Family Matters
Family Matters is our in-depth video series where we explore the issues that really matter for kiwi families – parenting, free-speech, marriage, drugs, gender and many more topical issues.
Family Matters – Bettina Arndt on feminism and real men
Bettina Arndt on feminism and real men! In this episode of Family Matters, Simon interviews Australian writer and commentator Bettina Arndt AM about the very ...
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Family Matters Exclusive – Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen criminalised for marriage pamphlet
In this Family Matters exclusive, Simon O'Connor speaks to Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen who has recently been found criminally guilty under Finland’s ‘war crimes and ...
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Family Matters – Professor Dianna Kenny on her new book and the ‘trans’ social contagion
On this episode of Family Matters, Simon talks with Professor Dianna Kenny the author of Intransigence: Gender Ideology, Social Contagion, and the Scandal of Youth ...
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Family Matters – Sarah McLaughlin on the global challenges to free speech
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon sits down with Sarah McLaughlin from @TheFIREorg - the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, one of the ...
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Family Matters – Jono Macfarlane and why sex matters in sport
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 ...
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Family Matters – Erica Komisar: Choosing your kids over childcare
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon interviews Erica Komisar - a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, author, coach to parents, a mother, New Yorker and ...
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Family Matters – Meet Samuel Bilton, Family First’s newest show host
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 ...
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Family Matters – Garrick Parr on identity, family history, and genealogy
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon interviews Garrick Parr from FamilySearch.org – a genealogical website that helps people build their family tree. A fascinating ...
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Family Matters – Greg Fleming MP on confronting modern slavery in New Zealand
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon talks to Greg Fleming MP about the Modern Slavery Bill that he and Camilla Belich MP have successfully ...
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Family Matters – The freedom to believe with Dr Brandon Taylorian
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon focuses on religious freedom and the legal recognition of religious groups with guest, Dr Brandon Taylorian - a ...
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Family Matters – The other sides of surrogacy with Debora Spiekermann
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon welcomes Debora Spiekermann, a researcher at the Maxim Institute, to discuss the ethical complexities and personal impacts of ...
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Family Matters – The real meaning of Christmas with Rev Dr John Fox
In this final episode of Family Matters for 2025, Simon welcomes Reverend Dr. John Fox to discuss the true meaning of Christmas. John is both ...
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Family Matters – When losing is actually winning, with Dr Craig Heilmann
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon interviews Dr. Craig Heilmann, a pastor and theologian who has recently returned to Australia from New Zealand. They ...
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Family Matters – Harry Oram on creatively celebrating our values
In this episode of Family Matters, host Simon O'Connor interviews Harry Oram, co-founder of the Third Culture Foundation, on creatively celebrating our values.
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Family Matters – Nathan Seiuli on the new civil liberties group in town
There's a new civil liberties group in town! In this episode, Simon sits down with Nathan Seiuli from PILLAR NZ. PILLAR is an acronym, standing ...
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Family Matters – Iain Corby and why age verification can work
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon talks with Iain Corby, the Executive Director of the Age Verification Providers Association, and asks whether we can ...
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Family Matters – Marina Young and 20,000+ buttons of hope
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon speaks with Marina Young, co-founder of the Buttons Project, which aims to provide mental, emotional, and spiritual healing ...
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Family Matters – Dawn Hawkins on ending sexual exploitation globally
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon is joined by Dawn Hawkins, a prominent advocate against sexual exploitation and previous head of the National Center ...
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Family Matters – Alex Penk on disagreeing graciously
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon welcomes back Alex Penk, CEO and founder of the Ethos Alliance, to explore the role and approach to ...
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Family Matters – Bruce Logan the Pilgrim
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon interviews Bruce Logan about his book 'Pilgrim: Multiculturalism, Diversity, and Civil Religion in New Zealand Today'.
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Family Matters – Israel’s Ambassador to New Zealand speaks
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon O’Connor engages in a detailed discussion with His Excellency, Alon Roth-Snir, the Israeli Ambassador to New Zealand, about ...
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Family Matters – Aaron De Pietro on fighting for families and freedom
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon talks Aaron DiPietro from Florida Family Voice – a leading advocacy and policy organisation that is “fighting for ...
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Family Matters – Ro Edge on the Law Commission dismantling being a woman
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon welcomes back Ro Edge from Save Women's Sports Australasia to discuss the New Zealand Law Commission's recent recommendations ...
