Matthew Hooton is a respected centre-right commentator on New Zealand politics and its political economy, including as one of the best-read weekly columnists for the New Zealand Herald.

He recently completed his PhD in Philosophy at the University of Auckland on the topic is “Groundwork & Principles of Applied Conservatism”.

His thesis is about conservatism in a general sense, drawing on conservatism in political philosophy, conservatism in ethics and metaethics, epistemic conservatism and ontological conservatism. The thesis is thus about how we can decide what to think, believe and do when we can never know with certainty what to think, believe or do.

You can read Matthew’s thesis here: 
https://hdl.handle.net/2292/7253

Tune in as controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews a wide selection of interesting individuals, authors, business people, politicians and anyone else actually willing to talk to him.

For more interviews visit: https://www.differentmatters.co.nz/ 

Matthew Hooton is a respected centre-right commentator on New Zealand politics and its political economy, including as one of the best-read weekly columnists for the New Zealand Herald.
He recently completed his PhD in Philosophy at the University of Auckland on the topic is &ldquo;Groundwork &amp; Principles of Applied Conservatism&rdquo;.
His thesis is about conservatism in a general sense, drawing on conservatism in political philosophy, conservatism in ethics and metaethics, epistemic conservatism and ontological conservatism. The thesis is thus about how we can decide what to think, believe and do when we can never know with certainty what to think, believe or do.
You can read Matthew&rsquo;s thesis here:&nbsp; <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/2292/7253">https://hdl.handle.net/2292/7253</a>
Tune in as controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews a wide selection of interesting individuals, authors, business people, politicians and anyone else actually willing to talk to him.
For more interviews visit: <a href="https://www.differentmatters.co.nz/">https://www.differentmatters.co.nz/</a>&nbsp;

I have been incredibly fortunate, and also incredibly reckless, over my nearly six decades. 




For reasons that are unclear to me a number of wonderful New Zealander’s have been willing to give up an hour of their time to talk to me. 

I have been incredibly fortunate, and also incredibly reckless, over my nearly six decades.&nbsp; For reasons that are unclear to me a number of wonderful New Zealander’s have been willing to give up an hour of their time to talk to me.&nbsp;

Different Matters by Damien Grant

I have been incredibly fortunate, and also incredibly reckless, over my nearly six decades. 

For reasons that are unclear to me a number of wonderful New Zealander’s have been willing to give up an hour of their time to talk to me. 

I have been incredibly fortunate, and also incredibly reckless, over my nearly six decades.&nbsp;
For reasons that are unclear to me a number of wonderful New Zealander&rsquo;s have been willing to give up an hour of their time to talk to me.&nbsp;

Dr Matthew Hooten on Different Matters, conservatism, its principles and conservatists in government

David Cohen is a Wellington writer and the author of eight books. In 2025 he released his political biography, Jacinda: The Untold Stories, co-authored by Rebecca Keillor, in November 2025.

After Jacinda turned down Cohen's request to interview her for the book, he decided to create a platform for the voices that haven't been heard. Drawing on more than 100 interviews and extensive research, David and co-author, Rebecca Keillor track the rise, fall and re-emergence of former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern onto the global stage.

Tune in as controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews a wide selection of interesting individuals, authors, business people, politicians and anyone else actually willing to talk to him. For more interviews visit: https://www.differentmatters.co.nz/

David Cohen is a Wellington writer and the author of eight books. In 2025 he released his political biography, Jacinda: The Untold Stories, co-authored by Rebecca Keillor, in November 2025.
After Jacinda turned down Cohen's request to interview her for the book, he decided to create a platform for the voices that haven't been heard. Drawing on more than 100 interviews and extensive research, David and co-author, Rebecca Keillor track the rise, fall and re-emergence of former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern onto the global stage.
Tune in as controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews a wide selection of interesting individuals, authors, business people, politicians and anyone else actually willing to talk to him. For more interviews visit: https://www.differentmatters.co.nz/

David Cohen on Different Matters, Jacinda and The Untold Stories

Stephen Rowe is full-stack digital strategist by profession, innovator by passion, and a storyteller at heart.

