Dr Bex
@drbex.bsky.social
She/her. Pākehā. Community Psychology. Food insecurity. Mum of 4. Aotearoa.
Reposted by Dr Bex
Marc Daalder on why the new LNG terminal is likely to shape up as a bad financial and climate decision.
Examines Watts and Luxons facile talking points and takes them apart.
Should be material for Hipkins but will he use it?
Examines Watts and Luxons facile talking points and takes them apart.
Should be material for Hipkins but will he use it?
Why the new LNG terminal could raise, not lower, your power bill
Analysis: Energy Minister Simon Watts is confident importing gas will lower power prices, but questions remain about the scheme and its costs.
newsroom.co.nz
February 9, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Marc Daalder on why the new LNG terminal is likely to shape up as a bad financial and climate decision.
Examines Watts and Luxons facile talking points and takes them apart.
Should be material for Hipkins but will he use it?
Examines Watts and Luxons facile talking points and takes them apart.
Should be material for Hipkins but will he use it?
Reposted by Dr Bex
National is going to raise your power prices to pay for a facility that might never be used, simply to create the illusion that gas has a future and discourage industrial users from switching.
What a waste of money
What a waste of money
Watch live: Taranaki's Liquefied Natural Gas import facility expected to save New Zealanders millions
Watch live: Taranaki's Liquefied Natural Gas import facility expected to save New Zealanders millions
Energy Minister Simon Watts on Monday announced a contract was expected to be signed by the middle of the year.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 9, 2026 at 4:27 AM
National is going to raise your power prices to pay for a facility that might never be used, simply to create the illusion that gas has a future and discourage industrial users from switching.
What a waste of money
What a waste of money
Reposted by Dr Bex
Im so fucking angry at this complete waste of money
Literally setting on fire millions of dollars to then burn our planet more 🙃🙃🙃
Literally setting on fire millions of dollars to then burn our planet more 🙃🙃🙃
Watch live: Taranaki's Liquefied Natural Gas import facility expected to save New Zealanders millions
Watch live: Taranaki's Liquefied Natural Gas import facility expected to save New Zealanders millions
Energy Minister Simon Watts on Monday announced a contract was expected to be signed by the middle of the year.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 9, 2026 at 5:28 AM
Im so fucking angry at this complete waste of money
Literally setting on fire millions of dollars to then burn our planet more 🙃🙃🙃
Literally setting on fire millions of dollars to then burn our planet more 🙃🙃🙃
Reposted by Dr Bex
Save millions?
How much have the monthly one in a hundred year floods been costing the country?
You absolute climate criminal ghouls.
How much have the monthly one in a hundred year floods been costing the country?
You absolute climate criminal ghouls.
Watch live: Taranaki's Liquefied Natural Gas import facility expected to save New Zealanders millions
Watch live: Taranaki's Liquefied Natural Gas import facility expected to save New Zealanders millions
Energy Minister Simon Watts on Monday announced a contract was expected to be signed by the middle of the year.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 9, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Save millions?
How much have the monthly one in a hundred year floods been costing the country?
You absolute climate criminal ghouls.
How much have the monthly one in a hundred year floods been costing the country?
You absolute climate criminal ghouls.
Reposted by Dr Bex
WTAF?!
I don’t want to pay for this. I don’t want to contribute to climate change. We don’t need LNG. We need more renewables and battery storage.
This makes me so mad, I cannot describe how stupid & short sighted it is because I will just end up rage-ranting.
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
I don’t want to pay for this. I don’t want to contribute to climate change. We don’t need LNG. We need more renewables and battery storage.
This makes me so mad, I cannot describe how stupid & short sighted it is because I will just end up rage-ranting.
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
New electricity levy ‘not a tax’, PM says as Hipkins deems proposal ‘another kick’ for Kiwi households
The Government has short-listed possible proposals for a liquefied natural gas import facility.
www.stuff.co.nz
February 9, 2026 at 6:20 AM
WTAF?!
I don’t want to pay for this. I don’t want to contribute to climate change. We don’t need LNG. We need more renewables and battery storage.
This makes me so mad, I cannot describe how stupid & short sighted it is because I will just end up rage-ranting.
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
I don’t want to pay for this. I don’t want to contribute to climate change. We don’t need LNG. We need more renewables and battery storage.
