Spiritual Practices
Mullet mania alive and well with Manawatū youth
Its Mullet Mania in the Manawatū. The results are in, and the winners of Manawatū's best Mullet have been announced.
Eighteen-year-old engineer Jonty White took out the adult title, while… Video, Audio
New service for conversion practice survivors launched
The Human Rights Commission has launched a new service today for people who believe they have experienced conversion practices, six months after the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act… Video, Audio
Racism, sexual assault, homophobia alleged in Arise report
Allegations of racism, sexual assault, homophobia, bullying and actively discouraging victims from going to the police are contained in a leaked copy of an investigation into Arise Church.
RNZ has… Audio
Who will be the next Dalai Lama - and will China have a say?
The reincarnation of the the Dalai Lama is steeped in ancient tradition, but as the current spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism turns 87, the future is uncertain.
Former celebration member calls ritual damaging
A former member of the Celebration Centre who was involved in exorcisms says the practice is extremely damaging.
Former Celebration members have accused the church of manipulation and exploitation… Audio
'Deliverance' ritual at Celebration Church under spotlight
A controversial Christchurch church accused of being "toxic" "hurtful" and "extreme" is facing further accusations.
Ex-members have independently contacted RNZ saying they were traumatised by the the… Audio
'They're using church connections to run their business and control people'
A cult-like church that exerts almost complete control over its members has metastasised into a multinational corporation with massive buying power.
Pope apologises for indigenous abuse in Canada
Pope Francis apologised for the Catholic Church's role in decades of abuse of indigenous children in Canada this morning.
Indigenous leaders have long called for a papal apology for the physical… Audio
Former-Exclusive Brethren members detail the church's money-go-round
A cult-like church that is accused by ex-members of controlling its adherents' lives, has metastasised into a multinational corporation with massive buying power.
The Exclusive Brethren - now… Audio
Asma Elbadawi changing rules for Muslim women to wear hijab in sport
Some Muslim women who want to compete in certain sports can’t because of bans overseas on the headscarf. But a group of 11 women managed to push the International Basketball Federation to reverse its… Audio
'I was given all these envelopes, I didn't know what was in them'
The secretive, cult-like church says its members volunteer their time to contribute to society, but an RNZ investigation has found hundreds of thousands of dollars were sent every year to a Sydney…
Risa Mickenberg: the 'hermettes’ who celebrate aloneness
Despite living in the bustling metropolis of New York, Risa Mickenberg largely shuns social connections and relationships. Audio
Former Arise members frustrated review under wraps
Former members of the Arise pentecostal church are frustrated a review into its culture is under wraps.
Legal proceedings have temporarily prevented the findings of an independent probe being made… Audio
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