Family First NZ

Here's CounterCulture for 9 April 2026, and it's another great topic - "Trust in the media". Hosted by Samuel Bilton with panellists Ethan Aloiai, Ana Ika, and Ala Pomelile.

Trust in the media continues to decline. Since 2019, it has dropped year after year. The panel discusses why this has happened and what the media can do to try and regain some of the trust it has lost. Are you expecting the media to recover or would you say good riddance? And should the Government be funding the media or should the market have the final say? We discuss all...

In this episode of Political Playback – the latest political poll is good for the centre-right and especially good for NZ First; a breakdown of who is voting for NZ First; geopolitics, Iran, Trump & Luxon; how the political parties celebrated Easter; was the Easter / Christmas booze bill misrepresented; what’s happening with the puberty blocker ban; some church leaders say the Bible cannot justify the Iran conflict; Te Maori Party calls for a MP pay freeze; the Greens want to protect parody; and are the National party instructing MPs on how to be more woke?

We speak to our UK correspondent Sean Redfearn from Christian Concern based in London. Topics include the response to a recent Islamic public prayer event in Trafalgar Square, King Charles’ no-show on an Easter message this year, Christian street preachers under attack, and is there a youth revival in UK churches or not.

In this episode of Solid Ground, Simon discusses a newly announced US-Israel-Iran ceasefire and noting that it is already cracking as Iran objects to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon and has closed the Strait of Hormuz again. Simon also questions various legacy media framing Iran as a victim, downplaying the horrors of the Islamic regime. Similarly, Simon questions why TV One news cannot say the word ISIS, after a terrorist attack in Türkiye, and why media are misrepresenting the motivations for such attacks. As he notes, if you cannot clearly state the who, why, or how – then the...

In this episode of Family Matters, Simon sits down with Sarah McLaughlin from @TheFIREorg - the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, one of the United States' foremost advocacy groups for freedom of speech and free thought. Sarah is FIRE's Senior Scholar, focusing on the dynamics of free speech around the globe.

Sarah is coming to New Zealand in late April as a guest of the Free Speech Union, talking around the country about how free speech is deteriorating worldwide - including in democracies like New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the USA.

She...

In this episode of Daybreak – latest political poll is good for NZ First and the centre-right; media push ‘panic’ messaging over Easter but trip over themselves; political parties talk about Easter – sort of; liberalisation of alcohol laws takes effect over Easter and is misrepresented by proponents and the media; NZ First private members bill to define male and female is drawn out of the ballot – now we watch whether the politicians can vote for biology; Ministry of Health refuse to say pregnant ‘women’; Human Rights Commission push transing children – to children; a new Finnish study reaffirms NZ’s decision to ban puberty blo...

Here it is - the latest episode of CounterCulture, diving into the topic of Feminism! There is sure to be some debate. Will we see a split of views from our panellists - 2 men and 2 women 😄

Louis Theroux has dived into the disturbing world of the Manosphere in his recent documentary. He does a great job of exposing the exploitation and poisonous messaging on this "red pill" community. However, he gives very little in response to the very real struggles young men are facing in today's modern world.

In this episode of Political Playback – MPs to debate the definition of a ‘woman’ after a private members bill is drawn; the Human Right Commission proves just how dangerous they are; the Ministry of Health can’t say the word “woman”; the latest political poll is bad for National; Luxon does a cabinet re-shuffle – was anyone watching; the BSA unilaterally determine their ‘authority’; is the Easter / Christmas / Anzac Day booze bill simply a smokescreen for further steps; is Hipkins’ trust at the same low level as the media’s; is the role of Prime Minister similar to that of a CEO; the Green party...

A private members bill to define in legislation the word "woman" has been drawn. The bill is sponsored by New Zealand First MP Jenny Marcroft. Now we will find out once and for all whether MPs can define Truth & biology - or whether they’re captured by ideology & fear. Let the (women’s) sports begin! xx

In this episode of Family Matters, Simon O’Connor interviews Jonathan “Jono” Mcfarlane, a former New Zealand’s Strongest Man, multiple Highland Games champion, and a Guinness World Record holder (for being able to throw a person the furthest; he did hold the record for throwing a 100 pound washing machine, but later beaten by actor who played ‘The Mountain’ in Game of Thrones’. As the International Olympic Committee (IOC) insists that athletes compete according to their biological sex, Simon and Jono talk the very real biological differences between men and women in sport. As Jono notes, his perspective comes from years of...

