The two Catholic organisations are united in their condemnation of the armed conflict.

"End the hostilities!" say Caritas Aotearoa NZ's Mena Antonio and the NZCEO's Dr Kevin Shore.

Both chief executives are appalled that the air strike targeted the school and caused civilian casualties and serious destruction in the school compound. Four people died.

The school, run by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, housed hundreds of civilians whose homes were destroyed in an air strike last October.

The tragedy at Holy Family School should never have happened. It was a place of refuge for the most vulnerable people, says Antonio.

It was a school, Shore added.

"Schools should be a safe haven! Our young people should not be seen as collateral damage in any war. This violence must stop - and human dignity must be paramount."

End hostilities now

All parties must effect a cease fire and allow aid and supplies into Gaza via an unhindered humanitarian corridor to Gaza, Shore and Antonio say.

The people caught in Gaza are desperately in need of water, food, medicines and other essential supplies.

Antonio says Caritas continues to aid all who are in need regardless of nationality, religious belief, gender or ethnicity. It prays for peace and security for all peoples.

The Catholic organisation is the world's second largest humanitarian network, working across 165 countries.

"We are working for a world free of poverty and injustice through community development, advocacy, education and emergency relief" Antonio says.

The New Zealand Catholic Education Office serves the educational requirements of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

Shore says the office also assists the Conference and the Proprietors of Catholic Integrated schools in their mission of providing Catholic education.

Source

• Scoop

The conference aims to agree on goals and negotiate agreements in the fight against climate change.

The Caritas submission

In preparation for this year's event, COP28 in Dubai, Caritas Aotearoa-New Zealand made a detailed submission to the New Zealand government.

The government had opened a consultation process as to how Aotearoa should approach the negotiations and which policies we should advocate for.

"A major focus of our submission ... was on building better outcomes for the Pacific ..."

These include better targeted climate finance to Pacific Island countries and a just transition to a fossil fuel-free Pacific.

Advocating for Pacific Islands Forum priorities like the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent is also important.

"Our prioritisation of the Pacific is grounded in Catholic social teaching principles," Caritas says.

Caritas believes everyone's contribution should be heard.

"Pacific Island countries are some of the most deeply affected by climate change and have unique voices and moral authority on climate action," Caritas says.

Barriers

There are various barriers to the Pacific nations' voices being heard however. Distance to the COP forums, costs, and having colonial powers speaking for them are among the barriers muffling their unique contributions.

"The principle of distributive justice teaches that resources should be allocated to those who need them, rather than being exploited by the few," Caritas says.

"Pacific Island countries are in the most urgent and severe need of climate finance as they face the immediate impacts of climate change on their societies, but are also some of the least likely to receive the funding they need...

"Without adequate climate finance, Pacific countries face the threat of both environmental devastation and accompanying debt crises."

Caritas also pointed out Pacific Island nations have some of the lowest carbon footprints in the world, especially compared to Aotearoa's high emissions per capita.

We have a responsibility to ensure resources are justly distributed to where they are most needed, Caritas says.

Care for our common home

The Pacific Ocean, te Moana Nui a Kiwa, is our common home in Oceania Caritas says.

Yet foreign powers seek to exploit it with little regard for its environment or people. Nuclear testing and seabed mining in the Pacific are obvious examples of this.

"Our principle of subsidiarity teaches that decisions should be made at the most appropriate level, generally by people they directly affect.

Statements and strategies like the Pacific Blue Line, Treaty of Rarotonga for a nuclear-free South Pacific, Port Vila's call for a just transition to a fossil fuel-free Pacific, and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent show Pacific resolve and commitment to protecting the environment.

"We should heed these calls and support the people of the Pacific to have the final say over their own futures," Caritas insists.

This support is especially needed "in global platforms such as COP28 where we have the opportunity to stand in solidarity with them, in line with our Catholic social teaching principles."

Source

• Caritas

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 out that New Zealand ranks fifth-highest in emissions per capita among industrialised countries.

Pope concerned

Caritas's concerns about responding to the climate emergency are at the forefront of Pope Francis's mind.

In his most recent apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum, Francis laid out some telling statistics.

He says in 2019, the bottom 50 percent of the world's population was responsible for just 12 percent of global emissions. At the same time, the top 10 percent accounted for 48 percent of emissions.

Call to action

Caritas says, assuming resources and opportunities should be allocated to where they are needed, a change is needed.

It suggests emissions reductions should focus more on high-emitting countries - like New Zealand.

"Climate action across the globe has been grossly inadequate, and it is utter hypocrisy of us to lay the blame at the feet of poorer countries while we have some of the highest emissions per person of any country", Caritas says.

"Social Justice demands New Zealand shoulder its rightful burden.

"It should not further weigh down nations that already emit the least, such as its Pacific Island neighbours."

Personal change brings hope

Underscoring the importance of each of us making a personal change, Caritas says despite the grim outlook, Pope Francis offers messages of hope and pragmatism.

Francis emphasises that even small reductions in global warming can have a profound impact, sparing countless individuals from future hardship and suffering.

"Every little bit helps, and avoiding an increase of a tenth of a degree in the global temperature would already suffice to alleviate some suffering for many people.

"Yet what is important is something less quantitative: the need to realise that there are no lasting changes without cultural changes, without a maturing of lifestyles and convictions within societies, and there are no cultural changes without personal changes."

Furthermore, writes Francis, our individual actions can inspire communities, which in turn can influence nations.

Source

• Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

Caritas Director Mena Antonio says she "is deeply concerned that carbon-cutting commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change still leave the world facing a 2.5C temperature rise.

"And that's if countries deliver on their promises," she says.

"It seems the ‘1.5 to stay alive' call from the Pacific has still not been taken on board."

The COP27 UN climate change conference in Egypt didn't create any tangible action as far as Antonio can see.

"There is no timeline for countries to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and fossil fuel subsidies that are causing damage to our common home, and no increased ambition to cut emissions - only a repetition of promises to ‘accelerate efforts'."

Antonio says the COP27's agreement to establish a special loss and damage fund must be carefully drawn up, to benefit those who are already suffering loss of land, livelihoods and cultures.

"Affected local communities need to be empowered to deliver, monitor and evaluate climate-related projects. The needs of the poorest and the most vulnerable - such as women, girls and people with disabilities, need to be prioritised for access," she says.

New Zealand's lack of tangible action is highlighted in the results of a just-released survey on climate action by the investment industry.

Survey authors say wealth managers face particular challenges in implementing climate targets, given potentially decentralised portfolio management across many financial advisers.

Fifty respondents including asset owners, fund managers and wealth managers covering $331 billion in assets under management took part in the second annual survey by the Aotearoa New Zealand Investor Coalition for Net Zero.

This is very different from Australia.

In comparison with a parallel Australian survey by the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC), the data showed New Zealand is behind on virtually every measure.

These include net zero targets, engagement, governance, scenario analysis, climate measurement and reporting.

The sample size for wealth managers and advisers was small (six respondents) but covered $65 billion.

It included several of New Zealand's largest wealth managers.

By sector, none of the wealth managers has set net zero emissions targets. By comparison, 58 percent of fund managers and 42 percent of asset owners have done so.

Overall the survey found: most asset owners are not proactively setting mandates for fund managers to incorporate climate risk and opportunities; investors lack climate governance; investment in climate solutions and associated targets is low.

On the plus side, the survey also found investors of all sizes are progressing with annual climate reporting. Some are doing this voluntarily.

Over 50 percent of investors now have a climate policy in place.

Source

• Good Returns
• Supplied - Caritas

The moratorium will remain in place until strong environmental rules can be agreed and backed up by robust science.

"It is welcome news before the International Seabed Authority meets again next week to push through mining rules that could allow deep sea mining from July next year.

"We hope New Zealand will use its position to promote strong, robust rules and frameworks, supported by science, to protect the Ocean for all humanity," Caritas Director Mina Antonio says.

"We commend Minister Nanaia Mahuta and her officials for listening to the science and to the range of opinion on the topic in the Pacific, while respecting the sovereign rights and mana of countries to manage their own kaitiakitanga responsibilities," said added.

At the same time, however, Antonio says it's "imperative that national governments and international bodies take into account the many local and coastal communities around the Pacific that would be devastated by further damage to our stressed and abused Moana through seabed mining."

Caritas Oceania has been calling for a total ban on seabed mining in national and international waters throughout the Pacific since 2019.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand (CANZ) has also lobbied to protect New Zealand's environment and communities opposing an application to mine iron sands 30 kilometres offshore from South Taranaki.

Such activity would damage the ocean and have wider potential impacts through sediment plumes, CANZ stated at the time. Furthermore, it did not respect the territorial rights and responsibilities of the local Ngati Ruanui iwi.

The Government's continued support offers hope to those in the front line. It must keep pushing to safeguard further and protect the environment and communities, both here and overseas, Antonio says.

"Our Government's stance will give heart to many of our partners and associates throughout the region who are battling against seabed mining interests in both national and international waters.

