David Palmer
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cloventt.net
David Palmer
@cloventt.net
220 followers 120 following 450 posts
Ōtautahi / urbanist / Wiki* / software / political junky / tangata tiriti
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cloventt.net
Today’s Wikipedia DYK section has been taken over for Trans Day of Remembrance. 🏳️‍⚧️
A screenshot of the wikipedia home oage that reads Did you know ... ... that Masoud El Amaratly, one of Iraq's most popular folk singers in the 1920s (recording featured), was a mustarjil? ... that a recent Kate Nash song rebranding TERFs as GERMs caused her to trend on X within hours of its release? ... that Blossom C. Brown attracted national attention for highlighting violence against Black trans women? ... that the dinosaur emojis have been used by transgender groups to represent themselves? ... that several journalists have attributed the suicide of Lia Smith to anti-transgender policies? ... that misinformation about violence by transgender people has been used to defend violence against them? ... that in 2023 Kate Nambiar advised the EastEnders team around HIV treatment options for a storyline? ... that some people identify with no gender? ... that the first transgender person to compete professionally in League of Legends was also the first woman to do so?
November 20, 2025 at 1:58 AM
cloventt.net
"Positive discrimination" doesn't sound so positive when Jones is describing it.
Chapman: So tell me something: do the parents have a problem with it? Do the kids have a problem with it? Wintle: No. [long pause, scoffs] I mean that's a that's a short easy answer. We've, we, no! Why, why would they? Ali Jones: I've got an answer for that. I know a school in Christchurch where there is a very strong focus on um, uh, “positive discrimination” if you want to call it that, with regards to Māori and Pasifika students. It's a very low decile school and what's happening is that all the other students are missing out. So there's a large number of very, uh, low decile, uh, European Pakeha families and immigrant families who are struggling, who are not getting the support that they need, because that effort and focus is going on Pasifika Māori students. Wintle: I mean, like, the education research like Te Kotahitanga, for example would argue the opposite: that in fact a focus on Māori learners is universal. It means that if you're focusing on Māori, then—and you're doing what's good for Māori—then you're doing what's good for everybody. Ali Jones: How does that work? Wintle: Um, I'll direct you to the research Te Kotahitanga—sorry—is the documentation that you'd want to read up on. That would answer your question.
November 5, 2025 at 7:21 AM
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Ali Jones got absolutely schooled by Albany English teacher Philippa Wintle on RNZ The Panel this evening. The importance of te ao Māori in our education system should not be diminished. Transcript attached for those that can't listen.

www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Jones: Look I really admire, um, you're incredibly articulate. It's lovely listening to you actually, you put your argument really really well. I don't agree with it, um, I, I don't agree with it, um, I, I don't agree with it in that I don't understand why making something voluntary is concerning so many people. I've been in local government where karakia, uh and… and other customs are required and the dirgy sound of a karakia before a meeting because people can't be arsed to be frank is just awful… Chapman: Now I'm going to jump in—that would be offensive to many listening Ali Jones: “the dirgy sound of a karakia”. Ali Jones: No I'm talking about our meeting… (annoyed) See this is the problem—everyone jumps on everything. I'm talking about our particular meeting. Karakia, when it's done well and done by people who love the language, know the language, can pronounce it, is just beautiful! and what I would have loved is that in our meetings that this karakia was sung in such a dirgy way, I would have loved that the wonderful—and I won't use her name—woman in the team, uh, who was Māori and, and had a beautiful pronunciation and could sing, I would far rather that it be done by someone like that rather than it be forced. Wintle: But I don’t think it’s your decision to determine who does that karakia in that setting… Ali Jones: [interrupting] Why not? Why not? Wintle: …and I think specifically you're talking about tikanga—that's one small element of Te Tiriti o Waitangi being upheld. You know, and, it's cultural labor to assume that somebody—just because they're Māori—is going to feel culturally capable and competent and safe in that space to be able to karakia on behalf of everybody in that room. Ali Jones: [interrupting] No but you can have a conversation with them. Wintle: Of course you can have a conversation with them. But I mean it's all of our responsibilities to uphold tikanga, and it might have a “dirgy” sound to begin with, but I think it's really problematic…
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
cloventt.net
If you have had two doses you are considered immune for life. If your doses aren’t documented in the system, your GP can give you a full course, fully funded. Best to talk to your doctor or ring healthline for more info.
A screenshot from immune.org.nz
November 2, 2025 at 10:04 PM
cloventt.net
Reinstalled them in the nest and reinstalled the nest up in our cabbage tree. Woven into the leaves a bit more securely.

