Ben Ross
@benakl.bsky.social
Spatial and Policy Planner
Resident of South Auckland
Cities Skylines Player and Snob
Resident of South Auckland
Cities Skylines Player and Snob
Pinned
Ben Ross
@benakl.bsky.social
· Dec 26
2025 was indeed even busier fighting for evidence based policy over fact free reckons.
Wonder what 2026 will bring?
Wonder what 2026 will bring?
And the Bank Economists on LinkedIn looking as stupid as ever
Chorus out: The Government is hoping voters will 'feel' economic recovery by Nov 7 as 'green shoots' appear (again), but election year has begun with falling house prices, unemployment rising to a 10-year high and real wages deflating. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/election-y...
Election year begins with house prices falling & joblessness rising
Govt hoping voters will 'feel' economic recovery by Nov 7 as 'green shoots' appear (again), but year begins with falling house prices, unemployment rising to 10-year high and real wages deflating
thekaka.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:46 PM
And the Bank Economists on LinkedIn looking as stupid as ever
Reposted by Ben Ross
The 7 minute short version summarising the 132 page shitpost against Bishop's Planning Bill
Public Welfare Supreme into the Planning Bill? Meaning what? With the Japanese concept woven through all my 132 page submission on the Bill it is time to have a cursory look at how I interwoven it and what would it mean if carried through into the Planning Act
youtu.be/rnrldroOo-o
youtu.be/rnrldroOo-o
Public Welfare Supreme: Aotearoa's Planning Upgrade | #urbanplanning
YouTube video by Palpatine001
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 6:51 AM
The 7 minute short version summarising the 132 page shitpost against Bishop's Planning Bill
Reposted by Ben Ross
Simeon is a Grade A Prize 🤡
Just another disaster day in the National marketing lab....
February 4, 2026 at 7:02 AM
Simeon is a Grade A Prize 🤡
Number 3 child who is 6 going 7 has just told us rather empathically we need to go to Waitangi for Waitangi Day
Right better get the planning set up for next year
Right better get the planning set up for next year
February 4, 2026 at 6:56 AM
Number 3 child who is 6 going 7 has just told us rather empathically we need to go to Waitangi for Waitangi Day
Right better get the planning set up for next year
Right better get the planning set up for next year
The 7 minute short version summarising the 132 page shitpost against Bishop's Planning Bill
Public Welfare Supreme into the Planning Bill? Meaning what? With the Japanese concept woven through all my 132 page submission on the Bill it is time to have a cursory look at how I interwoven it and what would it mean if carried through into the Planning Act
youtu.be/rnrldroOo-o
youtu.be/rnrldroOo-o
Public Welfare Supreme: Aotearoa's Planning Upgrade | #urbanplanning
YouTube video by Palpatine001
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 6:51 AM
The 7 minute short version summarising the 132 page shitpost against Bishop's Planning Bill
Either I have written a very comprehensive submission on Bishop's Planning Bill, or I have produced a 132 page shitpost backed by a 1 hour long video shitpost, shitposting his reforms.
Public Welfare Supreme over "enjoyment of land" is going to be absolute rage-bait for him and Simon Court
Public Welfare Supreme over "enjoyment of land" is going to be absolute rage-bait for him and Simon Court
February 4, 2026 at 6:13 AM
Either I have written a very comprehensive submission on Bishop's Planning Bill, or I have produced a 132 page shitpost backed by a 1 hour long video shitpost, shitposting his reforms.
Public Welfare Supreme over "enjoyment of land" is going to be absolute rage-bait for him and Simon Court
Public Welfare Supreme over "enjoyment of land" is going to be absolute rage-bait for him and Simon Court
Fucked
What is more fucked is those missile silos will be empty by the time the Russian land based ICBMs hit them so if you live near one of the three missile fields you are bascially fresh meat for the radioactive grinder
What is more fucked is those missile silos will be empty by the time the Russian land based ICBMs hit them so if you live near one of the three missile fields you are bascially fresh meat for the radioactive grinder
amazon marketing for, uh, the show "fallout" really getting out of hand
Just ... wtf.
