Labour Weekend

To be enjoyed by one and all

Stand up all victims of oppression
For the tyrants fear your might
Don't cling so hard to your possessions
For you have nothing if you have no rights
Let racist ignorance be ended
For respect makes the empires fall
Freedom is merely privilege extended
Unless enjoyed by one and all

Songwriters: Eugene Edme Pottier / Petrus Christianus De Geyter / Stephen William Bragg

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Labour Weekend is our first long weekend in a while. Our outlook shifts from winter days to summer ones ahead, and many of us reflect on those who fought so hard to give us time for leisure and so much more.

I’m taking today off to refresh and relax. It’s a lovely day here in Tamaki Makaurau; I hope it is where you are. This is the view off my back deck as I’m writing…

A day to be grateful for what we have, this government sucks, but damn, we have an incredible country here. Every one of us deserves a break, even Nicola Willis. I wished her well yesterday in the comment below her photo, but she hasn’t replied.

As always, there are good things and bad things. Yes, we might be heading towards a Third World War as Israel attacks Iran, but in other news, the Black Caps won a test series in India—and you’ve got to take a bit of bad with the good.

In lieu of something new today, I’d like to share with you some thoughts from past Labour Days. Many of you won’t have read them before, and to be honest, if I were to write a new piece, it would probably say much the same.

This first one is from two years ago and covers a bit of history as well as the discussion at the time:

The second one, from last year, was written in the wake of the election defeat and is more contemplative. I think they both stand up well, and if you have some time, I reckon you’ll find them a good read. Here’s last year’s one:

I hope you have a relaxing time over the long weekend, whether you’re doing something in particular or just pottering about. I’ve left this newsletter open because it seemed the right thing to do at such a time.

From my next newsletter, I’ll return to most of my content being behind a paywall for paid subscribers with the occasional free one for all. I’ve sent out paid newsletters to everyone in the past, but I’m conscious of not annoying free subscribers with multiple teasers for paywalled articles, so I will start sending some of those just to paid subscribers.

If you want to receive and have access to all of my writing, you can subscribe until tomorrow for $68 for the next 12 months or $6.39 per month for a year. From Tuesday it will be $85 for a year as usual, and then from the first of January, when my prices increase, it will be $100 for a year. So, now is the absolute best time to subscribe if you’re interested in doing so. 🙂

I really love this clip. Do take a listen to your Uncle Billy if you have a minute.