A third of the country’s free budgeting services face closure during a cost of living crisis, after missing out on the latest round of government funding. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has confirmed it will no longer fund 44 of the current 132 budgeting services, due to a change in the funding model and Read more
New Zealand
Heroic students save out-of-control school bus
Monday, May 27th, 2024
In a remarkable act of bravery, a 16-year-old student from St Peter’s College, Gore saved her classmates’ lives by taking control of an out-of-control school bus. Charlotte Davie sprang into action when the bus driver suffered a medical event, causing the vehicle to swerve dangerously. The incident occurred last week on the Waipahi run, with Read more
NZ Catholic to cease publication announces Bishop Lowe
Thursday, May 23rd, 2024
New Zealand’s national newspaper NZ Catholic will cease publication at the end of June. The Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Steve Lowe, confirmed the 27-year old publication’s closure and thanked NZ Catholic readers for their faithful support. Subscribers are offered refunds for their prepaid subscription. NZ Catholic’s closure will bring to an end a 150-year tradition Read more
Former Trinity Catholic College student inspires with NASA success story
Thursday, May 23rd, 2024
A former pupil of Dunedin’s Trinity Catholic College, now a NASA scientist, returned to his alma mater to inspire students to follow their passion. Hamish Prince, who graduated from college in 2014, recently spoke to students about his journey from Dunedin to NASA. Prince, a graduate research assistant in atmospheric science, shared how his love Read more
I Am Hope – $24m boost for Gumboot Friday
Thursday, May 23rd, 2024
Mike King’s Gumboot Friday counselling service for young people will receive $24 million over four years as part of the Government’s upcoming Budget. It will increase the service’s current contracted counsellor pool from 555 to about 855, which will help provide up to 160,000 free counselling sessions for people aged between 5 and 25 over Read more
Private jet use is increasing in New Zealand, climate crisis be damned
Thursday, May 23rd, 2024The private jet passengers saunter down the red carpet, wearing sunglasses and heels; paparazzi cameras flash. The sky is blue, the air control tower in the background is watchful and the climate protesters on each side of the red carpet are holding banners and chanting, “If we allow private jets, climate change is what we Read more
Hospices are about life
Monday, May 20th, 2024
Hospices are about life, not just death as some might think. They make people’s lives – if not their health – better. “People often think we are only there for those final moments, but the earlier people access hospice the better” says Waipuna Hospice CEO Richard Thurlow. “Whether that’s months or even years, getting the Read more
Loafers Lodge – one year on – who ‘really’ cares?
Monday, May 20th, 2024
It’s one year since the Loafers Lodge fire. Loafers Lodge did not have a fire sprinkler system. It was not required to by law. Five men died. Eighty-two people lost their homes. Some lost all their possessions. People were concerned, shocked, grieving. Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge told RNZ after the fire that he hoped Read more
Taupō school put in lockdown as police respond to reports of person with a gun
Monday, May 20th, 2024A Taupō school lockdown has now been lifted after police responded to a report of a person with a gun in the area. Police were called to Acacia Bay Rd, Nukuhau. However, police have since confirmed no firearm was involved and they are “speaking with the person” involved. “Cordons are being stood down and the Read more
Warning fat city rates rises could make housing crisis worse
Monday, May 20th, 2024Verbal hearings on the city council’s long term plan have heard strong warnings of severe impacts on the “vulnerable” if fat double digit rates rises go through. The draft plan for 2024-34 proposes rates rise by nearly 19.9% next financial year and by 15.5% annually for the following four years. On Thursday’s day two of Read more