Open Mike 03/10/2026

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 31 comments
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31 comments on “Open Mike 03/10/2026”

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  1. 1

    What Chloe Swarbrick and the Greens intuitively understand, and the Coalition of Cockups doesn't.

    The economy as an ecosystem!

    Complexity Economics Shows Us Why Laissez-Faire Economics Always Fails – Evonomics

    money accumulation by the rich is not the same as wealth creation by a society. If we are serious about creating wealth, our focus should not be on taking care of the rich so that their money trickles down; it should be on making sure everyone has a fair chance—in education, health, social capital, access to financial capital— to create new information and ideas. Innovation arises from a fertile environment that allows individual genius to bloom and that amplifies individual genius, through cooperation, to benefit society. Extreme concentration of wealth without modern precedent that has undermined equality of opportunity and thus limited our overall economic potential.

    Reply
    1. 1.1

      Yes, exactly the reason why cancelling Pay Parity was a face palm moment from our Minister of Finance English Literature.

      Those folk would have spent all of the extra $ into the economy, growing it.

      Reply
    2. 1.2

      Even better we could have an internal currency only useful in NZAO, plus be able to earn external credits for buying advanced machinery, art etc., getting some travel to build our personal knowledge of other peoples in their setting.

      Money and irrational desire for more and the fancy ideas it supports has ruined our society and culture. It is better than a drug, a gilded carrot that leads us on like donkeys, dogs scenting and following treats to where they can be enclosed and held. Money and the exchanges it furthers, has been so helpful in advancing our society, but knowing when to limit it like any other drug?

      We must find value in community projects, attending to the basics of ensuing our local food growers have the water they need, the assistance at harvest time. All those things that we buy in now, we must be prepared to do some ourselves and share in all the community concerns. The old people sitting down and mentoring, podding peas, whatever enriches the community, increasing experiences of the young etc.

      Reply
  2. 2

    Record Levels. There are sadly, many of the notso good, under the NACT1 Govt. Greenhouse gases are just one more. IMO this is particularly relevant when all 3 parties of the Coalition of Denial continue to obfuscate,fudge and minimise any, and all, consequence of their actions.

    Greenhouse gases hit record levels in New Zealand's atmosphere, new data shows

    I am a layman…however very Interested in Science. I can understand what Cumulative Effect is and its relevance and how it pertains our Planet. The aforementioned NACT1, IMO don't, and/or care : (

    The greenhouse gases that cause global warming have increased to new record levels in New Zealand's atmosphere, new data shows.

    At the same time, the country's climate is changing, with warmer annual temperatures and a greater proportion of rain falling during extreme events.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment_climate/1680986/greenhouse-gases-hit-record-levels-in-new-zealand-s-atmosphere-new-data-shows

    Our PM Luxon (lead obfuscator/fudger) attempts (feebly) to deflect, and indeed minimise, any voice of Reason as to consequence (Science? Ha)…even those highlighting the Economic damage….

    NZ's 'clean, green' reputation at risk, ex-UK envoy warns

    ClientEarth is led by former British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Laura Clarke.

    Speaking to Morning Report on Friday morning, Clarke said the action being taken against New Zealand was very significant.

    "I think it goes to the integrity and the credibility of the content of trade agreements.

    "New Zealand and the European Union agreed in what is a really gold standard free trade agreement. They both promised not to weaken environmental protection or climate action in order to attract trade or investment.

    "What this complaint is doing is really testing that."

    She said New Zealand had a strong reputation of "batting above its average" when it came to trade policy.

    "I think that's due to the quality of its produce. It's really innovative approaches, including free trade agreements that are standard setting like the EU one and the UK one, but also because it's seen as a reliable partner with strong rule of law that's good for its word."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment/1680100/nz-s-clean-green-reputation-at-risk-ex-uk-envoy-warns

    De Luxon Feints,Flails, Fails…….

    Christopher Luxon walks back 'bizarre claim' about the Greens

    Luxons last word….

    I'm not that interested in what Laura Clarke or anybody else says, frankly."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/1685563/christopher-luxon-walks-back-bizarre-claim-about-the-greens

    The fate of our Environment…indeed our Country is on the line.

    Vote Labour AND Green to save : Nov '26.

    Reply
    1. 2.1

      When it comes to advice from experts, reliable reports from anywhere about anything or the unfolding of actual events in the real world, Luxon and Co respond with, "I make no apology for…, I won't be lectured by…, I'm not going to listen to.., I'm not interested in…"

      They've used the avoidance technique over and over and over and over...ad nauseam.

      And yes, that's nauseating.

      Reply
          1. 2.1.1.1.1

            It’s also popular with some regular commenters here on TS. Either they don’t know that they’re mimicking & parroting their preferred RW leader or they do.

            Reply
  3. 3

    Observation of the day.

