Michael Bain
@mikejbain.bsky.social
Single dad of 2, hiker, Feminist Christian, LGBTQIA+ ally, pro Māori & Tangata Tiriti. Loves wine, coffee & craft beer. He/him. Vaxxed. Views are my own.
Pinned
Michael Bain
@mikejbain.bsky.social
· Nov 25
Hi #SecretSantaAoNZ. It’s that time of the year again. I love NZ History, particularly Māori & settler colonial histories. Am enjoying listening to vinyl & love to see Māori run businesses supported. Oh, & I am a big football fan - Akl FC is my team. 🤭
Let’s be clear, Trump is an authoritarian and is acting like a dictator. This sums it up perfectly.
www.emilywrites.co.nz/when-is-it-o...
www.emilywrites.co.nz/when-is-it-o...
When is it OK to remove a dictator?
A friend asked me this morning if I was going to do an explainer on the United States bombing Venezuela overnight and kidnapping of their president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
F...
www.emilywrites.co.nz
January 4, 2026 at 6:27 AM
Let’s be clear, Trump is an authoritarian and is acting like a dictator. This sums it up perfectly.
www.emilywrites.co.nz/when-is-it-o...
www.emilywrites.co.nz/when-is-it-o...
Let’s be clear. The events in Venezuela were calculated, illegal & should concern all of us. This is Trump & his cronies attacking a sovereign nation simply because he didn’t like the regime. This is not the rules-based order. This is thuggery by a megalomaniac. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Airstrikes, helicopters and a snatch squad with a blowtorch: how the US raid on Caracas unfolded
Some suspected the attacks on Venezuela were coming, but the shock was still real and no one knows what will happen next
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Let’s be clear. The events in Venezuela were calculated, illegal & should concern all of us. This is Trump & his cronies attacking a sovereign nation simply because he didn’t like the regime. This is not the rules-based order. This is thuggery by a megalomaniac. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Happy European New Year to everyone. May this year called 2026 in the Gregorian calendar bring you joy, peace and growth. While there are plenty of places of pain, trauma and injustice, I hope you can find soulice and inspiration in the beauty around us, whether small or large.
December 31, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Happy European New Year to everyone. May this year called 2026 in the Gregorian calendar bring you joy, peace and growth. While there are plenty of places of pain, trauma and injustice, I hope you can find soulice and inspiration in the beauty around us, whether small or large.
Pope Leo reminding right-wing Christians how far from the gospel they have gone. I love it. Meri Kirihimete.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/5...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/5...
Denying help to the poor is rejection of God, Pope Leo says on Christmas Eve
"On Earth, there is no room for God if there is no room for the human person. To refuse one is to refuse the other," said the pope said, lamenting lack of care for children, the poor and immigrants.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 25, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Pope Leo reminding right-wing Christians how far from the gospel they have gone. I love it. Meri Kirihimete.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/5...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/5...
NZME shareholder & wealthy Canadian Jim Grenon is backing an alt-right influencer against a media organisation again - this time, Julian Batchelor v TVNZ. It is also Grenon attacking a media rival. Our media are under attack from the wealthy & the alt-right. We need to support our media. #nzpolitics
December 16, 2025 at 10:53 PM
NZME shareholder & wealthy Canadian Jim Grenon is backing an alt-right influencer against a media organisation again - this time, Julian Batchelor v TVNZ. It is also Grenon attacking a media rival. Our media are under attack from the wealthy & the alt-right. We need to support our media. #nzpolitics
Opening day for #SecretSantaAoNZ. Thank you so much to my Secret Santa. I love the gifts, particularly the book. I heard Margaret Mutu talk about the Waitangi Tribunal Roundtable about the Muriwhenua claim last month so getting the chance to dive deeper into the history is awesome. 🫶🏼
December 16, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Opening day for #SecretSantaAoNZ. Thank you so much to my Secret Santa. I love the gifts, particularly the book. I heard Margaret Mutu talk about the Waitangi Tribunal Roundtable about the Muriwhenua claim last month so getting the chance to dive deeper into the history is awesome. 🫶🏼
Thanks Luxon, Willis et al for f***ing our economy. This is all on you & your choices. #nzpol
Government financial position weaker than expected in May budget www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Government financial position weaker than expected in May budget www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Government financial position weaker than expected in May budget
The government's financial position is looking worse for longer with a delay in getting to surplus and bigger deficits, according to new Treasury forecasts.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Thanks Luxon, Willis et al for f***ing our economy. This is all on you & your choices. #nzpol
Government financial position weaker than expected in May budget www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Government financial position weaker than expected in May budget www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Australia’s Social Media Ban gets the Honest Government treatment and never have truer words been spoken. #nzpol
youtu.be/ZxRB5qWphJE?...
