Starting next month, I'll simplify things by offering a single subscription rate of $8 per month or $80 per year. Given that so many readers have gold cards or other reasons for discounts, it seems unnecessarily complicated to continue offering separate tiers. $80 per year is less than $2 per week, and seems reasonable, compared to my listed price of $100 per year. Essentially, I'm reverting to the way things began. There will still be the founding option for those who would like to pay more.
We shouldn’t be too hard on Luxon, Bishop and Brown Inc, saviours of the people who want to get to work two minutes earlier than they do now. I can see the level crossing issues being sold to the public as a multi million dollar infrastructure project designed to get people moving, driving the economy forward and getting the country on track,(or over it).
I read also today about Luxon offering his “opinions” to Christian Hawkesby about what he thinks the Reserve Bank might do about loosening banking rules, despite it being an independent institution, not answerable to Government. (A little Trumpian spin on Luxon’s imaginary scope of his own power?)
Finally, it seems that Luxon’s incredible appreciation of Nicola’s ability in the counting house might be waning somewhat. It seems he doesn’t think the economy is moving fast enough, so is putting the AotearoaNZ for sale notices to all interested parties, through urgency. (As a bloke who gets things done, he should be proud of his efforts. He’s sent this country backwards and downwards faster than anyone before him. Hail to the sorted, spineless, bigoted chief!)
🤔 On the Maori bashing - they are so out of touch with Aotearoa when you look at both the All Blacks pre-game NZ anthem & Haka, and now our wahine toa Black Ferns at the World Cup with the same. We now have generations who watch this & own it with pride & I think this is the last desperate effort from the racists to try & turn the tide by latching onto what is being attempted in the US & UK. I believe it won't work here, but the damage done in the short term is unforgiveable & I hope the likes of Luxon (who allows it) Seymour (who believes it) and Peters (who cynically joins for click bait) have karma SOON & it follows them all their days (not that self-absorbed narcissists will probably notice people avoiding them once they no longer have "power" ⁉️)
On the sudden interest in infrastructure - I actually believe it is a plan gone horribly wrong... Stop all of the "Labour" projects where possible so that their success won't be linked to the last govt, lead a good economy despite it (how did THAT work out 😱) then announce "new" projects which are really old projects resurrected but re-branded as THIS govt projects, and cruise into the election with a booming economy & lots of govt initiated jobs. But the incompetence & hubris have (so far) meant the plan has failed, so they are left with fronting up to railway crossings for photo ops 💩🤡 and lying about terrible statistics for people fleeing the country, claiming benefits because of high unemployment, failing businesses in construction-retail-hospitality etc. Not to mention the supreme snafu with the ferry replacements, that still have no replacements for the replacments they cancelled with nearly $700 million and nothing except one less ferry on the Cook Strait run due to the Arahura having to retire hurt 🤷
🤔I hope the tide is turning with "the media" but we have to all do our bit to make sure people in our circles don't forget all this terrible stuff come election time, when all the effort will be going into making us forget and/or believe a Labour coaltion would be worse for Aotearoa 💪
Just as a stand alone comment more aligned with laura norder - remember how we were daily inundated with ram raids headlined? Apparently they're now called "vehicles used for break in" headline in today's Herald "Rotorua burglary: vehicle used for Lake Road break-in" 🤔
Great post today Nick, agree with all of it. A pretend PM with no integrity or spine who can’t even make a stand for Aotearoa in regard to Gaza. Have always believed he was our worst PM ever but he has proven to be even worse than that.
Every day they do something else horrifying, racist, cruel, crazy, upsetting, or frequently all of the above. I have no confidence in their intentions or motivations, and even less in their ability to implement anything or report anything with integrity. They've had time to at least get something right, and it still hasn't happened.
In true Christopher fashion he got it all back to front and pointed the laser into his own eyes thus blinding himself to all that is going on ( wrong ) around him. He seems to be blind to anything happening in the world either, particularly in Gaza...His only limited vision is entirely focussed on the USA and his fawning admiration for that failure.
LuxCon is a total embarrassment in all ways. Unbelievable someone a PM is so weak and has allowed all this destruction in our country. From being so proud to be a kiwi to now !! Roll on 2026
As always, thank you Nick. I found myself overwhelmed by the horror of Luxon and Willis et al today. So I spent time watching the first hearings of the Brooke van Velden ERA amendment Bill. There were some stunning and brave submissions from unions, individuals and especially Uber Drivers. Helped to hear them, but the Chair, a National backbencher Vanessa someone was derisory and arrogant. Jan Tinetti did a great job of supporting the workers. Wish I could find a way to post these because there will be more and they deserve to be heard by everyone, even if Vain Vanessa doesnt care.
Starting next month, I'll simplify things by offering a single subscription rate of $8 per month or $80 per year. Given that so many readers have gold cards or other reasons for discounts, it seems unnecessarily complicated to continue offering separate tiers. $80 per year is less than $2 per week, and seems reasonable, compared to my listed price of $100 per year. Essentially, I'm reverting to the way things began. There will still be the founding option for those who would like to pay more.
Thank you as a Gold Card member.
I am a pensioner.
I love your mahi!
Apologies, I've now corrected the timelines on the over-bridges, sorry about that.
The past 18mths have been exhausting - but I think there is a growing tide of people who are newly enraged at the antics of the CoC.
