Thoughts & Comments Podcast

Potential trigger warning New Zealand holds a lamentable world record, being amongst the worst ranked countries by UNICEF for mental health and youth suicide rates. Leadership coach John Peachey considers the multiple complex factors that contribute to rising psychological distress in children - from technology-heavy lifestyles and social triggers, to over-diagnosis and medication as default treat...

There's a huge leap from verbal sparring to temple riots, and a fine line between hyperbole and inciting violence. Did Brian Tamaki jump it?  Andrew Urquhart discusses the case and the principles behind it, with Douglas Brown of the Free Speech Union ( Free Speech Union: If Brian Tamaki committed a crime, prosecute him. Don't punish speech through the back door. | Free Speech Union NZ ). Text...

Media chaplain Frank Ritchie and Andrew Urquhart discuss elements of social engineering in today's hot-button issues, where consumer trends and social policy are used to inflate differences and orchestrate 'culture wars'.   Rathen than indulge in conspiracy theories, it's a challenge to recognise media hype and market manipulation. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~...

With the recent conflagaration of public debate over national identity and immigration policies, Andrew Urquhart ponders the Church's attitude to migrants of different cultures and faiths. Leadership mentor John peachey (www.thethinkfarm.org) comments on the part that media mischief plays in inflaming a hot topic, and turns to the early church model of peaceful engagement. Text 8168, keyword 'Comm...

The Church in Venezuela is heavily persecuted yet remains resolutely at the frontlines. CEO of Barnabas Aid NZ Stephanie Johnston tells Andrew Urquhart that despite decades of sociopolitical and religious oppression by government and union forces, Christians are holding out hope for their fellow countrymen as the people rally to find survivors and miracles amongst the rubble of Venezuela's devasta...

You're invited! This July, communities from Dunedin to Whangarei will set the scene for 10 public debates about issues facing New Zealanders this Election year. Andrew Urquhart caught up with host of the  Good Faith Yarns road tour and "Thought Crimes" political blogger Ani O'Brien, whose online article about journalist misconduct - involving Maiki Sherman, Lloyd Burr and TVNZ - exposed incon...

It's less survival of the fittest, and more like survival of the strictest - savers instead of spenders. The National Party's Kiwisaver policy announcement has surprised some, but after nearly 20 years of low Kiwisaver uptake, the logic of a compulsory retirement savings scheme is inescapable. Andy Milne of Christian Savings unpacks some historical context and the impact of an ageing population on...

Will the promised cessation of hostilities between Iran and the US lead to peace? Even as hope builds that the war has ended, media chaplain Frank Ritchie points out that a lack of violence doesn't mean genuine harmony.  He shines a light on the faith-based ministry of Musalaha (Arabic for “reconciliation”), which facilitates reconciliation between ethnic, religious, and social gr...

Let the oil flow! A geopolitical analyst says the barrel price is one way to gauge if the Iran war has truly ended. Dr Geoffrey Miller unpacked the multi-point Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, which promises a host of concessions to the Islamist regime. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm...

It's a big deal overseas, but New Zealanders don't seem too worried about the mirage of an immigration tsunami.  So what is the real versus perceived impact of migrant cultures?   Family First founder Bob McCoskrie talks to Andrew Urquhart about the differences between a multiracial or multi-ethnic society, and a multicultural one. He says it would be wise to pay heed to the debate...

Who is better off since the US and Israel set out to take down Iran's Islamist regime? What was achieved in four months of regional strife and global disruption? Commentator Brendan Malone observes that while the  Memorandum of Understanding lifts sanctions on Iran, this war has claimed around 1700 civilians' lives; a Supreme Leader is still in power; and the nuclear standoff remains unr...

Is our fallen nature at war with the divine in us? Following news that British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will be resigning , public theologian Craig Heilmann reflects on what he calls warring theologies playing out in our political, public and private spheres.  Dr Heilmann and Andrew Urquhart discuss whether Western democracies are losing social cohesion because of subjective ideologies...

