Our political party scorecard has been updated! The Opportunity Party initially sent their responses elsewhere, but we have them now - thanks! It's a scorecard of two halves: 12 steps to move forward...

Stonkingly good book news to start your day. Kia ora and congrats to Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction winner pip adam @pipadam.bsky.social !!! ^DR

Ursula K. Le Guin@ursulakleguin.com · 4d ago

Congratulations to Pip Adam, recipient of the 2026 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction for Audition!

We’re glad that decisions about this care have been returned to the right place: between transgender young people, their whānau, and their doctors. To trans communities facing these attacks internationally, we hope this win strengthens your cause.

We know the last year has been scary for many trans rangatahi, their whānau, and the people who love them across Aotearoa. You can breathe a little easier today knowing this care will be available for you when you need it.

We're incredibly relieved that the Court has come to this finding. Moves to restrict transgender people’s right to access healthcare are rooted in disinformation and have massively significant impacts on the health and wellbeing of transgender people in Aotearoa.

This is excellent news. Ka rawe, and congratulations and thank you to all involved.

Jennifer@jennifilm.nz · 4d ago

PATHA statement: PATHA is pleased to announce that the High Court has declared that the decision to ban new prescriptions of puberty blocker medication (GnRH agonists) for trans young people was unlawful and invalid.

Worth remembering that misogyny targeting women leaders is not the exclusive property of the right. Sexist hostility crosses party lines, networked misogyny travels beyond ideological boundaries. Women should not have to endure it, regardless of their politics or those of the people targeting them.

Part of this is treating it for what it is - political violence. The aim is to silence women's voices/concerns/policies. And it is working. This is a democratic crisis as much as anything is right now. If we saw it as political violence akin to terrorism, what would change? #nzpol #auspol

We need to take online gender-based violence against women in politics seriously. That means recognising it as a barrier to equal participation in public life, not dismissing it as the price women pay for being visible. Women should be able to participate in politics safely. #nzpol #auspol

Women MPs face sustained online gender-based abuse: misogyny, sexualised abuse, degrading comments, threats of violence. This abuse is often treated as an inevitable cost of participating in politics. It shouldn’t be. #nzpol #auspol

This is part of the reason why regulating online platforms for everyone - regardless of age - is our number one call this election. awc.org.nz/20steps/

Dr. Cassandra Mudgway@legallyfeminist.bsky.social · 6d ago

Political violence online doesn’t stay online. The reported attack on Australian MP Helen Haines, who is in critical condition, is deeply worrying. 🧵 #nzpol #auspol www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Political violence online doesn’t stay online. The reported attack on Australian MP Helen Haines, who is in critical condition, is deeply worrying. 🧵 #nzpol #auspol www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

‘Deeply appalled’: politicians condemn alleged attack after independent MP Helen Haines critically injured

Anthony Albanese says his thoughts are with Indi MP after arrest of driver in Wangaratta

theguardian.com

Auckland Women Centre's Janet McAllister pointing out the vast majority of stalking won't be reported, in part due to mistrust of police. As per our 20-steps election scorecard, we need ongoing specialised support for people targeted by stalking, and urgent review & reform of police culture.

Thousands of stalking and harassment reports since law changed

In the three months since the stalking and harassment law came into force in May this year, police have received thousands of reports.

1news.co.nz

Poverty is a feminist issue.

Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷@paullecomtephoto.nz · 2w ago

As a kid who grew up in poverty, this hits fucking hard.

We’re hiring a Collective Advocacy Lead 🙌 Proven sector leadership and government engagement experience essential. Grey Lynn Full time, hours negotiable $92K to $100K, based on skills and experience Closes 9am, 3 November. awc.org.nz/vacancies

We’re hiring a Collective Advocacy Lead 🙌 Proven sector leadership and government engagement experience essential. Grey Lynn Full time, hours negotiable $92K to $100K, based on skills and experience Closes 9am, 3 November. awc.org.nz/vacancies

"Smart glasses are entering a world where women and girls already experience voyeurism, sexual harassment and image-based abuse. We're calling for a pause on selling smart glasses until safeguards are in place." Sign the petition!

Dr. Cassandra Mudgway@legallyfeminist.bsky.social · 2w ago

Sign the petition! We're calling for a pause on selling smart glasses until safeguards are in place. Read more and sign here: #nzpol our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/st...

