Latest News & Media Releases
In a world of ‘fake news’ and not being sure which media outlets you can truly trust, Family First does a daily check on key issues in the media affecting families and summarises them for you – including any necessary fact-check corrections! Our Media Releases have the common theme of promoting strong families, safe communities and the protection of life from conception to death.
Latest News & Media Releases

In a world of ‘fake news’ and not being sure which media outlets you can truly trust, Family First does a daily check on key issues in the media affecting families and summarises them for you – including any necessary fact-check corrections! Our Media Releases have the common theme of promoting strong families, safe communities and the protection of life from conception to death.
Research: Little evidence for the long-term benefits of medical cannabis
Despite the hype around cannabis products, there is “very little scientifically valid research into most of these products” according to a new systematic review by …
Popeye the Sailor is no longer male, but gender-fluid
“Ahoy, shiver me timbers”, the seas are getting rough for poor old Popeye the Sailor. Dating back nearly 100 years, Popeye has been the loveable, …
Washington State bans this ‘racist’ word: Marijuana
Washington state has passed a bill banning the word “marijuana” from state laws and documents, claiming the word is pejorative and racist. That’s right, marijuana …
New Zealand’s Abortion Statistics
Looking at the latest abortion statistics, it’s alarming that 18.6% of known pregnancies ended in an abortion. What is also clear from the latest statistics is that abortion is predominantly being used as a form of birth control.
Bob McCoskrie interviewed by Free Speech Union
Family First chief executive Bob McCoskrie sits down with the Free Speech Union’s Jonathan Ayling to discuss the recent Supreme Court decision that saw his …
Our problematic Charities Act, and why Family First is no longer a charity
Ever since the Supreme Court decision that Family First doesn’t qualify for charitable status, there’s been considerable discussion in the media, and even more so …
US: Cannabis legalisation sees “spiralling psychotic illnesses … and booming black market”
We are now seeing some highly alarming outcomes from legalising cannabis in US states, including “spiralling addiction, psychotic illnesses and hospitals facing a deluge of …
Forum on the Family 2022
The 14th annual New Zealand Forum on the Family will bring together a national network of family-focused organisers, scholars, leaders and individuals who are part …
Are our media ‘marketing’ abortion?
It was disappointing to buy the Herald on Sunday and be confronted with “My womb my choice” as the headline story decorating the front page. …
UN Report – Drug use rises, especially where it’s legalised
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published its annual World Drug Report. The most disturbing trend is that by 2030, the number …
Rapidly increasing trend of biological men competing against women
Something is not quite right with women’s sport. But in 2022, the real question is probably: what is a woman? What is a trans woman? …
Queer activists and the media go after more Christian schools
Over the past weeks, we’ve seen disturbing Government over-reach and directives into the beliefs of Bethlehem College, plus the unjust removal of Family First’s charitable …
“Witch Hunt” aimed at respected Christian counsellor
There appears to be a “witch hunt” going on, aimed at highly respected Christian counsellor David Riddell. David Riddell, is a counsellor and the founder …
Legal Expert – “deregistered for engaging in the democratic process”
“Family First is being deregistered for engaging in the democratic process. It has not broken any laws”… Yet more expert opinion, expressing concerns about the …
Block on Easter trading is great for families
MEDIA RELEASE 29 June 2022 Family First NZ is welcoming a decision by the Government to block attempts to liberalise trading laws around the Easter …
Overwhelmed and disturbed by NZ Supreme Court’s ruling
Thank you to the (literally) thousands of you who responded with words of encouragement yesterday – our inbox & social media was exploding! – and …
Bob McCoskrie’s most important interview?
Please listen to this important interview with Heather Duplessis Allen, as Bob McCoskrie discusses the full implications of today’s Supreme Court’s ruling to remove Family …
Should these political advocacy charities be worried?
Current registered charities who also do political advocacy: Helen Clark Foundation (campaigned to legalise cannabis) NZ Drug Foundation (campaigned to legalise cannabis) Child Poverty Action Group …
Family First Deregistered – But Not Defeated
“This decision is a sad day for the freedom of speech and belief in New Zealand, and sets a disturbing precedent. The attempt – some would label it a ‘witch hunt’ – by the Charities Board to deregister Family First is a watershed decision, not just for Family First, but for the whole country,”
US Supreme Court protects coach’s right to on-field prayers
Another superb decision out of the US Supreme Court, ruling that a school district violated high school football coach Joe Kennedy’s First Amendment rights by …
Separation of Church and State – a teenager’s perspective
By Olivia Boyd – The phrase “the separation of Church and State” was first used overseas but is commonly used here in New Zealand. There can be some misunderstanding around how this phrase is applied. It doesn’t mean that Christians aren’t allowed to let their religion influence their political views. Nor does it mean that expressions of faith and the traditions we may hold as a society do not belong in the public sphere. The real meaning is quite simple.
