Active Intelligence NZ: Recent Episodes
Aaron Ironside
Join Aaron Ironside as he tackles the issues of the day and brings you, the viewer, to a deeper understanding of both sides of significant social debates. Active Intelligence is a place where you can find balance not bias. No one will tell you what to think or dismiss you if you have concerns about social trends. This show has been created to engage people from all points of view to make up their own mind.
In the past decade, Christchurch families have dealt with earthquakes, terror attacks, and a global pandemic. Waimairi School Principal Mike Anderson says the children have been traumatized and that teachers have had to make well-being the greatest priority.
The US Supreme Court is currently reviewing the landmark decision on Abortion Rights - Roe v Wade. Pro-choice advocates claim it is the politicizing of the Supreme Court who now has more REpublican than Democrat Justices. Pro-Life lobbyists say the decision is long overdue for review. Andrew Moore is a Kiwi working for the Pro-Life movement in the USA who believes playing the long game might be about to pay off.
The National Party has appointed Christopher Luxon as their new leader. Whilst most know him as the former boss of Air New Zealand, others wonder what influence his Christian faith will have on him as Leader of the Opposition. Aaron spoke with former National Party MP Alfred Ngaro, a former pastor who was very open about how important faith is in public life.
Journalist and Writer Sarah Catherall recently published an editorial called “Toxic positivity: The business of happiness”, where she examines the rise of a new well-being industry focused on our happiness. Is it possible to be happy all the time? Would that even be good for us? Aaron and Sarah discuss if this new fixation on happiness might be making us sad.
Dr Jereth Kok was suspended due to 30 comments on social media cited by the Medical Board of Australia. The allegation is that his online media commentary amounted to professional misconduct. Although the legal battles continue Dr Koks is concerned about the implications for private people speaking about their view in public.
Despite 90% of New Zealanders having received at least one Covid-19 Vaccination, the Vaccine and Lockdowns continue to divide the “Team of 5 mIllion”. Some churches appear to be key players in the protests whilst others fear the implications of restriction for the unvaccinated. Pastor Sam Tolley from Auckland’s Church Unlimited says he never thought we could be so divided.
Many Kiwis assume that homeownership is out of reach. Debt and low savings are just some of the barriers apart from the ever-expanding price bubble. Te Reo teacher Jahdine Tapara has proven it is possible to defy the odds and has purchased her first home in Hamilton. She shares how loan sharks nearly made the dream of owning a home a nightmare.
Texas recently adopted a new Heartbeat Abortion Law making it unlawful to abort a baby once a heartbeat can be detected. Pro choice advocates have pointed out that most women don’t know they are pregnant in the first six weeks, rendering the law unconstitutional. Mary Castle from Texas values says the new law is proof that Pro-Life groups need to continue to stand up for the unborn child.
As Auckland continues to experience Level 3 Covid-19 lockdown, parents and children are struggling with the demands of homeschooling. The Education Sector has been incredibly innovative and parents equally tenacious. Patrick Walsh is the principal of John Paul College in Rotorua and offers his report card for Covid Homeschooling.
Every year Kiwis travel overseas to have a baby through foreign Surrogacy programs. Many say this is due to the confusing and complicated regulations around surrogacy and adoption in New Zealand. Jennifer Lahl is the Founder and President at The Center for Bioethics and Culture and she has serious concerns about surrogacy as a practice.
Last year 65% of New Zealanders voted to enact the End of Life Choice Act in November of this year. The Bill has been promoted under the twin imperatives of “choice” and “compassion”. Richard McLeod, of Lawyers for Vulnerable New Zealanders, says there is a third “C” that will become the hidden motivation for choosing Euthanasia.
The Auckland City Mission is 100 years old and has big plans for serving the poor of the city through their new centre called HomeGround. Professor Peter Lineham has chronicled the iconic mission’s story in a new book called Agency of Hope. Has the introduction of millions of dollars in government funding changed the Mission for good? Prof Lineham believes it is time for the Mission to reimagine how it expresses its Christian foundations.
