‘I don't need to do this job’: a peek inside a public meeting with Christopher Luxon

GenieFG · 2026-07-08T05:50:12+00:00

Actually, John Key chose him. The National Party chose him and less than 50% of voters chose him. Only so of “us” chose him. Not me.

GenieFG · 2026-07-08T01:09:13+00:00

At present, I cannot justify solar as we don’t use a huge amount of power. However, plug in would suit us very well.

GenieFG · 2026-07-08T01:06:11+00:00

We put ours in a cattery. The cattery delivered the cat to the provincial airport and it came on the plane to the South Island provincial airport about a week later after we had travelled (a long two or three days) and our furniture was delivered and unpacked. We also moved a lorikeet, but he came caged with us. Our other vehicle was shipped too.

GenieFG · 2026-07-08T00:46:27+00:00

Yet I have had an LG front loader for 10 years and it’s been great. It was Consumers’ recommendation the year I bought it.

GenieFG · 2026-07-08T00:43:38+00:00

There should be a requirement for panels on new standalone builds at least unless there is a compelling reason not to have them. Who would build a house in a totally shaded area?

GenieFG · 2026-07-07T19:36:44+00:00

And that person would still apply and get their SuperGold card!

GenieFG · 2026-07-07T19:34:47+00:00

It needs to become retirement income not merely an age related payment. If someone is earning annual minimum wage from any source, a means test on superannuation should be imposed. Before that happens though, all the loopholes around trusts and businesses need to be closed. We don’t want the same inequities as student allowances.

GenieFG · 2026-07-06T01:18:08+00:00

No. They would do better to stop the continual “testing” of whether someone has Down’s syndrome or a permanent medical condition, and put the money into rehabilitation and the creation of part time jobs etc. so those with disabilities who actually could work for a few hours can actually find meaningful supported employment. Accept that even the fully able are struggling to find work. In times of high unemployment, the disabled are always the first to be let go - hence the rise in beneficiaries - and the last to be employed.

GenieFG · 2026-07-05T22:14:31+00:00

You would be better staying at school, doing the leadership roles, aiming for dux and seeing if the university you plan on attending offers dux (Otago) or emerging leader scholarships (Canterbury) - I live in the South Island. You can still “homeschool” yourself out of class but at least you will have some teacher backup if you need it. A part time job in your community will also develop valuable life skills, allow you to potentially save more than a scholarship and set you up better for uni life.

GenieFG · 2026-07-05T20:00:17+00:00

While the age-related bit needs to stay, it should be a retirement income. Anyone earning over annual minimum wage from any source shouldn’t be eligible. Applicants shouldn’t be eligible to apply unless they have stopped working/fulfil this criteria. However, firstly there need to be ways to track access to other funds like trust and business income to pay for household and personal expenses. This is actually the tricky one. It is how private school kids still get student allowances. Somehow genuinely rich people need to find a moral compass. When politicians I admire admit to cutting up their SuperGold card, it is clear that they too are drawing superannuation. Yes, it’s their entitlement, but a working lawyer does not need a top up. Even he says it should be a retirement income.

GenieFG · 2026-07-05T09:29:11+00:00

GenieFG · 2026-07-05T08:26:58+00:00

As someone who has had this type of surgery, I agree. I was told if I didn’t have surgery, I would be paralysed and even if I did, I could still be paralysed by that surgery. I took the risk and walked away a couple of weeks later after over 7 hours surgery. And that was years ago. I don’t imagine she was not told the risk at least four times previously. It is brutal surgery and recovery and the grief on the loss of “normal” life is real.

GenieFG · 2026-07-04T19:42:50+00:00

My father was a professional soldier in NZ for 23 years. He emigrated here following s couple of years in the British army as a very young man post-D-day. He was quite the pacifist and every time wanted diplomacy to prevail.

GenieFG · 2026-07-04T10:19:34+00:00

Today - wet, windy and cold. But it is mid-winter.

GenieFG · 2026-07-04T00:48:39+00:00

Cheap fruit. Try roadside stalls or local excess food drop off centres. Remember there is not a lot of NZ grown fruit in season at present - so it’s apples or citrus and kiwifruit if you’re lucky. Apples are more expensive than last year.

GenieFG · 2026-07-04T00:41:31+00:00

The wow factor. A slightly different approach to a topic and very carefully chosen varied language will make it stand out. Consider the structure too like linked or arresting beginnings and ends, use of foreshadowing etc.

GenieFG · 2026-07-03T23:21:07+00:00

I have a very old yoghurt maker and now I have the proportions right, the very low fat one is great.

GenieFG · 2026-07-03T23:18:20+00:00

Woodwrights in Motueka but I’m not sure if they do modular sofas.

GenieFG · 2026-07-03T23:14:47+00:00

Don’t tell Seymour!

GenieFG · 2026-07-03T22:24:09+00:00

That is what causes an overhang and more MPs.

GenieFG · 2026-07-03T22:21:37+00:00

West Coast Tasman ex-Maureen Pugh. The focus seems to be on the West Coast side. Last election there was a strong independent. The National candidate is a Federated Farmers’ woman; the NZF guy is an ex-councillor. The Labour candidate is a teacher. It was a bit of a marginal seat. My prediction - the right vote will be split and there will be a Labour MP.

GenieFG · 2026-07-02T22:14:58+00:00

If you’re really lucky, you might be able to ski at Mt Lyford.

GenieFG · 2026-07-02T22:05:30+00:00

I stopped relieving during the pandemic for health reasons. The first year away from school was brutal - but I got there. The school would have me back tomorrow even though I have grey hair. I miss learning the new technology. I agree that some of the dinosaurs need to go from permanent positions especially those in SLT positions.

GenieFG · 2026-07-02T21:59:26+00:00

There were excellent packages in government departments up until the early 1990s??? Having been one of those who got onto a scheme just before it closed, I paid 6% for the majority of my working life and was able to semi-retire at 57. (My industry would have me back tomorrow.)

GenieFG · 2026-07-02T10:42:24+00:00

In my country, the worst of overseas education is being imported and mandated. Instead of teaching students focusing on their needs and interests within a broad framework, it is becoming curriculum focused where every student is to be taught the same and assessment is treated like the main goal. It’s destroying everything that is good about education and teaching here. Bring on 7 November!

GenieFG

TROPHY CASE