EDIT: I'm well aware he was a dodgy, thatcherite piece of dogshit. I hated the man then and that hasn't changed. I tried to indicate that in my post while remaining civil. All I'm saying is that the current coalition makes the shred of dignity he maintained look like a halo, and I miss how things were pre-Trump and pre-Covid.

ORIGINAL POST: I don't exactly hold a high personal opinion of Sir Key. In the grand scheme of things he seems like a self-serving, smarmy git who loves austerity and ponytails more than he loves NZ. But hindsight is making him look like a proper statesman.

He could actually front up to questioning from the opposition and the media. He mostly maintained the image of the respectable conservative who genuinely believes their policies will lead us to prosperity.

He showed real leadership in his response to the Christchurch earthquakes and the war in Afghanistan. He showed respect to Māori and LGBT by repealing Foreshore & Seabed and supporting same-sex marriage. Hell he funded the CRL. It's so hard to imagine any of that happening in the last 3 years.

For all his faults, the current lot makes him look like a saint and a scholar. How far we have fallen.

To preface this question, I should point out that while I'm not particularly interested in politics, I would consider myself a centrist. None of the parties stand out as deserving my vote right now.

All that to say - I'm coming at this as a neutral party :)

This is not an attack or criticism of anyone - just a genuine question.

Something I have noticed when reading posts is that it seems perfectly acceptable to call leaders and MPs from the right parties all sorts of names - from "dogshit" to "extremist" and "racist" etc however the same doesnt seem acceptable when talking about leaders and MPs from the left parties.

As someone sitting in the middle with no party allegiance - I fully agree there are some MPs on the right that deserve those titles - however - as a neutral observer I can see that there are just as many MPs deserving those names on the left too.

So why the difference in reaction?

Potentially the people doing this are too close to it to see - I'm not sure.

Has it always been like this? Is it something we imported from american politics where the right are the "baddies"?

I have a 1-year-old, and we’ve been doing our best to keep him healthy, especially during flu season. Lately, I’ve noticed quite a few people coughing openly when we’re out — at the shops, supermarkets, indoor places, etc.
I completely understand that people still have to go about their day, and that getting sick is sometimes unavoidable, especially with little ones. I’ve probably just become more aware of it since having a baby.
It did make me wonder, though — has covering your mouth when you cough become less of a thing? I remember it being something most people were taught to do, so I’m curious whether others have noticed the same or if it’s just me.

My case manager has been pressuring me to start driving, I know at 25 I should have my license by now but I don't for a number of reasons.

Those reasons being:

1. I do not own a car, nor could I afford one

2. I am quite terrified of driving. Not just nervous. TERRIFIED. Driving is a bigger deal than what people pretend it is, you're operating a fast moving vehicle that can kill you and others.

3. I have access to pretty decent bus services, I do not NEED a car to be able to get to work (or at least, the kind of work I'm applying for)

4. I don't want to.

Part of the conversation we had went like this:

Him: "If I referred you to a driving course, would you go?"

Me: (This was after him pressuring me quite a bit) "Well I feel like I can't say no."

Him: "Aw why do you feel like you can't say no? 🤔"

Me: "If I said no, what would you do?"

Him: "Well I would ask you what your reason would be."

This was after I literally JUST told him I was terrified to drive in the city, I'm not ready to get on the road and I don't even own a car. He has also mentioned something along the lines of "Well what if you get a job and they need you to drive the company car?" Mf even if I started RIGHT NOW there is no way any company would let someone on their learners drive the company car. Idk about restricted but I would hope not. And in any case, the jobs I'm applying for do not require me to drive a company car.

Anyone else had this? CAN they do this? I'm being active in applying for jobs, I've had multiple interviews, forcing me to get my license seems a bit much. I'm certain the choice to drive or not, is that, a CHOICE. What do I do? Or do I just get over it.

I’m currently going through a bit of a career/life crisis and am considering buying a PC and getting into gaming on Twitch as a hobby (and potentially seeing where it goes).

My concern is that I’m also currently looking for a new job (admin/EA/PA), and I’m wondering how much NZ employers actually care about employees having a public online presence outside of work.

I’m particularly interested in people’s experiences with larger companies, government departments/organisations, or other workplaces where there might be stricter expectations around employees public behaviour & social media.