Social norms seem under attack all over the world. Whilst it is a sign of progress that many minority groups are finally treated fairly, some behind the scenes have more radical agendas. Dubbed Cultural Marxism or Critical Theory, the foundations of Civil Society are being challenged. Many are concerned that our personal rights and liberties might be the cost. Aaron spoke with Dr Elisabeth Taylor, Director of Research for the Australian Christian Lobby.
Texas has decided not to mandate masks and vaccines in the fight against Covid-19. It’s been six months since the state came out of lockdown and the results have been disastrous. They currently average over 13,000 cases per day (7-day avg) and sadly over 224 deaths each day (7-day avg). Dr Mark Brown lives in Houston, Texas where he leads the West Houston Assistance Ministries, and he is concerned people don’t realise how serious the pandemic is for ordinary families.
Frances Tagaloa recently gave evidence to the Royal Commission Inquiry about Abuse in Care, which is looking into what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in State and faith-based care in Aotearoa New Zealand between the years 1950-99. She experienced sexual and emotional abuse in the early 1970s when she was a primary school student. The abuser was a Marist Brother who taught at the nearby Marist Brothers intermediate school. Aaron spoke to Frances about the changes she wants to see and the journey of healing and forgiveness.
Many people of faith feel that the Mainstream Media has an agenda to discredit Christians. Faith is openly disparaged and its adherents treated with suspicion. Clint Randell is a breakfast radio personality and a committed Christian. Aaron asked him what pressure he faces from both the media and the faith community.
New Zealand has the most bubbly house market in the world, according to a ranking by Bloomberg Economics.Real estate prices around the world are flashing the kind of bubble warnings that haven’t been seen since the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis, but who's to blame? Many have pointed the finger at greedy Boomers cashing in on the bubble whilst robbing younger Kiwis of the dream of home ownership. Aaron spoke with Brook Turner of VisionWest about the housing crisis in NZ.
Our politicians recently accepted the First Reading of the new law banning Conversion Therapy. Nobody should ever be forced or coerced to undergo any form of therapy - but what about those who wish to explore their sexuality and change their lifestyle? Leah Gray left her lesbian lifestyle behind and is concerned that the help she received would be criminalised under the new law.
The Prime Minister recently made an official apology to the Pacific Community for the events of the Dawn Raids in the 1970’s. A generation later Pasifika people are still facing many challenges as they hold onto their culture after growing up in New Zealand. Aaron spoke with community leader Ps Stephen Mataia about life after the Dawn Raids.
The Labour government has called for submissions on newly proposed Hate Speech Legislation. Politicians seem unable to identify what speech will be criminal under the new law but are convinced that current laws do not provide enough protection. AUT Professor of HIstory Paul Moon has studied similar laws in other countries and shares his concerns and remedy to hate.
The Christchurch company that makes the popular Shakti Mats were criticised by the Hindu community for using Hindu terms in their advertising. Air New Zealand attempted to copyright the phrase Kia Ora. When is it acceptable to use terms and images from other cultures or is it always Cultural Appropriation? Aaron spoke with Author and Lecturer Bradford Haami about the emergence of Cultural IP.
The digital currency known as Bitcoin seems like a recent development but has actually existed for over ten years. In that time it has made overnight millionaires and cost others their fortune. Those early adopters are convinced that Bitcoin and others like it will be the currency of the future and spell the end of banking as we know it. Aaron spoke with commercial Bitcoin advisor Mark Pascall to explore the future of money.
Cannabis in Colorado has been legal for medical use since 2000 and for recreational use since late 2012. The public were told that this would reduce the harms associated with Cannabis use and create social benefits - particularly for communities of colour. Former Democrat US Attorney Bob Troyer says it has been a disaster and that if anything things have gotten worse since legalisation.
Earlier this year a British man discovered how several online companies were sharing data about him and had profiled him as a risk taker. Online gambling sites targeted him and ultimately cost him 80 000 pounds. Aaron spoke with futurist and technology expert Paul Spain about how we can protect ourselves from online exploitation.
