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At least five children have been taken to hospital with chemical burns after an apparent mix up at a Christchurch childcare centre. Emergency services were called to the centre, in the suburb of Woolston, about quarter past one this afternoon. Samantha Gee was at the childcare centre on Ferry Road and spoke to Lisa Owen.
Finishing touches are getting added to the country's biggest indoor sport and aquatics centre, which opens to the public in central Christchurch in less than a fortnight. The long-delayed $500 million building, Parakiore, has a 50-metre competition pool and five hydroslides, as well as nine sports courts and a High Performance Sport New Zealand training base. It replaces the much-missed QEII park facilities destroyed in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Anna Sargent reports.
New Zealand are set to draw first blood in the three match series against the West Indies in Christchurch. The Black Caps have dominated for a second day in a row, leaving a daunting task for the visitors to try and save the first test. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.
House prices in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland continue to lag behind many other parts of the country Cotality has released its latest data which shows a 0.1 percent lift in values for New Zealand in November with Hamilton, Tauranga and Christchurch seeing growth But Auckland has not, in fact November was the eighth month in a row that Auckland's property values had declined So why isn't Auckland seeing a lift? Cotality chief property economist Kelvin Davidson chats to Jesse.
The Black Caps are well in control of the first cricket test against the West Indies in Christchurch, as day three belonged to the kiwis who now have a lead of well over 300. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.
Rachin Ravindra says he couldn't have imagined a better day after blasting a near run a ball 176 to help the Black Caps take control of the opening test against the West Indies in Christchurch.
Rachin Ravindra smashed 176, while skipper Tom Latham ended his three-year wait for a test hundred as the Black Caps duo combined for a 279-run stand to effectively bat West Indies out of the opening test in Christchurch.
Pastor Garvon Golden delivered this message to Christ Church of Rapid City on November 16, 2025.
There's a view that Government funding for major events is a smart investment. The first round of events in its $70 million package has been unveiled, including the first ever concert at Christchurch's One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha next May. Other events include Linkin Park in Auckland and the Ultra Music Festival in Wellington. Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill told Mike Hosking this funding is designed to make existing events bigger. For example, he says, the Readers and Writers Festival in Auckland is a fantastic event, but could they use the funding to make it more international? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 4th of December 2025, Andrew Coster's resigned with immediate effect employment lawyer Gareth Abdinor shares his thoughts on why he was placed on leave for so long. Ikea opens in Auckland today, First Retail Group Managing Director tells Ryan whether the hype will last. Six60 and Synthony will play the first ever live show at Christchurch stadium, funded by the government's events fund, Duco Events promoter David Higgins tells Ryan what concert-goers can expect. Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the US and Venezuela and the Kremlin saying it's wrong to suggest Putin rejected US proposals for peace in Ukraine. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
All the stars have aligned for the first concert at Christchurch's new stadium. Six60 and Synthony will open the music calendar at One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha next May - following Super Rugby's Super Round a month earlier. It's backed by the Government's 70-million-dollar Major Events fund. Duco Events Promoter David Higgins told Ryan Bridge Synthony wouldn't be part of the lineup without that funding. He says these events are very expensive to run, and organisers have to make a risk-return judgement if it's their own neck on the line.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A couple of advisors at the Christchurch City Council have ripped into the Government's plan for regional councils and have said to councillors that they reckon there's a better way. Or more correctly, two better potential ways. Instead of having local mayors run regional councils for two years and, during that time, work out how they're going to get by without a regional council. At a briefing meeting yesterday, two principal policy advisors put two options on the table for councillors to think about. Option 1: Amalgamate the Christchurch, Selwyn, and Waimakariri councils to create a new super city. Which I've been a fan of for quite some time now. And Option 2: Keep all three councils and have the city council take over ECAN's regional council functions. The reason these two council advisors have put these two options up for discussion is that they think having local mayors run ECAN for two years and work out a new structure for local government is a “weak” idea, which wouldn't do any favours for Christchurch ratepayers. And I get what they're saying, because as soon as you