Marsden
@marsdennz.bsky.social
He/Him, Webdev from Ōtautahi, Aotearoa (Christchurch, New Zealand). Interested in #SocialIssues, #BoardGaming and #TabletopRoleplaying.
Pinned
Marsden
@marsdennz.bsky.social
· Apr 5
Achievement unlocked - sat on by a meerkat.
And some other critters from today.
#meerkat #wallaby #koala #marmoset #self #ParadiseCountry #GoldCoastAustralia
And some other critters from today.
#meerkat #wallaby #koala #marmoset #self #ParadiseCountry #GoldCoastAustralia
Nice morning for gardening. Not all planned, but 2 of the big jobs are off the list and a couple of the nice to haves. Confirmed that the irrigation system has a major leak, which I hope my limited plumbing skills will be up to repairing when I have more time and energy.
Also #BloomScrolling.
Also #BloomScrolling.
November 30, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Nice morning for gardening. Not all planned, but 2 of the big jobs are off the list and a couple of the nice to haves. Confirmed that the irrigation system has a major leak, which I hope my limited plumbing skills will be up to repairing when I have more time and energy.
Also #BloomScrolling.
Also #BloomScrolling.
Reposted by Marsden
Things that Labour will say 'yes' to:
1. We need 120,000 people unemployed (at least) to stop wages going up by too much.
2. Banks can extract $8bn a year in profits, because that's the price we should pay.
3. The market will eventually deliver affordable energy / food / rent - be patient comrades.
1. We need 120,000 people unemployed (at least) to stop wages going up by too much.
2. Banks can extract $8bn a year in profits, because that's the price we should pay.
3. The market will eventually deliver affordable energy / food / rent - be patient comrades.
November 29, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Things that Labour will say 'yes' to:
1. We need 120,000 people unemployed (at least) to stop wages going up by too much.
2. Banks can extract $8bn a year in profits, because that's the price we should pay.
3. The market will eventually deliver affordable energy / food / rent - be patient comrades.
1. We need 120,000 people unemployed (at least) to stop wages going up by too much.
2. Banks can extract $8bn a year in profits, because that's the price we should pay.
3. The market will eventually deliver affordable energy / food / rent - be patient comrades.
Reposted by Marsden
The maddening thing is I used to have this. Growing up, we'd take our empty glass soda bottles back to the fountain and they'd wash and re-fill them. There is zero reason we need to put up with so much single use stuff.
"A single, reusable bottle can replace 20 to 50 single-use bottles"
Imagine how much pointless, dreary, polluting junk we could remove from our lives if we had well-structured re-use systems like this 👇🏾
Imagine how much pointless, dreary, polluting junk we could remove from our lives if we had well-structured re-use systems like this 👇🏾
‘We like it a lot’: how Romania created the largest deposit return scheme in the world - great way to tackle excessive single-use plastics www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
The maddening thing is I used to have this. Growing up, we'd take our empty glass soda bottles back to the fountain and they'd wash and re-fill them. There is zero reason we need to put up with so much single use stuff.
Reposted by Marsden
Oft-ignored dataset - IRD's count of people by primary income source. Here's the annual change data - the hope is that the red bars (benefits) get back to zero growth - maybe next winter? The blue bars (work) could turn positive in early 2026 when we get a tinsy bit of job growth. [1/2]
November 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Oft-ignored dataset - IRD's count of people by primary income source. Here's the annual change data - the hope is that the red bars (benefits) get back to zero growth - maybe next winter? The blue bars (work) could turn positive in early 2026 when we get a tinsy bit of job growth. [1/2]
Reposted by Marsden
Can you imagine the desperation of teachers trying to assist people to get to school, parents trying to manage their difficult lives, kids who are struggling with mental or physical health, all knowing that non-attendance means other kids literally don’t get fed? He’a a MONSTER.
November 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Can you imagine the desperation of teachers trying to assist people to get to school, parents trying to manage their difficult lives, kids who are struggling with mental or physical health, all knowing that non-attendance means other kids literally don’t get fed? He’a a MONSTER.