"But we need to go further and give a clear signal that seabed mining in New Zealand waters is also unacceptable and a threat to our ocean ecosystem and coastal communities."

Source

• Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

She is there with 25 Caritas delegates who have mostly flown in from around the South Pacific region for the meeting.

As part of its contribution to the meeting, Caritas ANZ (Australia and New Zealand) is calling for more transparent and effective climate finance channels to deliver funds and results directly to the local level in the Pacific.

It wants to see priority given to the poorest and most vulnerable without adding to the burden of debt.

Called "Twin clouds on the horizon: averting a combined climate and debt crisis in the Pacific through locally-delivered climate finance," Caritas ANZ and six other members of the Caritas Oceania regional network released the report in Port Moresby on Tuesday at the network's annual forum.

"The real fight against climate change is happening at the grass roots and coastal edges, where people are protecting their lives and livelihoods as best they can," says Antonio.

"We just need key decision-makers to recognise the value of local solutions and get in behind to support that. COP21 in Paris was a breakthrough moment in climate action. We are hoping for another breakthrough moment around COP27 to provide for the real needs of the poor. We will never let go of that hope."

Antonio says communities need to be able to directly access climate-related funds to support solutions they have identified themselves.

"Local groups and civil society also need to be actively involved to deliver, monitor and evaluate climate finance projects. We've seen the value of local involvement in design and implementation for our long-term development programmes. It's not only valuable, it's necessary."

Accountability works two ways, Antonio says.

"Funders need to be assured that money is going to the purposes intended, while local communities need to be assured that climate-related projects meet their needs, can adapt to changing circumstances and provide for their future."

Among the stories the report profiles is one from Papua New Guinea's Manus Island Marine Environment Awareness and Response team.

Its work includes helping communities build traditional seawalls against coastal flooding and plant mangroves to prevent coastal erosion. A big problem, however, is obtaining funding. It's a struggle, the team says.

The newly-released report also shows the multiple benefits of smaller organisations working with larger NGOs to access funds.

Twin Clouds builds on a decade of environmental monitoring across the Pacific. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand leads this work through the Caritas State of the Environment for Oceania series.

This series tracks climate finance trends and reports how local communities experience and respond to climate crises. These include extreme weather, coastal erosion and sea level rises, access to safe food and water, and mining and drilling of the ocean floor.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand also shares these stories through "The Oceanian Monitor" map and other online resources.

Source

• Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

The money is to help with humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan.

At least three million people have been directly affected by devastating floods, which have left over a third of the country under water. More than 1,200 people are known to have died and over 1,500 people have been injured.

One-hundred-and-sixteen of Pakistan's 160 districts have been affected.

Families and children are at particular risk of disease and homelessness.

With thousands displaced, Asif Shirazi, Islamic Relief's country director in Pakistan, says many are living in makeshift tents or fragile old buildings "that could collapse at any moment".

The majority are farmers who lost their lands and livestock to the floods.

"The humanitarian situation is terrible and could deteriorate without immediate international intervention," Shirazi says.

Planes carrying fresh supplies are surging across a humanitarian air bridge to the flood-ravaged country.

The supplies and money from New Zealand and other aid agencies will help with the country's recovery and ongoing relief efforts.

So far, Pakistan has received aid from many countries including China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Uzbekistan, UAE, New Zealand, and the US which has promised US$30 million (NZ$49m) of aid.

Megan Gilbert, a spokesperson with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), says the organisation has set up a relief fund.

It will begin distributing funds by the end of the week. Gilbert expects to provide immediate cash assistance to 2,300 families.

Two Catholic Relief Services staff members are in Pakistan, she says.

"What they're describing is total devastation.

"For a lot of people, everything has been wiped away. People have lost their homes, their food, their livelihood. People lost a lot of livestock. Any planting has been washed away."

"It's heartbreaking."

Islamic Relief USA has committed $340,000 toward the emergency response. They hope to reach 30,000 families in the hardest-hit regions.

The nonprofit has provided 1,120 cash grants; 1,610 food packs containing flour, rice and oil; 1,070 hygiene kits; and hundreds of kitchen sets, and tents for shelter.

Omar Suleiman, an Islamic scholar and founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, is urging everyone to help.

"The whole world needs to come together to help them through this, and do our part to not make the already vulnerable even more vulnerable with our neglect," Suleiman says.

The International Federation of Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal to support Pakistan Red Crescent.

