Merge on Auckland’s Karangahape Rd is a place of welcome for many, including those without homes. An aim, though, is to support them into living in homes. Amid artwork and a library of donated books, people can sit at large tables and eat together, no matter whether they are working in the area, living on Read more
New Zealand
NZ expert: Pornography the biggest addiction society has ever seen
Thursday, November 21st, 2019Auckland intimacy counsellor Angela Rennie has seen first-hand the devastating impact pornography has on relationships and individuals. “I would say it’s the biggest addiction society has seen and no one is really doing anything about it. The statistics are eye-opening, people are watching pornography from very young,” she says. Read more
Smiles not judgement when you walk by the poor – John Dew
Monday, November 18th, 2019
Most poverty in New Zealand is invisible. Unlike many parts of the world, the lives of most people living in financial hardship cannot be seen from the main streets in New Zealand says Cardinal John Dew. Last week he released a letter to mark the third World Day of the Poor. He says he starts Read more
Gatherings Group call for more consultation about parish amalgamation
Monday, November 18th, 2019
A group of Christchurch Catholics who call themselves the Gatherings Group have requested an opportunity to further discuss Bishop Paul Martin’s 9th June proposal to close churches in the diocese. The group have asked that the current process be re-examined in two three-hours, or three two hour meetings – professionally facilitated and open to all – with the Read more
Pā Karaitiana Kingi celebrates 50 years of priesthood
Monday, November 18th, 2019
Pā Karaitiana Kingi, Marist priest, celebrated his 50th jubilee at Takitimu Marae Wairoa on Saturday 16th November. The venue was appropriate as Kingi was ordained at this marae by Bishop Snedden. It was the first time a Māori priest had been ordained on a marae. Various priests, religious Sisters and Brothers joined Fr Karaitiana and Read more
Catholic Church starts survey ‘to be prepared’ for abuse inquiry
Monday, November 18th, 2019The Catholic Church is beginning its first-ever survey in New Zealand to get to grips with just how many priests abused how many children. The Catholic liaison group Te Rōpū Tautoko chair Catherine Fyfe said the church “wanted to be prepared to respond quickly to requests when and if the Royal Commission requested information from Read more
End of Life Choice Bill final reading: How your MP voted
Monday, November 18th, 2019A controversial bill legalising voluntary euthanasia passed its final vote in Parliament. The decision was made a conscience vote, meaning MPs voted individually, rather than along party lines. So how did your MP vote on the legislation? Read more
Rugby and religion: Sonny Bill Williams on how Islam has helped his career
Monday, November 18th, 2019In an interview with BBC Sport, the former Sonny Bill Williams opened up about his faith and how it’s brought the best out of him on and off the field. Williams converted to Islam in 2009 while playing rugby for French club Toulon. It came after a “wild” period early in his career where he found himself Read more
Māori Council letter to Pope just attention seeking
Thursday, November 14th, 2019
New Zealand First MP Shane Jones says the Māori Council’s executive director is attention-seeking with an attack on the Catholic Church. Matthew Tukaki has written to the Pope to ask that he formally renounce the doctrine of discovery, a 15th-century idea that European nations could claim lands if they were not occupied by Christians. The Read more
NZ Defence Force and local Iwi commit to a new relationship
Thursday, November 14th, 2019
Last Saturday the New Zealand Defence Force vested back to local Māori of Ngāti Rangi land that had been used as a Communication Centre. Next Saturday the Iwi will gift that land back to the Crown and Defence Force. It will continue to be used by the Defence Force for the good of all New Read more