Vanessa Newton-Wade
@vanessabruell.bsky.social
Oboe | cor anglais | former librarian | she/her 🦻
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
Nothing as heartening as creative civil disobedience and solidarity.
People in Minnesota are now using their key fobs to trigger their car alarms from the safety of their homes when they see ICE walking around.
January 18, 2026 at 3:49 AM
Nothing as heartening as creative civil disobedience and solidarity.
Love these! 🌻
The very useful and very popular hidden disability range gets updated all the time, and hopefully from mid next week, I'll have a few super cute pins to join the fray. for now, this is what I've got available. Saw a lot of it at Ed Sheeran - made me happy to see!
pocomoto.co.nz/product-cate...
pocomoto.co.nz/product-cate...
January 17, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Love these! 🌻
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
“What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”
Erin Hanson
It’s easy to imagine what might go wrong. We don’t always leave space for what could go right.
Hope and pragmatism can sit side by side.
What’s the best case scenario?
🧡
#possibility #optimism
Art by Joyfulsmolthings
Erin Hanson
It’s easy to imagine what might go wrong. We don’t always leave space for what could go right.
Hope and pragmatism can sit side by side.
What’s the best case scenario?
🧡
#possibility #optimism
Art by Joyfulsmolthings
January 17, 2026 at 7:26 AM
“What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”
Erin Hanson
It’s easy to imagine what might go wrong. We don’t always leave space for what could go right.
Hope and pragmatism can sit side by side.
What’s the best case scenario?
🧡
#possibility #optimism
Art by Joyfulsmolthings
Erin Hanson
It’s easy to imagine what might go wrong. We don’t always leave space for what could go right.
Hope and pragmatism can sit side by side.
What’s the best case scenario?
🧡
#possibility #optimism
Art by Joyfulsmolthings
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
Seeing articles on homelessness.
In 2020 the NZ govt launched an evidence based, fully funded Homelessness Action Plan. It had support of iwi, local govt and communities. It recognised the complexity and trauma of intergenerational poverty. So please journalists, ask what happened to that … 1/2
In 2020 the NZ govt launched an evidence based, fully funded Homelessness Action Plan. It had support of iwi, local govt and communities. It recognised the complexity and trauma of intergenerational poverty. So please journalists, ask what happened to that … 1/2
January 17, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Seeing articles on homelessness.
In 2020 the NZ govt launched an evidence based, fully funded Homelessness Action Plan. It had support of iwi, local govt and communities. It recognised the complexity and trauma of intergenerational poverty. So please journalists, ask what happened to that … 1/2
In 2020 the NZ govt launched an evidence based, fully funded Homelessness Action Plan. It had support of iwi, local govt and communities. It recognised the complexity and trauma of intergenerational poverty. So please journalists, ask what happened to that … 1/2
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
Today, I bring you the overview of the pockets of joy to look forward to in 2026.
PS. Migration off substack is in process and should hopefully be complete by end of month 🙂
open.substack.com/pub/alicesoa...
PS. Migration off substack is in process and should hopefully be complete by end of month 🙂
open.substack.com/pub/alicesoa...
2026 NZ Women's Sports Watch Guide
All the dates for your diary in one place
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:18 AM
Today, I bring you the overview of the pockets of joy to look forward to in 2026.
PS. Migration off substack is in process and should hopefully be complete by end of month 🙂
open.substack.com/pub/alicesoa...
PS. Migration off substack is in process and should hopefully be complete by end of month 🙂
open.substack.com/pub/alicesoa...
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
For over a decade I have tied my shoes one specific way: Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot. I learned it from Ian (aka Professor Shoelace) whose site is over two decades old. The knot has never failed me. I spoke with Ian about knots and the dangers of the modern internet. aftermath.site/ians-shoelac...
Ian's Is Still The Best Site For Tying Your Shoelaces
Ian's Shoelace Site has been teaching people to tie their shoes for more than two decades. His knots are wonderful. But it is vulnerable to the forces tearing the internet apart.
aftermath.site
January 14, 2026 at 6:03 PM
For over a decade I have tied my shoes one specific way: Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot. I learned it from Ian (aka Professor Shoelace) whose site is over two decades old. The knot has never failed me. I spoke with Ian about knots and the dangers of the modern internet. aftermath.site/ians-shoelac...
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
I found out that you can reuse a decades old calendar if its year’s dates line up with the current year’s, so this year I got a lovely 1998 Xena: Warrior Princess calendar. The way they added show events into it is cracking me up.
January 13, 2026 at 11:50 PM
I found out that you can reuse a decades old calendar if its year’s dates line up with the current year’s, so this year I got a lovely 1998 Xena: Warrior Princess calendar. The way they added show events into it is cracking me up.
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
“People may forget what you said, people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
How we make others feel about themselves really matters. It’s the smallest moments that often stay with us the longest.
🧡
#kindness
Art by joyfulsmolthings
How we make others feel about themselves really matters. It’s the smallest moments that often stay with us the longest.
