New Zealand

Cardinal Dew left angered and disappointed

Monday, October 7th, 2019
John Dew

Cardinal John Dew is left deeply disappointed and angered that Bishop Charles Drennan has had to resign. “My reaction is one of great disappointment that this happened at this time in the Church when we are really striving to do all we can to make sure people are safe, that we have safe-guarding policies, and Read more

Brash’s claims about Māori deaths extremely unhelpful

Monday, October 7th, 2019

A leading historian says Don Brash is being “extremely unhelpful” in questioning the accuracy of British statements of regret over the death of Māori in their first encounters with James Cook. Dame Anne Salmond, a prominent historian from Gisborne who has been part of conversations about the deaths with Tūranga iwi, said the truth was Read more

Sikhs in New Zealand have quadrupled in number since 2006

Monday, October 7th, 2019

​Sikhism is booming faster than any other major religion in New Zealand, having more than doubled its number of followers here since 2013 – and more than quadrupled since 2006. But the surge has not come without growing pains, Read more

America’s Cup: Catholic Church blesses Luna Rossa?

Monday, October 7th, 2019

Italian Challenger of Record Luna Rossa has launched its first AC75 in Cagliari, Sardinia. Last Thursday, TVNZ reported that the boat was blessed by the Catholic Church (sic), before being christened by Miuccia Prada, head designer of the fashion label and the wife of the team’s boss. Should New Zealanders get the impression that all 1.3 Read more

Orange Sky brings mobile laundry and shower to Wellington

Saturday, October 5th, 2019
orange sky

A small crowd gathered, Wednesday, outside the City Mission, Newtown, to welcome the first Orange Sky van to Wellington. The custom-built-van is fitted with a shower, two washing machines and a clothes dryer, and open to use for anyone living without these necessities. Kris F’afoi, the associate minister for housing, and local member of parliament Read more

Act of God damages Napier Vinnies shop

Saturday, October 5th, 2019
hail

A severe hail storm in Hawkes Bay seriously damaged a St Vincent de Paul Opportunity Shop in Napier on Tuesday. Shop manager Richard Kelly-Lowe said water came flooding in “like a river” and caused the suspended ceiling to collapse under the pressure. Kelly-Lowe was at the front window with staff and shoppers fascinated as they Read more

Charles Drennan resigns as Bishop of Palmerston North

Saturday, October 5th, 2019

The Holy Father announced 11 pm NZ time, he has accepted the resignation of Charles Drennan as Bishop of Palmerston North. Hailing from Christchurch, and an old boy of Christ’s College, Drennan has a first-class honours degree from the University of Canterbury. He studied for the priesthood at Holy Cross Seminary, Mosgiel and at Propaganda Read more

International slave labour keeps tomatoes cheap

Thursday, October 3rd, 2019
slaves

What a bargain! A can of tomatoes for 75c. But how come they can be so cheap? Economist, Barbara Ward once suggested that we still have slaves, but these days we don’t see them because they are on the other side of the world. In a thought-provoking column Newsroom, Nikki Mandow wonders if perhaps the Read more

Cardinal speaks at Maori King occasion

Thursday, October 3rd, 2019

Wellington Cardinal John Dew emphasised Pope Francis’ solicitude for indigenous peoples at a celebration of the 13th anniversary of Māori King Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII’s coronation. Cardinal Dew, who was invited to preach at the multi-denominational service part of the celebration on August 20, said a report of the meeting between Pope Francis and Read more

Sceptics aim to shut down NZ tour by psychic healer

Thursday, October 3rd, 2019

A group aiming to stop a national tour by a New Zealand-based “psychic” is challenging the ethics of the host venues. The New Zealand Skeptics group has emailed all the venues booked for the tour of spiritual medium Jeanette Wilson, in a bid to shut it down Read more