I’ll be doing solutions interviews daily for The Kākā Project 26/50 for the next 14 days with no paywall. During this ‘Gravy Day fortnight’, we have an introductory offer of 50%-off for the first year
Thanks, Bernard! I’m really looking forward to the 14 days of solution-focused interviews. I hope this experiment (aka testing business models and innovations) not only answers your key questions but also gives you a solid boost in revenue.
Your work through The Kākā and the 26/50 project is so valuable—offering well-considered solutions to some of New Zealand’s most complex and wicked problems. I also really appreciate your commitment to public interest journalism, including the generosity of offering discounted subscriptions for those who need them. It’s inspiring how The Kākā fosters community by encouraging thoughtful contributions that educate, challenge ideas, and spark meaningful conversations.
Keep up the great work, but please make sure Lynn and you also get some break time during the Holiday Season!
I’m so grateful for your mahi! I’m happy to pay my subscription and don’t begrudge anyone getting something so important free or cheap* - please ensure that you receive an income commensurate with the value of your commentary. *I always wanted to be a philanthropist and my subscription could be my first step…
Happy to continue subscribing, and fully support your ideas and commitment to getting reliable info out to as many people as possible. It has never been more necessary. You and Lynne are awesome.
Another factor in whether people are willing to pay for this (or any) subscription, is that all news sources and substacks are now subscribed, so we all have to choose what to support. Poor people do not have choices. 16,000+ people who are homeless, may not even have a means to read it.
Personally, I pay to support your work so that everyone has access to real journalism.
Kia Ora Bernard and Kākā whānau! Really happy to support this work. Sorry to hear that the climate wrap has been pulled from the weekly lineup. But I am sure you will continue pulling on that thread, holding to account and bringing in voices of people who envisage the potential for our future in AoNZ. You got me with that Paul Kelly vid, big big tears! Great Song.
Looking through my rose tinted nostalgia glasses I can remember when I could get all my news and opinions by subscribing to a newspaper with its team of journalists. Now it seems as traditional news media is struggling to stay afloat to get the same level of information you have to subscribe to numerous individuals Substacks.
I am lucky to be able to support a number of contributors but the cost to do this has exploded. Is there any way in Substack to set up a “combi” subscription to a group of like minded writers?
Love your work Bernard, and I also will continue to subscribe. I also appreciate the transparency around how your grand experiment is going from a business model perspective. If only other businesses were as transparent!
Open them all up please Bernard. I am happy to continue with full subscription rates as it is all I can do to offset the lying Bullshit of the three headed Taniwha.
You are a rock in a sea of self -
aggrandising misinformation and media failure to ask the right question or any questions often . Perhaps you could join up with Black Rock or a Private Equity firm! Just Joking!
Sorry to see that Katherine is no longer affordable. I found her explanations of climate issues clear and useful. But hopefully she will be able to keep up her important contribution on the Hoon.
Great update on the reality of running a focused news source and a small business in today’s environment, thanks Team Kaka 😊. The flattening subs are probably a reflection of the plunging economy, including job losses for thousands. Substack is growing rapidly too, I’m among others having to choose where my limited capacity to support writers goes. I suspect I’m typical of te Kaka whānau in cherishing belonging to a group where writers can take time for themselves, grieve as needed without apology. We want more of that for everyone, it’s why we’re here.
One approach used by some writers on Sub stack is to open the main text to all and keep comments/ discussions for paying subscribers, maybe worth a try? I, for one, am happy to subsidise others as much as I can. Your opening up at 100 likes seems a good gauge of subscriber support for specific articles. Please keep exploring.
I don't have an issue paying the $200. To me I view it as more of a political donation. While I'm still contributing to the productive sector or NZ by being employed and born in NZ. my income and my time are increasingly spent out of NZ. I will not qualify for a pention. Never owned a home in NZ and are part of the first wave of the 90s brain drain. At this point there is little insensitive to working and living in NZ with lower wages, not the most ideal climate and tax on my income overseas.
No doubt that 'How To Make Gravy' is a great song; one among many brilliant songs written by Paul Kelly. (BTW, Paul Kelly is touring NZ in September 2025. It is a shame we do not get to see Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, who are with Kelly for Australian dates.)
I think, however, the best ever Christmas song is 'Christmas is Awesome' by Reuben - "And if I eat a sprout / You gotta eat a sprout / You gotta suffer too".
Thanks, Bernard! I’m really looking forward to the 14 days of solution-focused interviews. I hope this experiment (aka testing business models and innovations) not only answers your key questions but also gives you a solid boost in revenue.
