Douglas Horrell
@cleftcraft.bsky.social
Gardener on the edge. Lover of natural complexity. Bike life. Making and teaching craft with http://rekindle.org.nz in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, NZ. instagram.com/cleftcraft/
A heads up for lovers of handcrafts - this beautiful pile of willow baskets and more is for sale this Saturday, 10-3 at the Steiner School Fair. Made here un Ōtautahi by my talented fellow Rekindle teachers Diana Duncan (aka Swamp City Basketry) and Gemma Stratton.
#🇳🇿🧶
#🇳🇿🧶
November 6, 2025 at 3:15 AM
A heads up for lovers of handcrafts - this beautiful pile of willow baskets and more is for sale this Saturday, 10-3 at the Steiner School Fair. Made here un Ōtautahi by my talented fellow Rekindle teachers Diana Duncan (aka Swamp City Basketry) and Gemma Stratton.
#🇳🇿🧶
#🇳🇿🧶
Ōtautahi has elected the last mayor of the 20th century, rather than the first mayor of the 21st.
V sad to see a thoughtful woman with a forward looking well evidenced plan for the future outdone by a gruff dude with a truck
October 11, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Ōtautahi has elected the last mayor of the 20th century, rather than the first mayor of the 21st.
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
Ōtautahi / Chch procrastinators, join me in voting in the local body elections before midday tomorrow - drop off locations listed in the link www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/t... #kikorangi
Time running out to vote in local elections
Time is running out for the 69 per cent of eligible voters in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula who have yet to complete and return their voting papers for the local elections.
www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz
October 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Ōtautahi / Chch procrastinators, join me in voting in the local body elections before midday tomorrow - drop off locations listed in the link www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/t... #kikorangi
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
Vote! Vote in your local election! Post your vote by 5pm today! It matters. Hayden explains this more hilariously than I can: thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
October 7, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Vote! Vote in your local election! Post your vote by 5pm today! It matters. Hayden explains this more hilariously than I can: thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
Fine analysis of the very tight battle for Christchurch Mayor by David Williams.
Read it before you vote - because the next mayor will set the city direction in important ways.
Mauger’s disdain for any method of transport other than cars will screw the city.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/12/f...
Read it before you vote - because the next mayor will set the city direction in important ways.
Mauger’s disdain for any method of transport other than cars will screw the city.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/12/f...
‘Flip and flop’ mayor gives latest take on asset sales
Council-owned companies remain a contentious issue in the race for Christchurch’s mayoralty between Phil Mauger and Sara Templeton
newsroom.co.nz
September 13, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Fine analysis of the very tight battle for Christchurch Mayor by David Williams.
Read it before you vote - because the next mayor will set the city direction in important ways.
Mauger’s disdain for any method of transport other than cars will screw the city.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/12/f...
Read it before you vote - because the next mayor will set the city direction in important ways.
Mauger’s disdain for any method of transport other than cars will screw the city.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/12/f...
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
#nzpol
For those who have joined Internet NZ, please register to vote at the AGM tomorrow. There are a few motions that have been put by David Farrar in particular that seek to erase Te Tirīti, tikanga and everything Māori from this organisation. Please register to vote against this takeover
For those who have joined Internet NZ, please register to vote at the AGM tomorrow. There are a few motions that have been put by David Farrar in particular that seek to erase Te Tirīti, tikanga and everything Māori from this organisation. Please register to vote against this takeover
July 28, 2025 at 7:34 PM
#nzpol
For those who have joined Internet NZ, please register to vote at the AGM tomorrow. There are a few motions that have been put by David Farrar in particular that seek to erase Te Tirīti, tikanga and everything Māori from this organisation. Please register to vote against this takeover
For those who have joined Internet NZ, please register to vote at the AGM tomorrow. There are a few motions that have been put by David Farrar in particular that seek to erase Te Tirīti, tikanga and everything Māori from this organisation. Please register to vote against this takeover
Thinking about this a lot as I haul gear all over Ōtautahi this week in our cargo bike. E-bikes and particularly cargo e-bikes could really transform those areas in Aotearoa where sprawl or geography makes cars the current choice. But which interventions would enable the shift? A 🧵...
July 16, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Thinking about this a lot as I haul gear all over Ōtautahi this week in our cargo bike. E-bikes and particularly cargo e-bikes could really transform those areas in Aotearoa where sprawl or geography makes cars the current choice. But which interventions would enable the shift? A 🧵...
