Bryce Edwards had his go at a list of the top 100 tweeters to follow this election, but with only 24 women making the cut he faced terrible accusations of “a perceived lack” of gender balance. The silver lining is that his follow-up post was chock-full of the women who complained! Pesky, pesky women, as ColeyTangerina put it.
I thought I’d try my hand at a list – with a lot of women, an entirely obvious leftwing bias, and a big disclaimer right up front that these are just people who I think have interesting things to say about the election and NZ politics. Please suggest your own faves in the comments!
In the interests of deflecting criticism, tweeps are listed alphabetically by username. Click on their name to see their Twitter feed and give them a follow!
Mainstream media
Get the inside scoop on the night’s top stories/the front page/the stuff that gets bumped because an All Black has a career-threatening injury.
.@Jackalblog @RadioLIVENZ @JudithCollinsMP you're wrong. I said I have OIAs quickly when the info was released to other media.
— Andrea Vance (@avancenz) August 23, 2014
What is all this rugby talk? Doesn't anyone know the election opening broadcasts are on? Priorities people, priorities.
— Claire Trevett (@CTrevettNZH) August 23, 2014
Desperately waiting for it to snow in Dunedin. Every drop of rain sees me tell like a child "is THAT snow?" It's definitely cold enough.
— Katie Bradford (@katieabradford) August 21, 2014
46 total badasses who refused to fill in their census forms have been convicted – Stats NZ
— Laura McQuillan (@mcquillanatorz) August 20, 2014
Jamie Whyte Act Leader doesn't know what Whanau Ora is. You'll need to know if you go into a coalition with @PaatiMaori @TeUruroaFlavell
— Mihingarangi Forbes (@Mihi_Forbes) August 4, 2014
So after promising to answer the media's questions on #Dirtypolitics, the PM's answer is "we've had a good chew on it, time to move on".
— Jessica Williams (@mizjwilliams) August 24, 2014
A whooooole lot of people still aren't enrolled and I like leaving things 'til last minute too but maybe get onto it http://t.co/OxCu3PTvSE
— Elle Hunt (@mlle_elle) August 19, 2014
PM says we are spending less than we earn. But Govt not yet in surplus, public debt still rising and country's current account in the red.
— Brent Edwards (@rnzgallerybrent) August 21, 2014
Rules are starting to slip – heckling, head shaking, eye rolling and counter-arguments #hellensville #outtacontrol
— Tova O'Brien (@TovaOBrien) August 11, 2014
Politicians
The good, the weird and the always-interesting-even-if-I-disagree-with-them.
Perverts at Swimming pools – Why don't they just check the STREET PROSTITUTES.
— Asenati LoleTaylor (@asenatitaylor) August 19, 2014
(Editor’s note: I am, like, 95% sure this isn’t the parody Asenati account. But who can tell?)
I really, really mean it this time Judith. This is your last, last warning. #weak
— Grant Robertson (@grantrobertson1) August 19, 2014
You know your past times r confusing when u jump in taxi post door knocking with mass of clipboards &drivers asks if you work for office max
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) August 23, 2014
I should have brought some Green Party Akl transport plan leaflets on this bus. 15 people now standing.
— Julie Anne Genter (@JulieAnneGenter) August 23, 2014
Judith Collins finally gives an interview and it's too Rachel Glucina of The Diary. Wonder how the newsroom at NZ Herald feels abt that?
— Julie Fairey (@juliefairey) August 22, 2014
Fire your advisors John Key. That whole "Most NZers won't care" line is such an insult. Why you want insult NZers? #dirtypolitics
— Marama Davidson (@MaramaDavidson) August 21, 2014
heres a question from today @JohnKeyPM why is your govt cutting $3.8b from health, education and environmental spending? #askJohnKey
— Metiria Turei (@metiria) August 19, 2014
Hey @AliIkram .. I want you to come and do a lolly poll in Rotorua!!
