Paul Thistoll
@pault.bsky.social
2.4K followers 4.3K following 570 posts
Human Rights Defender / Founder of Rights Aotearoa @rightsaotearoa.bsky.social || he/him || Proud alumnus of London Business School || ❤️Food & Wine || Trans rights are human rights
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Reposted by Paul Thistoll
infinata.bsky.social
They should give him the first annual Montgomery Burns award for outstanding achievement in the field of excellence.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
jennifilm.nz
I relied on the benefit as a 17yo - mum had moved back home to Ōtautahi and wasn’t financially able to support me. Accessing winz support was unbelievably challenging, but it was absolutely essential. This is yet another cruel decision from a cruel government.
davidcormack.bsky.social
god help me. this is just cruelty. these are human beings, you monsters.
'The world doesn’t owe you a living’: PM says 4300 teens will lose Jobseeker benefit next year
pault.bsky.social
I sincerely hope the moderator at the FSU panel on protest rights asks Brian Tamaki about his inflammatory rhetoric, specifically quoting Corinthians to advocate for taking up weapons.
brian tamaki x post FSU newsletter excerpt.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
timward2014.bsky.social
Perhaps a journalist could do a little deep dive into the NZ Salmon industry. Not everyone is aware, but the slight increase in water temperature has already fucked the industry real hard. Currently attempting to relocate everywhere because existing salmon farms are no longer viable.
#nzpol
pault.bsky.social
I make the point below about neo-liberalism advisedly.

As you know, I studied at the high temple of capitalism, LBS, and I came away more determined than ever to fight for a just and fair world.

The FSU exists to promote unfettered free speech, which pushes the Overton window to the far right.
pault.bsky.social
Universal human rights are for everyone, so Rights Aotearoa is by the people, for the people, all the time.

Unlike the FSU, I don't serve neo-liberal masters. I serve you.

If you want to give me direct feedback on our advocacy work or make any suggestions, my email is [email protected]
pault.bsky.social
Universal human rights are for everyone, so Rights Aotearoa is by the people, for the people, all the time.

Unlike the FSU, I don't serve neo-liberal masters. I serve you.

If you want to give me direct feedback on our advocacy work or make any suggestions, my email is [email protected]
pault.bsky.social
Please sign up for the Rights Aotearoa mailing list! Details 🔽🔽🔽
rightsaotearoa.bsky.social
Are you subscribed to our mailing list? Please sign up to get a weekly newsletter and occasional other dispatches from the front lines of the defence of human rights.

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www.rightsaotearoa.nz/rights-aotea...
Rights Aotearoa Newsletter #3
It's Been a Week
www.rightsaotearoa.nz
pault.bsky.social
Human rights are not a priority for the government at this time.
pault.bsky.social
Letter from Goldsmith to Rights Aotearoa about the Ia Tangata report.

"Therefore, progressing the Commission’s recommendations is not a priority for the Government at this time."
The Law Commission’s Ia Tangata report Thank you for your email and accompanying letter of 9 September 2025, regarding your concerns about the Law Commission’s (the Commission) report: Ia ‘Tangata Protections in the Human Rights Act 1993 for people who are transgender, people who are non-binary and people with innate variations of sex characteristics’.  The Commission has made 27 recommendations for reform of the Human Rights Act 1993 (HRA). The Commission’s central recommendation is to add two prohibited grounds of discrimination to the HRA, which are: 1. gender identity or its equivalents in the culture of a person, and 2. having an innate variation of sex characteristics. The Commission also makes recommendations on how the 19 existing exceptions which allow, in prescribed circumstances, discrimination based on sex in the private sector, should apply to the two new prohibited grounds. The Commission’s report covers a number of complex questions and will attract a range of views. As Minister of Justice, I will be receiving advice over the coming months about the Commission’s recommendations.    Whilst I do not want to predetermine the Government’s response, we have significant commitments and priorities in the Justice portfolio to restore law and order and improve timeliness in the courts. Therefore, progressing the Commission’s recommendations is not a priority for the Government at this time. The Government will formally respond to the recommendations from the Commission as required, by the beginning of March 2026. I acknowledge your request to meet with me, however, I regret that I am unable to meet with you at this time. Thank you for taking the time to write. Yours sincerely
pault.bsky.social
Wow, Google needs its own entry in those Nobel prize by country graphs. Or the famous chocolate consumption vs Nobel laureates graph!
3 prizes in 2 years.
pault.bsky.social
Wow, Google needs its own entry in those Nobel prize by country graphs. Or the famous chocolate consumption vs Nobel laureates graph!
3 prizes in 2 years.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
pault.bsky.social
Letter from Goldsmith to Rights Aotearoa about the Ia Tangata report.

