Reposted by Smirky 😼
The NZ news media are proactively shifting the Overton Window, and no one seems to care.
nz media intentionally failed to learn the lesson that reporting PR verbatim is bad, now we're here
neither Seymour, OR any people reporting on him, would have a career in a half-decent society. But that's not where we are. Both the far-right and nz media have been inching towards outright libel
neither Seymour, OR any people reporting on him, would have a career in a half-decent society. But that's not where we are. Both the far-right and nz media have been inching towards outright libel
December 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The NZ news media are proactively shifting the Overton Window, and no one seems to care.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
This should be a much, much bigger story. Commitments of tens of billions of dollars are being made to dubious projects without us being allowed to know anything about how decisions are being made. It's literally the future of the nation.
The RoNS: “the most complex & expensive infrastructure programme in NZ’s recent history.”
A $56B programme… with a $49B shortfall. And all signs point to low-to-no-value for public money.
Given the huge public interest, why are the details being kept from the public, asks @connorsharp.bsky.social?
A $56B programme… with a $49B shortfall. And all signs point to low-to-no-value for public money.
Given the huge public interest, why are the details being kept from the public, asks @connorsharp.bsky.social?
What's in the RoNS files? - Greater Auckland
Earlier this week, Te Waihanga, The Infrastructure Commission, called for Over the last couple of months, I’ve been trying to obtain information on the advice given to decision-makers about the RoNS. ...
www.greaterauckland.org.nz
December 16, 2025 at 9:01 PM
This should be a much, much bigger story. Commitments of tens of billions of dollars are being made to dubious projects without us being allowed to know anything about how decisions are being made. It's literally the future of the nation.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Fucking drongo. A drongo whose lawsuit against a decent social media researching academic and against Television New Zealand is being funded by the Canadian billionaire who purchased the NZ Herald and a bunch of other media outlets.
December 16, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Fucking drongo. A drongo whose lawsuit against a decent social media researching academic and against Television New Zealand is being funded by the Canadian billionaire who purchased the NZ Herald and a bunch of other media outlets.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Indeed that's a sound conclusion.
Fucking drongo. A drongo whose lawsuit against a decent social media researching academic and against Television New Zealand is being funded by the Canadian billionaire who purchased the NZ Herald and a bunch of other media outlets.
December 16, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Indeed that's a sound conclusion.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
This ⬇️ is an informative but rather depressing thread about the defunding of flutracking
So here are all my thoughts (this evening) on what we are losing, and what we still have and what it was/is useful for.
For those less familiar with me, I have no professional connection with the production of any of this data. But in my capacity as expert in av available public data in NZ... 1/13
For those less familiar with me, I have no professional connection with the production of any of this data. But in my capacity as expert in av available public data in NZ... 1/13
@thoughtfulnz.bsky.social have you heard? What are your thoughts?
December 16, 2025 at 7:42 PM
This ⬇️ is an informative but rather depressing thread about the defunding of flutracking
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Our collective shock and grief over the violent death of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, turned to cold fury for many as Trump weighed in on the tragedy in the most vile way. But unlike before, his base and his party weren’t willing to go along. My write-up on Trump going to 11 is in the replies.
December 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Our collective shock and grief over the violent death of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, turned to cold fury for many as Trump weighed in on the tragedy in the most vile way. But unlike before, his base and his party weren’t willing to go along. My write-up on Trump going to 11 is in the replies.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
As we continue to normalise inadequate and frankly unacceptable policy across the board, it should be noted that those speaking up are experts, frontline staff, lived experience voices and the public.
Leaders are permitting this through silence and inaction - actively normalising bad governance.
Leaders are permitting this through silence and inaction - actively normalising bad governance.
Min of Health has decided not to continue with the FluTracking survey each week from next year.
What a ridiculous decision. The cost savings must be minimal
What are our taxes actually used for if not things like public health?
What a ridiculous decision. The cost savings must be minimal
What are our taxes actually used for if not things like public health?
December 16, 2025 at 4:34 AM
As we continue to normalise inadequate and frankly unacceptable policy across the board, it should be noted that those speaking up are experts, frontline staff, lived experience voices and the public.
Leaders are permitting this through silence and inaction - actively normalising bad governance.
Leaders are permitting this through silence and inaction - actively normalising bad governance.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Two years in and the coalition has hit the lets just disappear all the inconvenient information and data, and even people, phase of their project.
They're moving fast.
#nzpol
They're moving fast.
#nzpol
Guess the govt has no confidence its policies will improve homelessness any time soon - so better just make it invisible instead 😡
December 16, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Two years in and the coalition has hit the lets just disappear all the inconvenient information and data, and even people, phase of their project.
They're moving fast.
#nzpol
They're moving fast.
