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Alison G, blower of bubbles

@alisonlpg.bsky.social
306 followers 442 following 621 posts

Midwife, educator, parent, general purpose nerd. Tangata tiriti. Most at peace underwater, most at pieces online, but here I am, regardless. (she/her/not as straight as my life makes me look)

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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Mark @maetl.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Genuinely horrifying malevolence. NZ is being pulled into violence and complicity in Trump administration crimes. We didn’t ask for this and it’s not in our name.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Ganesh Rajaram Ahirao @ganeshahirao.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
#nzpol This is more than disappointing from Treasury. Is not by any means "talking truth to power" through "free and frank advice" that is core role of public service officials. Is just echoing the status quo scare-mongering that we're broke and can't afford anything. Extremely disappointing.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Paul Fawcett @paulyfawcett.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
So let me get this right… please help me because I live in Australia. The NZ government recently has: -disenfranchised large numbers of voters off the electoral roll. Mainly Māori -banned school books that have any Māori -suspended a female MP for a week for asking if MPs had a spine. #nzpol
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
CatherineQ @catherineq.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Always helps me to sleep better at night, safe in the knowledge that our government is focussed on the really important things… 🤦‍♀️ #ThisIsRacist www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/confirmat...
nzherald.co.nz
'English-first': Changes confirmed for NZ passport will place English before te reo Māori
The current passport, with te reo Māori text first, came into effect in 2021.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Daniel Vernon @yeehawtheboys.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
"Dropkicks" and Prisoners Deserve the Right to Vote, I dive into this over at my substack: yeehawtheboys.substack.com/p/dropkicks-...
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
David Hood @thoughtfulnz.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
I'm not sure where this falls on deterring travellers (I was already deterred), but I guess for those not deterred by the current fascism but concerned about an additional $250 USD per person, it could be a reason.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷 @paullecomtephoto.nz · 16/07/2025
The cunts! Fucking go to hell you evil mutherfuckers. May a 1000 Giardia outbreaks bestow your holiday home water supplies for the next 1000 generations.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Sassy Little Hobbit @sassypolitico.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
Christopher Luxon’s legacy summed up with 1 headline
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Rod Emmerson @rodemmerson.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
A Bill that no one wanted / months of disruption and protests / the Haka / the disproportionate penalty that reeks of colonialism - so much vitriol and wasted energy. ACT has a lot to answer for IMHO #nzpol
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Te Pāti Māori @tepaatimaori.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Pō mārie, e te whānau. Our MPs are heading home tonight. Their suspensions may silence them in the House, but not in the movement. Aroha nui to the kaimahi who stand behind them every step, & to every supporter who amplifies their voice outside the chamber. We are unapologetically whānau. #NZPol
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Sassy Little Hobbit @sassypolitico.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Well what happened today in Parliament makes complete sense when you realize bullying and subjugating Māori was core tenet of the coalition agreement. Every policy every budget decision leads back to that.
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Of course it is. God they will do anything they can to reduce feedback and dismiss what comes in.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions @nzctu.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety’s announcement today on gutting WorkSafe’s enforcement capability signals a return to a failed approach, that will weaken our health and safety system. Read the full release here: union.org.nz/government-guts-worksafe/
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
On an entirely different note from auroras, I befriended a seahorse today. At least I thought I did, but I don’t think the seahorse agreed.
Pale yellow Potbellied Seahorse wrapped around a piece of kelp. Side view of a pale yellow Potbellied Seahorse with its tail wrapped around a piece of kelp. Apricot anemones with white tentacles massed on a buoyApricot anemones with white tentacles massed on a mussel rope hanging vertically. Dark teal water in the background.
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
Nearly gave up after just sitting staring at a very static green arc for two hours, and then suddenly it was all go, send visible to the naked eye.
Distinct Aurora rays extending up from the horizon in a starry sky  with waves breaking on rocks in the foreground.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Mandy Hager @mandyh.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
"Putting aside the myth that government debt is always a bad thing, the fact that Nicola Willis’s incurred debt is now higher than 6 years of the Ardern Labour government combined is another extraordinary feat of hypocrisy - and indeed, in context, incompetence."
open.substack.com
Nicola Willis's Debt Already Higher Than All 6 Years of Ardern Government
In September 2023, Nicola Willis and Grant Robertson joined Q&A to discuss finances and budgets.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
TheBossRoss 🧶 @thebossross.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
Under attack from the Trump administration, Harvard is offering free online courses on the US Constitution, US government, democratic institutions, public engagement, etc. 😉 Do browse. pll.harvard.edu/subject/gove...
pll.harvard.edu
Government | Harvard University
Browse the latest Government courses from Harvard University.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Te Pāti Māori @tepaatimaori.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
David Seymour just introduced a bill to make “ignoring Māori” legally consistent. Horrid day. The Regulatory Standards Bill isn’t about better law. It’s about burying Te Tiriti under bureaucracy. It’s slick, it’s dangerous, Don’t be fooled. #NZPol
Coloured photo:
A television shows ACT Party leader David Seymour speaking in the New Zealand House of Representatives during the first reading of the Regulatory Standards Bill. The TV is placed in a wooden cabinet with books, plants, and framed art around it. A visible on-screen caption reads: “1st reading / Panuitanga tuatahi.”
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
CEO Johnny Cans @oldmatecans.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Voila.
A National blue background, with a clipped photo of Shane Jones, David Seymour being led by Nicola Willis in the centre.