Took dad a while to figure out how to get to them but they’re all happy now.
A baby bird with its mouth open on a nest in a cabbage tree. An adult male blackbird perched on the side of a nest, feeding a hungry baby.
October 31, 2025 at 8:59 PM
cloventt.net
Heard a very upset blackbird this morning. Looked around for a while and found an empty nest on the ground, and nearby huddled in the grass were two babies.
A human hand holding a baby bird. The bird is flattened to his palm. Below it, in the human’s lap, is a bird’s nest. Two baby birds in a nest on human’s lap. The birds have their mouth wide open begging for food.
October 31, 2025 at 8:57 PM
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@otautahimike.bsky.social being elected to community board AND being an MP has really wound up the hornets nest in letters to The Star

James reckons that Innes residents want a "dedicated, non-partisan representative". Well, we asked the residents, and they voted for Mike. End of story.
Some letters to the editor in The Star. Two of them are complaining that Mike Davidson is both an MP and elected community board member.
October 31, 2025 at 7:05 AM
cloventt.net
Phew! Took a bit of work, but I finally got the Wikipedia article about pōwhiri up to the standard where it could be accepted as a "good article" under our article assessment criteria.
October 30, 2025 at 11:07 PM
cloventt.net
"and the [winds] were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left."
a weather map showing extreme wind conditions passing straight by Christchurch on both sides, due to the sheltering effect of the port hills presumably.
October 23, 2025 at 1:45 AM
cloventt.net
The orange voting golem knows where you live.

Voting packs should be landing in letterboxes across Ōtautahi right now. You can either mail them back, or drop them in the orange bins at council service centres and some supermarkets.

Vote!
The “orange guy” from previous election campaigns holding a voting pack letter.
September 11, 2025 at 8:41 PM
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Seriously, why is Mark Mitchell still allowed to front press conferences?
September 9, 2025 at 4:28 AM
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Oh good god I hope this rumour is not true.
Screenshot from RNZ live blog that reads: Sep 9, 2025 2:10 PM RNZ Live Chambers says police will need to talk the children in time. It will help put the big puzzle together. He will not say how many children were recovered.
September 9, 2025 at 2:15 AM
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Back to the future in Papanui!

I have fond memories of renting videos here back in the day. Some renovations have revealed the original hoarding!
A store under renovation with construction fences all around it. The sign is blue with “BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO” printed on it in block yellow letters.
September 7, 2025 at 6:13 AM
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I feel like the author of today’s featured article *really* doesn’t like white chocolate.
A screenshot of the wikipedia home page. To the left there is a photo of some white chocolate. The text reads “From today's featured article: White chocolate is a chocolate made from cocoa butter, sugar and milk solids. It is ivory in color as it does not contain the non-fat components of cocoa (cocoa solids). Of the three traditional types of chocolate (the others being milk and dark), white chocolate is the least popular; its taste and texture are divisive. White chocolate is sold in a variety of forms and it is common for manufacturers to pair white chocolate with other flavors. White chocolate is made industrially in a five-step process. The ingredients are mixed to form a paste; the paste is refined, reducing the particle size to a powder; then agitated…” etc
August 23, 2025 at 5:22 AM
cloventt.net
The Dusky Dolphin is today's Wikipedia featured article (for another hour or so).
A screenshot from the Wikipedia home page. There is a picture of a black, grey and white dolphin jumping out of the water. The text reads "From today's featured article: The dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) is a small oceanic dolphin found in coastal waters of the Southern Hemisphere. Major populations occur around South America, southwestern Africa, New Zealand, and several oceanic islands. It has a somewhat stocky body with a short beak, a curved dorsal fin and flippers, and a multi-coloured pigmentation of black, grey, and white. The species prefers cool currents and inshore waters. It lives in a fission–fusion society where groups change size based on social and environmental conditions. The dolphin feeds on several fish and squid species, sometimes using daytime bait ball herding and nightime feeding in deep scattering layers. Mating is polygynandrous – several males will chase after a single female. Young are raised by females in nursery groups. The dusky dolphin is known for its acrobatics, displaying leaping behaviours. It is a popular tourist attraction and the object of whale watching tours. (Full article...) "
August 13, 2025 at 11:09 PM
cloventt.net
Not too shabby for phone wifi

