@mrar00.bsky.social
Reposted
Two things I’m not sure is widely understood:
1. Many public servants no longer have their own desks and work in transient government co-working spaces
2. Many describe a Kafkaesque existence of going to physical offices only to spend their time on video calls with the people sitting next to them
1. Many public servants no longer have their own desks and work in transient government co-working spaces
2. Many describe a Kafkaesque existence of going to physical offices only to spend their time on video calls with the people sitting next to them
Federal public servants called back to office 4 days a week starting this summer | CBC News
The federal government expects its employees to return to in-office work for a minimum of four days a week starting this July.
www.cbc.ca
February 8, 2026 at 3:22 AM
Two things I’m not sure is widely understood:
1. Many public servants no longer have their own desks and work in transient government co-working spaces
2. Many describe a Kafkaesque existence of going to physical offices only to spend their time on video calls with the people sitting next to them
1. Many public servants no longer have their own desks and work in transient government co-working spaces
2. Many describe a Kafkaesque existence of going to physical offices only to spend their time on video calls with the people sitting next to them
Reposted
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
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"I watched ... academics and sector experts be removed from writing teams in favour of corporate resource creators, and saw curriculum documents change radically over a matter of hours in response to the latest red-pen notes from ministers."
Ex-Education Ministry staffer says new school curriculum heavily politicised
"I watched colleagues run back and forth to the Beehive for approval, watched academics and sector experts be removed," she says.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 28, 2026 at 11:12 PM
"I watched ... academics and sector experts be removed from writing teams in favour of corporate resource creators, and saw curriculum documents change radically over a matter of hours in response to the latest red-pen notes from ministers."
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Good news - and bad. Judith Collins is retiring from politics - but she's been appointed Law Commission president. You know, the Law Commission that should be politically neutral. This is US/Trump style hijacking of our justice system.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
National's Judith Collins retires from politics, appointed Law Commission president
First elected in 2002, Collins is one of the most experienced politicians in the government, and is taking up the role of President of the Law Commission.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 28, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Good news - and bad. Judith Collins is retiring from politics - but she's been appointed Law Commission president. You know, the Law Commission that should be politically neutral. This is US/Trump style hijacking of our justice system.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
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How can a person who's career has been dogged by fraud accusations and who cosies up to the likes of Kristi Noem even be considered as president of the Law Commission? It makes a mockery of the position.
January 27, 2026 at 10:58 PM
How can a person who's career has been dogged by fraud accusations and who cosies up to the likes of Kristi Noem even be considered as president of the Law Commission? It makes a mockery of the position.
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The fabulous SJD for anyone who needs to step back for a minute... "we'll be alright without you... for a while" www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKU4...
SJD - Superman You're Crying
YouTube video by RNZ
www.youtube.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:01 AM
The fabulous SJD for anyone who needs to step back for a minute... "we'll be alright without you... for a while" www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKU4...
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I cannot imagine the devastation this family is experiencing today. This statement is powerful and must be read.
January 25, 2026 at 1:52 AM
I cannot imagine the devastation this family is experiencing today. This statement is powerful and must be read.
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Government's view repeated in headline without attribution. Where are RNZ's basic editorial standards? #NzPol
Anna Breman signed a letter declaring the Reserve Bank of New Zealand supports the independence of central banks. She doesn't require or have to seek "advice" from ministers to do this, as the RBNZ has statutory independence from the government, meaning it operates autonomously.
RBNZ governor should have sought advice before signing letter of support for US Fed boss Jerome Powell
Anna Breman should not have signed the letter of support without first getting advice, Minister of Finance says.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 19, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Government's view repeated in headline without attribution. Where are RNZ's basic editorial standards? #NzPol
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The largest generation in U.S. history is in their 70s now. And Stephen Miller’s podcaster wife thinks it’s suspicious that there’s a huge surge in home health aides.
December 29, 2025 at 3:06 AM
The largest generation in U.S. history is in their 70s now. And Stephen Miller’s podcaster wife thinks it’s suspicious that there’s a huge surge in home health aides.
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This is a great example of how genAI steals from us all on multiple levels. It's stolen a promotional spot for real books and authors, it's stolen a job from an actual journalist who could have compiled this, it's stolen an opportunity for parents to be recommended good NZ books for their kids
#4 sounds like a lovely book but I didn't write it. Have had whānau up and down the country send me clippings lol
Whoever put together this list that has been circulated to regional papers, didn't fact check.
