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Tom Bailey

@aproposensible.bsky.social
65 followers 103 following 171 posts

Public servant; He/Him. Interested in economics, geopolitics, and climate change. Increasingly radicalised on urban planning, poverty and Te Tiriti. Opinions are my own.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Tom Bailey
Russell Brown @publicaddress.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Do you have a license to pilot a space shuttle? [I swear, I did not make this up]
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Tom Bailey @aproposensible.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Is this the first time a Minister of the Crown has rhetorically repudiated a Treaty settlement? Not close enough to the details to know if this has in substance occurred, but Jones' comments are extremely troubling regardless www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/...
nzherald.co.nz
Tainui unleashes scathing attack on Govt after river protection rules halted
Farming regulations designed to protect the Waikato River have been paused until 2032.
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
seasonally appropriately spooky Pàra @para14.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Excuse me, does this guy know what "very difficult" means or is he genuinely incapable of using the pedestrian crossing like a normal human?
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Quinta Jurecic @qjurecic.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
The Minnesota conspiracy case against ICE watchers, like the Broadview Six case, is going to be yet another test of how judges handle a habitually deceitful Justice Department
theatlantic.com
The ‘Presumption of Regularity’ Is Evaporating
Judges have long defaulted to a posture of trust toward the federal government, but under Trump that is changing, and a new set of legal possibilities is emerging.
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Paula Penfold @paulapenfold.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
I spent some time looking at stopping-violence programmes and concerns within the sector about what’s working v what’s not, and whose voice is missing.
stuff.co.nz
In groups like this, violent men sit and talk. But a crucial voice is often missing
Official reports are being signed off as completed without anyone checking if the victims are actually safe, new report show.
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Eddie Clark @dreddieclark.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
The FSU's vision of free speech is that free speech *prevents* a gay man from speaking out against anti queer bigotry. This is 'insitutional neutrality' operating as its architects intend.
nzherald.co.nz
Uni denies Grant Robertson breached neutrality rules over 'man' and 'woman' definitions bill
Robertson called the bill 'unnecessary and disturbing' in an email to Otago students.
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Hayden Donnell @haydendonnell.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
David Seymour's comments about not trying to influence RNZ's staffing decisions are slightly undermined by his comments about trying to influence RNZ's staffing decisions
David Seymour attacking RNZ for hiring John Campbell and saying its CEO won't be there for long.David Seymour saying staffing decisions are entirely up to management and he's not trying to interfere.
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Marc Daalder @marcdaalder.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Another prospective Greens candidate withdraws, this time to run as an independent: Māngere doctor Timoti Te Moke thinks he has a better shot at winning the electorate and succeeding in Parliament if he doesn’t have to toe a party line. @foxmeyer.bsky.social newsroom.co.nz/2026/04/13/h...
newsroom.co.nz
‘They’re not ready for me’: high-profile Green candidate flips to independent
Māngere doctor Timoti Te Moke says the Greens aren’t progressive enough for some of his policies
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
James Medlock @jdcmedlock.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Fact check: true
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Tom Bailey @aproposensible.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
I am once again asking why the 'party of government' is boycotting the largest street festival in the country
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
henry cooke @henrycooke.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
NEW: The Infra Commission just released its official plan, and it's a massive challenge to the Govt and NZ to: - Trim transport spending - Double spending on renewal/maintenance - Spend twice as much on hospitals
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Tom Bailey @aproposensible.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Not to "both sides" this, but NZF racebaiting on Māori seats is made easier when TPM campaigns for additional Māori seats in the nakedly partisan way they have, to say nothing of Tākuta's comments
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
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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Eddie Clark @dreddieclark.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
This is *why* retrospective laws are objectionable in principle. Law must be prospective so you can plan your life according to it. Which is what claimant groups, employers, and public servants have done for years. All in the bin in under 24 hours. Millions of dollars worth of work on all sides.
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Tory Whanau @misswhanau.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Re the Golden Mile, it has already been rephrased and put on hold time and time again. The longer we leave it the more expensive and untenable it becomes. It is NOW time to revitalise Courtenay Place, improve public transport and fix the pipes in one go. #nzpol www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3606...
Whanau is standing by it. "Almost every day, people talk about how bad Courtenay Place is," she said. "It is important for Andrew Little to note, actually, that we have already re-phased the project. We're not doing Lambton Quay at this stage, we're just focusing on Courtenay."
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Lew @lewsos.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
As with the Treaty Principles Bill and every other outrage caused by Luxo's rogue coalition partners: their conduct is on him because the ministerial warrants he has given them make them relevance. Luxo's failure to enforce even the most basic standards of discipline is a stain on our politics
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Wellington City councillor Rebecca Matthews is one of New Zealand’s most effective advocates for housing reform. But it appears the Labour Party doesn’t want her any more. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/01-...
thespinoff.co.nz
Windbag: Is Labour trying to freeze out its strongest Yimby?
Wellington City councillor Rebecca Matthews is one of New Zealand’s most effective advocates for housing reform. But it appears the Labour Party doesn't want her any more.
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Tom Bailey @aproposensible.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
New RMA reform. Lots to unpack. No Treaty clause. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/...
nzherald.co.nz
Luxon reveals major reform to replace 'broken' system
The Prime Minister is expected to speak to media at 4pm on the Resource Management Act.
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 16/03/2025
"dei medal" you might as well just put "n*gger medal" because that's what they mean to say
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sarah jeong @sarahjeong.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
elon musk at cpac was so fucking weird you guys I know this reads like a parody but I literally just wrote down what happened www.theverge.com/elon-musk/61...
Flashing lights, large screens ablaze with animated graphics reminiscent of the oughties. The CPAC logo spins around as generic rap-rock blasts across the crowd.

Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the DOGE update. Please welcome Newsmax host, Rob Schmitt.

Schmitt: Man. That is a big crowd. And they are not here for me.

Crowd cheers.

Schmitt: How you guys doing? Nice vibe this month, right? After the best month we’ve ever had. Nice to see you. Thanks for coming out. It’s good to see you. Let’s not kill any more time, let’s bring out Elon Musk.

Crowd goes wild. Elon Musk enters stage, pumping both fists high in the air, walking slightly unsteadily. He is wearing a black MAGA baseball cap and sunglasses that look like they were bought in a gas station in 1989. He continues to pump his fists as he makes his way in front of the beige arm chairs at the front of the stage. Rob Schmitt attempts to get his attention, but he turns and waves at the crowd.

Schmitt: We’ve got one more surprise, in case this wasn’t enough.Musk: Well, President, uh, President Milei has a gift for me.

Schmitt: [hamming at camera] Javier Milei from Argentina, you guys know who that is, right?

Milei, a friendly-looking figure who resembles Bilbo Baggins right before he Smeagolifies, enters the stage carrying a chainsaw. He presents the chainsaw to the billionaire, who then waves it around unsteadily.

Musk: This… is… the chainsaw for bureaucracy. [pumps the chainsaw in the air] CHAINSAAAW!He takes a beat to examine the chainsaw. He is still wearing his sunglasses. He turns around and starts wandering to the other side of the stage, waving the chainsaw around.

Musk: Uwaaauwaargh!

Milei lurks awkwardly in the background, trying to wave goodbye to Musk, before Schmitt takes notice.

Schmitt: Mr. President, thank you so much. Nice to meet you. I love it. We love it.

Musk’s attention snaps to Milei. The two men shake hands with the Argentinian president, who then departs.
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lila pearl @lilashapiro.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
I wrote about Neil Gaiman, and the women accusing him of sexual coercion, assault and abuse. www.vulture.com/article/neil...
vulture.com
There Is No Safe Word
How the best-selling fantasy author Neil Gaiman hid the darkest parts of himself for decades.
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Jess McAllen @jessmcallen.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
I wrote a deep dive into Mike King for @davidfarrier.bsky.social at Webworm. This piece is the result of 100s of pages of OIAs and my experience covering him since 2014, a lot of work! www.webworm.co/p/rockstar
webworm.co
The Making of a Mental Health Rockstar
Does Mike King’s popularity come with a big dose of impunity?
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Keith Ng @keithng.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Now is a really good time for NZ journos to reread this. Don't take it from me, take it from Patrick Gower. www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3505...
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Marc Daalder @marcdaalder.bsky.social · 21/12/2023
Note: The figures take into account policies put in place by the previous government, many of which have been or will be scrapped by the new coalition Government.
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Tom Bailey @aproposensible.bsky.social · 14/12/2023
Who will replace Kelvin Davis on the list? #kikorangi
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Marc Daalder @marcdaalder.bsky.social · 12/12/2023
This story is a bit overcooked. Shane Jones was almost certainly discussing 100% renewable target, which Labour called "aspirational" and had no plans to meet. And $24b is cost of meeting Paris (unfunded by both parties), not failing to meet it.
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Tom Bailey @aproposensible.bsky.social · 14/11/2023
Well, this is unexpected. "In addition, the party is committed to seeing revenue from polluters destined for the CERF being spent on adaptation and mitigation, such as flood protection, not in tax relief that landlords will largely benefit from." www.newsroom.co.nz/peters-and-s...
newsroom.co.nz
Peters and Seymour team up as Luxon hits hurdles
New Zealand First wasn’t happy with the first deal offered by National and the big hurdle ahead is how to fund Christopher Luxon’s promised tax relief
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Tze Ming Mok 莫志明 @tzemingdynasty.bsky.social · 12/11/2023
Why does it take the Wellington newspaper to cover Auckland Sikh communities getting bullied by BJP consulate narcs
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Reposted by Tom Bailey
Tze Ming Mok 莫志明 @tzemingdynasty.bsky.social · 12/11/2023
Me: Look, some BJPer got AUT to cancel the booking of the Sikhs who wanted to talk about India assassinating that Canadian Sikh. They cancelled a Tiananmen event in 2019 as well after Chinese diplomats complained. Indian husband: Why are they so accommodating of fascists
thepost.co.nz
The Post
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Tom Bailey @aproposensible.bsky.social · 03/11/2023
Is this Te Pāti Māori's best result ever? Truly astonishing. (Remains funny that Meka lost.)
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Tom Bailey @aproposensible.bsky.social · 02/11/2023
ACT have stated their Treaty Principles Act would be "short but decisive". Some quick questions about what that Act would actually do. (1) "1. All citizens of New Zealand have the same political rights and duties" Does this mean every citizen can vote... 1/?
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Eddie Clark @dreddieclark.bsky.social · 24/10/2023
And here we see the consequence of repeated media grumbling about the specials vote counting: creating conditions where it's seen as reasonable to remove on the day enrolment and special voting. The effect, regardless of the intent, would be disenfranchisement for thousands.
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Tom Bailey @aproposensible.bsky.social · 21/10/2023
As distressing as 33% here is, we should take comfort in the 50%+ no. Also, as much as the Voice comparison shows support can drop in the face of a determined campaign, its worth remembering that Aussies were voting on change. Fear mongering would be harder as NZ would be voting on the status quo.
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Tom Bailey @aproposensible.bsky.social · 21/10/2023
A lot has been made of Labours actions this term, and how they led to this collapse. However, I agree with others that the 2020 election, and crucially the term before are key to understanding this election - and why the strategic decisions Labour made made sense at the time. 1/?
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