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marsbutler.bsky.social
MS Butler
@marsbutler.bsky.social
560 followers 980 following 220 posts
“It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine / te rā...” 🌤

Aotearoa NZ 🌏 🌈 🤲
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Reposted by MS Butler
foxylustygrover.bsky.social
1/2
When the only thing growing is leadership speculation

Andrea Vance
September 21, 2025

Some highlights below, source in threaded post
#NZPol
OPINION: Back in February, the Government launched a glossy new website to accompany Christopher Luxon’s ‘Going for Growth’ push. It was the theme of his State of the Nation speech. A rebrand for 2025, which was to be the year of growth. Finance Minister Nicola Willis was given a new title - Minister for Economic Growth - and charged with turning slogans into results. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop was dispatched with his shiny new shovel to turn sods into roads, science centres, and bitumen import terminals. The website has not been updated since. It is hard to think of a better metaphor for the Government’s economic story so far. A slick launch, big promises, and then ... nothing. Ten of the 16 industry sectors measured by Stats NZ went backwards, including manufacturing, construction, retail and healthcare. Willis tried to pin the blame on US President Donald Trump, whose Liberation Day tariffs were announced in early April. “The economy had been growing strongly in the previous six months, but suddenly had the stuffing knocked out of it,” she told reporters. That’s a hard sell. For one thing, the real hit to export receipts won’t show up until later this year. For another, other countries facing the same tariffs have managed to keep growing: Australia rose 0.6%, the EU 0.2%, the UK 0.3%. Even Canada, which did go backwards, shrank by less than half our rate. And GDP has fallen in nine of the past 15 months, long before Trump’s tariffs landed. Willis insisted the picture is not as bleak as the June quarter suggests. She called the figures “backward-looking”, and pointed to falling interest rates and signs of improved sentiment. For weeks, she and Luxon have been trying to talk up the economy. Following the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut the OCR to 3% in August, she decried the “merchants of misery” who were doubting the recovery. It’s a bit rich. In 2023, National spent months doom-mongering about the state of the economy under Labour. Once in office, they doubled down on the narrative that everything was a mess. Even as Willis tried to spin the latest figures as temporary turbulence, she was weaving horror stories about the country’s debt burden. Someone has to take the blame. If not Luxon, Willis is the obvious target. The finance minister is front and centre in the Government’s ‘year of growth’ story, and she is often talked about as a potential leadership contender herself. Much has been written about caucus wariness to oust a sitting prime minister and open up factions and old wounds in the process. But there are two other factors to consider: Winston Peters and David Seymour. History, and Jenny Shipley, will tell you it’s a bad move to remove a leader with whom Peters is in coalition. At least without his express permission. Luxon’s continuing weak leadership boosts both parties’ vote share next year. Willis poses more of a threat. In the scramble to protect his position, the next question becomes: who blinks first?
September 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by MS Butler
mountaintui.bsky.social
Anyone who is attending this in Auckland - heads up. Change of plan due to forecasted winds of up to 80 km/hour on the bridge tomorrow. Still going ahead but change of location #nzpol #auckland #kiwi
Gaza March for Humanity remains 9.30am, Saturday 13 September, but will now assemble at Aotea Square. The march will then proceed through the CBD, concluding at Victoria Park With an image of Aotea Square this below
September 12, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
heiheikakariki.bsky.social
#nzpol
IT’S HERE!!!

youtu.be/QLOjiiC3P1Y?...
#atlasnetwork @lucyham.bsky.social
Mata Reports | ACT: The Foreign Influences That Have Shaped David Seymour's Political Agenda | RNZ
YouTube video by RNZ
youtu.be
May 21, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
jennykaynz.bsky.social
Good work by @paulapenfold.bsky.social following up conflict of interest story involving former ACC manager JohnBennett seconded to #HealthNZ And $1M contract to mate. Looks dodgy as.
#NZpol
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3606...
ACC admits failings as controversial ex-manager’s emails emerge
A former senior ACC exec left out details when he disclosed a conflict of interest. Now the government agency has launched another review of its processes.
www.stuff.co.nz
May 13, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
kasiazoe.bsky.social
#nzseedsaving #nzpol Does anyone know of Aotearoa seed saving and seed swapping Bluesky groups please? I've only put in nzpol so I get a response as I've no idea which hashtag names will get a response. Food as a lure.
April 25, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Reposted by MS Butler
kelsy.co.nz
Abilities Group had the building that caught fire in Glenfield yesterday - not only are they a service provider for the Shore, they're also an employer of over 100 people with disabilities and they're now asking for donations to assist with rebuilding and supporting their staff.
Abilities Group
Abilities Group asks for your help, as we support our 100+ disabled staff and volunteers following a devastating fire.
givealittle.co.nz
April 25, 2025 at 3:47 AM
marsbutler.bsky.social
🙄🥹

www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/24/j...
John Campbell on Destiny Church: ‘I’ve never encountered so much fear’
Today John Campbell launches Under His Command, a five-part investigation into Destiny Church and the women who live in its shadows.
www.1news.co.nz
April 24, 2025 at 10:42 AM
marsbutler.bsky.social
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...
#nzpol
Growing questions in NZ about organisation called Atlas Network
In New Zealand, there is now a conversation about an organisation called Atlas Network and whether or not it has influenced the right-bloc government's agenda.
www.abc.net.au
April 24, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
janethoye.bsky.social
Check out this new multi-lingual, culturally diverse cookbook full of community-sourced recipes from across NZ, celebrating the sharing of food with whānau and friends.

gbb.org.nz/shop/familia...