— Tāmati Coffey (@tamaticoffey) August 19, 2014
#If and it's a big #if I was a lefty and was looking for a progressive, innovative #LeftParty to vote for, I would #VoteGreenParty 20/09
— West Side Tory (@tauhenare) August 22, 2014
Does ur family all vote for the same party? My mum is nats, 1 sis NZFirst, 1 sis Labour, 2 bro dont vote, me and 1 sis vote @NZGreens #nzpol
— Trish Tupou (@TrishTupou) August 17, 2014
This so-called surplus is achieved by all sorts of manipulation & creative accounting. No improvement is forecast on employment.
— Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) August 19, 2014
Nerds and h4xx0rs
Knowledge is power, innit?
Brownlee's staffer took part in blog, commented 'well done' about Simon Pleasant's leaked public service info http://t.co/X93r0NcC96
— Dirty Politics (@DirtyPoliticsNZ) August 22, 2014
What if we just printed money for first home buyers? #QEburn
— Keith Ng (@keith_ng) August 24, 2014
On Polity: Steven Joyce vs the facts on export breadth; reliance on dairy. Facts 2, Joyce 0. http://t.co/HjZM1ur1Pb
— Rob Salmond (@rsalmond) August 5, 2014
Thinking folk, self-serving trade unionists and party hacks
My people. And me. It’s my list, dammit.
LOL at right wingers defending an income tax because the other team want to get rid of it.
— Katpiss Neverclean (@AceMcWicked) August 23, 2014
The NZ National Front are endorsing Colin Craig for the party vote & Social Credit for the electorate vote – http://t.co/bjCU1NXPul #nzpol
— Asher Goldman (@AsherGoldman) August 23, 2014
OIA needs teeth. #DirtyPolitcs shows @NZNationalParty flagrantly breaching Act. That should be an offence. Currently done with impunity.
— Felix Geiringer (@BarristerNZ) August 23, 2014
if nothing else, National's campaign has made me want to watch 8 Mile again
— Clint Smith (@ClintVSmith) August 24, 2014
Seriously don't listen to councils on water. Just look at the Ruataniwha Dam nonsense. #StopDestroyingOurAwa #NativeAffairs
— Haututū Fulla (@CmmdrZed) August 4, 2014
Fun new pickup line to people you don't really like but want to do shit for you
"You're the Jordan Williams to my Whale Oil".
— Coley Tangerina (@ColeyTangerina) August 18, 2014
Why is Farrar on @nzqanda? Hey Mr Vampire wld u like to comment on the ethics of bloodsucking?
— Bounder (@DawgBelly) August 23, 2014
God forbid!!!! Is Hekia Parata planning National Standards for preschoolers? http://t.co/NY3GsNICIa via @Dianne_Khan
— SaveOurSchoolsNZ (@Dianne_Khan) August 24, 2014
So this is just your friendly election year reminder that prisoners can no longer vote, courtesy of National and their super urgent bills.
— Cuntess Von ManEater (@DorothySarker) August 21, 2014
Nat flagship policy: "SUPPLYYYYYYYY SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE" *GUITAR SOLO* "YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH"
— Duckie (@DuckieMcDuck) August 24, 2014
Might go out and steal me some elections tonight #LeftWingAgenda
— Aunty Greeb (@fuck_lupus) August 21, 2014
Key saying he was in Hawaii having a "whale of a time" confirms his contempt 4 those concerned about #dirtypolitics
— Helen Kelly (@helenkellyCTU) August 22, 2014
*sigh* the problem with the housing market is not one of demand, it's one of supply, and how we provide that supply. For crying out loud.
— AnonyMs (@homecomeexpat) August 24, 2014
Support group: People Who Didn't Even Make It Into Bryce's Pass-Ag Article Anonymous (working title).
— Isabelle (@izzyelle) August 23, 2014
National's message to the poor seems to be: "we know you are worse off but look! More spending on rheumatic fever!"
