As Callaghan Innovation prepares to shut up shop it’s making one last pitch - a hackathon to design a “NZ DOGE”. What the fuck does that even mean? And what is happening with the transplant of US tech culture and propaganda into the NZ discourse? This episode’s co-hosts Kyle, Olivier Timestamps 0:00 Opening 3:05 Americanized Language 7:25 NZ Exceptionalism 12:58 NZME 19:31 DOGE 24:25 Selling Securities 28:55 Cynicism 31:12 Ministry of Regulations 34:49 Callaghan Innovation 43:45 ETH Global...
Mar 11, 2025•54 min•Ep 126•Transcript available on Metacast We get the chance to swing at Labour for their latest fumbled PR and what looks like a signal of further centrism. School lunches remain on the agenda as one student gets second degree burns. And multiple high profile political roles are on the way out. This episode’s co-hosts Simone, Kyle Timestamps 0:00 Opening 0:45 Labours Fumbling 8:24 Campaign Mode 21:46 Aggressive Centrism 24:38 School Lunches 34:14 Minister of Health 41:05 Fired Over Trump 48:07 Closing Intro/Outro by The Prophet Motive S...
Mar 08, 2025•Transcript available on Metacast We discuss genocide, tracking the history of the concept and definition into the present day. This episode’s co-hosts Kyle, Kieran Timestamps 0:00 Opening 2:29 Raphael Lemkin 10:52 A Process 16:20 Divided Genocidal Actions 18:52 Mass Killing 24:39 Colonialism 28:35 Legal Prohibition 35:30 Charging Genocide Against the US 41:10 The Crime of Crimes 44:53 Prosecution 56:55 Resistance 1:02:00 Displacement 1:07:58 Freedom of Movement 1:11:04 Logic of Genocide 1:13:36 An End to Genocide 1:...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep 124•Transcript available on Metacast The media/pol class are finally admitting that Luxon is not fit for purpose, while his coalition partners go from disaster to disaster, and his own Ministers propose wildly destructive policy. Meanwhile, NZ still isn’t anywhere near close to the speed of decline faced by the US. This episode’s co-hosts Simone, Pmax, Philip, Kyle Timestamps 0:00 Opening 1:20 Luxons LinkedIn Speak 7:46 School Lunches 12:35 Citizens Arrests 36:31 Woke 42:05 The U.S Empire 1:01:12 Closing Intro/Outro by The Pr...
Mar 01, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep 123•Transcript available on Metacast Last weekend Destiny Church was directed by their leader, Brian Tamaki, to undertake terrorism. They duly complied, storming a library to attack a children’s story event, injuring at least one person and forcing children and caregivers to barricade themselves in a room. We discuss the conditions that led to this and the need for a strong, ongoing response in the face of a political and media climate that, at best, isn’t interested. https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/02/19/destiny-church-appeasement-doe...
Feb 22, 2025•59 min•Ep 122•Transcript available on Metacast We discuss the destruction of public services in Education and Health and the purely extractive nature of neoliberal privatisation. We then peer through time (at the current situation in the US) to understand where these decisions by the National Party coalition government are going to end up. This episode’s co-hosts Kyle, Gigi, Ginny, Simone Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 4:04 School Lunches 12:55 Compass 18:57 Health Ministries 29:20 Trans Healthcare 34:48 Difference in Institutions 37:32...
Feb 15, 2025•57 min•Ep 121•Transcript available on Metacast We weigh in on the accelerating fascist destruction of the administrative state in the US and consider how this impacts NZ, possible steps to take, and the way that media and politics here is being set up in a way to clear the path for rabid extraction and decline, particularly via the ACT Party. https://mickhall.substack.com/p/natos-strategy-engaging-civil-society This episode’s co-hosts Josephine , Kyle, Oliver Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 0:44 Accelerationism in Power 13:32 Imperialism ...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep 120•Transcript available on Metacast We talk education and ECE reforms, the issues with Labour alongside the role of unions, and the news about ex ACT Party President Tim Jago having name suppression lifted after 2.5 years, following his convictions for sexually abusing two teenage boys in the 1990s. Content warning for sexual abuse, rape (confined to the last 20 minutes) This episode’s co-hosts Philip , Simone , Pmax Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 2:01 Education Rant 21:17 Labor Woes 32:02 Failure to Inspire 49:02 Unions 1:01:25 Ti...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep 119•Transcript available on Metacast We discuss the current state of western politics, modern day fascism and its roots. https://ongenocide.com/ Afterword: a couple of extra thoughts from Kieran Firstly, I was unduly harsh about Karl Popper’s Open Society and its Enemies . I disagree strongly with the central premise of the book, but I recall thinking that there were some good valid points made by Popper. Secondly, I regret not expanding more on the simplistic, anti-intellectual and emotive aspect of fascist politics – or at least ...
