NZ Interfaith Group

The NZ Interfaith Group welcomes you in the spirit of understanding and cooperation between all of the faiths in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The NZ Interfaith Group is an affiliation of a variety of interfaith groups that have been active in different parts of New Zealand over the past 20 years. Members of many faiths are represented in these various groups that operate independently but often gather for national forums.

For more information about this site, please contact Paddy Payne: info@interfaith.org.nz or 021-505-215.

Participants at the 2016 National Interfaith Forum in Auckland

News

Title	Summary
Celebrate an Interfaith Ramadan through Stories of Service, Gratitude and Community	Celebrate an Interfaith Ramadan through Stories of Service, Gratitude and Community The Parliament of the World's Religions wishes Muslim siblings around the globe a blessed time of worship, reflection, and community during Ramadan. They are running a series of blog posts throughout Ramadan so that Muslim and non-Muslim leaders can share reflections about how they are building solidarity along lines of division and connecting with the values of Ramadan. Ramadan offers a time for Muslims to reflect on what the values of gratitude, service, and community mean to them. It is also a time of intentional, heightened solidarity between Muslims and their neighbors across the spectrum of faith, philosophical, and ethical traditions. Muslim and non-Muslim communities alike are increasingly partnering together and utilising Ramadan as an important touchstone for interfaith engagement through iftars, community events, and other outreach activities. The blog can be found here.
Toronto, Canada Named Host of the 7th Parliament of the World's Religions in November 2018	Toronto, Canada Named Host of the 7th Parliament of the World's Religions in November 2018 Toronto - acclaimed the most diverse city in the world and home to six million Canadians - has been chosen as the host city of the 7th Parliament of the World’s Religions, to be convened in November 2018. More than 10,000 people will participate in the 2018 Parliament, which will last for seven days and comprise more than 500 programs, workshops, and dialogues, alongside music, dance, art and photography exhibitions, and related events presented by the world’s religious communities and cultural institutions. Since the historic 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, modern Parliaments have attracted participants from more than 200 diverse religious, indigenous, and secular beliefs and more than 80 nations to its international gatherings in Chicago (1993), Cape Town (1999), Barcelona (2004), Melbourne (2009), and Salt Lake City (2015). These Parliament events are the world’s oldest, largest, and most inclusive gatherings of the global interfaith movement. Professor Mark Toulouse, Co-Chair of the host committee, believes that “the selection of Toronto was a perfect match for the Parliament.” More information is available here.
Discovering Religious Diversity - a study programme organised by the Religious Diversity Centre - Auckland and Hamilton	Discovering Religious Diversity - a study programme organised by the Religious Diversity Centre - Auckland and Hamilton The Religious Diversity Centre is pleased to announce its continuing series of classes entitled “Discovering Religious Diversity” in Auckland (Monday evenings) and in Hamilton (Thursday evenings) during each of the four school terms throughout the year. Each Term in 2017 has a different focus and covers different material. Terms 1 and 2 focus on Selected Topics in the Contemporary Practice of each of the major world religions, with each class focused on how each religion approaches the particular topic of the evening. Term 2 topics include: Food & Ritual, Birth and Coming of Age Ceremonies, Marriage, Sacred Journeys and Pilgrimage, Asceticism and Renunciation, Esoteric Traditions, Religious Fundamentalism and Extremism, and Death and Dying. Terms 3 and 4 will focus on the history and development of the world’s main faith traditions, with Term 3 focusing on the Eastern religious traditions and Term 4 on the Western religions. Any Term can be taken independently of the others, and there are no prerequisites for any of the Term courses. Auckland classes are offered at the Religious Diversity Centre, 385 Queen Street (parking available) and begin on Monday 8 May 2017 and run through Monday 26 June. Hamilton classes begin Thursday 11 May and run through Thursday 29 June 2017 and are held by Fraser High School’s Adult and Community Education programme. Details on both classes, including registration information, can be found at the RDC’s web site <www.rdc.org.nz/courses>. All classes are led by Dr. Todd Nachowitz, Religious Studies lecturer at the University of Waikato, and the Centre Establishment Coordinator of the Religious Diversity Centre. A flyer is available here. We’ve plans to expand our offerings in the future to other cities and locations in Aotearoa.
Spirit Possession: Global and Multidisciplinary Perspectives - conference at the University of Auckland, 6-8 July	Spirit Possession: Global and Multidisciplinary Perspectives - conference at the University of Auckland, 6-8 July On 6-8 July 2017 the George Sainsbury Foundation together with the Programme in Theological and Religious Studies at the University of Auckland are the conference Spirit Possession: Global and Multidisciplinary Perspectives. The conference brings together thirteen international and New Zealand speakers who will address the subject of spirit possession from a range of disciplinary perspectives including psychiatry, linguistics, anthropology, philosophy and law. The conference is also open to participants from interested public bodies such as government and public agencies and religious communities who find themselves dealing with claims of spirit possession in our increasingly plural society. Registration is free for up to 60 participants. More information is available here and a poster here.
Discovering Religious Diversity - a study programme organised by the Religious Diversity Centre	Discovering Religious Diversity - a study programme organised by the Religious Diversity Centre Exploring the diverse religious traditions contributing to New Zealand society - a programme organised by the Religious Diversity Centre. Each Term will consist of 8 weekly classes.The classes will be taught by Dr Todd Nachowitz. Term 1 Selected Topics in World Religions: Week 1: Foundations and Founder Figures; Week 2: Sacred Texts; Week 3: Image and Iconography; Week 4: Prayer and Worship; Week 5: Sacred Time; Week 6: Sacred Music; Week 7: Sacred Spaces; and Week 8: Sacred Journeys and Pilgrimage. Term 2 Selected Topics in World Religions Term 3 Eastern Religious Traditions Term 4 Western Religious Traditions CLASS DATES AND TIMES FOR TERM 1: Mondays 7:00-9:00pm. (13 February to 3 April 2017) Religious Diversity Centre, the University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland. Parking is available in the Wilson Car Park underneath the building. COST & REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Waged: $95 per term. Unwaged/Students/Seniors: $65 per term To register contact: Religiousdiversitycentre@gmail.com Please bring a cheque made out to the "Religious Diversity Centre Trust" to the first night of class.
Interfaith educational resources for young people – free online	Interfaith educational resources for young people – free online Scarboro Missions, a Roman Catholic Mission Society based in Toronto, Canada, has some interesting and useful interfaith resources collected from around the world, including these ones focussed on youth. Interfaith curricula for schools, youth groups and congregations These many curricula provide young people in schools, youth groups and congregations with the experiences, skills and resources to live in a diverse world, to broaden their own identities, and to break through walls that divide them from people of other religious, cultural, and economic backgrounds. Golden Rule educational resources for youth This comprehensive listing of resources features school & youth group curricula, interactive resources, meditation exercises, videos, multilingual posters, art activities, do-it-yourself workshops, slide programs, discussion questions, Golden Rule websites, books, toolkits and best practices.
Week of Prayer for World Peace 2016	Week of Prayer for World Peace 2016 The Week was commemorated by many people throughout New Zealand. This photo was shared by the friends gathered at the Catholic Center in Wellington. Photo by Martin deJong; wall hanging from L'Arche communities, Kolkata
2018 National Interfaith Forum to be held in Christchurch from 23 to 25 March	2018 National Interfaith Forum to be held in Christchurch from 23 to 25 March The Canterbury Interfaith Society is pleased to announced the date of the 2018 National Interfaith Forum. Finding a free weekend proves quite difficult, and trying to take into consideration the request to have it during a warmer time of the year and not to have it at the end of Feb., which is difficult for some, we have decided upon this date. It is however, Palm Sunday on the 25th and we will make allowances for this and may even make it an optional part of the forum for attendees to take part in this Christian service. More information to follow

