As a requirement of the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care’s terms of reference, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has received the Royal Commission’s recommendations ahead of the final report due to Parliament by 26 June, 2024. “The recommendations have now been provided to Erica Stanford as the Minister responsible for coordinating the Crown Read more
New Zealand
Community Law organisation defends former Anglican priest from critics
Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
Some 29 Community Law Canterbury (CLC) staff say they are concerned about the appointment of new chief executive Lawrence Kimberley, a former Anglican priest. CLC provided legal services to many survivors who gave witness statements to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in faith-based institutions. It also acted for clients in claims against faith-based Read more
NZ’s latest synod document on its way to Rome
Thursday, May 30th, 2024
New Zealand’s latest synod consultation document is on its way to Rome. It – and other documents from all over the globe – will contribute to the global Synod on Synodality meeting in October. The Synod has been underway since 2021 and concludes in Rome after the October meeting finishes. Pope Francis established the Synod Read more
Principal reminds Trinity students alleged murderer has name suppression
Thursday, May 30th, 2024
Dunedin’s Trinity Catholic College principal Kate Nicholson has reminded college students that sharing Enere McLaren-Taana’s alleged murderer’s name is illegal. Sixteen-year-old McLaren-Taana was attacked and stabbed outside the Dunedin bus hub (pictured) on Thursday last week. He was rushed to hospital but later died. A 13-year-old was charged with murder when he appeared in the Read more
Charity’s link to Christchurch murderer revealed
Thursday, May 30th, 2024The Supreme Court has ruled a charity which helps reintegrate prisoners into society can be named in connection with convicted murderer and rapist Joseph Brider. Brider brutally killed Juliana Bonilla-Herrera in her Christchurch home in January 2022, just nine weeks after he was paroled from prison on a rape conviction. It can now be reported Read more
Abandoned houses could be the key to unlocking the housing crisis
Thursday, May 30th, 2024The Green Party believes that a tax on homebuyers is needed to stop houses from lying unused. Green Party spokesperson for housing Tamantha Paul said that houses shouldn’t be left empty. “If there’s a house and it’s safe to live in, then we should fill those houses. It’s crazy that houses would sit abandoned when Read more
Trinity Catholic College pupil’s death – a tragedy
Monday, May 27th, 2024
Trinity Catholic College pupil Enere McLaren-Taana, 16, died in hospital after being stabbed last Thursday. The assault followed “an altercation between the victim and offender” at a city bus hub. Police recovered a knife from the scene. Loss and sorrow Many people are hurting. Prayers have been said. Support offered. Manawhenua held a blessing at Read more
Kawerau poverty worst in 60 years, school principal says
Monday, May 27th, 2024
A Kawerau school principal says poverty in the town is at the highest level she has seen in her lifetime. With a proposed 15.1 percent household rates rise in the offing, Ripeka Lessels (pictured) spoke to the Kawerau District Council about her concerns. She told the Council there are two leading drivers for the increase Read more
Kāinga Ora report concerns Catholic community housing provider
Monday, May 27th, 2024
An independent review into Kāinga Ora raises several concerns, says Catholic community housing provider Monte Cecilia. The review – which former Prime Minister Sir Bill English led – found the state housing agency has not been responsibly managing the billions of dollars it is allocated. It’s a very strong critique of Kāinga Ora, says Monte Read more
New name sought for Christchurch Catholic Cathedral
Monday, May 27th, 2024A pastoral letter from Bishop Michael Gielen has been read at Masses in the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch over the weekend. It launched a process of finding a name for the new Catholic cathedral. Catholics are being invited to suggest a name and offer an explanation why they believe it would be a fitting choice. Read more