Christmas wishes from your favourite people

With just a few days until Christmas I thought I'd ask some of my favourite people about their Christmas wishes. Finding out what inspires the people who inspire me has always helped me to feel encouraged, and remind me I'm part of a community. I hope it does that for you too!

This year has been a hard one. It feels as if the world's worst people are in charge globally. The genocide has continued unabated in Gaza. The genocide in Sudan has barely even made the news here. We have seen horrific racism in this country against Māori and appalling attacks on trans children and adults. Billionaires are on the cusp of becoming trillionaires. Everyone who reads this newsletter will know someone who has lost their job due to this government.

But - there is cause for hope. This year, we continued the fight, drawing inspiration from last year's Hikoi mō Te Tiriti, fighting to honour Te Tiriti. David Seymour has been humiliated again and again as the country rejects his racist rhetoric.

When this government tried to recolonise our schools, communities overwhelmingly fought back, and schools asked to be on a list created by Tania Waikato that said NO to racism and using our kids as political pawns.

And, you raised more than $158,000 in ten days to provide shelter for more than 1,260 people in Gaza. You saved lives.

So far, with our Christmas appeal for Gaza, we have raised $12,000 toward an $18,000 goal. We also raised money for many other causes this year.

We worked together to submit on countless bills:

• The Treaty Principles Bill
• The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill
• The Social Security Amendment Bill
• The Regulatory Standards Bill
• Manatū Hauora's consultation on healthcare for transgender children
• The Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned – Phase Two consultation
• The Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill
• The draft Relationships and Sexuality Education framework 
• The Amendments to the Marine and Coastal Area Act

And we had more than 10,000 signatures in a week on our open letter to the government calling for an apology for how they've treated disabled tamariki and adults.

So, I'm proud of us. And my hope for 2026 is that we continue to fight for what is right. That we continue to show up. And we continue to find joy in community and in each other. Read on for what inspired me in 2025 - I think it will inspire you too!

Arohanui Emily x

"Togetherness baby, it's essential!!!" - your favourite poet's favourite poet

Freya Daly Sadgrove is one of my favourite writers and just an all-round excellent human, I love what she said about AI when we talked about what inspired us and what didn't this year.

"Generative AI has been stoking many of my least enjoyable qualities, and there was a point in September where I was crying and screaming and threatening seriously to abandon 'civilisation'. That had been the growing vibe in me for at least a year and a half, and it broke when I saw a poetry publication use gen-AI in a promotion on Instagram. Because the poets... I thought the poets would all be united against it, at least," she said.

"I had a pretty giant mental illness tantrum, and I was with my sister, and I swear no one else in the goddamn world could have got through to me at that height of my feelings, but Elise did, slowly and gently, and she managed to kind of completely turn my attitude around – not to liking gen-AI, don't worry, but to committing to not giving up on human society because that would be LETTING THE AI WIN!"

"The people pushing it want us to be separate and to stop caring for each other and our own minds. Since that conversation with my sister, I have felt 1000x more able to live amidst all this bullshit, and that's inspiration, right?"

"When I see fugly (or horrifically realistic) AI-generated slop (too kind a word for it), or when I read about gen-AI waltzing into education spaces to suck out thought and imagination and fucking LEARNING, instead of freaking the fuck out, I feel my purpose getting solider inside me".

"My purpose is to MAKE THINGS with and for other humans, aka to GIVE A SHIT. And my sister inspired that shift :') and it's gonna sustain me through some upsetting developments I think".

Freya also found inspiration from an unlikely place this year. The Wikipedia page for Luddites.

"Christmas is a deeply irreligious experience for my secular ass, and I love it. I think the most important thing about Christmas for me is hanging out with my family, particularly my sister (the best person in the world, if that wasn't clear), which I won't get to do this year because I'll be in Sydney, and I feel sad about that. But some wonderful friends have invited us round to share the day with them, and I think that is so fucking nice."