Splashed out on a ubiquiti setup at home, big upgrade
A fast.com screenshot from an iPhone showing an internet download speed of 710 megabits per second
August 2, 2025 at 10:04 AM
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New Zealand birds are cool... but nothing can beat the American Woodcock, also known as the timberdoodle or the bogsucker. They do this ridiculous strutting dance and they are my spirit animal

Video is CC-BY 2.0 credited to Keith Ramos/USFWS via Wikimedia Commons.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America...
July 30, 2025 at 6:17 AM
cloventt.net
Kia ora Ōtautahi whanau, if you’re near Bishopdale or Papanui check your property before bed. It’s going to be cold tonight.

www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
Emergency Alert The 79-year old has been reported missing and was last seen in the Bishopdale area last this afternoon. She suffers from a medical condition and Family and Police are concerned for her well-being, she was wearing a grey or light green hoodie and dark blue trackpants. Anyone in the Bishopdale area please check your properties, gardens and places of shelter. Anyone who has seen Beryl or has any information on her whereabouts is urged to call Police on 105 quoting job number P063269486.
July 24, 2025 at 9:14 AM
cloventt.net
Five people a day become homeless in Ōtautahi. It can happen to anyone. It can happen to you.

Case in point. Employed full time, can afford $650 a week in rent, still ends up homeless.

Our social contract is broken.
A post in a Hornby community facebook page that reads “URGENT HELP NEEDED As of Friday, a lovely local family with three young children (including a baby) became homeless. The lease on their previous rental was up and it would not be extended further due to "family moving into the rental." They had applied for many rentals leading up to Friday but have had no success. They have been advised by MSD they do not qualify for emergency housing support as they are over the threshold by $40.00!! We have managed to get them very, temporary accommodation until Monday but they are desperately seeking a rental immediately preferably in the Hornby or surrounding suburbs. They would prefer 3 bedrooms but are open to anything. They can afford up to approx. $650 and have references available. The male is in full time work in the Hornby area. If you know of any rentals that are available, please private message me on Facebook Messenger or text me on 027 etc”
July 20, 2025 at 10:07 AM
cloventt.net
case in point

Working full time and can afford $650 a week in rent, but still ends up homeless.

Our social contract is broken.
A post on a Hornby community facebook page that reads “URGENT HELP NEEDED As of Friday, a lovely local family with three young children (including a baby) became homeless. The lease on their previous rental was up and it would not be extended further due to "family moving into the rental." They had applied for many rentals leading up to Friday but have had no success. They have been advised by MSD they do not qualify for emergency housing support as they are over the threshold by $40.00!! We have managed to get them very, temporary accommodation until Monday but they are desperately seeking a rental immediately preferably in the Hornby or surrounding suburbs. They would prefer 3 bedrooms but are open to anything. They can afford up to approx. $650 and have references available. The male is in full time work in the Hornby area. If you know of any rentals that are available, please private message me on Facebook Messenger or text me on 027 etc”
July 20, 2025 at 9:56 AM
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bro WHAT

www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
A headline that reads “[Christchurch] Adventure Park to be replanted with pines — again”. By Will Harvie at The Press
July 20, 2025 at 7:25 AM
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I didn’t really understand the hate for this company until I looked into them more closely.

They are 100% a company designed to scam venture capitalist techbros and I can respect that.

But their PR is so transparently idiotic they make it very easy to hate them.
A sponsored facebook post from Colossal Biosciences that repeatedly refers to preserved moa specimens as “fossils”, despite them being orders of magnitude too recent to be fossils.
July 18, 2025 at 9:21 PM
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If you want to cheat, you can find them all in my Commons upload history. My local WikiShootMe map is filling in pretty nicely!
July 7, 2025 at 12:17 AM
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Guess the Ōtautahi parks!

Blimey we have some beautiful parks in this city! Been out capturing photos of all the parks near me for Wikimedia Commons, and we have some stunners, really.
July 7, 2025 at 12:14 AM
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Cowards didn’t put it in the print edition, I’m so disappointed.
A photo of the Sunday Star-Times print edition, featuring the original un-lemonised photo of the satellite.
July 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM