Reposted by Smirky 😼
This is how a healthy society reacts to tragedy. Not with "thoughts and prayers," but with action.
Less than 48 hours after the deadly attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach that left more than a dozen dead, Australian authorities announced proposals for sweeping new gun laws. n.pr/48UTa7g
Australia announces strict new gun laws. Here's how it can act so swiftly
Less than 48 hours after the deadly attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach that left more than a dozen dead, Australian authorities announced proposals for sweeping new gun laws.
n.pr
December 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
This is how a healthy society reacts to tragedy. Not with "thoughts and prayers," but with action.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
If 40 people a year were dying from say rancid steak n cheese pies, there would be a national outcry (justifiably), but because it's 'a mystery' in our waterways from the untouchable agriculture sector - meh it's fine.
What a shit country.
What a shit country.
Researchers identified nitrate-rich cow urine as a primary cause of contaminated groundwater.
A 2021 study found up to 100 cases of bowel cancer and 40 deaths might be caused by nitrate-contaminated drinking water each year - 800,000 New Zealanders exposed to potentially hazardous levels.
#nzpol
A 2021 study found up to 100 cases of bowel cancer and 40 deaths might be caused by nitrate-contaminated drinking water each year - 800,000 New Zealanders exposed to potentially hazardous levels.
#nzpol
What's really going on with Canterbury's water
Luis Arevalo fears his grandson will never be able to drink water straight from the tap because of the nitrate in the local water supply.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 15, 2025 at 8:22 PM
If 40 people a year were dying from say rancid steak n cheese pies, there would be a national outcry (justifiably), but because it's 'a mystery' in our waterways from the untouchable agriculture sector - meh it's fine.
What a shit country.
What a shit country.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
The fact that there are huge areas of the country where fire-fighters aren't paid at all or entitled to ACC is unsustainable. In my town (and likely most rural areas with entirely volunteer brigades) the vast majority of callous are serious crashes, it's rough work.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
December 15, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The fact that there are huge areas of the country where fire-fighters aren't paid at all or entitled to ACC is unsustainable. In my town (and likely most rural areas with entirely volunteer brigades) the vast majority of callous are serious crashes, it's rough work.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Smirky 😼
I’m not quite sure why we so readily accept that people on minimum wage (or less) should somehow accept suffering and indignity and the eroding of their basic rights.
Read more 👇🏼
#nzpol
open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Read more 👇🏼
#nzpol
open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Money for food? Only if you're a critic
I can’t stop thinking about the wildly discordant nature of these two headlines:
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I’m not quite sure why we so readily accept that people on minimum wage (or less) should somehow accept suffering and indignity and the eroding of their basic rights.
Read more 👇🏼
#nzpol
open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Read more 👇🏼
#nzpol
open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Reposted by Smirky 😼
“Silencing the Kaitiaki: How Simeon Brown’s “Clarification” Dismantles Māori Health Partnership” - 16 December 2025
open.substack.com/pub/themaori...
open.substack.com/pub/themaori...
“Silencing the Kaitiaki: How Simeon Brown’s “Clarification” Dismantles Māori Health Partnership” - 16 December 2025
The taiaha hums with familiar fury.
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Smirky 😼
“Exposing Richardson, the TPU, and Willis’s Neoliberal Theatre” - 15 December 2025
open.substack.com/pub/themaori...
open.substack.com/pub/themaori...
“Exposing Richardson, the TPU, and Willis’s Neoliberal Theatre” - 15 December 2025
The “Mother of All” Gaslighting
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Finally!!!
I pushed through lots of pain to finish her. Really need to sell her quickly, & for as much $ as I can possibly get… definitely wanting at least $1500 as she’s very big.
78.5cm x 70cm.
Please share widely, I would greatly appreciate the help.
#CrossStitch #Kikorangi
#nzpol
I pushed through lots of pain to finish her. Really need to sell her quickly, & for as much $ as I can possibly get… definitely wanting at least $1500 as she’s very big.
