I love The Spinoff — they almost always make me laugh.
The Greens won three electorates and what may become their highest ever vote share by employing two clever political tricks:
- Offering to help people with their number one concern.
- Not screwing up constantly.
Few other parties managed to execute these complex strategic manoeuvres.
☛ Winners, losers, big losers and gigantic losers from the 2023 general election.
As expected for our 2023 Election, the country swung to the right so we'll have a National-led Government supported by Act. Te Pāti Māori took a few seats too, and the Greens did well.
By my count, there are 53 women who will be in Parliament — nearly half of our ~120 MPs (it's complicated).
Election Day is the one day every 3 years when no local politics are aired in media. So blissfully peaceful. In about 10 minutes though the polls close and for the next age we'll be barraged with results, analysis, guesses, coalition talks, policies.
The media love it, of course. But, aargh!
The best coverage of today’s election in NZ: Election 2023: Dogs at polling booths | The Spinoff 😆 🐶
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wasn't an advice I expected to see … for a free book. 🤣
I watched all 8 episodes of Sweet Kaaram Coffee and it was a delight. 📺
Three generations of women from one family take a road trip, so, of course, things change …
I don't want to give anything away so won't elaborate, but it's excellent!
As I walked to the beach yesterday I became aware of a beautiful scent in the air. I soon spotted the reason: it's spring and some of the Tī Kōuka | Cabbage Trees are starting to bloom.
I wish I could bottle up that scent and send it to you — it's so wonderful.
Alas, a photo will have to suffice.
I read 3 chapters of Dead Before Dinner (A Maddie Swallows Mystery Book 1) by Kat Bellemore then stopped and read a few other books.
I did eventually read the rest, but it wasn't a favourite. 📚
I don’t know why I never thought to do this before … Today I took several photos with my iPhone, exported the GPS data and then made a map to show where the new spinifex plantings and driftwood are, south of Waikawa River and estuary.
I used gpsvisualizer.com and Shottr to help.
Bad news: Climate outlook for Aotearoa predicts rivers in the sky, heatwaves in the sea:
NZ's average air temperature has risen 1.26C since 1909, and that … is already having huge impacts.
Extreme weather (causing floods, slips and droughts) is becoming worse, and happening more often
For 2 years some folks upset by their inability to get their motor vehicles onto the beach 24/7/365 because nature sometimes cuts off access have been trying to get the local Council to create a vehicle track across our much loved pedestrian-only North Track
. Today that option was ruled out. 🙌🏼
It was almost dark last night when we went to check on something in the zendo.
The entrance was being guarded by this little Warou | Welcome swallow.
Her nest was in the tiny space between the top of the door and the roof of the porch.
I was relieved the flash didn't worry her …
Kiwis (and others) buying an electric car. I found these sites very helpful:
This is a super busy week with a lot of things going on — new car will need a charger, bank stuff, insurance stuff. Meanwhile a gigantic local issue about how (and if) vehicles can access Waikawa Beach will be debated tomorrow and I'll do a wee speech at Council in the public participation session.
In Aotearoa at the moment petrol's getting really expensive. With an election in a few days the government is likely to do quite a right turn and they'll kill the current electric vehicle incentives. Then there's the turmoil with Israel.
Things are feeling really uncertain right now.
Today we signed the papers for a new MG4 Essence 64 to be collected next week.
This was the first we drove and liked it so much we didn't bother with the others we'd arranged. It gets great reviews, and felt really good.
I'd have preferred orange but delivery wouldn't have been till November.
This 13 minute video is superb: Berkeley professor explains gender theory (includes transcript, but the video is worth watching for the imagery).
What if gender wasn’t a predetermined reality, but a fluid construct formed by culture, history, and individual identity? … Judith Butler, a gender theorist and distinguished professor … acknowledges the biological realities of sex, [and] promotes the concept of gender as … something enacted and shaped through our actions and interactions.
The maunga peeked out from behind cloud as we came back across the footbridge.
Today’s plan includes looking at and walking across Te Rewa Rewa bridge on the Coastal Pathway in New Plymouth, the Len Lye exhibition at the Govett-Brewster Gallery and maybe a visit to the Gardens before heading home.
Last night’s Chicken, cashews and veges in a potato basket dish from Siam Thai in New Plymouth was piping hot and delicious.
