Calls are coming in for the government to fast-track its child poverty mandate. The Child Poverty Action Group is one of several advocating for the new government, led by Child Poverty Reduction Minister Jacinda Ardern, to immediately raise income support. Campaigner Janet McAllister said benefit levels were so low they locked many children into severe Read more
New Zealand
NZ Anglican schism inflamed by Australian meddling
Monday, October 19th, 2020
A schism that developed in 2018 over same-sex marriage blessings in the NZ Anglican church is being further inflamed by what is seen as meddling from Sydney’s ultra-conservative diocese. The Sydney diocese, which opposes same-sex marriage blessings, has indicated to the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand & Polynesia (ACANZP) that organised religion in New Zealand Read more
Dunedin diocese ‘proactively’ paying off $10-million debt
Monday, October 19th, 2020
Dunedin diocese has set a path to pay off its $10-million debt through a 30-year repayment plan. According to a Diocesan Finance Committee report published in The Tablet last month, the diocesan overdraft at the end of 2019 was just under $10 million. While an offset agreement with the ANZ Bank meant no interest was Read more
Catholic cathedral’s iconic copper dome could be sold as salvage
Monday, October 19th, 2020The distinctive copper dome rescued from the earthquake-damaged Catholic cathedral in Christchurch could be sold as salvage. The dome was painstakingly rescued from the stricken Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Barbadoes St in 2011 and has been in safe storage ever since. Catholic diocese property head Tony Sewell said many materials recovered from the Read more
Overseas workers told to leave too soon and unfairly – adviser
Monday, October 19th, 2020Overseas workers are being ‘consigned to the rubbish heap’ after the government left them with no option except returning home, according to an immigration adviser. Skilled migrants stuck in lengthy queues for residence have been told if they are not eligible for another temporary visa while they wait, they will have to leave. Anthea Razack, Read more
Royal Commission into abuse in care breaches victim’s privacy
Sunday, October 18th, 2020An abuse survivor’s privacy has been breached by the Royal Commission investigating abuse in state and faith-based care. The breach involved a survivor’s personal details being mistakenly sent to another survivor. In an email to survivors, the commission said it was an isolated but serious incident, caused by human error. The commission said it was Read more
Proposed wealth tax will hurt the cash poor
Thursday, October 15th, 2020
A South Auckland poverty advocate says the Green Party’s proposed wealth tax will hurt people who are not wealthy. The proposed wealth tax would introduce a one percent tax on net assets over $1 million and two percent tax over $2 million. The proposal excludes housing wealth under a mortgage from the tax calculation. The Read more
Five eyes want NZ social media data
Thursday, October 15th, 2020
Civil liberties groups fear privacy, freedom of expression and trade secrets could be eroded if tech companies are compelled to give up their encrypted data to the government on request. The New Zealand Government, its Five Eyes security partners plus India and Japan want companies like Facebook to release encrypted data when requested. The reason: Read more
Free school lunch scheme disadvantages some including Catholic schools
Thursday, October 15th, 2020
A $220 million increase in funds for free school lunches looks set to divide communities, with some schools joining the scheme while nearby schools miss out. About 640 schools have been invited to join the scheme next year. At present 221 schools are benefiting from the scheme. Sixty are in the pilot regions of the Read more
Bay of Plenty couple die 20 minutes apart after 66 years of marriage
Thursday, October 15th, 2020The Bay of Plenty couple were married for 66 years and had just celebrated their wedding anniversary. But early on Monday Kevin and Maureen Gallagher passed away 20 minutes apart at home. Leah Tebbutt tells their story of life, love and devotion. “Where you go, I go.” These were the words Maureen Hollis told her Read more