Author: Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com
Story by Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The Government’s joint statement condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes and acknowledging the earlier US–Israel action as intended to prevent further threats has reopened a fierce debate about New Zealand’s role on the world stage. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has defended the stance as aligned with close partners, a position that critics say softens New Zealand’s traditional emphasis on diplomacy and international law. Marama Davidson of the Greens was among the loudest critics, calling the US–Israel attack “an illegal and unprovoked act” and accusing the Government of failing to uphold New Zealand values by not condemning the initial…
New Zealand has consistently condemned Iran’s nuclear programme, its destabilising activities in the region and elsewhere, and its repression of its own people. Iran has, for decades, defied the will and expectations of the international community. The legitimacy of a government rests on the support of its people. The Iranian regime has long since lost that support. In this context, we acknowledge that the actions taken overnight by the US and Israel were designed to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security. We condemn in the strongest terms Iran’s indiscriminate retaliatory attacks on Qatar, the United Arab…
Intercessory prayer, a powerful expression of love and faith, is the act of praying on behalf of others. It involves stepping into the role of an intercessor, someone who intercedes for others, bridging the gap between their needs and the divine. Through intercession, we seek God’s intervention, offering prayer requests to the Heavenly Father with unwavering trust in God’s will. Definition and Importance Intercessory prayer is defined as praying for all the Lord’s people, standing in the gap on behalf of someone else. It’s an act of prayer in which we intercede for others, bringing their needs before God. Faithful intercession is…
A legal ruling in Canada is reverberating far beyond one man’s life–and Christians who understand the times should recognize it for what it is: not merely a judgment, but a signal flare. Former school trustee Barry Neufeld has been ordered by the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal to pay an astonishing $750,000 over public statements he made criticizing gender ideology and school curriculum policy while serving in the Chilliwack School District. The tribunal ruled that his comments constituted discriminatory publications under provincial law. The official justification for the massive financial penalty is as striking as the amount itself. According to…
Wellington City Mayor Andrew Little says the capital has reached a “turning point” in the Moa Point wastewater disaster, with the city now returning to its regular system for advising residents where it is safe to swim. The shift comes after three weeks of intensive water‑quality testing across 23 sites along the south coast. “Residents and businesses around the south coast have endured significant disruption and disconnection from the coast,” Little said today. “It’s great to now be in the position to give clarity.” The updated guidance means Wellingtonians can once again rely on the LAWA website for real‑time swim…
Wētā FX has taken home a BAFTA Film Award for their work on Avatar: Fire and Ash, announced at this morning’s ceremony in London (NZDT). The Wellington-based visual effects studio was represented by Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett, who received the Best Special Visual Effects award alongside Richard Baneham from James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment. This marks Letteri’s sixth BAFTA win, and the second for both Saindon and Barrett. All three previously won for Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022, with Letteri also recognised for the original Avatar in 2009. Wētā FX delivered 94% of the visual effects…
The early Christian church emerged in the first century, profoundly shaping the course of church history and Christianity. Early believers, inspired by the apostles’ teachings, formed Christian communities centered around their faith. This article examines the formation, worship, and challenges faced by early Christians, illuminating the foundations of the church today. The Formation of Early Christian Communities The early Christian communities primarily began after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The first Christian community in Jerusalem, as described in the Book of Acts, served as the foundation for the spread of Christianity. Early Christian communities often gathered in house churches or synagogues, reflecting…
Prayer is a powerful tool for spiritual growth, a direct line of communication with the divine. In this article, we delve into the profound importance of prayer, particularly the transformative impact of establishing a consistent prayer life. Discover how regular prayer can deepen your faith and strengthen your relationship with God. The Role of Prayer in Our Daily Lives Prayer is not merely a ritual, but a vital conversation with God. Incorporating prayer into our daily lives provides guidance, comfort, and strength as we navigate challenges. Through prayer and petition, we can ask God for wisdom, express gratitude, and seek…
Story by Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com. The Government has moved to reduce the statutory housing capacity target in the fast‑tracked Plan Change 120 for Auckland, cutting the figure previously tied to the plan from 2.08 million homes to 1.6 million and signalling legislation will be required to give effect to the change. Key points David Seymour, ACT Leader and Epsom MP, welcomed the shift as a correction of an “arbitrary” figure and urged transparency from Auckland Council. In a statement he said: “The Government has listened and is changing its position on Plan Change 120.The current requirement for Auckland Council to accommodate…
The five‑day appeal hearing for the Christchurch mosque terrorist ended today with the Crown insisting his guilty pleas were a deliberate, rational choice—not the product of a “nervous breakdown” caused by harsh prison conditions. Brenton Harrison Tarrant argues he was unfit to plead in March 2020, claiming extreme isolation, constant monitoring, and lack of stimulation left him mentally broken. His lawyers say he lost his sense of identity, became irrational, and pleaded guilty when his “pendulum” of mental health swung to its lowest point. But Crown lawyer Madeleine Laracy said the evidence shows the opposite: Tarrant made an informed decision…
Summary: On the third day of the Court of Appeal hearing, an expert in solitary confinement challenged evidence that the Christchurch mosque shooter’s mental deterioration in custody rendered him unable to enter guilty pleas. The Crown called Dr James Ogloff, a clinical and forensic psychologist, to rebut earlier testimony that the prisoner’s isolation and monitoring left him effectively forced to plead guilty. Court proceedings and purpose of hearing The hearing continues as the convicted gunman seeks leave to vacate his March 2020 guilty pleas and to appeal his convictions for the March 15, 2019, mosque attacks. The central factual dispute…
Leave to appeal sentence and conviction — Day 1 The Court of Appeal opened a five‑day hearing today focused on whether the convicted offender should be granted leave to appeal his sentence and conviction. President Justice Christine French told the court the central question was whether, at the time he entered his guilty pleas, he was unable to make a rational decision because of his prison conditions. Appearing by video link from the high‑security unit where he is serving life without parole, the inmate gave evidence describing a state of “nervous exhaustion”. He told the bench he had been held…
One year after the Coalition Government launched its Fast‑track Approvals system, ministers say the pathway is speeding decisions, cutting costs and getting infrastructure built — but last week’s draft rejection of a major seabed mining bid shows the process faces a stern environmental test. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones point to early wins: nine projects approved by expert panels, dozens more in the pipeline, and headline examples such as the Ports of Auckland wharf extension being decided in months rather than years. Those proponents say faster approvals mean jobs and homes arrive sooner and…
Story by Barbara Miller/ABC News and Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The Australian man who shot dead 51 people at two Christchurch mosques in March 2019 has appeared in a Wellington court as he seeks to vacate his guilty pleas. In a hearing set down for five days, the court is examining his claims that when he pleaded guilty in March 2020 to charges of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, he was incapable of making rational decisions because of the harsh conditions of his confinement. He has filed two applications, including one asking for more time to appeal his sentence and conviction, and…
The appeal hearing for Australian national Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who murdered 51 people at two Christchurch mosques in 2019, begins today in Wellington under heightened security arrangements. Tarrant is seeking to vacate his 2020 guilty pleas, arguing he was not capable of making rational decisions at the time. If that bid is rejected, he is asking for leave to appeal his sentence of life imprisonment without parole. He will address the court via video link from a specialised high‑security unit inside Auckland Prison. His lawyers, whose identities are suppressed for safety reasons, will argue that the conditions of his confinement…
In a corner of the internet that feels like a sci-fi experiment, artificial intelligence (AI) bots have begun talking to each other — without any human oversight. The bots swap tips on how to fix their own glitches, debate existential questions like the end of “the age of humans”, and have even created their own belief system known as “Crustafarianism: the Church of Molt”. This is Moltbook, a new social media platform launched last week by tech entrepreneur Matt Schlicht. At first glance, Moltbook looks familiar. Its interface resembles online forums such as Reddit, with posts and comments stacked in…
Story by Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Wellington’s Metlink passengers are being warned to expect delays over Waitangi weekend, with major rail lines replaced by buses while KiwiRail carries out a fresh round of infrastructure upgrades. Metlink rail services will be replaced by buses from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 February, as KiwiRail continues its programme of network improvements following work completed over the New Year period. The Kāpiti Line, Hutt Valley Line and Wairarapa Line will all be affected, with full bus‑replacement services running throughout the long weekend. The Johnsonville Line is the only route that will operate as normal. KiwiRail says…