Reposted by Marsden
Not only is this blatantly unfair, but for a Party that doesnt believe in collective responsibility,theyre holding ALL children responsible for the actions of others...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
Lunch funding to be tied to attendance for hundreds more schools
Next year funding for school lunches delivered through the internal model will be tied to attendance.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 28, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Not only is this blatantly unfair, but for a Party that doesnt believe in collective responsibility,theyre holding ALL children responsible for the actions of others...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
Reposted by Marsden
The dominance of exports also means NZ famers are immune to local consumer pressure. Americans are their customers, not us. So they gouge and pollute, and tell us they don't care.
Time to use our votes to regulate them so they have to care. Limit exports, fix prices, and fuck the market.
Time to use our votes to regulate them so they have to care. Limit exports, fix prices, and fuck the market.
November 28, 2025 at 1:48 AM
The dominance of exports also means NZ famers are immune to local consumer pressure. Americans are their customers, not us. So they gouge and pollute, and tell us they don't care.
Time to use our votes to regulate them so they have to care. Limit exports, fix prices, and fuck the market.
Time to use our votes to regulate them so they have to care. Limit exports, fix prices, and fuck the market.
Reposted by Marsden
The full quote if anyone was curious: "Critical pedagogies recognise the importance of mathematics and statistics as tools for understanding, interpreting, and addressing issues of power and inequity, both in the classroom and in the wider world."
New Zealand's Minister of Education can't tell the difference between Mathematics and Social Studies.
November 28, 2025 at 3:33 AM
The full quote if anyone was curious: "Critical pedagogies recognise the importance of mathematics and statistics as tools for understanding, interpreting, and addressing issues of power and inequity, both in the classroom and in the wider world."
Reposted by Marsden
TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS from Chch to Dunners.
Intercity bus is from $35. Locals are not going to take the train. Such a lost opportunity.
Intercity bus is from $35. Locals are not going to take the train. Such a lost opportunity.
Great news, but a shame it's at tourist prices. Hopefully over time the price reduces to something that makes more economical than driving or taking a bus
www.odt.co.nz/star-news/st...
www.odt.co.nz/star-news/st...
Passenger train to link Christchurch to South | Star News
Long-distance passenger rail is returning to the South Island, with a service set to consistently reconnect Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill...
www.odt.co.nz
November 28, 2025 at 6:09 AM
TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS from Chch to Dunners.
Intercity bus is from $35. Locals are not going to take the train. Such a lost opportunity.
Intercity bus is from $35. Locals are not going to take the train. Such a lost opportunity.
Reposted by Marsden
🤬
As Craig Renney revealed to a shocked Dr Gary Payinda, Te Whatu Ora underspent its wages budget by $500m which has been signed off by Willis & returned to general coffers. Let that sink in. The money was there, but they deliberately underspent. On orders?
November 27, 2025 at 2:18 AM
🤬
Reposted by Marsden
When the Ministry cannot explain how a foreign company won a national contract to hold the learning data of every child in Aotearoa, it is not an administrative inconvenience.
It is a breach of trust.
It is a breach of trust.
Tears Weren’t About the Fight
by ELVOn the way home, I cried.Tears stung the unhealed cold sore on my lip,and the aircon dried them hard against my chin.I didn’t cry because I was exhausted from breaking up a fight before morning ...
www.engaginglearningvoices.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:13 AM
When the Ministry cannot explain how a foreign company won a national contract to hold the learning data of every child in Aotearoa, it is not an administrative inconvenience.
It is a breach of trust.
It is a breach of trust.
Reposted by Marsden
People Watching: Opening party for 'Pop to Present: American Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki on a Friday night
November 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
People Watching: Opening party for 'Pop to Present: American Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki on a Friday night
Reposted by Marsden
I am of the simple opinion that stuff like this is the peak of human endeavour and we can cut it out with the missiles and demonic computers in favour of getting really good at a cool little thing
November 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I am of the simple opinion that stuff like this is the peak of human endeavour and we can cut it out with the missiles and demonic computers in favour of getting really good at a cool little thing
Reposted by Marsden
Thread time.
These proposed local government reforms are being reported as the end of Regional Councils but actually they're probably the end of a lot of rural and smaller district councils in New Zealand. Not sure what I mean?
