Simon Britten for Papanui
@thinkpapanui.bsky.social
Christchurch City Council candidate for Papanui. Second term Deputy Chair, Waipapa Community Board. Founder & curator of Think Papanui.
Authorised by Paul McMahon tpc@paulmcmahon.info.
Authorised by Paul McMahon tpc@paulmcmahon.info.
Rules for thee but not for me.
Incredible.
Incredible.
Turns out The Speaker, Gerry Brownlie, who has had hysterical conniptions over dress standards and a haka or 2 in parliament because they didn’t follow the rules hasn’t thought the rules applied to him for two decades.
The crass hypocrisy of yet another National MP beggars belief. #nzpol
The crass hypocrisy of yet another National MP beggars belief. #nzpol
February 12, 2026 at 5:26 AM
Rules for thee but not for me.
Incredible.
Incredible.
I wonder if anyone at Lyttelton Port Company, CCHL, or Christchurch City Council is following this news? Top Canadian pension fund halts deals with DP World over Epstein ties.
La Caisse suspends investments with Dubai-based DP World over chief executive's links to Epstein.
Top Canadian pension fund halts deals with UAE firm over Epstein ties
La Caisse suspends investments with Dubai-based DP World over chief executive's links to Epstein.
www.aljazeera.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:56 PM
I wonder if anyone at Lyttelton Port Company, CCHL, or Christchurch City Council is following this news? Top Canadian pension fund halts deals with DP World over Epstein ties.
I'm unsure if this 👇 is about a specific country, but irregardless, I think this is a pretty universal vibe right now.
February 10, 2026 at 5:57 AM
I'm unsure if this 👇 is about a specific country, but irregardless, I think this is a pretty universal vibe right now.
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
FYI I’ve opened this up for full public reading, listening & sharing after requests from paying subscribers. Their support allows me to do this kind of public interest journalism on Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate & poverty in public. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/why-not-sp...
Why not spend $2.7b on solar & batteries instead?
Govt to pay up to $180m/year or $2.7b over 15 years to lease LNG re-gasification plant, paid for by $15-$30 'levy' per household per year. That $2.7b would build four Benmore Dams worth of electricity
thekaka.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:59 AM
FYI I’ve opened this up for full public reading, listening & sharing after requests from paying subscribers. Their support allows me to do this kind of public interest journalism on Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate & poverty in public. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/why-not-sp...
The Government spending $2.7 billion of our dollars on a one billion dollar climate change acceleration project must surely be the thing that finally swings voters away, right?
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Right?
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Right?
February 10, 2026 at 2:55 AM
The Government spending $2.7 billion of our dollars on a one billion dollar climate change acceleration project must surely be the thing that finally swings voters away, right?
...
...
Right?
...
...
Right?
This is one of the best analogies I've seen.
I'm convinced AI is our generation's radium - a discovery with genuinely useful applications in specific, controlled circumstances that we stupidly put in everything from kid's toys to toothpaste until we realised the harm far too late where future generations will ask if we were out of our minds.
VC, founder, dumbass
February 9, 2026 at 5:05 AM
This is one of the best analogies I've seen.
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
Reminder our first event is tomorrow at Tūranga at 11am to 3pm. See you there. There will be tea/coffee and snacks!
Join us for an engaging and collaborative event hosted by Spokes Canterbury Cyclists Association as we work together to enhance cycling in Christchurch! We want to hear from you about your experiences and ideas for making our city more bike-friendly. 1/x Thread
February 7, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Reminder our first event is tomorrow at Tūranga at 11am to 3pm. See you there. There will be tea/coffee and snacks!
Yikes!
Youth unemployment rate is now over 16% (1 in 6). The underutilisation rate - young people wanting work or more work - is 38% ffs - 190,000 young kiwis. That's nearly half of the total. It took a fking decade for youth unemployment to recover last time. Same plan this time. No plan.
February 4, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Yikes!
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
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 💔
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
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 💔
Food banks are overwhelmed. Homelessness is rampant. Even those with jobs are struggling as groceries and bills rise faster than wages 💔
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
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
Kahurangi Carter has become the first candidate to announce their bid for the central Christchurch seat at the coming general election.
"strengthened targets would help with efforts to limit global warming.
There also would have been co-benefits from a stronger target, including greater energy security and improved health outcomes ... However, its analysis showed that would come at an economic cost to New Zealand."
How's that going?