"Togetherness baby, it's essential!!!"

As for her Christmas wish? It's that we reverse the ban on puberty blockers immediately.

"In 2026, I look forward to the enthusiastic unseating of the unholy triumvirate and the voting in of a government that actually does its job, as in looks after all our people, and our culture, and our environment, and human rights everywhere, chur!"

Cheers to that. Freya's first poetry collection Head Girl was published in 2020 with Te Herenga Waka University Press. It’s being turned into a TV series in 2026! Freya is a fantastic editor. Hire her here.

Our precious taonga Tania might finally get a break?

Tania Waikato has had an absolutely incredible year. She is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to creating community and harnessing people power. She lead us with the Statutory Regulations Bill mobilising more than 160,000 people to make submissions and again with the Te Rārangi Rangatira schools list. I sincerely hope she gets a break this Christmas!

Christmas for Tania means "Sunshine, whānau, kai, and the beach," she said.

"I hope 2026 will be a year of change for a better society, and I hope to be part of that change."

In typical Tania fashion, when I asked what she is looking forward to in 2026 she said: "I would say a rest but I know that's not happening".

"I'm looking forward to meeting a destiny I've avoided for a long time. I've made peace with letting the old version of me who could have stayed comfortable and avoided the necessary difficulties of standing in my truth go. It's time to become who I was born to be. I'm looking forward to watching her come out of her chrysalis. She is ready to fly."

How lucky are we to have Tania?

Follow Tania on Facebook and Instagram. Tania is taking part in the Green Party's candidate selection process to stand in the next election in 2026. Join her campaign group here.

Hopes for a tectonic-free time for Tusi

Tusiata Avia is a wonder. This year she published another incredible collection of poetry and prose, about the death of her father, Namu-lau’ulu Mikaio Avia. Giving Birth to My Father is stunning.

Tusiata was inspired by Michelle Rahurahu and her book Poorhara.

"It's one of those rare books that has crawled under my skin and has taken up residency inside my body. It comes back to me again and again. It is one of the best examples of how colonisation effects an indigenous people, generation after generation, in the most macro and most micro of ways. If only people in our current government would understand this!"

Christmas isn't Tusi's favourite time of year.

"Christmas was great when I was a kid; the highlight of the year, when some kind of wish came true. There was also Uncle Colin's amazing trifle and a fun day with loads of family. As an adult, of course, it's often the difficulties of financial expenditure. I really hate buying presents on demand and trying to figure out who I do and don't have to buy for. And then there's the shifting tectonic plates of family dynamics. It's not my favourite time."

So her wish is to "have a peaceful, tectonic-free time with my family," she said.

Next year, Tusiata is Writer in Residence at the IIML at Te Herenga Waka University of Wellington. "This is the first time I have been able to do a long residency away from my city since I became a mother. Even though I'm anxious about leaving my daughter and 92-year-old mother, I'm also looking forward to a year writing and living in Wellington".

Subscribe to Tusiata's newsletter here.

Christmas chats with our Country Queen

Tami Neilson has had an incredible year. She's toured with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan and released an incredible album: Neon Cowgirl. She's a Christmas fanatic who loves to spread joy and magic with early decorations and lots of love. She's spending Christmas with her family in Canada - the first white Christmas she's had since she moved to Aotearoa twenty years ago.

"I was really inspired by Willie this year. Many of his band and crew have been with him for 40-plus years, and they would take a bullet for him. It’s a testament to how he treats people. He has what his stage manager calls “an open arms policy”. His capacity for kindness and generosity while working in a notoriously cut-throat industry for almost a century is incredibly inspiring".

Tami's Christmas wish is a 'wave a magic wand kind of wish', she said.

"....that every person who inflicts pain or cruelty on others would have to live the lives of the people they persecute. Maybe we’d have a little more compassion and kindness, especially from people who hold power."

