Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
@rachaelkm.bsky.social
📍Tāmaki-makaurau 😷
Here for te reo Māori, non-RW political commentary, evidence-based Covid updates, and the “still Coviding” homeschool community. Toitū te Tiriti!
Here for te reo Māori, non-RW political commentary, evidence-based Covid updates, and the “still Coviding” homeschool community. Toitū te Tiriti!
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
I have had Covid once, about a year ago. I still cannot multitask/task switch like I used to.
I cannot remember things as well as before I had Covid, both short and long term.
One infection has had real tangible effects on my functioning. The risk of that goes up with each subsequent infection
I cannot remember things as well as before I had Covid, both short and long term.
One infection has had real tangible effects on my functioning. The risk of that goes up with each subsequent infection
December 25, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I have had Covid once, about a year ago. I still cannot multitask/task switch like I used to.
I cannot remember things as well as before I had Covid, both short and long term.
One infection has had real tangible effects on my functioning. The risk of that goes up with each subsequent infection
I cannot remember things as well as before I had Covid, both short and long term.
One infection has had real tangible effects on my functioning. The risk of that goes up with each subsequent infection
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
A worthy cause to put our names to!
This cause is close to my heart - please sign: our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/a-...
A Call for Safe Air and Masking in Healthcare Settings
We, the general public, and the undersigned clinicians, scientists, and health professionals, call for the urgent reinstatement of basic airborne-infection-control measures—clean indoor air and approp...
our.actionstation.org.nz
December 25, 2025 at 6:51 PM
A worthy cause to put our names to!
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
And yet New Zealand did not send anyone to last week’s UN convention on anti-corruption. There were 170 nations present, but not NZ.
December 23, 2025 at 3:12 AM
And yet New Zealand did not send anyone to last week’s UN convention on anti-corruption. There were 170 nations present, but not NZ.
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
I don't think corruption gets enough follow up in New Zealand. The links (should I say "concidences") between donations to politicians/parties and laws passed. The NZF/Costello tobacco link. NZF and fishing industry. Property and virtually every RW party.
December 23, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I don't think corruption gets enough follow up in New Zealand. The links (should I say "concidences") between donations to politicians/parties and laws passed. The NZF/Costello tobacco link. NZF and fishing industry. Property and virtually every RW party.
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
went pretty quickly from not doing military to doing specifically military contracts
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
Rocket Lab wins huge US contract worth $1.7 billion for missile defence satellites system
Rocket Lab will deliver satellites designed for missile warning, to provide global detection and tracking of emerging threats, including of hypersonic systems.
www.stuff.co.nz
December 19, 2025 at 11:04 PM
went pretty quickly from not doing military to doing specifically military contracts
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
That's a BILLION DOLLARS this government is underspending in health. A BILLION DOLLARS taken out of healthcare!
They have the money, they just don't want to spend it. Not on on hospitals or doctors or nurses or admin staff or regional health care, or anyone of a myriad of needed items.
#nzpol
They have the money, they just don't want to spend it. Not on on hospitals or doctors or nurses or admin staff or regional health care, or anyone of a myriad of needed items.
#nzpol
Hospitals asked to save $510 millions despite $538 million going unspent
Hospitals asked to save $510 millions despite $538 million going unspent
The "underspend" was due in part to unfilled vacancies and the fact Health NZ has yet to settle collective contract disputes.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 19, 2025 at 7:13 AM
That's a BILLION DOLLARS this government is underspending in health. A BILLION DOLLARS taken out of healthcare!
They have the money, they just don't want to spend it. Not on on hospitals or doctors or nurses or admin staff or regional health care, or anyone of a myriad of needed items.
#nzpol
They have the money, they just don't want to spend it. Not on on hospitals or doctors or nurses or admin staff or regional health care, or anyone of a myriad of needed items.