Bob shares his highlights from the past 20 years of Family First. Yes we’re 20 Years Strong - still here, even stronger, and still fighting for Kiwi families. Consider investing in our future by donating here: https://familyfirst.org.nz/donations/ For 20+ years we’ve been a leading pro-family and pro-life voice - we’ve played a key role in major public policy debates including opposition to the anti-smacking law, the redefinition of marriage, the liberalisation of abortion laws, and the 2020 cannabis and euthanasia referendums. We’ve also become one of New Zealand’s leading new-media commentators - recently we measured 4...

A new ‘trust’ barometer based on a global study has found that compared to media around the world, our news media is in what we call in sporting terms – the relegation zone. The communications agency that oversaw the study suggested that the media should “Write accurate headlines instead of exaggerated or fear-inducing ones” and “Dedicate equal time and coverage to different viewpoints on big issues”. Don’t hold your breath.

In this episode of Solid Ground, Simon celebrates Family First’s 20 year milestone as well as the positive comments about motherhood by broadcaster Tova O’Brien. Simon updates listeners on the government funding political activism after reporting that a Christchurch charitable trust received $30,000 via the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and a further $70,000 via the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s ‘preventing violence and extremism fund’ to promote Gazan perspectives on the current conflict. He notes no funding should be given to either side of this debate, but that there is clearly an ideological capture within the civil service to have al...

In this episode we discuss: the COVID vax for teens, the new evidence which has surfaced, and is this one of the greatest coverups by the media in recent history; is the war on Iran now completely out of control or is that what the media want us to believe; Big Tech had their Big Tobbaco moment last week – two court cases which will be making them rightly panic; John Cleese (the one from Fawlty Towers) has warned about an Islamic takeover in the UK, but is it just in the UK?

It was a big week last week. The transgender agenda suffered another mortal blow as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the culture slowly returns to truth and biology. Not a great day for the NZ media though. The gender narrative is crumbling almost as fast as their trust levels. We look at their previous coverage of the Olympics transgender issue.

In this episode of Daybreak – liberalised alcohol laws clearly on the political agenda; Christian nationalism comes to Wellington cathedral; Hipkins and Bloomfield were promoting booster COVID shots for teens FOUR months after warnings about possible harm; two major decisions go against Big Tech in the US; phone ban in school is being flouted by students; the IOC headed by a woman finally determine what is a female category; Candace is “getting closer”; a radical pro-abortionist is proposed for next head of UN; motherhood changes Tova O’Brien; the Liberal party in Australia shoots itself in the foot yet again; & more…

In this episode of Daybreak - speak up against the holy day 'booze bill'; the IOC finally figure out biology in time for the 2028 Olympics - but the UN can't; did Hipkins lie to the public about the COVID vaccine advice for teenagers; Big Tech are starting to be held to account - finally; OnlyFans owner dies; Spanish woman to be granted euthanasia despite depression & suicide attempts; the media are slow on the facts around a dinner with Luxon; an abortionist ironically calls for a constitution to give NZers a legal right to health care - except the ones...

In this episode of Political Playback – Alfred Ngaro joins NZ First; ACT’s deputy leader to quit; Will Winston consider Labour or won’t he; what’s happened to two Te Pati Maori MPs; the latest political poll; the media can’t get their story straight on Luxon’s visit to the Islands; would you pay $10,000 to have dinner with Luxon – and is that what they’re charging!; yet another attempt to liberalise Easter trading laws; when is a small error (subsequently rectified) worth wasting time debating in Parliament; is it the Ministry for Ethnic Communities or Gaza lobbyists; and more….

The Albanese government has changed the law to give a massive tax benefit to trans lobby group Equality Australia, in defiance of a ruling by the courts that it is a political advocacy organisation. "Political advocacy" is the same justification used for deregistering Family First (but not groups like Greenpeace, The Helen Clark Foundation, Drug Foundation, InsideOut and many other leftist charities in NZ who also do political advocacy.) So does this new Australian tax benefit for a group which opposes female-only spaces for -biological women & who led the campaign for same-sex marriage in their 2017 plebiscite also apply for...