78.5cm x 70cm.
Please share widely, I would greatly appreciate the help.
#CrossStitch #Kikorangi
#nzpol
December 15, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Finally!!!
I pushed through lots of pain to finish her. Really need to sell her quickly, & for as much $ as I can possibly get… definitely wanting at least $1500 as she’s very big.
78.5cm x 70cm.
Please share widely, I would greatly appreciate the help.
#CrossStitch #Kikorangi
#nzpol
I pushed through lots of pain to finish her. Really need to sell her quickly, & for as much $ as I can possibly get… definitely wanting at least $1500 as she’s very big.
78.5cm x 70cm.
Please share widely, I would greatly appreciate the help.
#CrossStitch #Kikorangi
#nzpol
Reposted by Smirky 😼
This is so amazing and is going to make a wall somewhere in this world look incredible. It's so intricate, hard to believe that it was all painstakingly hand stitched! What an amazing piece of art. #Art #WomensArt #CrossStitch
I really hope someone I know gets it so I can see it IRL. So big and 😍😍
I really hope someone I know gets it so I can see it IRL. So big and 😍😍
Finally!!!
I pushed through lots of pain to finish her. Really need to sell her quickly, & for as much $ as I can possibly get… definitely wanting at least $1500 as she’s very big.
78.5cm x 70cm.
Please share widely, I would greatly appreciate the help.
#CrossStitch #Kikorangi
#nzpol
I pushed through lots of pain to finish her. Really need to sell her quickly, & for as much $ as I can possibly get… definitely wanting at least $1500 as she’s very big.
78.5cm x 70cm.
Please share widely, I would greatly appreciate the help.
#CrossStitch #Kikorangi
#nzpol
December 15, 2025 at 8:17 AM
This is so amazing and is going to make a wall somewhere in this world look incredible. It's so intricate, hard to believe that it was all painstakingly hand stitched! What an amazing piece of art. #Art #WomensArt #CrossStitch
I really hope someone I know gets it so I can see it IRL. So big and 😍😍
I really hope someone I know gets it so I can see it IRL. So big and 😍😍
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Please givealittle and/or share to support the Resene Strike fund to get to $ 30,000!! Link is here - givealittle.co.nz/cause/suppor.... #nzpol #XmasGiving
December 15, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Please givealittle and/or share to support the Resene Strike fund to get to $ 30,000!! Link is here - givealittle.co.nz/cause/suppor.... #nzpol #XmasGiving
Reposted by Smirky 😼
"70% of the people in Kāinga Ora homes have a disability, so building these homes for these people is not the average residential dwelling that the private sector would build ... they have wider doorways, they have special aspects to them that cost money.”
open.substack.com/pub/mountain...
open.substack.com/pub/mountain...
Kieran McAnulty is severely underrated: How Chris Bishop Got Away with Blowing Up Kāinga Ora & State Housing
Last week, Kieran McAnulty called out Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis for their claims that Kāinga Ora’s costs were too high.
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:09 AM
"70% of the people in Kāinga Ora homes have a disability, so building these homes for these people is not the average residential dwelling that the private sector would build ... they have wider doorways, they have special aspects to them that cost money.”
open.substack.com/pub/mountain...
open.substack.com/pub/mountain...
Reposted by Smirky 😼
These changes, driven by Seymour’s ACT Party, serve foreign corporations and offshore shareholders — not New Zealanders or our most precious places. NZ First should do what it eventually did with the Regulatory Standards Act and pull its support.
