In this episode of Daybreak – the new policy on transgender in sports simply reflects public sentiment; the US Olympic committee also returns to biology; Winston Peters has stopped our foreign embassies from virtual signalling; so-called medicinal cannabis may be harming cancer treatment; a dire warning over the state of our palliative care; the UK bans social media for under 13s; the NZ Rugby Union says that political and personal opinions are allowed – really?; the ex-US President Barak Obama says more dumb stuff; Nike returns to family values; and lessons from the Coldplay kiss-cam incident.

In this episode of Political Playback, we are joined by a special guest – Tanya Unkovich. She and Simon O’Connor talk the political happenings of the last week including breaking news around new voting laws and the removal of Sports NZ’s guidance allowing biological men to be part of women’s sport (and vice versa). Simon and Tanya also discuss the latest polls showing the centre-left are ahead, the impact of inflation, changes to the school curriculum, the price of butter and much more!

In this episode of Solid Ground with Simon, a wide array of topics are discussed including inconsistent media reporting on hate crimes, the removal of transgender athlete guidelines from Sports New Zealand's website, and ethical concerns surrounding IVF and embryo screening. The show highlights the disparity in hate crime classification, the implications of recent legislative changes in New Zealand sports, and delves into the moral complexities of genetic manipulation in reproductive technology.

Please be aware, this episode of Family Matters discusses suicide and other challenging issues around mental health.

In this emotionally charged episode of Family Matters, Simon delves into the heavy but crucial topic of mental health struggles faced by police officers in New Zealand. Special guest Allister Rose, recipient of the New Zealand Bravery Star – one of our highest awards - shares his harrowing personal journey of confronting an armed offender and the subsequent PTSD that altered his life. Allister discusses the founding of the Blue Hope Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting police officers grappling with mental health issues, from depression to suicidal ideation.

The episode sheds light on the alarming rates of PTSD and suicide within the police force, the systemic challenges in addressing these issues, and the life-saving impact of early intervention and community support through Blue Hope.

This is a topic rarely discussed in New Zealand, but one that needs to be had. Don't miss this compelling conversation that underscores the immense pressures on police officers and the vital need for greater mental health advocacy and support.

To check out more of Blue Hope’s work, check out www.bluehope.co.nz

In this episode of Solid Ground, Simon talks declining birth rates around the world and draws attention to a recent podcast where his guest says the solution is not money, but a return to valuing children and family. He also discusses a wonderful new health service in Rotorua providing care to children with neurological conditions. He then discusses recent reporting on euthanasia in New Zealand pointing out the worrying push to expand access and override cultural and conscience concerns.

Here's StraightTalk for 21 July 2025. In this episode we discuss – 1. Homeschool, Christian school, State school, charter school – which option do our panelists most recommend to families; 2. What is the place of karakia and should it be enforced?; 3. The UK is moving to allow 16 & 17 year olds to vote, will NZ follow?

Over the past couple of months we've noticed increasing commentary by the cultural elite and legacy media regarding the rejection of wokeness and leftist policy by the younger generations and specifically Gen Z – those born from 1997 onwards. What the commentators are most concerned about is their drift to social conservatism, and the effect it’s having on politics and elections. How dare they!

In this episode of Daybreak – the IRD thinks men can menstruate; a hospice is losing support – is it because of their stance on euthanasia; left wing groups flout the law – and get away with it; common sense returns and open plan classrooms are booted; is age verification actually achievable – a new bill suggests it is; the likely next Democrat nominee for President Gavin Newsom can’t answer a simple question about transing children; a UK student was disciplined for celebrating cultural day with a union jack dress; and UK Police face ban from marching in Pride parades after High Court ruling – should the same apply here in NZ?

In this episode of Political Playback – what is the real reason a hospice is struggling with funding; the IRD goes woke; why is Te Pati Maori being treated softly on compliance issues; is the media turning on Christopher Luxon or are they just mischief making; the normalisation of drugs narrative in the media gets a reality check; the Government proposes new laws to establish more online gambling licences; David Seymour gets told off by Luxon but did he deserve the roasting; and why is home-schooling on the rise – is it partly to do with open plan classrooms and RSE indoctrination?

In this episode of Solid Ground, Simon focuses on news coming out of the United Kingdom, from a survey saying that almost half of ‘older white men’ feel they cannot share their opinions; to a twelve year old girl excluded from a cultural day at her school because she was in a dress incorporating the Union Jack. He also discusses New Zealand’s Totora hospice which is the only hospice in New Zealand to allow euthanasia and appears to be paying the cost as fewer people donate to them.