get three mayors around the table, they're just going to be interested in what's in it for them, aren't they? Which is the same approach these policy advisors are taking. They're on the city council pay roll and so they have to think about what's best for Christchurch city. And I like their idea of a supercity. But every time a supercity is mentioned, some people are quick to point to Auckland as an argument against it. The Auckland supercity brought together seven city and district councils and the regional council back in 2010. But a supercity in the greater Christchurch area would be nowhere near the same scale. We're talking here about just three councils: Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri. We've done amalgamation before on a much smaller scale. Back in 2006, Banks Peninsula Council amalgamated with Christchurch city. The issue then was that Banks Peninsula didn't have a big enough population to get the rates it needed to operate properly. Selwyn and Waimakariri don't have that problem – they've grown massively since the earthquakes. Selwyn, especially. But half of the people living in Selwyn come into Christchurch every day for work and school, and they contribute nothing towards the cost of the running of the city. They're using the city's roads and so many of the other facilities that they pay nothing for. Add to that the relatively small distance between Selwyn, Christchurch and Waimakariri, and amalgamation is a no-brainer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Food safety officers have today been at the Christchurch school which yesterday was delivered rotten and stinky meals as part of the Government's school lunch programme. Haeata Community Campus, which covers from year one to 13, received dozens of meals which staff say were covered in mould and smelt rancid. A number of investigations are underway into what went wrong, including by MPI and the supplier Compass. Rachel Graham has more.
The Black Caps' Test Championship campiagn has kicked off in Christchurch, with the first of three test matches against the West Indies getting underway this morning. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.
Food safety officers say the mouldy lunches given to some students at a Christchurch school were likely old ones the school gave out accidentally. The school's principal, Peggy Burrows spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Steve McCabe and Holly Bennett. First up, a new report looking at sexual violence in New Zealand recommends a complete rethink of definitions and laws around consent. Emerita professor of criminology, Jane Jordan, shares her thoughts on how that should look. Then, the rancid lunches served at a Christchurch school bring questions around the wider system back to the surface, according to Health Coalition Aotearoa co-chair Lisa Te Moerenga.
You might recall a poll result that came out back in September which proved that 75 percent of us are idiots. It's these idiots that the Government is pandering to with the council rates cap it announced yesterday. And the 75 percent of people who said in that poll that they support the Government forcing rates caps on councils will be very happy today. Because, from mid-2029, annual increases won't be allowed to be any higher than 4 percent. Unless a council manages to get a special dispensation. As a ratepayer, a rates cap sounds like a great idea. But it's not. One description I've seen of the Government's move is that it's lazy politics. Which it is. Because of the 75 percent of people who support it, as the poll a few months back would suggest. I suspect the only complaint the pro-rates cap people will have is that it isn't planned to start for another three-and-a-half years. In mid-2029. By which time there could very well be a different government in power and, if Labour (for example) is true to its word, then the whole thing could be history. Labour's local government spokesperson Tangi Utikere is saying today that they'll vote against the rates cap law when it goes through Parliament. He says: “We've made it very clear that we won't expect local government to continue to work and take on additional responsibilities without the funding. So we don't support this rates cap.” Nelson mayor Nick Smith has been very careful not to bag his old National Party mates. But he does admit that it's not going to be easy. Rates caps have been brought-in in Australia and it's created severe financial difficulties for some councils over there. What's more, Christchurch city councillor Sam MacDonald is already talking about the council selling assets to make up for the money it won't be getting because of the limit on rates increases. All this is, is another placebo policy. Something that might make us feel better for a little while. But it won't last long.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Glen assesses the Black Caps' chances against the West Indies in Christchurch in the first test match of the summer, looks ahead to the second Ashes test which gets underway later this week and other goings on in the world of sport.
A Christchurch school says it has been provided with what it believes are contaminated school lunches in a significant health and safety breach. In a social media post Haeata Community Campus said it had recalled all lunches, but some had already been eaten by students. It also asked parents to watch for symptoms of food poisoning. Principal Peggy Burrows spoke to Lisa Owen.
