GPJA #390: FRI 7PM – S’BU ZIKODE FROM SOUTH AFRICAN SHACKDWELLERS SPEAKS
August 31, 2011 Leave a comment
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 390, August 31, 2011
S’BU ZIKODE FROM SOUTH AFRICAN SHACKDWELLERS ORGANISATION SPEAKS
GPJA Special September Forum: 7pm, Friday 2nd September, Unite Office, 6A Western Springs Road, Kingsland
Special Guest S’bu Zikode from the South African Shackdwellers organisation is arriving for a two week visit to coincide with events to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1981 Springbok tour protests. The Skackdwellers organisation, Abahlali baseMjondolo, is the largest organisation of the poor in South Africa and fights for the right to housing and basic amenities such as water and electricity. S’bu will speak about South Africa 17 years after the election of the first democratic South African government and will show the award-winning video Dear Mandela. This will be an occasion to welcome him to New Zealand. S’bu will also be speaking at the Auckland anniversary event on Sunday, September 11th (Gather at Eden Park gates Walters Road at 12noon) See details elsewhere in this newsletter.
SEPTEMBER 11: 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPRINGBOK TOUR PROTESTS (Please pass the word around)
Sunday September 11th is Auckland’s day to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1981 Springbok tour protests (just a day out from the 3rd test and final game of the tour in Auckland). We have refined the plans for the day which will go like this:
12noon – Gather at the Walters Road entrance to Eden Park for a walk around the park to scenes of the 81 battles… (bring old flags, banners, placards, flour bombs…)
1.00pm – Walk to Mt Eden War Memorial Hall (Dominion Road opposite Potters Park)
Lunch provided – gold coin koha please to cover costs
1.30pm – Welcome and address from special guest S’bu Zikode from the South African shackdwellers organisation Abahlali baseMjondolo
2.00pm – Dear Mandela video of life for the shackdwellers 17 years after the ANC was elected to power.
2.20pm – Marshalls from Biko, Patu and Tutu Squads to share a few memories.
2.40pm – special operations stories – Moir’s hill, Margaret’s birthday, harbour bridge, Waiatarua, plane jacking, Southern motorway…
3.00pm – Remembering those who have passed on (eg Tom Newnham, Tom Poata, Terry Dibble, Syd Jackson, Hana Jackson, Heta Te Hemara, Merata Mita, Sophie Stockman, Neil Roberts, Mark Allen, Pat McQuarrie etc)
3.10pm – Auction of several new copies of Tom Newnham’s book By Batons and Barbed Wire donated by the family as a fundraiser. Auctioneer: Dick Cuthbert.
3.20pm – Screening of Merata Mita’s film Patu.
5.00pm – Wind up
The famous Reel Pictures photo exhibition from the tour will be on display and our own renowned protest photographer John Miller will show a powerpoint presentation from the protests. This is an afternoon that comes up just once every 30 years – not to be missed.
Regards, John Minto, 4 Ethel Street, Morningside, Auckland. Ph (09) 8463173
UNION LEADER DUE TO BEGIN TRIAL ON FRIDAY THIS WEEK – PLEASE ACT QUICKLY!
The trade unions of the Pacific island nation of Fiji are under attack. The trial of the leader of the Fiji Trades Union Congress is due to start this week. Please take a moment to join thousands of other trade unionists from around the world to send your message of protest:
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1086 Please spread the word by email, on Facebook, and elsewhere.
This is extremely urgent. Thank you! Eric Lee
GAMBLE FREED DAY SEPTEMBER 1
Gamblefree Day 2011: Lots of activities and events are being planned around the country for Gamblefree Day 2011. Keep an eye on this page for updates on events as they become available. http://www.pgfnz.org.nz/Gamblefree-Day-2011/0,27129,112932,00.html Auckland: ‘Waka on the Waitemata’ is a free and fun day of activities at Okahu Bay starting at 9:00am with a mihi whakatau. Activities start at 9:30 with waka ama experiences, land-based activities, workshops, stalls, and competitions. Hosted by Hapai te Hauora Tapui Maori Public Health, the Problem Gambling Foundation of NZ (PGF) and the Salvation Army Oasis Centre, the event provides an opportunity to promote culturally inspired alternatives to gambling to young people.