Text says, in small left justified: "A budget of"


Extremely large letters, two either side of the photo, spell out C U T S.
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
👏👏👏👏👏
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Pip Adam @pipadam.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
One thing that may get missed from today. Erica Stanford admitted in response to a question in parliament that she knew the teachers pay equity claim would be affected by the move from 60% to 70% because she knew the ratio for those teachers.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Rod Emmerson @rodemmerson.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
In today’s HeraldOnSunday #nzpol
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Vincent O'Malley @vomalley.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
"The committee report now appears partisan, indefensible and open to attacks of racism." www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
rnz.co.nz
The House: Parliamentary privileges - Race as an aggravating factor?
Analysis: Reactions and advice from Parliament's Clerk, Speaker and even the committee chair show it has recommended indefensibly harsh punishments.
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Do you know what I find “uncivil” in parliament, what I think brings it into disrepute? A sneering PM who refuses to answer questions with anything more than a snide substanceless one liner or outright lies; his deputy and deputy-to-be, serving overseas pressure groups and their own lust for power.
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
What a horrifyingly unjust decision. I feel deeply ashamed of our parliament and our nation for this.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Sharon Murdoch @domesticanimal.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
The Coalition Machine. My Stuff #Cartoon today #NZpol #Women #PayEquity #TeTiriti
Cartoon. Title: “Direction of Travel”. The Act leader David Seymour is driving a vehicle and PM Christopher Luxon, Finance Minister Nicola Willis, and Winston Peters are passengers. The armoured vehicle has “Coalition Machine” written on the side, and a woman has been scooped up and smashed into the windscreen. Her placard bearing the legend “Women” is beside her, and another placard that says, “Te Tiriti” is at the back. From the backseat a smiling Christopher Luxon has his arm raised and is asking. “Where are we off to now, David?”
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
If kidnapped, what would you post that would alarm your followers without the kidnappers knowing you're asking for help? “What I really like about David Seymour is…”
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
David Hood @thoughtfulnz.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
As it seems my local paper isn't going to publish my letter to the Ed (TBF it has published a lot of similar opinion in the last few days) so I just want to say it think it is rhetorically useful to spread "The National government is passing laws to remove rights faster even than the current US one"
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Pōneke @archivesrock.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
This POS "bill" has been around in AoNZ since the 80s, failing at every turn. It's Atlas to its very core & it must be stopped. Prof Jane Kelsey has made it a focus of study ALL THIS TIME. e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-...
e-tangata.co.nz
Proposed bill 'an ideological project that must be stopped' | E-Tangata
“It is extraordinary that this minister is asserting the power to redefine core constitutional principles to govern future polities, just as he did with the ‘principles of the Treaty’.” — Emeritus Pro...
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Craig Renney @clrenney.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Not providing answers to these questions would suggest that the government has something to hide - or that it hasn’t done the basic level of due diligence that would be expected of any competent Minister holding a warrant. We deserve better.
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
@nationalparty.bsky.social @actpartynz.bsky.social @actparty.bsky.social @nzfirst.bsky.social You do something affecting 100s of 1000s of workers, under urgency, without consultation, never flagged the possibility publically, answers to these questions are the very *least* you owe your constituents.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Newsroom NZ @newsroom.co.nz · 08/05/2025
Having declared war on the environment, the Government is now declaring war on women.
newsroom.co.nz
Anne Salmond: She won't be right, mate
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Hayley @writagal.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
I think what the man who owns seven (7) houses, who has just signed off on the status quo of women being less likely to be the sole owner of a home in Aotearoa, as well as the fact that women earn nearly $900,000 less than men over a lifetime, means is: “Women need to keep paying for my lifestyle.”
stuff.co.nz
NZ ‘has been living beyond its means’, PM says in pre-Budget speech
The prime minister said recovery was the focus of the 2025 Budget, with fiscal restraint and economic growth as key priorities.
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Don’t magic up $2billion out of nowhere for military helicopters one week and tell me this the next, shit-licker.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Deborah Russell MP @beefaerie.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
These are the pay equity claims that the government wiped out in just two days to make its budget balance. It's appalling that tax breaks for tobacco companies are being funded by cutting women's pay rises and backpay. (Also listed in alt text)
Education
- ECE teachers
- Early Intervention teachers
- Primary and Area teachers in state or state integrated schools
- Secondary teachers in state or state integrated schools
- Support workers, youth workers in residential schools, Education Service
- Education Advisors (Learning Support) MoE
- Psychologist MoE employed