Events

Title	Location	Start Time	End Time	Description
Spirit Possession conference - Auckland	University of Auckland Science Centre, 23 Symonds Street, Auckland	6/07/2017 8:00 a.m.	8/07/2017 1:00 p.m.	On 6-8 July 2017 the George Sainsbury Foundation together with the Programme in Theological and Religious Studies at the University of Auckland are the conference Spirit Possession: Global and Multidisciplinary Perspectives. The conference brings together thirteen international and New Zealand speakers who will address the subject of spirit possession from a range of disciplinary perspectives including psychiatry, linguistics, anthropology, philosophy and law. The conference is also open to participants from interested public bodies such as government and public agencies and religious communities who find themselves dealing with claims of spirit possession in our increasingly plural society. Registration is free for up to 60 participants. More information is available here: https://spauckland2017.wordpress.com/welcome/
Week of Prayer for World Peace - National	National	15/10/2017 12:00 a.m.	22/10/2017 11:59 p.m.	The Week of Prayer for World Peace is an opportunity for people of all faiths to pray in their own gatherings or with people of other faiths for world peace. The Week will be observed in New Zealand from 15 to 22 October. A leaflet has been produced with prayers, readings and affirmations from many faiths to use each day. The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain. Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths.
2018 National Interfaith Forum	Christchurch	23/03/2018 12:00 a.m.	25/03/2018 11:59 p.m.	2018 National Interfaith Forum to be held in Christchurch from 23 to 25 March The Canterbury Interfaith Society is pleased to announced the date of the 2018 National Interfaith Forum. Finding a free weekend proves quite difficult, and trying to take into consideration the request to have it during a warmer time of the year and not to have it at the end of Feb., which is difficult for some, we have decided upon this date. It is however, Palm Sunday on the 25th and we will make allowances for this and may even make it an optional part of the forum for attendees to take part in this Christian service. More information to follow
Week of Prayer for World Peace - National	National	14/10/2018 12:00 a.m.	21/10/2018 11:59 p.m.	The Week of Prayer for World Peace is an opportunity for people of all faiths to pray in their own gatherings or with people of other faiths for world peace. The Week will be observed in New Zealand from 14 to 21 October. A leaflet has been produced with prayers, readings and affirmations from many faiths to use each day. The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain. Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths.

