Hato Paora College old boy, Māori astronomer and scholar Ahorangi Rangiānehu Mātāmua is this year’s New Zealander of the Year. Professor Mātāmua has dedicated much of his life to the revitalisation and resurgence of Matariki and has written widely about Matariki. He is regarded as one of the country’s foremost Māori scholars for his contribution Read more
New Zealand
St Gerard’s sold to ex-pat Kiwi
Thursday, March 30th, 2023
The word in Wellington is an ex-pat New Zealander has purchased St Gerard’s monastery but the exact price remains uncertain. The name of the ex-pat buyer and the exact price the iconic Wellington property was sold for are confidential, says listing agent James Copeland, who was charged with selling St Gerard’s. Settlement on the property Read more
Posie Parker rally attracted neo-Nazi Catholic support
Thursday, March 30th, 2023
Mass-going Catholics, who consider themselves ‘traditional Catholics’ are concerned about far-right neo-Nazi supporters identifying as traditional Catholics. The two Catholic women who do not wish to be named reached out to Cathnews after reading an article in the NZ Herald about four neo-Nazis identifying as traditional Catholics at the Posie Parker rally last Saturday. They Read more
New Whānau Mercy Ministries launched
Thursday, March 30th, 2023
Ngā Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand launched their new Whānau Mercy Ministries last Saturday. The new Ministerial Public Juridic Person (MPJP) – known as Whānau Mercy Ministries – is independent of Ngā Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand. The Whānau Mercy Ministries will take up their responsibilities as Read more
Builder loses licence for nine months and fined after poor $170,000 church renovation
Thursday, March 30th, 2023Exposed asbestos, uneven steps, a wonky door, and gaps between weatherboards have cost a builder his licence for “amateurish” work he did on a church. Wellington builder Tony Magele threatened to remove fittings and materials if the church didn’t pay him for the work. Magele said he had “too much happening” to turn up to Read more
Family GPs withdrawing essential services
Thursday, March 30th, 2023A new survey finds family doctors are cutting services such as childhood immunisations due to chronic staff shortages and underfunding, amid what they are calling a crisis. The General Practice Owners Association (Gen Pro) survey warns GP services are at a critical crossroads. More than half (53%) essential family doctor clinics have reduced their services Read more
Parish mergers, land sales and Christchurch Cathedral rebuild all halted
Monday, March 27th, 2023
Parish mergers, further sale of parish and diocesan land and building of a new Christchurch Catholic Cathedral have halted until the diocese hears back from Rome. The news was delivered by a letter read on behalf of the Bishop of Christchurch, Michael Gielen, at all Sunday Masses. Christchurch diocese parishioners told CathNews that Gielen had Read more
Otago regional councillor did not walk out during karakia
Monday, March 27th, 2023
Emotions ran high at an Otago Regional Council (ORC) meeting last week in a sequel to an incident involving a councillor and his alleged ‘walk-out’ response to a karakia. One of those at the meeting last Wednesday was Alex Gorrie (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha), holding a large sign urging ORC to honour Te Read more
Child poverty reduction stalls ahead of cost-of-living crisis
Monday, March 27th, 2023The latest child poverty statistics show there was no statistically significant improvement in the year to June 2022. The latest child poverty statistics show there was no statistically significant improvement in the year to June 2022, and campaigners fear the situation has only got worse since then. Stats NZ on Thursday reported no little change Read more
State launched relationship break-up support campaign
Monday, March 27th, 2023The government has launched campaign to help young people navigate break-ups with the long-term aim of preventing family violence, believed to be the first of its kind. Love Better is a programme run by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) with support from Youthline, and offers a text, phone or email contact with advice specifically Read more