Buy Neon Cowgirl here. Buy some of Tami's iconic merch here - I have the tassel tee! See Tami perform around Aotearoa in 2026 - here's her stacked tour schedule.

Our Green Queen is inspired by the people

I didn't think there was much to be proud of this year, but hearing who inspired Marama Davidson changed that for me. People power was her big inspiration - all of us!

"Schools giving a big finger to the government, trying to undermine Te Tiriti! Kotahitanga in action! Over 10,000 people coming together in Auckland to stand against genocide in Gaza. People around the country are uniting against laws that undermine our taiao, our environment. Over 95% of submitters opposed the latest Fast Track legislation. Workers and their communities and families - over 100k uniting around the country for workers' rights. The clear stand against undermining pay equity and upholding justice for women workers. Communities and health specialists being voices for humanity against the puberty blockers anti-trans proposals. And the movement behind the win of Zohran Mamadani as the Mayor of New York," she said.

"Unity in protecting each other and our planet hits different than the politics of
hate peddled by politicians in this govt."

Christmas is a special time of reconnection for Marama - with Whānau and Papatūānuku. It's also a time for "rest and restoration. Time
to appreciate our ancestors and the generations to come". She's all about rejecting the capitalist colonial project of hyper consumerism and waste too - something we can all get behind.

Marama's Christmas wish is one I think we all share.

"That we all work together and commit to: Ending poverty for whānau. Ending
homelesssness for everyone. Hoki whenua mai, returning whenua to tangata
whenua. Tiakina te taiao, nurture nature. Whakamanahia te Tiriti, upholding tino
rangatiratanga for iwi and hapū. Simple things..."

Next year is going to be a big one. It's all about "kicking this cruel government out but [also] ensuring we have a strong Green heart at the centre of the next one so we can create an Aotearoa that our mokopuna deserve".

Sign up to be part of the Green movement in 2026 or donate here - you're needed now more than ever.

"World peace would go so hard right now..."

Author Laura Vincent (Ngāti Māhanga, Ngāpuhi) has had a thrilling year, with the release of her fantastic debut novel Hoods Landing. You may know Laura from her first cookbook, Hungry and Frozen. Since then she's written for so many great publications. And did I say her debut novel is incredible?! Because it is!

In 2026, Laura says she's looking forward to "being even more in love, making dinner for friends and whānau, and changing the government". Amen to that.

She was inspired by one of the people who inspired me so much this year! I'm so glad we can give Pinky her flowers: "I am so inspired by Pinky Fang’s mahi. She co-created the Boycott Zine Aotearoa resources and the new Pro Palestine Business Aotearoa zines. She is a fearless voice for Palestine and against the many things we have to be angry about."

What’s Laura's Christmas wish? "World peace would go so hard right now, and also a copy of Hoods Landing under every cool person’s Christmas tree."

You can order Hoods Landing through Unity Books!

A new peaceful post-politics era for Tory Whanau...

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has had a harder year than most. This year, she bravely exposed a coordinated campaign of sexual harassment and gendered misinformation against her. We are sadly losing her to Naarm next year, but her courage this year has been my inspiration.

"I met Annette Sykes for the first time this year, and she is so badass. She reminded me to stay strong for myself and the kaupapa, and the importance of all wāhine supporting each other," she said.

"Christmas for me is about time with whanau. I cherish it every year. There’s always amazing kai and lots of laughs."

In 2026, Tory is looking forward to "...a return of health and wellness and of course, a change of government".

Follow Tory on Instagram.

Good sex in 2026

It's been a year of inspiration for Melody Thomas - the award-winning host of the fantastic podcast The Good Sex Project and author of one of my favourite newsletters - Truly, Melody, Deeply.

Despite a devastating loss this year, Melody has shown gratitude for those around her in a way that can move us all.

