I wrote this for you...
Last night, I slept terribly. I woke at about 3AM after only really falling asleep at 1AM. And I grabbed my phone to write, figuring once I got the words that were running around in my brain out, I would be able to sleep.
I am often asked how I write as often as I do. I wrote my first book on my phone in snatched moments as my baby slept on my chest. Toni Morrison once said: “Write at the edges of the day" and that's what I do.
I once sat on a Mother's Day panel with Fiona Kidman and Joy Cowley (sandwiched between two dames trying to offer anything interesting is challenging - especially when you're frothing over their proximity to you) - and they talked about writing in pencil at their dining room tables. Whenever I'm frantically tapping out little things that rarely become published essays or posts, I think of these two powerhouse women, writing by hand as their children play.
I often have to remind myself how much of a privilege it is to write. In this messed up capitalist hellscape you're in, it's easy to forget that. I ticked over 25,000 subscribers here but instead of being happy, I just felt worried because over 25,000 means Ghost charges me more. And it's 25,000 free subscribers.
This morning I was reminded that I am so lucky, through postcode lottery, to be able to write in the messy corners of my life.
My dear friend Jehad writes from his tent. He has been displaced five times since October 2023. Like so many Palestinian men and women, he is highly educated with a BA, an MSc in Politics and a PhD in Politics & International Relations. He is also an accredited journalist, which makes him a target for Israel.
Still, he writes for us. He lines up every day to use the sole source of power and internet to share what life is like under Israel's genocide and occupation.
In Jehad’s words “people cling on to the last few percent of battery life every night”. In the dark at night, the only light anyone has is their cellphone.
While I have to put up with the odd stalker and committed troll, Jehad has to survive every day and protect his family. And he has to do so armed only with an old cellphone and laptop - and sometimes enough money to buy power to run them both.
If Jehad had a solar panel he would not have to line up daily (as well as trek over 10km on foot for food) to work and support his family.
If you'd like to help Jehad get a solar panel, which would benefit the camp too, please donate here. Or you can continue to donate to the Aotearoa 2 Gaza mutual aid fund which is still staggering along (but is very low on funds).
Here's a video of where your funds go:
Account Name: Prosean Pictures Bank Account: 06-0574-0906928-00
Other things you can do to make the world slightly better
On Wednesday, there's a rally and an open letter handover on Parliament Lawn to oppose ACT's Health and Safety changes. Workers will absolutely be harmed if the Bill passes. Meet at 1PM, Wednesday 24 June.
Read more about it here:
RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
Have you put through your submissions? You have just 11 days to put in submissions for:
- Move-on Orders - more info here.
- Horrible gender bill - Here are 50 reasons why it sucks.
- Conservation amendment bill - Here's a Greenpeace submission guide.
You can also use this great tool - Yeah, nah.
If you haven't already, please sign the petition against the horrible gender bill!
Sign the petition calling on the government to sever all relations with the state of Israel.
Buy a copy of The Far-Right Playbook: Created by ActionStation, The Far-Right Playbook is a collection of essays outlining key tactics the Far-Right are using in Aotearoa to incite fear and division in order to capture more power for themselves.
Join the Free Palestine Party: the party is not seeking votes on election day. Instead they want access to candidate events so they can ask wannabe politicians and leaders what their stance is on the genocide.
All across the motu, Green Party election campaign teams are in a flurry of activity. Check the Green events page, find a volunteer opportunity that’s a good fit for you, and help keep the momentum going.
Don't Scrap The BSA! The Broadcasting Standards Authority is our only real protection against the publication of lies, abuse or misinformation in broadcasting.
Restore access to gender-affirming care at the University of Waikato: Health care in Aotearoa should be an inclusive and welcoming space no matter who you are or where you are from. Everyone should experience high-quality treatment in a timely manner.
STOP new ICE-style powers to request ID (and other measures) in the new Immigration Bill: The government has proposed some very shitty changes that will have a significant, negative impact on everyone, all visa holders, but especially people seeking asylum, and refugees in Aotearoa.
Tauiwi Tautoko is doing its awesome Tauiwi pākehā training sessions. These sessions teach you proven strategies from the anti-racist toolkit, to ‘call in’ racist comments and gently challenge and change racist views.
- Tauiwi pākehā training: 16 August to 18 October 2026 - More info and training schedule for the August tauiwi pākehā cohort
- Tauiwi of the global majority (BIPOC) * training: 26 July to 26 September - More info and training schedule for the July tauiwi of the global majority cohort
Buy some cute things that raise money for good things!
Buy some cute winter woollies to support The Green Party.
Get something from the very cute Matariki x Kākāriki collection.
Get a Kill the Bill! MVPFAFF+ edition tee from Bloody Samoan!
I love the upcycled tees from Antifa Cuties.
Go to some cute things that raise money for good things/raise awareness about things that matter!
Stand Up, Sing Back: People Have the Power - Come along for an evening of creativity, community, politics, irreverence and, most of all, singing! I'm very excited about this one. It's in Pōneke so grab a ticket ASAP!
Story time with Yasmine and Lawrence - Sunnyvale, Tāmaki Makaurau.
It's in our nature kōrero with Lan Pham, Teanau Tuiono, Hūhana Lyndon, and Steve Abel - Ōtautahi
Volunteer for Out and About Wānaka
Come to an Enrol to Vote Party! Fun! It's June 30, 2026 at 5:00pm - 7pm in Pōneke.
And if you want to help with Tamatha Paul's campaign, there's phone calling every Thursday night 5.30pm to 7.30pm BYO Laptop and headset if you have them. -
RSVP Thursday 25 June / RSVP Thursday 2 July / RSVP Thursday 9 July. There's also door knocking (which really works) RSVP Sunday 28 June, Ngaio / RSVP Saturday 4 July, Aro Valley / RSVP Sunday 5 July, Aro Valley. I know about Tam's campaign because my friend is her campaign manager, but I am begging you to meet your local Greens or TPM (or Labour I guess lol) candidate and help out. The other parties have LOTS of money, but we have people power.
The Stop the Disability Support Services Bill Petition Handover is at Parliament on 2 July at 1PM. Please put it in your diary and tell your friends! Please RSVP if you are able to attend, and let us know about any access needs so that we can do our best to support you.
Also this!
Thank you so much! I know things kind of feel pretty awful right now and I know I'm a bit of a broken record on this but I really do believe in us.
A bunch of jerks threatened to come to a Pride event at a library I spoke at last week and guess what? They didn't come! Of course! And it was actually so freakin' lovely! And I kept thinking the whole time that it's such a small, small minority of horrid people in the world.
Mostly, it's just really lovely people who want to help each other. It's just that the mean and ugly people have so much power. But we have power too. We just have to harness it and use it.
“I stared high at the clouds, casting shadows across that untouched orchard. Without blinking, I told the Crocodile:
“Whenever I try to shape my world, I end up destroying it.”
He turned my chin, so I met his gaze - which had grown uncharacteristically soft - and said:
“That is a lie told to subdue slaves, who outnumber their masters. It is the lie on which every empire is built.”
― Jordan Ifueko, The Maid and the Crocodile
Arohanui Emily x
Also, it's absolutely fine to be a hater sometimes lol
