Police are receiving 12,000 attempted or threatened suicide calls a year, increasing the strain on their resources. The national figure of 11,939 calls last year amounts to an average of nearly 33 a day – and the figures have been rising steadily in the past five years. But police say they have little expertise in Read more
New Zealand
Bicentenary of Samuel Marsden’s church sevice in Oihi Bay
Tuesday, September 30th, 2014
The Anglican Church, working with ecumenical partners, is planning extensive 2014 celebrations to mark the bicentenary of the first recorded proclamation of the Christian Gospel held in New Zealand, conducted by Reverend Samuel Marsden at Oihi Bay on 25 December 1814. Two events will take place at Rangihoua Heritage Park. The first on 21st December will Read more
Coptics want to buy Timaru’s Chalmers Church
Tuesday, September 30th, 2014
A small group of Coptic Orthodox Christians say they are in the process of buying Timaru’s Chalmers Church. This is the second time they have tried to buy this church. If a sale goes ahead the group will rename it St George’s Coptic Church. Businessman Dean van Buuren purchased the church, Friendship Centre and neighbouring Read more
Anti ISIS should not be confused with anti Muslim
Tuesday, September 30th, 2014
There is a growing world-while backlash against Muslims following the atrocities carried out by the ISIS insurgents. But local Muslims are making it plain that they have no sympathy with what is happening in the Middle East. “In Islamic prophecy, a woman tied up a cat and did not feed it until it died and Read more
Hurricanes hit Vanuatu campaigning against domestic violence
Tuesday, September 30th, 2014Members of New Zealand’s Hurricanes rugby union team will visit Vanuatu to spread a message against domestic violence. Professional Development Manager for the Hurricanes, Steve Symonds says the program will help support local law enforcement and challenge the resilience of the players themselves. Listen to interview
Church then Antarctic research
Tuesday, September 30th, 2014A church service was held at the Transitional Cathedral in Christchurch to mark the start of the summer season in Antarctica. The south to Antarctica church service is being led by the acting Dean Ven Nick Mountford. Weather dependent, staff and scientists will start travelling to Scott Base and McMurdo Station from Monday. Christchurch acts Read more
Bishop Duckworth: Camino churches didn’t engage with pilgrims
Friday, September 26th, 2014
The Anglican Bishop of Wellington New Zealand, Justin Duckworth and his wife undertook the month-long Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in June. Many people on the walk, he said, wanted to talk to him about his role as a Bishop, and his experience of God. He was surprised that monasteries and churches appeared not to engage Read more
University students living on $2.25 a day
Friday, September 26th, 2014
Odd diets and limited funds are not unknown to university students, but some are making the best of it to help do some good. From October 6, dozens of Victoria University students will spend five days living off whatever meals they can make for $2.25 a day. They have have signed up to take part Read more
New atheist church opens its doors in Christchurch
Friday, September 26th, 2014
The Sunday Assembly, commonly know as the atheist church, has arrived in Christchurch. Sunday Assembly Christchurch will formally launch on Sunday September 28th, 2014. Sunday Assembly is a church without god but it is not necessarily anti god. Sunday Assembly was founded in London in January 2013, and since then it has exploded across the world Read more