Peter Ashford
@peterashford.bsky.social
Software engineer. Dad. Ex game-dev.
I like talking to nice people.
No unsolicited DMs, please
I like talking to nice people.
No unsolicited DMs, please
Reposted by Peter Ashford
Reposted by Peter Ashford
NZ has not really come to terms with how far developed the disinfo networks were that led to riots and flames on the parliament grounds.
It's been brushed off as individual cookers without much serious introspection in public of the information ecosystem and funding conditions that led to it.
It's been brushed off as individual cookers without much serious introspection in public of the information ecosystem and funding conditions that led to it.
February 17, 2026 at 5:43 AM
NZ has not really come to terms with how far developed the disinfo networks were that led to riots and flames on the parliament grounds.
It's been brushed off as individual cookers without much serious introspection in public of the information ecosystem and funding conditions that led to it.
It's been brushed off as individual cookers without much serious introspection in public of the information ecosystem and funding conditions that led to it.
Reposted by Peter Ashford
Our electricity bills have lost any relationship with the real costs of generating and distributing electrons. The whole point is to provide dividends to the government, so they’re effectively taxation by other means
#nzpol
#nzpol
If you feel like your Electricity bill is out of control – it is. Prices are up 11.5% this year alone. Prices are up 21% from 2023, with the majority of the increase happening since June 2024. Don’t worry though – the government is planning on adding to your bill with a new tax!
February 17, 2026 at 5:03 AM
Our electricity bills have lost any relationship with the real costs of generating and distributing electrons. The whole point is to provide dividends to the government, so they’re effectively taxation by other means
#nzpol
#nzpol
Reposted by Peter Ashford
Easy win for Labour to wholesale endorse the Infrastructure Commission's blueprint & invite the govt to (continue to) act against good faith expert advice.
February 16, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Easy win for Labour to wholesale endorse the Infrastructure Commission's blueprint & invite the govt to (continue to) act against good faith expert advice.
Reposted by Peter Ashford
I miss Jacinda Ardern and her comforting words in trying times like these. But naaaaah. People don't like the way she talked. Now we got an out of touch thumb walking around.
#nzpol
#nzpol
February 17, 2026 at 4:09 AM
I miss Jacinda Ardern and her comforting words in trying times like these. But naaaaah. People don't like the way she talked. Now we got an out of touch thumb walking around.
#nzpol
#nzpol
Reposted by Peter Ashford
Back on Track™️
#nzpol
#nzpol
Food prices experience largest monthly rise in four years as grocery prices jump
Takeaway coffee and chocolate prices have risen sharply.
www.nzherald.co.nz
February 16, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Back on Track™️
#nzpol
#nzpol
Reposted by Peter Ashford
outsourcing is superficially attractive to executives and chairs because it would *appear* to also transfer accountability, introducing another layer between operator-management-governance. but when things go catastrophically wrong the outsourced operation is no protection against accountability
February 17, 2026 at 5:04 AM
outsourcing is superficially attractive to executives and chairs because it would *appear* to also transfer accountability, introducing another layer between operator-management-governance. but when things go catastrophically wrong the outsourced operation is no protection against accountability
Reposted by Peter Ashford
Now we wait for them to disestablish the Infrastructure Commission like they did the Productivity Commission
NEW: The Infra Commission just released its official plan, and it's a massive challenge to the Govt and NZ to:
- Trim transport spending
- Double spending on renewal/maintenance
- Spend twice as much on hospitals
- Trim transport spending
- Double spending on renewal/maintenance
- Spend twice as much on hospitals
February 16, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Now we wait for them to disestablish the Infrastructure Commission like they did the Productivity Commission
Reposted by Peter Ashford
If the Labour Party can't commit to repealing these anti-workers rights reforms it should change its name.
📢 "Workers who should be employees will be denied basic entitlements just because a company wants to call them a contractor," a spokesperson for union E tū says.
Govt's controversial employment relations bill passes third reading
www.1news.co.nz
February 17, 2026 at 5:34 AM
If the Labour Party can't commit to repealing these anti-workers rights reforms it should change its name.
Reposted by Peter Ashford
#nzpol Prices for basics are rising again at a rate much faster than wages, new data from Stats NZ shows. 70% of workers got a pay rise less than 3% last year and 44% got no pay rise at all. Food prices rose 4.6% overall, with the price of white bread rising 58% this year. A 🧵
February 17, 2026 at 2:45 AM
#nzpol Prices for basics are rising again at a rate much faster than wages, new data from Stats NZ shows. 70% of workers got a pay rise less than 3% last year and 44% got no pay rise at all. Food prices rose 4.6% overall, with the price of white bread rising 58% this year. A 🧵
Reposted by Peter Ashford
February 17, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Reposted by Peter Ashford
#NZpol
“Levying billions of dollars of charges onto every New Zealand family and business to increase our dependence on overseas fossil fuels is crazy,”
— NZGBC chief executive Andrew Eagles
Yes, it really *is* beyond economic madness to push LNG. Definitely some very ugly quid pro quo going down.
