Family First has been on tour over the election campaign, pounding out the message that voters should say no on both referendums. Alex Braae caught up with its leadership in Gore. I’ve long been fascinated and mystified in equal parts by Family First. At a time when it often looks like the march of social … Read more
A landmark High Court decision means Greenpeace can finally have charity status. But what happens when it’s granted to political advocates you might disagree with? Many people might be surprised to learn that until a few weeks ago, Greenpeace wasn’t actually classified as a charity. That’s because our charity law – relying on English court … Read more
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Shape of abortion law reform announced, dramatic night plays out at Ihumātao, and opposition brews to Catholic Cathedral decision in Christchurch. The reforms to abortion law have been formally announced, and they will fulfil a long-term promise from the PM and her government. Abortion will be … Read more
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Protests spread around Ihumātao, activists furious about ship coming in with Saharan phosphate, and Sleepyhead plans massive company town in north Waikato. As the standoff between police and protectors at Ihumātao continues, protests have spread to other parts of the country. Land that is culturally significant … Read more
Otago scientists say the lobby group has misrepresented the research. Academics from the University of Otago have torn apart claims made by Family First about the links between cannabis, psychosis and violence in a paper published this morning. Prompted by a Family First petition calling for a government inquiry, the paper critiques a “tendentious” argument … Read more
The latest season of British reality show Love Island is set to hit TV screens at the unconventional tea-time hour of 5pm. Jihee Junn explains why the decision is troubling. Update, 1 October 2019: The Broadcasting Standards Authority has ruled that the edited version of Love Island that ran at 5pm on Three earlier this … Read more
Should a convicted murderer be allowed to help run a charity? Can you start a charity to support your addiction? Should Greenpeace and Family First be treated differently? These and other issues are being addressed in the Charities Act review. How do you know that when you donate to a charity, your contribution is going … Read more
Alex Casey attempts to get to the bottom of the Naked Attraction controversy for The Spinoff TV. Every Friday night, a new set of brave, naked tributes line-up for examination on TVNZ’s surreal dating show Naked Attraction. It’s a series that’s made a lot of people mad, raking in over 500 complaints to the network … Read more
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Possible super–referendum mooted for next year, damning fishing report leaked, and Fonterra raises milk price forecasts to near record highs. The social conscience of the nation could be sternly tested next year, if two burning political issues are put to a referendum. Both legalising marijuana for personal … Read more
Alex Casey reads through the complaints against Naked Attraction, the very rude show that aired on TVNZ last year. Everybody knows that absolutely nobody has genitals. In fact, nobody has ever been naked. Before birth we are prepped with an in-utero uniform of jorts and a high vis vest, gifted to every growing foetus from … Read more
The first time the Press Council ruled on The Spinoff’s reporting, the complaint was upheld. In the second ruling from the Press Council on The Spinoff’s reporting, the complaint, by Family First’s Bob McCoskrie, has not been upheld. The Press Council has declined to uphold the complaints of Family First director Bob McCoskrie and Bruce Aldridge, another … Read more
Earlier this year an otherwise liberal Auckland girls’ high school, where diversity is celebrated, invited Family First’s Bob McCoskrie in to talk about gay marriage. A gay student who was in the audience shares her experience. Update May 23 2017: Bob McCoskrie has responded to this story, disputing some of the events as depicted below. … Read more
We should be on guard against allowing conservative religious views familiar in the US to creep into our discussion of issues in Aotearoa NZ, writes Rev Dr Helen Jacobi of St Matthew-in-the-City I think I first really started to understand the nature of the transgender life when I read Charity Norman’s novel The Secret Life … Read more
The NZ Herald hosting a video attacking children for the bathrooms they use at a New Zealand high school has shone a spotlight on the hate promulgated by Family First. Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes shares some advice on how families can fight back. The hate group Family First is at it again. This time … Read more
Everyone is churning out snackable video content these days, from SCOUT in 60 Seconds leading 3 News every night, to TVNZ announcing that short entertainment videos will be available on demand by the end of the year. Feels like we could be at snack saturation point – something which may have been confirmed with the launch of … Read more