With over a decade of experience under his belt, he has mastered the art of bridging and blending cutting-edge technology with human connection. 

After graduating in 2015, he left Montana to join Charlie Kirk’s newly founded organization, Turning Point USA, at its headquarters in the Chicago area. 

Within a month, he was promoted to Editor-in-Chief of Hypeline News, a new digital platform that served as the early foundation of Turning Point USA’s influencer program. 

In just one year, he scaled the site from startup to over 12.8 million page views and millions more across social media. By September 2016, the newsroom had over 200 contributors nationwide.

Tune in as controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews a wide selection of interesting individuals, authors, business people, politicians and anyone else actually willing to talk to him.

*correction - Stephen Rowe hosted in New Zealand by the The Taxpayers' Union, not the Free Speech Union as stated in the interview. 

For more interviews visit: https://www.differentmatters.co.nz/

Stephen Rowe is full-stack digital strategist by profession, innovator by passion, and a storyteller at heart.
With over a decade of experience under his belt, he has mastered the art of bridging and blending cutting-edge technology with human connection.&nbsp;
After graduating in 2015, he left Montana to join Charlie Kirk&rsquo;s newly founded organization, Turning Point USA, at its headquarters in the Chicago area.&nbsp;
Within a month, he was promoted to Editor-in-Chief of Hypeline News, a new digital platform that served as the early foundation of Turning Point USA&rsquo;s influencer program.&nbsp;
In just one year, he scaled the site from startup to over 12.8 million page views and millions more across social media. By September 2016, the newsroom had over 200 contributors nationwide.
Tune in as controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews a wide selection of interesting individuals, authors, business people, politicians and anyone else actually willing to talk to him.
*correction - Stephen Rowe hosted in New Zealand by the The Taxpayers' Union, not the Free Speech Union as stated in the interview.&nbsp;
For more interviews visit: https://www.differentmatters.co.nz/

Stephen Rowe on Different Matters, liberterianism, AI in politics and AI in Porn

Helen Janeith Joyce is an Irish journalist and gender critical activist. She studied as a mathematician and worked in academia before becoming a journalist.

Joyce began working for The Economist as education correspondent for its Britain section in 2005 and has since held several senior positions, including finance editor and international editor. She published her book Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality in 2021.

In April 2022, Joyce took a leave of absence from The Economist to become the director of advocacy for Sex Matters. She wrote an opinion piece for the Guardian arguing that gender identity change efforts should not be included in a bill banning conversion therapy.

Recently Joyce visited New Zealand as a speaker invited by New Zealand Free Speech Union and The New Zealand Women's Rights Party.

Tune in as controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews a wide selection of interesting individuals, authors, business people, politicians and anyone else actually willing to talk to him.

For more interviews visit: https://www.differentmatters.co.nz/

Helen Janeith Joyce is an Irish journalist and gender critical activist. She studied as a mathematician and worked in academia before becoming a journalist.
Joyce began working for The Economist as education correspondent for its Britain section in 2005 and has since held several senior positions, including finance editor and international editor. She published her book Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality in 2021.
In April 2022, Joyce took a leave of absence from The Economist to become the director of advocacy for Sex Matters. She wrote an opinion piece for the Guardian arguing that gender identity change efforts should not be included in a bill banning conversion therapy.
Recently Joyce visited New Zealand as a speaker invited by New Zealand Free Speech Union and The New Zealand Women's Rights Party.
Tune in as controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews a wide selection of interesting individuals, authors, business people, politicians and anyone else actually willing to talk to him.
For more interviews visit: https://www.differentmatters.co.nz/

Dr Matthew Hooten on Different Matters, conservatism, its principles and conservatists in government

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