Internet Sites and Resources

URL	Description
Aotearoa New Zealand Interfaith Network	The Aotearoa New Zealand Interfaith Network is part of the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme and is a mailing list that brings together faith communities, interfaith groups, government agencies, academics and individuals interested in interfaith cooperation for peace and human rights. It is facilitated by the Race Relations Commissioner in the Human Rights Commission. To add your name or that of your organisation to the network email nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz
BBC Interfaith Calendar
BBC Religion & Ethics
BeliefNet	We are a multi-faith e-community designed to help you meet your own religious and spiritual needs -- in an interesting, captivating and engaging way. We are independent. We are not affiliated with a particular religion or spiritual movement. We are not out to convert you to a particular approach, but rather to help you find your own. Fundamental to our mission is a deep respect for a wide variety of faiths and traditions. We try to achieve our mission by providing information and inspiration. Our site has an extraordinary collection of experts and scholars. We give you spiritual tools such as prayer circles, kits to help you celebrate births, weddings, and other life milestones, as well as commemorate deaths. Most important, we help you to learn from each other through a breathtaking array of discussions and dialogue groups. That's what makes Beliefnet unique. We're all about helping you find your way. Beliefnet, Inc. is a privately held company funded by employees, individual investors and Blue Chip Venture Company.
Center for Interreligious Understanding	With more than 30 years of experience in interreligious affairs, the CIU is a trusted resource for insight, analysis and positive action. Through educational programs and policy leadership, the CIU brings people of all faiths together to learn about our history, our shared values and why we must live and work together toward a society of justice and peace. By exploring the theological foundations and common goals of the world's religions, the CIU fights religious stereotypes and intolerance to foster genuine understanding.
Centre for Faith and the Media	The Centre provides non-partisan resources to journalists and the public to enable a more accurate and fair portrayal of faith in our midst. It conducts research, creates guides and other reference works, and operates an online site to enable broad access to information. The Centre is based in Calgary but has a national board of directors from academia, media and business. Its initial financing has been provided by Canadian Heritage, Department of Multiculturalism.
Christchurch Interfaith Society and Council	Officially formed in 2008, the Christchurch Interfaith Society are a voluntary non-profit association of people representing diverse religious communities in Christchurch. Our purpose is to foster understanding and good relations, to co-ordinate action, and to liaise with other organisations. We aim to inform, explain and support the diverse religious and spiritual groups and communities in our city. We organise community meetings, bring speakers to the city and support each others ceremonies and traditions. Through this, we bring understanding, contributing to peace locally and worldwide.
Council of Christians and Jews	Welcome to the Wellington Council of Christians and Jews. Our council brings together Christian and Jewish Communities in a common effort to overcome the evils of prejudice, intolerance and discrimination between people of different of religions and ethnicity. We are affiliated to the New Zealand Council of Christians and Jews, and the International Council of Christians and Jews http://www.iccj.org/. Here on our web site, you can find out more about the council, join the CCJ, download publications, listen to recordings of our past public meetings, or contact us.
Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group	Our group was formed here in Dunedin in the aftermath of the events of September 11th 2001 out of spontaneous expressions of solidarity and goodwill between leaders of our three faiths, the police and the Dunedin City Council. We exist to express a common heritage and concern, as people of faith in Dunedin. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all Abrahamic faiths. All three can trace their faith back to Abraham. Ordinary people from al three faiths share a deep desire for peace and justice. We seek to encourage and model friendship and respect for each other.
Interfaith Encounter Association	The Interfaith Encounter Association is dedicated to promoting peace in the Middle East through interfaith dialogue and cross-cultural study. We believe that, rather than being a cause of the problem, religion can and should be a source of the solution for conflicts that exist in the region and beyond.
Interfaith Youth Core	IFYC was incorporated in 2002 with one staff person. Our organization has outgrown a few offices since then, but our goal is the same: build an interfaith youth movement using service as the bridge.
