Paul Thistoll
@pault.bsky.social
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 || [email protected]
Pinned
Paul Thistoll
@pault.bsky.social
· Oct 17
There are three main ways you can help my work with Rights Aotearoa:
First, you can tip me coffee money directly at:
Paul Thistoll
03-0547-0039160-001
(I can't tell you how important these little coffee tips are to my emotional morale - they really keep me going!)
First, you can tip me coffee money directly at:
Paul Thistoll
03-0547-0039160-001
(I can't tell you how important these little coffee tips are to my emotional morale - they really keep me going!)
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
If you care about racism, Te Tiriti & human rights
Watch Aotearoa at CERD
Thursday 27 Nov, 9pm to 12pm (NZT)
Live on UN TV
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will be questioning the Government on its record. Draft recommendations land on 5 Dec
#CERD #NZPol
Watch Aotearoa at CERD
Thursday 27 Nov, 9pm to 12pm (NZT)
Live on UN TV
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will be questioning the Government on its record. Draft recommendations land on 5 Dec
#CERD #NZPol
Home
UN Web TV is available 24 hours a day with selected LIVE programming of United Nations meetings and events as well as with pre-recorded video features and documentaries on various global issues.
urldefense.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
Jodie is a highly respected professor of teaching mathematics. Jodie understands every aspect of pedagogy & assessment.
Stanford, with a BA in Pols, doesn’t even under how NCEA works.
Listen to Jodie. #nzpol #nzed
Stanford, with a BA in Pols, doesn’t even under how NCEA works.
Listen to Jodie. #nzpol #nzed
"it's very problematic to say that these children have made one to two years progress, when potentially looking at what has been released, they are only testing the children in one very small area of mathematics, which is numbers," Hunter said."
#nzpol
#nzpol
Maths professor says Education Minister's claims a school trial is 'groundbreaking' is problematic
Erica Stanford said the results showed the government's focus on fixing the basics is working.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 9:10 PM
The Video podcast I went to Auckland to do a couple of weeks ago lands tomorrow!
Will post all the details first thing in the morning.
Will post all the details first thing in the morning.
November 26, 2025 at 4:03 AM
The Video podcast I went to Auckland to do a couple of weeks ago lands tomorrow!
Will post all the details first thing in the morning.
Will post all the details first thing in the morning.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
I can't think of any better way for a regime to completely destroy its own credibility than to announce that it will campaign against its own legislative program, and repeal a law it has just spent two years passing.
November 26, 2025 at 1:28 AM
I can't think of any better way for a regime to completely destroy its own credibility than to announce that it will campaign against its own legislative program, and repeal a law it has just spent two years passing.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
Today's local govt plans show (again) that we need protections for democratic local government and the principle of subsidiarity in the BORA.
November 25, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Today's local govt plans show (again) that we need protections for democratic local government and the principle of subsidiarity in the BORA.
(1/10) BREAKING: US State Dept has fundamentally redefined "human rights." New mandatory guidance instructs diplomats to flag gender-affirming care and hate speech laws as human rights abuses. The "Civil Liberties" framework has captured the diplomatic engine.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Under Trump, U.S. human rights reports will flag abortion, gender care
In a dramatic break, the State Department intends to scrutinize other countries’ abuses by emphasizing entitlements “given to us by God.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:12 AM
(1/10) BREAKING: US State Dept has fundamentally redefined "human rights." New mandatory guidance instructs diplomats to flag gender-affirming care and hate speech laws as human rights abuses. The "Civil Liberties" framework has captured the diplomatic engine.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
If you are a parent, and your kids' school is not on the list, email the board of trustees and ask them to join it.
Great interactive resource here from Tania Waikato / Chris Abercrombie of schools that have publicly committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Locally, I'm disappointed Fairfield Intermediate, Fairfield Primary & Woodstock aren't listed yet.
www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/v...
Locally, I'm disappointed Fairfield Intermediate, Fairfield Primary & Woodstock aren't listed yet.
www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/v...
Schools TOW - Google My Maps
Schools TOW
www.google.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
If you are a parent, and your kids' school is not on the list, email the board of trustees and ask them to join it.
Everyone, the wording of the Puberty Blockers regulation has come out.
It's too broad and prohibits adults from using blockers as part of their gender affirming care drug regimen for new initiations of therapy.
Write to Simeon and MOH to point this out. It's unacceptable.
bsky.app/profile/jenn...
It's too broad and prohibits adults from using blockers as part of their gender affirming care drug regimen for new initiations of therapy.
Write to Simeon and MOH to point this out. It's unacceptable.
bsky.app/profile/jenn...
