Hi David. My name is Breno and I am Brazilian. I couldn't agree more with your text. We live a true nightmare in my country since 2013 and things got worst after last 2018 election. Fortunately you have no idea what it feels like being trapped in an environment in which stupidity rules and everything is leaded by our "leader". I've been social distancing since last March. I've been wearing masks since March. It doesn't feel normal for me to face other human beings without wearing a mask. It is a nightmare indeed. If only we had a leader like yours (who followed science) and went back to normal again. But we don't. And we don't have a clue when this nightmare is gonna be over. Enjoy your freedom and the sanity of your fellow citizens. Seize the moment. It's really rare nowadays.
Hmmm, I watched a video of Billy on ADVANCE NZ /NZPP WHANGANUI where he outlines his excuses, including an apparent 200k 'unanswered'/disqualified votes (he says that supporters may have written on the voting forms, and the voting form was then disqualified), and apparent large group of farmers that didn't vote Labour, and that he claims fraud and rigged elections! He states he can't believe only 20k people voted for him. No mention of the seat he stood in. Oh, he mentions some sort of 'civil war' and he's taking time off to deal with some 'business issues'. The madness continues for Billy!
Nice piece, David. And I share many of your thoughts. However, I'm just disappointed that Labour got a clear majority and won't have to rely on the Greens, who would force some focus. It is Jacinda who won and had she been a National leader, maybe they would have got in. I wish Jacinda would live up to her rhetoric and stop kow-towing to the (minority) wealthy voter. We NEED a bloody wealth tax; we NEED to tax the disgusting profits on houses. And, just by the by, doing something about the climate catastrophe might not be a bad idea.
As an American, living in the “anarchist jurisdiction” of Seattle, I am extremely jealous of your uplifting news. My stomach will be in knots until after our election. Unfortunately, it might STILL be in knots afterwards. If my wife and I decide to move to New Zealand, can we hang out with you, Jemaine, and Rhys? You’re all roommates, right?
Same - in fact I went to sleep feeling that relaxed, safe and secure feeling - first time in a while. I suspected a Labour win, but the result is beautiful. On the Vision NZ thing - I noted with much amusement the number of voters for HT last night - 664. Just a couple away from the number of the .......(probably not meant to utter the name maybe? lol!)....but hey, the special votes are not counted yet. :-)
Love this. Love our lil slice of paradise and *inhales deeply* BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA FUCK YOU BILLY TK. And you Judith, ye fucken axe wound. That is all. Happy Sunday 🥰
Spending today in quiet relief and feeling humbled for ever doubting that New Zealanders were capable of collectively delivering such a result. Will allow myself to feel a glimmer of hope today in celebration too. Thanks for being a voice of sanity throughout!
I hope the positive election results for you portend the same happening here in the US. I just dropped off my early ballot this morning and it felt like it might be the most important vote of my life.
Tangentially related, but I was curious how New Zealanders feel in general about Americans moving there to “escape” the US? I’m always a little embarrassed when I hear Americans say that, as if we’re even welcome elsewhere after how we’ve been behaving. It feels presumptuous. Frankly, I fear our expats spreading the same type of insanity to the rest of the world.
As a Kiwi living in London, what you’ve written perfectly reflects how I feel - the NZ election result was a little bit of hope to contrast with the anxiety and frustration caused by the absolute clusterfuck that’s happening here.
It's so nice to finally participate in an election with good results! Sad to be stuck in Melbourne and have missed election night in my beloved NZ. Chloe winning and Gerry finally losing made up for it though! As did the lamington cake and mince and cheese pie I indulged in.
This feels like the feeling of hope at the end of The Empire Strikes Back. One step towards the goal. Congrats for being a bastion of hope, NZ
Hi David. My name is Breno and I am Brazilian. I couldn't agree more with your text. We live a true nightmare in my country since 2013 and things got worst after last 2018 election. Fortunately you have no idea what it feels like being trapped in an environment in which stupidity rules and everything is leaded by our "leader". I've been social distancing since last March. I've been wearing masks since March. It doesn't feel normal for me to face other human beings without wearing a mask. It is a nightmare indeed. If only we had a leader like yours (who followed science) and went back to normal again. But we don't. And we don't have a clue when this nightmare is gonna be over. Enjoy your freedom and the sanity of your fellow citizens. Seize the moment. It's really rare nowadays.
