Have I got an opportunity for you!

I write because after decades of doing other things I’ve found this is what I really love and want to spend my time doing. I’m passionate about our country and the people in it. I want to tell our stories, to share how I feel about things whether it is hopeful or poignant, furious or grateful. Hopefully you also find some of the stories laugh out loud funny.

Today I want to talk about how you could support my newsletter “Nick’s Kōrero”, my political satire, views, stories and news from Aotearoa New Zealand, by becoming a paid subscriber.

I’ve been writing the newsletter since the start of the year, 150 editions so far. If you’re reading this I imagine you’ve read some of them along the way - thank you. I’ve been delighted at how the readership has grown over this first year and the way people have responded to my writing.

There is no day job, this is what I am doing not only because I love it but also to earn my living. This letter is a request to those who enjoy my writing, and appreciate the work that goes into it, to support my work by becoming a paid subscriber.

Take a look at the subscription/upgrade options. For the price of a Big Mac (no fries with that), the cheapest wine, or the largest coffee, not a week, but a month you can enjoy my work, and help it reach a wider audience.

I send out three newsletters a week. As I mentioned in my newsletter on Tuesday, on the name change from “The Daily Read” to “Nick’s Kōrero”, some weeks there may be 1-2 additional newsletters, for example if there is a major event. There will still be free newsletters as well as the editions for paid subscribers only. I’d like to keep much of the content available to all.

My hope is that many of you who become paid subscribers do so as patrons supporting and encouraging my writing, as well as because you enjoy it, and that you won’t mind if others sometimes have access as well. I will check with people whether they are happy for something to be made public that was for paid subscribers only.

I have from time to time posted publicly on my Facebook page asking people how they feel about an issue, or had discussions on a topic just for laughs. In the future I’ll be doing that through “Substack Thread” posts, which are a few paragraphs from the author with the purpose of generating discussion with subscribers, instead of on my Facebook page.

So much communication on social media is a negative experience, there are no trolls in the discussions on my site, but a group of intelligent thoughtful folks (that’s you) sharing thoughts and ideas. By all means disagree or share alternative views but in a civil way. If you were in a bar you wouldn’t feel obliged to include the neanderthal at the next table, saying idiotic or offensive things, in your conversation. I don’t see why we should have to put up with that online either.

This time of year we all know what a pain it is trying to find a Christmas present for someone who doesn’t want/need anything. Why not buy a friend - or an enemy if you have one I guess, or a family member - probably “fun” Aunty Pam not “embarrassingly racist” Uncle Trev - a subscription. They will get three newsletters every week in their inbox throughout the year - that is a lot of laughs and thought provoking writing!

A climate friendly gift you don’t have to wrap. Heck, why not buy one for yourself?

I’d like to thank David Slack and Emily Writes, two authors I really enjoy reading for generously taking the time to answer my questions and share their knowledge with me this week, it is very much appreciated. I really encourage you to check out their writing if you haven’t already done so.

Thank you for encouraging my work over the last eleven months. I hope you’ll continue to do so and that if you’re able to you will subscribe to Nick’s Kōrero, for the same amount as that Big Mac each month, to support my writing further.

Thanks for reading.