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I meant to mention - that Fi and I went and saw An Evening with Stephen Fry last night; it was outstanding. A masterful storyteller with uncanny impersonations and the most hilarious anecdotes from the royal family to actors, comedians and even Steve Jobs.

If you're seeing him in Wellington tonight, you're in for a real treat, and if you've missed tickets this time, grab them next chance. An incredible man, hugely funny, sensitive, just a lovely human being.

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Nov 12Liked by Nick Rockel

I would have loved to have seen him! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him read his books via audio books. Wonderful company, while gardening and painting.... Mythos, Heroes and Troy! Sooooo interesting. He's a genius!

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Nov 13·edited Nov 13

I've watched the following so many times over the years. It's precious:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T1vfsHYiKY

Replies are funny too.

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Nov 12·edited Nov 12

FOMO. Wish I could have been there, Mr Fry is Brilliant.

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Nov 11Liked by Nick Rockel

Since this abhorrent bill is in parliament it should definitely be a conscience vote. Any politician who votes for this bill because “that’s what I was told to do, it’s the party line” should never have a place in parliament again.

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Nov 11Liked by Nick Rockel

It makes you wonder if there is going to be people slyly put in the Hikoi to purposely cause trouble 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 I wouldn't put it past some groups in society.

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founding

I'm thinking that as well. One of the scam websites/'anonymous participant' seems to be fishing for information. Full credit to Toitu Te Tiriti they have organised brilliantly and seem to have eyes wide open about the dirty tricks brigade

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I have been thinking about that too. It’s a real worry because some people will stoop to anything to cause trouble and stir up ill feelings.

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💯Happened in the USA with the Black Lives Matter protests - most of any "trouble" was proven to come from infiltrators & not genuine protesters 🤷 Hopefully with a smaller population & "2 degrees of separation" anyone in Aotearoa will find it harder⁉️

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Same happens in UK all the time. Undercover police work all the 'alternative' music festivals. Report on any 'subversive' activities like showing anti corporate/anti capitalist films.

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Nov 11·edited Nov 11Liked by Nick Rockel

I'm in Welly. I've taken leave on the 19th to join the Hikoi.I'm choosing to do what I can rather than dwell on what others might do.

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I hope lots of us will be at parliament, including lots and lots of Tangata tiritiri

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💪👍Same in Otautahi/Christchurch & I've raised it with others so 🤞

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I wish I could be there but I have spoken with my eldest son and he will there, representing our whanau. Makes me breathe a little easier

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founding
Nov 11Liked by Nick Rockel

The hikoi will dominate the news cycle for the next week, let’s keep our eyes and ears open to notice anything else that might happen in the slimy world of the coalition…

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founding

Sadly it's NOT really dominating the news cycle as it should. Buried in many cases and Stuff barely mentioning it. Thank God for social media ❤️💚🖤

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⁉️ It has only just started, so 🤞 & also WE have agency in the comments sections of anything & anyone we follow 💪

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Like removing the Pharmac Māori advisory panel?

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Heard about that today WTAF

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Luxon is an appalling PM. You're right Nick. Every one of those ex-PMs would not have put up with this rubbish. This is bigger than party politics. Luxon is an empty vessel in terms of compassion and insight into himself. He will be remembered for this. He's the PM, not Seymour.

Sadly many voters elect the government that has something to offer them personally. Humans are selfish. They also just get tired of governments.

I wrote yesterday that I don't trust the Nats and NZF. I worry that they'll change their minds after the first select committee stage ends.

However I suspect that Luxon is just weak. He let Act push him around in the coalition negotiations.

He better not renege on his pledge to kill the bill. That won't be good.

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I believe Luxton supports the Bill while in his public statements while he says he doesn't. If he really didn't support it he would not have let it proceed however this should automatically mean no knighthood as he doesn't represent everyone in this country nor the best interests of Aotearoa.

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I agree, he wants it but knew National wouldn't be able to campaign on it. If he'd refused ACT (and NZ First) would have had nobody to negotiate with. I would have preferred that and another election to the current disaster. My only, long held, hope is that Winston will never hand over the DP position, will find some election trigger issue before that time comes.

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@Mac Stevenson 💯 agree. He is just smiling and waving but he agrees with it as much as the rest of them

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He wont kills the bill. He will let it run till Seymour forces a public referendum.

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Nov 11Liked by Nick Rockel

Well said Nick!

I love the statement that nothing matters more to Christopher than Christopher!

As for David? I don’t have any polite comments to make except that his ego is so full of himself, both good and bad press he thinks it’s great because he’s being talked about! What does that say?