"Therefore, progressing the Commission’s recommendations is not a priority for the Government at this time."
The Law Commission’s Ia Tangata report Thank you for your email and accompanying letter of 9 September 2025, regarding your concerns about the Law Commission’s (the Commission) report: Ia ‘Tangata Protections in the Human Rights Act 1993 for people who are transgender, people who are non-binary and people with innate variations of sex characteristics’.  The Commission has made 27 recommendations for reform of the Human Rights Act 1993 (HRA). The Commission’s central recommendation is to add two prohibited grounds of discrimination to the HRA, which are: 1. gender identity or its equivalents in the culture of a person, and 2. having an innate variation of sex characteristics. The Commission also makes recommendations on how the 19 existing exceptions which allow, in prescribed circumstances, discrimination based on sex in the private sector, should apply to the two new prohibited grounds. The Commission’s report covers a number of complex questions and will attract a range of views. As Minister of Justice, I will be receiving advice over the coming months about the Commission’s recommendations.    Whilst I do not want to predetermine the Government’s response, we have significant commitments and priorities in the Justice portfolio to restore law and order and improve timeliness in the courts. Therefore, progressing the Commission’s recommendations is not a priority for the Government at this time. The Government will formally respond to the recommendations from the Commission as required, by the beginning of March 2026. I acknowledge your request to meet with me, however, I regret that I am unable to meet with you at this time. Thank you for taking the time to write. Yours sincerely
pault.bsky.social
Letter from Goldsmith to Rights Aotearoa about the Ia Tangata report.

"Therefore, progressing the Commission’s recommendations is not a priority for the Government at this time."
The Law Commission’s Ia Tangata report Thank you for your email and accompanying letter of 9 September 2025, regarding your concerns about the Law Commission’s (the Commission) report: Ia ‘Tangata Protections in the Human Rights Act 1993 for people who are transgender, people who are non-binary and people with innate variations of sex characteristics’.  The Commission has made 27 recommendations for reform of the Human Rights Act 1993 (HRA). The Commission’s central recommendation is to add two prohibited grounds of discrimination to the HRA, which are: 1. gender identity or its equivalents in the culture of a person, and 2. having an innate variation of sex characteristics. The Commission also makes recommendations on how the 19 existing exceptions which allow, in prescribed circumstances, discrimination based on sex in the private sector, should apply to the two new prohibited grounds. The Commission’s report covers a number of complex questions and will attract a range of views. As Minister of Justice, I will be receiving advice over the coming months about the Commission’s recommendations.    Whilst I do not want to predetermine the Government’s response, we have significant commitments and priorities in the Justice portfolio to restore law and order and improve timeliness in the courts. Therefore, progressing the Commission’s recommendations is not a priority for the Government at this time. The Government will formally respond to the recommendations from the Commission as required, by the beginning of March 2026. I acknowledge your request to meet with me, however, I regret that I am unable to meet with you at this time. Thank you for taking the time to write. Yours sincerely
pault.bsky.social
Tomorrow, Bob McCoskrie is going to try and fan the flames of anti-transgender sentiment by profiling "de-transitioners".

But gender affirming care (including surgeries) has exceedingly low regret rates, <2%

26% of people severely regret knee replacement surgery, but Bob won't do a show on them.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
lotographia.bsky.social
I am so done with this bullshit.

NZ First mingled with a crowd who set fire to the grounds of parliament.

The Greens marched with a hīkoi that did not leave a scrap of litter on those same grounds.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
huiasue.bsky.social
As #NZ economy tanks under #Neoliberalism, the Coalition relishes the chance for distraction & an excuse to clamp down on #protest
The right's frenzy is complete. Each step advances a clear #AtlasNetwork strategy & the 💚Greens are in their way. #nzpol snarkyas.substack.com/p/as-economy...
As economy tanks, the Coalition relishes the chance for distraction & an excuse to clamp down on protest
The right's frenzy is complete. Each step advances a clear strategy and the Greens are in their way.
snarkyas.substack.com
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
foxylustygrover.bsky.social
Winston Peters strolled around and anti-vax picnic and spoke with people who had chanted and written threats of hanging on gallows of Jacinda Ardern, Dr Ashley Bloomfield and so on, but this was all OK as it was just harmless opportunistic politicking #NZPol
pault.bsky.social
The economy is not going to recover in time to give Luxon an election boost.
This means Winston, Luxon, and Seymour will try to stir up culture wars to distract us.
Don't get sucked in - just hammer home the lousy economic performance, the incredibly high cost of living, and the general despair.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
kyledchurch.bsky.social
There is *literally* only one side inciting & escalating political violence & almost all NZ msm are claiming it's the other way around

This is the fascist turn happening in real time. Sorry to break it to you - a bunch of propagandists & decision makers across media & business have chosen sides
vebate.bsky.social
Look at this bullshit from NZ First and the kind of comments it incites!
#nzpol
Meme from NZ First. Suggesting Chlöe encourages smashing windows and causing harm to winston's dog.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
norightturnnz.bsky.social
Winston: still not recognising palestine, calls recognition a "distraction"

Go fuck yourself, genocidiere. #nzqt
pault.bsky.social
What beautiful flowers.