There also would have been co-benefits from a stronger target, including greater energy security and improved health outcomes ... However, its analysis showed that would come at an economic cost to New Zealand."
How's that going?
Lest we forget: “Government rejects all of Climate Change Commission's emissions target recommendations”
“The move comes despite the Commission warning the effects of climate change are hitting New Zealand sooner and more severely than expected, and that NZ can and should be doing more.”
#nzpol
“The move comes despite the Commission warning the effects of climate change are hitting New Zealand sooner and more severely than expected, and that NZ can and should be doing more.”
#nzpol
Government rejects all of Climate Change Commission's emissions target recommendations
It comes despite a Climate Change Commission warning that New Zealand is being hit sooner and more severely than expected.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 22, 2026 at 7:47 PM
"strengthened targets would help with efforts to limit global warming.
There also would have been co-benefits from a stronger target, including greater energy security and improved health outcomes ... However, its analysis showed that would come at an economic cost to New Zealand."
How's that going?
There also would have been co-benefits from a stronger target, including greater energy security and improved health outcomes ... However, its analysis showed that would come at an economic cost to New Zealand."
How's that going?
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
ICYMI - Lianne Dalziel (who know what she’s talking about) on our Government’s inexplicable silence on matters which we should not be silent on.
#nzpol
#nzpol
NZ Govt's muted response to unlawful world events is cause for alarm
Comment: The climate of fear about speaking out on anything Trump says or does means we are in danger of enabling him to destroy the very idea of what the UN means, writes Lianne Dalziel.
newsroom.co.nz
January 17, 2026 at 10:29 PM
ICYMI - Lianne Dalziel (who know what she’s talking about) on our Government’s inexplicable silence on matters which we should not be silent on.
#nzpol
#nzpol
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
I’m trying this:
I’ve set up a Ko-Fi account & will be choosing a supporter at random to ‘win’ my girl (& future pieces). Any donations of $25 or more from now till 10am Monday 19th Jan could have her. PLEASE share widely & often 💗🫶🏼. #nzpol #Kikorangi
ko-fi.com/ciaraaxstitch
I’ve set up a Ko-Fi account & will be choosing a supporter at random to ‘win’ my girl (& future pieces). Any donations of $25 or more from now till 10am Monday 19th Jan could have her. PLEASE share widely & often 💗🫶🏼. #nzpol #Kikorangi
ko-fi.com/ciaraaxstitch
January 10, 2026 at 6:33 PM
I’m trying this:
I’ve set up a Ko-Fi account & will be choosing a supporter at random to ‘win’ my girl (& future pieces). Any donations of $25 or more from now till 10am Monday 19th Jan could have her. PLEASE share widely & often 💗🫶🏼. #nzpol #Kikorangi
ko-fi.com/ciaraaxstitch
I’ve set up a Ko-Fi account & will be choosing a supporter at random to ‘win’ my girl (& future pieces). Any donations of $25 or more from now till 10am Monday 19th Jan could have her. PLEASE share widely & often 💗🫶🏼. #nzpol #Kikorangi
ko-fi.com/ciaraaxstitch
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
Another article in @thepress.co.nz today covering our cycleway network, great to see we are being recognised for our efforts in Christchurch!
January 9, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Another article in @thepress.co.nz today covering our cycleway network, great to see we are being recognised for our efforts in Christchurch!
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
I never agreed to Luxon working from home. Get back to the office bro.
January 8, 2026 at 1:39 AM
I never agreed to Luxon working from home. Get back to the office bro.
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
Hey NZ news outlets, would you like to demonstrate some journalistic intentions? How about an article headlined "Where is the Prime Minister?" with the byline "The world is on fire and nobody in government is answering the phone."
Or do we only dig into parties on the left?
#nzpol
Or do we only dig into parties on the left?
#nzpol
January 7, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Hey NZ news outlets, would you like to demonstrate some journalistic intentions? How about an article headlined "Where is the Prime Minister?" with the byline "The world is on fire and nobody in government is answering the phone."
Or do we only dig into parties on the left?
#nzpol
Or do we only dig into parties on the left?
#nzpol
"Critics have already written thoroughly about the environmental harms, the reinforcement of bias and generation of racist output, the cognitive harms and AI supported suicides, the problems with consent and copyright, the way AI tech companies further the patterns of empire, how it’s a con..."
I considered writing a long carefully constructed argument laying out the harms and limitations of AI, but instead I wrote about being a hater. Only humans can be haters.
