The first of my ancestors to arrive in New Zealand was Anders Haeckel, a young Finn who sailed to New Zealand with the British Merchant Navy. In 1892, he went gum digging in Northland, then tried his hand at gold mining on the West Coast. He settled in Hokitika, where he married and raised a Read more
While New Zealand is becoming less religious overall, there’s greater diversity to the country’s religious make-up, according to the latest census. Most people who consider themselves religious identify as being Christian, however other religions are growing. The three that saw the biggest increase in followers between 2006 and 2013 are Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. Meanwhile, the Read more
On March 8 the Little Company of Mary celebrated 100 years since the Sisters came to Aotearoa New Zealand and made the first foundation in Christchurch. Sisters from Korea, England, Australia and Tonga 25 LCM’s were present for the celebration which began with Mass in St Mary’s Pro Cathedral. In his homily Bishop Barry said: Read more
Auckland Catholic businessman Wenceslaus Anthony was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the recent New Year’s Honours list in recognition of his services to New Zealand – India relations. Mr Anthony is immediate past chairman of the India New Zealand Business Council and is now head of government relations Read more
New Zealanders are among the highest users of cannabis in the world, and the debate over whether it should be legal continues. In 2008, about 14 per cent of New Zealanders had used cannabis, the Ministry of Health’s alcohol and drug use survey reports. According to the United Nation’s World Drug report, that puts us Read more
The day Prime Minister Helen Clark was berated and humiliated at Waitangi for daring to speak on the marae should have been the day all iwi resolved to reassess the rules subordinating women on marae and in wharenui. It should have been considered urgent. Perhaps the indignity of that day was generally dismissed as mere Read more
“When I think of a Kiwi, I think of someone who is mixed race, whether that’s half Pakeha, half Māori, or part Tongan. That’s just the norm now. And I think that’s a good thing about New Zealand. Most people are very accepting.” Nearly one quarter of all Māori live in the Auckland region, far away Read more
Not everyone gets to be an astronaut, and not everyone wants to be. But, no matter the job, everyone wants to feel valued and be respected. Jobs in the fast food industry are often a young person’s first taste of working life – from slinging burgers after school to delivering pizzas on the weekend. The Read more
The Treasury has dumped a monsoon bucketful of scorn on the campaign for a living wage. But the case for such a campaign withstands the deluge. In a report released last Friday, the Treasury argues the “living wage is not well targeted at the intended demographic of low-income families”. It thinks the $18.40 an hour Read more
Sometimes truth is so hard to stomach that even though it stares you in the face and shouts itself hoarse trying to be heard we remain oblivious to its presence. This may be because the emerging truth demands much of us. The truth I have to face is that the Christian religion I represent has Read more