Lis Balderston she/her

We need to have an honest conversation about who is being left behind in this cost of living crisis — and that includes our kaumātua and elderly. There is a dangerous assumption creeping into the public narrative that retirees are somehow insulated, that they’ve all got nest eggs or assets to fall back on. That simply isn’t the reality for many. A significant number were already doing it tough before petrol prices surged, before food costs climbed, and before power bills started biting harder. Now, they are among those feeling it the most. If we ignore that truth, we fail them. This is a call to both government and community. For policymakers, there are practical, targeted interventions that could make a real difference right now: Increase the food grant for superannuitants to $250 every six months Provide a temporary lift in the accommodation supplement — even $10 a week matters Fix or subsidise the cost of electricity for the elderly over winter months These are not radical ideas — they are measured responses to immediate pressure. But beyond policy, there is something just as important: connection. Isolation and loneliness among the elderly is a growing issue, and in times like this, it becomes even more pronounced. We don’t need legislation to fix that — we need people. Check in on your neighbours. Pick up the phone. Drop off a meal. Have a conversation. Because the strength of any society is measured not by how it treats those doing well — but by how it looks after those who are most vulnerable. We can do better. And more importantly, we should.

When the PM is so obnoxious, so ignorant and so self-serving that he thinks booking and paying for Robbie Williams to come to NZ, with our money, during tough times, fuel crisis, etc, there's only one way it can be dealt with. Sack the Prick In 26

@ZoeParamour I have the silver tabby version - 💕

Any expert gardeners who can help me identify what I’ve grown here? Is it invasive?

I feel it's time for this again ... youtu.be/h-yjkAXxnMA

@tauhenare @BrianTamakiNZ Well said

@BrianTamakiNZ You must be so weak to think that other folk have the ability to gather without being hateful. You were the one who ordered your goons to attack my daughter and her colleagues at Tat Nth Library. You are scum.

IS THIS AUCKLAND… OR ANOTHER COUNTRY? Here are Muslim in Auckland today, Alexandra Park, Ellerslie. Praying en masse as a part of their EID Celebrations. Not quietly, not privately…but right out in the open. What is happening to our country? We’ve seen scenes like this in London, Sydney… but now in Auckland? WTH! New Zealand was built on Christian values. Faith. Family. Freedom. Those values shaped our laws, our culture, and the way we live together. But now? We’re expected to stay quiet… and pretend nothing’s changing. Kiwis are not blind. We can see the shift. We can feel it. New Zealand, no longer looks like New Zealand. It’s noticeable in cities like Auckland…40% of this city were born overseas. What we saw today wasn’t just a one-off moment… it’s a sign of a much bigger shift happening across New Zealand. Foreign religions are sending a message…they are here to take over our nation. Mass immigration is changing the face of our country…fast. Faster than our culture can absorb. Kiwis were never asked for this level of change. And when migration happens at a pace with no expectation to integrate… we don’t get unity… 👉 we get parallel cultures. 👉 we get division. 👉 we lose what made this nationstrong. 👉 we lose our Kiwi Way of Life. When public spaces become platforms for foreign religions, it raises a fair question: Where do we draw the line? We must not lose our Kiwi identity. Because once we give up our identity, We won’t it back. If you move to NZ...you need to become a Kiwi. Leave your foreign ways behind. This is why the True Patriots are rising. To stand for what built this nation. To protect what makes New Zealand, New Zealand. Keep New Zealand… New Zealand. Tell me what do you think… are you happy with the direction NZ is heading? #TruePatriotsNZ

Do put this all over social media. Every little bit helps

What have we become as a society? A person sitting on the street with a discarded cup, hoping someone might drop in a $2 coin — and instead of help, they’re told to move on. If they don’t? They can be charged. Fined. Criminalised. Thousands of dollars in fines… for someone who clearly has nothing. Think about that for a moment. What lesson are we teaching here? Because it’s not about accountability. It’s not about safety. It’s not even about solutions. It’s about criminalising the homeless. Criminalising the vulnerable. Criminalising people who are already at the very bottom. And at the same time? We underfund mental health. We turn people away from services. We leave whānau without support until they hit crisis point. Then when they fall through the cracks — we punish them for it. What does that say about us? What does that say about our humanity? We cannot fine our way out of homelessness. We cannot police our way out of poverty. And we certainly cannot build stronger communities by pushing people further to the margins. If we are serious about change, then let’s start investing in real solutions: Housing. Mental health support. Addiction services. Whānau-centred care. Because right now, all we are doing is making a hard life even harder — and calling it policy. We can do better than this. We should do better than this.

@faith_vtch I grew up with a Scottish father who did the same I still do this daily- rain shine or hail

I grew up with a German parent, so imagine my surprise when I moved out and realized people do not open their windows. My roommates were SHOCKED when I would air the house out in the morning 😭 what do u mean youve never heard of air being stale

@mcnaughthelen1 Sounds delicious

I'm trying out a recipe for baked pears with blue cheese, walnuts and honey

@archer_rs Love an old fashioned

Well it's that time. Good evening.

@archer_rs Delicious

Dinner this evening for those interested: Cured salmon with pickled salad and crème fraîche Veal Lasagna Sticky toffee pudding with cream For the wine a 2018 Luigi Spertino Vigna la Mandorla Barbera d'Asti Superiore

Forgive yourself for what you did while under the influence of wanting to be loved.

@tubemapper Mornington Crescent 😎💕

Guess the London Underground Station? Hello let's play another guessing game. We will again focus on a single tube station. This is interior designer Anna's favourite station. Please do reshare/tag this with anyone who'd enjoy guessing Answer on Sunday

💕

In order for me to write poetry that isn't political, I must listen to the birds. And in order to hear the birds, The warplanes must be silent. - Marwan Makhoul

@megha_lilly Want

My latest archeological observation: These are the toys that Italian kids play with so that they can adequately prepare for Italian grown up life.

And some Aotearoa New Zealand libraries too

@Becs ❤️‍🩹

I remember the time we waited until Paula's body was found. Always grateful for that closure.

this song always makes me think of Paula. How I miss her youtu.be/_1nKGVDhQ60?si… via @YouTube

Having anxiety and depression is like being scared and tired at the same time. It's wanting friends, but hate socializing. It's wanting to be alone, but not wanting to be lonely. It's feeling everything at once then feeling paralyzingly numb.

If you watch this video 2 times and share it you'll help me get treatment I need