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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 12/10/2026

Miss 4’s #fairy #gardens. She adores the ready-made fairy houses at Bunnings but I’m trying to teach her to see beauty in what she can make herself. #gardening

A fairy house made of a brick, two painted stones, and a painted yogurt pottle suspended above. Two pink fabric fairies sit in the house.

The wooden stump, paonted in rainbow colours, is under a Harakeke bush and surrounded by a stone path. The ground is freshly mulched with dark compost but it contains flower seeds. A small lavender plant and some decorative carex grasses are visible on either side behind the harakeke.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 10/10/2026

My 4 year old wrote my birthday card all by herself.

A pink card, written by a 4 year old, that says ‘Mum heart Teddie’

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 10/10/2026

I bought it as early as I could after it came out, because I saw John’s video where he said he hoped people could go into #reading it with as little expectation as possible, and I didn’t want it accidentally spoiled for me. I won’t spoil it for anyone other than […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 10/10/2026

A bit of what we got up to in our first session of our #Māori Language Playgroup. #Wellington #LowerHutt #Naenae #Aotearoa #NewZealand

Printed paper doll worksheets including colour-in dolls, and pre-coloured clothing, labelled in Māori. A child’s hand is in the shot, colouring. A glue stick is labelled ‘kapia’.

A tamaiti busily playing with duplo, next to some visual posters teaching Māori vocabulary

A colourful scene made by a tamaiti using poikere (playdough), of three dinosaurs (mokonui) on green grass, with a blue sky

A variety of educational toys and puzzles are arranged on a carpeted floor. These include shape sorters, wooden blocks, and colorful pieces, alongside printed posters with Māori vocabulary

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 08/10/2026

[AI generated add] #Temu, sick of your ugly #AI generated add with the half-African Grey-half-Kea? and the weird looking kiwi. ‘Temu NZ it has arrived’ I know. That was two bloody years ago. The reason I don’t shop with you is not because I haven’t noticed you […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

A colorful graffiti mural featuring the text "TEMU NEW ZEALAND IT HAS ARRIVED! SHOP NOW." The background includes a stylized depiction of the Sky Tower and urban elements, with a kiwi and a parrot illustrated alongside the text.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026

My 4 year old asked what my new book was about, as I climbed into the car. Me: Hollywood, or endings, or commas Her: And why is it rainbow? Me: Maybe it’s about rainbows. Well, I’m about to find out. #Hollywood, #Ending @johngreen

A person is holding a book titled "Hollywood, Ending" by John Green. The cover features bright colors with the title prominently displayed. The book is shown inside a car, with part of the vehicle's interior visible in the background.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 19/09/2026

Ko te Rātapu! It’s Sunday! Today, I’ll share some kupu for the māra, the garden. Plant - tipu Tree - rākau Dirt/soil - oneone Flower - putiputi Trampoline - papa tūpeke Slide - retireti Swing - tārere Sandpit - Rua kirikiri or Pouaka onepū We’re planning to […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

A toddler in a red checkered shirt stands next to a lavender bush. Trees are in the background.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 17/09/2026

Ko te Tāite! It’s Thursday of #TeWikiOTeReoMāori Today, let’s learn some kupu for our ruma moe- bedrooms! Moenga - bed Tūru - chair Hautō - drawers Wātaropa - wardrobe Pae - shelf Teti pea - Teddy bear We’re planning to run our Pilot in October. Got tamariki […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 15/09/2026

Ko te Wenerei! It’s Wednesday! Today, let’s learn some kupu for our ruma horoi tīnana / wharepaku or bathrooms Toilet - heketua Bason - peihana Tap - kōrere wai Shower - uwhiuwhi Bathtub - tapu kaukau We’re planning to run our Pilot in October. Got tamariki […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 15/09/2026

I thought it was satire… National are literally advertising their own replacements. #NZPol

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 14/09/2026

Mōrena, ko te Tūrei! It’s Tuesday! Let’s learn the kupu for some things we all have in our Kīhini, in our kitchens. Umu- oven Tō - stovetop Kāpata - cupboard Pouaka makariri - fridge Pākatio - freezer Mīhini horoi rīhi - dishwasher Puoto - sink Papa kai - […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

