Dr Bex
@drbex.bsky.social
She/her. Pākehā. Community Psychology. Food insecurity. Mum of 4. Aotearoa.
Reposted by Dr Bex
It feels like cancelling the regional councils at the same time as completely altering the RMA is a very shifty way to disguise which part made everything go fucking wrong #NZPol
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM
It feels like cancelling the regional councils at the same time as completely altering the RMA is a very shifty way to disguise which part made everything go fucking wrong #NZPol
Reposted by Dr Bex
Changes like this, abolishing regional councils, should require a super majority in the house - end of
#NZPol
#NZPol
The Government is set to abolish regional councils later today, The Post understands.
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
End of regional councils tipped in local government reforms
It is understood reforms to be announced today will mean the dissolving of regional councils, and the first steps could be within this current three-year council term.
www.thepost.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Changes like this, abolishing regional councils, should require a super majority in the house - end of
#NZPol
#NZPol
Reposted by Dr Bex
Going out on a limb here to suggest that the PM doesn’t understand what it is that regional councils do
November 25, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Going out on a limb here to suggest that the PM doesn’t understand what it is that regional councils do
Reposted by Dr Bex
It is absolutely critical to democracy that communities directly own their water infrastructure but also unimportant that those same communities get to decide how they look after our environment?
If cognitive dissonance could be harnessed for fuel then we could all live happily ever after
If cognitive dissonance could be harnessed for fuel then we could all live happily ever after
November 25, 2025 at 5:08 AM
It is absolutely critical to democracy that communities directly own their water infrastructure but also unimportant that those same communities get to decide how they look after our environment?
If cognitive dissonance could be harnessed for fuel then we could all live happily ever after
If cognitive dissonance could be harnessed for fuel then we could all live happily ever after
Reposted by Dr Bex
#NZpol
Putting emphasis on this bit as Stanford et al should REALLY think about what they're doing, and what that means for *society as a whole* going fwd.
They are dragging us ALL down, undoing decades of hard progress thanks to narrow-minded Ministers and their often v personal, v petty hangups.
Putting emphasis on this bit as Stanford et al should REALLY think about what they're doing, and what that means for *society as a whole* going fwd.
They are dragging us ALL down, undoing decades of hard progress thanks to narrow-minded Ministers and their often v personal, v petty hangups.
November 24, 2025 at 8:43 AM
#NZpol
Putting emphasis on this bit as Stanford et al should REALLY think about what they're doing, and what that means for *society as a whole* going fwd.
They are dragging us ALL down, undoing decades of hard progress thanks to narrow-minded Ministers and their often v personal, v petty hangups.
Putting emphasis on this bit as Stanford et al should REALLY think about what they're doing, and what that means for *society as a whole* going fwd.
They are dragging us ALL down, undoing decades of hard progress thanks to narrow-minded Ministers and their often v personal, v petty hangups.
Tiriti-based teaching changed my children’s schooling for the better. Now legislation narrows focus to just academic achievement.
Why this matters & how schools are responding: open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Why this matters & how schools are responding: open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Giving effect to Te Tiriti in education
Reflecting on the past 20 years - and the changes the 2020 legislation made
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Tiriti-based teaching changed my children’s schooling for the better. Now legislation narrows focus to just academic achievement.
Why this matters & how schools are responding: open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Why this matters & how schools are responding: open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Reposted by Dr Bex
Who cut the $1000 Kickstarter? National
Who reduced the minimum contribution to 3%? National
Who reduced the member tax credit from $1040 to $521? National
Who then reduced the same member tax credit from $521 to $260.72? National.
Don't believe National on Kiwisaver.
#nzpol
Who reduced the minimum contribution to 3%? National
Who reduced the member tax credit from $1040 to $521? National
Who then reduced the same member tax credit from $521 to $260.72? National.
Don't believe National on Kiwisaver.
#nzpol
November 22, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Who cut the $1000 Kickstarter? National
Who reduced the minimum contribution to 3%? National
Who reduced the member tax credit from $1040 to $521? National
Who then reduced the same member tax credit from $521 to $260.72? National.
Don't believe National on Kiwisaver.
#nzpol
Who reduced the minimum contribution to 3%? National
Who reduced the member tax credit from $1040 to $521? National
Who then reduced the same member tax credit from $521 to $260.72? National.
Don't believe National on Kiwisaver.
#nzpol
It also doesn't save any "red tape". It just creates an additional barrier to understanding whats in your food and means the seller can scrape your data.
Its a sh*tty solution to a non-problem that places the consumer increasingly at risk.
#nzpol
Its a sh*tty solution to a non-problem that places the consumer increasingly at risk.
#nzpol
These guys are dangerous idiots. It's tiresome enough already having to read, and re-check, the labels on everything that I eat, and now they want to have me scan a QR code to get to that information.
November 22, 2025 at 4:35 AM
It also doesn't save any "red tape". It just creates an additional barrier to understanding whats in your food and means the seller can scrape your data.