youtu.be/ZxRB5qWphJE?...
Honest Government Ad | Social Media Ban
YouTube video by thejuicemedia
youtu.be
December 14, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Australia’s Social Media Ban gets the Honest Government treatment and never have truer words been spoken. #nzpol
youtu.be/ZxRB5qWphJE?...
youtu.be/ZxRB5qWphJE?...
Wayne Brown’s mayoralty, bought to us by developers & billionaires. Question is, what do they want in return?
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/...
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/...
Big-money backing: The billionaires and developers who helped Brown to landslide win
Wayne Brown's financial backers include Graeme Hart and Marc Ellis.
www.nzherald.co.nz
December 12, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Wayne Brown’s mayoralty, bought to us by developers & billionaires. Question is, what do they want in return?
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/...
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/...
Erica wants to feed out kids AI slop, instead of nurturing critical thinking. This is a curriculum for the race to the bottom. It is shit & we must reject it completely. 1/2
www.emilywrites.co.nz/yup-theyre-u...
www.emilywrites.co.nz/yup-theyre-u...
Yup, they're using AI to develop the NZ curriculum
The Ministry of Education is using AI to develop the new curriculum for New Zealand students.
In a response to an Official Information Act request made by a member of the public and supplied to Emil...
www.emilywrites.co.nz
December 9, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Erica wants to feed out kids AI slop, instead of nurturing critical thinking. This is a curriculum for the race to the bottom. It is shit & we must reject it completely. 1/2
www.emilywrites.co.nz/yup-theyre-u...
www.emilywrites.co.nz/yup-theyre-u...
A social media ban will fail. We need clear research-based evidence supporting initiatives that support our tamariki, not moral panic campaigns. I just signed to call for the social media ban bill to be utterly rejected - will you join me? our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/st...
Stop the Social Media Age Ban (B416) - Support Taitamariki, Don't Restrict Them
Imagine if we actually supported taitamariki instead of restricting them
Picture this: A New Zealand where taitamariki are digitally literate, resilient, and empowered. Where whānau have the tools and...
our.actionstation.org.nz
December 7, 2025 at 8:10 PM
A social media ban will fail. We need clear research-based evidence supporting initiatives that support our tamariki, not moral panic campaigns. I just signed to call for the social media ban bill to be utterly rejected - will you join me? our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/st...
This is a great analysis & response but I have one question: do we stay the course when Erica labels our requests for school boards to commit to giving effect to Te Tiriti as “disgusting”?
www.engaginglearningvoices.com/post/erica-s...
www.engaginglearningvoices.com/post/erica-s...
Erica’s God Complex
by ELVWhy Our Sector’s Response Has Been Right All AlongSome days I sit with my coffee and wonder why Erica is so fiercely attached to the Education portfolio — clinging to it like a lifeline, insisti...
www.engaginglearningvoices.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:57 PM
This is a great analysis & response but I have one question: do we stay the course when Erica labels our requests for school boards to commit to giving effect to Te Tiriti as “disgusting”?
www.engaginglearningvoices.com/post/erica-s...
www.engaginglearningvoices.com/post/erica-s...
