Dr Sara Rahmani, a lecturer in religious studies at the university (pictured), voiced her concerns about the potential impact of eliminating the programme in a recent interview with RNZ's Wallace Chapman.

Victoria University is currently facing a budget shortfall of $33 million, leading to the proposal to cut 260 jobs.

Among the departments under review is the Religious Studies department, which is the sole institution of its kind in New Zealand.

In her conversation with Chapman, Rahmani explained that religious studies is distinct from theology.

Instead, the programme aims to examine religion and non-religion within New Zealand.

She expressed her surprise that New Zealand does not actively engage in or encourage conversations about religion, describing this as detrimental to the nation's overall well-being.

Rahmani further explained that religious studies explore the role of religion in people's lives, analyses its impact on society, and delves into the influence of beliefs on behaviour, culture and social life.

She emphasised the importance of studying this subject, stating that it is often misunderstood. Consequently, the programme's closure would be considered a significant loss for the country.

Although the Religious Studies department consists of only four staff members, Dr Rahmani emphasised that any potential cuts would have a substantial impact.

At present, the proposal includes a list of programmes that may be cut, but no definitive decisions have been made.

During the discussion, Wallace Chapman sought feedback on the relevance of religious studies in modern society. Respondents from diverse backgrounds shared their thoughts on the matter.

One agnostic contributor explained that her interest in religious studies stems from a fascination with the functioning of communities. The discipline provided her with a greater understanding of what makes people whole and well-rounded.

At the other end of the spectrum, a Catholic man with six children expressed his support for the teaching of religious studies, citing the need for a deeper understanding of humanity on a global scale. He emphasised the interconnectedness of people and the importance of comprehending the reasons behind this unity.

"We're all interconnected. Ukraine, whatever happens in Turkey, whatever happens in Hong Kong, we're all interconnected. And, somehow, we've got to understand why that is," he told Chapman.

Another correspondent highlighted the positive impact of religious studies, stating that it broadened her worldview and fostered acceptance and tolerance towards individuals from diverse backgrounds and faiths.

The fate of the Religious Studies department at Victoria University remains uncertain as discussions and reviews are ongoing. The potential loss of this department raises concerns about the future of open dialogues and understanding surrounding religion in New Zealand.

Source

• RNZ
• Religious Studies Department - Victoria University of Wellington
• RNZ - audiio

Timothy Wright is retiring in December after 17 years running the Sydney Church of ­England Grammar School.

He said he welcomed discussion around what it meant to be a man in the 21st century but not in a manner that unfairly generalised against half the population.

"It's hard to have a conversation about this issue without people conjuring up issues of sexual harassment or domestic violence or ‘toxic masculinity'," Dr Wright said of the term popularised by the latest wave of feminism.

"Attach that description to any other group in society and people would be outraged."

With most of his 34-year ­career spent in boys schools, Wright believes there are benefits to educating boys in a single-sex environment.

He pointed to "compelling" research from New Zealand, conducted by Victoria University of Wellington.

The research found ­superior academic results and higher university entrance rates compared with those boys at mixed schools.

The independent study by Dr Michael Johnston, Faculty of Education at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), compares the performance of young men in Years 11 - 13 at New Zealand single-sex schools with those at co-educational schools.

The research shows that over the period from 2013 to 2016, young men from single-sex boys' schools have gained passes in higher proportions than their counterparts at co-educational schools in:

• NCEA qualifications,
• University Entrance
• New Zealand Scholarship

The VUW report follows on from the 2012 New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) report.

This report concluded that single-sex schools provided a significant advantage for boys in New Zealand.

The data illustrates there is a clear nationwide trend for young men in boys' single-sex schools to be:

• more engaged
• stay longer in school
• Achieve better academic results across all deciles and also significantly, across ethnicities including NZ European, Asian, Maori and Pasifika.

Both studies were completed for the Association of Boys' Schools of New Zealand.

Click here to see key findings of VUW study.

Source

• theaustralian.com.au
• educationcentral.co.nz
• archive.educationreview.co.nz
• Image: pnbhs.school.nz

The narrow street runs 200m from Salamanca Rd to the top entrance to the Student Union Building.

Pioneering architect William Mein Smith set aside land for Mount St Cemetery labelling the site "Roman Catholic Cemetery".

Jean­-Baptiste Pompallier, New Zealand's first Roman Catholic bishop, consecrated the cemetery in 1841, making it second oldest after nearby Bolton St Memorial Park.

The cemetery closed in 1891, though family plots continued to be filled until 1954. Surviving markers date from 1851.

Irish names dominate, including those of eight Sisters of Mercy, dating from 1860 until 1891.

Though more than 1000 people were buried at the cemetery, only 320 headstones and one wooden cross remain.

The cemetery grounds were often untidy and poorly maintained.

Fennel and weeds reached people's shoulders and bushfires were a concern. Earlier on, goats and cattle roamed, eating the flowers placed at the headstones.

Clean-up attempts began as early as 1882, when 100 parishioners toiled away to clear the undergrowth.

From 1969, because drug addicts were frequenting the cemetery, Wellington City Council and then Victoria University began maintaining the cemetery.

Mount St provides access to the back­ entrance of Victoria University. Pasifika Haos, opened in 2012 for the university's Pasifika students, is entered from the street.

Mount St Bar and Cafe was on the first level of the Student Union Building, with an entrance opposite the cemetery.

The cemetery's proximity to the university led to students using it as a place for eating lunch and spending time together.

A 1958 student magazine Salient called for the cemetery land to be used by the university.

"The site is far too useful to be left in neglect. It would be simply ideal for a student hostel," TKB wrote.

But not until 1991 did the university express interest in buying the cemetery.

Its plan was to convert the area into an open space for students and to install paths, seating and lighting.

Friends of Mount St Cemetery was formed to protest proposed changes. Continue reading

Sources

• The Dominion Post, from an article by Joanne Holden.
• Image: wildbayNZ

Professor Joseph Bulbulia of Victoria University in Wellington New Zealand, say religion was "intensely important" to him, but "as for an afterlife, or God, I have no idea".

He migrated to Wellington from the United States in 2000, having left the priesthood after one year, and later marrying.

Bulbulia, says he hasn't been to church for 20 years, other than to please his mother, but said research showed that some events, such as the Christchurch earthquakes, renewed people's religious beliefs.

He is one of 109 researchers who will receive a total of $59 million from the Marsden Fund over the next three years.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: Human Rights Commission