A spate of youth crime in Christchurch has police urging parents to get in touch if their child is missing in action, so they can avoid becoming a statistic. It peaked in May with 162 young offenders dealt with in just one month in the city. It's remained high since, with police dealing with about a hundred youth offenders a month. Canterbury Police District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill spoke to Lisa Owen.
Parents of some children at Haeata Community Campus in Christchurch have expressed concern after some pupils were served meals covered in mould. Reporter Adam Burns spoke to Corin Dann from outside the school.
David Seymour's shrugging off food poisoning concerns at a Christchurch school, saying its principal is often complaining about Government policies. Haeata Community Campus recalled all lunches yesterday after discovering some boxes contained rancid and "dead" looking food. Some children had already eaten their lunch. Minister-in-charge Seymour told Mike Hosking a previous batch has likely been re-served to students. He says they're keeping an open mind while looking into how meals from last week got in front of children this week. The School Lunch Collective, Ministry of Education and MPI are all investigating. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Professor Mike Duke, Dean of Engineering at Waikato University and founding member of the Waikato Robotics Automation and Sensing (WaiRAS) Group, about being a keynote speaker at the 4th International Precision Dairy Farming Conference in Christchurch, applying horticultural robotic technology to the dairy sector and what the future of farming might look like... And he talks with Dan Coup, CEO of the QEll National Trust, about the reduction of government funding in 2025, what it's meant for the number of conservation applications being either deferred or declined and what it means for the applicants wanting to put a covenant on their land. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with former All American wrestler and high performance coach Jim Harshaw Jr to unpack what it really takes to go from good to great without burning out.From a blue collar upbringing to the NCAA podium and training as an Olympic hopeful, Jim shares how he rebuilt his entire life through structure, coaching and an environment of excellence.What we cover:Jim's journey from feeling out of his depth at a top university to becoming an All American, double graduate and Olympic hopefulThe four part framework for high performance: radical vision, aligned goals, an environment of excellence and a long term follow through planThe “miracle day,” billion dollar and funeral exercises that unlock what you really want from life and workWhy failure is a necessary ingredient for success and how to run a simple review so you actually learn from it instead of shrinking your goalsThe power of the “productive pause,” coaching and community, plus the daily habits and bookends Jim uses to keep performing at a high levelIf we can reframe failure, choose our environment and protect time to think, high performance stops being a grind and starts becoming the natural result of how we live.Learn more about Jim here - https://jimharshawjr.comListen to Jim's podcast here - https://jimharshawjr.com/podcast/Apply for a free coaching call with Jim - https://jimharshawjr.net/callAction Plans + Success Through Failure Exercise - https://jimharshawjr.net/action-plan-landing-page1729264671370If you're interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.comWebsite: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.Send me a personal text message - If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.comSupport the show
As the festive season approaches one of the most iconic symbols of Christmas - the community Christmas tree - is going up in towns and cities around the country. Our reporters in Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch have been out in their local communities asking residents whether they believe it's money well spent.
A rising Christchurch ballet star is poised to take another big leap in her career, after being selected as a candidate for Switzerland's prestigious Prix de Lausanne. RNZs Jean Edwards reports.
Luke 1:46-55 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, […] The post Magnificat(Luke 1:46-55) first appeared on Hope of Christ Church.
The Black Caps are looking ahead to the next test series. A three-test series is coming up against The West Indies before Christmas, starting on Tuesday in Christchurch, and then test matches at the Basin Reserve in Wellington and Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui before Christmas. Black Caps coach Rob Walter told Jason Pine that he's hopeful heading into the series, stating that, 'you're building on the positivity and the confidence from one format to the next.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A grave in a Christchurch cemetery serves as a reminder to a love lost in one of the world's most famous maritime disasters - the sinking of the Titanic.
We're in for a hot weekend! Napiers on a heat alert, Christchurch and Hastings aren't far behind... Records have already been broken for hottest November day in parts of the country this week. It isn't just you lying wide awake, melting into the sheets - hot temperatures actually change the structure of our sleep. Senior Lecturer at the Sleep/Wake Research Centre Dr Karyn O'Keeffe spoke to Jesse.
