An ecumenical service was held at Knox Church, in Dunedin, last night to celebrate 75 years of theological study at the University of Otago. Theology head the Rev Associate Prof Christopher Holmes said the service was a way to honour what had been done at the university over the past three-quarters of a century. “We Read more
New Zealand
Research into growing tissue for organ transplants gets major funding
Monday, November 15th, 2021Overcoming the barriers of engineering living tissues in a lab and growing organs to alleviate the world’s shortage of transplant organs is one step closer, after an Otago researcher was awarded a major fellowship today. University of Otago (Christchurch) Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine researcher Dr Khoon Lim has been awarded a Rutherford Read more
Assisted dying – let’s pay attention to the stats
Thursday, November 11th, 2021
Assisted dying became legally available on Sunday, the first death may be next month and observers are looking out for the statistics on the new law’s take up. The End of Life Choice Act means people enduring unbearable suffering from a terminal health condition and have a life expectancy of less than six months may Read more
Win-win: strategic giving funds gap in social services
Thursday, November 11th, 2021
The wealth gap in New Zealand is growing – but many people behind philanthropic giving are changing the shape of charity. The changes are taking the form of new sorts of funds where ‘donors’ still get a return. They include bonds resulting in community housing being built, investments in education and health and ‘impact investment’. Read more
‘Socially irresponsible freedom’ commandeers Capital
Thursday, November 11th, 2021
An estimated 5,000 people, Tuesday, took to Wellington’s streets protesting their freedom, and distrust of the government and media. The vocally loud and unmasked protesters took over the Capital’s streets and pavements as they snaked their way from Wellington’s Civic Square, through Mercer and Willis Streets and down Lambton Quay to Parliament. At one point Read more
Pushpay moves into Catholic donations market
Thursday, November 11th, 2021The donor management system software company Pushpay has reported a strong first-half net profit driven up by volume and revenue growth. There had been an increase in the number of donors switching from cash to digital over the six-month period as a result of the pandemic, and those numbers were holding steady. The company’s expansion Read more
Life expectancy changes – Covid has stolen 28 million years of life from 31 countries
Thursday, November 11th, 2021The pandemic’s effects on mortality have been uneven as life expectancy dipped in most places last year, shaving 28.1 million years off the cumulative longevity in 31 countries. But residents of a handful of places that successfully kept Covid-19 at bay — including New Zealand and Taiwan — actually lived longer. Read more
Foodbanks under real pressue
Monday, November 8th, 2021
The shelves are nearly bare at Dunedin’s foodbanks, as they grapple with record demand and the cancellation of a major donation event. The area’s four foodbanks — Presbyterian Support Otago, the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and the Mosgiel Community Food Bank, met yesterday to discuss the intense pressure their services have come under Read more
Church staff, volunteers and the education vaccine mandate
Monday, November 8th, 2021
The Ministry of Education has clarified who falls within the education sector’s vaccine mandate. On the list are those who work or volunteer in an organisation in the same campus or building as a school or early learning service. Churches and cafes are cited as examples. Staff at churches sharing a building or campus with Read more
Churches consider traffic lights, vaccinated people, values and safety
Monday, November 8th, 2021
Churches are considering a number of contingency plans while they weigh up if they will re-open only to vaccinated people when the traffic light system kicks in. Last month the government announced details of its Covid-19 Protection Framework, involving the roll-out of a ‘traffic-light’ system once all DHBs hit 90 percent full vaccination rates. Under Read more