So what else is new?
I’m not surprised, Bill, I’m just disappointed. Actually, that’s not true. I am surprised. I shouldn’t be –I damn well shouldn’t be, after the past four years – but I Continue Reading →
Category Archives: WINZ/IRD
What can I do? – Why I write
A new year always gets me thinking about what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. My reasons for starting Writehanded haven’t really changed, but I often question my sanity Continue Reading →
‘No one would choose to live in poverty’
The National government reckons they’re getting more and more people off the benefit – but is that true? And if it is, what is happening to those people? Guest writer Alicia Continue Reading →
It’s much worse than you thought
I finally got around to doing Stuff’s “Rich or Poor?” indicator. I mean, I had a pretty good idea that I’m poor. But my result “Your standard of living is Continue Reading →
The “deserving poor”
Two years ago today, my column launched in the Nelson Mail. I was struggling with my as-yet undiagnosed illness, and was in the midst of a public battle for better treatment from Continue Reading →
The top ten things illness and disability have taught me
Three years ago almost to the day, I was being wheeled out of Nelson hospital. A few times recently, I’ve caught myself saying “fuck, I wish I knew that before Continue Reading →
Invisible Pain – Wellington LitCrawl talk
Last weekend I performed as part of Wellington Literary Crawl, an annual event showcasing the spoken word in unusual and exciting ways. I was invited by creative director Jo Randerson Continue Reading →
Tears, me, and Warehouse Stationery
I often ask myself why I bother blogging. Who reads it? Does anyone care? I guess the answer is, I do. I need a place for my thoughts, and if Continue Reading →
Let’s get angry (again)
Last night I read a post by a woman named Louise about what it really means to be a student in New Zealand. It really cut me open.
WINZ – How do we force change?
One of the things that has struck me about running this blog is the horror stories I have heard from people having trouble with WINZ. Having trouble is putting it Continue Reading →