Whoever put together this list that has been circulated to regional papers, didn't fact check.
December 25, 2025 at 7:29 PM
This is a great example of how genAI steals from us all on multiple levels. It's stolen a promotional spot for real books and authors, it's stolen a job from an actual journalist who could have compiled this, it's stolen an opportunity for parents to be recommended good NZ books for their kids
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Clearest example of governments being more interested in regulating individuals rather than institutions/organisations. We do not have lobby groups and donations, just the one vote. Make sure YOU separate glass and plastic but we aren’t gonna a do a damn thing about data centers or Big oil.
My kid is 14. He uses discord to talk to friends when playing Minecraft and dnd. He has no interest in FB or instagram or TikTok, but a social media hard-cap of age 16 would limit his social life unnecessarily with no benefit. Ffs, direct policy at platforms not users. Or ban boomers as well.
December 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Clearest example of governments being more interested in regulating individuals rather than institutions/organisations. We do not have lobby groups and donations, just the one vote. Make sure YOU separate glass and plastic but we aren’t gonna a do a damn thing about data centers or Big oil.
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We have monetized dysfunction
December 19, 2025 at 10:37 PM
We have monetized dysfunction
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These articles always talk about the billions of dollars of gold - but that is effectively the money that is going overseas, leaving kiwis with pennies in the dollar.
In 2024/2025 the NZ Govt received a total of $143 million from all mining, all sources.
#nzpol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
In 2024/2025 the NZ Govt received a total of $143 million from all mining, all sources.
#nzpol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
Controversial $8 billion gold mine plan given Fast Track approval
A controversial plan to mine around $8b worth of gold under conservation land in Coromandel has been given the green light under the Government’s Fast Track law.
www.stuff.co.nz
December 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
These articles always talk about the billions of dollars of gold - but that is effectively the money that is going overseas, leaving kiwis with pennies in the dollar.
In 2024/2025 the NZ Govt received a total of $143 million from all mining, all sources.
#nzpol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
In 2024/2025 the NZ Govt received a total of $143 million from all mining, all sources.
#nzpol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Since, AFAIK, it isn't probed by New Zealand media or critically raised elsewhere incl. in parliament, it will never cease to surprise me how the Foreign Minister esp., & others in Govt willingly appear on a far-right podcast platform that promotes, & normalises ChCh terrorist's violent extremism.
December 19, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Since, AFAIK, it isn't probed by New Zealand media or critically raised elsewhere incl. in parliament, it will never cease to surprise me how the Foreign Minister esp., & others in Govt willingly appear on a far-right podcast platform that promotes, & normalises ChCh terrorist's violent extremism.
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i wonder what this totally brave soul is doing right now
December 17, 2025 at 11:17 PM
i wonder what this totally brave soul is doing right now
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AI imagery is the equivalent of Plato’s prisoner being bored of sunlight, clambering down into a cave, shackling himself to a rock to watch shadows cast by firelight and forgetting that the world above exists.
this field biologist does a great job highlighting the insidiousness of AI editing
these one-click AI edit buttons are incredibly appealing to many photographers, amateurs and professionals alike, and are framed as innocuous
this is worth sharing and educating people about
these one-click AI edit buttons are incredibly appealing to many photographers, amateurs and professionals alike, and are framed as innocuous
this is worth sharing and educating people about
December 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
AI imagery is the equivalent of Plato’s prisoner being bored of sunlight, clambering down into a cave, shackling himself to a rock to watch shadows cast by firelight and forgetting that the world above exists.
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This is fucking grim. Somebody invented a white guy, an "IT professional" named Edward Crabtree, who stopped the Bondi shooting and spread it all over the internet, which was picked up by AI agents and slop aggregation sites.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
December 14, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This is fucking grim. Somebody invented a white guy, an "IT professional" named Edward Crabtree, who stopped the Bondi shooting and spread it all over the internet, which was picked up by AI agents and slop aggregation sites.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
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International Hero 👇
Ahmed Al Ahmed, is 43, a father of 2 and owner of a fruit shop in Sutherland, Australia.
Yesterday, he disarmed a terrorist targeting a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach where 12 humans were killed.