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author

There is some more information about Hīkoi events here:

https://www.psa.org.nz/our-voice/hikoi/

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Nov 11Liked by Nick Rockel

When Luxon said that the bill is "MMP in action" (or words to that effect), I immediately had a vision of him using that to justify supporting the bill all the way. "Well look, what I would just say to you this is MMP in action." I hope to be wrong but I am deeply suspicious of anything the Minister of Nothing says. His knighthood is undoubtedly his ulterior motive and he will support the bill if he sees it as a path to increased popularity amongst those whose votes they are targeting.

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Knighthoods are generally offered as reward to those who have excelled in "services to whatever". As you say Dave, Luxon is Minister of Nothing, so deserves just that when he retires in 2026, reaping what he's sown. The only service I can imagine he's offered is to himself at foreign hotels' breakfast buffets, while his country is going downhill, out of sight and mind. I would dearly love to see him remembered for nothing and receive nothing for his efforts. It's what he's earning and deserves.

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founding

You’re SO right Dave!!

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Brilliant Korero Nick. I'm reminded that up until very recent times America was a segregated country. Blacks could fight and die for their country, but not share a place at the table under the law. It was NEVER right! Women being chatters of men was NEVER right! And here in NZ revictimising Maori with this Treaty principles bill will NEVER be right, no matter how many rednecks vote for it. Keep up hour great work Nick!

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Nov 11Liked by Nick Rockel

Chattels as well?

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Damn auto correct! 😅🤣😂

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Nov 11Liked by Nick Rockel

The whole system brought me up thinking people are rational beings. The last 3 decades in the U.S. taught me, they are not. And these days they aren’t anywhere.

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Mark Behnke - so right. Its a total myth.

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Nov 11Liked by Nick Rockel

Don't think we can call ourselves a democracy when we're governed by Mr 8%.

Go the Hikoi, I'll be out and about for it tomorrow in ork.

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See you there

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Both here and in the USA, people have been duped by one of the biggest SCAMS in history! That of a faulty political system that is designed to force a pick of only two options, People or Money. trump, as we all know, says anything with not the slightest attempt at any accuracy. In Aotearoa it is the same - Cost of living is not in crisis - prices rise due to inflation and devaluation of the NZ$, NZ is not in any significant debt, the Track we were told about does not exist, austerity forces recession and job losses.

The Treaty is not a problem - only for a few old white men that want MORE!

Hey there people, we have been truly SCAMMED. We DO have a choice, lie back and think of England, or take action! It is up to us - people - there is no one else!

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founding

Well said Phil!!

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Nov 11Liked by Nick Rockel

Spot on Nick. Brilliant summary. Let's pray Luxon doesn't go full Trump, and that we have enough guardrails left to stop him if he does 🙏

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We actually have even less here. Dont even have two houses in parliament. Our single house govt executive is terrifyingly powerful if they choose to be

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I was there in Whangarei this morning, as tangata tiriti and fly my own kinda awhi as a flag, actually 3 of them on my pole. It was awesome to stand with tangata whenua, who have waited for such a long long time for justice and a place at the table. It wasn't perfect before this government, Brash and Batchelor..............and successive governments on both sudes had worked towards making it right. Then this shit show happened.

There was nothing but restrained and ordered kaupapa there this morning. And I hope too Nick, that it arrives with ground shaking haka force. I find myself living these days falling into thinking that nothing that is good and right for the people or the planet will change anything. So I will watch for Wellington, but I wont be holding my breath, coz we are in the grip of something new.......and it will need something new to escape it.

But I loved my morning, standing with the people, with my 1st nation brothers and sisters, with my own symbolic flags held high. I may be visible on the news, easy to spot, not my aim, it wasnt about me......but I will have stood out, my own flags, my own awhi to tangata whenua and stick that up your jumper middle finger salute to this government of schmucks......

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Hmmmm, Mark Mitchells, 'on watch' makes me wonder. The koha post, yes that turned up in my email two days ago. Already the mischief has started. No doubt there will be more. My observations are that the leaders of the hikoi are well aware and used to mischief makers intent on causing trouble. Can't let those Mowris get any useful traction.

The whanau have been cautioned that any one who is intent on causing any trouble will not be tolerated, and will be ejected from the hikoi. All will be on watch for anyone who tries to stir. What is paramount, is to have a peaceful march. No nonsense. Don't want to invite any excuse for a backlash.

I have seen the comments of utter hatred doing the rounds on social media, against Maori, eventually, I had to pull myself out of that rabbit hole of ranting against the hatred. I can see now, that there are similarities here in our little country, as there are in the United States. Sad.

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