Posts Tagged ‘karakia’

Otago regional councillor did not walk out during karakia

Monday, March 27th, 2023
karakia

Emotions ran high at an Otago Regional Council (ORC) meeting last week in a sequel to an incident involving a councillor and his alleged ‘walk-out’ response to a karakia. One of those at the meeting last Wednesday was Alex Gorrie (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha), holding a large sign urging ORC to honour Te Read more

New Kaipara mayor shuts down karakia at first council hui

Thursday, December 1st, 2022

Conflict has erupted at a Kaipara District Council meeting over a mayor’s decision to shutdown a wahine Māori councillor wishing to recite karakia, before the opening of business. The Council met for the first time Wednesday under new Mayor Craig Jepson, elected at October’s local body elections. As is customary in councils, the opening of Read more

Request for schoolgirls’ karakia over human remains causes upset

Thursday, September 8th, 2022
Karakia

Upset whānau say asking a pair of Māori schoolgirls to say a karakia (prayer) over human remains found at their school breached many protocols. The human kōiwi (bones) were found at Epsom Girls Grammar school. The school admits that although the idea was well-intentioned, it was a breach of tikanga (custom) and should not have Read more

Māori karakia features in Korean pop song

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

A popular South Korean boy band is causing controversy by using a Māori karakia at the start of its new pop song. The te reo Māori words, “Tūturu o whiti whakamaua kia tina” feature at the beginning of the track Simon Says by NCT 127. Researcher Aroha Mead, an advocate for Māori intellectual property, said Read more

Opening blessing still commonplace at council meetings

Monday, September 10th, 2018
blessing

Across New Zealand, 58 regional, district and city councils start their meetings with some sort of blessing, 18 do not. Among those who use some form of blessing, 13 pray, 26 say a karakia, 19 use a mix of both or another blessing and 18 don’t use anything. Massey University’s Professor Peter Lineham, whose research Read more

Karakia could be banned in state schools

Friday, May 6th, 2016

Maori prayers could be banned from the classroom if campaigners are successful in their bid to remove religious instruction from state schools, an academic says. AUT history professor Dr Paul Moon’s comments come after a High Court judge last month threw out a test case because the parent challenging the legality of the Bible in Read more

Dawn karakia, not Christmas, the problem

Friday, November 27th, 2015

The Auckland Regional Migrant Services (ARMS) Trust is not doing away with Christmas, says its chief executive Dr Mary Dawson. “To those who celebrate Christmas, we wish you a very happy Christmas. To those who do not, “season’s greetings”. The Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Ross Bay, says “All very laudable in a way, though an Read more

Secular karakia slips through prayer blockade

Friday, June 28th, 2013

Keeping our nation free from antiquated religious influences is a thankless task but someone’s got to do it. Dr Pita Sharples, Maori Party Co-Leader, supported Kelston’s initiative saying that ‘schools have to reflect and respect the culture of our kids to make them feel welcome and connected’ and noting that karakia, ‘is a vital part Read more

Maori karakia causes Rodney Hide to chuckle

Tuesday, June 25th, 2013

I am an anti-theist. I just don’t believe in God. I am pleased there isn’t one. Nothing would irritate me more than a supernatural force knowing everything and hovering above directing all that happens in the world. It would be like suffering a metaphysical Kim Jong-il without the farce or humour. I like the organ Read more

Prayer is “not a religious thing” says headmaster

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

Kelston Intermediate principal Phil Gordon says the prayers (karakia) said at his school are “not a religious thing but a cultural thing.” Prime Minister, John Key says teachers in schools should be able to opt-out of delivering a karakia in schools if they wanted to. Maori Affairs Minster, Pita Sharples. says because there are a lot of Read more