December 15, 2025 at 4:00 AM
These changes, driven by Seymour’s ACT Party, serve foreign corporations and offshore shareholders — not New Zealanders or our most precious places. NZ First should do what it eventually did with the Regulatory Standards Act and pull its support.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
At 11pm on Friday night, under the cover of darkness, the Luxon Government made it easier for foreign corporations to buy and exploit New Zealand’s most ecologically and culturally sensitive land - including conservation land, lakebeds and wāhi tapu sites. 🧵
December 15, 2025 at 4:00 AM
At 11pm on Friday night, under the cover of darkness, the Luxon Government made it easier for foreign corporations to buy and exploit New Zealand’s most ecologically and culturally sensitive land - including conservation land, lakebeds and wāhi tapu sites. 🧵
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Until our cities start firing again any mention of Green Shoots or economic recovery that is nationwide is either misguided or being extremely obtuse
And remember mortgage rates are increasing again already.....
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
And remember mortgage rates are increasing again already.....
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
Services sector slump gives economic reality check
It is the worst reading since May.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 15, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Until our cities start firing again any mention of Green Shoots or economic recovery that is nationwide is either misguided or being extremely obtuse
And remember mortgage rates are increasing again already.....
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
And remember mortgage rates are increasing again already.....
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
Reposted by Smirky 😼
“That’s our message to people - we can change this.”
It’s great to see a party leader being so matter of fact about policy basics and unequivocal about the fact they are absolutely possible to achieve for New Zealanders.
It’s great to see a party leader being so matter of fact about policy basics and unequivocal about the fact they are absolutely possible to achieve for New Zealanders.
December 15, 2025 at 5:40 AM
“That’s our message to people - we can change this.”
It’s great to see a party leader being so matter of fact about policy basics and unequivocal about the fact they are absolutely possible to achieve for New Zealanders.
It’s great to see a party leader being so matter of fact about policy basics and unequivocal about the fact they are absolutely possible to achieve for New Zealanders.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Pretty telling.
Yup, only 15% of ACT voters have a Bachelor's degree or higher compared to the Greens which is at a massive 55% of Greens voters with a Bachelor's degree or higher.
Also educated people are 2x as likely to vote Labour than National and a massive 7x more likely to vote Greens than National
Also educated people are 2x as likely to vote Labour than National and a massive 7x more likely to vote Greens than National
December 15, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Pretty telling.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
OK, Tāmaki Makaurau, the hornet army is on the march. Time to saddle up, cut up some bottles and trap the little bastards before they do any more damage.
MPI has bumped up the zone so if you're inside that purple line it's time to get busy.
More info here: www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-r...
MPI has bumped up the zone so if you're inside that purple line it's time to get busy.
More info here: www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-r...
December 11, 2025 at 9:17 PM
OK, Tāmaki Makaurau, the hornet army is on the march. Time to saddle up, cut up some bottles and trap the little bastards before they do any more damage.
MPI has bumped up the zone so if you're inside that purple line it's time to get busy.
More info here: www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-r...
MPI has bumped up the zone so if you're inside that purple line it's time to get busy.
More info here: www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-r...
Reposted by Smirky 😼
This is great:
Authorised by the Government for re-arranging deck chairs.
Authorised by the Government for re-arranging deck chairs.
Australia’s Social Media Ban gets the Honest Government treatment and never have truer words been spoken. #nzpol
youtu.be/ZxRB5qWphJE?...
youtu.be/ZxRB5qWphJE?...
Honest Government Ad | Social Media Ban
YouTube video by thejuicemedia
youtu.be
December 14, 2025 at 8:10 AM
This is great:
Authorised by the Government for re-arranging deck chairs.
Authorised by the Government for re-arranging deck chairs.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
FYI I’ve opened this one up to all to read, listen & share after requests from paying subscribers to make it publicly available as part of my public interest journalism mandate. Many thanks to paying subscribers who allow me to put some of this work in public. #nzpol
A debt debate that is frozen in time & ideology
Richardson & Willis debt debate assumes 1991-style austerity worked, that NZ faces being locked out of global markets, that the NZ Super Fund doesn't exist & that households can borrow much more
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:01 PM
FYI I’ve opened this one up to all to read, listen & share after requests from paying subscribers to make it publicly available as part of my public interest journalism mandate. Many thanks to paying subscribers who allow me to put some of this work in public. #nzpol
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Worst kept secret ever
#nzpol
#nzpol
New Zealand will fail its Paris Agreement climate change targets
New Zealand will fail its Paris Agreement climate change targets
The government won't admit it yet, but The Spinoff is calling it: New Zealand has no viable path to reach its 2030 emissions targets....
thespinoff.co.nz
December 14, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Worst kept secret ever
#nzpol
#nzpol
Reposted by Smirky 😼
maimoa.nz/blogs/news/b... - this a a good one!
