Spiritual Practices
Hijab head coverings - a woman's choice
First Person - The choice of women to wear hijab has been highlighted by protests in Iran. Mahvash Ikram reflects on it - and the sense of freedom a hijab gives her.
'Alarm bells were going off' - Complainants warn against 'sacred sexuality' courses
Some students and teachers of so-called "sacred sexuality" courses say those running them are turning a blind eye to predators. Warning: Contains sexual references
Church unapologetic about new design at Taranaki Cathedral
The dean of the Taranaki Cathedral is making no apology for the contemporary Māori design of the new Te Whare Hononga recently revealed at its historic New Plymouth site.
The whare, which has been… Audio
When a loved one leaves the earth, they can now really leave the planet!
When a loved one dies and chooses to be cremated the challenge becomes finding a meaningful place to scatter or preserve their ashes. Now a new company is sending ashes into space! Audio
Mass walkout at Abuse in Care Inquiry
A mass walkout was staged at the Abuse in Care inquiry yesterday, after comments from Cardinal John Dew - New Zealand's most senior member of the clergy.
John Dew had reiterated comments from Father… Audio
Esther Perel: helping couples find clarity and responsibility – together or apart
Belgian-American psychotherapist Esther Perel talks to Kim Hill about the modern religion of romance and the "relationship accelerator" that is Covid-19. Video, Audio
Gloriavale leader appears at Abuse in Care Inquiry
One of Gloriavale's leaders, Howard Temple, has admitted to the Abuse in Care inquiry that victims would be asked to forgive their abuser, sometimes in front of the whole congregation.
The… Audio
Gloriavale to appear at Abuse in Care Inquiry
The Gloriavale Christian Community will appear for the first time at the Abuse in Care Inquiry when it resumes in Auckland today.
It's the last public hearing for the Royal Commission, which started… Audio
'It was pretty hairy': 501 deportee turned evangelist chaplain spends time on Ukraine front line
A 501 deportee, turned Evangelist Chaplain promised god he would never fire another gun - a promise that became near impossible to keep when he ended up working on the front line in Ukraine.
After… Audio
Gloriavale woman describes leadership's power in court
A Gloriavale woman has described how her husband got in trouble with the Christian community's leadership for writing and distributing a book without their knowledge. Sarah Standtrue has told an… Video, Audio
Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner on RSE expansions
Advocates for seasonal workers want to see the horticulture and viticulture industries held to account for any mistreatment of workers.
The government has increased the quota of workers allowed under… Audio
Gloriavale mother tells court leaders did not know of abuse
A Gloriavale mother has told a court she does not believe the leadership knew about sexual abuse at the Christian community.
Purity Valor has also denied being downtrodden and subjugated, at an… Audio
Philosophy with Ann Kerwin
Philosopher Ann Kerwin turns the tables and asks Bryan some probing philosophical questions.
Audio
Church of Scotland leader shares memories of the Queen
The Very Reverend Dr Derek Browning served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2017 and 2018, and had the opportunity to meet the Queen several times, and even stay at… Audio
Lifting the veil on Hamilton's secretive Mormon temple
First person - RNZ reporter Leah Tebbutt details what lies inside New Zealand's only Mormon temple, which has been shrouded in secrecy for the last 64 years.
Court hears distressing accounts from ex-Gloriavale women
Warning: Story contains content that some listeners might find upsetting.
A court has heard distressing testimony from a former Gloriavale woman who says her treatment at the secretive Christian… Audio
NZs mormon temple opens up to public
New Zealand's only Mormon temple is opening to the public for a few weeks - marking the first time in 64 years that non-church members have been allowed inside. The Hamilton temple of Latter-day… Audio
Blaming, shaming Gloriavale girls the norm, court told
A court has been told victim blaming and shaming was standard at Gloriavale, where girls caught in inappropriate relationships with married men were called 'whores'.
Six former Gloriavale women want… Audio
Court told Gloriavale women skipped meals while working
A court has heard a Gloriavale woman sometimes didn't eat or drink while working extremely long hours, and would get in trouble if she stopped.
She's one of six former members seeking a ruling from… Audio
Former Gloriavale members try prove they were employees
Six former Gloriavale women are trying to prove they were employees not volunteers when they lived in the Christian community on the South Island's West Coast.
Gloriavale's leaders deny that the… Audio