Aotearoa New Zealand “punches above its weight” in sport, science and international affairs. We also excel at something less praiseworthy: producing excessive emissions which damage the environment. However, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is gloomy about the country’s response to climate change and in its latest ‘advocacy newsletter,’ and pricks at New Zealanders’ consciences. It points Read more
A New Zealand-based Christian church group are desperately attempting to flee Israel as they feel the vibrations of daily rocket attacks from their hotel. Fifty-four members of the Connection City Church Assemblies of God were on a Holy Land tour when Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched a surprise attack, killing hundreds and wounding thousands. “I’m Read more
The rainbow community and the Taranaki Cathedral will keep putting out a positive message about love after a sign was defaced in central New Plymouth. On Wednesday morning, a rainbow billboard in the front yard of the Anglican cathedral was being cleaned for the second time in less than four days. Read more
A ‘transformative’ community hub in Wellington city will soon open its doors to people in urgent need. Mana whenua gifted the new Wellington City Mission building its name – Whakamaru – a symbol of shelter, safeguarding and protection reflecting the community hub’s purpose. Essential services Located near the Basin Reserve, the nearly complete five-storey Whakamaru Read more
The Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend was not a surprise, says a Taranaki-raised New Zealander working in the Holy Land. Br Peter Bray FSC, Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, says the Hamas attack is a “watershed moment that could have a long-term impact on life here in the Holy Land”. While he disapproves Read more
Fijians have a lot to celebrate this week – with the national rugby team advancing through to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals and a special week dedicated to preserving language and culture. Fijians in New Zealand have celebrated their culture and language during Fijian Language Week – Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti – for 10 years. Read more
Top mental health specialists warn that the number of psychologists and psychiatrists must double to meet patient demand. Practitioners said New Zealand needed 15 psychologists per 100,000 people to meet demand – equating to 770 full-time workers. But Te Whatu Ora estimated the public sector currently employed about 350 workers. Ashley Bertelson, 18, said her Read more
Churches across 12 denominations in New Zealand have signed up to an international project called Eco Church to reduce their impact on the environment. Chartwell Cooperating Church have installed their first round of solar panels, with plans to cover more of their roof in the future. Solar power is a clean power source, compared to Read more
A drug-resistant infection is “a ticking time bomb” in the Pacific – including New Zealand, according to new Otago University research. A landmark study, just published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific journal, has found strains of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (known as CRAb) are spreading between India, Fiji, Samoa, Australia and New Zealand. Read more
Climate change deniers and politicians are called to note that the World’s responses to climate change have not been adequate. According to Pope Francis, nations are using climate change responses merely as a ploy to distract attention, and it’s time to get serious. The comments come in a stern warning in Laudate Deum, issued by Read more