🧡
#kindness
Art by joyfulsmolthings
January 13, 2026 at 8:24 AM
“People may forget what you said, people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
How we make others feel about themselves really matters. It’s the smallest moments that often stay with us the longest.
🧡
#kindness
Art by joyfulsmolthings
How we make others feel about themselves really matters. It’s the smallest moments that often stay with us the longest.
🧡
#kindness
Art by joyfulsmolthings
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
Apologies in advance, but I’m going to spam this all week, my goal is to try to get 100 people to tip, I really need the support right now. All help, even just a share, will help. Have a wonderful week everybody 🫶🏼💗
#Kikorangi
#CrossStitch
#NZ
#Kikorangi
#CrossStitch
#NZ
Tip my Ko-Fi $25NZD or more before Mon 19th Jan at 10.00am & you’ll go in the draw to win my ‘Green Girl’ Cross Stitch (78.5cm x 70cm unframed). Almost a year of daily work to finish. Please share widely, I need as many supporters as possible.
#Kikorangi
#CrossStitch
ko-fi.com/ciaraaxstitch
#Kikorangi
#CrossStitch
ko-fi.com/ciaraaxstitch
January 11, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Apologies in advance, but I’m going to spam this all week, my goal is to try to get 100 people to tip, I really need the support right now. All help, even just a share, will help. Have a wonderful week everybody 🫶🏼💗
#Kikorangi
#CrossStitch
#NZ
#Kikorangi
#CrossStitch
#NZ
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
I can't believe I'm posting this video - but we actually have to have a conversation about the real world implications of America going to war over Greenland.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
January 11, 2026 at 2:44 AM
I can't believe I'm posting this video - but we actually have to have a conversation about the real world implications of America going to war over Greenland.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
This is delightfully delicious. Read the alt text to be transported ☀️
Thank you for reading my very long promotion bits. I really appreciate it.
Here's a picture of the beach. It's very beachy. If you look very hard, you can see two very adorable small humans trying to empty the sea. Possibly the cutest thing I've seen in years. (More in alt text😊)
Here's a picture of the beach. It's very beachy. If you look very hard, you can see two very adorable small humans trying to empty the sea. Possibly the cutest thing I've seen in years. (More in alt text😊)
January 11, 2026 at 9:28 PM
This is delightfully delicious. Read the alt text to be transported ☀️
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
What morons advised Fire and Emergency NZ that this was the way to address industrial action?
Regardless of the rights or wrongs of the specific grievances, this industrial action was legal and properly notified to FENZ.
Regardless of the rights or wrongs of the specific grievances, this industrial action was legal and properly notified to FENZ.
January 9, 2026 at 5:03 PM
What morons advised Fire and Emergency NZ that this was the way to address industrial action?
Regardless of the rights or wrongs of the specific grievances, this industrial action was legal and properly notified to FENZ.
Regardless of the rights or wrongs of the specific grievances, this industrial action was legal and properly notified to FENZ.
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
Kidnapping the leader of a foreign state without any declaration of war and announcing it via social media is full-on rogue state stuff. From the world’s number one superpower.
January 3, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Kidnapping the leader of a foreign state without any declaration of war and announcing it via social media is full-on rogue state stuff. From the world’s number one superpower.
Here he is!
Reskeet with the most recent pic of your pet.
Reskeet with the most recent pic of your pet.
January 3, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Here he is!
Reskeet with the most recent pic of your pet.
Reskeet with the most recent pic of your pet.
My kids play a game where we all yell “cheese car!” And I’ve never seen so many yellow cars 😂 We used to do free hits on the yellow fire hydrant plates as kids 🤷♀️
In the car today with my son, age 20!, & he punched me on the shoulder & shouted ‘yellow car no return’, a game we hadn’t played in years
Got thinking about all the other stuff we used to notice & exclaim when they kids were younger
Reminded me of this. Don't stop noticing x
#poetry
#poemoftheday
Got thinking about all the other stuff we used to notice & exclaim when they kids were younger
Reminded me of this. Don't stop noticing x
#poetry
#poemoftheday
January 2, 2026 at 11:43 PM
My kids play a game where we all yell “cheese car!” And I’ve never seen so many yellow cars 😂 We used to do free hits on the yellow fire hydrant plates as kids 🤷♀️
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
In the eternal struggle between kakapo and towel, the towel remain triumphant. Towels left in the wild by careless hitchhikers are a contributor to the kakapo's dwindling numbers. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBnj...
Kakapo: Crazy Moss Chickens
YouTube video by Dunedin Wildlife Hospital
www.youtube.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
In the eternal struggle between kakapo and towel, the towel remain triumphant. Towels left in the wild by careless hitchhikers are a contributor to the kakapo's dwindling numbers. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBnj...
Another seasonal hashtag to follow-almost as much fun as #SecretSantaAoNz . Delightful!
Tomorrow evening it’ll be my annual duty to vaguely shepherd the activity on the #duvetknowitschristmas hashtag and urge people to give small sums to charity. 7.30pm? Something like that?
December 23, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Another seasonal hashtag to follow-almost as much fun as #SecretSantaAoNz . Delightful!