Red Crescent aims to assist 324,040 people across the four most affected provinces. It is asking for donations to help those in need.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand will be accepting further donations towards the Pakistan floods to help with ongoing relief work:

• Donations can be made to Caritas online through the Pakistan Flood relief fund (www.caritas.org.nz/donate-online) or via our bank account 03-0518-0211216-00.
• Please include first and last name in the reference as well as email address, and put "Pakistan" as the code.

Source

• Religion News Service
• Scoop
• Stuff

Cross-party support for its long-term carbon-reduction budgets is great - but ...

"The Plan isn't ambitious enough" says Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Engagement Manager Roger Ellis.

"For the sake of the poor and the planet - we'd like to see ambitious action that would get New Zealand to a carbon neutral economy by 2040."

He notes there's plenty of extra detail to come and a lot more work to do on the Emissions Reduction Plan.

He also thinks it's significant that the Plan's release - with emissions Budgets extending to 2035 - is just a few days before the annual financial Budget.

This is indicative of the long-range planning and intergenerational foresight needed to make a healthier home for our children and mokopuna, he says.

"Our development partners in the Pacific have been noticing climatic changes that have been affecting their daily lives for the last two to three decades, and we have been documenting their stories since 2014 through our Oceania environment reports."

Ellis says the stories include marginalised communities within Aoteaoroa New Zealand bearing the brunt of the first wave of climate-induced change.

He points to examples like water shortages in Northland and extreme weather blocking roads along the Whanganui River. He mentions the sea level rise impacting South Dunedin.

‘We won't have a viable economy in the long term if we don't reduce emissions and look after our land and waterways. We owe it to the next generation to take action now to safeguard the wellbeing of the planet."

Caritas says we all have a part to play in these responsibilities.

We need to do our best to minimise carbon emissions and assist those most severely impacted by climate changes, he says.

Those impacted include vulnerable local and overseas communities hit by coastal erosion and inundation, extreme weather and long-term climate change impacting basic food and water resources.

Source

• Caritas
• Image: Otago Daily Times

It made the comments in its submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee about the Budget Policy Statement 2022.

Inequality has increased during the Covid crisis and both short-term and long-term measures are required to deal with this, Caritas said.

Listening to local and most-affected communities would help, Caritas suggests. This way the Government will be better informed to tackle ongoing crises.

Its submission spells out five specific concerns for the Government to consider.

Housing

Unaffordable, unavailable housing is an issue numerous support agencies are anxious about.

The cost of living is scarily high. Rental prices have surged yet again to an average of $575 a week. That's an increase of 7 per cent on last year. If you're living in Porirua, you'll be spending an average of $670 a week.

"The rent increases are huge and it's having a real impact on whanau, their ability to provide the necessities," says Porirua's Salvation Army Nicki Dutton.

"Lots of people are staying with friends or staying in cars, a lot of overcrowding. I've heard recently of a family of 13, extended whanau in a three-bedroom house."

Caritas says access to a wide range of safe, affordable and healthy homes remains one of New Zealand's most pressing social issues. It's a concern that is affecting people across the country.

It would like to see a broader approach to accommodation being taken: including it "in the objectives relating to physical and mental wellbeing, and the just transition."

Environmental support

Caritas says increased climate funding to address the climate emergency needs to be accountable to taxpayers and communities most in need.

"Assessment of impact needs to be based on criteria relevant to local communities," says Caritas.

"We support directing proceeds from the Emissions Trading Scheme to the new Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and look forward to seeing clear directives, funding criteria for projects and evaluation of impact towards New Zealand's climate response."

Health and COVID-related funding

Caritas submitted that the government needs to prioritise appropriate funding and relevant data for Maori, Pasifika, the elderly, people with disabilities and those with underlying health conditions.

The health system's overhaul needs to take sufficient account of subsidiarity - that decisions be made at the most appropriate level to ensure responsiveness and accountability to local communities.

Technology

Caritas welcomes new technologies and greater digital connectivity to provide jobs and more sustainable ways of working.

Technology and the economy must serve the common good of humanity, the Agency cautioned. "Nothing can replace face to face encounters and the need for genuine human connection and interaction."

It recommends an "integrated approach to providing services" to allow "full participation in ways appropriate to different people."

Te Ao Maori

"We support inclusion of Te Ao Maori perspectives with the Living Standards Framework as applicable to the wellbeing of all ... and which also supports a long-term intergenerational approach to wellbeing," Caritas wrote.

Source

• NewsHub
• Supplied: Caritas Submission on Budget Policy Statement 2022

She has 20-plus years working on and with boards and executive teams, combining leadership in strategy, risk management, legal and financial compliance and people-management here and in the UK.