In this episode, Sally sits down with Dr. Lara Briden, naturopathic doctor and bestselling author of Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual, and Metabolism Repair for Women. She's been called the period revolutionary—and after this conversation, you'll understand exactly why.We talk about the massive paradox in women's health:Society suddenly worships estrogen and progesterone when women hit their mid-40s……yet spent the last 60 years casually switching those same hormones off in teenage girls.Yep. We're going there.What We Get IntoWhy regular ovulation is not just “nice to have” — it's literally how young women make hormonesHow we got stuck in a 60-year loop of shutting down women's ovarian function (hint: the pill's “regulate your period” pitch started as a cover story)The weird disconnect between medical guidelines that say periods are a vital sign… and the normalization of medicating them awayWhat a healthy period actually looks like (spoiler: it shouldn't hurt and it shouldn't require you to white-knuckle your way through PMS)Why so many modern symptoms aren't “women being women”—they're the result of environment, lifestyle, and a system that never prioritized female physiologyAnd the big one: Did menopause evolve? Or is it some biological glitch because women are living longer?The Mic-Drop MomentsLara breaks down why menopause absolutely evolved on purpose—and why humans are more like killer whales than we thinkThe “grandmother effect” and why older women have always been essential for the survival of the tribeThe wild fact that among the Hadza, and other traditional-living communities, menopause brings zero symptomsThe reality that our cycles are meant to be signals, not punishmentsIf You've Ever Thought…“I guess this is just how my period is.”“This is normal for my age.”“Maybe my hormones just hate me.”…this episode might flip your worldview upside down (in a good way).About Dr. Lara BridenLara practices in Christchurch, New Zealand, helping women navigate PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and other hormone-health challenges. Her work bridges biology, history, anthropology, and real-world clinical wisdom.
Tonight we're heading to Rolleston near Christchurch for HIIT for Hope.
In this episode of Curiously Catholic, Dean and Dom unpack what truly sets the Catholic Church apart — not just historically, but in the way faith is lived today. This conversation blends theology, real-world experience, and practical wisdom for anyone seeking clarity about Catholicism.
Christchurch has been revealed as the city that will be home to a national memorial to the Erebus crash victims. It comes after a wait of more than four and half decades and push back from other communties that didn't want it in their backyards. David Allan, who's parents and sister died in the Erebus crash, spoke to Lisa Owen.
Almost 46 years to the day that 257 people died in the Mt Erebus plane crash, a Christchurch reserve has now been chosen as the preferred location for a national memorial. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage says Cracroft Reserve in Cashmere is the best place to commemorate the disaster with its tranquil setting and panoramic views of the Southern Alps. Anna Sargent reports.
Disgusted, disappointed and furious - those are words of Simone Bennett reacting to the government's announcement that the long-awaited National Erebus Memorial will be built in Christchurch; Tourism operators are preparing for what they hope will be a strong summer season, with early signs looking good; Public consultation on Auckland Council's proposed six-month trial of fortnightly kerbside rubbish collections shows 78% of submitters opposed the trial; Eighty-year-old Ken McLeod started in the meat industry in 1962, when he was only 16; We crossed the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.
Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park is bringing in a top international zoo designer to help shape its long-term masterplan. They'll look at how to better use the park's space and improve animal habitats, as well as help visitors connect with wildlife and conservation. Rachel Haydon, the park's chief executive spoke to Corin Dann.
Disgusted, disappointed and furious - those are words of Simone Bennett reacting to the government's announcement that the long-awaited National Erebus Memorial will be built in Christchurch. She spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
It has been announced that a national memorial to the disaster will finally be built, following the decision to locate it in Christchurch.
