The new position as development manager for the school will entail him fundraising for the school's new buildings, board of proprietors chairwoman Phillipa Guerin said.

"The role's sole purpose is raising funds for future-proofing the school's buildings," Guerin said.

Laws made the decision to relocate to South Canterbury as a lifestyle change for his young family.

"I have lived my life in reverse."

"I have had 26 to 27 years in public life, now it is time they [the children] came first in my role as a solo father," Laws said.

"I'm devoted to my children."

"That said, with all my local government and health board experience, I am happy to help if people want me to share that with them," he said.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: cdn.radiolive.com

Coming from the world of seasonal culling, Barry has decided the concept of voluntary euthanasia is so anathematic that she is going to start up a parliamentary encounter group on palliative care, and kill off the sensible legislation of Labour MP Maryann Street that gives the terminally ill the opportunity to end their suffering.

There can be no question that Parliament is wholly out of step with public sentiment when it comes to death. For the past two decades, public opinion polls have indicated New Zealanders clearly want the option of voluntary euthanasia should their medical prognosis be a lingering, uncomfortable and distressing death.

Sixteen alternative treatments are being provided on a roster basis. Providers have been police-vetted and will go through a thorough induction when the service is launched next week.

The move has been described as a "seriously stupid decision" by Whanganui District Health Board member, Michael Laws. He says that it "hasn't gone anywhere near the DHB board table".

Victoria University biology sciences professor Shaun Holt says the therapies being offered were a "strange mix". "Meditation and massage great - the others not so."

He said there was no evidence-based research on reiki, Christian prayer and Maori healing being useful.

"What annoys me with things like this is there are lots of useful complementary therapies out there that they could be offering - yoga, tai chi, herbal supplements, even acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine, that are all evidence-based."

He described reiki - which involves the practitioner placing their hands lightly on the body, supposedly allowing a free flow of universal energy - as "witchcraft".

Emergency department specialist Chris Cresswell, who helped set up the service, said the alternative therapies would complement conventional treatments.

"There is good research out there that lots of alternative therapies do have a lot of good to offer. I think our society has matured and people are more open-minded," he said

Source

• DomPost
• Image: St Michael's Catholic Community