Interfaithnet Asia Pacific	Interfaithnet is a group of Interfaith Ministers who graduated from interfaith seminaries in the USA, UK and Canada and who are practising as congregational ministers, chaplains, celebrants, spiritual counsellors and healers, pastoral carers, social and sacred activists and educators in the Asia Pacific Region. Interfaith is not only a form of deeply respectful dialogue between different faith traditions, it is a faith path in its own right for those who experience that the attributes religious and faith traditions share are more common than those which divide them. Our intention is to create two organisations in the Asia Pacific Region, a religious organisation and a professional association. The benefits of creating an ecclesiastic order or religious organisation are many – consistency of belief, practice, image, public relations, ethical standards, approach to ecclesiastic matters, religious policy and consistency of education as a minister are some of these. There is also the ability to lobby governments on important ecclesiastic matters.
International Association for Religious Freedom	The International Association for Religious Freedom is a registered charity based in the United Kingdom which has the aim of working for freedom of religion and belief at a global level. Encouraging interfaith dialogue and tolerance is part of this agenda and we are proud of an over 100-year history in this work. We have over 90 affiliated member groups in approximately 25 countries from a wide range of faith traditions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Shintoism, Hinduism, and Sikhism, among others. With member organisations, regional co-ordinators, and national chapters around the world, the International Association for Religious Freedom is well placed to obtain local perspectives on religious freedom concerns and issues.
International Council of Christians and Jews	The ICCJ serves as the umbrella organisation of 38 national Jewish-Christian dialogue organisations world-wide. The ICCJ member organisations world-wide over the past five decades have been successfully engaged in the historic renewal of Jewish-Christian relations. Founded as a reaction to the Holocaust, the Shoah, in the awareness that ways must be found to examine the deeply engrained roots of mistrust, hatred and fear that culminated in one of the worst evils in human history, theologians, historians and educators included the still fragile structure of enlightenment and the human rights movements of the inter-war period. In more recent years the ICCJ and its members increasingly engaged in the Abrahamic dialogue: the encounter between Jews, Christians and Muslims. The ICCJ's efforts to promote Jewish-Christian dialogue provide models for wider interfaith relations, particularly dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
Internationally recognised Values Education Program	Living Values Education Programme is coordinated by the Association for Living Values Education International, a non-profit association of educators from around the world. It is supported by UNESCO, sponsored by a wide variety of organizations, institutions and individuals, and being implemented in all continents of the world. LVEP is part of the global movement for a culture of peace in the framework of the United Nations Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. The Association for Living Values Education International (ALIVE) is an association formed under the Civil Code of Switzerland and registered at the Registre du Commerce, Geneva. Its registered office is in Geneva, Switzerland. Created in 2004, ALIVE porvides a formal home for the international community of educators who have been working with Living Values Education Programme since it was developed in 1997. In a number of countries, national associations for Living Values Education coordinate the local implementation of LVEP. Such grass-roots associations are themselves the members of ALIVE and comprise its General Assembly, which is the Associations's supreme power and decieion-making body.
Multifaith Action Society of B.C.	The Multifaith Action Society, a registered charity under the society's act, was founded in 1972 as an ecumenical society and has become fully interfaith in nature and purpose. From the outset the Society has sought ways to bring together the many faith groups which characterize Vancouver and to sponsor socially responsible and relevant initiatives relating to the common good. It founded the first food bank program of Vancouver, for instance, and has sponsored, planned and carried out conferences dealing with such issues as public sector alternatives dispute resolution (bus strikes), ethical dimensions of clean water distribution and ways of supporting Vancouver's 4-pillar drug treatment program. It has promoted interfaith dialogue by bringing together members of different faith communities. Our first Christian-Sikh dialogue was held in 2000 and currently we are involved in a substantial Christian-Jewish dialogue, both of which were designed to achieve a significant level of mutual understanding. We recognize and respect our differences across our faith communities, while at the same time seeking to celebrate the values we hold in common. We expect to learn from each other and assume from our experience that the faith we each espouse will be enriched by interaction with those of other beliefs and traditions.
