Andrew Geddis
@acgeddis.bsky.social
Aotearoa NZ based with occasional thoughts on things and views on others.
The fundamental problem this Government has in responding to the McSkimming coverup report is that it's broader law 'n order programme relies on having an enforcement arm that exhibits these sorts of characteristics ... no "soft" policing that second-guesses its actions + does "what is needed".
November 11, 2025 at 7:06 PM
The fundamental problem this Government has in responding to the McSkimming coverup report is that it's broader law 'n order programme relies on having an enforcement arm that exhibits these sorts of characteristics ... no "soft" policing that second-guesses its actions + does "what is needed".
Can't just say "now we've got rid of the bad guys everything will be fine." Putting an Inspector General over the top of an organisation with a fundamentally rotten culture will do ... what?
November 11, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Can't just say "now we've got rid of the bad guys everything will be fine." Putting an Inspector General over the top of an organisation with a fundamentally rotten culture will do ... what?
Mark Mitchell on RNZ Morning Report saying "just a few bad apples, rest of the Police are all goods". But the IPCA doesn't really seem to agree with this assessment?
November 11, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Mark Mitchell on RNZ Morning Report saying "just a few bad apples, rest of the Police are all goods". But the IPCA doesn't really seem to agree with this assessment?
From RNZ report ... he's toast, isn't he?
November 11, 2025 at 5:50 AM
From RNZ report ... he's toast, isn't he?
Posting on US politics from AoNZ is a mugs game, but can't help read this and be reminded of the old "fool me once, shame on you ... fool me twice, call me a centrist Democrat" line.
November 10, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Posting on US politics from AoNZ is a mugs game, but can't help read this and be reminded of the old "fool me once, shame on you ... fool me twice, call me a centrist Democrat" line.
Instead, the Party seems to be relying on this general power ... claiming (I assume) that the MPs have failed to "work to support Te Pāti Māori kaupapa and tikanga" as cl 3.1(a) requires. Which raises interesting interpretative issues - can the National Council trump the disputes process like this?
November 9, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Instead, the Party seems to be relying on this general power ... claiming (I assume) that the MPs have failed to "work to support Te Pāti Māori kaupapa and tikanga" as cl 3.1(a) requires. Which raises interesting interpretative issues - can the National Council trump the disputes process like this?
It includes claims like this, which seem hugely overblown to me. And it notably fails to quote anyone who actually was "triggered".
I've come to view the whole "exam shock!" news story based on the immediate responses of a handful of individuals with a VERY large pinch of salt.
I've come to view the whole "exam shock!" news story based on the immediate responses of a handful of individuals with a VERY large pinch of salt.
November 8, 2025 at 1:31 AM
It includes claims like this, which seem hugely overblown to me. And it notably fails to quote anyone who actually was "triggered".
I've come to view the whole "exam shock!" news story based on the immediate responses of a handful of individuals with a VERY large pinch of salt.
I've come to view the whole "exam shock!" news story based on the immediate responses of a handful of individuals with a VERY large pinch of salt.
Furthermore, if the concern is "how can we know if a protest is/is not covered?", take a look at the primary law that governs protests in purely public places. has your protest become "disorderly"? Then it's an arrest for you, with a possible fine of up to $1000!!!
November 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Furthermore, if the concern is "how can we know if a protest is/is not covered?", take a look at the primary law that governs protests in purely public places. has your protest become "disorderly"? Then it's an arrest for you, with a possible fine of up to $1000!!!
That's even before we get to the list of considerations that determine whether any given disruption is "unreasonable". Any application of the proposed law will have to consciously consider these matters - it isn't purely a "what do I reckon based on gut responses" matter.
November 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
That's even before we get to the list of considerations that determine whether any given disruption is "unreasonable". Any application of the proposed law will have to consciously consider these matters - it isn't purely a "what do I reckon based on gut responses" matter.
I don't have premium access and don't care enough to pay to read reckons like these, but if DC KC can explain why a CGT is "punishing thrift" while taxing the interest paid on a term deposit isn't then she's probably worth whatever hourly rate she charges.
November 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
I don't have premium access and don't care enough to pay to read reckons like these, but if DC KC can explain why a CGT is "punishing thrift" while taxing the interest paid on a term deposit isn't then she's probably worth whatever hourly rate she charges.
And here's the process governing complaints against individual members ... which doesn't seem to have been followed in Kapa-Kingi's case? Also note that para 9.5 just stops (it should say "Disciplinary and Disputes Committee of the [National Council]"), reflecting the document's overall problems.