We just have to keep it together & make our opposition to this destructive lot louder - thanks for your always enlightening kōrero Nick.
We shouldn’t be too hard on Luxon, Bishop and Brown Inc, saviours of the people who want to get to work two minutes earlier than they do now. I can see the level crossing issues being sold to the public as a multi million dollar infrastructure project designed to get people moving, driving the economy forward and getting the country on track,(or over it).
I read also today about Luxon offering his “opinions” to Christian Hawkesby about what he thinks the Reserve Bank might do about loosening banking rules, despite it being an independent institution, not answerable to Government. (A little Trumpian spin on Luxon’s imaginary scope of his own power?)
Finally, it seems that Luxon’s incredible appreciation of Nicola’s ability in the counting house might be waning somewhat. It seems he doesn’t think the economy is moving fast enough, so is putting the AotearoaNZ for sale notices to all interested parties, through urgency. (As a bloke who gets things done, he should be proud of his efforts. He’s sent this country backwards and downwards faster than anyone before him. Hail to the sorted, spineless, bigoted chief!)
Wonderful as always. What a nightmare this coalition government is!
🤔 On the Maori bashing - they are so out of touch with Aotearoa when you look at both the All Blacks pre-game NZ anthem & Haka, and now our wahine toa Black Ferns at the World Cup with the same. We now have generations who watch this & own it with pride & I think this is the last desperate effort from the racists to try & turn the tide by latching onto what is being attempted in the US & UK. I believe it won't work here, but the damage done in the short term is unforgiveable & I hope the likes of Luxon (who allows it) Seymour (who believes it) and Peters (who cynically joins for click bait) have karma SOON & it follows them all their days (not that self-absorbed narcissists will probably notice people avoiding them once they no longer have "power" ⁉️)
On the sudden interest in infrastructure - I actually believe it is a plan gone horribly wrong... Stop all of the "Labour" projects where possible so that their success won't be linked to the last govt, lead a good economy despite it (how did THAT work out 😱) then announce "new" projects which are really old projects resurrected but re-branded as THIS govt projects, and cruise into the election with a booming economy & lots of govt initiated jobs. But the incompetence & hubris have (so far) meant the plan has failed, so they are left with fronting up to railway crossings for photo ops 💩🤡 and lying about terrible statistics for people fleeing the country, claiming benefits because of high unemployment, failing businesses in construction-retail-hospitality etc. Not to mention the supreme snafu with the ferry replacements, that still have no replacements for the replacments they cancelled with nearly $700 million and nothing except one less ferry on the Cook Strait run due to the Arahura having to retire hurt 🤷
🤔I hope the tide is turning with "the media" but we have to all do our bit to make sure people in our circles don't forget all this terrible stuff come election time, when all the effort will be going into making us forget and/or believe a Labour coaltion would be worse for Aotearoa 💪
and homelessness increasing, professionals leaving the country, reversal of climate change action....
100% Cindy
Just as a stand alone comment more aligned with laura norder - remember how we were daily inundated with ram raids headlined? Apparently they're now called "vehicles used for break in" headline in today's Herald "Rotorua burglary: vehicle used for Lake Road break-in" 🤔
Great post today Nick, agree with all of it. A pretend PM with no integrity or spine who can’t even make a stand for Aotearoa in regard to Gaza. Have always believed he was our worst PM ever but he has proven to be even worse than that.
100% Mac.
Good call re our most racist PM, who should act with integrity. Does he not see how he emboldens the blind amongst us?
And how detrimental that is!?
Seems not, so he is not fit to be our PM!
Great to read the Herald’s comments! Woohoo!
Interesting - on many levels -that our military heroes returning home are Maori Pasifika.
Love this simile:
Like a possum suddenly in the glare of the media, who had previously treated them as a protected species.
Brilliant Nick.
Every day they do something else horrifying, racist, cruel, crazy, upsetting, or frequently all of the above. I have no confidence in their intentions or motivations, and even less in their ability to implement anything or report anything with integrity. They've had time to at least get something right, and it still hasn't happened.
Poor ole cluxon.
He fits the definition of an amoeba aka jellyfish.
Flows with the tide.
No hair growth.
Not too bright.
No sign of a spine
Very apt John.
Thanks Patricia. I always look for your contributions. And, am honoured when you give me a thumbs up, I'll give myself a pat on the back.
Absolutely spot on!
In true Christopher fashion he got it all back to front and pointed the laser into his own eyes thus blinding himself to all that is going on ( wrong ) around him. He seems to be blind to anything happening in the world either, particularly in Gaza...His only limited vision is entirely focussed on the USA and his fawning admiration for that failure.
LuxCon is a total embarrassment in all ways. Unbelievable someone a PM is so weak and has allowed all this destruction in our country. From being so proud to be a kiwi to now !! Roll on 2026
LuxCon may I use that?
As always, thank you Nick. I found myself overwhelmed by the horror of Luxon and Willis et al today. So I spent time watching the first hearings of the Brooke van Velden ERA amendment Bill. There were some stunning and brave submissions from unions, individuals and especially Uber Drivers. Helped to hear them, but the Chair, a National backbencher Vanessa someone was derisory and arrogant. Jan Tinetti did a great job of supporting the workers. Wish I could find a way to post these because there will be more and they deserve to be heard by everyone, even if Vain Vanessa doesnt care.