A dollhouse kitchen. A label above the dining room says “Wharekai” and above the kitchen equipment, another says “Kīhini” furniture is labeled “tēpu” (table) “turu” (chair) “Hautō” (drawers) “umu” (oven) and “pae” (shelf). A blonde woman cooks eggs at the umu, a firefighter in uniform stands in uniform in front of the “pouaka makariri”

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 13/09/2026

Mōrena, Welcome to Māori Language week with Te Reo Tākaro! ko te Māne! It’s Monday! Let’s learn the names of the rooms in our whare. Kitchen - Kīhini or kauta Lounge - Ruma noho or Ruma hāneanea Play room - Ruma tākaro Bedroom - Ruma moe Bathroom - Ruma horoi […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

A dollhouse divided into rooms, featuring various miniature figures and furniture. Each room is color-coded and labeled in Māori, depicting different activities and settings such as a living area, bedrooms, and a kitchen.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 12/09/2026

Beautiful! For once I can enjoy my drive to Wellington without being lied to.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 12/09/2026

Ngā mihi nui to our Givealittle donors! Thanks to your generous koha, we were able to run our first day of Te Reo Tākaro, Māori language learning playgroup this morning. It was attended by 8 whānau, including 14 tamariki. We had a lot of fun, enjoyed lots of […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

An organized set of colorful paper containers on a table, labeled in Maori, holding various school supplies. Items include pencils, glue sticks, felt pens, crayons, and scissors. The background is a neutral gray.

A table with colorful art supplies, including markers, crayons, scissors, and glue sticks, arranged in containers. In the foreground, there is a colorful drawing featuring an oyster.

A colorful dollhouse setup featuring various rooms and furniture, including a living space with a bed and a dining area with a table. Toy figures and vehicles are scattered around, along with a wooden shape puzzle nearby. Both have labels in te reo Māori.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 10/09/2026

Paneer tika masala. Using Pam’s curry sauce Canned coconut cream Ready made paneer Canned chickpeas Ready made fancy supermarket roti Spinach from our #garden. In a season of life where feeding the fam trumps making everything from scratch.

A hand holding a bunch of fresh, green spinach leaves, with other plants visible in the background, including some orange flowers and leafy greens.

A pot of creamy orange curry with chunks of vegetables is being stirred with a wooden spoon. Next to it, a skillet holds a golden-brown flatbread. A covered pot is visible in the background.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 06/09/2026

I noticed Act need help with editing their signs. Make it honest. #NZPOL

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 05/09/2026

It used to be the case that you had to add quite a lot of red #food colouring to get red. One drop added to white icing sugar would make pink. I went to make belgian biscuits and now I realise, I think they’ve changed it. #Cooking #Baking #Food

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 04/09/2026

I’m hosting a free Come and Try event in #Naenae on 12 September. Offering a fun morning of songs, stories and music to enable #tamariki and parents to learn te reo #Māori. Also taking registrations for a 4 week pilot in October. Please share. #LowerHutt #Wellington #Aotearoa #NewZealand

A poster for "Te Reo Tākaro," a Māori language learning playgroup pilot program. It invites caregivers of children aged 0-7 to participate in weekend sessions in October for guided learning through play, waiata, stories, and crafts

A vibrant green flyer promoting a Māori language playgroup called "Te Reo Tākaro." It invites caregivers of children aged 0-7 to a free event on September 12 at Te Mako Community Centre in Naenae

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 23/08/2026

Miss 4’s letter to Santa. What should #Santa say in response?

A handwritten letter addressed to Santa by a child named Teddie, expressing gratitude for a Duplo train set received last Christmas. Teddie mentions playing with his sibling Kyrian and describes an incident where the train was put in the toilet. Teddie says the train is being dried and she hopes it isn’t broken and asks for a new train.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 17/08/2026

Update, Our four week pilot will now take place in October to give us more time to plan and promote it. We are hosting a one off Come and try day In September

A promotional flyer for a Māori language learning playgroup titled "Te Reo Tākaro." It invites caregivers of children aged 0-7 to a free event on September 12 at the Te Mako Community Centre in Naenae. There is a timetable and an ‘about Michaela’ section

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 16/08/2026

Pages has hidden the option to insert an image that already exists on my phone… Because… they want me to use #AI

The interface on pages where the symbol which used to add an image is now generate image.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 08/08/2026

Family bike ride 30k. Miss 4 did about 9k on the trailgator This was our first training ride for #TaupoCycleChallenge where miss 4 and I will do 16k and @SimonCHulse will do a longer ride.

