News & Views
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The first Wine Maker
James Busby was appointed British Resident in New Zealand in 1832 and was involved in drafting the 1835 Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand and the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi. The same James Busby was a passionate gardener and the first to make wine in Aotearoa New Zealand. His house still stands and can
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Peace through Faith & Action
The 2025 annual convention by the Ahmadiyya Muslims surprised with the theme “Promised Messiah: A Beacon of Light for the Modern Age”.The Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam have the concept of a messiah, a saviour who would come and bring ultimately peace to the world. Keynote speaker Mustenser Oamar, a young Ahmadiyya Imam based
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Pilgrims of Hope
On 13 January 1838 Jean Baptiste Pompallier, who later became the first bishop of Aotearoa New Zealand, arrived in the Hokianga (Northland) where he celebrated the first Catholic Mass on this land. His arrival was the result of pleas by Thomas and Mary Poynton who had settled in New Zealand and had to travel across
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Art, Sculptures & Words of Wisdom
Tessa (Matakana Sculptureum)
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Accountability – a New Year’s Resolution?
The other day, I heard Ian Bassin saying in an interview that the “lack of accountability by the powerful has been a galvanising political force over the last 15-25 years”. The complaint that “the powerful seem to be able to get away with anything but those who play by the rule and work hard are
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Fascinating Exhibition in Auckland
“Deeply contemplative paintings” – that’s how Chris Verryt’s art is often described. Some of these fascinating landscapes appear to be mystical. The viewers are invited to think about their own journeys.I find it most effective when first looking at the paintings from the distance and then slowly approaching them and discovering more and more details.
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Weaving Empathy
A diverse group of Aucklanders met for a lunch at which they were sharing their thoughts, ideas and good will.
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Woodcraft – Hands of Jesus
Hands of Jesus were inspiration…
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Lest we forget…
Kwibuka 30 – remember, unite, renew. A service in memory of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Auckland, 20 April 2024 It was an honour and a privilege to have been invited to join my Rwandan friends for this special memorial service.The words spoken, and the memories shared were so moving and