McBlog by Bob McCoskrie

The Ministry of Health has just released the latest abortion statistics. One positive is that it uses the word “women” six times – so that’s progress because only women can get pregnant, but let’s take a look at the latest trends – just over two years on from when our politicians decriminalised abortion and introduced one of the most liberal and extreme laws in the world. You’ll be disturbed by the cheerleading for abortion being done by the so-called ‘health’ ministry. ‘Health’ - but only for some.

The appointment of Britain’s first Hindu Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is a historic moment in the history of Great Britain. He also makes history as the first person of South Asian descent or of colour to take on the role. We look at his voting record and statements on issues such as abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, gender identity, conversion therapy laws, religious belief and free speech.

Amongst all the issues affecting the US, and as the Americans prepare to vote in the mid-term elections which could determine the make up of the Senate and whether the Republicans or the Democrats hold control, President Biden has identified THE key issue. It's the first piece of legislation he wants to sign if the Democrats take control of the Senate. Can you guess what it is? And who will celebrate the loudest if Biden doesn't get his way.

Meet Chloe Cole. She’s 18 – and she is worth listening to – far more than any radical NZ politician, gender activist, or the Ministry of Health or radical doctor who wants to try and change the sex of a child with medicalisation and surgery. Chloe Cole is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful voices against transitioning children at a moment in which most politicians and media outlets lack the courage to speak out.

Italy has just voted in their first ever female Prime Minister. Normally the media would be praising and celebrating the appointment. Unfortunately, despite Giorgia Meloni’s capabilities, they are unwilling to deliver such flattery due to her ‘extreme’ views. You may be surprised at what they define as 'extreme'. Maybe not.

If you don’t bow down to today’s compulsory new ‘religion’ of sexuality & gender identity, and the support of killing children in the womb, you will be cancelled. If you hold to biblical views around sexuality, gender (male & female) or the sanctity of life, you will be cancelled. The so-called terminology of ‘tolerance and diversity’ is a crock. It’s meaningless. And that was made very clear just recently when a Christian was appointed CEO of the Aussie Rules club Essendon. Are you prepared for your 'even-if' moment?

Bob has returned from a conference in Hungary, and during that visit he met with representatives from a governmental pro-family thinktank, and also checked out some of the government’s pro-family policies. These policies are designed to strengthen families, promote marriage, and protect the unborn child – and also include a policy of no radical sexuality and gender material in schools! Perhaps we should send our political parties to have their respective annual conferences in Budapest next year.

WPATH stands for The World Professional Association for Transgender Health. WPATH 'guidelines' are considered the gold standard for the field of health care for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria. But critics say that WPATH cites flawed, cherry-picked studies to support their conclusions, and betrays a strong bias toward studies promoting social and medical transition, and ignoring detransitioning and desistance. They're also at odds with a growing number of medical professionals and groups around the world who are sounding growing concern around the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgery on young people. Why should this concern you? It's because transgender research and policy in New Zealand comes out of the University of Waikato’s Transgender Health Research Lab. Unfortunately, the unit is driven by activists and an agenda, and the director just happens to be on the Executive Committee of WPATH.

The Ministry of Health quietly changed their advice last week on the safety of puberty blockers. It's a stunning turnaround, especially when the rest of the world is sounding growing caution around the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgery for young people who have gender dysphoria. It's time New Zealand adopted a do-no-harm approach rather than cowtowed to gender activists. It’s time we had watchful waiting, therapy, and healing of the mind - rather than chemicals and castration.

We need more men to speak up for human rights. The human rights of the unborn little girl or boy. Men who lead, protect, and are not intimidated by the abortion supporters saying that men cannot have a voice when it comes to the topic of abortion! Like this guy......

In last week’s edition of the NZ Listener was an essay by Charlotte Paul, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at the University of Otago. In the article, she rightly argued that because other countries have reviewed their use of puberty blockers for young people, New Zealand should also. She also said that she was writing the article because her colleagues were too afraid of potentially damaging their reputations by speaking up. And that tells you everything about the toxicity of gender activists pushing a dangerous agenda on our young people.

One of the major concerns around the assisted suicide / euthanasia law is that the law relies on a diagnosis that a person suffers from a terminal illness which is “likely” to end his or her life within six months. But there’s a problem with that. A major problem. We are not God (even though some people would like to think they are.) There are many examples of individuals who have outlived their prognoses – sometimes by months, even years.

