Matt Whitehead
@mjwhitehead.bsky.social
Sometimes writer, ironically straight man-style humour, Wellington NZ
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Jesus fracking Christ. Of course it's a tax. It may be a targeted tax but it's still a fucking tax.
This man is so out of his depth.
This man is so out of his depth.
February 9, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Jesus fracking Christ. Of course it's a tax. It may be a targeted tax but it's still a fucking tax.
This man is so out of his depth.
This man is so out of his depth.
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Anyway, the next government can simply cancel this, or refuse to fund it, and problem solved. The gas industry will whine, but they'll be dead soon anyway. The question is whether we're going to let them kill us first.
February 9, 2026 at 4:39 AM
Anyway, the next government can simply cancel this, or refuse to fund it, and problem solved. The gas industry will whine, but they'll be dead soon anyway. The question is whether we're going to let them kill us first.
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
#NZpol Dear Christopher Luxon,
A 'levy' is defined as ‘a tax raised by levying’
The example used in the Dictionary app (source OED) is very appropriate:
"we all pay a fossil fuel levy in our electricity bills."
A 'levy' is defined as ‘a tax raised by levying’
The example used in the Dictionary app (source OED) is very appropriate:
"we all pay a fossil fuel levy in our electricity bills."
February 9, 2026 at 7:58 AM
#NZpol Dear Christopher Luxon,
A 'levy' is defined as ‘a tax raised by levying’
The example used in the Dictionary app (source OED) is very appropriate:
"we all pay a fossil fuel levy in our electricity bills."
A 'levy' is defined as ‘a tax raised by levying’
The example used in the Dictionary app (source OED) is very appropriate:
"we all pay a fossil fuel levy in our electricity bills."
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Hoo-boy. Goldsmith has certainly made a choice here. Siding with Sunny Kaushal against the chief executive of Retail NZ – when all but one other member of his retail crime advisory group has now quit – could go very wrong. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/justice-m...
‘Total beat-up’: Justice Minister ‘happy’ with retail crime taskforce after three members quit
Retail NZ's CEO left the taskforce after her relationship with chair Sunny Kaushal soured.
www.nzherald.co.nz
January 26, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Hoo-boy. Goldsmith has certainly made a choice here. Siding with Sunny Kaushal against the chief executive of Retail NZ – when all but one other member of his retail crime advisory group has now quit – could go very wrong. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/justice-m...
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
RNZ should re-read article from November 2025 on why Liquified Natural Gas, or LNG, is a poor answer to NZ's energy needs.
Not only is imported gas expensive, it's also bad for the climate, and leaves us dependent on volatile global markets.
#NZpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Not only is imported gas expensive, it's also bad for the climate, and leaves us dependent on volatile global markets.
#NZpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
February 9, 2026 at 5:51 AM
RNZ should re-read article from November 2025 on why Liquified Natural Gas, or LNG, is a poor answer to NZ's energy needs.
Not only is imported gas expensive, it's also bad for the climate, and leaves us dependent on volatile global markets.
#NZpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Not only is imported gas expensive, it's also bad for the climate, and leaves us dependent on volatile global markets.
#NZpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
“I’m mad I can’t understand Bad Bunny’s lyrics because they’re not in English”
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
February 9, 2026 at 5:46 AM
“I’m mad I can’t understand Bad Bunny’s lyrics because they’re not in English”
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
We should not be subsidising fossil fuels.
And it's a whopper of a subsidy: The fuel+capital+operating cost of LNG (via BCG "Energy to Grow" report) is $44/GJ, half of that capital+O&M costs, if its for dry-year cover only. So paying the fixed costs with a levy HALVES the LNG price... 1/-
And it's a whopper of a subsidy: The fuel+capital+operating cost of LNG (via BCG "Energy to Grow" report) is $44/GJ, half of that capital+O&M costs, if its for dry-year cover only. So paying the fixed costs with a levy HALVES the LNG price... 1/-
New Zealand set to build LNG import facility to boost energy security reut.rs/4ryvRYF
New Zealand set to build LNG import facility to boost energy security
New Zealand has shortlisted contractors to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to boost energy security, provide a reliable backup power source and support economic growth, Energy Minister Simon Watts said on Monday.
reut.rs
February 9, 2026 at 8:38 AM
We should not be subsidising fossil fuels.
And it's a whopper of a subsidy: The fuel+capital+operating cost of LNG (via BCG "Energy to Grow" report) is $44/GJ, half of that capital+O&M costs, if its for dry-year cover only. So paying the fixed costs with a levy HALVES the LNG price... 1/-
And it's a whopper of a subsidy: The fuel+capital+operating cost of LNG (via BCG "Energy to Grow" report) is $44/GJ, half of that capital+O&M costs, if its for dry-year cover only. So paying the fixed costs with a levy HALVES the LNG price... 1/-
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
The right way to lower consumers' bills is to actually start with the cheapest options, not pick an eye-wateringly expensive one and hide the cost. /ends
February 9, 2026 at 8:38 AM
The right way to lower consumers' bills is to actually start with the cheapest options, not pick an eye-wateringly expensive one and hide the cost. /ends
remind me how many new taxes we're at now?