#nzpol
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
This is such a good piece by @thespinoff.bsky.social showing how NZME’s (who own the Herald and Newstalk ZB) billionaire director chooses to use his money - harassing @sanjanah.bsky.social and TVNZ thespinoff.co.nz/media/19-12-... thespinoff.co.nz/media/19-12-...
Inside the weirdest trial of the year: Jim Grenon, Julian Batchelor and TVNZ
Billionaires, secrets, conspiracy theories, denials of racism, contempt of court and twists at every turn. This case had it all.
thespinoff.co.nz
December 19, 2025 at 5:51 AM
This is such a good piece by @thespinoff.bsky.social showing how NZME’s (who own the Herald and Newstalk ZB) billionaire director chooses to use his money - harassing @sanjanah.bsky.social and TVNZ thespinoff.co.nz/media/19-12-... thespinoff.co.nz/media/19-12-...
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
Recently RNZ has RUSHED to print any government policy or statement without any attempt to get the opposing POV on the topic
With this story they have waited A FULL DAY so they could get Goldsmith's response included in the story
Do you still not see how BIASED RNZ has become?
Turn OFF RNZ
#nzpol
With this story they have waited A FULL DAY so they could get Goldsmith's response included in the story
Do you still not see how BIASED RNZ has become?
Turn OFF RNZ
#nzpol
December 19, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Recently RNZ has RUSHED to print any government policy or statement without any attempt to get the opposing POV on the topic
With this story they have waited A FULL DAY so they could get Goldsmith's response included in the story
Do you still not see how BIASED RNZ has become?
Turn OFF RNZ
#nzpol
With this story they have waited A FULL DAY so they could get Goldsmith's response included in the story
Do you still not see how BIASED RNZ has become?
Turn OFF RNZ
#nzpol
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
#NZ Cutting the flu tracking service 😔
- it seems a weird thing to cut given it’s not a "big budget" item
- if you’ve read on pandemic planning you’d know this is the sort of thing we need to step *up*, not drop. Feels like cutting off your nose to spite your face
- it seems a weird thing to cut given it’s not a "big budget" item
- if you’ve read on pandemic planning you’d know this is the sort of thing we need to step *up*, not drop. Feels like cutting off your nose to spite your face
Plan to ditch flu tracking tool will leave big data gap, epidemiologist says
The Ministry of Health is not renewing its contract for the FluTracking tool, which surveys about 40,000 people year-round, in a bid to cut costs.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 17, 2025 at 6:32 PM
#NZ Cutting the flu tracking service 😔
- it seems a weird thing to cut given it’s not a "big budget" item
- if you’ve read on pandemic planning you’d know this is the sort of thing we need to step *up*, not drop. Feels like cutting off your nose to spite your face
- it seems a weird thing to cut given it’s not a "big budget" item
- if you’ve read on pandemic planning you’d know this is the sort of thing we need to step *up*, not drop. Feels like cutting off your nose to spite your face
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
But a policy on bringing dentistry into the public health system, funded by taxes, would be far too aspirational for Labour (either in NZ or the UK).
Nearly 5000 children with rotten teeth waiting in pain for surgery
Nearly 5000 children with rotten teeth waiting in pain for surgery
There are 4866 children on the dental surgery wait list - an increase of 900 in two years.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 14, 2025 at 11:16 PM
But a policy on bringing dentistry into the public health system, funded by taxes, would be far too aspirational for Labour (either in NZ or the UK).
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
Do you agree that every New Zealander has the right to access healthcare without the risk of catching a deadly or disabling virus?
we know will stop the spread of Covid and other airborne diseases.
Please sign and share! Petition link here: our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/a-...
Please sign and share! Petition link here: our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/a-...
A Call for Safe Air and Masking in Healthcare Settings
We, the undersigned clinicians, scientists, and health professionals, call for the urgent reinstatement of basic airborne-infection-control measures—clean indoor air and appropriate airborne respirato...
our.actionstation.org.nz
December 10, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Do you agree that every New Zealander has the right to access healthcare without the risk of catching a deadly or disabling virus?
