New Zealand’s emissions target is likely to toughen if the Climate Change Minister, James Shaw, gets his way. Commenting on advice he received, Shaw says the current target is too weak to match the Government’s commitment to helping save the world and keep the world’s heating within 1.5 degrees celsius. Shaw says conclusive advice from Read more
Parishoner vigilance is needed after recent incidences of scammers impersonating church ministers are causing concern to the ministers and the recipients of the bogus emails. Stuff reports, 11 November, that the scammer created a similar email address to Timaru Presbyterian minister, Reverend Rory Grant (pictured) and asked recipients to buy gift vouchers for a non-existent Read more
With the rent Māori are paying Māori could actually afford ‘the dream’, to buy a home, but a 20% increase in house prices means fewer are able to. The comment comes from Te Matapihi, independent Māori housing advocacy group chair, Rau Hoskins. Hoskins is asking the Government to be more nuanced with their policy framework, Read more
The Church-created Kiwi prayer app is now available for iOS. McLeod says the project has been a major labour of love that is deceptively complicated to create and maintain. “It’s not an exhaustive source of all information in these areas, but rather takes snapshots and encourages people to seek a moment to reflect, pray and Read more
Vodafone NZ has passed a significant milestone in its corporate philanthropy efforts, having supported more than 1000 charitable organisations since 2002 with donations totalling over $43 million, making the digital services provider one of the largest corporate philanthropic donors in Aotearoa. According to Philanthropy New Zealand, Vodafone “offers a great example of how businesses in Read more
Two building projects received special blessings on Sunday from the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch’s Bishop Paul Martin. The $6-million building projects both started last year. The re-opening of Timaru’s earthquake-strengthened Sacred Heart Basilica, included a mass, the confirmation of about 30 children and the presentation of four papal awards. Sacred Heart Basilica had been closed Read more
Over 60 religious and community groups are asking Jacinda Ardern to address current benefit levels that are keeping people in poverty. “During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, you acted quickly to set up the COVID income relief payment, which is nearly twice the amount of the usual jobseeker benefit. “You showed us that you Read more
Gloriavale workers have suffered lost fingers, falls, chemical burns and been overcome with toxic fumes in a series of incidents since 2016. However, the Government’s workplace safety watchdog ruled the incidents did not meet the “minimum threshold for formal investigation.” It comes after reports some members of the West Coast Christian community were forced to Read more
The first batch of refugees to arrive in the country since the border closed have now completed managed isolation. The 16 asylum seekers were prioritised as emergency cases because of a perceived high risk of death, jail, or expulsion from their own countries. As many as 1000 more refugees, approved to come to New Zealand Read more
Lockdown affected wellbeing for many people, especially young ones, an Otago University study has found. The study undertaken during lockdown is providing a glimpse into New Zealand’s mental health. Young people in particular found it hard-going. The study results were reported in a research paper,’Psychological distress, anxiety, family violence, suicidality, and wellbeing in New Zealand Read more