Critics are saying the new anti terrorism laws are being rushed through Parliament too quickly. There was widespread support in parliament at the first reading stage of the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill which passed its first reading on Tuesday by 107 votes to 14. There is some concern being expressed however at the limited time available for Read more
A church group in Christchurch New Zealand plans to build a multi-sport and recreation hub on quake-damaged Porritt Park – a project that could cost up to $8 million. The Celebration Church Lions Sports Trust, an off-shoot of the Wainoni-based Celebration Church, says it is willing to bankroll the project if the Christchurch City Council will Read more
New Life Churches International is urging Christians to oppose any changes in the parliamentary prayer. Rasik Ranchord, spokesperson on public issues for New Life Churches International, has sent out an email asking church leaders to get their members to write to members of parliament urging them to retain the present prayer. On 17 November the Read more
Christmas cheer will be coming to Russell once again this year at the annual Carols @ Pompallier concert at Pompallier Mission, the Heritage New Zealand property in Russell, Bay of Islands. Local groups and soloists will perform traditional festive favourites as well as modern Christmas songs as part of the show, which takes place on Read more
Free uniforms and stationery are on offer to those who enrol at a new charter school. Millions of dollars will be spent on new charter or “partnership” schools despite hundreds of spare places at surrounding state options. However, the Government says the schools, which open next year, will offer parents a new model of education, Read more
Caritas has developed an 80 page guide for teachers in ways to nurture kaitiakitanga (stewardship) of the Warawara Forest in Northland. The Warawara Forest resource aims to teach students to be protectors of the environment resource aims to teach students to be protectors of the environment. It is called Te Warawara: Te Wairua o te iwi Read more
The retiring Bishop of Hamilton, New Zealand, has been a bishop for 38 years, serving in three dioceses, The Cook Islands, Auckland and Hamilton. He has been a priest for 52 years. “Looking back over nearly 38 years as a Bishop in three different Dioceses, I am grateful for the wonderful support and loyalty that Read more
The Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Ross Bay, has accidentally come across a 100 year old crozier (bishop’s staff) locked away in a storage room. On Sunday night Bishop Ross and Bishop Jim White gave it back to Maori at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Khyber Pass. It was accepted by Bishop Kito Pikaahu, Read more
The Race Relations Commissioner has condemned a “cowardly” hate crime against a small boy in Auckland. Dame Susan Devoy said she was disgusted to hear of an attack on a four year-old Jewish boy who was walking home from pre-school in Mt Eden. The boy was traumatised after a man approached him, then slapped him Read more
Parliament’s Speaker David Carter has proposed a new prayer to be read at the opening of the parliamentary day. He is asking MPs for their feedback on the prayer which could replace the existing one adopted in 1962. MPs have been told the choice is between the existing prayer, which is 70 words long, and Read more