Porirua parent is “lost for words” after her 14-year-old was asked to participate in a colonial-style game which separated children into slaves, chiefs and aliens. Earlier today she said a Year 10 Aotea College class were instructed to do the activity, which involved selling slaves, land and commoners – for “10 pearls”. Documents show the Read more
New Zealand
Last issue of iconic NZ Tablet published
Monday, May 3rd, 2021
Nearly 150 years after its first issue, the NZ Tablet has published its last one. Bishop Patrick Moran founded the magazine in Dunedin in 1873 with the immigrant Irish Catholic population in mind. Moran was noted as a strong-minded and literate speaker and the paper gave him the opportunity to voice his views on religion, Read more
Anglicans face changing approval terms for restoring Christ Church Cathedral
Monday, May 3rd, 2021
The Anglican church in New Zealand may have to change its approval terms for restoring Christ Church Cathedral. Doing so would avoid restoration work stopping in October if more funds cannot be found before then. This is because when the Anglican Synod approved the cathedral’s restoration in 2017, its terms stipulated that each stage could Read more
Tonnes of pigeon poo from quake-hit church going to landfill
Monday, May 3rd, 2021A thick layer of pigeon poo droppings that have built up over the last decade from pigeons living in the broken Christ Church Cathedral will end up in landfill instead of being recycled into fertiliser. Up to two tonnes of pigeon poo has accumulated since the devastating February 2011 earthquake. Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement project Read more
Emergency accommodation support services lack a ‘moral failure’ by government
Monday, May 3rd, 2021A social housing provider is demanding the government provide full wrap-around support to everyone living in emergency accommodation. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today indicated on Morning Report a commitment to ramping up support for those living in motels. Demand for emergency accommodation has exploded in recent years with the government now spending nearly a million Read more
Controversy over abortion clinic safe zones heats up
Thursday, April 29th, 2021
Creating safe zones around abortion clinics is unnecessary according to pro-life groups. The Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Bill, in the name of Labour MP, Louisa Wall, (pictured) will make it illegal for pro-life protesters to wait outside clinics. The Bill will create a 150-metre perimeter outside healthcare services. Within this area, no Read more
Richard Puanaki: a shining light and a great composer
Thursday, April 29th, 2021
Eulogies at a Requiem Mass for Richard Puanaki – pictured – described him as one of the nation’s great composers and a shining light in the Māori Catholic church. Rihari Tiki Te Aroha Puanaki (72) died last week of cancer in his home town Wairoa. After many years away he returned there to teach at Read more
Royal Commission blows $56m budget, loses power
Thursday, April 29th, 2021
The government is seeking to tighten controls on the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. Besides insisting on a firm 2023 deadline to wind up the investigation, the government has told the Abuse in Care Commission that they may not investigate modern care providers and post-1999 cases of abuse. In addition, the Commission’s budget blow Read more
Teenage girl denied New Zealand residence because she has Down syndrome
Thursday, April 29th, 2021A teenager with Down syndrome has been denied New Zealand residence because of the perceived burden she could place on the health and education systems. It’s a move that has disappointed a disability advocate, who says people with Down syndrome contribute to their communities, and not all have additional medical needs. The 17-year-old Indian citizen, Read more
Govt urged to fix emergency housing crisis after criticism from Minister Davidson
Thursday, April 29th, 2021Our emergency housing situation seems to be at breaking point and the Government is being told to do more to solve the crisis. Green Party co-leader and associate housing minister Marama Davidson has come out saying some of our emergency housing is inhumane. She also says the way money is handed out to hotels, with Read more