Myself and miss 4 on our Trailgator bike setup. My bike is teal and there’s a red bar connecting my seat post to the front of her silver kid’s bike. Miss 4 has a loveheart drawn over her face for privacy. We are standing over our bikes about to cycle away from where we stopped briefly under a bridge. We are at the start of a cycle path and there is a yellow cycle sign beside us.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 07/08/2026

Probably a pre-filled form error or perhaps in case I decided to use the same jar of medicine on a cat or a dog, but this didn’t fill me with confidence in my vet. Fun biology fact of the day: #Rabbits physically cannot vomit. 8 year old Jasper is fine, just […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

Medication packaging for animal medicine, Loxicom oral suspension. A red circle is drawn around “discontinue if vomits” and “Jasper rabbit”

Jasper, grey bunny with white marking on his nose, in his spacious outdoor run, surrounded by hay, Pearl, his black girlfriend, is behind him.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 07/07/2026

King Stropharia patch is producing again, looking forward to some mushroom pasta soon. #Mustodon #MustodonNZ #Fungiverse

A close-up shot of a garden area featuring green plants, including leaves and small herbs. There are scattered pieces of mulch and leaves, with a small mushroom visible on the ground. The scene appears to be wet, indicating recent rain.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 27/06/2026

@mu Good news. Govt have established pools of funding for farmers to access regenerative technology. EcoPond, for example, is being rolled out. Fonterra and Silver fern farms have their own methane targets and incentives. I’m a centrist campaigner, (2 times […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 18/06/2026

#Dinner made using recipes from #Japanese kids #cookbook. Today it’s fried rice and #tofu croquettes with green beans drizzled in soy sauce and sesame oil. It was a big hit. We followed it up with berry pancakes also from this book, but I didn’t even get a photo […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

The image features a cookbook titled "Japanese Cooking with Kids," the book is yellow with a star pattern and has pictures of bento boxes complete with kawaii rice balls, which it instructs on how to make. The book promises 50 kid-tested recipes to make together. It is published by Tuttle and authored by Debra Samuels and Mayumi Uejima-Carr

A white plate with a bowl-moulded mound of fried rice, sitting next to green beans, and two fritters. Peas, mushrooms, carrot and egg are visible in the fried rice. The beans have a shimmer as they were coated in soy sauce and sesame oil.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 17/06/2026

Slap dash dinner last night. Microwaved taco mince from the freezer, Pre-baked kūmara, Frozen mixed veg and green beans Served in lettuce cups with grated cheese. #Healthy #Food #WeightLoss #FamilyDinner

A table set with several green plates, each holding a lettuce wrap. One wrap is filled with a mix of green beans and carrots. Hands can be seen reaching for food, indicating a family meal. The scene has a warm, casual atmosphere.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 15/06/2026

#Gardening, like life, is a process, not a destination. It’s an art of thinking in four dimensions and being able to simultaneously learn from the past, enjoy the present and plan for the future. #Permaculture

A garden featuring a small lawn, in the foreground, a metal arch in the mid-ground, a wood-chip path, and several patches of plants and small trees.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 15/06/2026

Free wood chips a blessing even if a lot of work to move. Thank you @SimonCHulse for doing the lion’s share.

Front of our garage now mulch has been moved.

Our big mulch pile in a corner of our garden.

A mountain of wood chip mulch in front of our garage door.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 14/06/2026

You’re still welcome to sign the original petition at www.change.org/ToitūPārihi When we get approved on the Parliament website, I will contact all signatories to the best of my ability to ask them to sign the official petition as well. I have now […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

A woman and two children stand with their backs to the camera looking onto the Beehive building of New Zealand Parliament offices.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 14/06/2026

Update: I have decided to move this petition to the NZ parliament website to ensure that signatures are verified so they are taken seriously. You can’t copy signatures from another site to add to a parliamentary petition so I’ll do that now while it’s still easy […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

A woman with dark hair stands, holding a baby and the hand of a young girl, facing away from the camera and looking on to the Beehive building; the home of New Zealand government.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 11/06/2026

Here’s my #Recipe for my #Winter #Lunch that I’m gonna repeat until I get sick of it for this part of my #WeightLoss #Obesity #Recovery journey. #MealPrep: Roast whatever starchy veg you want. I’m gonna make a roast dinner for my family once per week and cook […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

My finished bowl, featuring veggies and tofu and topped with sauerkraut

My bowl with veggies, green leaves, tofu. My bowl is green and was on a wooden background in natural light.