#nzpol
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Court hears from Julian Batchelor (IMHO a racist) it was (co-owner of NZME / NZHerald) Jim Grenon's idea + funds behind him suing TVNZ + Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa (researcher) for TV news story + article saying Batchelor used “racist rhetoric”. JB's seeking $50K.
#NZpol
thespinoff.co.nz/media/16-12-...
#NZpol
thespinoff.co.nz/media/16-12-...
Billionaire NZME director Jim Grenon funding defamation lawsuit against TVNZ, court told
Jim Grenon suggested to controversial evangelist Julian Batchelor that he should sue TVNZ, according to evidence given in court.
thespinoff.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Court hears from Julian Batchelor (IMHO a racist) it was (co-owner of NZME / NZHerald) Jim Grenon's idea + funds behind him suing TVNZ + Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa (researcher) for TV news story + article saying Batchelor used “racist rhetoric”. JB's seeking $50K.
#NZpol
thespinoff.co.nz/media/16-12-...
#NZpol
thespinoff.co.nz/media/16-12-...
Reposted by Smirky 😼
I thought this was satire. It’s not and it’s beyond the pale. It’s like the worst kind of advertising for a product known to cause harm to consumers that sellers are still pushing. #nzpol
Luxon angry on behalf of NZers that his Govt has stripped of support, rights, healthcare, housing & jobs???
Luxon angry on behalf of NZers that his Govt has stripped of support, rights, healthcare, housing & jobs???
It’s been a challenging year for Christopher Luxon, full of tough trade-offs and a cost-of-living crunch that hounds household budgets. He talks to Newsroom about leadership, getting the fundamentals right, and the challenges of fiscal management.
The Prime Minister is angry on behalf of Kiwis everywhere
newsroom.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I thought this was satire. It’s not and it’s beyond the pale. It’s like the worst kind of advertising for a product known to cause harm to consumers that sellers are still pushing. #nzpol
Luxon angry on behalf of NZers that his Govt has stripped of support, rights, healthcare, housing & jobs???
Luxon angry on behalf of NZers that his Govt has stripped of support, rights, healthcare, housing & jobs???
Reposted by Smirky 😼
December 16, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Smirky 😼
FFS! Luxon just said "We've got rid of emergency housing." without even realising he was saying the quiet bit out loud.💩🥚
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
December 16, 2025 at 2:13 AM
FFS! Luxon just said "We've got rid of emergency housing." without even realising he was saying the quiet bit out loud.💩🥚
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Can we please all, collectively, and finally, use our vote to tell Seymour to fuck off?
December 16, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Can we please all, collectively, and finally, use our vote to tell Seymour to fuck off?
Reposted by Smirky 😼
And I hope the people (hi Fran!) who recently discovered that the TPU is a completely untransparent group, accountable only to an unknown number of unknown rich donors, won't forget that in the new year.
And thus ends a stupid piece of lobby group theatre. The unseriousness of this whole thing has been depressing. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/...
Ruth Richardson won't 'be party to a circus', backs out of debate with Nicola Willis
The Taxpayers' Union recently ran an anti-Willis campaign with branded fudge.
www.nzherald.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 7:10 AM
And I hope the people (hi Fran!) who recently discovered that the TPU is a completely untransparent group, accountable only to an unknown number of unknown rich donors, won't forget that in the new year.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Even worse, they are proposing to:
❌️ limit the number of subsidised trips a user can take
❌️make it harder and more bureaucratic to use
❌️limit it to wheelchair users only
❌️exploit Uber drivers more
It's a sh*tty proposal and will severely limit the ability of disabled ppl to get out and about
❌️ limit the number of subsidised trips a user can take
❌️make it harder and more bureaucratic to use
❌️limit it to wheelchair users only
❌️exploit Uber drivers more
It's a sh*tty proposal and will severely limit the ability of disabled ppl to get out and about
December 16, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Even worse, they are proposing to:
❌️ limit the number of subsidised trips a user can take
❌️make it harder and more bureaucratic to use
❌️limit it to wheelchair users only
❌️exploit Uber drivers more
It's a sh*tty proposal and will severely limit the ability of disabled ppl to get out and about
❌️ limit the number of subsidised trips a user can take
❌️make it harder and more bureaucratic to use
❌️limit it to wheelchair users only
❌️exploit Uber drivers more
It's a sh*tty proposal and will severely limit the ability of disabled ppl to get out and about
Reposted by Smirky 😼
I’m so shocked how did this happen. 20+ years of following politics and being a student of history and having a masters in public policy covering public finance and macroeconomic policy told me that this could not *wait sorry* this is exactly what would happen never mind.
