Devoid of fanfare and lolly scrambles, is there a token 'something' for everyone?

Brendan Malone joins Andrew Urquhart for a look beyond the balance sheet to discuss what can be inferred from a rather lacklustre Budget announcement last week.   Is the Government playing a cautious game as it juggles economic and geopolitical pressures? Does Labour offer a more visionary alternative?

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Devoid of fanfare and lolly scrambles, is there a token 'something' for everyone?
Brendan Malone joins Andrew Urquhart for a look beyond the balance sheet to discuss what can be inferred from a rather lacklustre Budget announcement last week.&nbsp; &nbsp;Is the Government playing a cautious game as it juggles economic and geopolitical pressures? Does Labour offer a more visionary alternative?
Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.
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Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App. For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" aria-label="Link Thoughts &amp; Comments">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.

Here you can catch up on all of the latest interviews from Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart.

Here you can catch up on all of the latest interviews from Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart.

Thoughts & Comments Interviews

Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts &amp; Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We&rsquo;ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts & Comments Podcast

Thoughts & Comments

Bland and Beige? Budget 2026

There's a suggestion that rising tensions in pan-Pacific relations may have led to China imposing a travel ban on the four New Zealand MPs who recently visited Taiwan.  

The founding CEO of PILLAR, civil liberties advocate Nathan Seiuli, discusses the significance of the Asian superpower flexing its 'One China' policy.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

 

There's a suggestion that rising tensions in pan-Pacific relations may have led to China imposing a travel ban on the four New Zealand MPs who recently visited Taiwan. &nbsp;
The founding CEO of PILLAR, civil liberties advocate Nathan Seiuli, discusses the significance of the Asian superpower flexing its 'One China' policy.
Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.
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Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App. For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" aria-label="Link Thoughts &amp; Comments">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.
&nbsp;

Touchy  Topic: Travel Ban Over Taiwan Trip

Ex-Labour MP Grant Robertson seems to have let the mask slip, flying his political - and ideological - colours in a recent communication as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago.

The former Labour deputy and Finance Minister was unequivocal in his denouncement of New Zealand First's Definitions of Woman and Man bill currently before Parliament; and presented his personal view of governent fiscal policy as an institutional position, appearing to frame Budget 2026 as detrimental to the student body. 

While the University claims that does not breach the political neutrality expected of educational institutions, Stephanie Martin of the Free Speech Union explains that is exactly what has occurred.

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Ex-Labour MP Grant Robertson seems to have let the mask slip, flying his political - and ideological - colours in a recent communication as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago.
The former Labour deputy and Finance Minister was unequivocal in his denouncement of New Zealand First's&nbsp;<a href="https://legislation.govt.nz/bill/members/2026/296/en/latest/">Definitions of Woman and Man bill</a> currently before Parliament; and presented his personal view of governent fiscal policy as an institutional position, appearing to frame Budget 2026 as detrimental to the student body.&nbsp;
While the <a href="https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nzherald.co.nz%2Fnz%2Fotago-university-rejects-claims-grant-robertson-breached-neutrality-rules-over-definitions-of-woman-and-man-bill%2FQFWKAB3ABFBU5AOAPYPHEUCH5M%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdavina.west%40rhemamedia.co.nz%7C103b4e8720ef4ef6fe1608dec1cf3f4f%7C877a00a829534efe9ce90f8b6137075c%7C0%7C0%7C639161293044683400%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bbpye57Aia9pGxjTivkEEuOVZDWHEgPOtF1RB4ZxSYI%3D&amp;reserved=0">University claims</a> that does not breach the political neutrality expected of educational institutions, Stephanie Martin of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsu.nz/blog/otago-vice-chancellors-email-undermines-institutional-neutrality-within-academia">Free Speech Union</a> explains that is exactly what has occurred.
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Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App. For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" aria-label="Link Thoughts &amp; Comments">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.

University Vice-Chancellor's Mask of Neutrality Slips?

It's not just meatier toppings on Youth Group pizza nights.

Dave Mann of the Shining Lights Trust shares findings from a recent survey, which highlights four key ways that churches and Christian schools can nurture joyous, Gospel-focused youth groups that thrive on meaningful connection and a mission bigger than themselves. (Christian Youth Unity – Aotearoa-New Zealand denominational youth leaders)

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

It's not just meatier toppings on Youth Group pizza nights.
Dave Mann of the Shining Lights Trust shares findings from a <a href="https://alltogether.co.nz/youthoutreachsurvey/">recent survey</a>, which highlights four key ways that churches and Christian schools can nurture joyous, Gospel-focused youth groups that thrive on meaningful connection and a mission bigger than themselves. (<a href="https://christianyouthunity.nz/">Christian Youth Unity &ndash; Aotearoa-New Zealand denominational youth leaders</a>)
Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.
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Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App. For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" aria-label="Link Thoughts &amp; Comments">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.

Bland and Beige? Budget 2026

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