An expert panel has been set up by Royal Society Te Apārangito consider the implications of new technologies that allow much more controlled and precise ‘editing’ of genes. It has concluded it’s time for an overhaul of the regulations and that there’s an urgent need for wide discussion and debate about gene editing within and Read more
Speaker Trevor Mallard does not have any plans to revisit the parliamentary prayer, even though it was less popular among MPs and in public feedback than the previous one. The majority want change. It is just that they were split about what the change should be. Mallard appeared before the governance and administration select committee Read more
A Dutch euthanasia expert says he’s seen assisted dying in his country go from being seen as a last resort to a “project” to be managed. “I used to be a supporter of [euthanasia] legislation. But now, with twelve years of experience, I take a different view,” says Dr Theo A. Boer. From 2005 to Read more
The Pasifika youth court sits in a community hall in Mangere. This courtroom is nothing like the drama of Suits. These are real young people who’ve made poor decisions, but with the wraparound support of the system and their families, are making steady efforts to turn their lives around. Read more
The St Vincent de Paul Society Wellington Area hosted a festival Mass at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mount Victoria on Thursday to celebrate the Feast Day of the Society’s patron, Saint Vincent de Paul. Read more
A former Marist brother and Auckland Catholic Diocese employee has been sentenced to home detention after admitting historical sex charges against young girls. He also faced further charges over possessing objectionable material. Read more
Well-known Northland doctor Lance O’Sullivan has renewed a call for benefit cuts and higher taxes for parents who don’t vaccinate their children. New Zealand is in the midst of a huge surge in measles cases, with almost 900 in Auckland, and more than 1100 confirmed cases notified across the country. Just 53 of the people Read more
In the last four years, New Zealand has become one of the top destinations for West Papuan students to obtain higher education. Last year, there were 160 West Papuans studying in New Zealand. In August a long-simmering discontent exploded into a mass uprising. The number involved has reportedly reached tens of thousands. At least 10 Read more
Sir Colin Humphreys suggests that modern science is providing evidence for God. On Wednesday 18 September, he will be presenting a University of Canterbury Connect public lecture to a capacity audience on the subject Science and Religion: are they compatible? Humphries is is a fellow of both the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Read more
Public health advocates say the Department of Internal Affairs is prioritising the profits of Kiwi gambling companies over the health of Kiwi gamblers Department of Internal Affairs has launched a probe to discover what it should do about gambling websites. In August, DIA released a discussion document presenting four options, as well as a set Read more