Active Intelligence NZ

The National Party has appointed Christopher Luxon as their new leader. Whilst most know him as the former boss of Air New Zealand, others wonder what influence his Christian faith will have on him as Leader of the Opposition. Aaron spoke with former National Party MP Alfred Ngaro, a former pastor who was very open about how important faith is in public life.

Journalist and Writer Sarah Catherall recently published an editorial called “Toxic positivity: The business of happiness”, where she examines the rise of a new well-being industry focused on our happiness. Is it possible to be happy all the time? Would that even be good for us? Aaron and Sarah discuss if this new fixation on happiness might be making us sad.

Dr Jereth Kok was suspended due to 30 comments on social media cited by the Medical Board of Australia. The allegation is that his online media commentary amounted to professional misconduct. Although the legal battles continue Dr Koks is concerned about the implications for private people speaking about their view in public.

Despite 90% of New Zealanders having received at least one Covid-19 Vaccination, the Vaccine and Lockdowns continue to divide the “Team of 5 mIllion”. Some churches appear to be key players in the protests whilst others fear the implications of restriction for the unvaccinated. Pastor Sam Tolley from Auckland’s Church Unlimited says he never thought we could be so divided.

Many Kiwis assume that homeownership is out of reach. Debt and low savings are just some of the barriers apart from the ever-expanding price bubble. Te Reo teacher Jahdine Tapara has proven it is possible to defy the odds and has purchased her first home in Hamilton. She shares how loan sharks nearly made the dream of owning a home a nightmare.

Texas recently adopted a new Heartbeat Abortion Law making it unlawful to abort a baby once a heartbeat can be detected. Pro choice advocates have pointed out that most women don’t know they are pregnant in the first six weeks, rendering the law unconstitutional. Mary Castle from Texas values says the new law is proof that Pro-Life groups need to continue to stand up for the unborn child.

As Auckland continues to experience Level 3 Covid-19 lockdown, parents and children are struggling with the demands of homeschooling. The Education Sector has been incredibly innovative and parents equally tenacious. Patrick Walsh is the principal of John Paul College in Rotorua and offers his report card for Covid Homeschooling.

Every year Kiwis travel overseas to have a baby through foreign Surrogacy programs. Many say this is due to the confusing and complicated regulations around surrogacy and adoption in New Zealand. Jennifer Lahl is the Founder and President at The Center for Bioethics and Culture and she has serious concerns about surrogacy as a practice.

Last year 65% of New Zealanders voted to enact the End of Life Choice Act in November of this year. The Bill has been promoted under the twin imperatives of “choice” and “compassion”. Richard McLeod, of Lawyers for Vulnerable New Zealanders, says there is a third “C” that will become the hidden motivation for choosing Euthanasia.

The Auckland City Mission is 100 years old and has big plans for serving the poor of the city through their new centre called HomeGround. Professor Peter Lineham has chronicled the iconic mission’s story in a new book called Agency of Hope. Has the introduction of millions of dollars in government funding changed the Mission for good? Prof Lineham believes it is time for the Mission to reimagine how it expresses its Christian foundations.