[Ever wondered how some secular charities raise money?] …. Well, look no further…

Ian Steward reports today how:

Flea infestations, gay love scenes, the Samoan tsunami and Helen Clark featured in a night of story-telling to raise money for the Christchurch earthquake.

Nine media and literary personalities related 10-minute tales on the theme of “survival” to a large crowd at the events centre atop the Auckland War Memorial Museum last night.

Writer Steve Braunias told of a one-month OE that ended in flea-ridden depression in a Wellington flat that doubled as a bordello (he claimed to have infected Helen Clark with the fleas, though not at the bordello).

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/canterbury-earthquake/4188265/Giving-fleas-to-Helen-Clark-in-the-name-of-charity-of-course

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On Oct. 4, Habitat for Humanity will join efforts around the world to mark World Habitat Day – a day the United Nations has set aside to call attention to the dire need for affordable, adequate housing. Liza Peiffer,’on behalf of Habitat Humanity has put together a microsite with facts, videos, photos, banners and even a way to submit your own photo to the World Habitat Day Photo Wall. She has requested that we post this link: See: http://worldhabitatdaynews.org

Note: Stuff News today reports: “Christian aid group Habitat for Humanity plans to recruit an army of tradesmen to rebuild the homes of uninsured Christchurch earthquake victims. The nonprofit group, which uses volunteer labour to build houses for families in need, hopes to assemble a workforce of more than 600 to complete the job, which could take up to 18 months……”

For full story see: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/canterbury-earthquake/4162730/Charity-to-rebuild-quake-victims-homes

Anti-abortion activists arrested over graphic banner

Anti-abortion activists are preparing to launch a landmark freedom of expression test case after they were arrested and held in police cells for 15 hours for refusing to take down placards showing graphic images of an aborted foetus.

For full story see: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8010836/Anti-abortion-activists-arrested-over-graphic-banner.html

Article by Robert Mendick. Published: 18 Sep 2010

New Zealand Film and Television Awards dished out. Buy Hugh Sundae. 19 September 2010 NZ Herald

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10674323

Best Arts/Festival/Feature Documentary
This Way of Life, Sumner Burstyn, Cloud South Films

“Shot over four years, This Way of Life is an intimate portrait of Peter Karena and his family…. In their early 30’s, Peter and Colleen have six kids and 50 horses. We follow them up into the Ruahine ranges and down to their hidden beach camp. Against these isolated backdrops we explore family relationships, their connection to nature, their keen survival skills and their absolute intimacy with each other and their horses…. Regardless of their hardships, the Karenas manage to never lose sight of the magic in the everyday…. [They] unite their philosophy with their circumstances, turning hardship into a meaningful and satisfying life.”

Trailer: http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/this-way-of-life/trailer

The Society (SPCS) commends this as a truly great film that explores and celebrates admiral spiritual values being pursued by a loving family in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Wonderful scenery. This film was a huge success when screened at the Berlin Film festival receiving spontaneous, enthusiastic heart-felt standing ovations at every screening.

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