These proposed local government reforms are being reported as the end of Regional Councils but actually they're probably the end of a lot of rural and smaller district councils in New Zealand. Not sure what I mean?
November 25, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Thread time.
These proposed local government reforms are being reported as the end of Regional Councils but actually they're probably the end of a lot of rural and smaller district councils in New Zealand. Not sure what I mean?
These proposed local government reforms are being reported as the end of Regional Councils but actually they're probably the end of a lot of rural and smaller district councils in New Zealand. Not sure what I mean?
Reposted by Marsden
This👇🏻
So much of people’s concerns about state surveillance were understood in the past.
In New Zealand’s case, there were tougher privacy protections in the 1976 Wanganui Computer Centre Act than in the Data & Statistics Act 2022.
So much of people’s concerns about state surveillance were understood in the past.
In New Zealand’s case, there were tougher privacy protections in the 1976 Wanganui Computer Centre Act than in the Data & Statistics Act 2022.
The fight against surveillance must include infrastructure that enables it. We can’t just oppose collection we must also fight storage, analysis, corporate relationships…
As someone writing a book on the history of government data storage and its harms, I’ll say that people in the past knew this!
As someone writing a book on the history of government data storage and its harms, I’ll say that people in the past knew this!
November 25, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This👇🏻
So much of people’s concerns about state surveillance were understood in the past.
In New Zealand’s case, there were tougher privacy protections in the 1976 Wanganui Computer Centre Act than in the Data & Statistics Act 2022.
So much of people’s concerns about state surveillance were understood in the past.
In New Zealand’s case, there were tougher privacy protections in the 1976 Wanganui Computer Centre Act than in the Data & Statistics Act 2022.
Reposted by Marsden
Also - it isn't "cost savings"!!
Instead they're SHIFTING the cost onto individuals
vis-à-vis unemployment, cutting services, degrading the environment, downgrading research funding, and so on and so forth.
It's a false premise that results in higher costs for everyone.
Instead they're SHIFTING the cost onto individuals
vis-à-vis unemployment, cutting services, degrading the environment, downgrading research funding, and so on and so forth.
It's a false premise that results in higher costs for everyone.
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Also - it isn't "cost savings"!!
Instead they're SHIFTING the cost onto individuals
vis-à-vis unemployment, cutting services, degrading the environment, downgrading research funding, and so on and so forth.
It's a false premise that results in higher costs for everyone.
Instead they're SHIFTING the cost onto individuals
vis-à-vis unemployment, cutting services, degrading the environment, downgrading research funding, and so on and so forth.
It's a false premise that results in higher costs for everyone.
Reposted by Marsden
The ban*will* silence their voices and that’s the point!
"We got a bunch of middle-aged politicians who have no experience in this choosing to have a say over young people.”
Teen activists say they've used social media to share their stories and politically organise. They fear the ban will silence their voice
www.crikey.com.au/20...
Teen activists say they've used social media to share their stories and politically organise. They fear the ban will silence their voice
www.crikey.com.au/20...
November 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The ban*will* silence their voices and that’s the point!
Reposted by Marsden
This is the plan that the coalition government says is "not about centralising power". Jesus wept. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
November 25, 2025 at 4:59 AM
This is the plan that the coalition government says is "not about centralising power". Jesus wept. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Reposted by Marsden
NZ has had two major reforms of subnational government so far: 1876 and 1989
As the guy who literally wrote a book on the demise of that first system, *and* as someone who generally supports more unitary authorities, my considered opinion is that this proposal is completely insane
As the guy who literally wrote a book on the demise of that first system, *and* as someone who generally supports more unitary authorities, my considered opinion is that this proposal is completely insane
No more regional councils - major shake-up of local government announced
The government says it is not a power grab, but about "making local government fit for purpose".
www.rnz.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 7:59 AM
NZ has had two major reforms of subnational government so far: 1876 and 1989
As the guy who literally wrote a book on the demise of that first system, *and* as someone who generally supports more unitary authorities, my considered opinion is that this proposal is completely insane
As the guy who literally wrote a book on the demise of that first system, *and* as someone who generally supports more unitary authorities, my considered opinion is that this proposal is completely insane
Reposted by Marsden
So ... the government just forced us all to have referendums on *existing* Māori wards because Local Communities Deserve Choice, but now they're unilaterally abolishing our regional councils because they don't like the Choices we made?
