Thoughts & Comments

Thu 16 Oct 2025. Power to the People? Or 'A Nation of Sheep'?


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Is it "power to the people" when the majority stay silent? Check in for incisive commentary on New Zealand current affairs - from post-election analysis, to the social harm implications of BNPL liquor sales, and moves to decriminalise illicit drugs. With guests from the Maxim Institute, Family First NZ, and the Salvation Army's Social Policy & Parliamentary Unit. 

Family First founding director Bob McCoskrie refutes the Drug Foundation's assertion that legalising drugs would have a better outcome than a punitive 'war on drugs' approach;

Ana Ika from the Salvation Army's Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit warns against the credit trap posed by buy-now-pay-later options for vulnerable customers with an alcohol problem;

And the Maxim Institute's Maryanne Spurdle challenges Kiwis' orientation towards global politics while ambivalent about local democracy as evidenced in this year's elections.

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