Government books bleaker as surplus gets further away, deficits grow
Government books bleaker as surplus gets further away, deficits grow
The government's financial position is looking worse for longer with a delay in getting to surplus and bigger deficits, according to new Treasury forecasts.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 8:05 AM
I’m so shocked how did this happen. 20+ years of following politics and being a student of history and having a masters in public policy covering public finance and macroeconomic policy told me that this could not *wait sorry* this is exactly what would happen never mind.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
This one’s important e hoa mā - a few of our orgs are collaborating on this fund to ensure that no trans young person in Aotearoa misses out on lifesaving care. Alternative treatment pathways exist but are expensive and we need your help.
givealittle.co.nz/cause/we-got...
givealittle.co.nz/cause/we-got...
Support Rangatahi and Whānau Affected by the Ban on Puberty Blockers
Raising funds to support rangatahi directly affected by the New Zealand Government’s decision to ban new prescriptions of puberty blockers.
givealittle.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 1:21 AM
This one’s important e hoa mā - a few of our orgs are collaborating on this fund to ensure that no trans young person in Aotearoa misses out on lifesaving care. Alternative treatment pathways exist but are expensive and we need your help.
givealittle.co.nz/cause/we-got...
givealittle.co.nz/cause/we-got...
Reposted by Smirky 😼
My mother is 82
She has Lupis
Peripheral Neuropathy
Atrial Fibrillation
Some genetic lung thing that has specialists baffled
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
She's paid taxes for +50 yrs and is barely surviving on the pension due to med insurance
She relies on taxi services to do anything outside her home
She has Lupis
Peripheral Neuropathy
Atrial Fibrillation
Some genetic lung thing that has specialists baffled
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
She's paid taxes for +50 yrs and is barely surviving on the pension due to med insurance
She relies on taxi services to do anything outside her home
It was only a matter of time.
Fuck you #LouiseUpston & #ChristopherLuxon.
And a big Fuck You to the rest of your govt.
#nzpol #disablednz
Transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people reduced www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Fuck you #LouiseUpston & #ChristopherLuxon.
And a big Fuck You to the rest of your govt.
#nzpol #disablednz
Transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people reduced www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people reduced
The Total Mobility scheme provides discounted taxis and public transport fares for those with long-term impairments.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 8:14 AM
My mother is 82
She has Lupis
Peripheral Neuropathy
Atrial Fibrillation
Some genetic lung thing that has specialists baffled
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
She's paid taxes for +50 yrs and is barely surviving on the pension due to med insurance
She relies on taxi services to do anything outside her home
She has Lupis
Peripheral Neuropathy
Atrial Fibrillation
Some genetic lung thing that has specialists baffled
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
She's paid taxes for +50 yrs and is barely surviving on the pension due to med insurance
She relies on taxi services to do anything outside her home
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Perhaps Ms Willis should start to take personal responsibility - the same personal responsibility the Nats demand from welfare beneficiaries - and RESIGN.
We just can't afford the Nats "prudent fiscal responsibility".
(3/3)
We just can't afford the Nats "prudent fiscal responsibility".
(3/3)
December 16, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Perhaps Ms Willis should start to take personal responsibility - the same personal responsibility the Nats demand from welfare beneficiaries - and RESIGN.
We just can't afford the Nats "prudent fiscal responsibility".
(3/3)
We just can't afford the Nats "prudent fiscal responsibility".
(3/3)
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Are people following this? thespinoff.co.nz/media/16-12-...
Billionaire NZME director Jim Grenon funding defamation lawsuit against TVNZ, court told
Jim Grenon suggested to controversial evangelist Julian Batchelor that he should sue TVNZ, according to evidence given in court.
thespinoff.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Are people following this? thespinoff.co.nz/media/16-12-...
Reposted by Smirky 😼
December 16, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Look who is funding an anti-Māori activist’s court case against accountability.
@joelmacmanus.bsky.social
@joelmacmanus.bsky.social
Billionaire NZME director Jim Grenon funding defamation lawsuit against TVNZ, court told
Jim Grenon suggested to controversial evangelist Julian Batchelor that he should sue TVNZ, according to evidence given in court.
thespinoff.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Look who is funding an anti-Māori activist’s court case against accountability.
@joelmacmanus.bsky.social
@joelmacmanus.bsky.social
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Reposted by Smirky 😼
In the wake of the HYEFU a reminder that @sarahhbickerton.bsky.social was spot on in her analysis.
We didn't have a public debt problem, we had an overseas balance of payments issue. Which sure, you can address with austerity, but that's like putting in a nail by dropping a building on it from height. It'll work, but it'll destroy everything else around it. There were other economic tools to use.
December 16, 2025 at 2:39 AM
In the wake of the HYEFU a reminder that @sarahhbickerton.bsky.social was spot on in her analysis.