Its a sh*tty solution to a non-problem that places the consumer increasingly at risk.
#nzpol
Its a sh*tty solution to a non-problem that places the consumer increasingly at risk.
#nzpol
Reposted by Dr Bex
No wonder Minister Collins has moved to Repeal the Plain Language Act, and NZ Government is sidelining its #Accessibility Charter. NZ Govt wants to Hide Information!
I can't read a QR code. 20% of NZers are digitally excluded and with the telcos dropping 3G network phones that %ge may grow.
#NZpol
I can't read a QR code. 20% of NZers are digitally excluded and with the telcos dropping 3G network phones that %ge may grow.
#NZpol
These guys are dangerous idiots. It's tiresome enough already having to read, and re-check, the labels on everything that I eat, and now they want to have me scan a QR code to get to that information.
November 22, 2025 at 2:01 AM
No wonder Minister Collins has moved to Repeal the Plain Language Act, and NZ Government is sidelining its #Accessibility Charter. NZ Govt wants to Hide Information!
I can't read a QR code. 20% of NZers are digitally excluded and with the telcos dropping 3G network phones that %ge may grow.
#NZpol
I can't read a QR code. 20% of NZers are digitally excluded and with the telcos dropping 3G network phones that %ge may grow.
#NZpol
Reposted by Dr Bex
Bullshit alert: some NZ politicians (dishonestly) claiming that the puberty blocker ban is about "saving" kids from "unnecessary" medical interventions and "letting them make up their own minds"
No, that's *what puberty blockers* do. It gives those kids time to work out their own identity.
No, that's *what puberty blockers* do. It gives those kids time to work out their own identity.
November 21, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Bullshit alert: some NZ politicians (dishonestly) claiming that the puberty blocker ban is about "saving" kids from "unnecessary" medical interventions and "letting them make up their own minds"
No, that's *what puberty blockers* do. It gives those kids time to work out their own identity.
No, that's *what puberty blockers* do. It gives those kids time to work out their own identity.
Reposted by Dr Bex
#NZPol
“In two years, the Government has delivered a mere 136 homes. Labour delivered 5299 homes in the two years before that. The contrast couldn’t be clearer." Kieran McAnulty
The Nats need to admit their ideology fails in reality
“In two years, the Government has delivered a mere 136 homes. Labour delivered 5299 homes in the two years before that. The contrast couldn’t be clearer." Kieran McAnulty
The Nats need to admit their ideology fails in reality
November 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
#NZPol
“In two years, the Government has delivered a mere 136 homes. Labour delivered 5299 homes in the two years before that. The contrast couldn’t be clearer." Kieran McAnulty
The Nats need to admit their ideology fails in reality
“In two years, the Government has delivered a mere 136 homes. Labour delivered 5299 homes in the two years before that. The contrast couldn’t be clearer." Kieran McAnulty
The Nats need to admit their ideology fails in reality
Reposted by Dr Bex
Time to move past the neverending trial stage. Yes, basic income reduces homelessness.
An Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees a staggering reduction in homelessness. The program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years, and at the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees staggering reduction in homelessness
The state program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years. At the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
www.streetroots.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Time to move past the neverending trial stage. Yes, basic income reduces homelessness.
Reposted by Dr Bex
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
November 20, 2025 at 10:20 PM
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
Reposted by Dr Bex
🧵My last column in the Listener has had quite a response, including letters from readers like the one below. I wondered at one point whether I should even be writing it, so the fact that it's struck a chord with people is great.
November 20, 2025 at 11:08 PM
🧵My last column in the Listener has had quite a response, including letters from readers like the one below. I wondered at one point whether I should even be writing it, so the fact that it's struck a chord with people is great.
Reposted by Dr Bex
PSA: Everyone, hold tight for a while. I imagine OIAs are being filed presently by the groups who may challenge the puberty blockers' decision.
That will take up to 3 months, given delaying tactics, so don't expect to see anything publicly for a while.
Hold on to your cash for any future fundraiser.
That will take up to 3 months, given delaying tactics, so don't expect to see anything publicly for a while.
Hold on to your cash for any future fundraiser.
November 20, 2025 at 10:10 PM
PSA: Everyone, hold tight for a while. I imagine OIAs are being filed presently by the groups who may challenge the puberty blockers' decision.
That will take up to 3 months, given delaying tactics, so don't expect to see anything publicly for a while.
Hold on to your cash for any future fundraiser.
That will take up to 3 months, given delaying tactics, so don't expect to see anything publicly for a while.
Hold on to your cash for any future fundraiser.
Reposted by Dr Bex
“Trust us! Marginalising these communities more will absolutely bring down the cost of a KG of Mince and get your job back!”
November 20, 2025 at 4:47 AM
“Trust us! Marginalising these communities more will absolutely bring down the cost of a KG of Mince and get your job back!”