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Family Matters – Sam Sorbo on the fight for your kids’ educational freedom
In this must watch episode of Family Matters, Simon introduces Sam Sorbo – mother and wife, model and Hollywood actress, author and speaker, and fierce ...
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Family Matters – Sharon Quick MD on what ‘assisted dying’ is really like
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon O'Connor welcomes Dr. Sharon Quick, a retired anaesthesiologist and bioethicist, to discuss the ethical and medical aspects of ...
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Family Matters – John Steenhof on fighting for your religious freedom
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon talks with Australian based lawyer John Steenhof about fighting for peoples, and particularly Christians, fundamental human rights in ...
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Family Matters – Steven Moe on charity and making impactful investments
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon talks with Steven Moe about how we can make a greater impact through our charitable investments. Steven is ...
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Family Matters – UK Lawyer wins big against Pride
In this episode of Family Matters, Simon interviews the lawyer who has recently led a successful and landmark case against Northumbria Police for their participation ...
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Family Matters – Allister Rose on supporting New Zealand’s thin blue line
Please be aware, this episode of Family Matters discusses suicide and other challenging issues around mental health. In this emotionally charged episode of Family Matters, ...
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Family Matters – Dr Catherine Pakaluk on the joys of large families
Why are large families good – not just for the children, the family itself, but society at large. Join Simon as he sits down with ...
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Family Matters – A RSE Curriculum We Could Support
In this enlightening episode of Family Matters, Simon talks with Judith Cairns, the CEO of Love for Life, an organisation pioneering a holistic approach to ...
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Family Matters – Karin Horen on resilience
Karin Horen is a mother of three, two-time breast cancer survivor, charity leader, public speaker and author, resilience coach, and mentor. In fact, simply an ...
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Family Matters – Maryanne Spurdle on autonomy and conscience
The Maxim Institute's Research Manager, Maryanne Spurdle, joins Simon to discuss her latest research - Interrogating Choice: Euthanasia and the illusion of autonomy. Simon and ...
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Family Matters – The Growing Threat of Fentanyl In New Zealand
As the use of this potent synthetic opioid grows in New Zealand, so does its devastating impact. Our discussion with Tim Beck from the US ...
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Family Matters – Melissa McKay on Successfully Protecting Children Online
Melissa McKay is a mother of five in the United States who has successfully lobbied for legislation to protect young people online. As New Zealand ...
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FOCUS ON DRUGS: Colorado’s Legal Cannabis Disaster 12 Years On.
The majority of New Zealanders thankfully voted NO to legalising the recreational use of cannabis – despite significant campaigning by the mainstream media, politicians and ...
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FOCUS ON DRUGS: Emerging Drug Trends: What Next For NZ?
In the second of a series, we speak to KEITH GRAVES, a retired Sergeant, Narcotics Detective, SWAT Team member & Drug Recognition Expert Instructor in ...
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Family Matters – Dr Oliver Hartwich on Housing
The costs of housing is a frequent conversation in New Zealand. Simon sits down with Dr Oliver Hartwich of the NZ Initiative, one of New ...
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FOCUS ON DRUGS: Methamphetamine – The Most Dangerous Drug Ever Created
The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA) recently held their 20th Anniversary Conference in Auckland, and Family First were granted access to interview some of the top ...
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Family Matters – Tanya Unkovich MP
Palliative care is an issue close to the heart of Tanya Unkovich MP, a New Zealand First Member of Parliament. She shares her own story ...
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Family Matters – Victoria Sinis and the reality of OnlyFans
While mainstream media frequently glorifies OnlyFans, the reality is much darker and harmful. Simon talks with Victoria Sinis - an Australian who used to work ...
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Family Matters – Assoc. Professor of Law, Dr Juliet Chevalier-Watts
Simon sits down with Dr Juliet Chevalier-Watts who recently wrote an opinion piece entitled "Why an atheist academic changed her mind on churches' tax status". ...
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Family Matters – Sue Barker, charity tax expert
The government is currently talking about taxing charities. Simon O’Connor sits down with Sue Barker, one of New Zealand’s foremost charity tax experts, to discuss ...
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Family Matters: Dr Voddie Baucham – Speaking Truth Into The Current Culture
Dr Voddie Baucham is an author, professor, conference speaker, church planter & former pastor. Dr Baucham recently visited New Zealand to speak at the Grace ...
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Family Matters – Dr Sheree Trotter
Dr Sheree Trotter sits down with Simon to talk about her latest video series, challenging the idea that Jews are not indigenous to Israel. She ...
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