"I know you're not fishing for compliments here Emily, but I truly have been so inspired by you and your mahi this year. Being able to contribute in a meaningful way to families in Palestine via your tent drive was so empowering. I got to actually do something, rather than watch helplessly. So thank you for that. The Global Sumud Flotilla was also amazing to watch - what incredibly brave humans."

"I was also inspired by Ali Mau, whose new project Tika is providing a new, safe and supported pathway for victims/survivors of sexual abuse; my friend Hana Miller and her cathartic, joyous event for girls, gays and theys Party Girl; Tamatha Paul for proposing the legislation amendment that's making stalking a criminal offence; my gorgeous friends, who keep me excited, grounded and cared for, my children, who are just the best little humans in the world, and such a delight to be around."

"And my beautiful Mumma, who passed away in June, and who was a testament to the ways cycles of trauma & violence can be broken, and that you're never too old to learn and grow."

Melody loves Christmas, but this year, she says it will be 'bittersweet'.  "Mum was the one who went mad for Xmas growing up, sitting us down for Xmas Eve fondue and Christmas carols, and saving and scrounging (even taking out loans) so there'd be a pile of presents under the tree, even when we were broke. Everything Christmas-related is also Mum-related, so she's gonna be very close by for the festive season, which is a blessing, even if painful."

Her Christmas wishes are both big and small -  "I just want to continue to do the mahi I do! Freelance life can be so exhausting - constantly hustling for new projects, new funding, new audiences. The media landscape is more precarious than ever, with so many restructures, redundancies, and even entire platforms closing up shop. But I don't want to do anything else! Audio storytelling is the most fascinating, fun, impactful and wonderful career - I hope I get to do it for years and years to come. 

"I also [wish for] genocides to be halted, for an end to the billionaire class, for puberty blockers to be freely accessible for young people seeking gender affirming healthcare, for those without homes and food and warm clothes and healthcare to have access to all of those things and more, for the legalisation of cannabis and mass release of all incarcerated for past convictions, for an end to the manosphere, for effective, progressive and tangata whenua-led climate policies, for more parties and pleasure and rest and joy and for a return to the time where Nazis were seen as bad!"

"Overall, I'm just hoping that 2026 is a bit gentler and kinder on the people I love than 2025 has been. It's been really hard-going for so many, and I think we all deserve a little break."

Subscribe to Melody's newsletter here. Listen to The Good Sex Project here.

Sophie Moskowitz is a connector and community creator. She has founded an incredible safe space for parents in her organisation Imperfect Parents. This year she joined the podcast Why Do You Parent Like That with a spinoff show Parenting is Political - another great home for thoughtful parents who want to understand the world around them and how it impacts their parenting.

"This year, I've been quite genuinely inspired by all the parents that I meet through my mahi. I have heard the most incredible stories, witnessed more resilience than I could have ever imagined, and seen the way that parents who are stretched to their limits are still making time to check in on each other, drop off care packages, and lift one another up. I feel so lucky that I get to see the best of humanity on a daily basis.

"Christmas for me is a time to pause and make the effort to really, truly be present with my whānau - the most important people in my life. It always makes me feel so grateful for the privileges we have - enough Kai, safe spaces to live, the ability to travel and be with family."

World peace is an obvious Christmas wish for Sophie (and a sincere hope that 2026 will be the year we overthrow capitalism and fascism). But aside from that, she's hoping for a day off.

Find out more about Imperfect Parents playgroups and antenatal classes here. Follow Sophie on Instagram here. Listen to Parenting is Political here.

Finally, I thought I'd ask these same questions to my little boy Hammy!

What (or who) inspired you this year? Zohran Mamdani

What does Christmas mean to you? [Christmas is the] time of year where there is usually pōhutukawa, pōhutukawa is beautiful, so Christmas means beautiful nature.

What’s your Christmas wish? Donald Trump to be impeached and convicted of crimes against humanity.

So - What inspired you in 2025? And what are you hoping for in 2026? I'd love to hear all about it!

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