A new rule at a Lower Hutt school means teenage girls are allowed to check their phones only at lunchtime. Sacred Heart College has introduced a rule that means cellphones are not to be used during school except in the lunch break, or if the phone is being used as a learning tool in class. In Read more
New Zealand
Kiwi kids making happy splash in burkinis
Tuesday, August 30th, 2016Disney-themed burkinis are making a splash in New Zealand, spurred by a woman’s desire to help Muslim girls and women lead more active lives. Merissa Santoso has lived here for about five years. A keen swimmer, she sought to buy a burkini – modest women’s swimwear covering the head and body – to wear in Read more
No conscience vote for Nats on shop trading hours
Friday, August 26th, 2016
On Thursday the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill was passed by the New Zealand Parliament with a vote of 62 to 59 after an “insult laden debate” There have been numerous attempts to change the hours that shops can open for business on public holidays. Until this Thursday, all have failed to make it into Read more
- John Key playing loose with the facts on Easter Sunday trading law
- National's Pasifika MPs must have free vote - Labour
- John Key exerting pressure on his MPs to tow the party line over Easter trading Bill
- NZ Catholic Suppressing their consciences
- David Tua aims for knockout blow on Easter Sunday trading law
New governance structure set in place for Hato Petera hostels
Friday, August 26th, 2016
A new governance structure for the hostel of Hato Petera College, in Auckland was confirmed last Sunday at the inaugural general meeting of Hato Petera Society Incorporated. Executive members of the registered society who were elected were: Chairperson: Dr Sir Noble (Toby) Curtis. Deputy-chairperson: Frank Solomon. Secretary: Norman McKenzie. Treasurer: Janice Smith. Kaumatua and Kuia: Read more
Assisted suicide supporters have elitist view of political discourse
Friday, August 26th, 2016
The insinuation that the views of people with a faith perspective don’t count or count less is nothing more than an example of bigotry says the Director of The Nathaniel Bioethics Centre, Dr John Kleinsman. He is surprised and appalled at the disingenuous tactics being employed by assisted suicide supporters, saying they are a smoke screen, a Read more
- Not a big deal, David Seymour? For disabled people the idea of assisted suicide couldn’t be bigger
- Appeal for 'brave' decision on voluntary euthanasia
- No place for religion in assisted suicide debate
- Integrity of Simon O’Connor MP Defended
- Why is a Right-to-Life campaigner leading the inquiry in the right to assisted death?
Maori students in NZ march for West Papua
Friday, August 26th, 2016Hundreds of Māori students marched to New Zealand’s parliament today calling for freedom for West Papua. The march was met at the steps of parliament by MPs from various political parties, who spoke of their concern about Indonesian state oppression in the Papua region. Continue reading
Legendary All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry tackles child poverty
Friday, August 26th, 2016Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry is one of a group of prominent Kiwis who are throwing their weight behind a campaign to raise awareness of child poverty. A collection of videos featuring Sir Graham and other personalities such as Andrew Mulligan, Toni Street and Stacey Morrison are being released as part of Variety Read more
Erskine College $30m housing project gets thumbs up from Island Bay residents
Friday, August 26th, 2016The $30m development of Erskine College has drawn a mainly positive response from about 100 people at an Island Bay Residents’ Association meeting. Island Residents association president Vicki Greco said people were generally happy with the design and the chapel restoration while concerns around stress on schools and infrastructure were seen as surmountable. Continue reading
Should motivational speaker who is also a Christian preacher be allowed in schools?
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016
Tony Kane, the principal of Kapiti College north of Wellington is defending the school’s decision to allow a motivation a speaker, who happens to be Christian preacher, to give a presentation in his school. He was speaking after some parents had expressed concern that an American Christian preacher Reggie Dabbs gave a motivational speech at Kapiti College. Read more
Anglican’s man at the Vatican here to celebrate St John’s College 170 years
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016
The Anglican representative to the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican, Archbishop Sir David Moxon, presided over the anniversary celebrations at the College of St John the Evangelist (St John’s College) on August 12-15. St Johns is the theological college for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. It has been located at Read more