Celebrity biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins has suffered a minor stroke which has forced him to cancel his forthcoming trip to New Zealand. Following the news of Dawkins’ minor stroke the Church of England tweeted “Prayers for Prof Dawkins and his family,” causing a worldwide collective cringe. Continue reading Twitter users are now debating whether Read more
New Zealand
Call for prayers after Richard Dawkins suffers stroke – cancels New Zealand appearance
Tuesday, February 16th, 2016Hawera parish priest vacates presbytery in favour of school
Friday, February 12th, 2016
Hawera parish priest, Tom Lawn, moved out of his presbytery in January. He has moved into a flat until the parish finds a suitable house for him to live in. The 114 year-old presbytery building will be moved to Foxton Beach to become a family home. A new St Joseph’s school and church administration block Read more
Monte Cecilia School opens on new site
Friday, February 12th, 2016
Monte Cecilia Catholic School has officially opened its doors just a stone’s throw from its former site. The school was forced to move from Monte Cecilia Park after Auckland Council began acquiring the land in 2000. A school has been on the site adjacent to the historic Pah Homestead for more than 100 years. Moving Read more
Study: Fear of gods may have sparked human cooperation
Friday, February 12th, 2016
Scientists have found an explanation for the rise of widespread co-operation among humans in societies – the fear of an angry god. International researchers, including the University of Auckland’s Associate Professor Quentin Atkinson, have published the results of their study in the journal Nature. They found people who believe their god is more punitive and Read more
Proposed Easter trading laws criticised
Friday, February 12th, 2016Proposed law changes to allow councils to determine whether shops can trade on Easter Sunday are unnecessarily complicated, Local Government New Zealand says. The bill, which is being considered by Parliament’s commerce committee, would allow councils to pass a by-law to allow shops to open. But Local Government president Lawrence Yule said by-laws were time Read more
Young Muslim women help feed homeless community
Friday, February 12th, 2016Young Muslim women are helping to feed the homeless and in turn, crush negative perceptions of their faith. Members of Nisa – a group focused on women helping and empowering other women – volunteer their time to Christchurch charity Help for the Homeless once a month. University students Addeana Husaini, 19, Asayal Almutairi, 17 and Read more
Stats reveal the 14 year itch is a reality
Tuesday, February 9th, 2016
Most New Zealanders getting divorced are in their mid-40s and don’t have kids, and the “seven-year itch” is a myth. In fact, Statistics New Zealand figures show couples are most likely to call it quits after about 14 years. Figures from 2014, the latest year reliable statistics are available, show that couples most commonly filed Read more
Richard Dawkins to come to Wellington again
Tuesday, February 9th, 2016
Evolutionary biologist and provocative atheist Richard Dawkins will be appearing during Writers’ Week during the 2016 New Zealand festival. Dawkins, who is now 74, previously appeared at the New Zealand Festival in 2010. In an article in the New Zealand Listener, Diana Wichtel described him as “a scientist, a writer, a performer, a public intellectual, an Read more
Pa Hemi Hekiera RIP
Tuesday, February 9th, 2016
Pa Hemi Hekiera died in Rotorua on Friday. His priestly ministry was focused on strengthening Maori Catholics as both Māori and Catholic. His sudden death follows the recent deaths of two other priests who spent many years working with Māori Catholics. Fr Wim Tuerlings, a Mill Hill priest died in the Netherlands on 2 December. Read more