** Warning - contains offensive language **Disney has taken yet another dangerous step with its new animated sitcom series, "Little Demon". Disney describes the storyline as follows: “Thirteen years after being impregnated by Satan, a reluctant mother and her Antichrist daughter attempt to live an ordinary life.” Listen to what warnings from a New York pastor, a US congressman, and and Dr. Ted Baehr, a Hollywood mainstay and the founder of Movieguide. This is no longer a game.

Over the past couple of weeks, we've been exposing just how extreme and harmful the sexuality and gender ideology is in schools. It's been sanctioned by the Ministry of Education with the support of radical groups like Family Planning and RainbowYouth. But parents have started to speak up and voice their concerns and objections. And the results have been superb. Have you spoken with your school yet?

We’re told that if we don’t ‘affirm’ young people with gender dysphoria towards puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, that they will suffer mental harm. But detransitioners are painting a very different picture. Transitioning leads to both physical and mental harm. This case (amongst a growing list of examples) proves that.

In 2020, UNICEF ranked New Zealand last of 38 developed countries in child mental well-being. And when you look at the data, it’s pretty depressing reading. NZ has the worst youth suicide, self-harm and bullying statistics. Mental disorders have risen significantly, as has consumption of antidepressants and anti-psychotics. These increases are above what is occurring in the general population. We’ve just released a report on it.

The transgender propaganda continues – and the worst part is that it is exploiting and harming very young vulnerable children. It's coming not just from the media and gender activists, but even from children's hospitals and some mainline denominations. No wonder our children are confused. Adults who should know better have lost their way and forgotten biological truth.

Left wing website "The Spinoff" recently did a pro-abortion story – which is no surprise that they’re pushing that narrative – but it was the facts buried in the middle of the report that told the real story. A pro life story! As retired specialist gynecologist & obstetrician Dr Norman MacLean NZOM says, performing abortions is not the life giving, healing medicine that most medical professionals want to practice.

Exposed - Concerned mum warns other parents about radical sex education (propaganda) in New Zealand schools. We were alerted to some highly offensive sex education material that had been shared with a class of 11-12 year olds. It was so shocking that some of you rightly thought surely this can’t be true. We speak to one of the parents whose 12 year old daughter - along with her classmates - were exposed to this material. She's not the only parent who has contacted us - and it's not the only school either!

Earlier this week, we sent out a new Fact Sheet that we had developed exposing the radical sexuality and gender fluidity indoctrination that activists and the Ministry of Education want in as many schools as possible. Five minutes after sending it out we were alerted to some highly offensive material that had been shared in a class of 11-12 year olds. It was so shocking that some of you thought – surely this can’t be true.But sadly it is. And we actually shouldn’t be surprised.

We highlight a new Family First resource explaining the gender theory & sexuality curriculum which is rife in our schools. The Government declared at the beginning of 2022 that they were launching a new offensive to push radical sexuality and gender ideology at your children. There is a renewed effort by the Ministry of Education and activists to fully embed the programme in all schools at all levels. Let's not leave the door open for our children to be taught about sexuality and gender theory by the voices of people whose agendas and values don’t align with ours. It’s time to push back – for the sake of our children.

We highlight a new Family First resource just released on the new 'conversion therapy' law. It’s a guide for parents, pastors and counsellors as to what the law says and its implications. We’ve also gone to a leading public law lawyer for advice and we include their legal advice in the Fact Sheet. To be frank, it’s fairly disturbing reading. While gender and sexuality is supposedly ‘fluid’, activists want the law to stipulate that it can only go in the direction they approve. Yet again, the state wants to dictate how you raise your children, and even how you live your life.

Clara was the result of a teen pregnancy outside of wedlock. She is very thankful her mother chose life - her life. But as she watched the media coverage of the recent and momentous Roe v Wade decision in the US Supreme Court, it quickly became evident that virtually all the mainstream media in New Zealand were furious with the decision, were strongly pro-abortion, and that anyone like Clara and millions of others who hold the view that the unborn child has a right to life, and that abortion harms both the child and the mother, should be silenced – and that their view meant nothing. And an in-depth analysis of the media coverage backs up her perception of the coverage. It found that the significant media coverage by the NZ mainstream media was very heavily bias (82%) to a pro-abortion narrative. Clara says we deserve better from the media.

