Here comes 2026
A few quick reflections on the year that has been, including my most popular Substacks as well as a heartfelt thanks to all who have been part of On Point.
Hello everyone. A short Substack to wrap up the year and to wish you all a Merry Christmas and enjoyable summer ahead (or to my northern hemisphere followers, an equally happy and relaxing winter).
I am very grateful to all my readers and subscribers. I love writing and as I have probably mentioned before, I find it quite cathartic. It is humbling to know that thousands read my ramblings, and I very much appreciate all the feedback people send me - it is one of the reasons I have remained committed to having this as a free and open publication. This said, I am also flattered by the many who choose to donate freely - to each of you, thank you.
For me and Rachel, it has been a very busy but good year. It has been a year of much change including selling our ‘big’ home and we have now moved into a little apartment, still in Auckland for now. We are loving it here, with much less maintenance and consequently, more time for us to spend time together doing the things we enjoy. We are also officially empty-nesters, but for the record, we miss the kids and it is always nice when they come to visit. One is actually discussing moving back in with us!
We’ve also done an enormous amount of travel internationally this year. From England to Ireland, France to the US states of New York, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Texas. I’ve also visited Israel and the Gaza envelope, attended a conference in Japan, as well as events in Australia and of course, here in New Zealand. Next year is already shaping up to be the same, but I will just say, it’s wonderful to meet new people, engage new ideas, and also step out of what can often be a very narrow New Zealand bubble.
For the curious, my most popular Substack for 2025 was a piece I wrote challenging the prevailing, Hamas-sympathetic, narrative here in New Zealand - drawing on my impressions after visiting Israel, the various October 7th massacre sites, and the wider Gaza envelope:
The second most popular was my thoughts on the Charlie Kirk assassination, drawing attention to what I call the ‘continuum of violence’ predominately coming from the progressive left:
For me personally, it was writing about my grandfather who served in the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), that was the most profound. After visiting sites in southern Ireland where he fought, I was left with a number of questions which I still grapple with:
My thanks again to you all for being part of On Point - for your reading, your comments, your generosity, critiques, and encouragement. Can I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year - may it be a time of peace and joy, fun and laughs, and a chance to unwind and refresh.
See you in 2026. Merry Christmas.
Simon
In the media
In the spirit of the season, I’ve hosted a podcast and online radio chat about Christmas. The first is with Rachel, talking about our Christmas traditions - both past and present, and some advice from Rachel being a mum juggling five kids:
I also sit down with my friend, Rev. Dr John Fox, to talk about the true meaning of Christmas and how the symbolism of the nativity applies very much to how we act and celebrate today:
Simon and Rachel and family...wishing you all the very best joys and sharings of the season and a New Year of more adventures and perceptive columns.
Merry Christmas, Mr. O’Connor. A pleasure getting to connect with you more in 2025 and building our friendship, look forward to many more adventures with you and your wife, Mr’s. O’Connor in 2026.