“Levying billions of dollars of charges onto every New Zealand family and business to increase our dependence on overseas fossil fuels is crazy,”
— NZGBC chief executive Andrew Eagles
Yes, it really *is* beyond economic madness to push LNG. Definitely some very ugly quid pro quo going down.
February 16, 2026 at 3:39 AM
#NZpol
“Levying billions of dollars of charges onto every New Zealand family and business to increase our dependence on overseas fossil fuels is crazy,”
— NZGBC chief executive Andrew Eagles
Yes, it really *is* beyond economic madness to push LNG. Definitely some very ugly quid pro quo going down.
“Levying billions of dollars of charges onto every New Zealand family and business to increase our dependence on overseas fossil fuels is crazy,”
— NZGBC chief executive Andrew Eagles
Yes, it really *is* beyond economic madness to push LNG. Definitely some very ugly quid pro quo going down.
Reposted by Peter Ashford
China - installs 5GW renewable every week
UK - cues up 1.3GW new wind before 2029
Ukraine - installs 1.3GW solar in a year during war
New Zealand - Installs 45% profit margins for gas addicted cash cow gentailers
#nzpol
UK - cues up 1.3GW new wind before 2029
Ukraine - installs 1.3GW solar in a year during war
New Zealand - Installs 45% profit margins for gas addicted cash cow gentailers
#nzpol
February 16, 2026 at 3:09 AM
China - installs 5GW renewable every week
UK - cues up 1.3GW new wind before 2029
Ukraine - installs 1.3GW solar in a year during war
New Zealand - Installs 45% profit margins for gas addicted cash cow gentailers
#nzpol
UK - cues up 1.3GW new wind before 2029
Ukraine - installs 1.3GW solar in a year during war
New Zealand - Installs 45% profit margins for gas addicted cash cow gentailers
#nzpol
Reposted by Peter Ashford
“Immediate and transformative change to most human systems is required if we are to minimise species extinction and ecosystem collapse.”
Apropos of everything, a reminder the Greens have done a great deal of excellent mahi on responding to a crisis that should be top of the list for all leaders.
Apropos of everything, a reminder the Greens have done a great deal of excellent mahi on responding to a crisis that should be top of the list for all leaders.
Climate Change Policy
Tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti seek to mitigate climate harms by prioritising a cultural shift that addresses the root causes of climate change. This will be achieved by focusing on Te Tiriti o Wai...
www.greens.org.nz
February 16, 2026 at 4:15 AM
“Immediate and transformative change to most human systems is required if we are to minimise species extinction and ecosystem collapse.”
Apropos of everything, a reminder the Greens have done a great deal of excellent mahi on responding to a crisis that should be top of the list for all leaders.
Apropos of everything, a reminder the Greens have done a great deal of excellent mahi on responding to a crisis that should be top of the list for all leaders.
Reposted by Peter Ashford
State-sponsored rort. At the same time residential solar is over-regulated and overpriced. Yet the energy continues to fall from the skies and we are still cavemen freezing to death on a bed of coal.
We are being fleeced #nzpol
Experts forecast Meridian, Contact, Mercury and Genesis will report a combined operating profit of about $1.86 billion for the six months to the end of December ‒ an increase of about 45% on the same period last year.
February 16, 2026 at 2:50 AM
State-sponsored rort. At the same time residential solar is over-regulated and overpriced. Yet the energy continues to fall from the skies and we are still cavemen freezing to death on a bed of coal.
Reposted by Peter Ashford
Government’s plan to import LNG for electricity generation would cost households and businesses up to $8.3bn
Same volume of electricity could be delivered through a $2.5b investment in rooftop solar panels and hot water heat pumps
evsandbeyond.co.nz/solar-heat-p...
Same volume of electricity could be delivered through a $2.5b investment in rooftop solar panels and hot water heat pumps
evsandbeyond.co.nz/solar-heat-p...
Solar, heat pumps ‘lower cost’ path than LNG for electrification, says NZGBC
A new report argues New Zealand can meet its looming energy shortfall by accelerating rooftop solar and electric hot water
evsandbeyond.co.nz
February 15, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Government’s plan to import LNG for electricity generation would cost households and businesses up to $8.3bn
Same volume of electricity could be delivered through a $2.5b investment in rooftop solar panels and hot water heat pumps
evsandbeyond.co.nz/solar-heat-p...
Same volume of electricity could be delivered through a $2.5b investment in rooftop solar panels and hot water heat pumps
evsandbeyond.co.nz/solar-heat-p...
Reposted by Peter Ashford
Banks and now power companies are pillaging this country
But wait a moment, doesn't the NZ government part own the power companies
#nzpol
But wait a moment, doesn't the NZ government part own the power companies
#nzpol
Experts forecast Meridian, Contact, Mercury and Genesis will report a combined operating profit of about $1.86 billion for the six months to the end of December ‒ an increase of about 45% on the same period last year.
