In the weeks since New Zealand passed legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in the country, a pro-family charity in the country was notified that it will lose its charitable status because it offered support for traditional marriage.

The New Zealand charity, Family First NZ, was recently notified that it will lose its charitable status by the end of the month unless it appeals the decision.

Representatives for the group have claimed the move is solely political, aimed at quieting voices that advocate the maintaining the traditional notion of the family structure and silencing those who disagree with the current popular political culture. more >>

New Zealand's Parliament passed a bill Wednesday that would make it the 13th country in the world to officially legalize same-sex marriage, despite opposition from traditional family groups.

"In our society, the meaning of marriage is universal – it's a declaration of love and commitment to a special person," said Labour MP Louisa Wall, the openly gay politician who introduced the bill. "Nothing could make me more proud to be a New Zealander than passing this bill."

The bill passed with 77 votes in favor and 44 against, BBC News reported. more >>

"True courage is not about knowing when to take a life, but when to spare one." – Gandalf the Grey

CP Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Nine years since the last "Lord of the Rings" movie graced the big screen, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" brings back the magic and splendor of J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world to life in an adventure that is well worth taking. more >>

Most Christians are familiar with the biblical story of Jesus turning water into wine, but now two New Zealand pastors are seeking to turn a pub into a church complete with beer-drinking during the gatherings.

Pastors Calvin Culverwell and Vic Francis will officially turn Albany Sports Bar in Auckland, New Zealand into a house of worship on Sunday. After the initiative was in the works for a year, the Albany Sports Bar will officially serve as a church on the first Sunday of each month beginning on Aug. 5.

While some people may raise their eyebrows at the Protestant Albany Shore Vineyard Church's notion, Culverwell said the bar could serve as a more comfortable place of worship for some than traditional churches could. more >>

As the same-sex marriage debate continues in New Zealand, lawmakers discussing a bill proposing the traditional definition of marriage have said it was inspired by U.S President Barack Obama's endorsement of gay marriage.

One of the sponsors of the bill, Louisa Wall, an openly gay member of the opposition Labor Party, expressed that Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage in May "gave impetus to the bill," The Associated Press shared. The bill was reportedly "picked at random" on Thursday during a parliamentary ballot.

"I hope that it becomes about what marriage means in modern society," Wall said about the legislation. "This bill is based on the premise that everyone should have equal opportunity to recognize their relationship within the social and legal institution of marriage." more >>

A New Zealand union claims a casino worker could be fired for keeping a Bible with her during her shift – an action which the casino says is a violation of its uniform code.

Last week Tuni Parata, a tower host at SkyCity Casino in Auckland, received a letter from her employers accusing her of misconduct for having the Bible, the NZ Herald reports. The letter states disciplinary action may be taken because she was seen with a "non-work related material in a front of house work environment."

Parata has been a SkyCity employee for 16 years and now fears that she will lose her job over the issue. Her disciplinary hearing is scheduled for Thursday. more >>