This makes me so mad, I cannot describe how stupid & short sighted it is because I will just end up rage-ranting.
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
Reposted by Dr Bex
NZ building a fossil gas import terminal in the #climatecrisis could be Luxon’s most STUPID idea yet.
Why not spend that BILLION dollars on household solar and battery installation?
Would be safer, more resilient, provide cheaper power and climate-friendly.
#nzpol
Why not spend that BILLION dollars on household solar and battery installation?
Would be safer, more resilient, provide cheaper power and climate-friendly.
#nzpol
February 9, 2026 at 7:00 AM
NZ building a fossil gas import terminal in the #climatecrisis could be Luxon’s most STUPID idea yet.
Why not spend that BILLION dollars on household solar and battery installation?
Would be safer, more resilient, provide cheaper power and climate-friendly.
#nzpol
Why not spend that BILLION dollars on household solar and battery installation?
Would be safer, more resilient, provide cheaper power and climate-friendly.
#nzpol
Reposted by Dr Bex
Oh, so just caught up with the news - new taxes can just disappear by calling them levies. Sweet. That wealth levy of ours should now be supported by everyone. Labour can go bolder with its CGL
February 9, 2026 at 6:49 AM
Oh, so just caught up with the news - new taxes can just disappear by calling them levies. Sweet. That wealth levy of ours should now be supported by everyone. Labour can go bolder with its CGL
Reposted by Dr Bex
ONE BILLION DOLLARS.
IT WAS THE ADDITIONAL ONE BILLION THAT MADE THEM STOP THE DUNEDIN HOSPITAL AND IREX.
No money for hospitals or the ferries, money to prop up fossil fuels.
IT WAS THE ADDITIONAL ONE BILLION THAT MADE THEM STOP THE DUNEDIN HOSPITAL AND IREX.
No money for hospitals or the ferries, money to prop up fossil fuels.
Given all the really important shit that this government says we "can't afford" it's amazing what they manage to find money for.
'Strategic energy security asset': Govt reveals plans for $1b LNG import facility
Luxon warned New Zealand is experiencing swiftly declining gas supply.
www.nzherald.co.nz
February 9, 2026 at 7:54 AM
ONE BILLION DOLLARS.
IT WAS THE ADDITIONAL ONE BILLION THAT MADE THEM STOP THE DUNEDIN HOSPITAL AND IREX.
No money for hospitals or the ferries, money to prop up fossil fuels.
IT WAS THE ADDITIONAL ONE BILLION THAT MADE THEM STOP THE DUNEDIN HOSPITAL AND IREX.
No money for hospitals or the ferries, money to prop up fossil fuels.
Reposted by Dr Bex
Hot take but a lot of opposition to “e-bikes” is just opposition to bikes in general. E-bikes are not quieter than acoustic bikes, when any bike is noisy it’s almost always noisy brakes or chain which apply to both types of bikes
February 8, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Hot take but a lot of opposition to “e-bikes” is just opposition to bikes in general. E-bikes are not quieter than acoustic bikes, when any bike is noisy it’s almost always noisy brakes or chain which apply to both types of bikes
Reposted by Dr Bex
Helen Petousis-Harris's piece on how the WHO is vital for New Zealand just nails it. While I am here, can I also just say that @helenp-h.bsky.social is a national treasure. theconversation.com/who-membersh...
WHO membership doesn’t threaten NZ’s sovereignty – walking away from it would
The World Health Organization is a global body, but decisions affecting New Zealand are made in Wellington, not in Geneva.
theconversation.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Helen Petousis-Harris's piece on how the WHO is vital for New Zealand just nails it. While I am here, can I also just say that @helenp-h.bsky.social is a national treasure. theconversation.com/who-membersh...