February 9, 2026 at 8:54 AM
remind me how many new taxes we're at now?
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Some governments raise taxes to fund public health and education. Not Luxon. He is literally raising taxes to subsidise fossil fuels. He is putting a levy on our electricity bills to pay for his LNG import terminal.
February 9, 2026 at 7:21 AM
Some governments raise taxes to fund public health and education. Not Luxon. He is literally raising taxes to subsidise fossil fuels. He is putting a levy on our electricity bills to pay for his LNG import terminal.
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Oh, so just caught up with the news - new taxes can just disappear by calling them levies. Sweet. That wealth levy of ours should now be supported by everyone. Labour can go bolder with its CGL
February 9, 2026 at 6:49 AM
Oh, so just caught up with the news - new taxes can just disappear by calling them levies. Sweet. That wealth levy of ours should now be supported by everyone. Labour can go bolder with its CGL
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
You could increase our national research spend by ~25% for an entire government term for this much money
Given all the really important shit that this government says we "can't afford" it's amazing what they manage to find money for.
'Strategic energy security asset': Govt reveals plans for $1b LNG import facility
Luxon warned New Zealand is experiencing swiftly declining gas supply.
www.nzherald.co.nz
February 9, 2026 at 7:51 AM
You could increase our national research spend by ~25% for an entire government term for this much money
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
An energy security asset would be, now let's see, ah yes the Lake Onslow pumped hydro project which would genuinely have secured energy for the country and not be reliant on the dying field of gas markets.
Further to this.
An importing facility ISN’T actually an energy security asset. For one thing, fossil fuels can only be used ONCE. The facility doesn’t do anything without the fossil fuel being shipped to it. It’s the fossil fuel that’s the temp energy asset.
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/...
An importing facility ISN’T actually an energy security asset. For one thing, fossil fuels can only be used ONCE. The facility doesn’t do anything without the fossil fuel being shipped to it. It’s the fossil fuel that’s the temp energy asset.
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/...
'Strategic energy security asset': Govt reveals plans for $1b LNG import facility
Luxon warned New Zealand is experiencing swiftly declining gas supply.
www.nzherald.co.nz
February 9, 2026 at 8:04 AM
An energy security asset would be, now let's see, ah yes the Lake Onslow pumped hydro project which would genuinely have secured energy for the country and not be reliant on the dying field of gas markets.
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
I find the game and the people who worked on it contemptible.
I know exactly how much work goes into making a COIN game, and the people behind this had to think all that effort was worth it to sell a Nazi fetish game to people with a Nazi fetish.
Fuck everyone involved and all folk who endorse it
I know exactly how much work goes into making a COIN game, and the people behind this had to think all that effort was worth it to sell a Nazi fetish game to people with a Nazi fetish.
Fuck everyone involved and all folk who endorse it
February 8, 2026 at 2:36 AM
I find the game and the people who worked on it contemptible.
I know exactly how much work goes into making a COIN game, and the people behind this had to think all that effort was worth it to sell a Nazi fetish game to people with a Nazi fetish.
Fuck everyone involved and all folk who endorse it
I know exactly how much work goes into making a COIN game, and the people behind this had to think all that effort was worth it to sell a Nazi fetish game to people with a Nazi fetish.
Fuck everyone involved and all folk who endorse it
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Norway is a leader in EV uptake but it wasn’t a fluke, it was good leadership with a vision.
New Zealand could have done the same or better, but we got Luxon.
electrek.co/2023/01/03/n...
New Zealand could have done the same or better, but we got Luxon.
electrek.co/2023/01/03/n...
I went to Norway to see an electric vehicle paradise, but I found something more surprising
We often hear about how Norway is an electric car utopia, an example of a country that went all in...
electrek.co
February 8, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Norway is a leader in EV uptake but it wasn’t a fluke, it was good leadership with a vision.
New Zealand could have done the same or better, but we got Luxon.
electrek.co/2023/01/03/n...
New Zealand could have done the same or better, but we got Luxon.
electrek.co/2023/01/03/n...
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
bluesky doesn't have a huge userbase but the core of it is progressive, highly engaged, and quite plugged in to a lot of stuff - if you want to drive eyeballs to good left-of-center content or raise money for a cause this is one of the best resources you have
Tbh this website is legit good for high engagement content— why if you're left of center at all you should be posting here
100 followers already??? thank you all so much!!!
