Christchurch councillors say they are keeping an open mind before deciding whether to grant $10 million to help restore the ChristChurch Cathedral. The Christchurch City Council decided in principle earlier this year to contribute $10m toward the $104m earthquake-damaged cathedral’s restoration but wanted to consult with the public before making a final decision. Continue reading
New Zealand
City councillors to ‘keep an open mind’ on $10 million to restore ChristChurch Cathedral
Thursday, December 14th, 2017Lower Hutt College to demolish quake-prone building
Monday, December 11th, 2017
Contractors began to demolish a four-storey block at Sacred Heart College in Lower Hutt on Monday. A seismic assessment conducted earlier this year found Mission House would not perform “satisfactorily” in a severe, locally-based earthquake. Before it was used for administration offices and classrooms, the building was the convent for the Sisters of Our Lady Read more
David Tua plays Santa for Ōtara schoolchildren’s Christmas
Monday, December 11th, 2017
David Tua has decked himself out as Santa to help children in Ōtara experience Christmas. He was supporting a team of businesses and volunteers. They wanted children of low-income families to know the excitement of receiving presents at Christmas. Tua’s appearance happened at Ōtara’s St John the Evangelist Catholic School. He was taking part in Read more
600-plus March for Life in Wellington
Monday, December 11th, 2017
Pink and blue balloons filled Lambton Quay on Saturday when the National March for Life took place in Wellington. The family-friendly event aimed to: Celebrate life Remember the more than 500,000 pre-born babies who have been aborted since 1974 Increase public awareness of abortion, and its impact on women, families and society while highlighting the Read more
Mo Maria moves Matt Maher
Monday, December 11th, 2017Matt Maher recalled the unexpectedly powerful experience of recently hearing a Maori hymn to Mary in New Zealand. Read More You will need to scroll down to find the comment
Carols @ Pompallier back again for Christmas in Russell
Monday, December 11th, 2017Christmas cheer will be spread in Russell once again this year at the annual Carols @ Pompallier concert. The show is at Pompallier Mission, the Heritage New Zealand property in the Bay of Islands. Continue reading
Millionaire pastor’s church – former member calls for more transparency
Monday, December 11th, 2017A Maserati-driving pastor who owns $4 million of property needs to be more open and transparent about his church’s finances, former members say. Murray Watkinson, a former carpet layer who sold his carpet business in Wellington in 1975 after “encountering God in a supernatural way”, began the Celebration Centre church in 1990 in Aranui with Read more
World premiere of documentary about strengthening of St Mary of Angels
Thursday, December 7th, 2017
A Test of Faith had its world premiere at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington on Thursday. The feature-length documentary is about the seismic strengthening of St Mary of the Angels church in central Wellington. Parish priest Father Barry Scannell, who features in the film, says it “beautifully captures” the scale and challenges of the $9.5 million rebuild. Read more
Auckland Islam leader OK with parliamentary prayer to Jesus
Thursday, December 7th, 2017
An Auckland Islamic Shia leader says he is not offended by the mention of Jesus in the parliamentary opening prayer. Parliament’s speaker removed reference to both Jesus and the Queen in the prayer read out at the start of each sitting day. Mr Mallard says he removed reference to Jesus to make the prayer more Read more
Paul Martin is the new bishop of Christchurch
Thursday, December 7th, 2017
A new Catholic bishop of Christchurch has been appointed nearly two years after the death of his predecessor bishop Barry Jones. Father Paul Martin will be 10th Catholic Bishop of Christchurch. His ordination is expected to be next year, possibly in February. One of the important issues he will need to address is the restoration of the Read more