No matter what the politicians say, this is discrimination. Look at how the regulation is worded: This is not a ban on its use for a particular indication, it's a ban for a population.
www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/p...
www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/p...
November 24, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Everyone, the wording of the Puberty Blockers regulation has come out.
It's too broad and prohibits adults from using blockers as part of their gender affirming care drug regimen for new initiations of therapy.
Write to Simeon and MOH to point this out. It's unacceptable.
bsky.app/profile/jenn...
It's too broad and prohibits adults from using blockers as part of their gender affirming care drug regimen for new initiations of therapy.
Write to Simeon and MOH to point this out. It's unacceptable.
bsky.app/profile/jenn...
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
No matter what the politicians say, this is discrimination. Look at how the regulation is worded: This is not a ban on its use for a particular indication, it's a ban for a population.
www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/p...
www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/p...
November 24, 2025 at 4:58 AM
No matter what the politicians say, this is discrimination. Look at how the regulation is worded: This is not a ban on its use for a particular indication, it's a ban for a population.
www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/p...
www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/p...
What a great post.
Authoritarians claim the power not just to tell all of our stories but to select the definitive story that says who we are, what our nature, why we're here, in order to cast themselves as both forever hero protagonists while also endlessly victimized.
November 24, 2025 at 1:06 AM
What a great post.
Everyone, I have written to Dr Verrall saying that the lack of a formal statement from the Labour Party decrying the new blockers policy is unacceptable.
Please email her politely and ask her to issue a formal statement on behalf of Labour.
The Greens and TPM have both issued good statements.
Please email her politely and ask her to issue a formal statement on behalf of Labour.
The Greens and TPM have both issued good statements.
Everyone please write to labour:
Chris Hipkins
Ayesha Verrall
Shanan Halbert
Duncan Webb (as this is a human rights issue)
And ask them to make a strong statement saying they will instantly repeal the regulation. Apply as much pressure as possible to the Government.
Chris Hipkins
Ayesha Verrall
Shanan Halbert
Duncan Webb (as this is a human rights issue)
And ask them to make a strong statement saying they will instantly repeal the regulation. Apply as much pressure as possible to the Government.
November 23, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Everyone, I have written to Dr Verrall saying that the lack of a formal statement from the Labour Party decrying the new blockers policy is unacceptable.
Please email her politely and ask her to issue a formal statement on behalf of Labour.
The Greens and TPM have both issued good statements.
Please email her politely and ask her to issue a formal statement on behalf of Labour.
The Greens and TPM have both issued good statements.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
Those with object permanence going back 7 years to July/August 2018 might recall the Southern/Molyneux visit, Phil Goff's reaction, and the online reaction to Phil Goff's reaction. Smaller liberalish societies like us and Ireland are imaginary country rhetorical devices to the farrightosphere
November 23, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Those with object permanence going back 7 years to July/August 2018 might recall the Southern/Molyneux visit, Phil Goff's reaction, and the online reaction to Phil Goff's reaction. Smaller liberalish societies like us and Ireland are imaginary country rhetorical devices to the farrightosphere
Just an update on Thistoll v Minister of Justice—my judicial review of Paul Goldsmith's decision to appoint Rainbow and Derby as Human Rights Commissioners.
The hearing was on 4th August and we are still awaiting the judgment.
I will post a copy of the judgment as soon as we get it.
The hearing was on 4th August and we are still awaiting the judgment.
I will post a copy of the judgment as soon as we get it.
November 23, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Just an update on Thistoll v Minister of Justice—my judicial review of Paul Goldsmith's decision to appoint Rainbow and Derby as Human Rights Commissioners.
The hearing was on 4th August and we are still awaiting the judgment.
I will post a copy of the judgment as soon as we get it.
The hearing was on 4th August and we are still awaiting the judgment.
I will post a copy of the judgment as soon as we get it.
This is your Monday morning reminder that there is no foundational human right.
All human rights exist with equal importance, which is why we have mechanisms (NZBORA s5) to deal with inter-rights tensions.
There are foundational concepts, such as bodily autonomy, which underpin several rights.
All human rights exist with equal importance, which is why we have mechanisms (NZBORA s5) to deal with inter-rights tensions.
There are foundational concepts, such as bodily autonomy, which underpin several rights.
November 23, 2025 at 8:48 PM
This is your Monday morning reminder that there is no foundational human right.
All human rights exist with equal importance, which is why we have mechanisms (NZBORA s5) to deal with inter-rights tensions.
There are foundational concepts, such as bodily autonomy, which underpin several rights.
