Johnmac
@johnmacmot.bsky.social
Food grower, community volunteer, leftie. Slightly ancient, residing in Westport.
Reposted by Johnmac
I remain of the view that the key issue here is that the government could not use Transport funding to build a footbridge everyone wanted, ministers included, because the same government has deliberately made that impossible. It's a point Audrey Young completely misses.
November 20, 2025 at 1:36 AM
I remain of the view that the key issue here is that the government could not use Transport funding to build a footbridge everyone wanted, ministers included, because the same government has deliberately made that impossible. It's a point Audrey Young completely misses.
Reposted by Johnmac
Yes, yes ... of course we can have complete confidence in the report findings of this inquiry set up for nakedly partisan purposes, given terms of reference designed to avoid criticism of a currently-governing party, and from which multiple professionals have run a mile. Why on earth would you ask?
Covid Inquiry hit by yet another top-level resignation
Inquiry boss quits only months into the job - the second executive director to resign this year
www.stuff.co.nz
November 20, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Yes, yes ... of course we can have complete confidence in the report findings of this inquiry set up for nakedly partisan purposes, given terms of reference designed to avoid criticism of a currently-governing party, and from which multiple professionals have run a mile. Why on earth would you ask?
Reposted by Johnmac
It’s that time of year when layoffs are announced, the cost of living crisis really bites, the govt continues to screw over Māori, the disabled, low-wage workers, the unemployed, AND the climate.
But hey, #Christmas is just around the corner…
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol
But hey, #Christmas is just around the corner…
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol
November 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
It’s that time of year when layoffs are announced, the cost of living crisis really bites, the govt continues to screw over Māori, the disabled, low-wage workers, the unemployed, AND the climate.
But hey, #Christmas is just around the corner…
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol
But hey, #Christmas is just around the corner…
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol
Reposted by Johnmac
Lets talk about tax #nzpol
Seymour says we pay one of the highest rates in the world
This may surprise you but it is a lie
We pay 34% vs average of 33.9%
Australia is lower at 29.4% but who pays the tax in Australia?
1/2
Seymour says we pay one of the highest rates in the world
This may surprise you but it is a lie
We pay 34% vs average of 33.9%
Australia is lower at 29.4% but who pays the tax in Australia?
1/2
November 2, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Lets talk about tax #nzpol
Seymour says we pay one of the highest rates in the world
This may surprise you but it is a lie
We pay 34% vs average of 33.9%
Australia is lower at 29.4% but who pays the tax in Australia?
1/2
Seymour says we pay one of the highest rates in the world
This may surprise you but it is a lie
We pay 34% vs average of 33.9%
Australia is lower at 29.4% but who pays the tax in Australia?
1/2
Reposted by Johnmac
In my experience, those who profess to be Christian often behave in a far less Christian manner than their agnostic or even atheist counterparts. There's probably a fancy name for this, but I just call it hypocrisy. #nzpol
November 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
In my experience, those who profess to be Christian often behave in a far less Christian manner than their agnostic or even atheist counterparts. There's probably a fancy name for this, but I just call it hypocrisy. #nzpol
Reposted by Johnmac
Watching the anti-private sector healthcare crowd at the moment. Once again, you are erasing the reality that kaupapa Māori and hauora/pae ora provision is often non-state, and sometimes for-profit, that is reinvested in the community.
November 2, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Watching the anti-private sector healthcare crowd at the moment. Once again, you are erasing the reality that kaupapa Māori and hauora/pae ora provision is often non-state, and sometimes for-profit, that is reinvested in the community.
Reposted by Johnmac
88% of Fonterra farmers vote to cash out and take the money. We've lost a huge Kiwi asset and Fonterra's damage to our environment, waters and health will forever be repaid by Kiwis. Pandering to farmers in the way ACt/Nat does is BS. NZ First's posturing all saddle, no horse #nzpol
October 30, 2025 at 5:47 AM
88% of Fonterra farmers vote to cash out and take the money. We've lost a huge Kiwi asset and Fonterra's damage to our environment, waters and health will forever be repaid by Kiwis. Pandering to farmers in the way ACt/Nat does is BS. NZ First's posturing all saddle, no horse #nzpol
Reposted by Johnmac
Reposted by Johnmac
I’ve just realised that new curriculum was written by people who think winning a pub quiz is a measure of well educated you are.
October 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM
I’ve just realised that new curriculum was written by people who think winning a pub quiz is a measure of well educated you are.
Reposted by Johnmac
Just had a brief look through the new Science Curriculum draft and...wow. And wow, not in a good way.
October 28, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Just had a brief look through the new Science Curriculum draft and...wow. And wow, not in a good way.
Reposted by Johnmac
Gov enacting massive ACC austerity cuts by stealth.. effectively sanctions.. #nzpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
ACC stops payments to record numbers of long-term clients
Many say they cannot work and worry they are being "dumped as a way to save money".
www.rnz.co.nz
October 28, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Gov enacting massive ACC austerity cuts by stealth.. effectively sanctions.. #nzpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Johnmac
Hi we are a small garden landscaping business that also sells plants. We are based in the Wellington region and currently have some room for a bit more work.
October 27, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Hi we are a small garden landscaping business that also sells plants. We are based in the Wellington region and currently have some room for a bit more work.
Reposted by Johnmac
#nzpol Nicola Willis at Budget 25 - I always take pause to celebrate that since our government came to office inflation has returned to normal levels”. The cost of living increased 3% when wages are up 2.4%. The government’s laser-like focus on the cost of living should have gone to Specsavers. A🧵
October 19, 2025 at 10:18 PM
#nzpol Nicola Willis at Budget 25 - I always take pause to celebrate that since our government came to office inflation has returned to normal levels”. The cost of living increased 3% when wages are up 2.4%. The government’s laser-like focus on the cost of living should have gone to Specsavers. A🧵
Damning stats.
