On Point Simon O'Connor

Join me as I chat with Benedict Rogers of Hong Kong Watch, based out of London. We discuss the recently passed national security laws in Hong Kong and their chilling effect this has had on many basic freedoms. Ben and I also talk about a recent court case and why all of this matters for democracies such as New Zealand.

Join me as I talk with Joshua Kurlantzick, who is a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). We discuss his new book 'Beijing's Global Media Offensive' and how the CCP uses local media to influence events to its advantage, including here in New Zealand.

Join me as I sit down and chat with Maria English of Impact Lab to talk about how we support - by good measurement and analysis - the important work of charities, NGOs, and other organisations in our community.

Are you aware of the latest push to control speech and content in New Zealand?  I sit down the Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union, Jonathan Ayling, to discuss what the Department of Internal Affairs is proposing along with the latest results of the Free Speech Union survey on free speech in our universities – spoiler alert, the results are very worrying.

We’re back!  A King’s Birthday ‘On Point’ podcast special.  I sit down with Dr Sean Palmer, Chair of Monarchy New Zealand, to talk about why a constitutional monarchy is good for New Zealand and a few thoughts on the Coronation.

Join me as I sit down with one of my human rights heroes, Benedict Rogers.  He is the founder of Hong Kong Watch and author of The China Nexus, among many other roles.  We discuss what has happened in Hong Kong and the many themes in his new book.  If you have an interest in human rights and what it looks like to speak up, take the time to listen and hear what Ben has to say and also buy his book (a great read!)