New Zealand

Good response from young New Zealanders

Thursday, August 31st, 2017

New Zealand’s Voice to Vatican survey for Young New Zealanders held over July and August this year has received almost 2,000 responses from throughout the country. Results will be analysed and sent to Rome in a report due by the end of October. Youth leaders completed a separate survey which will also be shared with Read more

Faith Healer visits Hawkes Bay

Thursday, August 31st, 2017

Thousands of Hawke’s Bay Christians have flocked to see to man who claims to have healed people across the globe through “God’s supernatural power”. On Monday and Tuesday, Miami-based “Apostle” Guillermo Maldonado and his 36 crew members turned the Pettigrew Green Arena into a place of supernatural encounters. Organisers said a man who was unable Read more

Cathedral means more to Christchurch than to church

Monday, August 28th, 2017
cathedral

The Christ Church Cathedral means more to the city than it does to the Anglican church, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel says. Dalziel said the future of the cathedral had divided the city because the decision rested with the church, rather than the city. Dalziel went on to clarify her statement, saying “to the church it is Read more

ACT party says people on benefit should not have babies

Monday, August 28th, 2017
babies

ACT party leader David Seymour says if his party helps form the next Government, beneficiaries who “keep having children” will have their financial freedom taken away. Speaking in the minor party leaders debate last Saturday Seymour said having babies while on the benefit was an “outrage” to working parents, and “the biggest driver of child poverty Read more

What some young South Aucklanders see as election issues

Monday, August 28th, 2017

Four Year 13 students at Māngere College, all first-time voters, said housing and jobs were what they were most worried about ahead of the election on 23 September. The Electoral Commission visited their school recently, and all four had enrolled to vote, although one was leaning towards not voting. No party had yet convinced her Read more

New Zealand’s largest food bank faces closure

Monday, August 28th, 2017

New Zealand’s largest foodbank faces closure, after being unable to pay its rent. More than 132 agencies and churches use Christchurch’s 0800 Hungry – which also delivers directly to families – with surplus supplies going to low decile schools. Continue reading

Marist Brothers mark bicentenary in South Canterbury

Monday, August 28th, 2017

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Marist Brothers. Among other things they will be having a celebration of the event in South Canterbury on 9 and 10 September. The Brothers had a special connection with South Canterbury. A school was established in Timaru in 1890 and for many years the Read more

Equality Network – let’s reduce inequality

Thursday, August 24th, 2017
Plea to reduce inequality in New Zealand

Equality Network, a group of social agencies, churches and trade unions, has urged New Zealand’s political parties to reduce inequality by restoring the balance between income and wealth. Equality Network says it wants a New Zealand in which everyone has the resources they need to provide for their families and whānau. The network says big Read more

Sir John Key – child poverty amongst regrets

Thursday, August 24th, 2017
Sir John Key

When Sir John Key knelt to receive his knighthood in mid-August, he reflected on what he had achieved as prime minister, while also regretting that he hadn’t solved child poverty and other social issues. Sir John says “No one wants to see children that are hungry or families without homes.” He believes that his government Read more