November 25, 2025 at 5:34 AM
So ... the government just forced us all to have referendums on *existing* Māori wards because Local Communities Deserve Choice, but now they're unilaterally abolishing our regional councils because they don't like the Choices we made?
Reposted by Marsden
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Reposted by Marsden
THIS
It saves a tremendous amount of overhead (money) and time (money) and complications (people who are eligible dropping out because they can't prove they are), but mostly it forecloses an extremely common form of fiscal parental abuse.
It saves a tremendous amount of overhead (money) and time (money) and complications (people who are eligible dropping out because they can't prove they are), but mostly it forecloses an extremely common form of fiscal parental abuse.
Periodically I see people justifying means-testing to ensure The Rich don't get stuff for free when they can afford it.
I see the logic, but we can just tax them more.
Plus, the BIGGEST thing not means-testing solves is
*deep breath*
IT STOPS RICH PEOPLE FINANCIALLY-ABUSING THEIR KIDS ANYMORE.
I see the logic, but we can just tax them more.
Plus, the BIGGEST thing not means-testing solves is
*deep breath*
IT STOPS RICH PEOPLE FINANCIALLY-ABUSING THEIR KIDS ANYMORE.
November 24, 2025 at 7:19 AM
THIS
It saves a tremendous amount of overhead (money) and time (money) and complications (people who are eligible dropping out because they can't prove they are), but mostly it forecloses an extremely common form of fiscal parental abuse.
It saves a tremendous amount of overhead (money) and time (money) and complications (people who are eligible dropping out because they can't prove they are), but mostly it forecloses an extremely common form of fiscal parental abuse.
"When your child physically shakes at the thought of school…
When your child cannot use their words to explain their fear…
When you’re called every day to pick up your child because they’re so upset…
...
These are not hypotheticals."
#EmilyWrites #NZPol
www.emilywrites.co.nz/guilty-shame...
When your child cannot use their words to explain their fear…
When you’re called every day to pick up your child because they’re so upset…
...
These are not hypotheticals."
#EmilyWrites #NZPol
www.emilywrites.co.nz/guilty-shame...
Guilty, shamed and traumatised - What school avoidance feels like for parents
And why parents and children shouldn't be punished...
www.emilywrites.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 7:37 AM
"When your child physically shakes at the thought of school…
When your child cannot use their words to explain their fear…
When you’re called every day to pick up your child because they’re so upset…
...
These are not hypotheticals."
#EmilyWrites #NZPol
www.emilywrites.co.nz/guilty-shame...
When your child cannot use their words to explain their fear…
When you’re called every day to pick up your child because they’re so upset…
...
These are not hypotheticals."
#EmilyWrites #NZPol
www.emilywrites.co.nz/guilty-shame...
"But public education has always served a far broader purpose for learners than academic achievement alone. A decent education is one that grows and nurtures participating members of society, who uphold societal values, and contribute to their communities."
#Aotearoa #Education #NZPol
#Aotearoa #Education #NZPol
Tiriti-based teaching changed my children’s schooling for the better. Now legislation narrows focus to just academic achievement.
Why this matters & how schools are responding: open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Why this matters & how schools are responding: open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Giving effect to Te Tiriti in education
Reflecting on the past 20 years - and the changes the 2020 legislation made
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:30 AM
"But public education has always served a far broader purpose for learners than academic achievement alone. A decent education is one that grows and nurtures participating members of society, who uphold societal values, and contribute to their communities."
#Aotearoa #Education #NZPol
#Aotearoa #Education #NZPol
Reposted by Marsden
If you have a dairy that got ramraided six times by the same kids and then they turned up one day outside asking everyone to contribute to “help make the dairy good again” then you’ll know what it feels like to hear National pledge to make our super savings as good as Australia’s
November 23, 2025 at 7:03 AM
If you have a dairy that got ramraided six times by the same kids and then they turned up one day outside asking everyone to contribute to “help make the dairy good again” then you’ll know what it feels like to hear National pledge to make our super savings as good as Australia’s