In this episode of Solid Ground, Simon O’Connor is excited to share his latest guest on the podcast, Family Matters, Erica Komisar. A New York based clinical social worker and author, Komisar argues parents should prioritise as much time with children in the first three years and warns governments push childcare to boost GDP rather than child wellbeing. Simon also shares the breaking news that a US jury found Meta and YouTube liable for a young woman’s social media addiction, and reminds viewers of Family First’s “app store” age-verification and parental-consent approach for those under 16. He wraps up t...

The rise Of One Nation, Albanese’s Mosque Visit, Special Law For Trans ‘Charity’, and the Iran War. Lots to talk about with our Australian correspondent Lyle Shelton from the Family First political party.

We discuss some of the issues grabbing attention in Australia at the moment, including the rise of the One Nation political party in the recent South Australia election; PM Anthony Albanese who has supported a Palestinian state turns up to a mosque and receives a hostile reception; the media ignore a large rally marching through a shopping mall; the Government passes a special tax br...

In this episode of Family Matters, Simon interviews Erica Komisar – a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, author, coach to parents, a mother, New Yorker and much sought after commentator across television, radio, and international conferences.

Erica stresses the vital importance of a child’s attachment to its parents, arguing that parents should do everything they can to be the ones raising their child – not early childcare, not the government, or others.

She explains that children aged 0-3 years of age are undergoing critical brain-development and in which children need one primary attachment figure—usually the mother, with att...

In this episode of Daybreak – more attempts to liberalise Easter & Anzac Day trading laws; drug advocates continue their flawed and dopey campaign to legalise all drugs; a NZ Herald poll suggests that Hipkins’ approval rating hasn’t been affected by recent events; ACT MP Brooke van Velden is quitting but her voting record was poor; the NZ Herald do a (paid?) advertorial for transing children; certain protests are okay according to the media but others are on the ‘wrong side of history’; Courts of NZ cry off X; a new faaaaaar-right playbook to be published by ActionStation; Winston Peters trolls bot...

In this episode, Simon explains his anger on the prior night’s Straight Talk panel (with Christine Rankin, Mel Taylor, and Rodney Hyde) about media treatment of allegations and its impact on families.

He shares breaking news of an Air Canada plane colliding with a fire truck at LaGuardia airport in New York. Turning to New Zealand politics, he discusses Alfred Ngaro joining New Zealand First arguing it will hurt National’s polling and shift conservative and Pasifika support, with Winston Peters again potentially the kingmaker on election night.

He highlights overseas cases he says thre...

In this episode we discuss: the latest political poll showing a completely divided country; former National cabinet minister and NewZeal leader and former founding panelist on StraightTalk Alfred Ngaro joins Winston Peters and is standing for NZ First at the upcoming election; in light of the coverage of Chris Hipkin’s family issues, should the private lives of politicians ever be public – and if so, when; we also discuss how the media handled this issue.

In this episode of Daybreak - an exclusive interview with new NZ First candidate Alfred Ngaro. The former National Cabinet minister and leader of the NewZeal party at the last election has announced that he's standing as a candidate for NZ First at the November General Election. We also take some of your questions.

Former National Cabinet minister and leader of the NewZeal party at the last election Alfred Ngaro has announced that he's standing as a candidate for NZ First at the November General Election. Bob and Simon discuss the implications of the decision for NZ First, Christian parties in general, whether we will see more National MPs (both current and ex) go to NZ First, and how will the media cover this issue.

There seems to have been a recent explosion of interest in the evidence for the Christian faith - especially with the younger generations. And Canadian Wes Huff has been on the front lines of sharing this evidence. I believe there is much to celebrate about this and the hunger for Truth around the world, as well as some things we can learn from Wes about how he shares the Truth lovingly and without compromise.

In this episode of Daybreak – are the long COVID symptoms for real; Greenpeace is a registered charity which does political advocacy – isn’t that illegal according to the Charities Board; media go silent on latest political poll; Mt Maunganui government inquiry; drug users like Ketamine; taxpayer has been bailing out medicinal cannabis failures; Winston boots the WHO; a dark night for the preborn in the UK; media love Joe Kent – but they never used to – what changed; Mike Hosking v John Campbell – is it even a competition; yet another reason not to go to New York; women in the US are treat...