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
People just will not accept that the leadership of the national party is full of extreme social conservatives. They are stuck in “John Key supported marriage equality” Groundhog Day loop. And I mean people in my social circle in real life. But also on here.
December 2, 2025 at 12:12 AM
People just will not accept that the leadership of the national party is full of extreme social conservatives. They are stuck in “John Key supported marriage equality” Groundhog Day loop. And I mean people in my social circle in real life. But also on here.
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
My point here is it's a mistake to say the conduct of this government in relation to trans NZers is solely a NZ First thing. Yes, the majority of the National Party voted to ban conversion practices. But those who thought it should remain legal did not find that position a barrier to advancement.
December 2, 2025 at 12:03 AM
My point here is it's a mistake to say the conduct of this government in relation to trans NZers is solely a NZ First thing. Yes, the majority of the National Party voted to ban conversion practices. But those who thought it should remain legal did not find that position a barrier to advancement.
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
Given the decision on puberty blockers, I do want to note an objective fact that I think has been lost:
Eight MPs voted to keep conversion practices legal.
All were National MPs.
*Every single one* of the five who remained in Parliament after the 2023 election was given a Ministerial warrant.
Eight MPs voted to keep conversion practices legal.
All were National MPs.
*Every single one* of the five who remained in Parliament after the 2023 election was given a Ministerial warrant.
December 1, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Given the decision on puberty blockers, I do want to note an objective fact that I think has been lost:
Eight MPs voted to keep conversion practices legal.
All were National MPs.
*Every single one* of the five who remained in Parliament after the 2023 election was given a Ministerial warrant.
Eight MPs voted to keep conversion practices legal.
All were National MPs.
*Every single one* of the five who remained in Parliament after the 2023 election was given a Ministerial warrant.
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
![Two consecutive social media posts by @DecorumManager. "Welcome to Year 5 of COVID. 4 years since the first case. 3 years since the first vax. 2 years since Paxlovid. Nothing since then. You went back to work. That was the whole point. The only conspiracy. People resumed producing & consuming. Governments instantly stopped caring. Did we get... Better rapic tests? -nope. Improved indoor air quality? -lmao no. Guaranteed sick leave in the U.S.? Hahaha show up or lose *everything*. Accelerated development of second gen / intranasal vaccines? - We waited until 2023 to think about funding that. No rush [clown emoji here].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jiyed6s77avxluvhhtvo4aml/bafkreiaesvpqtgq7fm37dekw3cmly7acweiwmzg6535eb2q6l5yu5ykkpa@jpeg)
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
Patient came in with sore throat. While waiting for rapid Strep test result we glanced back at the Covid-19 RAT result: positive. Reminder that masking in health care makes sense, if you don’t want everyone in your waiting room to go home sick, your staff to get sick, and physicians to get sick.
November 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Patient came in with sore throat. While waiting for rapid Strep test result we glanced back at the Covid-19 RAT result: positive. Reminder that masking in health care makes sense, if you don’t want everyone in your waiting room to go home sick, your staff to get sick, and physicians to get sick.
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
Meanwhile, govt corruption continues to be uncovered.
Kudos to Kirsty Johnston, RNZ's investigative journo.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Kudos to Kirsty Johnston, RNZ's investigative journo.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
How the oil and gas industry helped rewrite New Zealand’s drilling rules
A paper trail shows just how far ministers went to accommodate the industry's wishlist, including giving it access to draft laws.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Meanwhile, govt corruption continues to be uncovered.
Kudos to Kirsty Johnston, RNZ's investigative journo.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Kudos to Kirsty Johnston, RNZ's investigative journo.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
If they can ban access to healthcare like puberty blockers for one group of people, they can do this with any healthcare for their next target. They will ban abortion again given the chance and they will come after contraception after that. The anti-choice movement is our govt right now. #nzpol
November 19, 2025 at 11:52 PM
If they can ban access to healthcare like puberty blockers for one group of people, they can do this with any healthcare for their next target. They will ban abortion again given the chance and they will come after contraception after that. The anti-choice movement is our govt right now. #nzpol
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
The more we learn about EBV, the more angry I am at the person who came to school sick and infected the rest of us.
