New Zealand

Town divided over abortion

Tuesday, August 9th, 2016

The abortion debate is heating up in Thames with a pro-choice group vowing to demonstrate each week alongside pro-life protesters. The demonstration is in response to a regular demonstration by pro life group Voice for Life demonstrators. Abortion Law Reform Association (ALRANZ) member Scott Summerfield said the aim of the demonstration was to support women Read more

Hato Petera College still viable says principal

Tuesday, August 9th, 2016
hato petera

Hato Petera College is financially viable and academic rates are positive says principal John Matthews. He was speaking after the first of five consultation hui arranged to discuss the future of the College. Read more on Auckland Diocese website The school’s roll stands at 49. Last year 85 enrolled were enrolled. The roll stood at 148 Read more

Inclusiveness of St Andrew’s on The Terrace – new mural

Tuesday, August 9th, 2016

The inclusiveness of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on The Terrace is now clear for all to see thanks to their new rainbow themed mural. The church has created the mural along a temporary wall beside the walkway into its conference centre. Its purpose is to make the access way, which is next to the NZ medical association Read more

Lecretia Seales’ widower pens book on her life and death

Tuesday, August 9th, 2016

The life and very public death of a Wellington lawyer and euthanasia advocate is revealed in a book written by her widower, Matt Vickers. Writing Lecretia’s Choice – A Story of Life, Death and the Law had been an emotional ride, Vickers said from his base in New York, where he moved this year. “It’s Read more

Canberra distancing itself from control on Nauru questioned

Tuesday, August 9th, 2016

Human Rights Watch has questioned the Australian Government’s suggestion that it has limited control over the running of the offshore processing centre on Nauru.Nauru This comes as Canberra rejected a report by the Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International which found that it is ignoring appalling human rights abuses against asylum seekers and refugees held Read more

Abortion: Family planning Association doesn’t represent interests of women

Friday, August 5th, 2016

The Family Planning Association (FPA) is not representing the interests of women by once more calling upon the government to decriminalise abortion say Ken Orr, spokesman for Right to life. Jackie Edmond, CEO of the Family Planning Association thinks abortion should be considered as a health issue. She is calling on the government remove the Read more

El Camino de Te Tai Tokerau with an App to guide you

Friday, August 5th, 2016

There are plans afoot to develop an App  to assist individuals, families and groups make  a self-guided pilgrimage of Te Tai Tokerau. The App will provide for GPS coordinates, accommodation options, prayers, historical information and recorded talks by people of Te Tai Tokerau. This development has been inspired by a pilgrimage led by Wiga Autet Read more

Former Gloriavale member: “Good and bad things and people exist in all communities”

Friday, August 5th, 2016

Ben Canaan is disappointed there are so many sensationalised accounts of Gloriavale. He thought the documentary aire late last month A Woman’s Place, which aired in late July, “accurately portrayed” parts of the community, but did not ask the hard questions. He said good and bad things and people existed in all communities, but the Read more

Cathedral working party ‘farcical’ if ruling not binding, says campaigner

Friday, August 5th, 2016

A working party tasked with finding a solution for the quake-damaged Anglican cathedral is “farcical” and “pointless” if its recommendations are not binding, a heritage campaign group says. Co-chair of the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust (GCBT), Jim Anderton, has been campaigning to restore the Cathedral. He said the working party’s recommendations, which are expected in Read more

Good George to open bar in Cambridge’s Pink Church

Friday, August 5th, 2016

Good George chief executive Race Louden has confirmed the company has bought Cambridge’s Pink church and will transform it into a bar and restaurant. However, questions still remain over whether the church will keep its distinctive colour. Louden said the decision had yet to be made but hinted at a return to a former colour scheme. Read more