Ahmed was unarmed. He was shot twice and is expected to make a full recovery. Hero. 💔
Yesterday, he disarmed a terrorist targeting a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach where 12 humans were killed.
Ahmed was unarmed. He was shot twice and is expected to make a full recovery. Hero. 💔
December 14, 2025 at 7:11 PM
International Hero 👇
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What I read in 2025 (23):
Grant Robertson's Anything Could Happen: A Memoir
He would have made a fine prime minister. A rollicking memoir, particularly fascinating about his family and Dunedin student years. The best bit: a man who's truly supportive of female colleagues without making it about him
Grant Robertson's Anything Could Happen: A Memoir
He would have made a fine prime minister. A rollicking memoir, particularly fascinating about his family and Dunedin student years. The best bit: a man who's truly supportive of female colleagues without making it about him
December 13, 2025 at 4:07 AM
What I read in 2025 (23):
Grant Robertson's Anything Could Happen: A Memoir
He would have made a fine prime minister. A rollicking memoir, particularly fascinating about his family and Dunedin student years. The best bit: a man who's truly supportive of female colleagues without making it about him
Grant Robertson's Anything Could Happen: A Memoir
He would have made a fine prime minister. A rollicking memoir, particularly fascinating about his family and Dunedin student years. The best bit: a man who's truly supportive of female colleagues without making it about him
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There is no corruption in New Zealand
There are no cows on our farms
There is no corruption in New Zealand
We can all keep perfectly calm
There are no cows on our farms
There is no corruption in New Zealand
We can all keep perfectly calm
December 12, 2025 at 11:07 PM
There is no corruption in New Zealand
There are no cows on our farms
There is no corruption in New Zealand
We can all keep perfectly calm
There are no cows on our farms
There is no corruption in New Zealand
We can all keep perfectly calm
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Shane Jones “wants to saddle us with permanent landscape destruction, and a long-term environmental liability that will forever foul what makes our place special to anyone that lives here or visits.” #nzpol
‘Bully and hypocrite’: Hollywood star fires back at Shane Jones over attacks
Actor Sam Neill says the NZ First minster’s personal attack on him over his opposition to a controversial Central Otago gold mine proposal is “pathetic”.
www.thepress.co.nz
December 12, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Shane Jones “wants to saddle us with permanent landscape destruction, and a long-term environmental liability that will forever foul what makes our place special to anyone that lives here or visits.” #nzpol
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I should also say kudos to Phil Smith of RNZ, for doing what seems to be the hardest thing for many in the media: publicly admitting that he got it wrong in an earlier report. Much appreciated.
So we’ve had Bishop deliberately not seeking the House’s approval for a massively truncated select committee period for one bill, and now the Minister of Justice deliberately circumventing the rules on omnibus bills.
Attacks on normal procedure will harm public trust.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/thehous...
Attacks on normal procedure will harm public trust.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/thehous...
Crimes bill adds things outside the usual rules
Parliament has been pushing hard, rushing through bills and working under urgency all week. In that scramble, one bill bypassed the rules, adding things not usually allowed.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 12, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I should also say kudos to Phil Smith of RNZ, for doing what seems to be the hardest thing for many in the media: publicly admitting that he got it wrong in an earlier report. Much appreciated.
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Shane Jones a ‘bully and hypocrite’: Sam Neill fires back over controversial gold mine
“Neill has joined others in strongly criticising Santana Minerals’ huge open-cast mine planned near Cromwell, calling it “toxic” and “an environmental catastrophe”.”
archive.today/PbFbI
#nzpol
“Neill has joined others in strongly criticising Santana Minerals’ huge open-cast mine planned near Cromwell, calling it “toxic” and “an environmental catastrophe”.”
archive.today/PbFbI
#nzpol
December 12, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Shane Jones a ‘bully and hypocrite’: Sam Neill fires back over controversial gold mine
“Neill has joined others in strongly criticising Santana Minerals’ huge open-cast mine planned near Cromwell, calling it “toxic” and “an environmental catastrophe”.”
archive.today/PbFbI
#nzpol
“Neill has joined others in strongly criticising Santana Minerals’ huge open-cast mine planned near Cromwell, calling it “toxic” and “an environmental catastrophe”.”
archive.today/PbFbI
#nzpol