Reposted by Dr Bex
This whole article and not a single mention of National's genius "rates cap" 🙄. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Calls for investigation into Moa Point Treatment Plant failure
PM Christopher Luxon told Morning Report the failure was "catastrophic" and he would be further talking with the mayor later on Monday.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 8, 2026 at 8:04 PM
This whole article and not a single mention of National's genius "rates cap" 🙄. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Reposted by Dr Bex
The men who won’t grow up. One of the most boorish, uncivil man in politics can’t bear it when he even thinks he’s getting challenged. He’s as squeamish as Seymour about criticism, they dish it but can’t take it and may even make stuff up so they can play victim. #nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
District Court Judge Ema Aitken faces Judicial Conduct Panel for disrupting NZ First event
Ema Aitken is accused of shouting that party leader Winston Peters was lying during a function at Auckland's exclusive Northern Club in 2024.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 8, 2026 at 7:55 PM
The men who won’t grow up. One of the most boorish, uncivil man in politics can’t bear it when he even thinks he’s getting challenged. He’s as squeamish as Seymour about criticism, they dish it but can’t take it and may even make stuff up so they can play victim. #nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Dr Bex
This is also the way to protect people from cars.
Minneapolis tells residents to stop building anti-ICE barricades, but they keep popping up
Minneapolis officials are urging residents not to block traffic as neighbors build makeshift checkpoints to slow and track federal immigration agents.
www.startribune.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:44 PM
This is also the way to protect people from cars.
Reposted by Dr Bex
Last week to submit on the NZ government’s Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, that would weaken environmental protection and reduce the ability of people to have a say in decision making.
Forest and Bird have produced submission guidance from their perspective:
Forest and Bird have produced submission guidance from their perspective:
Submission guide: Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill
Resource management law has a direct impact on whether nature in Aotearoa thrives or declines.
www.forestandbird.org.nz
February 7, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Last week to submit on the NZ government’s Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, that would weaken environmental protection and reduce the ability of people to have a say in decision making.
Forest and Bird have produced submission guidance from their perspective:
Forest and Bird have produced submission guidance from their perspective:
Reposted by Dr Bex
My favorite things to see while cycling are dogs with sticks and three kids on the back of a @ternbicycles.com electric cargo bike. Three!
The world would be a better place if most people got around by bike.
The world would be a better place if most people got around by bike.
February 6, 2026 at 6:22 PM
My favorite things to see while cycling are dogs with sticks and three kids on the back of a @ternbicycles.com electric cargo bike. Three!
The world would be a better place if most people got around by bike.
The world would be a better place if most people got around by bike.
Reposted by Dr Bex
We need a lot more of the kind of reflections that Justin Tipa and Luke Malpass offered this weekend- time to come together to solve these difficult collective problems NZ faces rather than point scoring on social media (note to myself as well!) www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
New Zealand’s crisis is political, not just plumbing
OPINION: The failure of sewage systems is symbolic: the choices not to spend on long-term problems, in favour of borrowing up to chase short-term votes.
www.thepost.co.nz
February 6, 2026 at 11:07 PM
We need a lot more of the kind of reflections that Justin Tipa and Luke Malpass offered this weekend- time to come together to solve these difficult collective problems NZ faces rather than point scoring on social media (note to myself as well!) www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
Reposted by Dr Bex
We have ground-water here that is being purposefully destroyed and the nature along with it
The sudden disappearance of a small native fish from Canterbury’s rivers has broken an ancient cycle, revealing how the Rakaia River is being steadily drained of life and energy.
Video by @aldenwilliams. Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for more.
Video by @aldenwilliams. Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for more.
February 6, 2026 at 7:35 PM
We have ground-water here that is being purposefully destroyed and the nature along with it
Reposted by Dr Bex
The sudden disappearance of a small native fish from Canterbury’s rivers has broken an ancient cycle, revealing how the Rakaia River is being steadily drained of life and energy.
Video by @aldenwilliams. Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for more.
Video by @aldenwilliams. Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for more.
February 6, 2026 at 7:34 PM
The sudden disappearance of a small native fish from Canterbury’s rivers has broken an ancient cycle, revealing how the Rakaia River is being steadily drained of life and energy.
Video by @aldenwilliams. Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for more.
Video by @aldenwilliams. Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for more.
Reposted by Dr Bex
ECan has trashed a whole river by prioritising farming.
The sudden disappearance of a small native fish from Canterbury’s rivers has broken an ancient cycle, revealing how the Rakaia River is being steadily drained of life and energy.
Video by @aldenwilliams. Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for more.
Video by @aldenwilliams. Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for more.
February 6, 2026 at 10:57 PM
ECan has trashed a whole river by prioritising farming.
Reposted by Dr Bex
Had a go at reframing the critical minerals conversation from being so very strongly focused on the inevitability of mining.
