Maria Armoudian PhD, Co-Exec. Dir. @Nga_Ara_Whetu

After years of work, it's finally coming out in Sept.! What do you think of the cover? I feel privileged to write about these remarkable advocates doing critically important work! Thank you, @UofMPress @ElizabethDemers

If you're interested in mitigating the mass #extinction, #Biodiversity & #climatechange crises, here are ways to rethink, e.g. by redefining wealth (nature=wealth) & success, cleaning campaign syst & #deliberativedemocracy. thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360673…

#books #booklist #bookstagram #booktalk #booktok #greatbooks #greatbooksguide #recommendedreading #HolocaustMemorialDay #HolocaustRemembranceDay @armoudian #holocaust

The world's richest man gives a death sentence to the world's poorest people. Will this get censored here? Or will this get trolled? nytimes.com/2025/02/05/opi…

Tim Kaine tells federal employees to ignore Trump’s offer to quit w/ pay for months. “Don’t be fooled. He’s tricked hundreds of people w/ that offer. If you accept that offer & resign he’ll stiff you just like he stiffed the contractors. He doesn’t have any authority to do this.”

This National/ACT government are working from the same old neoliberal playbook, defund public services, run them down, then use that as an excuse to privatize them. It’s based on ideology and the people who pay the true price are everyday Kiwis.

Let's be clear about what happened today: Donald Trump tried to cut a giant chunk of government funding — hurting preschoolers, seniors, and veterans. Trump's illegal shutdown is blocked for now — but don't forget that he tried to cut programs supporting working families.

Nicola Willis seems to think that this is not a pristine environment, and "just scrubby land". Stewardship land is public conservation land. It's our wild rivers, wetlands, ancient rainforest and the tussocks of the mountain peaks. We’re writing to Minister Willis to clarify the high conservation value of stewardship land. Read the full media release here: forestandbird.org.nz/resources/stew… 📷Credit Neil Silverwood

Great to see strong opposition to the Luxon Government's senseless mining agenda here from Chris Hipkins rnz.co.nz/news/political… #nzpol

You have 3 days to oppose the Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Bill. A bill that could see teachers and other workers financially punished for not doing extra work. parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-…

To the financial institutions & industries backtracking on climate commitments, I want to say loudly & clearly: You’re on the wrong side of history. You’re on the wrong side of science. And you’re on the wrong side of consumers who are looking for more sustainability, not less.

China has a long way to go to reduce CO2 emissions. But in recent years they have been building far more clean energy technology than the US: 7x more EVs, 9x more solar, and 11x more wind. We risk ceding 21st century clean energy dominance to the Chinese.

Since Mr. Hegseth’s nomination last November, I have met with him and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports, and other pertinent materials. I closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered substantial feedback from organizations, veterans, and Alaskans. After thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense. I did not make this decision lightly; I take my constitutional responsibility to provide advice and consent with the utmost seriousness. I commend Pete Hegseth’s service to our nation, including leading troops in combat and advocating for our veterans. However, these accomplishments do not alleviate my significant concerns regarding his nomination. Managing the Department of Defense requires vast experience and expertise as the department is one of the most complex and powerful organizations in the world, and Mr. Hegseth’s prior roles in his career do not demonstrate to me that he is prepared for such immense responsibility. His leadership of two veteran organizations was marked with accusations of financial mismanagement and problems with the workplace culture he fostered. Although he has recently revised his statements on women in combat since being nominated, I remain concerned about the message that confirming Mr. Hegseth sends to women currently serving and those aspiring to join. Women have served our nation with distinction, overcoming immense obstacles to excel in combat and leadership roles, and they deserve to know that their leader honors and values their commitment to our nation. While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces. These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers. Men and women in uniform are held accountable for such actions, and they deserve leaders who uphold these same standards. Above all, I believe that character is the defining trait required of the Secretary of Defense, and must be prioritized without compromise. The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook. Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth.

If the pace China installed #WindWaterSolar in 2024 (370.5 GW/yr) continues, China will reach 100% #WWS for all energy purposes in 21.5 years (by 2046).

Seymour wants to privatise healthcare. It is a little concerning that Simeon Brown was just appointed Minister of Health. The cuts to healthcare aren’t meant to stop until 2027. Alarm bells should be going off for every single New Zealander. nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/ac…

This is what the #ClimateCrisis looks like. More frequent and more intense fires. #PalisadesFire

@DTM_Woodworks evidence?

Our Co-Director @armoudian has written a piece on the government's new transportation plan, and the range of consequences it could have - which sustainable green investment could solve: thebigq.org/2025/01/07/the…

Our director @armoudian appeared on RNZ's the Panel last Friday, addressing the government's new public transport hikes. She spoke to the multiplicity of costs that these will incur - not just to our wallets but to our health and environment too. rnz.co.nz/national/progr…

Why am I not surprised?

When you must write: The Patriot dissidentvoice.org/2024/12/the-pa…