Hmmm, I watched a video of Billy on ADVANCE NZ /NZPP WHANGANUI where he outlines his excuses, including an apparent 200k 'unanswered'/disqualified votes (he says that supporters may have written on the voting forms, and the voting form was then disqualified), and apparent large group of farmers that didn't vote Labour, and that he claims fraud and rigged elections! He states he can't believe only 20k people voted for him. No mention of the seat he stood in. Oh, he mentions some sort of 'civil war' and he's taking time off to deal with some 'business issues'. The madness continues for Billy!
She is a true example to follow, at the other end of the world, we (at least many people I know) marvel at her leadership. Congrats!
Lola, from Buenos Aires
"...for the first time in ages, I didn’t feel the usual pang of dread in my stomach."
I long for this feeling as I was up each day in the US. I am happy for NZ and hope that they can be a example for the rest of the world. Congrats!
Nice piece, David. And I share many of your thoughts. However, I'm just disappointed that Labour got a clear majority and won't have to rely on the Greens, who would force some focus. It is Jacinda who won and had she been a National leader, maybe they would have got in. I wish Jacinda would live up to her rhetoric and stop kow-towing to the (minority) wealthy voter. We NEED a bloody wealth tax; we NEED to tax the disgusting profits on houses. And, just by the by, doing something about the climate catastrophe might not be a bad idea.
As an American, living in the “anarchist jurisdiction” of Seattle, I am extremely jealous of your uplifting news. My stomach will be in knots until after our election. Unfortunately, it might STILL be in knots afterwards. If my wife and I decide to move to New Zealand, can we hang out with you, Jemaine, and Rhys? You’re all roommates, right?
Yes! Chloe killed it! I’m watching from lockdown in Melbourne with so much pride. This is the good news we deserved this year!
Same - in fact I went to sleep feeling that relaxed, safe and secure feeling - first time in a while. I suspected a Labour win, but the result is beautiful. On the Vision NZ thing - I noted with much amusement the number of voters for HT last night - 664. Just a couple away from the number of the .......(probably not meant to utter the name maybe? lol!)....but hey, the special votes are not counted yet. :-)
Love this. Love our lil slice of paradise and *inhales deeply* BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA FUCK YOU BILLY TK. And you Judith, ye fucken axe wound. That is all. Happy Sunday 🥰
Spending today in quiet relief and feeling humbled for ever doubting that New Zealanders were capable of collectively delivering such a result. Will allow myself to feel a glimmer of hope today in celebration too. Thanks for being a voice of sanity throughout!
I hope the positive election results for you portend the same happening here in the US. I just dropped off my early ballot this morning and it felt like it might be the most important vote of my life.
Tangentially related, but I was curious how New Zealanders feel in general about Americans moving there to “escape” the US? I’m always a little embarrassed when I hear Americans say that, as if we’re even welcome elsewhere after how we’ve been behaving. It feels presumptuous. Frankly, I fear our expats spreading the same type of insanity to the rest of the world.
As a Kiwi living in London, what you’ve written perfectly reflects how I feel - the NZ election result was a little bit of hope to contrast with the anxiety and frustration caused by the absolute clusterfuck that’s happening here.
Did you see Tova O'Brien's interview with Jami-Lee Ross? Brutal and so deserved. He's slimy and I hope we never see him again.
https://twitter.com/NewshubNZ/status/1317602395761893378?s=20
WORD
It's so nice to finally participate in an election with good results! Sad to be stuck in Melbourne and have missed election night in my beloved NZ. Chloe winning and Gerry finally losing made up for it though! As did the lamington cake and mince and cheese pie I indulged in.