November 23, 2025: May God's words be spoken, may God's words be heard. Amen. For some, this is a day called Christ the King Sunday, but as I say every year, that is not a title he would have ever claimed. As we heard in the Gospel, it was a title given to him by the oppressors who crucified him. No, Jesus would not be happy with this King business I believe, Jesus is Lord is enough, and was for centuries for his followers, as Christ the King wasn't even a thing until 1925. So, not Christ the King…but it is Advent. And we have practiced the original seven week Advent here at Christ Church since 2016, and as then, it seems so appropriate now, because Advent is about a people walking in darkness, but not a people without hope. The people are in crisis. Many live in fear. The country is divided against itself. People don't know which way to turn, how to take the next step, what to do, because the leaders have failed them. Certainly, this sounds like it is a time of darkness, and even very familiar – but I am not talking about the events in this country, at least not yet. I am talking about the passage in Jeremiah we heard this morning. If you were in doubt about whether Advent, from a lectionary point of view, is seven weeks long, just look again at our reading today from Jeremiah and the Canticle. Jeremiah begins with a stern warning from God for those in power that because they have abused their people, because they have not care for their flock, they will meet with God's wrath. Jeremiah had been speaking about the failure of leaders in the time of the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 587 bce. And the passage ends with a very Advent-y verse “The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch…” God clearly was not happy with the shepherds who failed their sheep. One of the things that our faith, our scriptures, make abundantly clear, is the importance of shepherds. And being a shepherd is about never forgetting that the focus of your work must always be on the welfare of the sheep. This is true, not only for those who watch over flocks, but for all kinds of leadership positions – from President to parent, from CEOs to church leaders. We don't have to have lived in the Ancient Near East to understand what can happen when shepherds fail in their work. We have borne witness to this in our lifetimes. Today, we can certainly understand what it must have felt like back in the days of Jeremiah to be a people divided, scattered, fearful of our leaders, and not sure what tomorrow will bring. Our own nation's leaders have not only failed to be good shepherds, it is far worse than that. They have actually turned on the sheep. Our country – once a beacon of freedom and democracy to the world – has entered into the dark shadows of oligarchy and systemic oppression. The President has put masked troops in the street shooting tear gas and pepper balls into crowds of citizens, and callously throwing people, including clergy, onto the pavement – arresting them for the crime of free speech. He is responsible for the execution of over 80 people without due process of law through drone strikes on boats in international waters. He has had thousands detained, including zip tying children (let that sink in), again without due process of law, and even deported many of them to foreign prisons notorious for their human rights abuses. He has dismissed the concern of over a thousand female victims of a child sex predator to protect his own hide, calling their abuse a hoax. And his government has stolen affordable access to healthcare for the poor to give money in tax breaks to the rich and powerful. And while some may feel this is less important – it goes to his misogyny and eroding of the freedom of the press – the silencing of those who courageously try to protect the flock from predators. He told one woman reporter who dared ask him a question, “Quiet Piggy!” Then he held a meeting at the White House with Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, known for his brutality, including the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a US citizen, by having him chopped up while still alive. When the President was asked about meeting with him by another reporter (also a woman) he called her “insubordinate.” Insubordinate – as though he is a king who cannot be questioned. And to another who asked directly about the murder of Khashoggi, he said “A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen.” Things happen? Sure, a guy walks into a bathroom and things like a bone saw just kinda happen to him. Seriously. You can't make this stuff up. These are dark days we find ourselves walking in, to be sure. And it could make anyone feel like just pulling the covers over their heads and praying that things will change. That perhaps new leaders will emerge and make everything better in some distant future. But, that would be like reading only parts of this passage from Jeremiah – the beginning condemnation of the current leaders in the first two verses, and the promise of a new leader in the final verses, when what we need most to pay attention to today is everything in between. Because if we focus only on the current predicament, and the hope of new leadership, we miss what God intends for us, and it is something so very needed now. After condemning the current leaders, God then says “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock, and…I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing.” God declares “I will raise up shepherds…” Well, guess where God gets those new shepherds? From right within the flock! God intends to call from among the sheep new shepherds. As one commentator noted, “While [Jeremiah] opens with judgment and closes with a promise of a future leader who will save and protect the people, the larger book of Jeremiah does not let us — the people — off the hook as we wait.” So, both sheep and shepherds have responsibilities to the full flock. Everyone has a role to play, especially when we talk about our lives in Christ. Some are called to a dedicated shepherd role. Bishops are the shepherds for a diocese and Deacons assist in that work. Priests are the shepherds for a parish or other type of faith community. But what about the laity, the sheep? Well, that's what we hear about in the Song of Zachariah, the canticle, or for Latin nerds, the Benedictus, chanted so beautifully this morning by our choir. Zachariah, after the miraculous birth of his son John by his wife Elizabeth, had a lot to say. Now, you can understand why when we remember what the angel Gabriel did to him before this. See, back about nine months earlier, Zach was a priest, and it was his turn to serve in the temple. This was not an every week thing. There were a lot of them, and so maybe this was his one shot a year. So, he's back there doing his priestly work, burning some incense, as you do, when the angel Gabe pops in to tell him “Hey Zach! You and Liz are gonna have a baby! You will call him John, and he will be a great prophet, who will proclaim the coming of the Lord.” Now, Zach was a bit skeptical, after all, he and Liz were getting on in years. So, he says “Seriously? How is that gonna happen? My wife and I are already on Medicare for crying out loud.” Gabe was not pleased. “I am Gabriel – the best messenger God has! I came all this way to give you this awesome news and you doubt me?” Knowing priests love to talk, he made Zach mute until the baby was born. Which tells you that if an angel appears, even in flames like the movie Dogma, keep your doubts to yourself. So, as we know now, Liz did get pregnant. Her cousin Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to visit her, etc. Fast forward to today's passage, and that baby was just born. Zach's mouth was opened, and he wasn't holding back. He told all that had gathered to celebrate this birth what this miracle child would do. He told them that salvation was coming for all of them, and that John would be called a prophet, and prepare the way for the coming of Christ. That's a lot right there for this newborn. But there's more. John's prophetic witness would shine light “…on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” This prophet John, through his witness in the world, would give light where there is darkness, and guide others toward peace. John would be a great prophet of God in a time of deep darkness. He was also an example to us all, most especially now. John, a sheep of God's flock, was made for such a time as he lived. And you know what? So are you. So is every single one of you. It is in times such as when John was born, such as what we are experiencing now, that light is needed most within the shadows of despair, longing, fear, and hate. And that is when God raises up prophets to carry the light of hope and love into a world of darkness and discord. While it is true that some will do this in particular calls to ordained life – all of us are called to be John – to be the prophets that guide others to the way of peace. And if you think about it, there is a shepherding quality to prophet work, right? If you are guiding others, you are a shepherd. And in the church, as all are part of the priesthood of all believers, so each of you is called to be both sheep and shepherd. That is our life as a part of the flock of God, most especially when the flock – the people of God, and the creation in which we dwell – are in danger, are being hurt, are living in fear. Folks, is it clear that we are in Advent – both in the church and in the world. And God is looking for prophets, for shepherds, to listen, to lead, and to love. Forget looking to someone else to do it – look in the mirror instead. Because God is calling you – here, now. In Advent most of all, we know that in the darkest of times, the light will always come. But it is up to each of us, following where the Holy Spirit leads, to be that light too – to be Christ's light shining in the world. And one way we do that is by what we will do here today. Later in this service, each of you will bring forward food for the those in need and your pledge cards – a commitment to stewardship of this place, out of which we bring the gospel message of hope to a world in need, and in which we are given restoration for our souls as we do this prophetic work of being shepherds in the world. The food, for both humans and animals, is our commitment to caring for the folk of God. The pledges are a commitment to be the prophet our Creator needs today, and proclaim from the highest hills, and the lowest valleys, that God loves everyone – no exceptions. They are a pledge to be the shepherd of a people who are lost, alone, or living in fear. They are a step in the longer journey of our life, and in