October 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
And here's the process governing complaints against individual members ... which doesn't seem to have been followed in Kapa-Kingi's case? Also note that para 9.5 just stops (it should say "Disciplinary and Disputes Committee of the [National Council]"), reflecting the document's overall problems.
That said, look at the result for the council seat in the Otamatea General Ward - three candidates within 3 votes of each other! Big potential for a tied result (and so toss-of-the-coin to determine the winner)!!
October 21, 2025 at 10:32 PM
That said, look at the result for the council seat in the Otamatea General Ward - three candidates within 3 votes of each other! Big potential for a tied result (and so toss-of-the-coin to determine the winner)!!
Who robbed the Louvre? Right answers only.
October 19, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Who robbed the Louvre? Right answers only.
Dunedin's perennial loser candidate for mayor, Lee Vandervis, is mad that the STV voting system keeps demonstrating that a majority of voters would prefer anyone to mayor except him. His solution? Change the voting system, of course!!!
October 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Dunedin's perennial loser candidate for mayor, Lee Vandervis, is mad that the STV voting system keeps demonstrating that a majority of voters would prefer anyone to mayor except him. His solution? Change the voting system, of course!!!
Stuff has piece up today raising legitimate issues with how the Harmful Digital Communications Act has been weaponised by people trying to shut down scrutiny. But in the middle of it, there is this one line drive-by allegation with no further context/discussion.
October 18, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Stuff has piece up today raising legitimate issues with how the Harmful Digital Communications Act has been weaponised by people trying to shut down scrutiny. But in the middle of it, there is this one line drive-by allegation with no further context/discussion.
Note this, but ... what they now seem to be saying is that it's one person doing 1 FTE and Mike King doing 1.25 because he also works evenings and weekends 🧐
October 15, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Note this, but ... what they now seem to be saying is that it's one person doing 1 FTE and Mike King doing 1.25 because he also works evenings and weekends 🧐
Ooof ... Australian Court just upheld Australian Govt decision to refuse Candice Owens Farmer (she drops the last name in her promo stuff) a visa to do a paid speaking tour. I assume that'll kill off her trip here, too (on practical grounds, even though Chris Penk gave her permission to come).
October 15, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Ooof ... Australian Court just upheld Australian Govt decision to refuse Candice Owens Farmer (she drops the last name in her promo stuff) a visa to do a paid speaking tour. I assume that'll kill off her trip here, too (on practical grounds, even though Chris Penk gave her permission to come).
So, I'm on board. But, there's points to note about the proposal. First of all is cost ... moving from postal ballots that voters have to get back to the council to in-person balloting at polling places will be expensive. This was our recommended cost-sharing, but we couldn't put a $$$ figure on it.
October 14, 2025 at 7:23 PM
So, I'm on board. But, there's points to note about the proposal. First of all is cost ... moving from postal ballots that voters have to get back to the council to in-person balloting at polling places will be expensive. This was our recommended cost-sharing, but we couldn't put a $$$ figure on it.
Just to note that this legally-bound-to-fail opposition cost the ratepayers at least $100,000 ... . I wonder if the "hate speech" was along the lines of "look, you egg, stop being such an egg!"
October 12, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Just to note that this legally-bound-to-fail opposition cost the ratepayers at least $100,000 ... . I wonder if the "hate speech" was along the lines of "look, you egg, stop being such an egg!"
I guess I have "what I see in the national media" bias (hence don't really know what's going on), but this seems like a surprise?
October 11, 2025 at 2:49 AM
I guess I have "what I see in the national media" bias (hence don't really know what's going on), but this seems like a surprise?
Also ... remember when Whanganui wouldn't even put an "h" in its name because Maoris were bloody well asking for too much?
(Additional update: Michael Laws lives in Cromwell these days and is stinking up the Otago Regional Council.)
(Additional update: Michael Laws lives in Cromwell these days and is stinking up the Otago Regional Council.)
October 11, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Also ... remember when Whanganui wouldn't even put an "h" in its name because Maoris were bloody well asking for too much?
(Additional update: Michael Laws lives in Cromwell these days and is stinking up the Otago Regional Council.)
(Additional update: Michael Laws lives in Cromwell these days and is stinking up the Otago Regional Council.)
The local election results (so far) seem pretty much an apathetic recycling of the status-quo ... but note this as a potential hint at what 2028 may deliver. A 3 term mayor + current LGNZ head hammered because of the cost of region's new water entity and rates rises to cover infrastructure needs.
October 11, 2025 at 2:17 AM
The local election results (so far) seem pretty much an apathetic recycling of the status-quo ... but note this as a potential hint at what 2028 may deliver. A 3 term mayor + current LGNZ head hammered because of the cost of region's new water entity and rates rises to cover infrastructure needs.