@diplomatofnight.com you are the greatest hypewoman of all time
@diplomatofnight.com you are the greatest hypewoman of all time
February 8, 2026 at 6:51 AM
bluesky doesn't have a huge userbase but the core of it is progressive, highly engaged, and quite plugged in to a lot of stuff - if you want to drive eyeballs to good left-of-center content or raise money for a cause this is one of the best resources you have
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Is anybody ever gonna take a step back and realize the "Russia Russia Russia" people — derided as lunatic wine moms — were actually underplaying the foreign influence stuff, and the loud people who kept insisting it was all fake are now saying Jeffrey Epstein was kind of a cool guy?
NSA detected phone call between foreign intelligence and a person close to Trump
Whistleblower says that Tulsi Gabbard blocked agency from sharing report and delivered it to White House chief of staff
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Is anybody ever gonna take a step back and realize the "Russia Russia Russia" people — derided as lunatic wine moms — were actually underplaying the foreign influence stuff, and the loud people who kept insisting it was all fake are now saying Jeffrey Epstein was kind of a cool guy?
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Axe throwing gonna be replaced by "dildo throw with suction side in at a moving vehicle"
At Whipple where expired dicks are being thrown at ICE vehicles and those believed to be agitators. The area has been a place of protest since thousands of federal agents arrived in the city.
Near Minneapolis February 7, 2026
Near Minneapolis February 7, 2026
February 8, 2026 at 5:26 AM
Axe throwing gonna be replaced by "dildo throw with suction side in at a moving vehicle"
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
The absolute state of it. | NZ Muslim volunteers scour web for extremist content as Internal Affairs faces capacity constraints
www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/nationa... #nzpol
www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/nationa... #nzpol
NZ Muslim volunteers scour web for extremist content as Internal Affairs faces capacity constraints
Non-Govt bodies such as the Islamic group Fianz lead the referrals on terrorist content.
www.newstalkzb.co.nz
February 6, 2026 at 3:03 AM
The absolute state of it. | NZ Muslim volunteers scour web for extremist content as Internal Affairs faces capacity constraints
www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/nationa... #nzpol
www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/nationa... #nzpol
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Sha really is a heroic figure
Reading the horrors of the Epstein Files & witnessing the deafening silence of the press & politicians, we realise the immense courage of Francesca. She stands alone against the same deep-seated power structures revealed in those documents-the very same circles that launched a crusade against her,
February 8, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Sha really is a heroic figure
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Nothing winds me up more than Luxon and assorted other suits saying we need to be wealthier before we can afford doctors, nurses, water we can swim in etc. Meanwhile wealthier kiwi households have stacked up huge piles of savings (cash, shares, equity etc). The economy works for the few. [🧵 1/n]
February 8, 2026 at 5:11 AM
Nothing winds me up more than Luxon and assorted other suits saying we need to be wealthier before we can afford doctors, nurses, water we can swim in etc. Meanwhile wealthier kiwi households have stacked up huge piles of savings (cash, shares, equity etc). The economy works for the few. [🧵 1/n]
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Fascism is fundamentally based on disregard for bodily autonomy and consent, which is why fascism is so hospitable to pedophiles, rapists, and transphobes.
February 8, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Fascism is fundamentally based on disregard for bodily autonomy and consent, which is why fascism is so hospitable to pedophiles, rapists, and transphobes.
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
can we PLEASE get some fucking coverage of Thiel’s interests here, past, present and future
huge red light flashing given the way media have almost completely ignored him
huge red light flashing given the way media have almost completely ignored him
Get Thiel / Palantir out of all EU contracts.
🔴In Putin’s Orbit: The Crypto Politics of Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Thiel
The web of ties between Epstein, Moscow and Silicon Valley leads back to Steve Bannon and Nigel Farage, reports @peterjukes.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/03/i...
The web of ties between Epstein, Moscow and Silicon Valley leads back to Steve Bannon and Nigel Farage, reports @peterjukes.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/03/i...
February 7, 2026 at 3:14 AM
can we PLEASE get some fucking coverage of Thiel’s interests here, past, present and future
huge red light flashing given the way media have almost completely ignored him
huge red light flashing given the way media have almost completely ignored him
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
Excellent article from Andrea Vance today - few quotes
"There is a weak argument (usually put forward by white men, those least likely to suffer abuse online) that staying on X somehow moderates the awful. You can’t dilute a cesspool."
1/5
"There is a weak argument (usually put forward by white men, those least likely to suffer abuse online) that staying on X somehow moderates the awful. You can’t dilute a cesspool."
1/5
Every official tweet is a nod to child abuse
OPINION: Why is a social network under criminal investigation for child sex abuse material treated as a legitimate podium for government messaging?
www.thepost.co.nz
February 7, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Excellent article from Andrea Vance today - few quotes
"There is a weak argument (usually put forward by white men, those least likely to suffer abuse online) that staying on X somehow moderates the awful. You can’t dilute a cesspool."
1/5
"There is a weak argument (usually put forward by white men, those least likely to suffer abuse online) that staying on X somehow moderates the awful. You can’t dilute a cesspool."
1/5
Reposted by Matt Whitehead