— jo (@jofromgreylynn) August 23, 2014
Opening videos in one word:
@nzlabour – hopeful
@NZGreens – worried
@InternetPartyNZ & Mana – lols
@actparty – bored
@NZNationalParty – MIA
— Lamia (@LI_politico) August 23, 2014
McCaw > Cunliffe > Key
— Morgan Godfery (@MorganGodfery) August 23, 2014
If you want Auckland to become as rental filled & unaffordable to lower & middle incomes as London, vote @NZNationalParty on Sept 20 #nzpol
— Dutton Peabody (@MrDuttonPeabody) August 24, 2014
Encouraging people to vote for Greens mainly so the amazing @MaramaDavidson gets in.
— Nat ☔️ (@NatDudley) August 20, 2014
Someone best be storifying the #johnkeymovietitles so I don't have to retweet them all…
— Jolisa Gracewood (@nzdodo) August 22, 2014
Why do we have Māori Studies anyway? Has it solved poverty? #ChannelingCraig #NativeAffairs
— Michael Tamihere (@RevTamihere) July 14, 2014
MY 2K14 NZ GENERAL ELECTION TIP: ENROL TO VOTE AND THEN UNFOLLOW ALL MEN
— milt ronmey (@someofmybest) August 16, 2014
Suddenly praising Bill English. Nobody's voting for National based on Bill English. Succession signals? #Vote2014 #National
— Unionist Stephanie R (@stephanierodgrs) August 23, 2014
https://twitter.com/surlymermaid/status/502786516200865792
Every housing policy National bring out only serves to increase value of existing landholders' stock and banks' business. When will they, oh
— The Egonomist (@TheEgonomist) August 24, 2014
if you search for information on the 90 day employment trial most of it is legal advice for employers
— not all bears (@thelittlepakeha) August 22, 2014
David Cunliffe wielding a yellow extension cord from the boot of his Mazda is life.
— Chelsea (@tripthestation) August 23, 2014
John Key has a personal worth of $55million. Think about that next time he's slagging off beneficiaries who have to live on $200 a week.
— Nomnomnom De Plume (@verbscape) August 23, 2014
When National liberalises stuff it always goes wrong. Always #thenationtv3
— Vincristine (@vincristine) August 23, 2014
John Key couldn't be more wrong calling NZEI a branch of the Labour Party. He's so out of touch for a so called man of the people.
— Vish On A Mission (@VishOnAMish) August 23, 2014
My politics reflect my deeply held beliefs and ethics. I don't have room in my heart for apathy or economic priority.
— Sarah Wilson (@writehandedgirl) August 19, 2014
LOLz
It’s a laugh, isn’t it?
What?
That noise you make at the back of your throat.
Oh yeah, that’s a laugh.
I don't understand…PM backing Seymour? But…I'm not even on the list. Is it too late to join the Internet Party reality show?
— Flour Bag 4Epsom (@EpsomFlour) June 9, 2014
"Well Gerry, the All Blacks' leader was sent from the field for a cynical foul last night so I might have to drop the rugby analogies."
— GCSB Intercepts (@GCSBIntercepts) August 23, 2014
comfortable about being relaxed
— John Key's Emotions (@johnkeysemotion) August 20, 2014
Oh awesome the Civillian guy is telling us what's important and what isn't, I look forward to the views of a 13 year old white guy.
— Megapope (@Megapope) August 20, 2014
John Key knows he can lie, hack, spy, deploy surveillance state, cheat, leak, drone bomb, anything but ….. mess with shower head sizes.
— Watershitdown (@watershitdown) August 21, 2014
Token rightwing pundit for “balance”
Hear the National Party’s key messages whole hours before they show up on The Panel!
BREAKING: @DavidCunliffeMP puts English's 21% record at risk. Bye-bye #DavidParker, @jacindaardern & @AndrewLittleMP http://t.co/cltFGjJvu2
— Matthew Hooton (@MatthewHootonNZ) August 14, 2014