A poor seismic report has closed the Wellington Archdiocese’s Catholic Centre. The Centre’s management says the Detailed Seismic Assessment Report issued in February rated some of the Centre’s key structural elements at just 20 per cent of the New Building Standards. A peer review of the engineer’s report has been commissioned, so decisions about the Read more
The path to New Zealand sainthood of missionary Mother Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert has been delayed. A Vatican medical council concluded recently that a potential miracle attributed to her can be explained by medical science. Sister Margaret Anne Mills, leader of the Sisters of Compassion in Island Bay, Wellington, says the medical council’s ruling means Read more
An intrepid drunk got stuck atop the spire of a Dunedin cathedral after an impromptu climbing expedition went wrong. Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said police were called to St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) about 1.55am yesterday. An intoxicated man had climbed the cathedral’s spire but had got stuck, Read more
Nearly two-thirds of the people who have died in New Zealand’s Omicron outbreak are men, and experts say the science is inconclusive as to why. That is despite slightly more women having been infected overall, according to Ministry of Health data. Women also made up about 56 percent of those who have been hospitalised with Read more
Families locked in poverty will stay that way despite the 1 April benefit increases, a new study by the Fairer Future Collaboration discovered. Fairer Future Collaboration spokesperson Brooke Pao Stanley, of Auckland Action Against Poverty, says it’s time for the Government to “level up” income support so everyone can live with dignity. Poverty was forcing Read more
Community support is helping turn a homeless man’s life around. All it took was one man who put out a call and help came from all directions. The former rough sleeper’s name is Richard (pictured with some supporters including Nick Smith – right). Until recently, Richard was living in a tent on the outskirts of Read more
New Zealand’s border reopening sounds as if it would be a simple turnkey operation. The reality is there has seldom been a time when the difference between the treatment of people from visa waiver and non-visa waiver countries has stood in such stark contrast. With the staged border re-opening announced last month, visa waiver travellers Read more
On the eve of the three-year anniversary of the mosque terror attacks, the Race Relations Commissioner has accused the Government of “dragging its heels” over proposed hate speech laws. Strengthening the legislation against incitement of hatred and discrimination was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry after the March 15 attacks in Christchurch. Read more
There are “far too many” unvaccinated expectant mums in hospital with Covid. The comment comes from New Zealand researchers Leah Pointon, Anna Howe, Matthew Hobbs, Janine Paynter, Natalie Gauld, Nikki Turner and Esther Willing have been looking into vaccination coverage in pregnant New Zealand women. Pregnant women can still get vaxxed: it’s about saving your Read more
The fact our children and youth are suffering increased abuse is sad and distressing, says Children’s Commissioner, Judge Frances Eivers. Eivers’ comment comes as abuse of New Zealand children in state care keeps increasing. Oranga Tamariki’s new Safety of Children in Care Report says almost 500 were harmed in 2020-21 alone. The reported statistics are Read more