I’m not even related to that I call Aunty”. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Im just going to say it - the Trumpet Choc Bar mash up does not honour the essential feature of the Choc Bar, the CHOC BAR centre. Do better Tip Top. (This low stakes hot take brought to you by the council interregnum and residual Snifter grief)

The Walton family (who own Walmart) are worth over $400 billion, yet many of their employees are on SNAP. Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP. The people who need help are not the problem. It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.

Just noting that $54 billion could pay for 150,000 really good quality state homes which could fundamentally change our economy in a way that benefits all of us *and* would directly. pay for themselves.

Spotted on the 30, passenger carrying a bike wheel complete with tyre. #BusLife #Quaxing

Really impressed with the 2025 Student Manifesto from Akl University Students Assn! ausa.org.nz/wp-content/u... Love the future this envisages for Aotearoa 😍

People with experience: please give food banks *money.* They can make it go much further than you can. Grocery shopper 1: I’m going to donate whole pineapple cakes in honor of my grandma. Shopper 2: did you say canned beets? “Shopper” 3: here’s this opened box of cereal my kid didn’t like

This Labour Day, Aotearoa, try to live up to the dignified and respectable example of those worthy workers who first banded together in 1840 and politely requested to work only an 8-hour day. Then threw anyone who crossed the line into the harbour

Folks, wishing everyone a restful & restorative Labour weekend, wherein we give thanks to Sam Parnell & the Labour movement & unions for the 8 hr day:

The government’s political interference in the healthcare of trans kids is holding up the publication of sorely needed guidance for clinicians supporting *all* trans people. We’ve been told they will not be published until Simeon Brown deigns to decide the fate of trans youth.

Snort #nzpol

Guess where I had lunch today!

See also local govt groups and politicians not bothered by low turnout, not supporting (with votes, budget) efforts to lift turnout.

I think what's bothering me about all these statements I'm seeing from politicians that are variations of "Israeli hostages and Palestinians are returning to their homes, yay" is that Israelis are returning to their homes and Palestinians are returning to uninhabitable post apocalyptic rubble.

I said what I said By introducing a lie into parliament to be deliberated & treated as truth, the govt undermined it's own legitimacy and invited disorder from people for whom the truth of the Treaty and its history is not simply a thought-experiment or a point-scoring exercise

No, the 'centre-right' did not "sweep" the local elections. They did well in some areas, but they lost ground in other places. The left held their ground on Auckland Council, and they had gains in both Wellington and Christchurch.

Learning via @davidfarrier.com ‘s Flightless Bird that @haydendonnell.bsky.social also had his teens ruined by being put forward a year at 5 years old. Solidarity fellow late bloomer.

Get your local election votes in by noon on Saturday! Why? To ensure a great future for your city, of course. And also, to help make politics civil again. We owe it to each other to lift the standard of discourse, keep it evidence-based, and avoid falling for conspiracy and abuse. Here’s the thing🧵

Yep. Again not condoning in any way, shape, or form, the attack on Winston Peters' house. But any discussions around it must include the wider context of the divisive and hateful rhetoric he's made his stock and trade. Violent rhetoric begets violent responses. We need to condemn both. #nzpol

Unemployment has increased by 50,000 since he’s been Prime Minister. That’s 50,000 families affected. Luxon is just giving up his responsibility as Prime Minister for his citizens - to look tough against people who are trying their best. Where are the jobs?

I've only ever known one person who wanted to be on the dole, and even though we were all in our early twenties everyone thought he was a total fucking weirdo loser. It's not at all common, and building all your systems as if it is just means you end up treating normal-people-in-a-pinch like shit.

If an incumbent councillor running in 2025 claims they support flood protection/downzoning in planning rules please check receipts - there was a vote on this (PC120) last week. 5 voted against, all are seeking your vote again - Fletcher, Lee, K Turner, Walker, Watson.

If you want to help get great people elected to council (see @juliefairey.bsky.social @jonturnernz.bsky.social @patrickreynolds.bsky.social) and some awesome folks for local boards, tomorrow and Sunday City Vision is doing a big weekend of action doorknocking and phonebanking to get out the vote!

