Consumer New Zealand is campaigning for direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medicines to be banned. Consumer says the advertisements don’t provide people with useful information. The advertisements sell the promise of a quick fix, but Consumer doesn’t think they provide all the facts needed for people to make an informed choice. A study has found Read more
The New Zealand International Film Festival programme page for Mafile‘o’s first feature should come with a warning: it will tug hard at your heartstrings. It’s showing at the local festival as it moves around the country following screenings in the indigenous section of the Berlin International Film Festival in February and the Los Angeles Asian Read more
Sir Anand Satyanand has resigned from his role as chairman of the inquiry into abuse in state care, paying tribute to survivors who shared their stories – and promising it is on firm footing to finish the job he started. Read More
The special hui at Whangarei Hato Werahiko Kawerio parish on June 8.was pivotal as part of a consultation process to establish and formalise the structure of a Katorika Māori Commission. It was the first-ever in Auckland diocese that encompasses Tamaki ki Te Taitokerau and potentially Hauraki. Continue reading in NZ Catholic
On Monday, Justice Minister Andrew Little announced the details of a bill amending the abortion legislation. The bill will be voted on in a conscience vote. The first reading is likely to be on Thursday. Salient aspects of the proposed legislation Abortion is removed from the crimes act. A woman who is not more than Read more
The emeritus bishop of Rarotonga, Stuart O’Connell, died in Auckland on Friday at the Little Sisters of the Poor, St Joseph’s Home, Herne Bay. He had been ill with cancer for some time. Pope John Paul II appointed O’Connell to be the bishop of Rarotonga in November 1996. He was ordained bishop on February 22 Read more
People fighting to preserve heritage buildings are questioning the decision announced by the Bishop of Christchurch to demolish the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. But Christchurch Regeneration Minister, Megan Woods says the city needs to accept the church’s decision and move on. Woods said she had many fond memories of the cathedral having gone to school next Read more
Michael Mayell has partnered with Abe Gray, the founder of New Zealand’s first cannabis museum, to create a cannabis institute in two heritage-listed buildings on Manchester St. The former Trinity Congregational church will be used for the museum during the day, an education space Mayell dubbed “cannabis university” in the evenings. Read more
An immigration lawyer says the government is reneging on pledges it would not let foreign students carry the can for fraud committed by agents without their knowledge. Under a new interpretation of existing legislation unveiled to lawyers last week, international students will bear the blame if their education agents give false information in their applications. Read more
Bill Gavin, 24, lives a simple, yet fulfilling life. But if his mother had listened to the advice of health professionals when her prenatal test for genetic disorders came back positive 25 years ago, Bill would have been terminated. Read more