Your work through The Kākā and the 26/50 project is so valuable—offering well-considered solutions to some of New Zealand’s most complex and wicked problems. I also really appreciate your commitment to public interest journalism, including the generosity of offering discounted subscriptions for those who need them. It’s inspiring how The Kākā fosters community by encouraging thoughtful contributions that educate, challenge ideas, and spark meaningful conversations.
Keep up the great work, but please make sure Lynn and you also get some break time during the Holiday Season!
Thanks Paul. Cheers. First solutions interview today is on free solar power for new home builds. Out at midday.
Love it, and don't even need to read it!
Brilliant!
I’m so grateful for your mahi! I’m happy to pay my subscription and don’t begrudge anyone getting something so important free or cheap* - please ensure that you receive an income commensurate with the value of your commentary. *I always wanted to be a philanthropist and my subscription could be my first step…
Happy to continue subscribing, and fully support your ideas and commitment to getting reliable info out to as many people as possible. It has never been more necessary. You and Lynne are awesome.
What Alex said, keep up the mahi Bernard, the awards are a good sign the information is getting out there
Another factor in whether people are willing to pay for this (or any) subscription, is that all news sources and substacks are now subscribed, so we all have to choose what to support. Poor people do not have choices. 16,000+ people who are homeless, may not even have a means to read it.
Personally, I pay to support your work so that everyone has access to real journalism.
Kia Ora Bernard and Kākā whānau! Really happy to support this work. Sorry to hear that the climate wrap has been pulled from the weekly lineup. But I am sure you will continue pulling on that thread, holding to account and bringing in voices of people who envisage the potential for our future in AoNZ. You got me with that Paul Kelly vid, big big tears! Great Song.
Love your work Bernard. Happy to pay.
Looking through my rose tinted nostalgia glasses I can remember when I could get all my news and opinions by subscribing to a newspaper with its team of journalists. Now it seems as traditional news media is struggling to stay afloat to get the same level of information you have to subscribe to numerous individuals Substacks.
I am lucky to be able to support a number of contributors but the cost to do this has exploded. Is there any way in Substack to set up a “combi” subscription to a group of like minded writers?
Anyone else enjoying the cool change in the weather? Early-summer heatwaves are often short which is not totally bad.
Love your work Bernard, and I also will continue to subscribe. I also appreciate the transparency around how your grand experiment is going from a business model perspective. If only other businesses were as transparent!
How to Make Gravy makes me absolutely bawl. I love it, though.
Oh, and also happy to support your work, as always.
Open them all up please Bernard. I am happy to continue with full subscription rates as it is all I can do to offset the lying Bullshit of the three headed Taniwha.
You are a rock in a sea of self -
aggrandising misinformation and media failure to ask the right question or any questions often . Perhaps you could join up with Black Rock or a Private Equity firm! Just Joking!
Keep poking them.
Patrick Medlicott
Sorry to see that Katherine is no longer affordable. I found her explanations of climate issues clear and useful. But hopefully she will be able to keep up her important contribution on the Hoon.
Looking forward to some nerdy content, Go for it Bernard!
Hope the experiment works well for ya.
Hope for many good things to come your way Mate.
😎👌
Great update on the reality of running a focused news source and a small business in today’s environment, thanks Team Kaka 😊. The flattening subs are probably a reflection of the plunging economy, including job losses for thousands. Substack is growing rapidly too, I’m among others having to choose where my limited capacity to support writers goes. I suspect I’m typical of te Kaka whānau in cherishing belonging to a group where writers can take time for themselves, grieve as needed without apology. We want more of that for everyone, it’s why we’re here.
One approach used by some writers on Sub stack is to open the main text to all and keep comments/ discussions for paying subscribers, maybe worth a try? I, for one, am happy to subsidise others as much as I can. Your opening up at 100 likes seems a good gauge of subscriber support for specific articles. Please keep exploring.
I don't have an issue paying the $200. To me I view it as more of a political donation. While I'm still contributing to the productive sector or NZ by being employed and born in NZ. my income and my time are increasingly spent out of NZ. I will not qualify for a pention. Never owned a home in NZ and are part of the first wave of the 90s brain drain. At this point there is little insensitive to working and living in NZ with lower wages, not the most ideal climate and tax on my income overseas.
No doubt that 'How To Make Gravy' is a great song; one among many brilliant songs written by Paul Kelly. (BTW, Paul Kelly is touring NZ in September 2025. It is a shame we do not get to see Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, who are with Kelly for Australian dates.)
I think, however, the best ever Christmas song is 'Christmas is Awesome' by Reuben - "And if I eat a sprout / You gotta eat a sprout / You gotta suffer too".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH2umxtA_sc