The Government along with the Greens and Maori Party have scrapped the Three Strikes Law in the middle of a crime wave of gangs, guns and ram raids. Did they have a public mandate to do it? And what type of criminal is actually being caught under the law? Nick Tuitasi also gives an amusing demonstration of how a 3-strike law works.

In the midst of a crime wave involving gang turf battles, gun crimes and violent ram raids, the Government along with the Greens and the Maori Party have responded by scrapping the law that specifically targets repeat violent offenders - all of whom have a track record even before getting caught. In a previous issue of Family Matters, Bob presented the evidence for why the law is working and should have been retained.

The first official report on the assisted suicide law in NZ has been released. It only covers the first five months of the law, so it's difficult to determine any trends. But what has been interesting is the comments made by euthanasia supporters about the law already needing to be expanded to allow for even non-terminal patients to access it. And the media only seems to want to tell us the 'good' stories about assisted suicide - but they ignore the 'not-so-happy' ones.

Remember the claims made by pro-drug activists in support of cannabis legalisation in New Zealand. According to the Government, the Green Party, NZ Drug Foundation and Helen Clark Foundation, we were supposed believe that legalising recreational cannabis would lead to significant health benefits, reduced black market, no increase in usage, reduction in mental health issues, reduced crime and so on. Thankfully, the majority of us weren’t fooled into believing this, and voted No. And there is continued mounting evidence refuting those pro-cannabis claims. Here's five key ones just from the last month.

Jeannette Cooper, a former teacher and now a Ph.D. candidate in education at DePaul University, never imagined she’d lose custody of her child. But when, at age 12, Sophia suddenly claimed to be transgender, Jeannette was skeptical. But Sophia insisted, not only that she was trans, but that she was ‘unsafe’ around Jeannette. What followed was a disturbing series of court proceedings and therapy sessions. Nearly three years later, Jeannette can’t even visit with the daughter she loves, but can only communicate with Sophia by U.S. Mail. All because she insists that Sophia is a girl.

On the back of two great decisions last week including the closing of the Tavistock transgender clinic in the UK, and the US FDA slapping a warning label on puberty blockers, Californian teenager Chloe tells her story of puberty blockers at 13, a double mastectomy at 15. And why she detransitioned back to her biological sex.

It appears that we may be reaching the tipping point in the transgender agenda which is harming and confusing so many young people. Two key things happened last week which the NZ media didn’t seem that keen to talk about. But we are. One is the shutting down of the UK's Tavistock transgender clinic after a review found it is "not safe" for children. The other is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA issuing a warning label about the risk of puberty blockers. Will common sense finally prevail?

According to new polling, families are struggling to pay for essential items such as petrol, food and utilities. They’re also concerned about the effects the cost of living crisis is having on their communities. If families are expected to meet their budget, be accountable for what they spend, and not waste money, shouldn’t the government also?

Ronji Tanielu is a die-hard Manly supporter, a Samoan, and an evangelist. He shares his views on the stand being made by the seven Manly players regarding the wearing of the 'Pride' jersey.

Why have you heard so much about Israel Folau and the Manly players, but not about Haneen Zreika or Fawad Ahmed. They're all Australian sportspeople, but the media have treated them very differently. Guess why?The gospel of diversity, inclusion and equality (DIE) fails before it begins because contrary to its claim of 'diversity, inclusion and equality', the diverse opinion that there are biblical beliefs around sexuality, male and female, and marriage must be shut down. This new sexual and gender identity is so fragile it must be reinforced by the state. It must be rammed down by the media. It must be mandated by woke businesses.

Our children are back to school for the start of term 3. But are they going to be educated or indoctrinated - and is that indoctrination just in schools? Where is this gender ideology ultimately coming from?

On TVNZ Q&A at the weekend, I discussed with host Jack Tame the reasons that the Supreme Court decision to deregister Family First was inconsistent, unfair and problematic.

On TVNZ Q&A at the weekend, I discussed the reasons that Roe v Wade being overturned was a superb decision. Have a watch. To Jack Tame’s credit (and to the mainstream media’s shame), it’s one of the few times that this viewpoint has been allowed to be expressed in the media since the overturning of Roe.