Parāoa Parai Recipe: Crispy and Fluffy Māori Fry Bread | Maimoa Creative
A no-fail fry bread (or fried bread) recipe that will get you perfect results every time! Crispy and golden brown on the outside, and perfectly fluffy on the inside. Tasty as is, or can be served with...
maimoa.nz
December 13, 2025 at 11:50 PM
maimoa.nz/blogs/news/b... - this a a good one!
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Zack and Chloe chatting together was really interesting.
The Greens messaging IS compelling, they're not given a fair shot by the media. Just imagine if they got the same amount of coverage as ACT or NZF
The Greens messaging IS compelling, they're not given a fair shot by the media. Just imagine if they got the same amount of coverage as ACT or NZF
Why We Should Want Our Politicians To Be Flawed | Chlöe Swarbrick
YouTube video by Bold Politics with Zack Polanski
youtu.be
December 14, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Zack and Chloe chatting together was really interesting.
The Greens messaging IS compelling, they're not given a fair shot by the media. Just imagine if they got the same amount of coverage as ACT or NZF
The Greens messaging IS compelling, they're not given a fair shot by the media. Just imagine if they got the same amount of coverage as ACT or NZF
Reposted by Smirky 😼
This government's shameful ban on prescribing puberty blockers for trans kids comes into effect on Friday the 19th of December
Block the Ban is organising a National Day of Action to protest the ban. I hope you can join me to tell this government to fuck off and leave our kids alone
Block the Ban is organising a National Day of Action to protest the ban. I hope you can join me to tell this government to fuck off and leave our kids alone
December 12, 2025 at 8:09 AM
This government's shameful ban on prescribing puberty blockers for trans kids comes into effect on Friday the 19th of December
Block the Ban is organising a National Day of Action to protest the ban. I hope you can join me to tell this government to fuck off and leave our kids alone
Block the Ban is organising a National Day of Action to protest the ban. I hope you can join me to tell this government to fuck off and leave our kids alone
Reposted by Smirky 😼
Study linking better cognition with higher levels of iron (ferritin) in perimenopause and menopause. Read about it here open.substack.com/pub/vajenda/...
Menopause, Iron, and Cognition
A new study connects some of the dots
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Study linking better cognition with higher levels of iron (ferritin) in perimenopause and menopause. Read about it here open.substack.com/pub/vajenda/...
Reposted by Smirky 😼
I will make one last coffee tip post for the year.
If you think the work of Rights Aotearoa is worthwhile, you can show your support in three main ways - see below.
Coffee tips before Xmas would be super appreciated.
Have a Merry Xmas and Happy Holiday season.
If you think the work of Rights Aotearoa is worthwhile, you can show your support in three main ways - see below.
Coffee tips before Xmas would be super appreciated.
Have a Merry Xmas and Happy Holiday season.
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!)
December 13, 2025 at 10:44 PM
I will make one last coffee tip post for the year.
If you think the work of Rights Aotearoa is worthwhile, you can show your support in three main ways - see below.
Coffee tips before Xmas would be super appreciated.
Have a Merry Xmas and Happy Holiday season.
If you think the work of Rights Aotearoa is worthwhile, you can show your support in three main ways - see below.
Coffee tips before Xmas would be super appreciated.
Have a Merry Xmas and Happy Holiday season.
Reposted by Smirky 😼
