Ash
@ashkk.bsky.social
Retired curmudgeon, despairing of our species
Reposted by Ash
This piece by the EnableMe company on @NZStuff is very wrong:
buying a ‘retirement unit’ does not guarantee continuity of care. In fact, when at their most vulnerable, people are forced to move home - often to other places - and sell at the village’s leisure. www.stuff.co.nz/money/360902...
buying a ‘retirement unit’ does not guarantee continuity of care. In fact, when at their most vulnerable, people are forced to move home - often to other places - and sell at the village’s leisure. www.stuff.co.nz/money/360902...
Are we fleecing our elderly? The truth about retirement villages
Retirement villages are much-maligned, but the truth is more complicated than it looks on the surface.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 29, 2025 at 10:47 PM
This piece by the EnableMe company on @NZStuff is very wrong:
buying a ‘retirement unit’ does not guarantee continuity of care. In fact, when at their most vulnerable, people are forced to move home - often to other places - and sell at the village’s leisure. www.stuff.co.nz/money/360902...
buying a ‘retirement unit’ does not guarantee continuity of care. In fact, when at their most vulnerable, people are forced to move home - often to other places - and sell at the village’s leisure. www.stuff.co.nz/money/360902...
Reposted by Ash
The whole idea that studying the history of a country constitutes an attack on the history of a country is deeply deeply stupid.
November 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Reposted by Ash
OMFG Lab why not make corporatisation of GP clinics illegal and start buying them up for govt-run GP clinics ffs.
Yet more debt for clinics will just drive up visit prices.
Yet more debt for clinics will just drive up visit prices.
November 30, 2025 at 2:16 AM
OMFG Lab why not make corporatisation of GP clinics illegal and start buying them up for govt-run GP clinics ffs.
Yet more debt for clinics will just drive up visit prices.
Yet more debt for clinics will just drive up visit prices.
Reposted by Ash
In a previous reality, before Rogernomics & Ruthanasia, the Department of Social Welfare used to provide beneficiaries with a double benefit payment just prior to Christmas.
This feels like Luxon is taking the piss out of everyone his Government has pushed into poverty.💩🥚
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
This feels like Luxon is taking the piss out of everyone his Government has pushed into poverty.💩🥚
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
Over 35,000 Christmas Boxes packed this year as Kiwis struggle with cost of living
PM Christopher Luxon, former All Blacks Pita Alatini and Eroni Clark, and MasterChef judge Michael Dearth joined about 2500 other volunteers to pack boxes.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 30, 2025 at 1:37 AM
In a previous reality, before Rogernomics & Ruthanasia, the Department of Social Welfare used to provide beneficiaries with a double benefit payment just prior to Christmas.
This feels like Luxon is taking the piss out of everyone his Government has pushed into poverty.💩🥚
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
This feels like Luxon is taking the piss out of everyone his Government has pushed into poverty.💩🥚
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
Reposted by Ash
BREAKING: Venezuela has condemned US President Trump’s social media post declaring the country’s airspace "closed in its entirety" saying it "denounces... the colonialist threat that seeks to affect the sovereignty of its airspace."
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/o9swd9
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/o9swd9
November 29, 2025 at 8:36 PM
BREAKING: Venezuela has condemned US President Trump’s social media post declaring the country’s airspace "closed in its entirety" saying it "denounces... the colonialist threat that seeks to affect the sovereignty of its airspace."
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/o9swd9
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/o9swd9
Reposted by Ash
Greetings from Kyiv.
Just a quick note for those who care.
We’re fine.
The view from the window is still the same, luckily.
A loud night of drones and missiles is over.
Sadly, there are casualties and damage in the city.
Just a quick note for those who care.
We’re fine.
The view from the window is still the same, luckily.
A loud night of drones and missiles is over.
Sadly, there are casualties and damage in the city.
November 29, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Greetings from Kyiv.
Just a quick note for those who care.
We’re fine.
The view from the window is still the same, luckily.
A loud night of drones and missiles is over.
Sadly, there are casualties and damage in the city.
Just a quick note for those who care.
We’re fine.
The view from the window is still the same, luckily.
A loud night of drones and missiles is over.
Sadly, there are casualties and damage in the city.
Reposted by Ash
Here's the % change in the main groups. That drop in people relying on ACC as their primary income source can only be a serious tightening. [2/2]
November 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Here's the % change in the main groups. That drop in people relying on ACC as their primary income source can only be a serious tightening. [2/2]
Reposted by Ash
Major Israeli offensive has also destroyed roads, water networks and private property.
Israeli forces injure hundreds of Palestinians in raids on Tubas, West Bank
Major Israeli offensive has also destroyed roads, water networks and private property.
bit.ly
November 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Major Israeli offensive has also destroyed roads, water networks and private property.
Reposted by Ash
Drone attack hits Bani Suheila in southern Gaza amid continued Israeli attacks on the enclave.