Gift is on the way. love this time of ghe year. #SecretSantaAoNZ
December 4, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Gift is on the way. love this time of ghe year. #SecretSantaAoNZ
Conference number 3 in 7 days. #AUT vice-chancellor Damon Salesa giving the opening address. #RethinkingTomorrow #CommunicationforSocialChange #Research
November 30, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Conference number 3 in 7 days. #AUT vice-chancellor Damon Salesa giving the opening address. #RethinkingTomorrow #CommunicationforSocialChange #Research
This government is too close with lobbyists. We need a lobbyist register so we know how just close those lobbyists are. #nzpol
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/... Social media ban: B416’s advocacy efforts to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Anna Mowbray disappointment amid legislation reveal
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/... Social media ban: B416’s advocacy efforts to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Anna Mowbray disappointment amid legislation reveal
‘Pretty disappointed’: Mowbray’s personal text to PM amid social media lobbying
The Herald has obtained texts and emails between the PM and the high-profile lobbyists.
www.nzherald.co.nz
November 29, 2025 at 8:30 PM
This government is too close with lobbyists. We need a lobbyist register so we know how just close those lobbyists are. #nzpol
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/... Social media ban: B416’s advocacy efforts to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Anna Mowbray disappointment amid legislation reveal
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/... Social media ban: B416’s advocacy efforts to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Anna Mowbray disappointment amid legislation reveal
Am loving the buzz at the Labour Party conference. It is something those on the right can never understand. It is about people. After every speaker, a waiata is sung in solidarity. This is what the future is like. All of us united, determined & hopeful. #nzpol #winitall
November 28, 2025 at 10:03 PM
November 28, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Hi #SecretSantaAoNZ. It’s that time of the year again. I love NZ History, particularly Māori & settler colonial histories. Am enjoying listening to vinyl & love to see Māori run businesses supported. Oh, & I am a big football fan - Akl FC is my team. 🤭
November 25, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Hi #SecretSantaAoNZ. It’s that time of the year again. I love NZ History, particularly Māori & settler colonial histories. Am enjoying listening to vinyl & love to see Māori run businesses supported. Oh, & I am a big football fan - Akl FC is my team. 🤭
Winston … the embodiment of performative politics. No votes in it so he won’t do it. NZ First? …. Yeah, right. Winston First. Always has been. Always will be. #nzpol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
NZ First tosses Labour's scheme to repeal Regulatory Standards Act in the scrap heap
Winston Peters says he does want to repeal the controversial law, but he won’t be supporting Labour’s bill to scrap it.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Winston … the embodiment of performative politics. No votes in it so he won’t do it. NZ First? …. Yeah, right. Winston First. Always has been. Always will be. #nzpol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
Day 1, Conference 1. Looking forward to an amazing day of interaction with fellow postgrads, & then the next 7 days of learning & networking. #PhDlife #lifelonglearning
November 24, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Day 1, Conference 1. Looking forward to an amazing day of interaction with fellow postgrads, & then the next 7 days of learning & networking. #PhDlife #lifelonglearning
Who cut the $1000 Kickstarter? National
Who reduced the minimum contribution to 3%? National
Who reduced the member tax credit from $1040 to $521? National
Who then reduced the same member tax credit from $521 to $260.72? National.
Don't believe National on Kiwisaver.
#nzpol
Who reduced the minimum contribution to 3%? National
Who reduced the member tax credit from $1040 to $521? National
Who then reduced the same member tax credit from $521 to $260.72? National.
Don't believe National on Kiwisaver.
#nzpol
November 22, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Who cut the $1000 Kickstarter? National
Who reduced the minimum contribution to 3%? National
Who reduced the member tax credit from $1040 to $521? National
Who then reduced the same member tax credit from $521 to $260.72? National.