Are we so desperate to be the masters of our own destiny, that we forget what - and whose - we are? We are being reminded of God's divine design and challenged to keep our eyes on the eternal prize, instead of vaingloriously building what Pope Leo XIV is calling today's Tower of Babel. As humanity stands at the precipice of the age Artificial Intelligence, Otago University theologian Andrew S...

Leadership mentor John Peachey (www.thethinkfarm.org) decries MP excesses and a lack of accountability in grey areas of Parliamentary spending, where personal perks are charged as public expense. This comes after Finance Minister Nicola Willis criticised NZ First Deputy Shane Jones for a $30,000 budget blowout during his work trip to Canada, an overspend which was defended by Rt Hon. Winston Peter...

The 'deal' with Iran has yet to be signed, nevermind the ink having time to dry, but President Trump's latest peace proposal has already been deemed a colossal failure by some. Simon O'Connor explains his views on the proposed framework for an end to hostilities in the multi-pronged fight against Iran's Islamic dictatorship. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ Tune into Thou...

Politicians have been tasked with deciding the definition of 'man' and 'woman'.  The Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill is before Select Committee, having passed its First Reading in Parliament, with public submissions due to close on the 2nd of July. Proponents of the Bill seek to protect girls and women by clarifying key gender terminology based on biological sex; but...

A recent survey claims 75% of Americans subscribe to the 'Prosperity Gospel'; so if your instinctive reaction is aversion - is that based on scripture, or culture?  Media chaplain Frank Ritchie peels back layers of societal and theological bias that sees God's plan for success, blessing and human flourishing interpreted in vastly different ways. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your tho...

Veteran broadcaster John Cowan shares some insights on some causes of friction in adult child-parent relationships; and allowing time, love and other family to aid the healing process. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App. For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.n...

Can battle lines be drawn or allegiances formed without clear party policies?  Perhaps we're looking at a rolling maul over an invisible political football...  The new Roy Morgan poll brought on a barrage of rugby references, as Tash McGill and Andrew Urquhart analysed shifts in how Coalition and Opposition parties are tracking post-Budget 2026. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share you...

Political commentator Simon O'Connor reflects on the recent victory for homeschooling and the democratic process, with the Government's commitment to proper consultation on home education regulations. He also considers the 'small target' approach various Opposition parties seem to be taking as they lie low at this stage of the Election cycle. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~...

Social welfare advocates are disappointed with what many view as penny-pinching in the recently announced austerity Budget.  However Visionwest's Partnership Manager sees some silver linings in the government's planned spending.  Brook Turner explains why the sector feels that Budget 2026 delivers limited uplift for the New Zealanders they serve; but why he is buoyed by the hope and scop...

Devoid of fanfare and lolly scrambles, is there a token 'something' for everyone? Brendan Malone joins Andrew Urquhart for a look beyond the balance sheet to discuss what can be inferred from a rather lacklustre Budget announcement last week.   Is the Government playing a cautious game as it juggles economic and geopolitical pressures? Does Labour offer a more visionary alternative? Text...

Arian Tashakkori from PILLAR takes a look on the bright side of Budget 2026 through a civil liberties lens.  He points out that budget constrictions mean a smaller government, which in turn offers an opportunity for New Zealand communities to step up, and put faith into action.  Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:...

"Problems arise when society begins redefining realities it did not create — marriage, sex, parenthood, and even what it means to be human." There's a challenge to the liberal claim that culture wars have been imported and Christians should 'stay out of it'. Historian and theologian, Rev. Dr Malcolm Falloon, explains why many polarising social issues - such as critical race theory and trans...

As Bob McCoskrie was speaking to Andrew Urquhart on Wednesday, the tide was starting to turn for New Zealand's homeschooling communities. The Family First founding director shared why so many concerned parents had contacted his advocacy group about the proposed law to control home-based educators, the potential for even greater overreach, and the risk of ideological imposition by different governm...