Of Samoan and Tokelauan descent, Antonio is the first-generation daughter of immigrants to New Zealand.

She learned from her earliest childhood how to live and thrive in a cross-cultural world.

It's a world the Victoria University law graduate, former soldier and mother has taken with both hands and shaped into a career.

In her professional life, Mena Antonio's clients included the academic and corporate worlds, public and private sectors, and community and voluntary spaces.

She says the variety has been "challenging" but has also gifted her with valuable insights which she uses in her leadership and coaching programmes "to help others be the best they can be."

Caritas Board Chair Keith Wedlock says the board is excited about Antonio taking the helm at Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, replacing Julianne Hickey, who served for 10 years.

"Mena has a good balance of social enterprise and social justice skillsets in governance and operational roles.

"The mix of professional skills she brings to the role is complemented by a practical commitment to community building, justice and peace.

"The board is confident they've found someone able to lead ... Caritas on the next phase of its journey and to respond in the fullness of Catholic social teaching."

One of the many advantages Antonio's unique cultural heritage offers is the opportunity to deepen connections with Oceania partners.

She experienced this most recently on recent Caritas assignments in Samoa and Fiji.

"One memorable visit with Caritas Samoa was to Moamoa Theological College where my grandfather, from the Tokelau atoll Nukunonu, trained as a catechist.

"My late father, Nikolao Pali'i, was Head Catechist at Holy Family parish, Porirua for years. To me this role continues the calling my parents and their parents before them heeded, to be in service of the people we are called to serve."

Antionio is strongly supportive of the value of community and seeks to live out the principles of Catholic social teaching.

Wairarapa-based, Antonio founded a charity in Masterton bringing together leaders and teen parents through a mentoring programme aiming to build equitable and diverse communities.

"Engaging the voices of women and children is critical to good decision-making to ensure all people flourish. I want to enhance this work in Caritas," she says.

Source

• NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference
• The Diaspora Way
• Image: Trust House

"We pray for all the people in Ukraine, especially the vulnerable and marginalised communities who will be most severely impacted by the recent invasion of the country.

"Eastern Ukraine has already suffered more than seven years of conflict which has dramatically impacted the lives of families, with more than 850,000 people forced to flee their homes and nearly 3 million people relying on humanitarian assistance.

"The invasion will only increase the number of people displaced and put those already driven from their homes in an even more vulnerable position" said Roger Ellis, Engagement Manager for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. Read more

Confirmation of the Catholic agency's involvement comes from Caritas Director Julianne Hickey, and follows Saturday's eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano.

"Together (with Caritas Tonga) we have completed the pre-positioning of emergency supplies at three locations in Tonga so are well prepared for this kind of eventuality", says Caritas Director Julianne Hickey.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has also offered an immediate Solidarity Grant to Caritas Tonga and is also receiving donations, through its Pacific Relief Fund, to help with the aftermath of the volcanic eruption in Tonga.

Hickey says communications are proving very difficult at the moment but the Catholic agency has been in touch with Caritas Tonga.

Calling them "absolutely terrible, communications difficulties are also highlighted by Fiji-based United Nations co-ordinator Jonathan Veitch.

Veitch says he has worked in a lot of emergencies but in terms of communications this is one of the hardest. He says there are still areas that have not been contacted.

As well as not being able to easily coordinate logistics, Hickey says currently Tonga's biggest concern is clean drinking water.

She says rainwater across Tonga has been contaminated by ashfall.

It is a point echoed by Veitch who is urging New Zealand and Australia to provide bottled drinking water.

He also says with the vast majority of the Tongan population reliant on rainwater there is a need for water testing kits.

As well as inviting people to donate to its Pacific Relief Fund, Caritas is encouraging people to pray for the people in Tonga.

Stocks of Caritas emergency supplies are being prepared in Tonga, prior to Christmas 2021.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tonga and especially with our partners and the communities with which we have been working for many years," Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand says in a statement.

Donations can be made to Caritas online through the Pacific Relief Fund (www.caritas.org.nz/donate-online) or via Caritas' bank account 03-0518-0211216-00.

Caritas asks bank account donors to please include their first & last name and put Tonga as the code.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of the Caritas Internationalis, a network of 165 Catholic justice, peace and development agencies working in over 200 countries and territories around the world.

Sources

• Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
• NZ Herald

"As Indigenous people we need to take back and understand what time looks like for us. How do we observe the seasons, how do we observe the land, our ocean, and our sky, and from there, how do we create solutions?" asks Mina Pomare Peita, Principal, Te Kura Taumata o Panguru in the preface to Caritas's submission.