Current events programmes should be balanced and present both sides so that viewers can come to their own conclusion – based on the evidence and the arguments & counter arguments. But TVNZ’s Sunday programme isn’t too good at this. In their episode on drug testing last weekend, what Sunday programme didn’t do was allow the contrary view – the view opposing drug testing. The view which says that drug testing simply allows drug takers to play Russian roulette with their lives and that there is no such thing as a safe drug. Watch the view that Sunday programme didn’t want you to see.

Gang-related shootings, stabbings and the use of firearms in general – including against our police – have become disturbingly normal. Firearm-related offences are nearly double that of just 10 years ago. And family violence is also sadly on the increase. Family First has released a short video clip to highlight the urgency of this issue. The focus always seems to be on the interest and well-being of the criminal and no mention of the rights and welfare of victims. It’s time we stopped being soft on crime, because crime is tough on families.

“Family First is being deregistered for engaging in the democratic process. It has not broken any laws”. Yet more expert opinion, expressing concerns about the court ruling to de-register Family First. Sue Barker is a barrister and solicitor, and expert in charities law. She says: “if Family First can be deregistered for engaging in the democratic process, my concern is that any charity can be” … “what we are really undermining is our democracy”. 

The Supreme Court has supported the decision by the Government to deregister Family First as a charity. This is after the Government appealed an earlier decision (2020) by the Court of Appeal in favour of Family First retaining its charitable status. There have been four court cases over the last decade attempting to resolve this issue. The reasoning behind the Supreme Court overruling the decision of the Court of Appeal, and the justification for deregistering Family First, should concern anyone who values free speech and traditional / conservative views around family & marriage.

Please listen to this important interview with Heather Duplessis Allen, as Bob McCoskrie discusses the full implications of today's Supreme Court's ruling to remove Family First's charitable status. We will use this court ruling as an incentive to grow stronger in our support for families. Thank you for your enduring support.

The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the Roe v Wade case that legalised abortion at any stage of the pregnancy. See how the NZ media went into meltdown over it. Listen to the wise and considered words of pediatrician Dr Ben Carson. And meet a wonderful woman who campaigned all her life for this momentous day.

Sporting codes around the world are starting to wake up to the fact that biology matters in sports, and that fairness should be given more weight than the wokeness of ‘inclusion’. It’s been a good week for sports - and especially for female competitors.

Would it surprise you if drag queens were now being ordained as ministers in churches? The hyper-sexualised and gender confused indoctrination is being targeted at our children – in schools, in libraries, and even in some churches that have lost their way. It’s time to push back.

If you listened to and watched the media coverage on the transgender issue related to our children, you would think that if you believe that a boy is born a boy and a girl is born a girl, and if you oppose any indoctrination that 'you can choose your sex, it must mean you are completely out of touch with reality and public opinion. Maybe it’s time to think again. You’re actually with a strong majority who want children to be told the biological truth and to be affirmed with the gender they were born with.

The media already has an issue of trust. Here's an episode on both dodgy research and dodgy media 'reporting'... A recent Stuff article on the conversion therapy bill was taken to the Media Council who agreed with a number of concerns about the accuracy and integrity of both the research quoted and the reporting of it. It’s a good example of the media tripping over their own ideology to push a narrative. It’s also a good example of dodgy research by activists.

Drug advocates in NZ want a decriminalisation and health approach to drug use, yet ironically this approach does not appear to be favoured by many drug users. The number of drug users wanting to engage with the Government’s recommended health referral service is "abysmally low". We also only need to look overseas at recent examples of this policy approach to see what liberalised drug laws actually look like in reality.

The woke are looking for any children's books that don’t tick the critical theory intersectionality boxes of race, ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ identity or some other minority identity. And the list of naughty naughty books is growing! "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", "Hairy Maclary" and "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" are now being targeted.

The NZ Herald article read “Serial sperm donor Kyle Gordy will soon have 58 kids - and is coming to NZ”. The article was a good example of everything that can go wrong with sperm donation. Despite the greatest intentions of the lawmakers, there’s no mandate that a donor is to be involved - or will want to be involved - in the child’s life. It may still effectively be anonymous, except for the disclosure of some of their genetic origin. But children have a deep longing to know who they belong to, where they come from, and who they look like. It's time we put their rights front and center in this discussion.

Because of an adverse childhood experience, Leao Tildsley struggled with her gender identity. But it was counselling and trusted church support that helped her find the healing she needed. But turning to someone in a time of confusion and hurt could now be a criminal offence.