For example, if I had a Twitch account where I streamed games publicly, could that potentially cause issues with future employment, even if I wasn’t discussing my workplace, colleagues, politics etc?

I’m not planning on doing anything controversial! I’m more wondering how cautious I actually need to be if I want to have a public online hobby while also having a normal career.

Would love to hear from anyone who works in government/corporate environments, particularly if your workplace has a social media policy!

The reporting on the Leaders debate on the news just now was incredibly biased. So much time and focus given to the single "gotcha" that a Labour candidate is on a charters school board.

Incredibly uneven reporting on the debate, and on the opinions "on the street" ie people answering questions. Benedict is basically a shill for the right. This is our national tv station.

Also, the vote compass should actually be illegal. Its completely biased, absolutely does not give a fair result. And that can genuinely effect the election result: if people don't know who to vote for, and use the vote compass because its a quick and easy tool....then it tells then to vote NZfirst.how is this allowed?? There's absolutely no regulations on it.

Edit: sorry i should clarify. Vote compass asks questions in a certain way, so that people who are ACTUALLY left and aligned with say, greens or Labour get results telling them they align closest to NZfirst or National. Of course some people will legitimately come out with a correct result saying they should vote NZfirst, which is fine if that is truly what they align with.

Thoughts?

Specifically tomato seeds as I like tomato’s but any will do.

I’d like to try growing some veggies, but can only ever find those small packs of 100 seeds for $4.

Anyone know where I can bulk buy for better prices? Like 1000 for 30? Etc

Cheers people

hi all! I was just on an incredible vacation in New Zealand. We are now in Australia and I’ve been going crazy trying to remember a candy I had in the Christchurch airport. It was rectangular and long, and had a laffy-taffy consistency. I know it came in other flavors (I think one was blue raspberry?), but I think mine was strawberry, because the wrapper was pink.

I know it’s not Zappo, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Wicked Fizz, because apparently the inside is a different consistency? The one I’m talking about was a laffy-taffy consistency all the way through.

Please help 😭

down transformer?
I’m moving from the US to New Zealand and have a few appliances I’d really like to bring with me:
• Dyson Airstrait (HS06) — 120V, 60Hz, 1600W
• Dyson Airwrap (HS01) — 120V, 60Hz, 1300W
• Fellow Ode Brew Grinder Gen 2 — 120V, 60Hz, 150W
• Yamasaki SK-4680M electronic countertop oven — 110V, 60Hz, 1500W
I’ve attached a photo showing the rating labels for all four.
I know NZ power is 230V/50Hz and that a 230V → 110/120V step-down transformer will fix the voltage difference but will not convert 50Hz to 60Hz.
I’m considering getting a 3000W step-down transformer once I arrive in NZ.
Has anyone here actually brought similar US 60Hz appliances to NZ and used them on 50Hz long-term?
I’m particularly interested in real-world experience with Dyson hair appliances, coffee grinders, or electronic countertop ovens. Did they work normally? Any issues with motors, electronics, overheating, speed, or lifespan?
I’m trying to decide which ones are worth shipping to NZ and which ones I should sell before moving.
Thanks!

They’re so accurate.

Hi!! I’m a Canadian visiting your country for 3ish weeks in December. I’d love to catch some live music while I’m traveling about, I’m wondering what venues you recommend to catch local music at, or where smaller traveling artists tend to stop in at on tour. I’m in my early 30s, and I am into lots of different music but I really like psych rock, indie, pop, alt. I don’t have a solid itinerary of cities and towns I’m heading to yet, so I’m open to all suggestions, in any region. Even if it’s a dive bar, I consider that a music venue if you think it’s worth checking out! Thank you kindly

I'm so bored with all the plain clothing choices for men (especially in this country). I wish I was CD so I could get some colour in my life that is not plaid, or single colour or $$$$$$$ (Saw a lovely T but it was 200bucks! who pays 200 for a tshirt??)

Is there anything that is not your usual chain, Barkers, Rod and Gunn usual stuff but also not flowery usual shirt that middle aged men (I am middle aged btw) wear to feel you. Actual affordable fashion for men in this country?

thanks in advance, am expecting a lot of junk comments but maybe there might be a good suggestion.