PBS Religion and Ethics	Hosted by veteran journalist Bob Abernethy and produced by Thirteen/WNET New York, the acclaimed one-of-a-kind TV show examines religion's role -- and the ethical dimensions -- behind top news headlines. Correspondents Saul Gonzalez, Fred de Sam Lazaro, Tim O'Brien, Deborah Potter, Betty Rollin, Lucky Severson and Judy Valente, along with managing editor Kim Lawton, travel around the nation and the globe to explore how issues of faith, religion and ethics shape both national and international events. Newsmakers, scholars and policy analysts also provide insightful perspectives in roundtable discussions from the show's studio in Washington, DC. Winner of more than 115 industry awards -- including the Sigma Delta Chi, the Gracie Allen, the Chicago TV Fest, New York Festival and CINE Golden Eagle -- the program has been hailed by the Religion Newswriters' Association for setting "a national standard for balanced and fair coverage of religious topics." Phil Mushnick with The New York Post says, "Week after week, R & E similarly delivers, helping restore one's faith in, of all things, television." And Charles Honey of The Grand Rapids Press writes, "As far as news stories go, there are none better." To complement the program's weekly broadcast, RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY offers a Web site, pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics, and a companion viewers' guide. The Web site features individual show transcripts, streaming video of weekly reports, full transcripts of interviews with notable guests, related articles dealing with significant issues in religion and ethics news, a list of related resources and an online pressroom featuring downloadable versions of the program press kit and quarterly newsletter, as well as detailed summaries of individual stories. Audio and video podcasts of the program are also available. The Viewers' Guide, which includes essays, discussion questions and resources, may be downloaded from the Web site or ordered free of charge by writing to "Religion & Ethics Guide," P.O. Box 245, Little Falls, NJ 07424-0245.
Peace Next
Pluralism Project - On Common Ground	The Pluralism Project's fantastic resource, "On Common Ground" has recently been turned into an on-line resource, and is well worth a visit if you've some time to explore. Although mostly geared towards American pluralism, there's an excellent selection of resources available on the world's religions. It's a great reference. The Pluralism Project was begun by Diana Eck at Harvard University.
Regional Interfaith Network (RIN)
Religions for Peace	Respecting religious differences while celebrating our common humanity, Religions for Peace is active on every continent and in some of the most troubled areas of the world, creating multi-religious partnerships to confront our most dire issues: stopping war, ending poverty, and protecting the earth. Religious communities are the largest and best-organized civil institutions in the world, claiming the allegiance of billions across race, class, and national divides. These communities have particular cultural understandings, infrastructures, and resources to get help where it is needed most. Founded in 1970, Religions for Peace enables these communities to unleash their enormous potential for common action. Some of Religions for Peace’s recent successes include building a new climate of reconciliation in Iraq; mediating dialogue among warring factions in Sierra Leone; organizing an international network of religious women’s organizations; and establishing an extraordinary program to assist the millions of children affected by Africa’s AIDS pandemic, the Hope for African Children Initiative".
REonline	REonline is a new initiative, which has incorporated theREsite, and will grow to become a complete Virtual RE Resources Centre. The latest developments and additions to REonline are listed on the 'New on the site' page. The project is supported by a number of educational trusts and charities, and a team of specialist contributors and technical developers maintain the site.
Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department	In recent years, the Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department in Toronto, Canada has committed itself to building a website featuring curriculum and useful educational resources for interfaith work. These resources include do-it-yourself workshops, toolkits, best practices, games, activities, online courses, multifaith prayer services, guidelines, meditations, Powerpoint, etc.
Spiritual "non-secular" Discussion Forum	Spiritual / Gnostic / Mystic Discussion Forum for all sincere seekers of Ultimate Truth
The Interfaith Alliance	The Interfaith Alliance and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation - the national non-partisan advocacy voice of the interfaith movement. Our 150,000 members are from more than 70 faith traditions and people of good will united to: Promote democratic values, Defend religious liberty, Challenge hatred and religious bigotry and Reinvigorate informed civic participation. We are The Interfaith Alliance and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation. Founded in 1994 by an interfaith group of religious leaders, we work to promote interfaith cooperation around shared religious values to strengthen the public’s commitment to the American values of civic participation, freedom of religion, diversity, and civility in public discourse and to encourage the active