Pastafarian backs down on wearing colander in school photo

The Auckland secondary school student banned from wearing a colander as a religious headdress in his school identity photo says he wants the Human Rights Commission to rule on the matter - but for now he will accept the school's ruling.

The Year 11 student is a member of the Pastafarian religion – a movement started in the United States and now officially recognised in New Zealand in the form of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

"I believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster," 15-year-old Lachlan said.

"I believe in all the virtues and things you should follow in Pastafarianism. It's fairly similar to most other religions."

The Pakuranga College pupil said he wanted to wear the colander, a key article of faith for all Pastafarians, in his school photo to express his religion – but was denied permission by the school principal.

"When I pulled the colander out of my bag and showed it to him and he just went 'no'. He thought it was ridiculous."

But Lachlan says he's not being cheeky or disrespectful.

"It's my religion. I've been a Pastafarian for the past two years and wearing the colander should be allowed.

"I think it's pretty simple – other religions are allowed to wear their headgear, I don't see why I shouldn't be allowed to."

In this respect Lachlan does appear to have the law on his side.

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is legally recognised as a religion in New Zealand and the Netherlands, where Pastafarian representatives have been authorised to celebrate weddings.

Lachlan has gone to the Human Rights Commission for a ruling on the matter but in the meantime, and in keeping with his religion's relaxed approach to life and rules, says he's accepted his school's decision and will concentrate on other parts of his church's teachings.

"We have a holiday dedicated to two-minute noodles – Ramendan – which is where you eat only two-minute noodles for a day.

"But since the religion isn't too strict I decided I'd go a bit further and did four days of eating two-minute noodles to show my love to his Holy Noodliness."