In which @musicalchairs.bsky.social responds to Judith Collins’ open letter with some facts and charts.
Damn, I read Judith's letter! I'll leave the politics to others, but, lord, the Govt spending stuff is REALLY BAD! I'll try and keep this short.
First up, this bare-faced lie. The countries in the pink circle have a similar-sized economy to NZ. Govt spending is a lot higher in all but one . [🧵 1/n]
First up, this bare-faced lie. The countries in the pink circle have a similar-sized economy to NZ. Govt spending is a lot higher in all but one . [🧵 1/n]
October 20, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Damning stats.
Reposted by Johnmac
“Hardship & Hope published through Bridget Williams Books and Pakukore which she co-edited, explore the everyday struggles whanau across the country are facing and analyses the systems, institutions and policies that perpetuate cycles of poverty.” #nzpol
Rebecca Macfie: Unpacking poverty in Aotearoa
It was while researching her two latest projects that Award-winning journalist Rebecca Macfie came to realise the privileges colonisation had bequeathed her own family.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 19, 2025 at 11:46 PM
“Hardship & Hope published through Bridget Williams Books and Pakukore which she co-edited, explore the everyday struggles whanau across the country are facing and analyses the systems, institutions and policies that perpetuate cycles of poverty.” #nzpol
Reposted by Johnmac
politics is how we determine the distribution of power and resources at a socetial scale; therefore all questions regarding the distribution of power and resources at a societal scale - especially economic questions - are political questions, and all people answering them are "playing politics".
October 20, 2025 at 12:47 AM
politics is how we determine the distribution of power and resources at a socetial scale; therefore all questions regarding the distribution of power and resources at a societal scale - especially economic questions - are political questions, and all people answering them are "playing politics".
Reposted by Johnmac
Reposted by Johnmac
Gentailers have spent over a decade stripping profits form the country
And not investing
And making 93% margins on an essential utility
Whilst acting like a cartel
Whilst exploiting the pricing structures of the wholesale market
It costs you, it costs #NewZealand
#nzpol
And not investing
And making 93% margins on an essential utility
Whilst acting like a cartel
Whilst exploiting the pricing structures of the wholesale market
It costs you, it costs #NewZealand
#nzpol
September 29, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Gentailers have spent over a decade stripping profits form the country
And not investing
And making 93% margins on an essential utility
Whilst acting like a cartel
Whilst exploiting the pricing structures of the wholesale market
It costs you, it costs #NewZealand
#nzpol
And not investing
And making 93% margins on an essential utility
Whilst acting like a cartel
Whilst exploiting the pricing structures of the wholesale market
It costs you, it costs #NewZealand
#nzpol
Reposted by Johnmac
Reposted by Johnmac
Incredible, important work from the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies:
thespinoff.co.nz/books/25-09-...
thespinoff.co.nz/books/25-09-...
‘Poverty in Aotearoa is not accidental’: How our systems deliberately keep people poor
All of this is avoidable – so how do we fix what's broken?
thespinoff.co.nz
September 25, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Incredible, important work from the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies:
thespinoff.co.nz/books/25-09-...
thespinoff.co.nz/books/25-09-...
Reposted by Johnmac
I'd forgotten this piece by Fox Meyer. Shows the annual cost to the govt of treating acid mine leakage at a single coal mine is greater than the annual royalties paid by the entire coal industry. Coal is a climate disaster, it only survives on govt subsidy. newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/02/a...
All of Govt's 2024 coal earnings spent treating damages at a single mine
The Stockton mine is hoping for a fast-tracked 25-year extension, as historic damages are costing the Crown more than it earns from all coal mine royalties
newsroom.co.nz
September 20, 2025 at 10:52 PM
I'd forgotten this piece by Fox Meyer. Shows the annual cost to the govt of treating acid mine leakage at a single coal mine is greater than the annual royalties paid by the entire coal industry. Coal is a climate disaster, it only survives on govt subsidy. newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/02/a...
Reposted by Johnmac
Goodness, if the President has a serious health problem I certainly hope he follows the expert medical advice of his Secretary of Health and Human Services
August 30, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Goodness, if the President has a serious health problem I certainly hope he follows the expert medical advice of his Secretary of Health and Human Services
Reposted by Johnmac
Absolutely perfect description. If only this had been his obituary.
August 30, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Absolutely perfect description. If only this had been his obituary.
Reposted by Johnmac
I want to explain a few things and then it might be clearer why UK trans people are upset.
In 2001 I married my wife, Sylvia.
In 2005 I started medical transition. (1/13)
In 2001 I married my wife, Sylvia.
In 2005 I started medical transition. (1/13)
August 29, 2025 at 11:56 AM
I want to explain a few things and then it might be clearer why UK trans people are upset.
In 2001 I married my wife, Sylvia.
In 2005 I started medical transition. (1/13)
In 2001 I married my wife, Sylvia.
In 2005 I started medical transition. (1/13)
Reposted by Johnmac
They're also saying that they don't think it's important that people suffered life-altering effects from COVID infections. My wife is still in a powered wheelchair three years on.
Let her tell you about it: bit.ly/sick_and_tir...
Let her tell you about it: bit.ly/sick_and_tir...
August 25, 2025 at 5:34 AM
They're also saying that they don't think it's important that people suffered life-altering effects from COVID infections. My wife is still in a powered wheelchair three years on.
Let her tell you about it: bit.ly/sick_and_tir...
Let her tell you about it: bit.ly/sick_and_tir...