involvement of people of faith in the nation’s political life. We are local religious leaders and activists, some with years of political experience, some just starting out. We work in our communities, in state capitals, in Washington, DC and wherever else our voice is needed. Our 150,000 members across the nation represent diverse religious and spiritual traditions – Jews, Christians,Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs – 70 faith traditions in all, as well as many Agnostics and Atheists. In Washington, DC, our national office works on Capitol Hill and with the White House, in coalition with denominational bodies and other activist organizations to make sure our unique message is communicated when and where it matters most. Our 47 local Alliances are active in their communities on local issues, carrying The Interfaith Alliance message to decision-makers, the media, and the public at large.
The Revealer	A daily review of Religion and the Press.
The Sacred Site	Radha Sahar's site that has information on many of the world's faiths. Also has useful links to information on many faiths: http://www.thesacredsite.com/links.htm
United Religions Initiative	URI (United Religions Initiative) is an internationally recognized interfaith network active in 78 countries with its global office in San Francisco, California. We cultivate and connect grassroots change-makers across religious, cultural and geographic boundaries, harnessing their collective power to take on religiously motivated violence and social, economic and environmental crises that destabilize regions and contribute to poverty.
Universal Peace Federation (UPF)	The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) was founded in the hope of building a world in which peoples, cultures, races, religions, and nationalities could live together in harmony, mutual respect, cooperation, and universal prosperity. This vision of world peace underlies all the programs and activities of UPF. Specific initiatives may pursue this quest from distinctive vantage points or in relation to a particular constituency, for example, youth, academia, religion, diplomacy, politics, community activism or the arts. UPF recognizes that the task of achieving genuine peace requires an integrated, cross-disciplinary, and collaborative approach among all disciplines, various organizations, cultures and peoples. That is, peace cannot be established merely by academics, by politicians, or by religious leaders alone. Therefore the tendency for peace efforts to be fragmented and disunified has to be overcome. A unique feature of UPF's vision is the inclusion of the world's religious leaders, who bear the wisdom of their respective traditions, in the pursuit of peace. This affirmation of religion's contribution is fully interreligious in spirit, welcoming the participation of all the world's great religious traditions.
Waikato Interfaith Council	The Waikato Interfaith Council is a voluntary non-profit association of persons who collectively represent the diversity of religious traditions and faith communities which exist within our wider society. The Council aims to: • foster mutual appreciation and good relations between these traditions and communities; • coordinate action, and/or to act on behalf of any or all of these commnities in respect of religious issues and relationships to society at large; • act in an advisory and consultative capacity to the community. The Waikato Interfaith Council is based in Hamilton, New Zealand. For more information on WIFCO, our meetings and activities, please contact the Secretary at: . For more information on WIFCO public events, please contact: .
Wellington Abrahamic Council of Jews, Christians and Muslims
World Congress of Faiths	What does it do? The World Congress of Faiths publishes the leading journal on interfaith matters Interreligious Insight. It arranges a variety of conferences, meetings, retreats, visits and group travel. All these provide occasions to learn what others believe, what they think about life today and how they pray, meditate and worship. Some meetings are of special interest to teachers or to health and social workers. WCF also provides a chance for members of local interfaith groups to meet people from different parts of the country and the world who share their concern. What are its beliefs? The World Congress of Faiths believes that understanding between people of different religions is important for good community relations, for moral and spiritual renewal and for world peace. A principle is respect for those of differing faith. WCF by its educational work encourages interfaith understanding and co-operation at all levels of society. Who else does it work with? WCF is a member of the Inter Faith Network (UK) and works with other interfaith organizations in Britain and across the world. WCF has helped to establish the International Interfaith Centre at Oxford and works closely with the London Interfaith Centre. It has good relations with many faith communities.
World Interfaith Harmony Week	The Official Site of the UN Sponsored Observance week in February. The World Interfaith Harmony Week is a UN resolution for a worldwide week of interfaith harmony. The World Interfaith Harmony Week will fall on the first week of February of every year and aims to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.

