Work to demolish the Barbadoes St frontage of the earthquake-damaged Catholic cathedral in Christchurch started on Wednesday. The $1.8 million demolition project began in September. Bishop Paul Martin announced in August last year that he wanted to demolish the cathedral, which was completed in 1905. He said the building was too expensive to restore and Read more
New Zealand
Demolition begins on Christchurch’s earthquake-damaged Catholic cathedral
Thursday, December 3rd, 2020Priceless items stolen from historic Nelson church
Thursday, December 3rd, 2020An historic Nelson church was targeted by burglars over the weekend. When Pastor Andy Marr opened the doors of his church on Sunday, he witnessed a scene of destruction. Almost everything not nailed down had been taken from the main building of the at St Paul’s Lutheran Community Church in Upper Moutere, a rural settlement Read more
Church determine to listen, learn and reflect on abuse survivors’ evidence
Monday, November 30th, 2020
The Catholic Church is determined to listen, learn, and reflect on abuse survivors ‘ evidence at the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. The comment came in a statement from Catholic Bishops and religious leaders on the morning of the first day of the Royal Commission into abuse in faith-based care. “The bishops and congregational Read more
Catholic school welcomes student barred from mainstream classroom
Monday, November 30th, 2020
A seven-year old expelled from school last year has just completed his second week in a mainstream classroom. His transition to Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Putaruru has gone smoothly, says his mother Tracey Lithgow. It’s over a year since Lithgow’s son was expelled from Tokoroa’s Tainui Full Primary School for extensive behavioural issues. For Read more
Born at 23 weeks – survival is possible
Monday, November 30th, 2020
Twin brothers Declan and Riley Colquhoun were born very early. At just 23 weeks and one day into her pregnancy their mother gave birth to them by caesarean section in Wellington. Their eyes still fused shut, they were put straight on ventilators, with their mum Kathryn Hutchinson and her partner Chris Colquhoun not able to Read more
Our Truth, Tā Mātou Pono: Stuff introduces new Treaty of Waitangi based charter following historic apology
Monday, November 30th, 2020Stuff has introduced a new company charter with Te Tiriti o Waitangi at its core, after a major internal investigation uncovered evidence of racism and marginalisation against Māori. The media organisation issued an historic public apology on Monday following the Our Truth, Tā Mātou Pono investigation which saw around 20 Stuff journalists scrutinise the company’s Read more
White Ribbon barbecue in Timaru against family harm
Monday, November 30th, 2020More than 200 people attended a White Ribbon barbecue in Timaru to show their support against family violence. Free barbecue food was provided to members of the public, and served by the Rapid Relief Team, in a tent outside Mitre 10 Mega on Friday. Te Rito Collaboration co-ordinator Michelle Thew said some people at the Read more
Massive increase in pokie-machine profits recorded
Thursday, November 26th, 2020
There has been a huge $130,661,758 increase in pokie-machine profits this year. Te Tari Taiwhenua – the Department of Internal Affairs – is linking September’s 116 percent increase on the June quarter to the end of Covid-19 restrictions. A Te Tari Taiwhenua spokesperson says the September quarter figures are higher than any of the June Read more
Library interfaith prayer area plans could be redrawn
Thursday, November 26th, 2020
Changes to the Dunedin City Library’s vision for an interfaith prayer area are being discussed. One of the changes may see the separate Muslim prayer space to be dropped from the plans. The Dunedin City Council has received mixed feedback since it announced its $15,000 project to create an interfaith or interdenominational prayer room and Read more
Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis launches $42 million fight against school racism
Thursday, November 26th, 2020Everything from class streaming to racism, “sown throughout” the system, could be kicked out the school gate in a $42 million programme launched by Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis. The Minister launched Te Hurihanganui at Takapūwāhia Marae in Porirua – kicking off an anti-racism initiative for schools and communities, aiming to help Māori students. Davis Read more