The New Zealand government’s Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC) has reported that a survey of 3,000 people, conducted in April, found 34 per cent of households were in “financial difficulty.” A further 40 per cent were “at risk of tipping into hardship.” The survey was part of a study involving eight countries. New Zealand ranked Read more
New Zealand
Churches require seat booking for Mass
Thursday, May 28th, 2020
As Catholic churches throughout New Zealand prepare to welcome people back to Sunday Mass church ministers are warning things are not the same. Catholic churches used to have a common look and feel, but post-COVID-19, the new normal will likely be less familiar, it may even seem a little strange, warns Wellington priest, Pete Roe. Read more
Punitive move divides the needy
Thursday, May 28th, 2020
The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is calling on the Government to not further divide the needy. The call comes in response to the Government’s Income Relief Payment making full-time workers who lost their job because of the economic impact of COVID-19 eligible for tax-free weekly payments of almost $500 a week for a period Read more
Mass but not as we knew it
Thursday, May 28th, 2020
In a pastoral statement, the New Zealand Catholic bishops have written to Catholics saying they are pleased that Mass can resume, but warn the experience may not be as familiar as it once was. They say the new normal is means the Church’s liturgy remains restricted to protect the vulnerable and elderly. The statement, creatively Read more
Dramatic spike in children suffering dangerous disease rheumatic fever
Thursday, May 28th, 2020There’s been a dramatic spike in the number of Wellington children in hospital with the dangerous disease rheumatic fever. Wellington’s Regional Public Health service has issued an alert to doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and Covid-19 testing centres, telling them to be on the lookout and to swab any children at risk. The disease can cause life-long Read more
Foster parenting: ‘You don’t realise the impression you’ve left’
Thursday, May 28th, 2020Marlborough families of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to sign up as foster parents for children in unsafe homes. Blenheim mum Aimee North was 23 when she and her husband opened their home to foster children. In the seven years since they had taken in many children through the Open Home Foundation, ranging from Read more
Mass can be celebrated again but with conditions
Monday, May 25th, 2020
On Monday the prime minister Jacinda Ardern announced that beginning Friday up to 100 may gather in places of worship. Following the prime minister’s announcement Mass – restricted to 100 people – is able to resume from this Friday at noon. On Monday night Steve Lowe, Bishop of Hamilton and New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference Read more
Feelings of helplessness fueling conspiracy theories in NZ
Monday, May 25th, 2020
Cell phone towers across New Zealand are being set on fire, and authorities believe the attacks are linked to the increasing proliferation of conspiracy theories connecting 5G networks to the coronavirus pandemic. David Farrier joined anti-5G Facebook groups after receiving online abuse for appearing in a pro-5G commercial. He told The Project that memberships in Read more
Muller will not impose faith-based values on others – some doubt it
Monday, May 25th, 2020
Todd Muller the new leader of the National Party says while he identifies himself as Catholic, his religious beliefs do not inform his politics on issues such as euthanasia, abortion and the LGBT+ community. That has not satisfied the kind of people who go on twitter says Ryan Bridge in an opinion piece on Newshub. Read more