Regional Interfaith contacts

Auckland Inter-faith Council
Pres: Mrs Ruth Cleaver, mcleaver@xtra.co.nz
Vice Pres: Jocelyn Armstrong, jocelyn.anne.armstrong@gmail.com
Sec: Fiona Brennan, nzaifc@gmail.com
General Enquiries: nzaifc@gmail.com
Facebook: Auckland Interfaith Council

Waikato Interfaith Council
Sec: Mr Todd Nachowitz, wifconz@gmail.com
www.waikato-interfaith.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WIFCO
Twitter: twitter.com/WIFCONZ

Tauranga Interfaith Council
Rev John Hebenton TSSF, John.HebentonTSSF@gmail.com, 021-679-202
Facebook: Tauranga Interfaith Council

Palmerston North Interfaith Council
Mary Eastham, maeastham23@gmail.com

Wellington Inter-Faith Council
Pres: Dr Khalid R Sandhu QSO, khalidsandhu42@gmail.com, 021-384-747
Vice Pres: Anne Haynes
Secs: Vanessa Borg and Simonette Ferreira
Treasurer: Dr Pushpa Wood ONZM

Christchurch Interfaith Council
Dianne Downward stepdown@slingshot.co.nz
www.canterburyinterfaith.org.nz
facebook.com/christchurchinterfaith

Dunedin Interfaith Council
Chair: Geoff Mitchell
Sec: Ruth Groffman dunedininterfaith@gmail.com

Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group
Chair: Dr Haizal Hussaini, haizal.mh@otago.ac.nz
Sec: Ken Baker, kennethdbaker@gmail.com www.dunedininterfaith.net.nz
facebook.com/www.dunedininterfaith.net.nz

Religious Diversity Centre
University of Otago House
385 Queen Street
P.O. Box 5543
Auckland 1141
New Zealand
email: info@rdc.org.nz
web: www.rdc.org.nz
facebook: www.facebook.com/ReligiousDiversityCentre
twitter: twitter.com/RDCANZ