Family First v The Government (Charities Registration Board)
Here is a summary of events relating to the de-registration of Family First NZ by the Charities Board.
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down law discriminating against religious schools
U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled that excluding faith-based schools from a state’s private school voucher program “violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.” The court’s conservative-leaning bloc ruled 6-3 that state officials cannot restrict parents’ use of state funds to secular schools. An important case which has relevance to religious schools in New Zealand.
POLL – Strong Support For Porn Site Age-Verification
MEDIA RELEASE – A new poll has found significant support for stricter age verification rules on pornography sites on the Internet to ensure children cannot access adult content online.
‘Separation of Church and State’ explained
Unwanted government intervention How important is religious liberty in New Zealand? As we’ve been sharing, The Ministry of Education is threatening to ‘intervene’ into the …
“We believe we are adhering to all relevant legislation” – Bethlehem College
Another superb response (and pushback) from Bethlehem College 🙏🏻😀 … Read below …
BRUCE LOGAN: The Tyranny of the Offended
The Ministry of Education wants Tauranga’s Bethlehem Christian College to erase from its statement of belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Of course it does.
Significant Concern Over Cost Of Living – Poll
MEDIA RELEASE 18 June 2022 A new nationwide poll has found significant concern about the cost of living and its effect not only on personal …
Is the Government mandating ‘state approved’ beliefs at Bethlehem College?
Fuelled by a media feeding-frenzy, The Ministry of Education is threatening to ‘intervene’ into the beliefs of a much-respected Christian school, demanding Bethlehem College remove …
School Gender Curriculum Strongly Rejected – Poll
MEDIA RELEASE – 17 June 2022 A new nationwide poll has found significant opposition to gender ideology being taught to primary school students, and majority …
Should ‘religious’ sportspeople be forced to support LGBTQI+ agenda?
Should someone be entitled to remain silent on an issue, due to their religious convictions? Or should they instead be forced to support an agenda, …
Government’s new centre to control Kiwis’ speech
Kiwis have come to take ‘freedom of speech’ for granted, surely it’s a central tenet of our democracy? Perhaps not anymore. Below is a very …
Is ‘Wokeism’ a cult that aims to destroy?
Wokeism – The Marxist Cult That Aims To Destroy? Wokeism is everywhere, especially in the media, academia, politics, our education system, and Big Tech. It’s …
They’ve cancelled the classic books?!
Sue Reid is a bookseller, wife and mother, and board member of Family First NZ. She says that there will always be a place for …
Planning for the future of Pro-Life movement – by Olivia Boyd
Abortion is a highly emotional topic and at times can be very polarising. Because it touches on our deepest beliefs around the sanctity of life, human rights, compassion and justice, abortion is not an issue that will resolve itself any time soon.
Violent offender, with 48 convictions, tries to kill pregnant partner. Unborn baby dies.
Sadly the Ardern Government is going to repeal the Three Strikes Law. So here’s a current story that illustrates the benefit of the Three Strikes …
The ‘Eggsploitation’ of Surrogacy
The Law Commission is currently reviewing surrogacy laws in New Zealand and Family First has just sent in a submission.
Disney lurches full-woke, pushing ‘rainbow pride’ merchandise
The once family-friendly Disney continues to go full-woke, pushing ‘rainbow pride’ merchandise including LGBTQIA+ caps, backpacks, stickers, badges, mugs etc. Many of these are targeted …
REVEALED: Pink Shirt Day is not really about ALL bullying
UPDATED: May 2022 Last year, we were alerted to the fact that Pink Shirt Day (which uses an anti-bullying message as a massive cover-up for …
MEDIA RELEASE – Fix ‘Right To Silence Law’ which hides child abusers
Family First NZ is repeating its call for a review of ‘right to silence’ laws which is effectively hindering investigations into child abuse. Family First …
Canada – Intoxication now a valid defence in murders, sex assaults
Canada continues its shift to woke liberalism and leftism, with their Supreme Court now ruling that extreme intoxication is a valid defence in murders, sex …
“Parents must be passionate advocates for their children’s education” – by Alwyn Poole
“Too many parents are waiting for the government and ministry to improve things and have become passive.” Here’s an excellent article written by Alwyn Poole, …
Poll – “Huge majority” oppose Government funding of our media
It was once a kiwi habit to sit together as a family and watch the evening news. We trusted our news media. But now, in …
MEDIA RELEASE – NZ’s Disturbing Falling Marriage & Fertility Rates
MEDIA RELEASE – 5 May 2022 Family First NZ is warning that the declining marriage and fertility rates are setting up a ‘perfect storm’ for …
Don’t Downplay the Risks of Rising Teen Marijuana Use – by Dr. Kevin Sabet
This article is written by Dr. Kevin Sabet. He is a former senior drug policy advisor to the Obama administration and currently serves as president …
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