Israeli attack kills two children in southern Gaza despite ceasefire
Drone attack hits Bani Suheila in southern Gaza amid continued Israeli attacks on the enclave.
bit.ly
November 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Drone attack hits Bani Suheila in southern Gaza amid continued Israeli attacks on the enclave.
Reposted by Ash
Kyiv is slowly coming back to life after the night’s attack.
My beautiful phoenix.
My beautiful phoenix.
November 29, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Kyiv is slowly coming back to life after the night’s attack.
My beautiful phoenix.
My beautiful phoenix.
Reposted by Ash
Let’s look at some Ukrainian art.
I went on a little art hunt today.
No, I won’t give russians even a chance to think they can break us.
I went on a little art hunt today.
No, I won’t give russians even a chance to think they can break us.
November 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Let’s look at some Ukrainian art.
I went on a little art hunt today.
No, I won’t give russians even a chance to think they can break us.
I went on a little art hunt today.
No, I won’t give russians even a chance to think they can break us.
Reposted by Ash
Russian strikes on Kyiv kill three, injure dozens, as Ukraine seeks US support for a resolution to the war.
Russian strikes on Kyiv kill three as Ukraine envoys travel to US for talks
Russian strikes on Kyiv kill three, injure dozens, as Ukraine seeks US support for a resolution to the war.
bit.ly
November 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Russian strikes on Kyiv kill three, injure dozens, as Ukraine seeks US support for a resolution to the war.
Reposted by Ash
Posts about urban biking in Dutch cities are routinely replied to with comments like “well, they have the big advantage of being relatively flat.”
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
November 29, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Posts about urban biking in Dutch cities are routinely replied to with comments like “well, they have the big advantage of being relatively flat.”
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
Reposted by Ash
Warm homes are not aspirational.
Affordable food, power and rent aren’t aspirational.
Health and social services that centre health and people are not aspirational.
These are not inspired ideas. They are basic, 101 hallmarks of a functioning country.
Leadership that gets that *would* be inspiring.
Affordable food, power and rent aren’t aspirational.
Health and social services that centre health and people are not aspirational.
These are not inspired ideas. They are basic, 101 hallmarks of a functioning country.
Leadership that gets that *would* be inspiring.
November 29, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Warm homes are not aspirational.
Affordable food, power and rent aren’t aspirational.
Health and social services that centre health and people are not aspirational.
These are not inspired ideas. They are basic, 101 hallmarks of a functioning country.
Leadership that gets that *would* be inspiring.
Affordable food, power and rent aren’t aspirational.
Health and social services that centre health and people are not aspirational.
These are not inspired ideas. They are basic, 101 hallmarks of a functioning country.
Leadership that gets that *would* be inspiring.
Reposted by Ash
This is an EXTREMELY important thread regarding how to tackle disinformation and lies. If both validates and further educates the way I’ve been address such lies and conspiracy theories in the city-making arena. Please read, share and consider.
Misinformation *is* central to democratic problems today, but the solution is *not* to correct such epistemic failures directly. Instead, we must address them at their roots, in social identity.
Or so I argue in a new post for @apaphilosophy.bsky.social.
blog.apaonline.org/2025/11/12/t...
Or so I argue in a new post for @apaphilosophy.bsky.social.
blog.apaonline.org/2025/11/12/t...
The Problem is Epistemic. The Solution is Not. | Blog of the APA
Doubts about the wisdom of the masses are as old as philosophy itself. Yet interest in democracy’s “epistemic” merits has surged in the last decade—and it is no mystery why. Democracy is collapsing ar...
blog.apaonline.org
November 29, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This is an EXTREMELY important thread regarding how to tackle disinformation and lies. If both validates and further educates the way I’ve been address such lies and conspiracy theories in the city-making arena. Please read, share and consider.
Reposted by Ash
At least two people have been killed and 15 injured in the attacks that left Kyiv's west without electricity.
Kyiv comes under deadly Russian drone, missile attacks
At least two people have been killed and 15 injured in the attacks that left Kyiv's west without electricity.
bit.ly
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
At least two people have been killed and 15 injured in the attacks that left Kyiv's west without electricity.
Reposted by Ash
Must read. “Ironically, amalgamations being pursued..are being promoted by same political parties that - less than 3yrs ago – were stumping the country & railing anti erosion of local democracy& extinction of community voices via Three Waters reforms. Well, this plan is 3 Waters, on steroids” #nzpol
On The Coup Against Local Government
It's democracy Jim, but not as we know it. In line with the plans that the government unveiled this week to reform local government, the recently elected regional councils will be scrapped, and their ...
www.scoop.co.nz
November 28, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Must read. “Ironically, amalgamations being pursued..are being promoted by same political parties that - less than 3yrs ago – were stumping the country & railing anti erosion of local democracy& extinction of community voices via Three Waters reforms. Well, this plan is 3 Waters, on steroids” #nzpol
Reposted by Ash
Explosions in Kyiv.
