A Catholic food bank which served Christchurch people for 60 years had to close earlier this month. Catholic Social Services says the cost of essential food items and a lack of donations were behind the decision to close. “It’s terribly sad that our efforts to feed those who cannot afford food ceased because it had Read more
Next month an intellectual retreat is on offer to adults from across Australia and New Zealand. The retreat host is Campion College, an independent higher education institution located in Western Sydney. The on-campus 12-14 April retreat “offers a unique opportunity for intellectual enrichment and exploration of the liberal arts, focusing on theology and literature” Sydney’s Read more
Covid vaccinations substantially reduce the risk of heart failure and potentially dangerous blood clots linked to the infection for up to a year, according to a large study. Researchers analysed health records from more than 20 million people across the UK, Spain and Estonia and found consistent evidence that the jabs protected against serious cardiovascular Read more
Climate activists are urging the Christchurch City Council to count cruise ship emissions in the city’s climate targets so they are included in the emissions reduction plan. Christchurch’s latest emissions report estimated cruise ships produced the equivalent of 2 percent of the city’s total gross emissions in the 2023 financial year. Although they were calculated Read more
A former teacher has returned to the coastal town of Gisborne after four decades away, but now as their parish priest! Delighting longtime residents, Fr Mark Field recently began his new role as parish priest at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Field was a familiar face in the town from the late Read more
Covid-19 and life expectancy made bad partners in most countries during the pandemic. The virus made global life expectancy fall. Except that is in New Zealand, Australia and a few other countries. Here and in those places, the long-standing trend of people living longer continues. The pandemic’s toll About 15.9 million deaths have been attributed Read more
When Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau heard Wellington’s mosques were seeking permission to broadcast the Call to Prayer, her response was offensive and irreligious. Whanau was on air at the time talking to The Platform’s Sean Plunkett. “The Platform has received quite a bit of feedback regarding the district plan vote Thursday on the broadcast of Read more
The new high pressure electric boiler operating at Mataura Valley Milk is another “great example of Southlanders showing initiative and leadership”, Joseph Mooney says. Last week, the Southland MP, Gore District Mayor Ben Bell and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority chief executive Marcos Pelenur were among the guests invited to an event to celebrate the Read more
An aspiring St Peter’s College film-maker considers himself privileged to have his film premiere at the SBS St James Theatre in Gore. Thirteen-year-old George McFadzien’s home-made movie Granvia Country Calendar Part Two will have its own screening at the theatre on Sunday. The film tells a story of twoboys, one who has just got out Read more
Food for Faith podcast producer Fr John O’Connor is about to tackle a new opportunity presented by disconnected or no-religion Catholics. He’s starting by taking a sabbatical and collecting food for his faith. After more than a decade of providing written and audio reflections for the popular Food for Faith podcast, the Christchurch priest (pictured) Read more