the long history of shepherds and prophets of God. Long ago, God, through the prophet Jeremiah, lamented those called to be shepherds who failed their flock, who failed in God's mission and call for them, and declared that other shepherds would be raised up instead. And they were to the hope of all creation. Long ago, John was born with a call to prepare the way for the One who would bring light into the world. Today, we are the ones that God has raised up – born in baptism – not to prepare the way, but to be the way – to guide others, by the light of Christ shining in us and through us, into the path of peace. To be both the sheep of God's pasture, and the shepherd of others. These are dark and dangerous times, and this will not be easy work. And, so I want to leave you with these words of a 13th century woman who heard her own call to be a shepherd. She cast aside all she knew and left the wealthy life of her noble birth to follow Christ. She was Clare of Assisi, who started the monastic order known as the Poor Clares. On her deathbed, St. Clare offered this blessing – words that still ring out through the centuries, serving as a reminder that we never do this work alone. Christ is always our partner in our call. And so I offer them now to you to take into your heart as you leave here today to be the shepherds, the prophets, who light the way and guide others into the path of peace, the ones God calls for the sake of the world: “Live without fear: your Creator has made you whole, always walks with you, and loves you as a mother. So, follow the good road in peace, and may God's blessing remain with you always.” Amen. For the audio, click below, or subscribe to our iTunes Sermon Podcast by clicking here (also available on Audible): Sermon Podcast https://christchurchepiscopal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Rec-001-Sermon-November_23_2025.m4a The Rev. Diana L. Wilcox Christ Church in Bloomfield & Glen Ridge November 23, 2025 Advent 2 (7 Week Advent) – Year C Texts 1st Reading – Jeremiah 23:1-6 Canticle 16 2nd Reading – Colossians 1:11-20 Gospel – Luke 23:33-43 The post “Live Without Fear” appeared first on Christ Episcopal Church.
The Field family's funeral livestreamed, newspaper readership rebound, Press shines a light on who owns Christchurch, but Stuff slips up on the story of a jobless man. Also: why did the chickens cross the road in Tāmaki?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Bryce, Mulls, Creech and Brodie form the office join you for the podcast intro today chatting about The Brodie Bunch who are fundraising for Ranui House. From Brodie - Ranui House holds a special place in my heart. Back in 2020, as a 16-year-old undergoing lifesaving chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant in Christchurch, Ranui House was my haven. I was then in need of Ranui House again in February 2022 when I was airlifted out of my outdoor ed course on the West Coast with life threatening tamponade (fluid around the heart - a result of Pericarditis. At Ranui House they understand that when families can stay together, healing happens faster. During my four-month treatment, and later stays having my family by my side meant everything to me. Click here to Donate - https://bit.ly/4p21CIM
The new chief executive of Synlait, and former chief executive of Miraka and Westland Milk, joins us after fronting his first AGM of the troubled dairy processor in Christchurch last Friday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Not much changes between formats for Blair Tickner, who's included in the 14-strong Black Caps squad for next week's opening cricket test against the West Indies in Christchurch. The 32-year-old, who performed well when called on across the white ball fixtures against the Windies, has spent the past two English County seasons playing for Derbyshire. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you've ever looked at buying a property in Christchurch, you've probably seen TC Zones on the map. But do they still matter today, and what do they actually mean for you?In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack what TC1, TC2, and TC3 really mean, how they were created, and whether they're still useful in 2026.You'll learn:What TC Zones are and how they relate to liquefaction riskWhy are site-specific Geotech reports now more accurate than old zoning mapsHow to use them as a property buyerEd and Andrew also share how insurance, lending, and building standards have evolved – and what every buyer should check before purchasing in a former earthquake zone.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Kolor, ruch i pasja - to wszystko znajdziemy na festiwalu PolArt, który w tym roku kończy 50. lat! Rozmawiamy z prezeską Zespołu Folklorystycznego "Polonus" z Christchurch z Nowej Zelandii, Elą Sawicką. Ela podkreśla, że choć skompletowanie zespółu bywa trudne, to zawsze z radością biorą udział w festiwalach PolArt.
David discusses increased pressure on council owned companies, such as Lyttleton Port Company, to lift dividends to help ease rates rises.
Psalm 107 (ESV) 1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the […] The post Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good (Psalm 107) first appeared on Hope of Christ Church.
The post Entertainment appeared first on Greencastle Otterbein United Brethren in Christ Church.