Thoughts & Comments Podcast

Rhema Media
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Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

  1. 2h ago

    Ukraine War: Stalemate, Drones & Why NZ Has A Stake

    Professor Robert Patman, Professor of International Relations at the University of Otago, joins Andrew Urquhart to assess the state of the Ukraine war as it heads into another winter. He describes the Donbas front as bordering on stalemate, with Russia making grinding, costly gains until a recent Ukrainian breakthrough near Lyman, while both sides escalate drone and missile strikes on infrastructure and cities in a bid to break morale. Prof. Patman warns that diplomatic efforts, including recent Kushner-Witkoff visits, have achieved little since Putin will only accept a Russian-dictated "land for peace" deal, and flags growing fractures in European support as pro-Russian populist parties (AfD, National Rally, Reform UK) gain ground.  He argues New Zealand has a direct stake in Russia's defeat given the precedent it sets for China over Taiwan and the Pacific, and notes rare cross-party domestic consensus, from David Seymour to Winston Peters, against Putin's invasion despite differing political persuasions.   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. Produced using AI tools under human supervision. Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 3d ago

    Nicky Hager's Book: Journalism or Election Ambush?

    Commentator Brendan Malone joins Andrew Urquhart to dissect the media storm around Nicky Hager's latest election-season book, questioning whether it represents genuine investigative journalism or a recurring pattern of politically timed hit jobs targeting the right. Malone draws a parallel with America's "October surprise" tradition, arguing Hager's repeated conspiracy framing ironically mirrors the very "undue influence" he accuses groups like the Taxpayers Union of wielding. Malone goes on to challenge the Enlightenment assumption that voters are purely rational, arguing emotion, tribal loyalty and media trust (or distrust) shape political choices more than policy analysis. He points to Stuff's fact-check double standards as evidence of uneven media scrutiny, and urges voters to prioritise a candidate's character and virtue over claims to expertise, while ultimately placing trust in God above any media institution. 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. Produced using AI tools under human supervision. Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. 3d ago

    Parliament's Term Report: Does National Deserve a B?

    Nathan Seiuli, founding head of civil liberties group Pillar, reviews the outgoing Parliament's three-year term as politicians head into campaign mode. He grades the National-led coalition a "B at best", crediting them for shrinking a bloated public service inherited from Labour's expansion years, but criticizing moves like move-on orders, gang patch bans, proposed social media restrictions and talk of reviving blasphemy laws as civil liberties concerns that cut across political lines.   Mr Seiuli also unpacks the coalition's contested shift away from ancestry-based service allocation towards needs-based support, arguing genuine Kiwi identity rests on shared values of responsibility, innovation and service to neighbours rather than heritage, while acknowledging fierce external opposition to these changes. He reflects on ACT and NZ First's influence in restraining National, suggests real reform typically takes more than one term, and predicts the coming election will be fought more on opposing rivals than distinct policy visions ([www.nzpillar.com](https://www.nzpillar.com)).   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. Produced using AI tools under human supervision. Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Sep 23

    Preventative Medicine, Politics and Big Pharma Debate

    Andrew Urquhart speaks with Professor Grant Schofield, an expert in preventative medicine, about New Zealand First's health policy which draws on work from the Make New Zealand Healthy trust. Schofield explains he was part of a scientific advisory team that offered comprehensive health reform policy to all political parties, focused on shifting spending from treating sickness to preventing disease; and rejects claims of plagiarism since the policy was openly offered and only New Zealand First engaged meaningfully with it.   The discussion covers bodily autonomy and informed consent in medicine, the influence of government dietary guidelines on institutions like hospitals, prisons and schools, and whether taxpayers should subsidise healthy food choices similar to existing subsidies for pharmaceuticals and big food. Schofield also raises concerns about Big Pharma's heavy marketing influence within medicine, particularly around weight-loss drugs, contrasting this with the comparatively weak lobbying power behind whole-food and lifestyle-based approaches to health.   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. Produced using AI tools under human supervision. Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Sep 21

    Rubberstamp Bias: Who Do Public Servants Really Serve?

    TUE 15 SEP ~ Are political bias, bureaucratic stalling and buried incompetencies the hallmark traits of the civil service? Arian Tashakkori from civil liberties group PILLAR joined Andrew Urquhart to discuss recent examples of clashing loyalties and conflicts of interest, including public service unions handing out "change the government" stickers during strikes; and the tension between service continuity versus accountability to elected ministers and the taxpayer. (www.nzpillar.com) Do you think institutional knowledge held by career bureaucrats outweighs the need for integrity and neutrality in serving the government of the day? Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ Thoughts & Comments will also be live on Shine TV from Monday 28 September 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. Produced using AI tools under human supervision. Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Sep 14

    KiwiSaver Battle Between Labour & National

    Has Kiwisaver become a bit of a political football? Or is it more a tug-of-war? With the original author Labour on one side, and on the other, National's developments for the superannuation scheme, Pillar CEO Nathan Seiuli questions whether Kiwisaver will serve New Zealanders well in retirement. He joined Andrew Urquhart to weigh up the different policy implications for employees and employers, particularly asking if the responsibility to save for retirement is shifting in the right direction. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ 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. 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. Produced using AI tools under human supervision. Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Sep 14

    Winner Winner Cheaper Dinner - Will 'Kiwimart' Whet Voters' Appetite?

    "This is a cost-of-living election," observes a political analyst; and the Green Party may have just found their meal ticket. Dr Bryce Edwards of the Democracy Project unpacks the Greens' proposal that's banking on the people to break New Zealand's supermarket duopoly with a $2.8b publicly-owned chain promising consumer savings. Although the Opposition party hasn't yet calculated the profit and affordability margins, Dr Edwards points out the mere prospect of lower grocery bills will appeal strongly to a population hungry for cheaper food. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ 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. 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. Produced using AI tools under human supervision. Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Sep 11

    Ground Zero Chaplain Remembers 9/11 Twenty-five Years On

    Faith in the midst of horror, quiet heroes... God with skin on.     A Ground Zero chaplain recalls the moments, days and weeks after terror struck the Twin Towers on September-eleven, 2001.     25 years later, Father Emile Frische still feels the weight of the tragedy as he describes the shock and heartbreaking scenes to Diane Campbell. Hear how God sustained him as he ministered to a grieving city and witnessed the wonder of a common humanity in the rubble of disaster.   Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts. ~~~~ 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 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. Produced using AI tools under human supervision. Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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About

Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

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