Thoughts & Comments Podcast

Will the public on-field spat amongst government parties see players benched, or perhaps even blow the final whistle on this three-captained Coalition team? With the Opposition and Labour cronies predicting an early election, Andrew Urquhart asks another former politician - is there merit to the doomsday prophecies or is it just 'stirring'? Ex-National MP Simon O'Connor says there is a place for p...

There's concern that Chinese-made EVs destined for New Zealand roads are a trojan horse for surveillance and espionage. Local civil liberties advocacy group PILLAR has raised the alarm on electric vehicles from China, asking our government to follow UK and Australia's example and approach with caution. Arian Tashakkori flags some questionable safety features and potential threats to national secur...

Perhaps Kiwis can fly - discover a visionary Kiwi production company on the cusp of an international breakthrough. Fantail Studios founding director Jared van Berkel recounts how God has steered his life from the moment the filming bug bit him in childhood, to transformative encounters as a 'media missionary'. Fantail's award-winning documentary is soon to be made into a feature film,  The Re...

Are Coalition government partners eyeing each other's share of the voting pie?  According to former Prime Minister Helen Clark, New Zealand First is 'eating fairly deeply into National's support', suggesting the Coalition goose is cooked; but a political analyst says the recent tit-for-tat between the two parties doesn't mean a break-up or earlier election.   Dr Bryce Edwards of the Demo...

In the the frontier town of cyberspace, who's the sherrif and what's the law? As internet governance races to keep up with fast-evolving social media and AI technology, Andrew Urquhart asks Internet NZ candidate and Free Speech Union council member, Douglas Brown, about how we can better protect internet users and hold content providers accountable. For more information visit www.fsu.nz ~~~ Tune i...

A yuletide treat for music lovers – Welsh singer and Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones joins Andrew Urquhart for a Christmas-cracker of a festive chat. Discover his fond memories of childhood in Wales, early fame, a varied media career, and serenading royals; and how God has held him through the octave-spanning highs and lows of life.   Plus a special surprise for Kiwi fans &nda...

Join Andrew Urquhart as he continues to wrap up the year with a look at what this season holds for Kiwis - the good, the sad and the beautiful; the inspiration, the despair and the hope.   The Salvation Army's Lt Col Ian Hutson asks us to spare a thought for those who have found 'no room at the inn', as he reviews New Zealand's latest homelessness data;  Dave Mann says this most won...

As 2025 draws to a close, Andrew Urquhart and his guests look back at the significant events and issues that make it a year to remember, including: Big-and-fast weather damage Influence of US President Donald Trump AI's growing impact Energy generation Social Impact Bonds Creeping extension of euthanasia & China's reach in the South Pacific With businesswoman and commentator Tash McGill, and D...

Can Christmas get busy and stressful? YES! But why, when it's all about the Prince of Peace. Today, Andrew Urquhart and his guests unwrap the layers of expectation, expense and emotion that can complicate how we mark Christmas festivities and other occasions. Enjoy three conversations that encourage us to return to the Biblical art of grateful celebration when it comes to the sharing of meals, gif...

As the church prepares to celebrate Christ's birth and Jews remember God's faithfulness in protecting their identity, a devastating massacre seems to have blotted out a memorial of light.  Andrew Urquhart and his guests respond to the tragedy at Australia's Bondi Beach, considering the role of law, civic responsibility, and faith, in combatting hate crime and preserving peace. With leadership...

Identity, tribalism, and good Kiwi coffee. Those topics and plenty more were on the table when the host of Today with Jeff Vines caught up with Andrew Urquhart on his New Zealand visit. Encouraged by a global Gen Z surge back to church, the ONE&All lead pastor also warned that a counter-movement is in force, as extreme ideologies become the new 'religion'. Text your thoughts to 8168, keyword '...

As a Kiwi recently returned from Bethlehem, photo/video-journalist Cole Martin brings back challenging accounts from the West Bank, an area of the Holy Land that has arguably received less media attention than Hamas-controlled Gaza since the 2003 October 7th attacks on Israel. In this raw and confronting conversation, Cole shares glimpses of what life is like for the Palestinian Christians he has...

