Thoughts & Comments Podcast

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 governments. He says the homeschool community is all for accountability - done the right way.

Government listens to feedback on homeschool regulations | Beehive.govt.nz

Have your say on the Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill - New Zealand Parliament

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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 has since promised to halt and address properly in future legislation (Government listens to feedback on homeschool regulations | Beehive.govt.nz).

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For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

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• 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.

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For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

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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 we don't need to sacrifice social cohesion for the sake of economic growth.

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For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

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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 Christian faith of Kiwi judges who pioneered the transformation, especially in the area of youth justice.

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For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

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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 registration labels too.

The data will live inside a Government application for a wider set of digital identity tools...  And that's got the Free Speech Union's privacy alarms blaring.  CEO Jillaine Heather shed some light on the spectre of digital surveillance.

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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.

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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 surface diplomacy belies deeper security and trade tensions between the three superpowers. 

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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 movement, taking lessons from the very first Pentecost.

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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.nz.

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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?

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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.nz.

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