The small town of Ōtaki, in New Zealand, is hosting the largest indigenous film festival in the southern hemisphere, The Māoriland Film Festival. The festival runs from 18 to 22 March. The theme is Me Reretau – Be in Balance. It offers stories that seek harmony in an increasingly discordant world. The seventh annual festival Read more
Pihopa Waitohiariki Quayle, New Zealand’s first Māori woman bishop, 24th November, was welcomed in a service that took place in the beautiful and historic of Rangiatea Church in Ōtaki. The newly ordained bishop was supported by groups from different areas. She comes from from the Wairarapa, but now has charge of a large area that Read more
A few years ago, a building to house the various activities of the Te Wānanga o Raukawa (the Māori University of Ōtaki) burnt down while it was undergoing renovation. Recently a new building was opened to replace it. It contains a meeting place for students, a special hall embracing carvings representing all the local tribal Read more
Cardinal John Dew, the Archbishop of Wellington, has announced that as from 1 February 2016, the Archdiocese will take responsibility for the pastoral care of the parish of Saints Mary and Joseph in Otaki and Levin. Dew has thanked the priests and brothers of the Society of Mary for their pastoral care and leadership in Read more
A YouTube channel on Marian Shrines of the World recently featured an episode on Our Lady of Pukekaraka and the statue of Our Lady at Paraparaumu. Although the Australian narrator , understandably struggles a little with Maori pronunciation the video provides a concise and accurate account of the history and significance of the shrine of Read more