Today many parts of the world celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick. St Patrick is a figure somewhat shrouded in mystery and legend. As a figure involved in missionary work so early it is not easy to get hard facts on his life. His work as a missionary in Ireland could best be described as “organic” rather than institutional since the Irish monastery system and the diocesan model were not established until after [...]

Yesterday, Ten teenagers set out from four different locations in the North Island for an outdoor adventure that will not only test their mettle, it promises to literally be a `traffick stopper’. To celebrate 25 years of providing life-changing experiences for young people, Adventure Specialties Trust has invited 40 teenagers to undertake the Sea2summit Four Corners Journey. At the same time, they are raising funds for New Zealand aid and development agency TEAR Fund, to [...]

There’s only one place to start with this issue after we’ve grasped some of the statistics and basic issues related to human trafficking. Before I go anywhere else, politics, economics, strategies of intervention etc, I need to examine myself and that examination needs to involve some “frank” analysis and honest admissions. I am a hypocrite of the highest degree. I am the product of a privileged world and I have willingly engaged in the indulgences [...]

Human trafficking has well and truly captured my attention and I know it’s not an issue that is going to go away, so here begins my journey into one of the darkest issues facing our world today. There is a popular saying – “knowledge is power” – as if knowledge provides some kind of ruling force that allows us to exert influence over others, but allow me to once and for all rephrase this rather [...]