Thoughts & Comments Podcast

A former teacher and current homeschooling parent is marking down the Ministry of Education's authoritarian attempt to increase its control over New Zealand's homeschooling system. Speaking to Andrew Urquhart on Tuesday, civil liberties advocate Nick Hanne ( www.nzpillar.com ) pointed out the lack of consultation and open-ended bill amendments, which National's Education Minister Erica Stanford ha...

Rose-tinted glasses - tick Blind spots - tick Irony - tick Unity - X Life-saving leadership - ? Pity. Dr Craig Heilmann explains why he was surprised by his response to  "Prime Minister: To Rule is Easy, to Lead is Hard" - the documentary about former PM Dame Jacinda Ardern, co-produced by her husband Clarke Gayford. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ Tune into Thought...

As a nation of immigrants, who are 'people like us'? Where's the balanced middle ground between fear-mongering and race-card playing platitudes? Following recent arguments over immigration policies, Jonathan Ayling says the desire to be 'colour-blind' and racially impartial should not lead to conceding constitutionally-established sociocultural values that define New Zealand.  He points out w...

Discover how the western justice system has evolved from a retributive, punishment-based philosophy, to a more reconciliatory and merciful approach based on Biblical virtues.  An Otago University theologian says law and order is being reorientated from 'Lady Justice' to our Kingly Redeemer.  Professor Murray Rae attributes New Zealand's world-leading restorative justice programmes to the...

No more whipping out your wallet when you're ID'd - New Zealand drivers will soon be able to carry their licence on a smartphone. The Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill has passed its third reading, which makes digital licences a legal alternative to - rather than a compulsory replacement for - physical driver licence cards, eventually enabling digital alternatives for vehicle WOF and r...

Andrew Urquhart takes another look at New Zealand First's proposal to reacquire or re-nationalise the Bank of New Zealand. He talks to Andy Milne of Christian Savings for a cost-benefit analysis of the buy-back bid - is it just nostalgia, or is it the logical way to increase competition yet retain control of banking sector profits. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ Tune in...

There's been a train of global leaders heading to BeiJing, where Chinese President Xi JinPing is playing host to a changing axis of power. An International Relations specialist says America has declined in the esteem of its allies as well as its adversaries.  Professor Robert Patman explains that while the Trump Administration's departure from US foreign policy benefits Russia and China, the...

With stirrings of Christian revivals locally and overseas, contrasting with populist clashes over Nakbar and nationalist ideals, Andrew Urquhart asks - is there more to these flashes of zealous fervour than meets the eye?  Is it coincidental 'zeitgeist', or a divine move of the Holy Spirit? Media chaplain Frank Ritchie reflects on the spiritual aspect of getting caught up in a moment, or move...

Family First contributor Samuel Bilton dives below surface statistics, past trends and tropes, to reflect on what's driving Gen Z in droves to church pews. And understanding their 'why', knowing there's a hunger for more than experience and community - how can we step up and equip ourselves to feed that hunger with the truth and faith they seek? Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts...

New Zealand is well below the threshold for population replacement.  The national fertility rate has plummeted to a historic low of 1.53 births per woman, compared to the minimal rate of 2.1 for maintaining our population. What is causing this decline, and will it lead to our demise? From changing social values and economic pressure to extreme life-ending laws, Andrew Urquhart and LifeNet's B...

Following a weekend of protests in the UK where anyone right of 'Left' has been slammed as 'far right', there's a suggestion that relativism and a breakdown in public discourse, fed by media bias, is leading to an increasingly polarised society. Public theologian Dr Craig Heilmann discusses what's bubbling below surface issues like immigration policies, which is widening the sociopolitical rift be...

Civil liberties group PILLAR is warning against heavy-handed state control of the internet in New Zealand. Arian Tashakkori updated Andrew Urquhart on developments in Parliament where a three-pronged approach to improving protection of minors online - including an under-16 social media ban and a Ministry of Education enquiry - seems to have formed a leaded bolus. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to s...

