Free To Speak
Free to Speak is the New Zealand podcast that goes beyond headlines to explore the principles behind our most contentious debates.
Produced by the New Zealand Free Speech Union, it examines freedom of expression and why it matters to a free and democratic society.
Expect interviews with guests from New Zealand and around the world, plus deep dives with our Council into the cases and policy work shaping free speech today.
Any questions, queries or feedback? Email: podcast@fsu.nz
www.fsu.nz
Episodes
180 episodes
From Shah To Theocracy: An Iranian Activist’s Roadmap To Renewal - Dr Forough Amin
We speak with Forough Amin, founder of Iranian Women in New Zealand, about Iran’s contested past, the machinery of censorship, and why a renaissance is still possible. History, ideology, and free speech collide as we follow the path from the Sh...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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1:10:52
How Far Should Professional Standards Reach Into A Nurse’s Private Life - Dr Roderick Mulgan and Deborah Cunliffe
We examine the proposed nursing Code of Conduct through culture, law, and lived reality, asking how far regulation should reach into nurses’ private speech. Deborah Cunliffe and Dr Roderick Mulgan unpack conformity in institutions, the legal te...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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45:32
School Stresses Kids More Than Social Media Does - Eli Stark Elster
Eli discusses the rush to ban social media for under-16s and examines stronger evidence that school structures and heavy homework drive youth distress. Eli Stark Elster makes the case for autonomy, free play, and targeted fixes over blanket ban...
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Season 6
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Episode 7
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1:00:27
Who Gets To Speak When The Media Becomes A Monoculture - Yvonne van Dongen
We trace a working life in New Zealand journalism with Yvonne Van Dongen, exploring how subs, travel desks, and lively disagreements shaped stronger reporting, and why today’s monoculture and omissions threaten trust. We compare shoe-leather cr...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:14:19
Nurses, Speech, And The Line - Todd Stephenson MP
We dig into the Nursing Council’s draft code with ACT MP Todd Stephenson, asking how far professional standards should reach into private speech. We argue for clear rules tied to patient safety, real whistleblowing paths, and strong protections...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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21:40
Greg Fleming MP: Te Reo, Politics and the Power of Listening
We trace Greg Fleming’s path from charity leader to MP and his decision to learn Te Reo Māori as an adult, linking language revitalisation with a culture of listening and free speech. We test tokenism, compulsion, and what realistic, hopeful go...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:00:07
03 - David Cumin - After Bondi: the case against rushed 'hate speech' laws
In this episode of Free to Speak, Dane is joined by University of Auckland academic David Cumin to unpack the free speech flashpoints that follow moments of national shock. They start with the Adelaide Writers’ Festival con...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:02:01
02 - Board Roundup - Why are regulators constantly overreaching their remit?
This first “board roundup” episode focuses on a bigger pattern: regulators trying to extend their reach into online speech and private life. The board unpacks the Broadcasting Standards Authority’s attempt to assert jurisdiction ove...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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54:26
01 - Douglas Brown - Who controls the internet in NZ?
Lawyer and Free Speech Union council member Douglas Brown joins the Free to Speak podcast to unpack the growing fight over who governs the internet - and why it matters for free expression in New Zealand. Using InternetNZ and its re...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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52:29
A Deep Dive into Judicial Review and Free Speech
In part two of this Free Speech Union Podcast, we follow Giles Brant and Peter Hardy to the end of their legal battle with the New Zealand Law Society. From a single email complaint to landmark rulings in the High Court and Court of Appeal, thi...
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1:12:53
A Legal Odyssey in Free Speech and Ethics
In this episode of the Free Speech Union Podcast, council member Thomas Newman sits down with lawyers Giles Brant and Peter Hardie to unpack a chilling story of professional scrutiny and the fight for free speech. Hear how a simple email exchan...
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1:23:47
Social Cohesion and Free Speech with Shamubeel Eaqub
In this episode, Nick and Steph sit down with Shamubeel Eaqub—an economist, author, and commentator—to discuss the findings of his recent study on social cohesion. They explore the various trends and factors contributing to a rise in people fee...
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48:54
Prof. Eric Heinze on The Rise of Critical Theory and the Future of the Left.
In this episode, Nick is joined by Eric Heinze, Professor of Law and Humanities at Queen Mary, University of London. A leading voice in legal philosophy, human rights, and the law-and-literature movement, Heinze unpacks the ideas in his latest ...
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49:20
Dr. James Lindsay on wokeness, communism, and free speech.
Revisit Dr. James Lindsays talk from the Wellington event of his New Zealand tour with the Free Speech Union. Dr. Lindsay shares his thoughts, fears and concerns about the rising treats of “woke” on the right and the communist and socialist und...
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34:51
Who In The World Supports Free Speech? Jacob Mchangama shares findings from A Global Survey
Jacob Mchangama is the Founder and Executive Director of The Future of Free Speech, a research professor at Vanderbilt University, and a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). A valued friend of the FSU, he...
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51:12
The right to protest - are we losing it?
In this episode of the Free Speech Union podcast, Nathan and Nick discuss free speech challenges. They unpack media coverage, police conduct around protest, and the role of churches in protests, while calling for balanced law enforcement and pe...
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39:13
"Hate Crime" Laws - What you need to know!
‘Hate crime’ laws? Without a clear, shared definition of ‘hate,’ we’re treading on shaky ground. Who decides what’s ‘hateful’? Tell the Law Commission that legislating against ‘hate’ is a fool’s errand. Submit now - http...
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51:38
End of year review with the FSU team
Nathan, Jonathan, Nick, Steph look back on a big year of wins, challenges, and everything in between. From legal battles to media advocacy and educational tours, they share highlights, lessons, and hopes for 2025. A huge thanks to the community...
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44:36
FSU Talks | The Law Commission Discussion Paper
Join Nick Hanne, Jillaine Heather, and Alex Penk for an FSU Talk on the recent Law Commission's discussion paper which examined the question of amending the Human Rights Act to include trans gender and intersex individuals as a protected class....
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:05:16
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The Church and the Treaty: Free Speech in the Face of Controversy
In this episode of the Free Speech Union podcast, Jonathan Ayling is joined by Simon O'Connor, former MP for Tamaki, and Nick Hanne, education partnership manager at FSU. The discussion revolves around a controversial letter signed by 400 churc...
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34:49
Free Speech vs. "Hate Speech": Navigating New Zealand's Controversial Police Training
In this episode Jonathan sits down with Major Grant Fletcher, a barrister based in Christchurch, and Graham Edgler, lawyer and political and legal. They delve into the pressing issue of new hate training for police officers, the implicati...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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54:46
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Free Speech Under Fire: Challenging institutional Censorship and public service Activism in New Zealand
Join Nathan, Jonathan, and Hannah for this episode for the Free Speech Union podcast to dive into the pressing issues surrounding free speech in New Zealand, focusing on the implications of recent police training on hate crimes, the role of the...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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32:49
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The historical and philosophical underpinnings of free speech with Prof Michael Grimshaw
Join us for a thought-provoking episode of the Free Speech Union Podcast. Hosted by Jonathan (FSU NZ CEO), this episode features a deep dive into the essence of free speech, democracy, and societal values with Professor Mike Grimshaw from the U...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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55:59
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Unmasking Unteaching: A Conversation with Dr. Paul Crowhurst
Join Nick Hanne (Education Partnerships Manager) as he sits down with Dr. Paul Crowhurst to talk about tertiary education, white fragility, and the concept of unteaching racism. Dr. Crowhurst unpacks his experiences as a teacher, principal, and...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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44:34
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