Spiritual Practices
Muslim community in New Zealand celebrates with Eid festival day
The annual New Zealand Eid festival will take place in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch this morning.
Eid festivities to go ahead with increased security
A Wellington Eid event organiser says a recent spate of attacks towards the Muslim community won't dampen celebrations. Audio
Additional police presence planned around Eid celebrations
Muslim community leaders and police are in talks about security ahead of the biggest religious days of the year. Audio
Pope Francis denies he is planning to resign soon
Pope Francis has dismissed reports that he plans to resign in the near future, saying he is on track to visit Canada this month and hopes to be able to go to Moscow and Kyiv as soon as possible after…
Mosque attack survivors headed to Mecca
A group of 60 survivors of the Christchurch mosque attack are leaving on Wednesday for the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Saudi Arabia king originally invited the group in 2019 after the… Audio
Bid to hold driver's licence without photo on religious grounds rejected
Stephen Butcher believes driver's licence photos are the "mark of the beast".
Human Rights Commission warns schools over sexual orientation discrimination
The Human Rights Commission is warning schools they cannot refuse to enrol students or discriminate against them because of their sexual orientation or family status.
In a statement, the Commission… Video, Audio
Matariki 2022 begins with umu kohukohu whetū at Takaparawhau
Crowds of people gathered at Takaparawhau Bastion Point this morning to observe Matariki and welcome the Māori New Year.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei held an umu kohukohu whetū - a traditional ceremonial… Audio
Afghanistan gurdwara attack: Sikhs say 'We don't feel safe'
The attack on a Sikh prayer site in the Afghan capital, Kabul, began early in the morning.
Tikanga meant Wellington man's family could not let him be cremated, cousin says
Tommy Murray died suddenly last week in a Naenae gym.
He was 54, a father and grandfather who wore a mataora - a full facial moko.
His Northland whanau forcibly took his body for burial at his… Audio
'Up for the challenge' - First woman to lead Christchurch Mission
Christchurch City Mission's new leader says she has her work cut out for her with a winter of "constant demand" ahead.
Gloriavale veterans quit roles in wake of multiple scandals
Two senior Gloriavale leaders have resigned from their senior positions within the Christian community.
Tanya Levin on leaving Hillsong
Tanya Levin was just 14 when her family joined a small Pentecostal church in the suburbs of Sydney, which went on to become the megachurch Hillsong with branches in 30 countries. She talks to Anna… Audio
'A toxic environment': Ex-Celebration Church members felt exploited
An evangelical church based in Christchurch is the latest to be accused of exploiting members for long voluntary hours and huge donations, despite the church owning assets worth millions of dollars.
Founding members of Arise Church resign over abuse allegations
The board of the Arise Church is promising changes as its founding members resign amid abuse allegations.
Altar cross taken from central Auckland church in brazen theft
CCTV shows a person walking straight to the high altar of St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican church on Friday afternoon last week and walking off with the cross.
The Pre-Panel with Allan Blackman and Julia Hartley Moore
Panellists Julia Hartley Moore and Allan Blackman discuss the 'wicked bible', and what they have been thinking. Audio
'I was taught to honour the ways of the ancients'
Today marks the pagan festival of Samhain in the Southern Hemisphere, sometimes known as witches' New Year's Eve. Kim Hill talks to a follower of Wicca. Audio
Rowan of Wycksted: celebrating witches’ new year in the Kaipara
In the Southern Hemisphere, April 30 marks the Pagan festival of Samhain, sometimes known as witches' New Year's Eve. In Wicca, a modern Pagan religion followed by witches, it's the night when the… Audio
Behind the story: David Farrier on Arise Church
Journalist David Farrier talks to The Detail about his reporting on serious allegations of emotional and physical abuse at one of the country’s biggest megachurches: Arise. Audio