NATIONWIDE DAY OF STUDENT ACTION SEPTEMBER 14
Students from Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Auckland and Massey University Wellington are calling for a Nationwide Day of Student Action on Wednesday 14 September. The government is trying to dictate how students organise on campus, with so-called ‘Voluntary Student Membership’ set to become law in the next month. Universities are under attack from their own management, with lecturers being sacked and research shut down at Victoria University in Wellington, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Pat Walsh. Students at Victoria University are calling for Pat to be sacked. Auckland University management, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon, is attempting to remove key academic freedoms from lecturers, calling into question the whole idea of the university as a community of scholars. University management is already cutting papers that encourage students studying business to think critically, things will only get worse. Students at Auckland University are calling for Stuart to be sacked. We are calling for high school students, university students, and everyone else (after all, we are al students really) to organise and prepare for a Nationwide Day of Student Action on Wednesday September 14! For more information on what’s going on at Victoria University go here: http://www.facebook.com/SackPatWalsh
For more information about what’s going on at the University of Auckland go here:
To help organise in Wellington go here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/264767836875624/
To help organise in Auckland go here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/240219706015827/
ACT NOW: FIJI: WITHDRAW ANTI-UNION LAWS, RESPECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS
Fiji’s military government has dramatically stepped up its harassment of trade unionists. Recently FTUC President Daniel Urai was arrested for holding an ‘illegal’ meeting, and his trial is due to start on 2 September. Meetings of the FTUC itself have also been prevented. Fiji has been under a military dictatorship since 2006, as a result of which Fiji has been suspended from the Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum. The European Union has also suspended overseas aid payments to the regime. Leaders and activists of the Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) have been assaulted or detained on several occasions. In February, Felix Anthony, General Secretary of the FTUC and of the Sugar Workers’ Union affiliated to the ITF and the IUF was taken from home by three uniformed military officers and subjected to threats. His family including children were also threatened. A new government decree issued on 29 July will, ‘effectively abolish all trade unions in Fiji’, according to the FTUC. Fiji has ratified the two relevant core ILO Conventions – Convention 98(1974) and Convention 87 (2002) and is obliged to observe the workers’ rights enshrined in them. Moreover, as a member state of the ILO, the Government of Fiji has an obligation to adhere to the Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work adopted by the ILO in 1998. You can help! Type in your name and email address, then click on ‘Send Message’ on the bottom of this page LINK. http://bit.ly/r7C2fM
AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL CHANGE TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 3
The event, which is sponsored by the Office of Environmental Programs at Melbourne University and organised by Green Left Weekly and the Socialist Alliance, will run from Friday, September 30 to Monday, October 3 at Melbourne University. The discussions at this conference will be enriched by the participation of one of the world’s foremost radical ecologists, John Bellamy Foster. A well-known economist from the United States, Foster is also an editor of Monthly Review and the author of The Ecological Rift (with Brett Clark and Richard York) The Ecological Revolution, The Great Financial Crisis (with Fred Magdoff) and Marx’s Ecology. Also leading the conference discussions will be Canadian ecosocialist writer and activist Ian Angus. Angus co-founded the Ecosocialist International Network and is the editor of Climateandcapitalism.com. He is the author of the forthcoming book Too Many People? Population, Immigration, and the Environmental Crisis (with Simon Butler) and has also authored Food Crisis: World Hunger, Agribusiness and the Food Sovereignty Alternative and edited The Global Fight for Climate Justice. Register now for this important conference! Friday, September 30 – Monday, October 3, 2011, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, Melbourne University. http://climatechangesocialchange2011.wordpress.com/http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47144
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
MANA KAIMAHI NETWORK ESTABLISHED
Hi All, Syd Keepa (Mana Movement spokesperson on employment and industrial relations) and Mike Treen have agreed to establish a network of unionists who support the Mana Movement. Called the Mana Kaimahi Network we want to encourage active participation of working people in the Mana Movement leading up to the election on November 26. In the first instance we would like to invite active unionists and union officials to join an email network and/or facebook group to coordinate activities. Until the election we will focus on distributing Mana election material in workplaces, communities and unions; enrolling potential Mana voters; and identifying Mana supporters within the trade union movement to join Mana. In the near future we look forward to the possibility of forming workplace, union or cross-union branches of Mana members. We will aim to have an active role in promoting policy that upholds the interests of working people. Email me to be added to the network mike Join the Mana Kaimahi Network on facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/163366273740120/
POLITICAL POSTER ART IN AOTEAROA
Kotare’s exhibition of political posters, “Art/Movement”, celebrates the creative force of flaxroot activism: the passionate energy of those working for justice in Aotearoa as embodied in the power, beauty and humour of street poster art. Highlighting a variety of key themes in the Kotare collection, the exhibition at the ArtStation Gallery features over 100 posters on honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi, anti-racism/anti-apartheid, unemployed workers’ rights, feminism, peace, environmentalism, and education. Come along and be inspired! Supporting events at the gallery. 20 September, 5-7pm, exhibition opening; 22 September, school students’ talk with Elizabeth Rankin (Professor of Art History, University of Auckland) and Sue Berman (Kotare); 24 September, 2-3pm, "The people behind the posters", oral history presentation with Sue Berman (Kotare); 24 September, "Silkscreen political posters: design and print"; workshop with Jarad Bryant (ArtStation – requires booking and fee); 1 October, 2-4pm, "Dare to struggle, dare to sing", Sue Berman and the Kotare crew: BYO stories, posters, and banners. Postcard reprints of selected posters will be available for sale. There is an opportunity also to purchase a limited edition silk screened poster by Christchurch political artist and historian Jared Davidson. Details will be available on the website : www.kotare.org.nz/Political_Poster_Exhibition Orders and enquiries to research@kotare.org.nz or call Sue Berman 09 833 3421
DRAFT REPORT ON ELIMINATING RACISM IN NZ AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION
Please find below a link to a PDF of a draft copy of New Zealand’s 18th, 19th and 20th periodic reports (consolidated as one document) under the United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). The Ministry of Justice is seeking public feedback on the draft CERD Report. The feedback period will run until 30 September 2011.