Pope Francis's tacit support for the Bill is evident in his 2015 exhortation Laudato Si':

"There is a need to respect the rights of peoples and cultures … Nor can the notion of the quality of life be imposed from without, for quality of life must be understood within the world of symbols and customs proper to each human group."

All three submissions acknowledge the Matariki festival, its significance to Maori and the Catholic Church in New Zealand's obligation to protect Maori culture.

Matariki is a significant time within the Maori calendar, to acknowledge the past, present and future in a non-linear way, Challenge's submission explains.

We must protect this tradition, as was promised at the Treaty of Waitangi.

Catholics have inherited a "measure of responsibility" for the verbal assurance about protecting all faiths given to Bishop Pompallier at Waitangi in 1840, the Commission confirms.

That assurance specifically included a promise to protect ritenga Maori (Maori customary rituals).

"We acknowledge and regret that assurance was not always upheld as it should have been, and that Maori religious perspectives and practices have not always been respected.

"Our country and communities are strengthened by recognising and celebrating the diverse cultural and religious traditions of all the people who live here, beginning with tangata whenua," the Commission says.

It also confirmed it supports the Statement on Religious Diversity the Catholic bishops endorsed last year - that New Zealand's educational institutions, work environments and public services recognise and accommodate diverse religious beliefs and practices.

Celebrating Matariki is a natural extension of that principle.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand explains the festival is still an important aspect of Te Ao Maori.

"It's a chance to connect with culture and whanau, an opportunity for all to learn about Matariki and relearn the Maramataka cycle (lunar month) calendar to support wellbeing."

The Commission says local knowledge of the Maramataka cycle and place was disrupted when it was overtaken by a single calendar developed far from here for different seasons, weather patterns and cultures. It would welcome the revitalisation of traditional Maori understandings of time.

The submissions particularly asked parliament to ensure (if the Matariki Public Holiday Bill becomes law) that it will "provide greater opportunity and participation for collective rest and restoration, and protect vulnerable workers."

Matariki signals the Maori New Year. It is a time of renewal and celebration in Aotearoa New Zealand that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster.

The festival is unique to this country and celebrating it can enable all New Zealanders to reconnect with each other and the land, the submissions say.

Source

• Archdiocese of Wellington Ecology, Justice and Peace Commission
• Challenge 2000
• Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
• Image: Matariki - Wikipedia

The Catholic charity has been monitoring five environmental issues affecting people of the Pacific since 2015 through its State of the Environment in Oceania reports.

In conjunction with other Caritas Oceania members and community-based partners throughout the Pacific, the report explains how extreme weather, rising seas and coastal erosion, access to safe local food and water, offshore mining and drilling and inadequate climate finance are all affecting the Oceania environment and impacting on the people who live in the region.

Last week, almost 80 people gathered for Caritas Oceania's online talanoa (discussion) "Towards our Future Home: Imagining the Future we Need". The aim was to consider the environmental challenges and solutions facing the region, through the experience of the poor.

In Tonga, Caritas says "Climate change is impacting our lands, coasts, water supplies and weather patterns. In Tonga, we have longer and more frequent droughts … People in low-lying coastal areas are seeing stronger storm, surge and flood events; while saltwater is contaminating groundwater and affecting drinking supplies."

Cartas Fiji says a similar story is affecting them, where three communities have been relocated and 40 more are in the pipeline for the government plan to relocate them due to the problem of coastal erosion which resulted from sea level rise. A road which was accessible to vehicles up till last year is not accessible anymore because erosion has destroyed it.

The talanoa highlighted the need to use technology appropriately, fully involve youth and indigenous perspectives and to prioritise basic human rights to healthy food and safe drinking water.

"If we look after our land, it will look after us," said Mina Pomare-Peita, principal of Te Kura Taumata O Panguru. "As Indigenous, we need to take back and understand what time looks like for us. How do we observe the seasons, how do we observe our land, our ocean, our sky, and from there, how do we create solutions."

In November, thousands of people will gather in Glasgow for the COP26 meeting about the environment.

Strong urgent action is needed to turn things around for Oceania people directly impacted by sea level rise, coastal erosion and extreme weather events, the Caritas report says.

"The urgent transition away from fossil fuels can't be used to justify other forms of exploitation of people and nature," said Julianne Hickey, Director of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.

"We continue our call for a ban on seabed mining in both national and international waters. The people of Oceania rely on the ocean for their livelihoods. Seabed mining puts all that at risk".