In the UK and NZ Downs Syndrome babies can be aborted right up until birth. British mum Liz Crowter and her Downs Syndrome daughter Heidi are challenging this discriminatory law in the British High Court on 6 and 7 July. Aaron spoke to the campaigners as they prepared to take on the government and tell them “People shouldn't be treated differently because of their disabilities.”
Few issues are as polarising in modern life than the issue of Climate Change. Some are convinced that humans have damaged the planet and that life as we know it is under threat. Michael Kelly is the former Prince Philip Professor of Technology at Cambridge University and despite believing that the climate has changed has been labelled a Climate Change denier. He believes that important information is being kept from the public.
All around the world governments are considering the introduction of a new minimum wage called the Living Wage. The Living Wage is concerned with finding a level of income that prevents those at the bottom of the wage economy sliding into poverty. Aaron spoke with Salvation Army lawyer Ronji Tanielu about whether this approach is fair to employers and who should be responsible for fixing poverty.
McDonalds recently got it in trouble for saying the beef it uses in one of its burgers was “from the Naki”. Whilst most of us celebrate the increased use of Te Reo Maori in everyday life - some are wondering if the change is happening too fast. It’s great to have a go at new words and phrases but is there space for those who are struggling to adapt? Aaron spoke with Te Aroha Grace who provides cultural advice in the corporate sector about how we can work together on the renaissance of Te Reo.
The recent conflict between Hamas and the Israel Defence Force exposed the media bias around peace in the Middle East. The Mainstream Media sees the Palestinians as victims of the nation of Israel. This simplistic polarisation of a complex geo-political issue prevents the public from learning the truth about the quest for peace. Aaron spoke with David Silver from Out of Zion Ministries about what it is like to be a Kiwi living in Israel and how he see the conflict.
Footballer Israel Folau thought he would never play in the southern hemisphere again – but was his exile too extreme? Folau was baited into posting a Bible verse online about his beliefs regarding the need of LGBTQ people to turn to God. Rugby Australia responded by ripping up his contract. American radio host Dr Michael Brown joins Aaron to explore how cancel culture wants to put Christians in the closet.
The Olympics has recently softened its criteria on transgender athletes competing against biologically born female competitors. Experts agree that transgender women retain a huge biological advantage that means many are calling for a review on the issue. Otago university researchers Lynley Anderson and Taryn Knox have published a paper that clearly identifies these challenges. They spoke with Aaron about what can be done to level the playing field.
The British public were horrified by the recent kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard. Whilst women were understandably concerned for their safety, Criminologist Marian Fitzgerald was strongly criticised for urging women not to believe that all men were dangerous. Aaron spoke with Sex Therapist Jo Robertson about what needs to happen for women to feel safe and men to better understand why they are afraid.
During the recent US presidential issues many conservative voters abandoned mainstream social media in favour of the more friendly platform Parler. However, Parler was effectively cancelled when Google and Apple removed the platform from their APP stores. Aaron spoke with IT expert Matt Archer about how much power the Social Media giants have and whether free speech laws apply online.
The Government has promised to reform hate crime and hate speech laws in the wake of the Christchurch Mosque attacks. Lawmakers around the globe have struggled to define exactly what constitutes hate speech with some including humour in the definition. Kiwi comedy legend Brendhan Lovegrove offers his insights on the topic and the challenges faced by those just trying to get a laugh.
The world continues to reel from the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. Millions are now rushing to be vaccinated in the hopes of helping our world return to normal. However, the pace of vaccine development and roll-out have some wondering if health officials are moving too fast. Aaron spoke with Dr John Ling, a retired lecturer in biochemistry and bioethics from the UK to get the truth.
After the recent election, Family First released a report on the coverage given to the referendum campaigns. The results exposed significant bias in the Cannabis coverage towards the Yes campaigns. Aaron Ironside spoke with political editor Barry Soper to explore whether the Mainstream Media can still be trusted and how to spot Fake News.