Feb 01, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep 118•Transcript available on Metacast With Trump’s inauguration so close what did the Biden presidency offer the world and what impacts might we see under a president roundly labelled as an outright fascist? Why are all the political parties in “western democracies” so avidly breaking institutional norms for reactionary reasons? This episode’s co-hosts Branko , Kyle Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 1:03 Branko on Biden 7:09 Trump Side Effect 18:34 Lack of Media Pressure 25:20 “Man Removed For Asking Questions” 29:23 Why NZ Should...
Jan 18, 2025•53 min•Ep 117•Transcript available on Metacast We speak with Katrina Mitchell-Kouttab about the history of Palestine and the work of Palestinians and Palestine advocates in NZ over the last 18 months. https://www.aljazeera.com/where/palestine/ https://www.palestinechronicle.com/ https://www.ochaopt.org/ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bashsoftware.boycott&hl=en_NZ&pli=1 https://bdsmovement.net/ This episode’s co-hosts Kyle , Katrina Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 2:30 Starting Advocacy 8:00 How This Gets Back to the ...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep 116•Transcript available on Metacast What are the early signs of discourse for 2025, and what might they signal in politics and culture for the year ahead? This episode’s co-hosts Kyle, Ginny , Simone Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 1:25 Christopher Nolan’s Homer’s Odyssey 12:05 “Historic Western” Content 28:35 Capitalism Art 35:56 SEO Art 39:11 Nosferatu The Movie 44:09 Handing Out Cookies 46:19 Imperialism Come Home 54:11 Ship of Nation State 1:04:00 Winston Peters Prediction 1:07:45 Closings Intro/Outro by The Prophet ...
Jan 04, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep 115•Transcript available on Metacast Will the rightwing implode in 2025 or is it all theatre? What’s on the cards for Western and NZ politics as we enter a new year. This episode’s co-hosts Simone , Kyle , Ginny Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 1:39 Leopards Eating Blue Checks 11:58 Deindustrialization 22:49 Soldier Worship 29:20 Sinophobic Rhetoric 37:14 Worst Government Since ‘91 48:55 What Can I Do 54:48 Start-Up Investments 1:00:45 Everyone Wants to go Back 1:08:22 Closings Intro/Outro by The Prophet Motive Suppo...
Dec 28, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep 114•Transcript available on Metacast In the final(??) current events episode for the year we discuss the ways in which western politics, especially on the rightwing, is intentionally creating a policy framework to support fascism. We talk education, criminality, the alignment of capital with the far right, and try to think of some high points. This episode’s co-hosts Ginny , Simone , Kyle Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 2:13 Police Charges 6:47 Illiteracy 14:50 Elon Backs AfD 28:00 Te Pati Maori Song 31:02 Greens and Media Outl...
Dec 21, 2024•46 min•Ep 113•Transcript available on Metacast Oliver Neas spent months this year investigating and conducting interviews to reveal what happened behind the scenes before & after the Wellington council debated selling shares in their own airport. We discussed what processes & principles were at play, how the issue connects to local economy governance, and how best to treat these debates in your community. Before listening, please read all 3 parts of Oliver's investigation here: Part 1: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/27-11-2024/pri...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr•Ep 112•Transcript available on Metacast Pmax’s thoughts on students and teachers at the TPB hīkoi.
Dec 16, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Commerce Commission gets slightly more aggressive as the supermarket duopoly and government lean into failed, repressive carceral policy. The alleged UHC shooter has been caught -what does this mean for populism? TPM’s vote share looks to be on the rise, Māori continue to be the most likely electoral party for driving change. And the spectre of climate change is becoming a very violent poltergeist. This episode’s co-hosts Finlay, Kyle, Philip, Simone Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 2:10 Chargi...
Dec 14, 2024•57 min•Ep 111•Transcript available on Metacast We host freelance reporter Glen Johnson and genocide researcher Kieran Kelly to discuss the recent events in Syria and what it might mean for the region. This episode’s co-hosts Kyle, Philip, Glen , Kieran Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 1:25 Background on Syria 5:29 US Hegemony in the Region 8:12 Unexpected Pace 11:45 Regime Plausible Deniability 15:20 Regional Politics 19:57 Impact of Rapid Collapse 23:26 Terrorist Designation 28:17 Claiming Land 30:02 Secular Nationalists 32:1...
Dec 13, 2024•54 min•Ep 110•Transcript available on Metacast Join us for the week that was! We talk about the death of the United Health Care CEO, the concept of Social Murder, political issues in South Korea and France and the (willing) appropriation of legacy media as a propaganda network alongside Western government authoritarianism. https://mickhall.substack.com/p/nzs-foreign-interference-bill-repressive This episode’s co-hosts Kyle, Ginny , Simone Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 1:48 United Healthcare Shooting 10:13 Redacted 14:12 Social Murder 2...
