Fundraising Concert for The Community Cat Coalition, Sat Oct 29th 7.30pm
Here's a fun way to support a group of hard-working volunteers who care for stray cats, by attending a variety concert! WorkShop 26 is a small arty venue in the commercial district of Blockhouse Bay. Seats are limited, so we strongly advise you to pre-book your seats.
Address: 26 Donovan Street, Blockhouse Bay.
Saturday October 29th 7.30 pm
The lineup includes:
ANDREW GRAHAM singer/songwriter/guitarist/beat maker/event organiser - a community minded all round nice guy whose delightful personality shines through in his original upbeat songs.
SHANE HOLLANDS poet/band front man/president of the NZ Poetry Society - one of NZ's top beat poets. Known for his work with bands Freaky Meat and Moebeus Orchestra, as well as for organising many wordcore events, Shane will give us an up close and personal solo performance of some of his original works
RICK TOPP singer/guitarist/songwriter/comedian - a lovable accomplished performer who delivers engaging songs from folk and country roots. Rick can claim to have fathered and mentored one of NZ's top female performers, but we won't do any name dropping here!
RANDAL and DIANNE singers/guitarists/traveling minstrels - great performers on their own and as a duo we get double the blessings and some lovely harmonies as well. Randal has just returned from Canada, where he has been regularly performing his music. This will be a chance for him to reconnect with his Kiwi friends and fans.
MURRAY HADDOW poet/comedian/reluctant entertainer - we've told Murray he has to jump up and do a couple of his comedy poems, seeing as he lives here. This will be a very welcome rare appearance, as Murray seldom hits the stage these days.
LOKO aka MATTY HARRIS hip hop musician/rapper/artist - Workshop 26's resident who made the headlines and featured on billboards around NZ for the documentary LOKO, about his colourful life. Loko will perform some of his original works with dramatic passion.
ALL PROCEEDS will go to support the work of The Community Cat Coalition Inc. (CCC) who provide humane solutions for Auckland's stray cat colonies. Their work includes "Trap-neuter-return, or trap-neuter-adopt to good homes". What they do stabilises then reduces cat populations, humanely and sustainably improving animal welfare outcomes while at the same time helping to achieve the native biodiversity goals of Auckland Council and DOC.
Tea, coffee and biscuits provided. Please bring any other refreshments you might require and some gold coins for a cash raffle.
Entry $15 donation to CCC (or a little more if you can afford it thank you.) To secure tickets, please text 021 117 9349 and we'll send you the bank account details. Refunds will be given for any cancellations due to illness. Some door sales may be available on the night.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.1% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.1% Critical thinking
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30% Resilience and adaptability
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2.9% Other - I will share below!
The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
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