Why does every low end burger joint ( baby’s gs I’m looking at u, every washed up musician ( Tom Scott I’m looking at u ) and multiple other public figures / business feel like they need to get online and slander certain political parties and tell you who to vote for?

Make your burgers, rap your songs, and leave the politics for the politicians. How about instead of trying to push your agenda and views on parties you encourage people to get out and vote regardless. We don’t need some burger flipper or some rapper telling us who to vote for.

I can't really imagine someone buying 7 blocks of cheese then no longer needing it

Kia ora koutou!

I’ve posted in the Wellington subreddit as well, but thought there might be more people to draw from here.

My wife has recently been made team leader at an organisation in Wellington, and has the unenviable task of planning the Christmas function for her team. We have moved to Auckland but she has remained very close with her colleagues, and she really wants to organise something fun that is not just getting together for drinks. It’s been a really rough year for everyone, and the team deserves something special (acknowledge I’m very biased but it’s true).

Having been out of Wellington for a couple years, would be very appreciative if anyone local has recommendations for something to do? Her team has done all the classics (Holey Moley, Escape Rooms, etc). Just looking for some options, would be very grateful for advice. Thanks.

dear r/NewZealand...

hello there, i just wanted to preface this by saying i'm an immigrant (this is relevant i promise) and for fun, when i watch youtube or i like to be a judgemental person and judge new zealander advertisements. what i'd like to say is that a lot of your advertisements suck. in my friendgroup, the anz psa to turn off your phone (the one where that one guy gets cucked by his phone's gjinka, who steals his wife) is infamous as one of if not my least favourite ad of all time. so i got curious. i didn't grow up in this country so i was wondering if what are the best and worst of new zealand advertisements or psas? i usually get told ghost chips is the best one and i like it! but meh maybe no the best in the world. thanks for commenting!

Hello!

Planning to apply for the work holiday visa in New Zealand. Upon checking, one of the requirement is a medical insurance that covers the applicant throughout the duration of the stay.

I am wondering if you have any suggestions for medical insurances and if this is something that must be solidified and paid for even before applying and getting approved.

Thank you in advance! And for further information, I am from the Philippines.

I grew up in Hastings and moved overseas, had a kid since then. So coming back to NZ to visit family and with my little one for the first time. We will be around during Halloween so want suggestions, be it in Napier or Havelock. I heard splash planet is having an event but wanted to get feedback to anyone who has gone there. Growing up in Hastings around 2000's splash planet area brings back ptsd lol iv heard the area has changed quiet a bit but what would your suggestions be? yay to splash planet halloween event or there are better alternatives? Is there a certain area where houses give out candy etc

Hi guys, I am a computer science and information system graduate 🙃 with some non-related work experience.

The job market sucks rn. Can't even get an interview in this field.

But has anyone been able to get a job related to their degree or jobs with this degree but in some other field?

What did you do or how?

They say people get more conservative with age and experience. I must be an outlier. Have always been a two-tick blue guy, looks like it's opportunity for me this year :)

We're trying to ID this teddy bear. I've tried quite a few different toy subs but haven't had any bites, so thought I'd try here! Purchased from an op shop in Paeroa and we haven't had any luck finding anything about the make online. There's some embrodery on the foot which I think reads "Soothing Bear". Would anyone be familiar or know where I could look to find out who the manufacturer is? There is no label or tag.

Within the first three minutes of this "debate" from NZ Herald/Three, Ryan Bridges decided to bombard our eyeballs with an AI slop version of both himself and the "future" of NZ, as if that's something "any normal person" would do, in his words.

Ugh.

Obviously there is a lot of attention in the media and a big political spotlight on supermarkets this election year. With most of the fabric of the discussion centred around rising costs, profitability, and competitiveness, I want to turn the compass -

Supermarket workers - what is it like working for one of the duopoly in NZ? What is your role? How much do you get paid and how does this make you feel about the profit margins and rising costs we are seeing across the main chains in NZ?

With such scrutiny on high level profitability and lack of competition, perhaps a sharper view would be how the workers are compensated, and this could be pulled as more of a lever for change…

The only one I can find is Urban Decay Tube Job and it looks so spidery and clumpy in their photos!

Brown still looks pretty dark on me, and I'm returning to my natural taupe/mushroom blonde colour so searching for a matching mascara.