February 4, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Fucked
What is more fucked is those missile silos will be empty by the time the Russian land based ICBMs hit them so if you live near one of the three missile fields you are bascially fresh meat for the radioactive grinder
What is more fucked is those missile silos will be empty by the time the Russian land based ICBMs hit them so if you live near one of the three missile fields you are bascially fresh meat for the radioactive grinder
Voting 🟢 ?
I am 💚 👇
I am 💚 👇
We must change this. The Green Party will deliver hope and real change for New Zealanders through a fairer tax system. We will fight to make sure everyone has the means to have a good job, food on the table, and a safe place to call home 💚
February 4, 2026 at 5:28 AM
Voting 🟢 ?
I am 💚 👇
I am 💚 👇
Public Welfare Supreme into the Planning Bill? Meaning what? With the Japanese concept woven through all my 132 page submission on the Bill it is time to have a cursory look at how I interwoven it and what would it mean if carried through into the Planning Act
youtu.be/rnrldroOo-o
youtu.be/rnrldroOo-o
Public Welfare Supreme: Aotearoa's Planning Upgrade | #urbanplanning
YouTube video by Palpatine001
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Public Welfare Supreme into the Planning Bill? Meaning what? With the Japanese concept woven through all my 132 page submission on the Bill it is time to have a cursory look at how I interwoven it and what would it mean if carried through into the Planning Act
youtu.be/rnrldroOo-o
youtu.be/rnrldroOo-o
And in Japan you cannot own a car unless you can prove to the authorities you can store it in a private parking bay or facility OFF STREET
“It's not my duty as Mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. For me it's the same as if you bought a cow, or a refrigerator, and then asked me where you're going to put them.” — Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain (re-elected 6 times)
February 4, 2026 at 4:49 AM
And in Japan you cannot own a car unless you can prove to the authorities you can store it in a private parking bay or facility OFF STREET
Fusion is fine and safe even in a Natural Hazard Prone area
What you think was going to happen to a Fusion Reactor?
What you think was going to happen to a Fusion Reactor?
What a great idea let's do it somewhere without earthquakes! Oh, hang on... Without dormant volcanoes, then... oh... How about an area not prone to any sort of major natural catastophe... oh... well... shit...
News I was not expecting this morning: Government backs Nuclear Fusion research.
And yes it is the firm down in Wellington
$35m also a fair whack as well
And yes it is the firm down in Wellington
$35m also a fair whack as well
February 4, 2026 at 3:47 AM
Fusion is fine and safe even in a Natural Hazard Prone area
What you think was going to happen to a Fusion Reactor?
What you think was going to happen to a Fusion Reactor?
Why Industry and Industrial processes exist for the uninitiated down the back like the Neelemans
This is bonkers. MAHA 'farmers' with ecoli tainted raw milk admit they really don't know how to make the stuff after all.
"Producing raw milk takes careful planning from a facility and infrastructure standpoint. Unfortunately, we learned this after the fact."
people.com/ballerina-fa...
"Producing raw milk takes careful planning from a facility and infrastructure standpoint. Unfortunately, we learned this after the fact."
people.com/ballerina-fa...
Hannah Neeleman's Ballerina Farm Halts Sale of Raw Milk Due to Bacteria Concerns: Report
Hannah and Daniel Neeleman have paused Ballerina Farm's sale of raw milk following health violations discovered during routine testing. Screenings from summer 2025 showed high levels of coliform, the ...
people.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Why Industry and Industrial processes exist for the uninitiated down the back like the Neelemans
Shane Jones letting one rip?
February 3, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Shane Jones letting one rip?
Reposted by Ben Ross
The green shoots in question.
a blurred image of a desert landscape with trees and bushes
Alt: a blurred image of a desert landscape with trees and bushes and a tumbleweed rolling through.
AKA: The New Zealand economy.
media.tenor.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:07 PM
The green shoots in question.
