While I am always happy to celebrate any accolades my country and city might garner on the international stage, seeing Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau awarded the top ranking in a recent “most liveable cities” survey left me somewhat flummoxed. In particular, I would argue that many Māori whānau in Auckland do not enjoy the benefits of this Read more
Communities struggling to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown are the subject of a new study by the Salvation Army. The study reports three major areas of concern seriously impacting New Zealand communities, a lack of mental health support, insecure housing and inadequate incomes. These areas of concern are forcing people to look Read more
Australia’s Catholic church is threatening to fire teachers, nurses and other employees who marry their same-sex partner if gay marriage is legalised. The Church’s threats come as opponents and supporters of marriage equality stand firm to their view while the countdown to the federal government’s postal vote to decide the issue continues. The Archbishop of Read more
Europeans are resisting having children due to a culture of comfort, with declining birth rates leading to increased migration, Pope Francis said in an interview. In a wide-ranging interview with a journalist from Portuguese radio station Renascença, the Pontiff said he wasn’t pointing his finger “at anyone in particular”. “When there is an empty space, people Read more
Social Justice Week (8-14 September), is an apt time for the Catholic social justice agency to remind Parliamentarians of society’s obligations to support young people entering the workforce. Meaningful work for the young worker is the theme of this year Members of the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee considering the Employment Relations Amendment Bill Read more