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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll
@pault.bsky.social
2.4K followers 4.3K following 560 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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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 15h
Human rights are not a priority for the government at this time.
pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
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
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 16h
Already on it!
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 19h
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.
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 19h
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.
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Reposted by Paul Thistoll
pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
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
4 11 28
pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
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
4 11 28
pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
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.
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Reposted by Paul Thistoll
lotographia.bsky.social
Lotographia 🍹 @lotographia.bsky.social · 1d
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.
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Reposted by Paul Thistoll
huiasue.bsky.social
Huia Sue @huiasue.bsky.social · 1d
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
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Reposted by Paul Thistoll
foxylustygrover.bsky.social
Foxy @foxylustygrover.bsky.social · 1d
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
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
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.
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Reposted by Paul Thistoll
kyledchurch.bsky.social
kyle @kyledchurch.bsky.social · 1d
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
Victoria 💚 🧡 @vebate.bsky.social · 1d
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.
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
I think one should probably avoid X for several hours - this will send the usual suspects into a maddening frenzy.

Great appointment!

www.gavi.org/news/media-r...
Helen Clark named as new Chair of the Gavi Board
Gavi Board unanimously approves the selection of Rt Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, as its new Chair.
www.gavi.org
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Reposted by Paul Thistoll
norightturnnz.bsky.social
Idiot/Savant @norightturnnz.bsky.social · 1d
Winston: still not recognising palestine, calls recognition a "distraction"

Go fuck yourself, genocidiere. #nzqt
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
What beautiful flowers.
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
How does a bill get to select committee when one of the key operational concepts of the bill is left wholly undefined?

"Nearby" is not defined in the Summary Offences (Demonstrations Near Residential Premises) Amendment Bill

It's clearly defined in the abortion safe zones law.

AMATEUR HOUR.
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
We believe peaceful protests anywhere are legitimate. This is a solution in search of a problem—a bad, vague law.
rightsaotearoa.bsky.social
Rights Aotearoa @rightsaotearoa.bsky.social · 1d
This bill is so badly worded at present, there is no way to know beforehand whether you are breaking the law. It's Kafka-esque.
It doesn't define 'near'. It's amateur hour.

www.rightsaotearoa.nz/media-releas...
Media Release: "Discomfort Is Not Harm": Rights Group Slams Bill That Would Jail Peaceful Protesters to Shield Politicians from Accountability
A Government bill that would see peaceful protesters jailed for up to three months represents a dangerous attack on democratic accountability and will disproportionately silence marginalised communiti...
www.rightsaotearoa.nz
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Reposted by Paul Thistoll
rightsaotearoa.bsky.social
Rights Aotearoa @rightsaotearoa.bsky.social · 1d
This bill is so badly worded at present, there is no way to know beforehand whether you are breaking the law. It's Kafka-esque.
It doesn't define 'near'. It's amateur hour.

www.rightsaotearoa.nz/media-releas...
Media Release: "Discomfort Is Not Harm": Rights Group Slams Bill That Would Jail Peaceful Protesters to Shield Politicians from Accountability
A Government bill that would see peaceful protesters jailed for up to three months represents a dangerous attack on democratic accountability and will disproportionately silence marginalised communiti...
www.rightsaotearoa.nz
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
Incredible work

www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/5...
Nobel Prize in medicine goes to trio of scientists for discovering how the immune system is kept in check
The prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded to a trio of scientists - two of them American and one Japanese.
www.rnz.co.nz
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Reposted by Paul Thistoll
pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 9d
Small favour: sign up for the Rights Aotearoa mailing list at

👉 www.rightsaotearoa.nz

It’ll be our main communications channel in the future (besides BSky): a weekly Thursday newsletter + the occasional urgent human rights hot take.

No spam, NO YELLING, just substance.
rightsaotearoa.bsky.social
Rights Aotearoa @rightsaotearoa.bsky.social · 10d
We were on Ghost.io before it was made fashionable by Farrier ;-)

We just sent out our first Ghost-hosted newsletter, though just now.

Please read and then sign up! :-)

www.rightsaotearoa.nz/rights-aotea...
Rights Aotearoa Weekly Newsletter #1
Welcome to our very first newsletter hosted on Ghost.io
www.rightsaotearoa.nz
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
Labour must oppose the bill that implements the proposed ban on protests outside houses.

As Rights Aotearoa pointed out in its select committee submission, it is a terribly constructed piece of proposed legislation and is highly problematic in many respects.

www.rightsaotearoa.nz/submission-t...
quote
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Reposted by Paul Thistoll
changleen.bsky.social
Roscoe Changleen @changleen.bsky.social · 1d
#NZPol Take your anti-nausea meds then watch Ryan Bridges deference to Winston Peters here:

www.nzherald.co.nz/video/herald...

Then his disgusting attitude to Chlöe Swarbrick here:

www.nzherald.co.nz/video/herald...

And tell me NZME are anything like balanced media. Absolutely disgusting.
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
Delicious!
clemens.vasters.com
Clemens Vasters 🇪🇺🇩🇪 @clemens.vasters.com · 1d
Techmeme front page:
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
I think this question has been traversed by many, many minds greater than mine! :-)
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pault.bsky.social
Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 1d
Post 6/6

We can have fierce democratic debate. We can protest. We can hold power to account. But we do it without violence, without incitement, and without poisoning the well of our democracy. That's the standard we must all uphold.
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