A Dunedin city councillor has apologised to the family of slain teenager Enere McLaren-Taana for her role in organising a public vigil against their wishes. Enere, 16, a pupil at Trinity Catholic College, died after being stabbed at the Dunedin bus hub on May 23. About a week later, the Dunedin City Council scheduled a Read more
New Zealand
Mission Estate winemaker Paul Mooney retires after 45 years
Monday, July 15th, 2024
Outgoing Mission Estate winemaker Paul Mooney has been overseeing the Mission’s entire wine production process for 45 years. It’s a giant chunk of one man’s life – and not a “same old, same old” sort of life. “Every vintage is different. There are challenges with each — some vintages are easier than others, but I Read more
Auckland diocese vineyard purchase now unconditional; new parish church by Advent
Monday, July 15th, 2024
The Auckland diocese has formally purchased the 6.23-hectare Ascension vineyard for Holy Name parish in Warkworth. The unconditional purchase means the former vineyard will become the parish’s new home. The parish’s current church and other local sites will be put up for sale in the coming months. Settlement on the purchase will take place in Read more
Synod study groups – no Kiwis, few women, three Aussies
Monday, July 15th, 2024
Study groups at October’s second synod assembly in Rome will look closely at several hot-button issues identified at last year’s synod. Women deacons, the ministry of bishops, and synodal formation for future priests are some of these issues. Mainly male groups, none local The Vatican says 15 study groups will work together to tease out Read more
Samoan church ministers take lead in bridging faith and public health in South Auckland
Monday, July 15th, 2024Samoan Church Ministers from the EFKS denominations are stepping up as key players in public health. Reverend figures like Rev Elder Victor Pouesi from Ekalesia Faapotopotoga Kerisiano Samoa (EFKS) Magele I Sasa’e I Puaseisei, have long been vocal advocates for their communities, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Rev Pouesi said Faifeaus (church ministers) are essential Read more
Habitat for Humanity homes being built in Whangārei for families struggling to get on property ladder
Monday, July 15th, 2024Northlanders wanting to buy their first home but struggling to save a deposit are being offered a helping hand through Habitat for Humanity. The charity was providing the largest number of affordable houses to be built in Whangārei, with 24 homes under way in Tikipunga and Kensington, northern region chief executive Conrad LaPointe said. It Read more
Widespread racism targets Māori medical students and doctors
Thursday, July 11th, 2024
Racism is alive and sick in New Zealand’s medical system. Doctors, medical students, patients and whānau suffer, says a newly-released research paper. Grim findings Researchers at the universities of Auckland and Otago have found that almost all – 90 percent – of Māori doctors and medical students say they have experienced or witnessed racism in Read more
Air strike on Gaza school a step too far
Thursday, July 11th, 2024
Caritas Aotearoa NZ and the NZ Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) have expressed their disgust following an air strike on the Holy Family School in Gaza and have called again for the hostilities to end. The two Catholic organisations are united in their condemnation of the armed conflict. “End the hostilities!” say Caritas Aotearoa NZ’s Mena Read more
October’s synod working paper published
Thursday, July 11th, 2024
The working paper for this October’s synod of bishops in Rome has been published, the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC) says. The Vatican-published document – called the Instrumentum Laboris (or Working Instrument) – is based on 108 national summaries of bishops’ conferences from around the world presented to the General Secretariat. It is not a Read more
Northland charities facing increased demand from pensioners as living costs hit home
Thursday, July 11th, 2024Several Northland charities are struggling to keep up with the significant increase in service demands from pensioners desperately trying to make ends meet. For one Moerewa woman in her 70s, paying her bills and asking for help was not easy. “Like most elderly, I don’t want to feel like I’m a burden to anyone,” Moana Read more