Same-sex adoption, religious freedoms and child-abuse petitions are before Parliament at the moment. Reforming law in relation to hate speech offences is also on the agenda. If the hate speech law passes, offenders will face a larger maximum sentence than if they were found guilty of rioting, assaulting a child or providing explosives to commit Read more
MPs are shaping up across party lines over a bill that would allow euthanasia. But as a result of MPs’ horse trading, it’s the public who may decide – in a referendum. MPs have voted by 76 to 44 to send the End of Life Choice Bill to a select committee. First, the committee will Read more
It is important to understand that the Synod is not a parliament according to Pope Francis. Francis made the comments during a press conference to journalists during a 46 minute in-flight journey on the way home from a three day trip to Turkey. “The Synod is a path, it is a journey, firstly. “Secondly the synod Read more
Parliament’s Speaker David Carter has proposed a new prayer to be read at the opening of the parliamentary day. He is asking MPs for their feedback on the prayer which could replace the existing one adopted in 1962. MPs have been told the choice is between the existing prayer, which is 70 words long, and Read more
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops have written a statement on the 2014 General Election, with particular emphasis on remembering the poor and vulnerable. According to the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference website, the statement is written for Catholics to read and reflect upon. It begins with a quote from Pope Francis: “The goal of economics and Read more
Children at an Auckland primary school have won a promise from four political parties to let children help to run the country. The Grey Lynn School children grilled National, Labour, Green and Internet Party politicians and independent MP Brendan Horan at the launch of a “tick4kids” campaign to bring children’s issues to the fore in Read more
Student Tyler Dixon is used to being asked about women’s place on the marae. Her pakeha friends ask if the traditional role of women in the powhiri is sexist. “I just try to explain that females have their own type of mana. Traditionally Maori really revered their women, and looked after their women, and I Read more
New Zealand Parliament’s Māori protocols are under review after two senior Labour women MP’s were asked to move from the front row during a welcome ceremony to visitors. In seeking the review Speaker, David Carter, says he wants to “modernise” the protocols making them acceptable to a diversified Parliament. The review was prompted by Parliament’s longest serving Read more