All human rights exist with equal importance, which is why we have mechanisms (NZBORA s5) to deal with inter-rights tensions.
There are foundational concepts, such as bodily autonomy, which underpin several rights.
There is a really disturbing trend on X of blaming "white, liberal, women" for everything and then arguing they should lose the right to vote, i.e. the end of universal suffrage.
This position is so absolutely batshit that I don't think people realise what they are saying when they espouse it!
This position is so absolutely batshit that I don't think people realise what they are saying when they espouse it!
November 23, 2025 at 8:37 PM
There is a really disturbing trend on X of blaming "white, liberal, women" for everything and then arguing they should lose the right to vote, i.e. the end of universal suffrage.
This position is so absolutely batshit that I don't think people realise what they are saying when they espouse it!
This position is so absolutely batshit that I don't think people realise what they are saying when they espouse it!
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
If you want a good summary of what's happened this week, what happens next, what the NZ anti-trans network wants to happen next, and some things you can do to help, here's your listen.
1/200 S2E173 - Puberty Blocker Ban
We speak with @jennifilm.nz about the ideologically motivated, against all evidence, decision by the National coalition government to effectively ban puberty blockers specifically for trans children.
w/ @mythros.bsky.social @kyledchurch.bsky.social
We speak with @jennifilm.nz about the ideologically motivated, against all evidence, decision by the National coalition government to effectively ban puberty blockers specifically for trans children.
w/ @mythros.bsky.social @kyledchurch.bsky.social
1/200 S2E173 - Puberty Blocker Ban — 1/200
We speak with Jen Shields about the ideologically motivated, against all evidence, decision by the National coalition government to effectively ban puberty blockers specifically for trans children...
www.1of200.nz
November 22, 2025 at 11:27 PM
If you want a good summary of what's happened this week, what happens next, what the NZ anti-trans network wants to happen next, and some things you can do to help, here's your listen.
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
Can I just point out that these warnings are far, far from empty alarmism. Look at the states. Repro rights orgs started warning people years ago as the antis chipped away at our rights until finally Roe v Wade fell. We can’t let it happen here. We need a new govt. #nzpol
The banning of gender affirming care/ puberty blockers for trans kids is a TEST. This Luxon-led coalition is seeing how much pushback they receive on this issue to figure out how to ban abortion & contraception next term. They're anti-choice, they will act on this. #nzpol #abortion #pubertyblockers
November 22, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Can I just point out that these warnings are far, far from empty alarmism. Look at the states. Repro rights orgs started warning people years ago as the antis chipped away at our rights until finally Roe v Wade fell. We can’t let it happen here. We need a new govt. #nzpol
👀
The FAA warned major airlines of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over Venezuela and urged them to exercise caution.
US warns airlines of potential hazards when flying over Venezuela | CNN
The US Federal Aviation Administration warned major airlines on Friday of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over Venezuela and urged them to exercise caution.
www.cnn.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:34 AM
👀
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
Jaimie Veale, the founding president of PATHA and Director of the Trans Health Research Lab at Waikato has written an excellent op-ed for the Conversation: "The government has placed a burden of proof on puberty blockers that we do not place on other paediatric care."
Puberty blockers: why politicians overriding doctors sets a dangerous precedent
The government’s ban on puberty blockers undermines clinical expertise and targets trans youth with a policy that lacks evidence, consistency and fairness.
theconversation.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Jaimie Veale, the founding president of PATHA and Director of the Trans Health Research Lab at Waikato has written an excellent op-ed for the Conversation: "The government has placed a burden of proof on puberty blockers that we do not place on other paediatric care."
Ban on puberty blockers serious human rights infringement
tikatangata.org.nz
November 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Reposted by Paul Thistoll
1. Trump's Anti-Trans HHS Report authors have been unmasked, and as someone said, "Now we know why they were previously kept anonymous."
It's a who's who of hate groups and billionaire-funded anti-trans activists.
We detail the names in our latest report.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
It's a who's who of hate groups and billionaire-funded anti-trans activists.
We detail the names in our latest report.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Trump's Anti-Trans Report Authors Revealed: Hate Groups and Billionaire-Funded Anti-Trans Activists
The majority of the “expert” comments cited in the “peer review” seem to be just as ignorant as the authors about the reality of trans people’s care.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:14 PM
1. Trump's Anti-Trans HHS Report authors have been unmasked, and as someone said, "Now we know why they were previously kept anonymous."
It's a who's who of hate groups and billionaire-funded anti-trans activists.
We detail the names in our latest report.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
It's a who's who of hate groups and billionaire-funded anti-trans activists.
We detail the names in our latest report.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
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.