The delightful Toby Manhire adds a truly kiwi perspective to Peter Thiel's escape from a decaying USA.
"He does have a bit of coin. Forbes puts his net wealth at $29bn, which, converted into New Zealand currency, is about 3.2 billion $15 pāua pies at Puku Pies & Kai in Petone."
"God no longer defend Peter Thiel, please, for he is forsaking New Zealand"
"Back at home, Ruth Richardson pushes on. Asset sales continued; the BNZ is flicked off, so is NZ Rail."
#TobyManhire, 2025
https://www.thespinoff.co.nz/podcasts/juggernaut
So having severely impoverished a million kiwis during an economic crisis, supposedly to afford the cost of bailing out the BNZ, within a couple of years Richardson has sold it.
(1/3)
"More than a million people are affected by the cuts. The worst hit are 20-24 year olds on the dole. Their benefit drops by 25%, to $108 a week. Adjusted for inflation, that would be about $235 in 2025.
Sickness beneficiaries under 25 lose 20% of their income, down to $130 a week. $282 in today's money."
#TobyManhire, 2025
https://thespinoff.co.nz/podcasts/juggernaut
Sound familiar? So far NatACT First have come for 100% of 18-19 year olds' dole. But ...
(1/?)
"I can think of one country that is really good at long-term infrastructure planning: China. Why don’t we just go with their approach to elections, and not have them at all."
#TobyManhire, 2025
This is such a common misconception. China does, in fact, hold elections. Just not multiparty elections.
For anyone needing a post-election laugh;
"The wealth tax has announced that it is ruling out working with Chris Hipkins for the duration of his tenure as Labour leader and prime minister. Speaking in solemn tones to a crowded media conference in Wellington the wealth tax said it was disappointed in recent rhetoric and political posturing from Chris Hipkins, and after careful reflection had resolved to rule out working with him."
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-08-2023/wealth-tax-rules-out-working-with-chris-hipkins
Toby Manhire on "The minister responsible for Jack Tame".
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/02-10-2023/the-minister-responsible-for-jack-tame
Christopher Luxon reminds me of Don Brash running as Nat leader in 2005. Like Brash, Luxon is unable to think on his feet in interviews, so instead of giving spontaneous answers to the questions asked, he falls back on parroting talking points. Anyone who wants ChatGPT for PM, knows who to vote for ; )
Although as #TobyManhire points out, there are some important differences between 2005 and 2023:
Good one Michael 🤣
"What about Act? Who is the Prebble of 2023? There is no listed candidate for the [Wellington Central] electorate, and when the chair of the event, RNZ legend Bryan Crump, looked unsuccessfully around the room for someone from the party, Michael Appleby of the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party piped up. 'They asked me to speak on their behalf', he lied. 'The Association of Cannabis and Toking'."
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-09-2023/spree-waters-political-bedlam-returns-to-aro-valley
The polls haven't been good news for Labour *or* National, as standalone parties. As #TobyManhire pointed out last month;
"the average across the latest polls from five companies put the Labour/National aggregate at 66.2%. And it is not just the lowest of the last dozen years. Not since the end of 2002 have the big two polled beneath a combined 70%. That followed a record low 20.9% election result for National, with Labour winning 41.26%."
Bob LeFridge 
Strypey