Big four power profits set to soar 45% as Contact Energy kicks off earning week
Experts forecast Meridian, Contact, Mercury and Genesis will report a combined operating profit of about $1.86 billion for the six months to the end of December ‒ an increase of about 45% on the same period last year.
dlvr.it
February 16, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Banks and now power companies are pillaging this country
But wait a moment, doesn't the NZ government part own the power companies
#nzpol
But wait a moment, doesn't the NZ government part own the power companies
#nzpol
Reposted by Peter Ashford
But wait a moment boofhead.
Isn't my taxpaying money paying for this charade.
So the National Party are not a partner of the ARL.
We, the taxpayers are.
You decided, we had not choice.
#nzpol
Isn't my taxpaying money paying for this charade.
So the National Party are not a partner of the ARL.
We, the taxpayers are.
You decided, we had not choice.
#nzpol
February 16, 2026 at 2:42 AM
But wait a moment boofhead.
Isn't my taxpaying money paying for this charade.
So the National Party are not a partner of the ARL.
We, the taxpayers are.
You decided, we had not choice.
#nzpol
Isn't my taxpaying money paying for this charade.
So the National Party are not a partner of the ARL.
We, the taxpayers are.
You decided, we had not choice.
#nzpol
Reposted by Peter Ashford
it is once again infuriating to me that the nz government puts notifications of emergencies and weather shit on platforms that *cannot be seen* by people who do not use those platforms.
February 15, 2026 at 6:04 PM
it is once again infuriating to me that the nz government puts notifications of emergencies and weather shit on platforms that *cannot be seen* by people who do not use those platforms.
Reposted by Peter Ashford
Really quick chart to show the rise of declared state of emergencies due to sever weather events. See the trend?
Also we are only 45 days into 2026!
Can we talk about climate change now?
#NZPol
Notes in Alt Text
Also we are only 45 days into 2026!
Can we talk about climate change now?
#NZPol
Notes in Alt Text
February 14, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Really quick chart to show the rise of declared state of emergencies due to sever weather events. See the trend?
Also we are only 45 days into 2026!
Can we talk about climate change now?
#NZPol
Notes in Alt Text
Also we are only 45 days into 2026!
Can we talk about climate change now?
#NZPol
Notes in Alt Text
Reposted by Peter Ashford
If you are in a perpetual cycle of response and recovery with inadequate preparation, planning and mitigation, no we are not getting good at this.
February 15, 2026 at 6:14 PM
If you are in a perpetual cycle of response and recovery with inadequate preparation, planning and mitigation, no we are not getting good at this.
Reposted by Peter Ashford
Men moving fast and breaking things demonstrates ownership as opposed to care. Fundamentals of care (nurturing, maintenance, sustenance, etc.) are devalued as tasks that make 'lesser' beings useful to the owners. Summarizing that everything is gender:
"women care, men own".
"women care, men own".
It's the caring labour of coding that is constantly rendered invisible. Real Men move fast and heroically break things, ripping the future into the present whether we like it or not.
Caring whether it's fit for purpose and methodically examining what's being proposed to assess it is for pussies.
Caring whether it's fit for purpose and methodically examining what's being proposed to assess it is for pussies.
February 15, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Men moving fast and breaking things demonstrates ownership as opposed to care. Fundamentals of care (nurturing, maintenance, sustenance, etc.) are devalued as tasks that make 'lesser' beings useful to the owners. Summarizing that everything is gender:
"women care, men own".
"women care, men own".
Reposted by Peter Ashford
Tone deaf and insulting as fuck as we have one dead and the entire Lower North Island under various states of emergency
We're all hunkering down in our homes with widespread flooding, transport disruption and damage.
Luxoff announcing this🤦🏻♂️
#nzpol
Luxoff announcing this🤦🏻♂️
#nzpol
Announcement: Auckland to host NZ's first State of Origin league match
Auckland will host the first official State of Origin match ever played in New Zealand in 2027, with the NRL confirming Eden Park as the venue for the history-making clash.
www.stuff.co.nz
February 15, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Tone deaf and insulting as fuck as we have one dead and the entire Lower North Island under various states of emergency
Reposted by Peter Ashford
The times I got death threats? They explicitly targeted me for believing climate change was real.
The times I was ridiculed and harassed by other councillors? When they reduced me to tears? It was for wanting to invest in climate action.
We chose this. But we don't have to.
The times I was ridiculed and harassed by other councillors? When they reduced me to tears? It was for wanting to invest in climate action.
We chose this. But we don't have to.
February 15, 2026 at 9:32 AM
The times I got death threats? They explicitly targeted me for believing climate change was real.
The times I was ridiculed and harassed by other councillors? When they reduced me to tears? It was for wanting to invest in climate action.
We chose this. But we don't have to.
The times I was ridiculed and harassed by other councillors? When they reduced me to tears? It was for wanting to invest in climate action.
We chose this. But we don't have to.