Quentin McDonald
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dqmcd.bsky.social
Quentin McDonald
@dqmcd.bsky.social
Ōtautahi/Christchurch He/Him
Aka Q

Toitū te Tiriti

Otherwise I am probably not the droid you are looking for.
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
You don't need to be a party member to phonebank. We win when we work together:
To help the Greens phonebank, click here: www.greens.org.nz/volunteer
To help Labour phonebank, click here: www.labour.org.nz/volunteer/
To help Te Pati Maori phonebank, click here: www.maoriparty.org.nz/volunteer
#nzpol
Volunteer
Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing New Zealand.
www.greens.org.nz
February 13, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
To call the government’s idea of an LNG terminal a stupid idea is an insult to actual real life stupid ideas. It makes zero economic sense now, and it will make even less economic sense every year hereafter
February 10, 2026 at 6:59 AM
Post a banger not in English

Works remarkably well, clever way to bring life to an old great.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPSo...
February 10, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Post a banger not in English

Knew my high school French teacher was a fraud when he couldn't (or declined to) translate this for us.

youtu.be/ZI8mf1N9lrU?...
February 10, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Only GenX will have the intestinal fortitude to watch this at night, alone in the house, with the lights off.
ITV Retro has put all of the science-fantasy series “Sapphire and Steel” (1979–1982) on YouTube. www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Stars David McCallum and Joanna Lumley and very cheap production. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphir...
Sapphire and Steel - YouTube
The time-hopping adventures of two agents with super-human powers.
www.youtube.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 AM
"Embarrassing". It was the application that was embarrassing, not the rejection.

I'm reminded of the sign you used to see in dairies. "Please don't ask for credit as refusal might offend".

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Mining sector says Taranaki seabed plan rejection 'embarrassing'
A group representing the mining sector insists the decision rejecting the Taranaki seabed mining proposal is not final.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 6, 2026 at 5:40 AM
Is it just me or are we finally actually seeing the media giving more space to the Greens on the environment?

Green Party celebrates decision to decline Taranaki seabed mining www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Green Party celebrates decision to decline Taranaki seabed mining
In a draft decision, the fast-track approvals panel declined a bid to mine 50m tonnes of seabed a year for 30 years in the South Taranaki Bight.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 5, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
Under the National ACT NZ First coalition, more people are without jobs than at any time in over ten years. The highest unemployment rate in a decade 🫤

Food banks are overwhelmed. Homelessness is rampant. Even those with jobs are struggling as groceries and bills rise faster than wages 💔
February 4, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
The economy is only this bad because of Labour's mismanagement over nine long years (2017-2026)
February 4, 2026 at 12:13 AM
I don’t know Rolleston very well but I’ve always thought of it as very “middle” NZ. If food bank demand is growing there are we back on track yet?

www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
Desperate Rolleston families are driving 30 kilometres to Darfield for food
A food bank manager is imploring Rolleston to look after its own hungry families as resources in outlying rural towns reach breaking point.
www.thepress.co.nz
February 3, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
They are more or less tied because they know we will choose a National led or Labour led govt and a 50-50 chance is good enough of Labour. As for the people, the last couple of decades of following politics has made me realize people care more about hurting others than improving their own position.
"The last time company failures were at that level was during the global financial crisis (GFC)"

Yet Labour & National are more or less tied 10months out from an election.

FFS
February 2, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
You get a text from a reporter. She wants to talk to you about a "fireball".

Do you a) worry, b) remember you're an astronomer and ask "which one"?

For me, it's b) -- here's my thoughts on talking on TV about lights in the sky, a great citizen science project, and how everything connects...
Great Balls of Fire: Saturday Night Science
Picture this. You've noticed a couple of texts and missed calls. They're from a reporter. Who wants to talk about a "fireball".
excursionset.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:22 PM
I don't know why but my son thought to search the Epstein files for "Christchurch". Turns out someone from here worked on his yacht.

Just feels like the tentacles reach everywhere.
February 1, 2026 at 5:20 AM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
every epstein file drop underscores how elite power operates through shared socio-economic networks, regardless of people's ideological differences, populist posturing, or public feuds
January 30, 2026 at 11:58 PM
"My religious beliefs demand some racism" is quite a position to take.

www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
Councillor refuses to attend meeting because it’s at a marae
Steve Gibson said the venue had changed “at the eleventh hour” from a “neutral civic venue to a marae”.
www.stuff.co.nz
January 29, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Predator Free Wellington’s impact report is amazing. Not just as a conservation project but as a social movement

reports.pfw.org.nz/2024-25-impa...
2024/25 Impact Report
Our 2024/25 impact report showcases 'what we're made of'. Learn how we've continued to innovate, overcome challenges, made more of the city predator free and so much more!
reports.pfw.org.nz
January 28, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
Kahurangi Carter has become the first candidate to announce their bid for the central Christchurch seat at the coming general election.
Green Party eyes central Christchurch seat at coming election
Kahurangi Carter has become the first candidate to announce their bid for the central Christchurch seat at the coming general election.
dlvr.it
January 26, 2026 at 3:09 PM
This little fluff ball was one of two that followed me for a surprisingly long time as I did a trapline in the wet bush this morning. At times they brushed gently against me.

I know they only want the bugs I stir up but I like to imagine the are saying "thanks" as well.
January 26, 2026 at 6:44 AM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
If you want to count the votes quicker then you shouldn't have changed the law preventing people from updating their address in the two weeks prior to election, meaning more people will be casting special votes

www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
Minister and commission’s stoush over 20-day wait for special votes
The Electoral Commission says it will still take 20 days to count votes this year, despite a law change - but Paul Goldsmith is adamant they can go faster.
www.thepost.co.nz
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
This post calling Noem her friend is still up on Judith Collins facebook by the way, and there really aren't ANY good reasons at this point as to why NZ media aren't constantly pressuring her about it
January 24, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Yes, exactly. A simple test we can all do - go to a political meeting. Which candidates are in the kitchen with a tea-towel or in the hall with a vacuum cleaner afterwards? Some of the most effective MPs I've ever met you'll always see being the first to help clean up.
My evidence for this: just look at who is on the ground right now co-ordinating assistance and support for communities overwhelmed by the weather: it’s not rocket science.
January 24, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
When one of your security guarantors becomes the primary threat to the system that kept you safe, you're not in an alliance anymore. You're in a protection racket with uncertain terms. This is no longer rhetorical. #lessonsfromamerica
January 24, 2026 at 7:20 PM
I expect Minnesota’s premier news team is all over the troubling events there.
January 24, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Reposted by Quentin McDonald
With alt text added, from the Green Party of Aotearoa
January 22, 2026 at 9:00 PM