It's here! The Coalition for the Safety of Women & Children's Election 2026 scorecard of 2 halves: 12 new steps from violence towards freedom & 8 steps to halt & reverse current regression. Thanks @tepaatimaori.bsky.social @greens.org.nz @labournz.bsky.social for replies - at www.awc.org.nz/20steps

Facilitated by RNZ’s Susie Ferguson, with plenty of time for questions from the audience. 📅 13 October 🕠 Networking from 5.30pm, panel from 6pm Come along, hear where candidates stand, and bring your questions. Register via the link below events.humanitix.com/online-safet...

Online Safety Coalition Presents: Political Panel – Online Safety, Privacy & AI

This hybrid and cross-party event will focus on the need for regulation of digital platforms in New Zealand

events.humanitix.com

Step 1 of the Coalition for the Safety of Women & Children's 20 steps from violence towards freedom for Election 2026 is: online platform regulation - to protect all of us from misogyny. awc.org.nz/20steps/

Lauren Dobson-Hughes@ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 3w ago

Flydubai pilot was deep into manosphere content, routinely used derogatory sexual slurs about women, and wanted a tradwife Misogyny is a gateway drug www.ft.com/content/a92b...

"Whanaungatanga reminds us that our relationships and connections matter… Perhaps confidence is not the starting point, but what happens when belonging comes first." Fantastic piece by Sarah Leberman & Louisa Wall of Women in Sport Aotearoa | Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa (WISPA)

Stop fixing girls: it's time to fix the system

Kiwi girls are markedly less confident than boys to get out on the school sports field, so the system needs a shake-up, says WISPA

newsroom.co.nz

This is worth celebrating: Monday October 5th was World Teachers' Day. AudioCulture is always keen to spotlight important music educators, such as Jane Egan of Gisborne Girls' High. (Let us know if you know of someone worthy of a story.) audioculture.co.nz/articles/jan...

Ready now for the IHC election forum - interested to see what each of the parties have to say about disability and the promises they will make... #nzpol #IHC

"'rigid harmful gender norms', including deep-seated entitlement to control a female partner, as well as colonisation, were underlying drivers of family violence in New Zealand." - We agree with Shine expert Mira, who is a member of our Coalition for the Safety of Women & Children, paraphrased here.

'Those poor babies': Children among 16 dead in 47 days amid spate of violence

Several of the deaths appear linked to family or intimate partner violence.

nzherald.co.nz

We need to call this patriarchal violence, not family violence. ‘“rigid harmful gender norms”, including deep-seated entitlement to control a female partner, as well as colonisation, were underlying drivers of family violence in NZ’

'Those poor babies': Children among 16 dead in 47 days amid spate of violence

Several of the deaths appear linked to family or intimate partner violence.

nzherald.co.nz

Increasing pay for women to be equable for women it’s not gone money Women spend money Women pay taxes Fair is fair #NZPol

Hey yeah, friendly reminder that men denying or minimizing the work of women and taking credit for it themselves happens so much we have a NAME for it. (It’s the Matilda Effect.) 2nd fun fact: I’ve written many bios of women in STEM at this point and this is *always a factor in their history*

Science Magazine@science.org · 3w ago

Exclusive: A new analysis refutes James Watson’s claim that he was the first to recognize the significance of the famed photograph 51. https://scim.ag/4rTKck8

Scrapping the gender definitions bill is part the Coalition for the Safety of Women & Children's calls to political parties to take 20 steps from violence to freedom (also: reinstating safe community sport guidelines for trans inclusion and closing the gaps in hate speech law) awc.org.nz/20steps/

Jennifer@jennifilm.nz · 4w ago

Absolutely fantastic to see these large businesses being really clear that Marcroft’s bill is harmful and creates complexity rather than addressing it newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/30/m...

Absolutely fantastic to see these large businesses being really clear that Marcroft’s bill is harmful and creates complexity rather than addressing it newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/30/m...

Major export and construction firms warn against legal definition of women

Fletcher Building leads a group of big employers saying a members' bill seeking to define men and women creates operational risks and uncertainty. Andrew Bevin reports.

newsroom.co.nz

Tika was formed by barrister Zoë Lawton and investigative journalist Alison Mau. Frustrated by statistics that only 10% of survivors ever report, they identified a tech-led, collective action model as the best way to break systemic barriers, and support survivors as they seek justice.

D Jukic She/her@dejanajuk.bsky.social · last mo.

“FOR THE FIRST TIME, THERE'S A NEW WAY TO REPORT SEXUAL HARM IN AOTEAROA.” INDEPENDENT. CONFIDENTIAL. FREE. #nzpol And so needed. www.tika.org.nz