Technology is materials hungry, yes, but that is not all it is…
newsroom.co.nz/2026/02/07/c...
Technology is materials hungry, yes, but that is not all it is…
newsroom.co.nz/2026/02/07/c...
Critical minerals and the materials we make from them are not the same
Opinion from Auckland University: The geopolitical conversation might be about minerals, but the technological need is for materials. The distinction is important, writes Nicola Gaston.
newsroom.co.nz
February 6, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Had a go at reframing the critical minerals conversation from being so very strongly focused on the inevitability of mining.
Technology is materials hungry, yes, but that is not all it is…
newsroom.co.nz/2026/02/07/c...
Technology is materials hungry, yes, but that is not all it is…
newsroom.co.nz/2026/02/07/c...
Reposted by Dr Bex
This week's lies, damn lies, and green shoots award goes to Brad Olsen (via Susan Edmunds). This is a particularly disgusting use of data - like so bad that the article should be removed. Let's have a look... [🧵 1/n]
February 6, 2026 at 8:52 PM
This week's lies, damn lies, and green shoots award goes to Brad Olsen (via Susan Edmunds). This is a particularly disgusting use of data - like so bad that the article should be removed. Let's have a look... [🧵 1/n]
There are wide-reaching lifetime impacts from inadequate supports. Disability should not - and doesn’t need to be - a precursor for hardship. Yet our statistics on this remain embarrassingly stagnant:
open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
A radically different approach is needed to address material deprivation and grinding poverty
The stats remain grim
open.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:03 PM
There are wide-reaching lifetime impacts from inadequate supports. Disability should not - and doesn’t need to be - a precursor for hardship. Yet our statistics on this remain embarrassingly stagnant:
open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
open.substack.com/pub/drbex/p/...
Reposted by Dr Bex
A timely reread on the TPU.
“Imagine if an organisation that raised millions of dollars from unknown donors and employed almost as many people as the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment tried to influence the election.”
Millions pouring in misinformation pouring out. #NZpol 1/2
“Imagine if an organisation that raised millions of dollars from unknown donors and employed almost as many people as the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment tried to influence the election.”
Millions pouring in misinformation pouring out. #NZpol 1/2
Chiding in plain sight
Inside the Taxpayers’ Union’s in-your-face push for change. Part 1 of a 2 part series.
newsroom.co.nz
February 6, 2026 at 7:10 PM
A timely reread on the TPU.
“Imagine if an organisation that raised millions of dollars from unknown donors and employed almost as many people as the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment tried to influence the election.”
Millions pouring in misinformation pouring out. #NZpol 1/2
“Imagine if an organisation that raised millions of dollars from unknown donors and employed almost as many people as the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment tried to influence the election.”
Millions pouring in misinformation pouring out. #NZpol 1/2
Reposted by Dr Bex
it's not just that Mamdani is charming af (he is), it's that he is normalizing the idea that children are full members of society that we all share a collective responsibility for
From @acyn.bsky.social (posted on X)
"Reporter: Do any of you have a favorite animal?
Child: My favorite one is a gold snake that can move. It has gold eyes, and it has a super-duper tail…
Reporter: Mr. Mamdani, the second question for you.
Mamdani: Yes. It’s also the golden snake."
"Reporter: Do any of you have a favorite animal?
Child: My favorite one is a gold snake that can move. It has gold eyes, and it has a super-duper tail…
Reporter: Mr. Mamdani, the second question for you.
Mamdani: Yes. It’s also the golden snake."
February 6, 2026 at 5:19 PM
it's not just that Mamdani is charming af (he is), it's that he is normalizing the idea that children are full members of society that we all share a collective responsibility for
Reposted by Dr Bex
Wellington sewage story is a story of #NZ. Now shit has hit the literal fan, people care. But the issues of water infrastructure goes back decades. It's why National commissioned 3 Waters in 2017 & Labour accelerated its completion. National repealed that & their own version costs $9b more w/delays
February 6, 2026 at 5:21 AM
Wellington sewage story is a story of #NZ. Now shit has hit the literal fan, people care. But the issues of water infrastructure goes back decades. It's why National commissioned 3 Waters in 2017 & Labour accelerated its completion. National repealed that & their own version costs $9b more w/delays