Unemployment is up with more firms still liquidating and people heading to Australia at record levels
Green shoots never happened and the media parroted it on is dereliction of duty
Green shoots never happened and the media parroted it on is dereliction of duty
February 3, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Unemployment is up with more firms still liquidating and people heading to Australia at record levels
Green shoots never happened and the media parroted it on is dereliction of duty
Green shoots never happened and the media parroted it on is dereliction of duty
Feckless being very polite
Ah, my Listener column about the government's feckless attitude to climate change is now online. www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener...
Russell Brown: After recent events, will our government talk honestly about climate change?
One policy after another, our response to climate problems is weakening.
www.nzherald.co.nz
February 3, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Feckless being very polite
News I was not expecting this morning: Government backs Nuclear Fusion research.
And yes it is the firm down in Wellington
$35m also a fair whack as well
And yes it is the firm down in Wellington
$35m also a fair whack as well
A new release is available from Hon Shane Jones.
Government backs fusion energy research
The Government is investing up to $35 million through the Regional Infrastructure Fund to help local start-up OpenStar Technologies position New Zealand at the forefront of the global research into fusion energy
www.beehive.govt.nz
February 3, 2026 at 8:22 PM
News I was not expecting this morning: Government backs Nuclear Fusion research.
And yes it is the firm down in Wellington
$35m also a fair whack as well
And yes it is the firm down in Wellington
$35m also a fair whack as well
Oh (Admiral) Ice Man what did you do....
February 3, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Oh (Admiral) Ice Man what did you do....
In news that should not surprise anyone, our mate Bishop has done a very critical cock up with his Planning Reforms
Im in full flight having convos with consent planenrs and this business about making everything a Permitted Activity to hand wave through Land use Planning might not actually exist
Im in full flight having convos with consent planenrs and this business about making everything a Permitted Activity to hand wave through Land use Planning might not actually exist
February 3, 2026 at 8:04 PM
In news that should not surprise anyone, our mate Bishop has done a very critical cock up with his Planning Reforms
Im in full flight having convos with consent planenrs and this business about making everything a Permitted Activity to hand wave through Land use Planning might not actually exist
Im in full flight having convos with consent planenrs and this business about making everything a Permitted Activity to hand wave through Land use Planning might not actually exist
Opposite is truth maxim applies
Insurer's block on new policies not 'a tipping point' for NZ customers - Insurance Council
Insurer's block on new policies not 'a tipping point' for NZ customers - Insurance Council
The Insurance Council says although one insurer has stopped offering home policies in some South Island towns, it's not an industry-wide issue.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 3, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Opposite is truth maxim applies
That concludes my Ben Does Planning series as I transition over to the Planning Reforms itself, and finalise my comprehensive submission on it
I will blog on my submission once it is submitted to the Select Committee
The series can be found at voakl.net
I will blog on my submission once it is submitted to the Select Committee
The series can be found at voakl.net
February 3, 2026 at 7:49 PM
That concludes my Ben Does Planning series as I transition over to the Planning Reforms itself, and finalise my comprehensive submission on it
I will blog on my submission once it is submitted to the Select Committee
The series can be found at voakl.net
I will blog on my submission once it is submitted to the Select Committee
The series can be found at voakl.net
Reposted by Ben Ross
In today’s NZ Herald
February 3, 2026 at 6:51 PM
In today’s NZ Herald
You, National and Act might not believe in Climate Change but your Insurance Company certainly does. And with National through Simon Watts saying Government Bail Outs if a 1% AEP Flooding Event hits it seems a lot of Kiwis and their Property in Red Line Natural Hazard Areas are in trouble
Major insurer declines new home insurance policies for Blenheim
Several South Island towns were already on a list of areas AA won't issue new policies for.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 3, 2026 at 7:13 PM
You, National and Act might not believe in Climate Change but your Insurance Company certainly does. And with National through Simon Watts saying Government Bail Outs if a 1% AEP Flooding Event hits it seems a lot of Kiwis and their Property in Red Line Natural Hazard Areas are in trouble