"The latest IPCC report in August warned of huge climatic changes for us all. But it also signalled, big changes in behaviour by us now could start to make a difference in 20 years," Hickey says.

"That's a long time politically, but it's not a long time to make a real difference for our children's children."

Source

• Caritas
• Scoop
• Image: Stuff

It confirms with greater certainty and immediacy the need for rapid action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. It confirms we must prioritise the poor and future generations in adapting to an uncertain climatic future, says Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.

"Oceania peoples on the frontlines of climate change have seen significant impacts of climate change and other environmental losses since before the turn of the century," says Caritas Director Julianne Hickey (pictured).

"Eroded shorelines, salination of soil and water, destruction of food crops, livelihoods and shelter through increasingly severe extreme weather events. We have documented those impacts in often overlooked communities through our Oceania environment reports since 2014.

"We know climate change is hitting the poor the hardest. We know climate finance is not reaching some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Oceania. And we know they are often left out of key decisions being made on adaptation and mitigation."

Hickey says recent extreme weather events affecting our country - and power blackouts this week - are a further reminder that we need to address our energy sources as well as supply and demand issues.

The answer to these reminders involves careful stewardship.

"Humanity must exercise careful stewardship of earth's resources for the benefit of all," says Hickey.

"We cannot tackle the climate crisis solely through new technology and spending money."

She says what we need to do is address intertwined social, economic and environmental issues together.

"Reduction of greenhouse gases and real climate justice can't be at further cost to the earth, the poor or future generations."

The Caritas network and other Catholic individuals and groups will be present at critical United Nations conferences later this year on biodiversity and climate.

Their roles will be to call for strong action to protect and restore the environment for future generations and to ensure the poor of today are not left out.

"We need an integrated approach that recognises the good things of the earth and the products we derive from nature are to be shared fairly and equitably," says Hickey.

"We need to ensure all people can lead healthy, sustainable lives with dignity, and connected to their respective cultures and communities. We are one human family, sharing a common home."

Source

• Supplied - Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
• Image: NZ Catholic

Julianne Hickey, who is the director of Caritas in New Zealand, says the turmoil in Haiti and Afghanistan "requires a global response as these crises unfold against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our global network of Caritas agencies enables us to reach out and help in most places around the world. Caritas is there working with displaced people and vulnerable communities in great need," she says.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has already pledged $10,000 each to Haiti and Afghanistan. It is also receiving donations to its general Emergency Fund which can be tagged for either or both countries.

The two international crises - though of entirely different causes - have resulted in deaths, widespread destruction and homelessness.

In Haiti a 14 August earthquake killed more than 700 people and injured more than 2,800. Many others are missing. Churches, schools and hospitals are among the 1000-plus "razed" buildings razed to the ground.

Caritas Haiti has mobilised teams to reach areas most affected by the quake and is assessing the damage and the needs of people in different parts of the country.

"The entire Caritas Haiti network, especially the emergency team, is participating in coordination and aid operations in the three affected departments," says Caritas Haiti director Father Jean-Hervé François.

Francois says the country's needs are immense. Urgent requirements are basic: food, water, tents, hygiene kits and first aid.

Meanwhile, thousands of people in Afghanistan have been displaced and need support in the midst of a rapidly changing, volatile conflict.

The road to New Zealand's contribution to the Caritas effort in Afghanistan funnels through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which is a US-based Caritas member. CRS has a 23-year history of providing humanitarian help in the country.

In addition, for several years Aotearoa New Zealand Caritas's reach has extended to helping provide rural development assistance in Bamyan province in Afghanistan. There, the charity has been promoting soil and water conservation to improve farming, and savings groups to provide food and earn income from crops, sewing and handicrafts.

Caritas will send donated funds to its partners on the ground in Haiti and Afghanistan. Donations can be made through the Caritas website www.caritas.org.nz or by calling 0800 22 10 22.

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• Caritas
• Image: World Vision

The programme works with local communities in the Pacific and South East Asia.

It aims to continue to reduce the impact of poverty with a focus on girls and women, refugees and migrants, and indigenous peoples.

Donations to the New Zealand branch of the international Catholic organisation have been multiplied fourfold, thanks to a new funding partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

Under the new partnership, the government will match donations by adding $3 for every $1 donated to Caritas,' says Roger Ellis, Engagement Manager for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.

‘We are delighted with securing this funding arrangement. This is a rare opportunity to multiply the impact of each dollar donated by our supporters and donors. A dollar donated to Caritas becomes four dollars with the matched funding.'