Multifaith Calendar

Date	Title	Description
31 May	World No Tobacco Day (WHO)
31 May - 1 Jun	Shavuot	Judaism - Shavuot (Weeks: the plural of the Hebrew word for seven) marks the conclusion of the period of seven weeks that follows Pesah. Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Israelites and the completion of God's purpose to create a special people. It is celebrated for two days in the diaspora and for one day in Israel and among Reform Jews. Shavuot begins at sundown the previous day.
4 Jun	Pentecost (Western)	Christianity (Western) - Pentecost (also known as Whitsunday in some churches) is the commemoration of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus following his ascension (Acts 2:1-11). It comes fifty days after Easter (Western).
4 Jun	International Day of Innocent Child Victims of Aggression (UN)
4 Jun	Núr (Light)	Bahá'í Faith - Núr (Light), the 5th month of the Bahá'í year.
4 Jun	Pentecost (Eastern)	Christianity (Eastern) - Pentecost is the commemoration of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus following his ascension (Acts 2:1-11). It comes fifty days after Easter.
5 Jun	World Environment Day (UN)
8 Jun	World Oceans Day (UN)
9 Jun	Poson	Buddhism - Poson celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of the Arahant Mahinda, son of King Asoka, who first brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Poson is characterised by day-long processions and ceremonies at Mihintale which is now the site of a great Buddhist temple at Ambasthale Dagoba.
11 Jun	Trinity Sunday (Westerm)	Trinity Sunday (Western) is a celebration of the Christian understanding of God in Three Persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). It comes one week after Pentecost
11 Jun	All Saints Day (Eastern)	Christianity (Eastern) - All Saints Day honours Christian saints throughout the ages
16 Jun	Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji	Sikhism - Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563-1606). Arjan was the first Sikh Martyr and the fifth Guru. He built the Harimandir (Temple of God) in which Sikhs could meet for worship, in the town of Amritsar (Pool of Nectar). To emphasise that the Sikh way was open to all, regardless of caste, he constructed the temple with doors facing all four directions. Sikhs remember Arjan for contributing to and compiling the Sikh Scriptures.
17 Jun	World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (UN)
20 Jun	Alban Arthan / Winter Solstice / Te Maruroa o te Takurua	Wicca - The Winter Solstice ceremony of the Druid tradition is known as Alban Arthuan - "The Light of Arthur. Here Arthur is equated with the Sun-God who dies and is reborn at the Winter Solstice. For the ancient Maori the new year began on the first new moon after the rising of Matariki (the Pleiades) in the eastern sky at dawn. The saying Matariki kainga kore (homeless Matariki) refers to the constant travel of this constellation which disappears from the sky to rest only once a year, on the waning moon of May. Matariki reappears in the tail of the Milky Way during the waning moon of June, which brings the start of the new year close to Winter Solstice. Ra was said to have two wives, both daughters of Tangaroa. He spent half the year with Hine-Takarua, the Winter Woman in the south far out on the ocean. At the Maruaroa of winter, he was said to begin his return to his other wife, Hine-raumati, the Summer Woman who dwells on land.
20 Jun	World Refugee Day (UN)
22 Jun	Laylat al-Qadr (begins in the evening)	Islam - Laylat al-Qadr, Night of Power, commemorates the first revelation of the Qur'an (Islamic scriptures) to Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE, at the age of forty. The festival begins in the evening the previous day.
23 Jun	Rahmat (Mercy)	Bahá'í Faith - Rahmat (Mercy), the 6th month of the Bahá'í year.
23 Jun	Jum'at al-Wada'	Islam - 'Farewell Friday' is the last Friday of the month of Ramadan and the Friday immediately preceding Eid al-Fitr. While not a festival, Jum'at al-Wada' is considered a special day by many Muslims.
25 Jun	Eid al-Fitr	Islam - Eid al-Fitr, the Breaking of the Fast, celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.
26 Jun	International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (UN)

UN Years and Decades

Title

Decade of Action for Road Safety, 2011-20 (UN)

United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition, 2016-25 (UN)

International Decade for People of African Descent, 2015-24 (UN)

International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, 2016 (UN)

Second International Decade for the Eradication of Poverty, 2008-17 (UN)

Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, 2011-20 (UN)

United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification, 2010-20 (UN)

United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, 2014-2024 (UN)

United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, 2011-20 (UN)

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News

Celebrate an Interfaith Ramadan through Stories of Service, Gratitude and Community

Toronto, Canada Named Host of the 7th Parliament of the World's Religions in November 2018

Discovering Religious Diversity - a study programme organised by the Religious Diversity Centre - Auckland and Hamilton

Spirit Possession: Global and Multidisciplinary Perspectives - conference at the University of Auckland, 6-8 July

Discovering Religious Diversity - a study programme organised by the Religious Diversity Centre

​Interfaith educational resources for young people – free online

​Week of Prayer for World Peace 2016

2018 National Interfaith Forum to be held in Christchurch from 23 to 25 March