All I want for Christmas is... naughty or is it nice? And are we chasing a lifestyle too expensive to resource?  Tech gadgets and smart devices come with a hefty price tag and significant social cost - whether you do or don't keep up-to-date with the latest/best/shiniest toys.  Andrew Urquhart's guests today weigh up the pros and cons of social media and cutting-edge technology in our di...

Are you attempting to stuff too much into the proverbial Christmas stocking? Trying wrap up too many gifts, expenses, events, obligations, tinsel and trimmings.. with too little of you?   Broadcaster John Cowan shares some sage advice for those feeling more ho-hum rather than ho-ho-ho; Matt Maslin (laidlaw.ac.nz) brings it back to the most precious gift of all - God with us, a vulnerable baby...

Counting down to Christmas it's not crackers that politicians are pulling on, but a power struggle nonetheless. Andrew Urquhart invites his guests to comment on the apparent tug-of-war between local and central government, the two major political parties, individual rights and the common good. Former MP Simon O'Connor joins Andrew Urquhart to analyse the peformance from the major contenders for ne...

What's the economic forecast for New Zealand as we head into the festive season? After a dismal year for small businesses, Andrew Urquhart and his guests discuss whether the Government's revamped social investment initiative, the recent OCR announcement, and a couple of Scandinavian imports can turn around the economic blues. With Thomas Scrimgeour (maxim.org.nz), Andy Milne (chrisitiansavings.co....

From pastor to bricklayer and back again. New Life Church pastor Peter Kinsella shares his testimony of faith, ministry and burnout; and how Christ-centred community can redeem the pressures and disappointment of church leadership. Text your thoughts to 8168, keyword "Comments".  Visit www.thoughtsandcomments.co.nz for more content. Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&...

Today's guests urge a kind of charity that looks past the statistics and sees the individual.  Dr Bonnie Robinson of the Salvation Army's Social Policy and Parliament Unit shares testimonies of lives transformed through transitional housing, prisoner reintegration, and addiction services. (salvationarmy.org.nz) And broadcaster John Cowan mulls over how to respond to street beggars - the moral...

Three compelling discussions about faith in the birthplace of the church - a faith born under fire that nonetheless spread like wildfire, and is still enkindling the flame of devotion in spite of politics, geography and persecution.  Dr Craig Heilmann reflects on a historic agreement on the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Council, as Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo XIV vow to grow communi...

Who...or what, do we see when we look in the mirror?  Andrew Urquhart and his guests peer through the kaleidoscope of what it means to be made in the image of God. As Western society begins the tinsel-coated countdown to Christmas, Ryan Lang (venn.org.nz) shines a light on the true meaning of Advent, reflecting on Christ, the Light of the World; Rev. Frank Ritchie takes an honest look at self...

There's a buzz about 'imported culture wars' so Andrew Urquhart asks, what about imported cultural trends and foreign influence - in some cases to the point of invasion?   Kiwi shops are screaming Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales. But what happened to Thanksgiving Thursday? Wynand Jacobs (familylife.nz) suggests how we can honour its true light of gratitude, amidst the neon glare of feverish...

How do we deal with family tensions or friction in our faith congregations? Do we extend the same grace to our nearest & dearest, as what we proclaim in public? Andrew Urquhart and his guests discuss the virtue of forgiveness without calculation. With broadcaster John Cowan, Family Life's Wynand Jacobs (familylife.nz) and leadership mentor John Peachey (thethinkfarm.org.nz). Text your thoughts...

From conflict zones & bustling cities to the ends of the Earth, discover how seeds of the Gospel are taking root & flourishing in hearts all over the world. A report from the 2025 General Assembly of the World Evangelical Christian Alliance; a hope-filled update on Ukraine's war-weary believers (missionwithoutborders.org.nz); & good news of a Kiwi revival ...

Defending the thin blue line between order and chaos means walking the talk, but it seems the top brass have been found wanting. Andrew Urquhart and guests weigh up the politics, policy and culture surrounding high level leadership positions, tackling the case of disgraced former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming; and speculation over PM Christopher Luxon's tenure.  With Dr Bryce Ed...

Author, mathematician and public speaker Dr James Lindsay challenges 'wokeism' with clarity. He discusses how critical theory, media infiltration campaigns and keyboard warfare have undermined social interaction and eroded critical thinking.  So how can we engage with these issues in a more meaningful way? Join the conversation and text 8168, keyword 'Comments'.  For more content visit t...