In this episode of StraightTalk: Waitangi Day – what does it mean – or not mean – for the panelists; the date of the 2026 general election has been announced. We discuss Winston and Rawiri, Hipkins and Chloe, Winston and Hipkins, Rawiri and Winston, & the spectacular rise of One Nation in Australia; Bob wrote an Open Letter to the ‘Christian’ political parties thinking of standing in this year’s general election – what did the panellists think of it; a new poll shows widespread support for a social media ban for under-16s but can a potential law allay the fears of those who are concerned about its complete overreach by government organisations & threats to privacy and free speech; and when is immigration okay and when is it not, and should we be able to march across a harbour bridge to protest about it?
Show summary:
1 WAITANGI DAY – MEANING FOR YOU
What significance does Waitangi Day hold or not hold ?
2 ELECTION CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY
- Te Pati Maori says it will go with Winston – but Winston says he won’t go with Te Pati Maori
- Greens say they could work with NZ First
- Labour and Greens want to be seen together
- “Trouble at mill” – surprise retirement of senior labour MP Peeni Henare
- The coalition still seems to be functioning despite its predictions of exploding within a couple of months of formation in 2023
3 OPEN LETTER TO CHRISTIAN PARTIES
https://familyfirst.org.nz/2026/02/02/open-letter-to-christian-political-parties-election2026/
4 SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Under-16 social media ban: Visiting Meta exec presses legislative alternative, Stanford says Cabinet’s mind already made up
A top Meta executive says the age of a smartphone user should be verified at the point of purchase – bucking a new Australian law which has forced social media companies to do it. Antigone Davis, vice-president and global safety head at Facebook’s parent company, was in New Zealand this week to push the case for an alternative to a social media ban for the under-16s. The ban was adopted in Australia on December 10 in a world first and is now being considered here. “When you go to a store and purchase a smartphone and set up the account – that’s a moment in time as a parent when you and your teen are together.” Under Davis’ scenario, an age-check might be legislated at the phone or app store level (both Apple and Google have systems where a parent has to approve each app download), and it would be up to parents to decide if their under-16 used Facebook or any other app.
Free Speech Union put out a statement saying that if a ban comes in, these are the non-negotiables
- No digital ID by the back door
- Adults cannot be collateral damage (restrictions must be aimed at children)
- No new speech regulator – no e overlord
- Don’t sideline parents
5 IMMIGRATION & PROTESTS
Is there such a thing as ‘good’ immigration and ‘bad’ immigration?
And what is the best and most constructive messaging when raising this issue.
