Welcome to everyone. Acknowledge: Rabbi Friedler, Auckland Hebrew Congregation, representatives from across the Auckland Jewish community; Former MPs: Chris Carter, Chris Finlayson and Alfred Ngaro; and Representatives of faith and Interfaith organisations. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Henry Sacks was the Chief…

“Watch me kill Nazis, Dad”. That was my youngest son, probably about 8 or 9 years old at the time, desperately wanting his old man to witness his gaming prowess and thinking the fact he was mowing down Nazis might…

As a very public Free Speech advocate (I am a Spokesperson for the Free Speech Coalition) I took claims that people would be silenced by Wellington City Council’s proposed adoption of the IHRA’s (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) working definition of…

A common backdoor argument against free speech is that platforms (media and speaking engagements) aren’t shared equitably. If more space was offered to far-Left views, some argue, middle NZ would finally “woke up and see the light” and would positively…

Public discourse has never proved more of a minefield. We’re in the bright and shiny new age of “wokeness” in which good faith arguments have been swapped out for name-calling, smears and gaslighting. Why just the other day I found…

Amnesty International has unveiled a new campaign to pressure digital tourism companies such as Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and TripAdvisor to delist properties held by Israelis living in the West Bank, and calling on governments to pass legislation that would result…

In 2003 cartoonist Malcolm Evans was sacked from the NZ Herald amidst some controversy.  His single-tracked focus on Israel, and the vitriolic and offensive nature of some of his cartoons, had led to accusations of antisemitism. He was warned by…

The world should hang its head in shame. Deep shame. Embarrassing shame. Penetrating shame. The kind of shame that should cause them to have sleepless nights, as they try to explain to their kids about the day they supported evil….

In a break with tradition, Hanukkah in Auckland was held this year at Okahu Bay, courtesy of local iwi Ngati Whatua. A large crowd gathered to enjoy a joyful celebration of music, dance, food and friendship. Ngati Whatua opened the…

Earlier this year, prominent New Zealanders went to some lengths to demonstrate their opposition to hate speech.  Two controversial Canadian speakers were coming into town and were possibly going to say things that, in the words of Auckland’s mayor Phil…