    I'm an avid lurker but non commenter on fb political pages.

    This election there seems to be huge push back from intelligent informed people on the act and Nationals lies.

    Hope it's a goid omen.

    Reply
      1. 4.1.1

        Agree tWig with all you say and Election 2026 uses up to date polling averages and importantly builds in the TPM overhang.

        Notice there is no National Party overhang. Bomber over at TDB has lost his sanity where he continues to claim there will be a 4-5 seat overhang for the Nats

        Progress report is good too

        Reply
        1. 4.1.1.1

          Why do you think there will be no National Party overhang?

          Of course, we're all reading tea leaves – but it seems entirely possible (and has been raised several times on TS) that National will have more electorate seats than their party vote entitles them to – AKA an overhang. Resulting in none of their list MPs returning to Parliament.

          Reply
          1. 4.1.1.1.1

            Bella….I did a very quick analysis of the electorate results from 2023 compared with the average of the polls today.

            This indicated that Labour would probably win back 7 electorates from the Nats and possibly a couple more. If that happened there will be no National overhang.

            Remember also that the Right Wing vote is now more split than at the last election.

            But there are lots of variables here. For instance Michael Laws might win Waitaki from the Nats, which would further reduce the chance of an overhang.

            Reply
            2. 4.1.1.1.1.2

              Did you factor strong performance from electorate Green candidates into your analysis? Potentially splitting the left vote?

              This, of course has no impact on the party vote – but can impact an FPP electorate race. Look at Mt Albert, for example.

              I do agree with you that Bomber is getting carried away with his beatific vision of Willis not getting into Parliament off the list. 🤣

              Reply
              1. 4.1.1.1.1.2.1

                No I didn't Bella…..and I accept that that could let a couple of National candidates in. It's fiendishly difficult to predict electorate results perfectly because tactical voting can happen. But I still say a National overhang is unlikely.

                Reply
  5. 5

    A new solar farm is proposed* near Poolburn in the Maniototo. It will cover 630 hectares and produce 300MW of power. Excellent

    However, almost all of this, 280MW, will be used by the new Datagrid data centre in Southland.

    *The article giving details is in the ODT today but is paywalled.

    Reply
  6. 6

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/1596920/kainga-ora-decision-to-sell-off-wellington-housing-blocks-disappoints-locals

    https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/property/residential/sections-for-sale/wellington/wellington/strathmore-park/listing/6148512922

    and https://www.bayleys.co.nz/listings/residential/wellington/wellington/4-6-8-nuku-street-strathmore-park-1659089

    The failure of the area speaks of the dangers of an isolated ghetto, insufficient funding for housing stock maintenance and development, and yes in this case a windfall for a friend of National, while avoiding reasonable consultation in the local area.

    Lets see if we can get them to 6000!

    Reply
  7. 7

    If anyone wants to guess which electorates National will hold/lose/gain, this is useful. (It's not the full results which provide more detail, but a simple at-a-glance check of the seats):

    E9 Statistics – Electorate Status

    Go down the list and try and find 12 seats for National to lose. Shows how serious their problem is. (Net loss – because they might gain one or two). For example, will they lose both Hamilton seats, with Tama Potaka gone?

    Reply
  8. 8

    AI. What next? https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC2610/S00005/could-ai-tech-one-day-live-in-space-expert-reaction.htm

    This interesting for people who like this sort of thing! I can't keep up but do attempt to read the headlines and ponder a moment.
    Also for those involved in our major industry – building homes for people who already have one and using up our farming and horticultural land so we end up eating pills or factory produced protein powder with extra fibre – which will be from hemp plants contradictorily?
    https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2610/S00013/eco-pulse-construction-crossroads.htm

    Reply
  11. 11

    As a change to NZ electoral stuff, and following on conversations before at TS, Evie at Dangerously Informed youtube delves into Trump and the Catholic vote.

    Apparently, in 2024 geo-fencing was used by a pro-Republican Catholic political group to target and enrol Catholic voters. Without the knowledge of the parishes involved, a phone tag monitoring system was used to id phone numbers in one State attending various Catholic churches at least three times in a short period. Working backward, the owners were id'd, and those who had never voted before were contacted and supported through the whole process. No directive to vote Trump, but plenty of subtext.

    Scarey eh? Evie does a great analysis of the ongoing Trump/Vance vs Pope Leo fight where they accuse him of meddling in US politics, and to stick to his moral knitting. Issues like poverty and war are political, says Evie, but they're also moral.

    Once again, Evie shows us something we didn't know and lays it out for us. I thought it unlikely that Catholics had voted en bloc, beyond the usual anti-abortion schtick, and said so before. But this vid essay points out there were political machinations to expand the pro-Trump Catholic vote, to some extent, in some regions. I eat some, but not all, of my words.

    Reply

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