Former Prime Minister Helen Clark, a well-known agnostic, has named the Pope as the most inspirational leader in the world at the moment. In an interview with the Campaign for a Woman Secretary General, Clark was asked how important it was for the Secretary General to be an inspirational figure. She replied that it helped Read more
New Zealand
Helen Clark says Pope most inspirational leader in the world at the moment.
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016Dentists provide free dental care for low income people
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016A dental initiative has allowed 850 low-income people to get free dental care this week. The Smile New Zealand programme set up by the Dental Association and the Southern Cross Health Trust gives basic dental care for community card holders needing urgent attention. Project manager Deepa Hughes said professional dental care was out of the Read more
Charity sector facing death by a thousand cuts
Friday, August 19th, 2016
An amendment before parliament “represents another slice at a community sector that is facing death by a thousand cuts.” says Marianne Elliott co-founder of independent charity advocacy group, Action Station. “If each of these changes is small enough, they can each fly below the radar, and happen without public scrutiny, ” she says. The amendment Read more
Greens say banning abortion protests worth thinking about
Friday, August 19th, 2016
Green MP Jan Logie says it is worth debating whether New Zealand should ban protests around abortion clinics, similar to those enforced in some Australian states. In the Australian states of Tasmania and Victoria, filming, intimidation and protests are banned within 150m of abortion centres. In New South Wales, a bill to provide a 150m Read more
Church doors will stay open despite theft and vandalism
Friday, August 19th, 2016
A Taranaki priest says the church doors will stay open despite a recent theft which fleeced a parish of more than $2,000 in electronics equipment. Father Craig Butler said while crime which targeted churches was rare, the impact was widely felt among parishioners. In June, a thief made off with five microphones and other electronic Read more
Marist St Pat’s opt out of shared clubrooms plan
Friday, August 19th, 2016Wellington’s first “club hub” has been launched at Kilbirnie Park, but it has failed to put to bed the Eastern Suburbs rugby club rivalry. Marist St Pat’s Rugby Football Club said it was not ready to join the new Toitu Poneke Sports Hub that brings seven different sports clubs together to share clubrooms and an Read more
Let’s make Bill of Rights supreme law
Friday, August 19th, 2016The New Zealand public are a perplexing paradox. They leap into paroxysms of patriotic fervour at the sight of 15 men charging with an oval ball, or one woman hitting a small round one with a stick. They break out “The End is Nigh” signs when attempts are made to regulate what lightbulbs they may Read more
Witch doctor offers magic services in Wellington
Friday, August 19th, 2016A witchdoctor arrived from India and advertised black magic and “good luck” services at a Hutt Valley hostel this month. The self-proclaimed astrologer and relationship guru’s emergence worried a community leader who helped get several faith healers deported last year. “We have got one who has snuck in the country, in Wellington,” Justice of the Peace Pratima Nand said on Wednesday. Continue reading
Assisted dying inquiry – submissions running 3 to 1 against
Tuesday, August 16th, 2016
The select committee inquiry into public attitudes to assisted dying has received 21,435 written submissions, and they are running three to one against the assistance to die. Dr Jane Silloway Smith, Director of Every Life Research Unit has been analysing submissions made to the Health Select Committee’s investigation into ending one’s life in New Zealand. She Read more
New proposed Erskine development: what’s changed since 1992?
Tuesday, August 16th, 2016
Another plan has been put forward to earthquake strengthen and restore the chapel of the Sacred Heart in Island Bay Wellington. The plan is part of a proposed $30 million 94-townhouse development. Councillor Andy Foster, chairman of the transport and urban development committee, said early estimates that put the costs of the houses between $500,000 Read more