Fr Antony Sumich, a New Zealand priest and former international rugby player and coach, has spoken candidly about the profound impact of rugby on his spiritual journey. A member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, Sumich has had a dual role as a club player in New Zealand and the coach of Croatia’s national Read more
Amid Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastating impact, a group of young volunteers emerged as unsung heroes. Without the help of young people, St Vincent de Paul Napier would not have been able to respond so positively, reports the Catholic charity in its most recent national newsletter. While the media focus has moved on, Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastation continues Read more
National leader Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins faced off in Newshub’s Decision 2023 Leaders Debate on Wednesday. When asked by debate host, Paddy Gower whether charities should pay tax, Hipkins responded with a definite “yes”, while Luxon said he was “open to it”. In August, there was speculation that the National Party plan Read more
United States President Joe Biden has met Pacific island leaders for a second White House summit in just over a year, part of a charm offensive aimed at curbing inroads by China into a region Washington considers strategically crucial. Before welcoming the island leaders, gathered under the umbrella of the 18-nation Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Read more
Employment scams are making migrant workers suffer. Their money is snatched and their livelihoods, hopes and dreams more than threatened. The Minister of Immigration Andrew Little says people considering moving to New Zealand must be wary. “Watch out for the scams,” he says. “If you are paying tens of thousands of dollars in order to Read more
The New Zealand Catholic bishops’ election statement wants elected politicians to focus on issues that matter. They say that scandals and trivia that dominate public debate shouldn’t be on the 2023 election agenda. The bishops’ Election Statement for the 2023 General Election says increasing numbers of people are becoming disillusioned and people are disenfranchised because Read more
Three parties on Saturday announced policies that would see the road for parents of migrants to New Zealand made easier. Labour, National and ACT all made similar announcements that they would overhaul the current visa system, while Labour also opened up the door for a one-off regularisation for Pacific and other migrants who have been Read more
As the rain fell in Gore on Thursday, some St Peter’s College students were sitting practice exams in the hall as water seeped up from under the wooden floor boards. Principal Tara Quinney said all but two of the school’s ground floor classrooms had been inundated with water. Most students were sent home before the Read more
The Bishop of Auckland Steve Lowe blessed a new lay ministry centre, Whanau Maria, during a ceremony on Sunday 17 September. Society of Mary Provincial Fr Tim Duckworth then opened the Centre. The ceremony was attended by friends, family, students, alumni from various Catholic secondary schools, and local church communities. Whanau Maria will serve as Read more
Amending the End of Life Choice Act to safeguard people with disabilities is a priority for Te Pāti Māori. The End of Life Choice Act, which legalised euthanasia in 2019, has insufficient safeguards, Te Pāti says. It wants to amend the Act to ensure disabled people are not targeted. The moves are part of Te Read more