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
My current bugbear is that pretty much every issue we face is caused or worsened by disinformation and a growing absolute disregard for truth, evidence, or any notion of a shared reality - and that no one in power will do anything about it because it's too useful for them.
Homelessness increase not necessarily due to government policy changes - minister
Homelessness increase not necessarily due to government policy changes - minister
Tama Potaka says victims of sexual or domestic violence should not be turned away from emergency housing.
www.rnz.co.nz
June 16, 2025 at 9:37 AM
My current bugbear is that pretty much every issue we face is caused or worsened by disinformation and a growing absolute disregard for truth, evidence, or any notion of a shared reality - and that no one in power will do anything about it because it's too useful for them.
After years of trying out plastic bags, shoe covers, etc. to keep my feet dry on the bike I've settled on ankle gumboots for rainy days. Should have got them years ago: store.pggwrightson.co.nz/grubs-shorel...
June 11, 2025 at 9:18 PM
After years of trying out plastic bags, shoe covers, etc. to keep my feet dry on the bike I've settled on ankle gumboots for rainy days. Should have got them years ago: store.pggwrightson.co.nz/grubs-shorel...
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
A cartoon about our government’s unconcern for our land and water. “Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell”, so said Edward Abbey.
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol #Climate #Water #Environment #RMA #FastTrack
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol #Climate #Water #Environment #RMA #FastTrack
June 7, 2025 at 8:23 PM
A cartoon about our government’s unconcern for our land and water. “Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell”, so said Edward Abbey.
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol #Climate #Water #Environment #RMA #FastTrack
My Stuff #cartoon today #NZpol #Climate #Water #Environment #RMA #FastTrack
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
One of the things about generative AI, if they are indeed using an LLM to summarise submissions, is that you cannot guarantee accuracy with LLM summarisation. This has been well documented.
My concern is thus what steps are being taken to ensure accuracy, as otherwise you risk political anomie.
My concern is thus what steps are being taken to ensure accuracy, as otherwise you risk political anomie.
Government members on Finance and Expenditure Committee just voted to use an AI bot to read submissions on the Regulatory Standards Bill🙄. Turns out democracy under this government is real people making submissions and computers reading them. 👎
June 4, 2025 at 2:32 AM
One of the things about generative AI, if they are indeed using an LLM to summarise submissions, is that you cannot guarantee accuracy with LLM summarisation. This has been well documented.
My concern is thus what steps are being taken to ensure accuracy, as otherwise you risk political anomie.
My concern is thus what steps are being taken to ensure accuracy, as otherwise you risk political anomie.
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
We have a date e te whānau!
REGULATORY STANDARDS BILL SUBMISSION PĀTI / PARTY
June 12th (Thurs next week)
6.30 - 9PM
Some folks from the greens will be here to tautoko/support & some other lovely folk too
BYO laptop if you have one (no stress if you don't)
This is a supportive & FREE event!!!
REGULATORY STANDARDS BILL SUBMISSION PĀTI / PARTY
June 12th (Thurs next week)
6.30 - 9PM
Some folks from the greens will be here to tautoko/support & some other lovely folk too
BYO laptop if you have one (no stress if you don't)
This is a supportive & FREE event!!!
June 3, 2025 at 9:37 AM
We have a date e te whānau!
REGULATORY STANDARDS BILL SUBMISSION PĀTI / PARTY
June 12th (Thurs next week)
6.30 - 9PM
Some folks from the greens will be here to tautoko/support & some other lovely folk too
BYO laptop if you have one (no stress if you don't)
This is a supportive & FREE event!!!
REGULATORY STANDARDS BILL SUBMISSION PĀTI / PARTY
June 12th (Thurs next week)
6.30 - 9PM
Some folks from the greens will be here to tautoko/support & some other lovely folk too
BYO laptop if you have one (no stress if you don't)
This is a supportive & FREE event!!!
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
The NZ govt is refusing to allow updated clinical guidelines for trans healthcare to be released.
Their reasoning is clearly bad-faith and ideologically in line with the ‘culture war’ restrictions of people’s rights in the US.
Medical bodies are speaking out. Where is the media coverage of this?
Their reasoning is clearly bad-faith and ideologically in line with the ‘culture war’ restrictions of people’s rights in the US.
Medical bodies are speaking out. Where is the media coverage of this?
May 29, 2025 at 10:46 PM
The NZ govt is refusing to allow updated clinical guidelines for trans healthcare to be released.
Their reasoning is clearly bad-faith and ideologically in line with the ‘culture war’ restrictions of people’s rights in the US.