Then the school tried to expel me for missing too many days.
We must stop normalizing pushing through illness.
It can have lifelong consequences
Then the school tried to expel me for missing too many days.
We must stop normalizing pushing through illness.
It can have lifelong consequences
The Virus That Causes Mono May Also Cause Lupus
Early findings indicate that Epstein-Barr Virus may also cause the autoimmune disease lupus
www.scientificamerican.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:37 AM
The more we learn about EBV, the more angry I am at the person who came to school sick and infected the rest of us.
Then the school tried to expel me for missing too many days.
We must stop normalizing pushing through illness.
It can have lifelong consequences
Then the school tried to expel me for missing too many days.
We must stop normalizing pushing through illness.
It can have lifelong consequences
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
Another banger essay: “People may understand that COVID exists and is infecting people, but feel that “it’s here to stay,” “we can’t fight it”, and “I’d rather be with my family”- giving themselves up to the virus in order to join with the majority due to fear of isolation.”
Living with Long COVID often feels like living in a horror movie. Along with your disease comes a creepy Hive Mind refusal to acknowledge the dangers of COVID infection. In Vince Gilligan's new Apple TV show Pluribus, the Hive Mind comes to life:
www.thegauntlet.news/p/pluribus-c...
www.thegauntlet.news/p/pluribus-c...
"Pluribus" captures the isolation of COVID-awareness in a COVID denialist world
For years I've described having Long COVID as living in a horror movie. Now that horror movie (well, prestige Apple TV show) is here.
www.thegauntlet.news
November 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Another banger essay: “People may understand that COVID exists and is infecting people, but feel that “it’s here to stay,” “we can’t fight it”, and “I’d rather be with my family”- giving themselves up to the virus in order to join with the majority due to fear of isolation.”
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
Luxon thinks we need a "mature conversation" about selling state assets... But I don't think he really means that, because a mature conversation would look at the history of failure and the shortsighted focus on profit ahead of public interest.
He wants a conversation where we agree with him.
He wants a conversation where we agree with him.
November 10, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Luxon thinks we need a "mature conversation" about selling state assets... But I don't think he really means that, because a mature conversation would look at the history of failure and the shortsighted focus on profit ahead of public interest.
He wants a conversation where we agree with him.
He wants a conversation where we agree with him.
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
The simple, honest public health messaging we should’ve seen everywhere from early on in the pandemic. Instead—as with almost every other aspect of modern life—profits & politics were put before people & their health. Protect yourself from #COVID to preserve your long term health.
Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms and can affect anyone, no matter your age or other health conditions. Learn more, and prevent #LongCOVID by preventing COVID-19!
November 8, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The simple, honest public health messaging we should’ve seen everywhere from early on in the pandemic. Instead—as with almost every other aspect of modern life—profits & politics were put before people & their health. Protect yourself from #COVID to preserve your long term health.
Reposted by Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta
The big science accounts are talking about immune dysregulation due to COVID-19 now.
I. Told. You. So.
Infection does confer antibodies and T cells against C19… but it also takes a wrecking ball to the immune system as a whole.
Stop burning down your house. (Metaphorically.)
I. Told. You. So.
Infection does confer antibodies and T cells against C19… but it also takes a wrecking ball to the immune system as a whole.
Stop burning down your house. (Metaphorically.)
November 8, 2025 at 3:13 AM
The big science accounts are talking about immune dysregulation due to COVID-19 now.
I. Told. You. So.
Infection does confer antibodies and T cells against C19… but it also takes a wrecking ball to the immune system as a whole.
Stop burning down your house. (Metaphorically.)
I. Told. You. So.
Infection does confer antibodies and T cells against C19… but it also takes a wrecking ball to the immune system as a whole.
Stop burning down your house. (Metaphorically.)