- Service Managers MoE employed
- Early Learning Teachers
- Tertiary Education Library Assistant
- Tertiary Education Administration and Clerical
Public Service
- Public Service Administration/Clerical Claim 1
- Public Service Administration/Clerical Claim 2
- Corrections Psychologist
- Corrections Probation Officer and Senior Practitioner
Health
- Social Service Workers (5 NGOs)
- CSWs 1 (1.7.22)
- CSWs 2 (20.11.23)
- Front line Managers and Coordinators
- Plunket Administration/Clerical
- Plunket Nurses and Clinical
- Community Midwives in Primary birthing units
- Hospice Nurses and Health Care Assistants
- Primary Care Administration
- Primary Care Nurses
- Access Community Nurses
- Labtests Awanui
- Nurses in Residential Care
- NZ Artificial Limb Service
- Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
Local government
- Librarian and Librarian Assistant in Councils
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Craig Renney @clrenney.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
The Minister has halted all existing pay equity claims, and lifts the hurdle they have to pass. 65,000 Care and Support workers have already been waiting more than 1,000 days for their settlement – losing $145 a week. They will now have to start again www.psa.org.nz/news-media/1...
psa.org.nz
1000 days since landmark pay equity deal expired - workers losing $145 a week
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Deborah Russell MP @beefaerie.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
If you think that Ginny Anderson and I look pissed off, that’s because we are seriously pissed off. The government is ripping our pay equity legislation apart, kicking low paid women down in order to balance their books. The Labour caucus turned out in force at the snap protest at Parliament today.
Me and Ginny Anderson at the protest, against a backdrop of PSA and D Tu flagsLabour caucus on the steps at the protest supporting our leader as he committed to restoring proper pay equity processesCarmel Sepuloni, Jan Tinetti, me, at the protestProtestor with sign saying, “ Pay women what we’re worth!!!”
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Julie Fairey (she/her) @juliefairey.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Part of what really disturbs me about the sudden end of pay equity is the democratic implications - National did not say before the election that they would do this. It is now being passed under urgency, the same day as announcement, with no public input. NZers quite simply have not had a say.
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Chris Bishop is a hypocritical piece of shit who will always sit on the side of political expedience. He will find out just how bad his judgment of “political expedience” is after today.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Craig Renney @clrenney.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
#nzpol The pay equity decision today – just before Mothers Day – takes employment law back decades. It will likely impact the earnings of hundreds of thousands of women, often working in some of the most poorly paid work. It will cost us all in the long-run. A 🧵 www.beehive.govt.nz/release/chan...
beehive.govt.nz
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
@nznationalparty.bsky.social how do your MPs justify standing up in favour of obliterating pay equity today after these speeches. What a disgustingly two-faced, sexist, actively harmful, anti-democratic about-face.
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Richard Hills @richardhills.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Excerpts from Nicola Willis & Erica Stanford’s third reading speeches in FAVOUR of the landmark Equal Pay Amendment Bill. The government should be ashamed of this surprise attack on women under urgency in their fight for equal pay. Link to speeches here: www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansar...
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Sarah Pallett @sarah4ilam.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
I think we in AoNZ may be about to see what happens when women get really really angry. Taking money from the women we rely on to make this country work is perhaps not the best way to pay for this corrupt National led government’s incompetence and handouts to their rich mates. #nzpol
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
WomenAotearoaNZ @weavinghouse.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
#NZ “The government will save billions through this decision. But we should be clear that this is money that has come directly out of the pockets of low-paid female workers. I didn’t think the National Party would stoop this low to pay for its tax cuts.” ~ @clrenney.bsky.social
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Julie Blommaert @drjulieb.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Hey if cancelling pay equity settlements is about saving money, why don’t we just pay men and white people less and equalise that way
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Reposted by Alison G, blower of bubbles
Juha Saarinen @juha.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
www.theguardian.com/environment/... “We are at a crossroads, with humanity draining the life from the ocean.”
theguardian.com
Attenborough at 99: naturalist ‘goes further than before’ to speak out against industrial fishing in new film
The celebrated presenter warns of ‘modern day colonialism at sea’ as he highlights the destruction caused by overfishing and bottom trawling
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
If you see this, post your getaway vehicle imgds360live.s3.amazonaws.com/storefront/3...
Diver with a large cylindrical diver propulsion vehicle, known as a DPV
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Alison G, blower of bubbles @alisonlpg.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
We’re just home from a three week trip to the UK, our first away from our ginger boy, and I’m honestly moved by how happy he is to have us back.
An older child in striped pajamas cuddled up with her fluffy ginger cat on a multicoloured rug
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