Solid Ground - 19 February 2025

In this episode of Solid Ground, Simon shares news of the latest Family Matters podcast with MP, Greg Fleming, and proposed modern slavery legislation. Simon briefly acknowledges the death of US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, describing a mixed legacy and expressing disappointment that Jackson moved from strong pro-life views to political compromise, urging people to stand firmly for human rights. Simon also highlights a touching sports moment featuring All Blacks legend Eroni Clarke surprising his son by singing the national anthem, presenting it as an example of fatherhood, family, faith, and healthy masculinity. He critiques the Prime Minister’s uneven messaging for Lent (a short text) versus Ramadan (a longer video), arguing it reflects an unhealthy Western tendency to elevate some groups over others. He then discusses Stats NZ data showing births are below replacement rate, with record-low births to mothers under 25 and increased births to mothers over 35.