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6:00 am, April 1st, 2026 - 21 comments
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Open mike is your post.
For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.
The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Step up to the mike …
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/591181/who-the-winners-and-losers-of-christopher-luxon-s-election-year-cabinet-reshuffle-might-be
So, in the middle of a major fuel crisis, where government cohesion and sound decision making is critical, the PM decides to do a cabinet reshuffle to save his own job.
Could he be any more deaf to what is going on?
Luxo is an April fool…every day. To most of NZ's pain…
Luxon's level of incompetence is unbelieveable.
If you have 30 minutes and want to hear a proper Treasurer in full command of their brief and prepared to take the time to get hard challenges put to them, check out Australian Minister Jim Chalmers give out both strategy and facts without once getting defensive, as he prepares the AU Budget due out 12 May:
Energy crisis, the budget, and addressing AI | Jim Chalmers joins That's Business with Alan Kohler
Just listening to this on the commute this morning and then flicking to RNZ to hear Willis was a regrettable contract.
His response to the current oil crisis has been to subsidise fossil fuel usage by reducing taxes. Not the way to go.
I have a sneaking suspicion that you drive an electric vehicle.
Even my hybrid Toota is taking more to fill its wee tank.
An excellent April Fools from the Otago Daily Times today:
Albatross colony may be relocated after mineral find | Otago Daily Times Online News
I did a double read to make sure Shane Jones wasn't mentioned !
Not bad – fergusonite is a genuine mineral – but the name of the mining company was a wee bit obvious.
A nice little problem for the next government: a clear mandate for the BSA to regulate on-lone broadcasters.
‘Bordering on fascist’: Winston Peters calls for BSA to be abolished after landmark ruling | Stuff
The ACMA clearly has its standards set out already:
Digital radio access regulation | ACCC
Plunket's claim he's a "webcaster" not a broadcaster is laughable.
Old man yells at mirror.
Messrs Plunket and Peters are an inexhaustible source of “mumbo jumbo”.
What you’ve got here from Peters is bordering on fascist behaviour. Frankly, Peters should go. He should be abolished. Peters is out of time. He's got no use anymore.
Winston is malicious, thuggish, and the most effective leader (6% -> 10%) in the CoC.
Can confirm. Luxoon and Bates creeping the villages, soliciting.
@kentduston.bsky.social
I have a friend whose elderly Dad dragged them along to a National Party meeting at their rest home. The pitch to the 80-plus crowd with the oxygen tanks and walkers was to leave a bequest to the Nats in their wills
8:58 PM · Mar 31, 2026
https://bsky.app/profile/kentduston.bsky.social/post/3midpemkhns2y
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360944966/iran-war
The latest live feed gives hope, trump talks pulling out, Iran says if it's left alone it'll stop fighting, we're all looking at you Isreal
I was doing some reading about the lake Onslow project and came across an article on Newsroom. The comments were interesting.
Acknowledging we don’t really have a ‘dry year’ more like cyclic dry years the pumped hydro at Onslow may not work like we hoped.
"…why build a new dam in such an extreme location as Onslow when pumping back into Lake Tekapo from Pukaki could be done on the Waitaki using the existing canal and generating infrastructure and pumping from Whakamaru back to Taupo could be done on the Waikato and pumping from Wanaka to Hawea on the Clutha. – if NZ needs large scale pumped storage options. Each of these options uses existing storage capacity and existing generating capacity. "
The other of the needed changes is that for the power system to pivot from a means to make a return to shareholders to become something that provides adequate power to the citizenry.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/the-lake-onslow-pumped-hydro-is-dead-long-live-the-lake-onslow-hydro/
Being born under the star sign Cynical I can’t help but notice the names and job titles of the folk that are interested in the lake Onslow scheme would be more interested in the dividend side in a things than the electricity security.
Well if you are keen here's the 2023 research which situates it in all the relevant policies as at 2023, the international comparators, methodologies, and national benefits in summary.
MPlan_Lake_Onslow.pdf
And here's the easy-to-digest powerpoint:
PowerPoint Presentation
Australian PM to address their nation tonight, speculation is fuel restrictions, work from home, maybe even car less days.
At least here in NZ we will never have to harbour such speculations with our de facto PM or her lackey [HT to Steve Braunias].
apparently no policy or restriction announcements, more a reassurance and request for people to do their part (according to ABC)
ABC livestream (Albanese at 9pm NZT)
the commentator after Albanese was very good. The announcements are coming tomorrow when he speaks to the press.