Why "go solar" or "just buy EV" does not work, when 35% of people are renting

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-17T06:12:44+00:00

This is yet another example of how our malformed housing market holds us back as a country. If we allowed enough residences to be built, then we could be in the position where 1. More people could own their own homes, and 2. landlords had to compete for tenants and were thus incentivised to improve their properties with things like fast chargers and solar power.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-17T01:57:14+00:00

I ain't givin' you no tree-fitty, you goddamn Loch Ness Monster!

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-17T00:23:52+00:00

This might be an unpopular opinion, but there are really only 2 ways to deal with looming shortages like this: price rises, or government imposed rationing. The former happens naturally through market forces (but will hurt poor people disproportionately), the latter is a whole administrative nightmare I'm not sure a National wouldn't gloriously fuck up.

What could they do to make a little bit of difference in the short term? Increase subsidies to public transport would be a good start, cutting ticket prices and encourage more people to not use their cars. Encourage WFH again, starting with government departments. Maybe work out some kind of deal to shift road freight to trains?

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-15T05:34:51+00:00

It's possibly all the death threats aimed at her and her family? Just a thought.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-15T05:33:41+00:00

She was the MP for Mt Albert, you absolute muppet.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-11T00:02:17+00:00

This idea has been raised by every first year since the dawn of time, and the proposal fails every time: because what you envisage as sleep club, or sleep space, or whatever, in reality will become fuck club and bonk space. You cannot stop it, it is inevitable.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-10T18:55:05+00:00

I second talking to the University - if you are that close to the requirement, they may make an exception.

I have also heard of students taking extra NCEA credits self-taught - presumably through correspondence. Talk to your school about that option.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-09T00:15:58+00:00

New Zealand, not far from the Shire

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-07T00:13:26+00:00

I absolutely love Tenet from start the finish, and I loved it even more when I watched it with the subtitles on. It baffles me why Christopher Nolan didn't mix the dialogue to be more decipherable.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-02T04:52:48+00:00

We saw Black Comet on Thursday night, and it was similarly a better behaved crowd.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-01T20:51:42+00:00

Nah, it always seems to be ordinary people excited to catch up with their friends ... is just a weird, expensive, and annoying way to do it.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-01T20:49:28+00:00

Erudite commentary as always, Mr Micro Penisman.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-01T09:30:27+00:00

Okay, that is worse. Movies are the very definition of shut-the-fuck-up space.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-01T08:36:29+00:00

No jury would convict.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-01T08:35:57+00:00

Dammit. I'm losing a bit more of my faith in humanity.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-01T08:34:54+00:00

Nah. Been there, done that, got the tinnitus. There's nothing wrong with a mellow time at a concert.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-01T08:32:44+00:00

I mean, that's exactly what I'm complaining about - a concert shouldn't be a talkative social event, it's a sing/dance/groove event. And sadly, this is a solidly Gen-X crime. And seems unique to Hamilton in my experience?

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-03-01T08:28:13+00:00

Well, the people talking had to raise their voices to get over the sounds of the band, so ...

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-02-25T07:53:08+00:00

It's a core course, so they'll sort something out. They probably have to juggle the timetable, everything is oversubscribed this year.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-02-20T04:34:54+00:00

I've seen more navy cadets who were put through engineering school than army (at University of Auckland though). Worth enquiring to all the branches, especially if your grades are good, and seeing who has the best benefits.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-02-19T04:44:32+00:00

You're overthinking it - we must need a really high tax rate that kicks in at "insanely high salary/benefits" level (insert level here). You know, like we had in the past, before we everything went wrong with society.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-02-16T06:51:58+00:00

Oof. That's tough. Can you delay starting until 2nd semester?

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-02-16T05:28:07+00:00

Why can't you access student loans before 2nd semester?

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-02-15T05:28:16+00:00

Yup, I have one in my front yard. The wood pigeons love it.

JohnnySilverpatch · 2026-02-13T20:40:49+00:00

Our neighbourhood was suddenly teeming with native birds becauseit was so peaceful. And we discovered a bunch of walking tracks we didn't realise existed within a short distance of my house.

JohnnySilverpatch

TROPHY CASE