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
The number of British programs where they mention they lost someone due to Covid. I think New Zealanders totally underestimate how lucky (and well managed) we were. The still loud antivax voice/Covid deniers doesn't help. Much harder to deny Covid exists when everyone knows someone who lost someone.
December 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The number of British programs where they mention they lost someone due to Covid. I think New Zealanders totally underestimate how lucky (and well managed) we were. The still loud antivax voice/Covid deniers doesn't help. Much harder to deny Covid exists when everyone knows someone who lost someone.
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
Not now, haunted Victorian shoes
Mystery as hundreds of Victorian shoes wash up on Ogmore beach
Mystery as hundreds of Victorian shoes wash up on Ogmore beach
More than 400 leather hobnailed boots, thought to date back to the 19th Century, have been found.
www.bbc.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Not now, haunted Victorian shoes
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
“We ought to be tripling disability related allowances, making Total Mobility 100% funded, and providing a range of state housing options. We could also implement accessibility legislation, make employment-related funding more easily accessible, and reduce prescription fees” - Dr Bex #nzpol
Disability, Material Hardship, and Data
New research shows clear links and a raft of possibilities for change
open.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
“We ought to be tripling disability related allowances, making Total Mobility 100% funded, and providing a range of state housing options. We could also implement accessibility legislation, make employment-related funding more easily accessible, and reduce prescription fees” - Dr Bex #nzpol
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
I appreciate this graphic issued by the NZ Central Sikh Association in response to the Destiny racists for its inspiring message of anti-discrimination, mutual aid and unity across ethnic & faith communities, and also its subtle reminder that Sikhs are known badasses so why would you fuck with them.
![Poster featuring images of the Destiny Church members who disrupted the Sikh march on the weekend, Brian Tamaki, and historical & contemporary photos of Sikhs in the imperial and NZ military.
OUR RESPONSE AS THE NZ SIKH COMMUNITY
Sikh Community's contribution to New Zealand - 140 years of Service Defending New Zealand.
What [is] Brian Tamaki's Contribution to New Zealand?
HATE. DIVISION. FEAR.
[tick] Sikh soldiers fought alongside NZ forces in the World Wars who fought at Gallipoli, European fronts & Allied forces globally
[tick] Today, Sikhs proudly serve in the NZ Army, Air Forces & Police
SERVING HUMANITY
- 680,000+ people assisted with food parcels and community meals
- Supporting New Zealanders in times of need, crisis & hardship
BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES
- Standing for peace, equality and unity
- Serving all communities without discrimination
OUR IDENTITY
- Proud NZers & Proud Sikhs by Faith. We stand for love over hate, service over division, unity over fear.
UNITED COMMUNITIES OF AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
1. Our wider Māori whānau and Christian communities proudly stand with the Sikh community.
2. Muslim, Hindu, Samoan, Chinese, Asian and all ethnic communities stand together.
SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER AND BUILDING NEW ZEALAND TOGETHER
Issued by: NZ Central Sikh Association (nzcsa2022@gmail.com)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wdpjj5tlztbjxcematya2o5p/bafkreidux5y5skyocvhmuevwxnu4j37bfvsoooh52tgioq56c2a3mt6gx4@jpeg)
December 22, 2025 at 2:44 AM
I appreciate this graphic issued by the NZ Central Sikh Association in response to the Destiny racists for its inspiring message of anti-discrimination, mutual aid and unity across ethnic & faith communities, and also its subtle reminder that Sikhs are known badasses so why would you fuck with them.
Starting my day watching #SecretSantaAoNZ opening day! I’m not playing but love seeing the kindness and cheer 😍
December 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Starting my day watching #SecretSantaAoNZ opening day! I’m not playing but love seeing the kindness and cheer 😍
Reposted by Vanessa Newton-Wade
Just heard Anna Coddington singing Purea Nei on the radio. I is one of my favourite songs and Anna sings it so beautifully. She was in one of my te reo Māorii classes and would take the lead when we sang it in class
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWw...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWw...
Anna Coddington 'Purea Nei'
YouTube video by RNZ
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Just heard Anna Coddington singing Purea Nei on the radio. I is one of my favourite songs and Anna sings it so beautifully. She was in one of my te reo Māorii classes and would take the lead when we sang it in class
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWw...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWw...
Optimist: the cup is half full
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Oboist: the cup is full of hopes and dreams (i.e. reeds)
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Oboist: the cup is full of hopes and dreams (i.e. reeds)
Optimist: The cup is half full
Pessimist: The cup is half empty
Deep sea marine biologist: I sent the cup into the abyss where it was crushed to a half it’s former size and now I have a tiny cup
Pessimist: The cup is half empty
Deep sea marine biologist: I sent the cup into the abyss where it was crushed to a half it’s former size and now I have a tiny cup
November 24, 2024 at 9:50 AM
Optimist: the cup is half full
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Oboist: the cup is full of hopes and dreams (i.e. reeds)
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Oboist: the cup is full of hopes and dreams (i.e. reeds)