The partnership extends until 31 December, 2026. Total funds for the partnership are $10 million, made up of $7,500,000 from government and $2,500,000 from Caritas.

Besides giving Caritas more financial certainty, Ellis says the new partnership is significant in other ways too.

"It means that Caritas Aotearoa will not have to be involved in competitive tendering for individual international development projects, which is costly and time-consuming. It will also enable Caritas to work more collegially with other NGOs.

"The new partnership shows that the government recognises the need for a longer-term approach to development, which is led by the communities themselves and is more focused on broader outcomes, rather than narrow outputs. This allows more flexibility in achieving different outcomes in different locations," Ellis explains.

During the five year programme Caritas will work with local communities in Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and Cambodia to promote integral human development.

"He Oranga Taurikura will allow us to contribute to a more peaceful world in which all people live in dignity and safety, all countries can prosper and our shared environment is protected," Caritas says.

"The work with our partners in these countries will be diverse, ranging from disaster risk reduction and farming resilience training in communities, management of water sustainability and sanitation, facilitating inclusive and equitable education.

"We will continue to work to reduce the impact of poverty with a focus on girls and women, refugees and migrants, and indigenous peoples."

Caritas works collaboratively with its country partners and supports them to take a lead role in implementation.

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• Caritas
• Welcom
• Image: Caritas

The theme for this year's competition is A NEW WAY FORWARD. Ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic the world has changed. We are faced with the challenge of finding A NEW WAY FORWARD. There is a real need for love, justice and peace to be at the heart of any change as we have come to see so clearly that we are all part of one global family.

A team of judges at Caritas scored each entry based on composition and performance. Submissions for this year showcased so much talent that it was difficult for judges to choose a winner. Many songs reflected messages "of reflecting, healing, uniting together and creating peace where peace may be a challenge" that tied in neatly with the theme this year. The judges enjoyed listening to every song and were impressed with the quality and diverse range of compositions. Read more

The two charities' goal was to reconfirm their commitment to collaborating on their shared objective to address global poverty and inequities.

The two Catholic organisations have a long history of both informal and formal collaboration. Their last bilateral meeting was held in 2017 at the conclusion of the Caritas Oceania Forum in Cairns, Australia.

"We have collaborated together on numerous projects over the years, and our relationship has always been strong. But as we live in a changing world, the contexts we work in are becoming more complex and challenging.

"Together, we are examining better ways to work towards our shared goal of a just world for all in the face of rising global poverty levels and climate change," said Julianne Hickey, Director of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.

"The opportunity to exchange our skills and learnings from the past few years has meant that we have been able to strengthen our relationship, and discuss new ways to work together in the future," Kirsty Robertson, CEO of Caritas Australia said.

The visit started with a powhiri, kapa haka and a hangi. Among those present were Cardinal John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington and the Executive Officer of the New Zealand Bishops' Conference, Siobhan Dilly.

Other cultural activities the visitors were treated to included a visit to Matairangi/Mt Victoria and the hidden collections at Te Papa Museum.

The visit concluded with a Poroporoaki farewell.

"Over the course of this bilateral meeting we have been able to discuss better ways of responding to humanitarian emergencies together, and how we can further support our Pacific neighbours on Disaster Risk Management and resilience.

"As a fellow Pacific country, Caritas Australia is a great ally to continue our work in supporting our region," Hickey said.

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• Supplied - Caritas

Otahuhu Catholic Parish and School communities is sending help to those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in India, says Lyndsay Freer, Media and Communications Officer for the Catholic Diocese of Auckland.

"Calling the earth 'Our Common Home,' Pope Francis asks us to stand together globally, in solidarity, to care for each other as sisters and brothers," Freer says.

She says many members of migrant communities in New Zealand are watching helplessly as their loved ones back home are suffering or have died as a result of the pandemic.

While there are signs of a decrease in daily reported cases in India, there have been 28,175,044 infections and 331,895 Covid-19-related deaths reported there since the pandemic began, she notes.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand will send the Covid-relief fundraiser proceeds to Caritas India. The Indian charity is working on the ground to assist those afflicted with the often-deadly virus.

Auckland's Catholic Bishop Patrick Dunn who will attend the Concert, says prayer and the concert will make us more aware of what Indian families here and in India are suffering.

This our small way of supporting them, he says.

Children and young people from the Otahuhu Parish of St Joseph, and McAuley High School, De La Salle College and St Joseph's Primary School will be among those taking part in the concert.

Others contributing to the fundraiser include established artists of many different ethnicities, who are generously offering their services.

Source

• Indian News Link
• Image: Straits Times