We’re under attack.
What else to say?
I charged everything,
edited photos – just in case I don’t get another chance (sorry, dark humour)
We’re under attack.
What else to say?
I charged everything,
edited photos – just in case I don’t get another chance (sorry, dark humour)
November 28, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Explosions in Kyiv.
We’re under attack.
What else to say?
I charged everything,
edited photos – just in case I don’t get another chance (sorry, dark humour)
We’re under attack.
What else to say?
I charged everything,
edited photos – just in case I don’t get another chance (sorry, dark humour)
Reposted by Ash
More details about US forces executing people of colour, as they’ve done for over a century, but NZ still maintains military ties with them (incl. doing sniper training with US forces in Waiouru this year). When are media gonna confront the defence minister of the day about any of this?
#nzpol
#nzpol
November 28, 2025 at 11:47 PM
More details about US forces executing people of colour, as they’ve done for over a century, but NZ still maintains military ties with them (incl. doing sniper training with US forces in Waiouru this year). When are media gonna confront the defence minister of the day about any of this?
#nzpol
#nzpol
Reposted by Ash
If we don't stand up and collectively exercise our democratic franchise to remove these scumbags from Government, we risk losing our democratic options to resist their anti-democratic authoritarian agenda.😱
Their wealthy donors only want us to be customers, not voters.😡
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
Their wealthy donors only want us to be customers, not voters.😡
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
On The Coup Against Local Government
It's democracy Jim, but not as we know it. In line with the plans that the government unveiled this week to reform local government, the recently elected regional councils will be scrapped, and their ...
www.scoop.co.nz
November 28, 2025 at 9:24 PM
If we don't stand up and collectively exercise our democratic franchise to remove these scumbags from Government, we risk losing our democratic options to resist their anti-democratic authoritarian agenda.😱
Their wealthy donors only want us to be customers, not voters.😡
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
Their wealthy donors only want us to be customers, not voters.😡
#OneTermGovernment
#nzpol
Reposted by Ash
And also, because wow, here's a picture of the wash basins in the loos at the centre of my local market. It's the small things sometimes, but they matter.
November 29, 2025 at 12:20 AM
And also, because wow, here's a picture of the wash basins in the loos at the centre of my local market. It's the small things sometimes, but they matter.
Reposted by Ash
"These days, when people use the word efficient it can reliably be taken as a sign that ends have become means, and that what started out as a quest for the wise use of resources has now totally jumped the shark."
#nzpol
#nzpol
On The Coup Against Local Government
It's democracy Jim, but not as we know it. In line with the plans that the government unveiled this week to reform local government, the recently elected regional councils will be scrapped, and their ...
www.scoop.co.nz
November 29, 2025 at 12:26 AM
"These days, when people use the word efficient it can reliably be taken as a sign that ends have become means, and that what started out as a quest for the wise use of resources has now totally jumped the shark."
#nzpol
#nzpol
Reposted by Ash
Great story from Matt Nippert - www.nzherald.co.nz/business/com... The dark fleet hiding in our own backyard: How the Cook Islands sold its flag to Moscow and Tehran
November 28, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Great story from Matt Nippert - www.nzherald.co.nz/business/com... The dark fleet hiding in our own backyard: How the Cook Islands sold its flag to Moscow and Tehran
Reposted by Ash
Loved seeing Te Komititanga full of people celebrating the lighting of Te Manaaki, Auckland’s Giant Christmas Tree.
Hard to believe a few years ago this civic space was a four lane road. It’s much better now and it is used by tens of thousands more people each day.
I 💚❤️ AKL
Hard to believe a few years ago this civic space was a four lane road. It’s much better now and it is used by tens of thousands more people each day.
I 💚❤️ AKL
November 28, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Loved seeing Te Komititanga full of people celebrating the lighting of Te Manaaki, Auckland’s Giant Christmas Tree.
Hard to believe a few years ago this civic space was a four lane road. It’s much better now and it is used by tens of thousands more people each day.
I 💚❤️ AKL
Hard to believe a few years ago this civic space was a four lane road. It’s much better now and it is used by tens of thousands more people each day.
I 💚❤️ AKL
Reposted by Ash
Every right-wing “grassroots”organisation in New Zealand is just Jordan Williams, David Farrar, and one randomly-selected Atlas Network apparatchik in a trenchcoat
There's a new "grassroots" website automating supportive emails to Erica Stanford / signatures on an open letter endorsing her attacks on te Tiriti and you have until the end of this skeet to guess who registered the domain name
...
Did you guess Jordan Williams' Campaign Company? Gold star
...
Did you guess Jordan Williams' Campaign Company? Gold star
November 28, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Every right-wing “grassroots”organisation in New Zealand is just Jordan Williams, David Farrar, and one randomly-selected Atlas Network apparatchik in a trenchcoat