Recently in Christchurch, a 40m banner inscribed with 10,001 names of Palestinian children killed in Gaza formed a visual expression of Christian and community solidarity and a call for justice in peace. From pre-schoolers to pensioners, about 75 people joined for portions of a 36km walk on Saturday 9 March. The distance symbolically mirrors the Read more
Nick Wilson of Palmerston North is the new chair of the Council for Young People of the Catholic bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand. Nick is the Diocesan Young Catholics Team Leader for the Diocese of Palmerston North. He has had a career in education in New Zealand and overseas. He works as the Manawatū Catholic Read more
One in four New Zealanders has been born overseas and new migrants are ahead of other Kiwis when it comes to vaccinating their babies. Migrant families are more likely than other New Zealanders to vaccinate their babies on time, according to new University of Auckland research. The study found children of recent migrants, defined as Read more
Food charities say they have seen a big increase in people needing food parcels. One says people even fight for food outside community pantries. National poverty critical St Vincent de Paul’s Hamilton manager, Mike Rolton (pictured), says New Zealand is currently experiencing poverty on a level unknown in modern times. “Six years ago we gave Read more
In a stirring act of musical activism, rock superstars U2 united with a virtual Neil Finn for a special performance of the 1986 Crowded House hit “Don’t Dream It’s Over”. The artists were honouring the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his wife Yulia’s continued fight against Vladimir Putin’s regime. Song of Freedom and Read more
The last summer was a hot and dry one, with above average temperatures and below average rainfall for many parts of New Zealand. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research’s (NIWA) summer climate summary was released Tuesday, showing it was the ninth warmest summer on record, with a nationwide average temperature of 17.6C. The Read more
A new vaccine is now available following its recent approval by Pharmac to combat the newer strains of Covid-19. The transition to the updated vaccine for the XBB.1.5 strain took place yesterday after its approval was announced in a statement by Pharmac and Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand last month. ‘‘The XBB vaccine is Read more
For the third time, Royal Commission into Abuse in Care survivors have been told those writing the Commission’s report won’t meet the set deadline. The high-level inquiry covering children abused while in state and faith-based care was due to present its report on 28 March. Why the delay The Department of Internal Affairs which is Read more
A drunk man who vented vile racist comments at three people in an unnamed Hamilton Catholic church has appeared in the Hamilton District Court. Claiming to be a Catholic, the man even spat at the people. Craig George Murray’s behaviour made very unpleasant reading, said Judge Arthur Tompkins as he sentenced Murray for the incident. Read more
Residents of Auckland’s wealthy eastern suburbs say they are aghast by the loss of an Anglican church, seemingly to be replaced by a temple to gluttony and consumption. A resource consent application by McDonald’s to build a new 24/7 restaurant on the site of the St James on Ōrākei’s Kepa Road saw the involvement of Read more