Medical bodies are speaking out. Where is the media coverage of this?
Their reasoning is clearly bad-faith and ideologically in line with the ‘culture war’ restrictions of people’s rights in the US.
Medical bodies are speaking out. Where is the media coverage of this?
Apocalypse Nowt
ADD a letter and ruin a movie
Stop Gun
Stop Gun
ADD a letter and ruin a movie
Stand by Meh
Stand by Meh
May 27, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Apocalypse Nowt
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
The Regulatory Standards Bill had its first reading yesterday. National and NZ First barely spoke — but voted it through to select committee. This isn’t just about the Treaty. It’s a sweeping attempt to rewrite how law works in NZ. The quiet tells a story — and it’s worth paying attention to.
Reading Between the Lines: RSB First Reading
The Regulatory Standards Bill has passed its first reading — but support from National and NZ First was minimal and cautious. This isn’t just a Treaty issue. It’s a bill that could reshape how all law...
open.substack.com
May 24, 2025 at 3:31 AM
The Regulatory Standards Bill had its first reading yesterday. National and NZ First barely spoke — but voted it through to select committee. This isn’t just about the Treaty. It’s a sweeping attempt to rewrite how law works in NZ. The quiet tells a story — and it’s worth paying attention to.
Reminder, it's Open Christchurch architecture festival this weekend. A chance to see dozens of great local buildings for free. Check the opening times at openchch.nz and make yourself a list.
Open Christchurch | Discover Ōtautahi through architecture
Ōtautahi’s annual festival of architectural excellence is back on 2-4 May 2025.
openchch.nz
May 1, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Reminder, it's Open Christchurch architecture festival this weekend. A chance to see dozens of great local buildings for free. Check the opening times at openchch.nz and make yourself a list.
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
This is an excellent and thorough read on how we ended up with the UK Supreme Court ruling novaramedia.com/2025/04/29/h...
How the UK Establishment Crushed Trans Rights | Novara Media
From the Guardian to Westminster, why do the British media and political class consistently unite to manufacture consent for laws that make the lives of the working class, migrants and minorities wors...
novaramedia.com
May 1, 2025 at 1:36 AM
This is an excellent and thorough read on how we ended up with the UK Supreme Court ruling novaramedia.com/2025/04/29/h...
Reposted by Douglas Horrell
As a Muslim kiwi I will clearly say that the NZ chief human rights commissioner is a threat to our lives here in Aotearoa New Zealand and his reported words in the media are is basically inciting violence against a community that has already paid with their lives because of racism like his.
May 1, 2025 at 12:20 AM
As a Muslim kiwi I will clearly say that the NZ chief human rights commissioner is a threat to our lives here in Aotearoa New Zealand and his reported words in the media are is basically inciting violence against a community that has already paid with their lives because of racism like his.
Being a card carrying wood nerd, @cleftcraft refers to the magical technique of cleaving - controlling splits in a log to get a desired shape or sized piece. It never gets old to hear the musical pop sound before it splits open.
April 25, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Being a card carrying wood nerd, @cleftcraft refers to the magical technique of cleaving - controlling splits in a log to get a desired shape or sized piece. It never gets old to hear the musical pop sound before it splits open.
It's so useful when people make images available legally. This will be great.
To help activists understand how to correctly use Wikipedia and WikiCommons to get the facts out there without running afoul of the rules, I'm running a free online workshop on 22 May, 7pm NZST. Open to anyone, lots of practical examples. wikipedia-for-activists-may-2025.lilregie.com
April 21, 2025 at 7:39 AM
It's so useful when people make images available legally. This will be great.
Rainy day wood carving here in Ōtautahi. I'm making a giant tea mug or kuksa out of red alder, because the cold weather turns one's mind to hot beverages.
🧶🇳🇿
#greenwoodworking
#woodcarving
#kuksa
🧶🇳🇿
#greenwoodworking
#woodcarving
#kuksa
April 21, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Rainy day wood carving here in Ōtautahi. I'm making a giant tea mug or kuksa out of red alder, because the cold weather turns one's mind to hot beverages.
🧶🇳🇿
#greenwoodworking
#woodcarving
#kuksa
🧶🇳🇿
#greenwoodworking
#woodcarving
#kuksa
Done! Closes 1pm today folks. That they'd want to take this to a referendum currently is just bizarre, but it only takes a minute to submit.
April 16, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Done! Closes 1pm today folks. That they'd want to take this to a referendum currently is just bizarre, but it only takes a minute to submit.