I Am An AI Hater
I am an AI hater. This is considered rude, but I do not care, because I am a hater.
anthonymoser.github.io
December 29, 2025 at 7:20 PM
"Critics have already written thoroughly about the environmental harms, the reinforcement of bias and generation of racist output, the cognitive harms and AI supported suicides, the problems with consent and copyright, the way AI tech companies further the patterns of empire, how it’s a con..."
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
This is a great example of how genAI steals from us all on multiple levels. It's stolen a promotional spot for real books and authors, it's stolen a job from an actual journalist who could have compiled this, it's stolen an opportunity for parents to be recommended good NZ books for their kids
#4 sounds like a lovely book but I didn't write it. Have had whānau up and down the country send me clippings lol
Whoever put together this list that has been circulated to regional papers, didn't fact check.
Whoever put together this list that has been circulated to regional papers, didn't fact check.
December 25, 2025 at 7:29 PM
This is a great example of how genAI steals from us all on multiple levels. It's stolen a promotional spot for real books and authors, it's stolen a job from an actual journalist who could have compiled this, it's stolen an opportunity for parents to be recommended good NZ books for their kids
These people definitely understand how tough it is for everyone right now.
December 24, 2025 at 6:08 AM
These people definitely understand how tough it is for everyone right now.
The Government of strong fiscal management has spent $150k removing just two hundred (200) road cones. Well done.
$750 per road cone removed. The Taxpayer's Onion should be all over this colossal waste.
"In October, Stuff revealed the hotline only led to about 200 cones being removed - despite receiving upwards of 800 complaints ... In total Work Safe spent about
$150,000 on its Road Cone Hotline"
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
$150,000 on its Road Cone Hotline"
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
December 17, 2025 at 1:11 AM
The Government of strong fiscal management has spent $150k removing just two hundred (200) road cones. Well done.
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
I've been doing a bunch of media about Australia's social media ban for under 16s this week.
NZ looks likely to follow.
Before we copy-paste a ban, here’s what actually matters (imo) 👇
#nzpol
NZ looks likely to follow.
Before we copy-paste a ban, here’s what actually matters (imo) 👇
#nzpol
December 11, 2025 at 6:28 AM
I've been doing a bunch of media about Australia's social media ban for under 16s this week.
NZ looks likely to follow.
Before we copy-paste a ban, here’s what actually matters (imo) 👇
#nzpol
NZ looks likely to follow.
Before we copy-paste a ban, here’s what actually matters (imo) 👇
#nzpol
"...looking through live jobs, to see whether an aerial presence can be of use... No other jobs were forthcoming."
Other concerns aside, what's the climate impact of helicopter-based overpolicing of our suburbia?
Other concerns aside, what's the climate impact of helicopter-based overpolicing of our suburbia?
The Police helicopters are an obscene waste of money and a net negative for society: most of the noise and disruption is in pursuit of petty things like "someone saw a light turn on in a house" (a real example). Flight hours are pre-purchased use-it-or-lose-it. So they use them for dumb shit.
After being thwarted, the police helicopter continued to circle, “looking for other opportunities to add value”.
December 9, 2025 at 8:29 AM
"...looking through live jobs, to see whether an aerial presence can be of use... No other jobs were forthcoming."
Other concerns aside, what's the climate impact of helicopter-based overpolicing of our suburbia?
Other concerns aside, what's the climate impact of helicopter-based overpolicing of our suburbia?
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
The NZ Govt is doing everything it can to obstruct climate action domestically and globally. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Government rejects all of Climate Change Commission's emissions target recommendations
It comes despite a Climate Change Commission warning that New Zealand is being hit sooner and more severely than expected.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
The NZ Govt is doing everything it can to obstruct climate action domestically and globally. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Reposted by Simon Britten for Papanui
Important thing to remember in this rates cap beat-up by the government: the very same government is a freeloader, because it’s exempted itself from paying rates at all
#nzpol
#nzpol
📢 Wayne Brown has taken aim at the policy, suggesting the government could start paying rates on its own properties to help fund projects like the City Rail Link.
Auckland mayor hits out at government's rates cap, says it could impact City Rail Link
www.rnz.co.nz
December 1, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Important thing to remember in this rates cap beat-up by the government: the very same government is a freeloader, because it’s exempted itself from paying rates at all
#nzpol
#nzpol