My bowl before I added the tofu. You can see potato and pumpkin with silverbeet on top. In the background, you can see a cast iron pan with tofu.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 07/06/2026

#SecretSantaAoNZ Our #carrots have all been growing much slower than expected, but here’s the progress of our rainbow carrots.

A child’s hand (top) and adult’s hand (below) hold three small carrots. Two are purple in colour, one is orange.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 05/06/2026

#Recipe Vegiful #bean and #potato ‘nachos’ Fed 2 adults and 2 kids with leftovers. No complaints about it being #Vegetarian #30Minutes 3 #SweetPotatoes and 3 potatoes 1 red #onion 1 can #tomatoes 1 can #BlackBeans #OliveOil #OnionPowder #Basil #Oregano #Cumin […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

My plate with a lettuce pocket of food in front

Plate with this meal, covered in grated cheese. Two flower shaped sweet potato slices are arranged on top

A plate featuring a dish with cabbage, shredded cheese, and fried sweet potato slices arranged decoratively. Cutlery is placed beside the food, and the plate has a floral design.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 02/06/2026

I tried it. It does taste like pumpkin, but I like sweet pumpkin.

A person with wavy hair and visible freckles is holding a chocolate treat in front of their face while sitting on a couch. The background shows a kitchen area with various items.

A hand holds a chocolate-covered popsicle on a light blue stick, with a dark, textured background. The popsicle has a distinct, irregular shape, showcasing melting chocolate on its surface.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 01/06/2026

#Chickpea #vegan #HighFibre #LowSugar ‘Oreos’ recipe by ‘Broccoli mum’ Approved by my 4 year old so that’s something. I give it a 1/5 for being like oreos but a solid 3/5 as a healthy cookie. Passable. Since my kid likes it, it’s a new one for my rotation. (buy […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

A red plate holds six dark chocolate cookies with a filling, positioned in front of a printed recipe page featuring Oreo cookies. The background includes a star-patterned surface and some greenery.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 31/05/2026

Found a #recipe content creator who gets me. Found and replied to a comment that reminds me of what I used to believe. Wish people could learn what I’ve learned. As a young adult I used the MyFitnessPal app to count calories. It occasionally bugged you if you […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

A screenshot of a YouTube video and comments. The video shows a home-made ice cream on a stick being dipped in chocolate. A comment says: “I mean might as well get a real magnum if you’re gonna dip it in that much chocolate. The ice cream itself isn’t that many calories”
My comment below reads: “This is gonna blow your mind: Eating healthy is more than just eating the ‘right’ number of calories.”

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 15/05/2026

It happened again. This is what it’s like to be a #lowIncome #parent #Family in #NZ. You can budget and do everything right only to have the rug pulled out from under you at any moment. #FoodInsecurity

A screenshot of a message regarding a cancellation of a family tax credit due to a calculation error. The message expresses concern about financial impacts and the need for prompt resolution. There are no attachments included.

Screenshot of a message regarding a calculation error with a government benefit. The message expresses concern about an incorrect assumption of benefits and the cancellation of a family tax credit, affecting food security. No attachments are included.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 07/05/2026

#Fashion What is this type of top called? (The top layer) Miss 4 loves it, but it’s too small, so I have to find another like it.

A child is seated at a table, wearing a floral-patterned top and light-colored pants.

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Māmā takiwātanga @michaelakhulse.mastodon.nz.ap.brid.gy · 05/05/2026

Instead of going out for breakfast this mother’s day.

The image features a package of Regal Marlborough King Salmon (cold smoked), a package of streaky bacon, and a tub of Meadow Fresh cream cheese, all displayed on a dark countertop.

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