Reposted by Dr Bex
Let's be clear: this is not a 'scandalette'. This is a Minister of the Crown taking $27m allocated for one vote (housing) and spending it on another IN HIS OWN ELECTORATE. Amazing how Tory reporters can minimise this when it suits them.
#nzpol
#nzpol
November 19, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Let's be clear: this is not a 'scandalette'. This is a Minister of the Crown taking $27m allocated for one vote (housing) and spending it on another IN HIS OWN ELECTORATE. Amazing how Tory reporters can minimise this when it suits them.
#nzpol
#nzpol
Reposted by Dr Bex
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
November 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
Ngl it's wearing me down and leaving me feeling like Bilbo Baggins "sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread". I feel entirely inadequate in the face of all the cruelty and harm being repeatedly enacted by this govt
I was taking about this at our branch meeting on Monday, but all of this *gestures* is to wear us down. It's horrific, and inhumane, and the goal is so make us give up.
We have to look after ourselves and we have to look after each other more than ever.
We have to look after ourselves and we have to look after each other more than ever.
November 19, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Ngl it's wearing me down and leaving me feeling like Bilbo Baggins "sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread". I feel entirely inadequate in the face of all the cruelty and harm being repeatedly enacted by this govt
Reposted by Dr Bex
NZ Ministry of Health admits puberty blockers are safe for cisgender children to take to prevent them from entering puberty prematurely. There are no moves to ban puberty blockers for cisgenger (not trans) kids. The only people harmed are trans kids.
#NZpol
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
#NZpol
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
November 19, 2025 at 11:05 PM
NZ Ministry of Health admits puberty blockers are safe for cisgender children to take to prevent them from entering puberty prematurely. There are no moves to ban puberty blockers for cisgenger (not trans) kids. The only people harmed are trans kids.
#NZpol
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
#NZpol
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Reposted by Dr Bex
In case relevant to your interests, the University of Otago's Indigenous Knowledge and Technology Symposium in December will be having a public keynote, also online via Zoom:
"AI and mana motuhake: the case for te reo Māori"
www.otago.ac.nz/news/events/...
"AI and mana motuhake: the case for te reo Māori"
www.otago.ac.nz/news/events/...
November 19, 2025 at 11:08 PM
In case relevant to your interests, the University of Otago's Indigenous Knowledge and Technology Symposium in December will be having a public keynote, also online via Zoom:
"AI and mana motuhake: the case for te reo Māori"
www.otago.ac.nz/news/events/...
"AI and mana motuhake: the case for te reo Māori"
www.otago.ac.nz/news/events/...
Reposted by Dr Bex
So. Have had a look at the long title and empowering provision for making regulations under the Medicines Act 1981 in re the puberty blockers decision with a view to judicial review prospects. & it's pretty hard to scope prospects for success at this stage, tbh. Short thread as to why & next steps.
November 19, 2025 at 7:35 PM
So. Have had a look at the long title and empowering provision for making regulations under the Medicines Act 1981 in re the puberty blockers decision with a view to judicial review prospects. & it's pretty hard to scope prospects for success at this stage, tbh. Short thread as to why & next steps.
Come join me tomorrow at the Critical Disability Studies Research Network Seminar Series!!
🗣️ Hope in surviving neoliberalism
📅 Friday 21 Nov
🕛 12–2pm
📍 Zoom / AVC1, Uni of Otago (Dunedin)
💬 NZSL interpreters & captioners provided
🔗 Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🗣️ Hope in surviving neoliberalism
📅 Friday 21 Nov
🕛 12–2pm
📍 Zoom / AVC1, Uni of Otago (Dunedin)
💬 NZSL interpreters & captioners provided
🔗 Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
RSVP to Otago Critical Disability Studies Seminar Series
Hope in Surviving Neoliberalism: Otākou Whakaihu Waka – University of Otago Critical Disability Studies Seminar Series
We are excited to invite you to a month of exploring and extending our understand...
docs.google.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Come join me tomorrow at the Critical Disability Studies Research Network Seminar Series!!
🗣️ Hope in surviving neoliberalism
📅 Friday 21 Nov
🕛 12–2pm
📍 Zoom / AVC1, Uni of Otago (Dunedin)
💬 NZSL interpreters & captioners provided
🔗 Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🗣️ Hope in surviving neoliberalism
📅 Friday 21 Nov
🕛 12–2pm
📍 Zoom / AVC1, Uni of Otago (Dunedin)
💬 NZSL interpreters & captioners provided
🔗 Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Dr Bex
"National rose to power promising to “fix” the cost of living crisis. The fact that it hasn’t wouldn’t necessarily have meant disaster at next year’s election, if it wasn’t saddled with a weak leader and entitled senior ministers acting as if they’re in their third term, not their first."
November 19, 2025 at 6:14 PM
"National rose to power promising to “fix” the cost of living crisis. The fact that it hasn’t wouldn’t necessarily have meant disaster at next year’s election, if it wasn’t saddled with a weak leader and entitled senior ministers acting as if they’re in their third term, not their first."