If an incumbent councillor running in 2025 claims they support Māori wards please check receipts - there was a councillor vote on Māori wards in 2023. 11 voted against, & most are seeking your vote again - Fletcher, Lee, K Turner, Williamson, Baker, Newman, Walker, Watson: all said no.

Local govt Candidate debates in my ward are often quite sparsely attended. Many of those who attend have existing allegiances and know who they are voting for. BUT I prioritise attending (difficult for me this time for health reasons) because they are important for imcumbent accountability too. 1/2

The local C&R team in Roskill have blocked the council funded Xmas event from having Santa because it will "disrupt Carol" (sic). Bit grinchy if you ask me; lots of folks in our community can't afford the fancy mall Santa pics and this was a free chance for their kids. Sad.

I guess if you describe not showing leadership as "meaningful leadership" then that gives us all a sense of what you mean by leadership?

In Auckland the most high profile ticket that has clear anti-science anti-mandate links is WestWards - their leader Ken Turner is a climate change sceptic, and they have at last one anti-vax candidate (in this article). They are running Craig Lord in for councillor in Whau.

Last local govt elections the 6th seat on the Puketāpapa local board was almost a 3 way tie. In the end there were 8 votes in it iirc. In 2024 Auckland Council voted 11 to 10 NOT to have booth voting this time (which increases turnout). Cr Fletcher’s vote was the difference. Every vote counts.

Use “I” statements please Winston. The tens of thousands of NZers who marched, the thousands and thousands more who see this genocide for what it is and who know recognising Palestine is an important symbol of solidarity, your decision does not represent us.

Make sure to vote in the Auckland local elections! If you have already, tell your neighbours, friends, and family to vote! And for a progressive, proactive future vote 7 ticks City Vision for Waitematā Local Board and Patrick Reynolds for Waitematā & Gulf Councillor!

The lowlights: peak absurdity of the housing debate led by Fletcher, Lee and Williamson. The highlights: @juliefairey.bsky.social @hendowest.bsky.social and @richardhills.bsky.social

Very pleased constructive councillors voted to proceed with PC120 today. As the originator of the two titles below, I am not callous about the value of our built heritage, but also know that cities are engines of change, need to be adding new layers every age. This will enable that in balanced way

Finished off a big day down the democracy mine with a little extra democracy for dessert.

Auckland Council votes to withdraw PC78 and move forward with PC120. Vote was 18 in favour, 5 against. (Against: Fletcher, Lee, K Turner, Walket, Watson).

WE NEED TO STOP MEASURING "THE ECONOMY" BY HOW WELL RICH PEOPLE ARE DOING and tbh or by what they or theirs are saying when their main concern is their paycheque and/or profits and not NZ as a whole. #MoodOfTheBoardroom

Connor is a star - an amazing candidate for Waitematā Local Board with @cityvision.bsky.social, let's help him bring this energy and commitment to clear info to the public on complex city shaping issues to the local board - give him (and the whole CV team) your votes folks!

This is a big factor for me, alongside desperate need for urgent action on reducing flood risks, in considering PC78 versus PC120. One of these options is better than the other on reducing emissions (which is also action on climate shocks like extreme weather too so helps address flooding too!)

Three stars (top marks) for all @cityvision.bsky.social 's candidates for ward councillors w00t! That's me and @jonturnernz.bsky.social for Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa, and @patrickreynolds.bsky.social for Waitematā & Gulf. Vote for the folks who love homes!

Drs (and nurses, teachers too) only ever strike as an absolute last resort - and because they care about YOU and the service they can provide to you. Unsafe staffing impacts you. Exhausted Drs impacts you. Underpaid Drs means they LEAVE. I stand with our Drs today, and always. #nzpol

Yeah it’s not a race Luxon, it’s a genocide. Wtf dude.

FTR the @cityvision.bsky.social ward councillor candidates for the Albert-Eden Youth Board debate were on time. @jonturnernz.bsky.social & I were there at 1pm ready to go! Guess what time C&R candidates turned up? Others did not show at all. 101 for youth engagement = showing up!

Also, if keen on something more in depth - I wrote something earlier this week: open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...

Someone just hearted this skeet from March and it is ridiculously timely at this point in the local govt election campaign - let your local lady and nonbinary candidates know you love them cos its pretty brutal atm. Shoutout to @rebeccamatthews.bsky.social one of my all time faves 🫶