What does the Bible teach us about inviting strangers into our home? Leadership mentor John Peachey reflects on the recent rival marches in the UK, where public opinion seems to be divided over high immigration levels - a debate that may also become an election issue in this part of the Commonwealth.  So John Peachey asks, Does 'love thy neighbour' mean first inviting a stranger to become one...

Grand vision but light on details.  Political analyst Dr Bryce Edwards discusses Rt Hon. Winston Peters' strategic policy announcement to turn back time and reacquire or re-nationalise BNZ.  Andrew Urquhart and his guest also consider possible MMP combinations like a Labour-National coaltion. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ Tune into Thoughts & Comments fro...

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." ~ Genesis 1:27-28 (KJV) Are we exercising wise do...

Get help, speak up - you can't keep quiet and hope someone else will pick up the fight.  That's Stephen Franks' caution and exhortation to any worker, tradesman or professional facing systemic gaslighting - masked as misconduct reviews - simply for challenging an ideology.  The seasoned attorney and Free Speech Union council member tells Andrew Urquhart that he himself was attacked in th...

A uniquely dual-lens view on the symbiotic relationship between the State and the 'Fourth Estate' of news and media. Former MP Simon O'Connor observes that journalists seem to be brandishing the foils of ideology and investor biases, rather than traditional tenets of fairness, balance and accuracy.  He notes that if honest reporting has slipped into lunges for click-bait commentary, then the...

As Britain's Prime Minister faces the political guillotine amidst a hotbed of polarising issues, there's an observation that a kind of sociopolitical revolution is stirring in other parts of the Commonwealth. Public theologian Dr Craig Heilmann compares UK Labour Party's defeat in local body elections with developments in Australia, which has just seen the resurrection of fundamentalist politician...

For the general New Zealand public, the further a piece of legislation is from the nexus of land ownership and resources, the harder it is to understand the relevance of - let alone apply - Treaty of Waitangi principles.  Church and Treaty historian Dr Samuel Carpenter of Laidlaw College addresses some of the tension in the Government's review of laws involving Treaty obligations, acknowledgi...

Will Sir Keir Starmer survive the challenges to his leadership, or will the UK see yet another Prime Minister exit prematurely? Andrew Urquhart catches up with UK-based Colin Bloom, International CEO of Barnabas Aid, who shares his insights from years of serving in an advisory capacity to Downing Street; and adds the unique perspective that persecuted minorities are often the most vulnerable in ti...

TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman announced her resignation last week.  Was this a long time coming? Andrew Urquhart asks political analyst Bryce Edwards for his assessment of the rampant speculation over the reason for her abrupt departure - from employment tension following recent Parliamentary misbehaviour; to broader culture wars and conspiracy theories of government complicity.  T...

Ukraine has persevered against Russia's onslaught for more than four years, and her people are nearing the end of their tether. Amongst the rubble of cities and ruined lives, mothers mourn their sons and husbands, survivors search for answers, and many are finding FEBC's Gospel ministry. New Zealand CEO Matt Perry shares stories from FEBC Ukraine, as well as an invitation for Kiwi supporters to of...

"As Kiwi as an All Black eating a pavlova in jandals made of No 8 wire."  That's how Andy Milne describes the time-honoured tradition of retiring with investment property. But he says recent market analysis indicates the dream Kiwi retirement is losing its lustre for mum-and-dad investors.  The Christian Savings advisor shares his observations that New Zealanders are waking up to the rea...

Many agree that the Broadcasting Standards Authority overstepped its bounds by attempting to litigate a webcaster; but is the government's decision to dissolve the BSA in itself a step too far? In claiming authority to adjudicate a complaint against The Platform host, Sean Plunket, the BSA appointed itself webmaster of New Zealand's online content, with the glaring exception of several global stre...

Top chef behaviour was hardly 'top shelf' - Tash McGill responds to recent revelations of restaurant industry controversies, shedding light on the heated environment of the hospitality sector, from hazardous kitchen conditions to assault allegations. ~~~~ Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App. For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page a...