Dec 08, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 109•Transcript available on Metacast We’re joined by Jathan Sadowski, AI critic and co-host of This Machine Kills to discuss his “ruthless criticism of AI and Capitalism and how it fits into the NZ context. Jathan is visiting NZ next week and you can register for free here: https://jathansadowskitour.lilregie.com/booking/attendees/new This episode’s co-hosts Ginny , Jathan , Kyle , Mandy , Mark Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 3:52 Dishonesty in AI 5:46 AI is an Imperative 13:57 Making AI a Consumer Product 19:11 Requirements of AI 23...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep 107•Transcript available on Metacast Back with current events after a few midweek episodes! We talk proxy wars, the fascist turn, and the increasing propensity of “centre left” parties in the west to be the ones moving towards authoritarian policy - particularly in regards to immigration and freedom of speech. This episode’s co-hosts Kyle , Ginny , Pmax , Simone Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 2:13 Proxy Wars 9:31 Black Friday (Bad) 14:45 Management Consultants 20:58 Overspend 22:58 75% Hitler 29:26 Capacity o...
Dec 01, 2024•51 min•Ep 108•Transcript available on Metacast CW: Suicide We are joined by PATHA president Jen Shields to discuss the recent government release about puberty blockers, the realities of trans healthcare and the extremely nasty attacks by right-wing parties. Check out PATHA here: https://patha.nz/ Make a submission here: https://postingdad.medium.com/how-to-submit-in-favour-of-gender-affirming-care-d3be265a1349 This episode’s co-hosts Jen, Kyle, Simone Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 3:05 Puberty Blocker Brief 9:24 The Human Cost 13:25 Weaponiz...
Nov 26, 2024•51 min•Ep 106•Transcript available on Metacast We’re back with current events as we hurtle towards the end of 2024. Civil liberties, “libertarians”, hīkoi, haka and the ICC arrest warrants. Submit on the Treaty Principles Bill here ! This episode’s co-hosts Ginny , Kyle , Philip Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 2:18 Gang Patches 9:19 No Libertarians in NZ 11:56 Luxons Ineptitude 20:07 Civil Liberties 28:22 The Haka Seen Around the World 46:16 Some Good Footnotes 52:28 ICC Arrest Warrants 59:57 Closings Intro/Outro by The Prophet Motive Su...
Nov 23, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 105•Transcript available on Metacast Pmax gives us the rundown on school lunch policies and realities.
Nov 20, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast We post-mortem the US election and discuss the impact on media, information and NZ politics. This episode’s co-hosts Stephanie, Oliver, Mardi, Kyle Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 2:50 Remora on a Shark 5:56 Expressions of Contempt 9:25 Refilling the Swamp 17:05 Left in Red 18:29 On the ground 23:18 Arrogance 29:39 Weird 33:11 Malice or Incompetence 35:02 Congratulations 40:30 Institutionalists 46:38 Taking the Right in Good Faith 50:05 Journalistic Pressure 53:13 The Left Showing Up 56:56 T...
Nov 16, 2024•Transcript available on Metacast Pmax discusses the NZ History curriculum and the impact on students.
Nov 13, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re joined by Tech Won’t Save Us host Paris Marx to talk Canadian politics and NZ parallels. We discuss the rise of right-wing ideology and PR as well as the influence of tech venture capital and western alignment around “security partnerships” like AUKUS. ed. note: Paris kindly fact-checked themselves on a point made at 00:24:35 regarding political donations. Corporations in Canada can't donate to political parties and individuals are limited to $1725 a year as noted here . This episode’s co-...
Nov 04, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep 103•Transcript available on Metacast We’re joined by Vijay Prashad to round up world events. We discuss the realignment starting to take shape via BRICS, the escalation of violence and imperialism in Palestine, and how organising for anti-imperialism is desperately needed in the Pacific. This episode’s co-hosts Kyle , Josephine Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 1:42 The Brics Summit 8:11 The Head of Imperialism 18:26 Claudio Katz and Cancel Culture 24:40 Keeping Momentum 31:38 Roadblocks 39:02 Outpost of Imperialism 52:08 Closings Intr...
Oct 27, 2024•54 min•Ep 103•Transcript available on Metacast Pmax talks school curriculum, assessments and policy.
Oct 16, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast We discuss the escalating genocide, war crimes and atrocities of the US and Israel in the Middle East with particular focus on the new front opened up with Lebanon and the counterstrike by Iran. This episode’s co-hosts Kyle, Arama, Josephine Timestamps 0:00 Introductions 3:36 Escalating 9:46 Dangerous Information Normalisation 15:50 Lebanon Context 20:04 Projecting Power 32:45 Colonial Agenda 41:03 Failed Rallying of NZ Politicians and Media 49:05 What Might Be Coming Next 59:20 Closings Intro/O...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 101•Transcript available on Metacast 