Don't believe National on Kiwisaver.
#nzpol
Who reduced the minimum contribution to 3%? National
Who reduced the member tax credit from $1040 to $521? National
Who then reduced the same member tax credit from $521 to $260.72? National.
Don't believe National on Kiwisaver.
#nzpol
AUT’s Communication for Social Change Research Centre is holding its inaugural conference on 1-2 December.
Rethinking Tomorrow: Emerging Research for Social Change is a two-day event dedicated to addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time.
Register now for in-person or online.
Rethinking Tomorrow: Emerging Research for Social Change is a two-day event dedicated to addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time.
Register now for in-person or online.
November 20, 2025 at 2:43 AM
AUT’s Communication for Social Change Research Centre is holding its inaugural conference on 1-2 December.
Rethinking Tomorrow: Emerging Research for Social Change is a two-day event dedicated to addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time.
Register now for in-person or online.
Rethinking Tomorrow: Emerging Research for Social Change is a two-day event dedicated to addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time.
Register now for in-person or online.
Then WTAF did you vote for it days ago? Waste of money, time and resources. Winston doesn’t deserve to be back. #nzpol
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/... ‘We’ll get rid of it’: NZ First leader Winston Peters promises to repeal two-day-old Regulatory Standards Act
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/... ‘We’ll get rid of it’: NZ First leader Winston Peters promises to repeal two-day-old Regulatory Standards Act
Peters promises to repeal two-day old Regulatory Standards Act
"We will campaign at the next election to repeal it," says NZ First leader.
www.nzherald.co.nz
November 20, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Then WTAF did you vote for it days ago? Waste of money, time and resources. Winston doesn’t deserve to be back. #nzpol
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/... ‘We’ll get rid of it’: NZ First leader Winston Peters promises to repeal two-day-old Regulatory Standards Act
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/... ‘We’ll get rid of it’: NZ First leader Winston Peters promises to repeal two-day-old Regulatory Standards Act
Victory! Time to bugger off Bangerz.
Also, this shows the kind of person Seymour thinks should run a charter school - Rhys Michael Cullen (on the right), a former doctor with a criminal conviction who was struck off for professional misconduct in 2009. 1/3.
#nzpol
www.1news.co.nz/2025/11/19/t...
Also, this shows the kind of person Seymour thinks should run a charter school - Rhys Michael Cullen (on the right), a former doctor with a criminal conviction who was struck off for professional misconduct in 2009. 1/3.
#nzpol
www.1news.co.nz/2025/11/19/t...
Trust drops hostile takeover for Auckland state school
Bangerz Education and Wellbeing Trust wanted to convert Kelston Boys’ High School into a charter school.
www.1news.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Victory! Time to bugger off Bangerz.
Also, this shows the kind of person Seymour thinks should run a charter school - Rhys Michael Cullen (on the right), a former doctor with a criminal conviction who was struck off for professional misconduct in 2009. 1/3.
#nzpol
www.1news.co.nz/2025/11/19/t...
Also, this shows the kind of person Seymour thinks should run a charter school - Rhys Michael Cullen (on the right), a former doctor with a criminal conviction who was struck off for professional misconduct in 2009. 1/3.
#nzpol
www.1news.co.nz/2025/11/19/t...
Disgusting! This is an appalling abuse of power. That the minister campaigned on this project the money was moved to fund & the PM thinks this is ok, shows how this coalition is not about what is best for Kiwis, but what is best for themselves & their mates. #nzpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
PM backs minister's 'pragmatic' call to spend Kāinga Ora money on local bridge
Chris Bishop is rejecting criticism over a decision to reallocate funds to a walking and cycling bridge in his electorate.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 18, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Disgusting! This is an appalling abuse of power. That the minister campaigned on this project the money was moved to fund & the PM thinks this is ok, shows how this coalition is not about what is best for Kiwis, but what is best for themselves & their mates. #nzpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...