Join COUNTERCULTURE panelists Samuel Bilton, Ethan Aloiai, Arian Tashakkori and Jake Stowers as they discuss whether there are any benefits for men in getting married. Are men better off having multiple sexual relationships? And is there any difference between getting married and just living with your partner? All this and more on marriage in the latest episode of COUNTERCULTURE.

In this episode of Solid Ground, Simon chats with viewers around he and Rachel babysitting a three month old baby, getting some advice and feedback. He briefly discusses the ongoing issues for Labour leader Chris Hipkins, noting he and Bob will be discussing further on Political Playback.

Simon celebrates the breaking news that the Scottish parliament has voted against euthanasia, that the Archbishop of Canterbury will now attend the Lords to vote around an extreme abortion amendment (allowing abortion up till birth), and the decision announced by Winston Peters that New Zealand will not endorse parts of...

We speak to our US Correspondent Glenn Stanton from Focus on the Family about some key stories happening in the US, including the normalising of polyamory, throuples and polycules in the legacy media; the rising star of the Democrat party who is a ‘progressive’ Christian – is Christianity now acceptable; failed leader of the environmental movement and promoter of abortion and less children dies; and how do Americans really view the war on Iran.

In this episode of Family Matters, Simon talks with Family First’s newest team member and new show host, Samuel Bilton. Samuel is hosting two new shows, BiltonTruth and Counter Culture.

Samuel shares his background as a Christian, youth pastor, husband to Emily, law graduate, and former police prosecutor in Hamilton, plus also having been an infantry reservist in the army.

Samuel discusses his experiences working in MIQ facilities during the Covid period and how he moved into law, eventually becoming a police prosecutor. Simon and he discuss what this prosecutorial roles entails, the insights he...

In this episode of Daybreak – are the media being consistent in their coverage of Hipkins and Luxon (and others where there is competing evidence); 1News receives a blast from an industry member; Family First launch campaign for app store accountability to protect young people from the harms of social media; Meta and TikTok shown to have let harmful content rise as they competed with each other; large analysis of benefits of medicinal cannabis reveal the unwarranted hype; a Napier couple celebrate 70 years of marriage with great advice; outgoing CEO of Ms Foundation thinks abortion is great but probably can’t de...

In this episode of Solid Ground, Simon questions how media are treating the social media post by Chris Hipkins’ ex-wife noting that, so far, they are reporting with ‘kids gloves’ in comparison to how they’ve pursued other issues and accusations of politicians. Simon cautions though about getting too invested in politicians’ personal lives.

He criticises an absurd video from the United Nations for International Women’s Day, where the idea of woman is reduced to whatever you want it to be, rendering the idea of ‘woman’ meaningless. Going through it with viewers, he points out the endless stupidit...

In this episode we discuss: the 2nd COVID inquiry has delivered its report. Is it time to move on and heal the divide caused during the COVID period; Operation Epic Fury – do the panelists support the actions of the US and Israel against the Iranian regime; the latest abortion stats show that just under 18,000 babies in the womb had their lives ended through abortion in 2025. 18,000. Yet based on the attendance at the recent March for Life, pro-life people don’t seem engaged on this issue at the moment. What are we missing?

To the 87,269 of you who signed our "Don't Divide Us" petition in 2021 asking for rapid antigen testing as an alternative for unvaccinated kiwis to access workplaces, schools, marae, large gatherings, and places of worship, and perhaps contributed to the significant legal expense of the judicial review on behalf of 110 churches – thank you! You were right. We didn’t want the country to be divided. Unfortunately the government didn’t listen – and we are still paying the cost.

We talk to our UK correspondent Sean Redfearn who works with Christian Concern in London. Topics discussed include attempts to liberalise abortion and euthanasia laws in the UK; the acquittal of Matthew Grech who shared his ex-gay testimony and was prosecuted for 'conversion therapy'; the UK response to the war on Iran; and are UK banknotes going woke?

There’s a new star on the political left in the US. He’s a Democrat and he’s just become a 2026 U.S. Senate candidate - in Texas. And the media love him. And the radical left love him. But he says he’s a “Christian”. Isn’t Christianity and 'Christian Nationalism' the next biggest threat after Hitler, disinformation, fascism & whiteness, according to the media? Well, no, not when it’s Christianity that the radical left and the media agree with. The real question is – do we have politicians like this in NZ?