@goodbitchesbake is the NFP I work with, and we're super proud of it.
Front cover of Familiar Foods: Treats of Aotearoa cookbook. Teaspoons arranged with spices on their bowls
April 24, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
sjponeill.bsky.social
To make a submission, visit www.covid19inquiry.nz or call 0800 500 306.
April 24, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
testtubeone.bsky.social
Locked Out with Craig Renney
Finn Cordwell - Living Wage Wellington Community Organiser.
The living wage.
#nzpol
Ep02 Finn Cordwell on the Living Wage
YouTube video by DOC Studios
youtu.be
April 24, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
philtwyford.bsky.social
Grattan Institute says expanding skilled migration visa a better option: "...a better approach is...trying to identify talented people that have started businesses overseas and bringing them here, rather than just bringing people with lots of money.” 2/2
February 9, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Reposted by MS Butler
mountaintui.bsky.social
What happend to David Seymour's claims that Atlas Network is a conspiracy?

Looking back after a year.

#nzpol
David Seymour and the Atlas Network Conspiracy - Is it Real?
YouTube video by Mountain Tui
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2025 at 4:43 AM
marsbutler.bsky.social
Oh sheesh 😬
Gift article from NYT. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/29/u...
Elon Musk and His Friends Help Trump Shake Up the Government (Gift Article)
The billionaire and his Silicon Valley allies landed in Washington and immediately moved to cut the size of the federal government, reprising the playbook he used after buying Twitter in 2022.
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
duncanwebbmp.bsky.social
Don't let McKee loosen our gun laws!

Have your say by the 28th Feb.

You can make a submission by:
Link: consultations.justice.govt.nz/policy/publi...

Email: [email protected]

Post: Firearms Policy
Ministry of Justice – National Office
DX SX10088
Wellington
Arms Act Reform Submissions close 28 February Keep NZ Safe Make a submission today Authorised by Duncan Webb, Parliament Buildings Wellington
January 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by MS Butler
psych-recruitment.bsky.social
Best Location: Each week, we spotlight a New Zealand location with strong immigration prospects for overseas psychologists. This week, we are featuring Invercargill, the southernmost and most affordable city in New Zealand.
Check out our Invercargill blog post: zurl.co/ibmvl
#psychology
Invercargill psychology jobs mental health New Zealand
January 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Reposted by MS Butler
sanjanah.bsky.social
Didn't realise NZ Herald was into free publicly for Free Speech Union by running a lazy op-ed copy/pasted from a press release. Prof Donna Haraway calls this “a conquering gaze from nowhere” - an uninvested, vapid framing that's seemingly "objective" but “represent[s] while escaping representation”.
January 13, 2025 at 2:49 AM
marsbutler.bsky.social
Well worth a read
January 12, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
occasio.bsky.social
Consumer writes about not paying Microsoft 365 price increase / don’t pay it NZ
You don’t have to pay the Microsoft 365 price increase
Here’s how to keep the price of your subscription the same as it’s always been.
www.consumer.org.nz
January 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
marsbutler.bsky.social
What we know about HMPV www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/h...
What We Know About HMPV, the Virus Spreading in China (Gift Article)
While cases are climbing in China, the situation is very different from what it was when Covid-19 emerged five years ago, medical experts say. HMPV is common and decades old.
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by MS Butler
flaneuse1.bsky.social
Me too. It's gone under the radar to a large degree, but the consequences of it becoming law will be disastrous.
I also don't have the expertise to properly criticise it but I found this hugely helpful especially the Linktree links provided near the bottom.
melanienelson.substack.com/p/will-the-r...
Will the Regulatory Standards Bill Silence te Tiriti?
Unpacking the Proposed RSB's Impacts on te Tiriti and Māori Rights
melanienelson.substack.com
January 7, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
smcross.bsky.social
Very helpful summary making it easy to submit your thoughts on the latest tranch of bills being pushed through NZ parliament
January 6, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Reposted by MS Butler
acampbelteacher.bsky.social
If you haven't made a submission yet, please consider doing so. Soon. It profoundly sucks that the submission period for all these runs over the summer break.

OK fine, what submissions do I have to make FFS?! open.substack.com/pub/emilywri...
OK fine, what submissions do I have to make FFS?!
Don't worry - I got you. Here's everything you need in one place!
open.substack.com
January 6, 2025 at 3:43 AM
marsbutler.bsky.social
"While the Bill claims to promote clarity, conversation, & social cohesion, the evidence clearly indicates it has instead fuelled division, misinformation, & harmful rhetoric in Aotearoa New Zealand, growing at pace."

A stunning, research-based piece, by Dr Hattotuwa. 🤲

Essential reading
sanjanah.bsky.social Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa @sanjanah.bsky.social · Jan 6
Sent in my submission on Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill. Published it on Wordpress sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/01/06/s... and LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/pulse/submis... Drew on my research to flag, amongst other worrying things, a *causal link* between Bill, & rapid rise of racism online.
January 6, 2025 at 3:51 AM
marsbutler.bsky.social
The children evacuatd from Gaza for treatment of dire injuries 🥹 (free to read).
://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/world/middleeast/gaza-children-evacuated.html?unlocked_article_code=1.lU4.sb35.eioHwVK_prKu&smid=url-share
The Children Who Left Gaza (Gift Article)
Sixteen young people evacuated from Gaza for treatment of dire injuries. Months later, they face new lives in an unfamiliar country.
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2024 at 5:43 AM