The Ministry is also consulting on the CERD article 14 individual complaints procedure. We ask that feedback on the draft Report and article 14 be emailed to humanrights More background on CERD, article 14 and the draft Report may be found at http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy/constitutional-law-and-human-rights/human-rights/consultation.
WORKSHOPS TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN WORKING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN UNIONS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS|
Dunedin: Thursday 1st of September, NZNO office, 10th Floor, John Wickliffe House, 265 Princes St
Wellington: Monday 5th of September – NZNO National office, Level 3, Willbank House, 57 Willis Street
Unions and community groups often have mutual interests.. Increasing levels of poverty, inequality and decreasing access to services are all issues we need to combine forces on. We often support each other on these issues. Imagine how much more impact we could have if we could further strengthen the ties between us. That’s why the Kotare Trust is organising these workshops – as a space for building strong, ongoing relationships between unions and community groups working for social change – and to look at how we can campaign alongside one another for mutual benefit.
The workshops will include discussing our different ways of working; campaign goals, objectives, strategy and tactics; and shared courses of action in the lead-up to the election and beyond.
Cost: We are offering this workshop at the lowest possible cost. The fee is $185 per union attendee and $85 per community organisation attendee. In effect, union colleagues will be subsidising $50 per place for community organisations. If the fee is a real barrier to attending, please contact us and we will see whether we can further subsidise your place.
Registration: Please register as soon as possible and no later than Friday the 19th of August. Spaces are limited so get in quick!
Facilitation team: Tanya Newman (Kotare) and Liz Robinson (Kotare and NZNO)
Kotare’s vision is of a future with economic, social and environmental justice in Aotearoa based on Te tiriti o Waitangi. With that vision in mind, our purpose is to support community action for a more just world through participatory education and research. – www.kotare.org.nz
For more information or to register please contact Tanya Newman at education or 09 5517765.
WHAT’S ON
Thursday, September 1, 7.30pm, Knox Lounge, Cnr Bealey Ave & Victoria St, Christchurch
West Papua: Pacific Peoples seeking Peace in their own lands with John Ondawame. Dr. John Otto Ondawame is the Vice Chairman of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation. West Papua has been occupied by Indonesia since 1962 and its indigenous Melanesian people increasingly face a struggle to protect their human rights and their lands. The story of West Papua is one of struggle and resistance that is often ignored. John has been an international advocate for West Papua since his exile in 1979, lobbying for support especially in the Pacific region. Currently he is Coordinator for International Relations for the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation operating from its new office in Vanuatu. He is one of the nominations for the West Papuan negotiation team in the coming peace talks between the Government of Indonesia and representatives of the people of West Papua.
Contact: gillian.southey Tel: 027 3549899
Thursday, September 1, 12.20pm, MFAT Offices, 195 Lambton Quay, Wellington
TPP Protest: In the lead up to the next round of negotiations in Chicago next week, we are holding a protest outside the MFAT offices on Lambton Quay. It’ll be much like previous ones we’ve held, with placards, noise, and a wee visual stunt, to help draw attention to the TPP and what it means for Nzers. Facebook event – tppactiongroup
Friday, September 2, 7pm, 4/125 Grafton Rd, Auckland.
Militant Labour Forum: One year on since first Christchurch earthquake: Gov’t gives handouts to business while working people bear brunt of devastation. Nearly one year on from the first of a series of major earthquakes to hit Christchurch, working people in the city continue to bear the brunt of the devastation to lives, homes, and incomes. A team of socialist workers visited the city in August and talked to working people in some of the worst affected areas. Around 100,000 homes are damaged. Some 1,600 houses are still without flushing toilets, and there are intermittent power cuts. Added to these problems are rising rents and delays in insurance payouts. Unemployment is on the rise. Official statistics state that there are 12,300 fewer people employed in the city than a year ago. Capitalist businesses, on the other hand, are given priority in the rebuilding plans drawn up by the government and city council. This forum will hear a report from the team to Christchurch. Suggested donation $5 waged, $2 unwaged. By the corner of Grafton Bridge/Grafton Rd. Militant Labour Forums are held each week. Phone 369-1223 or email milauck To browse and buy Pathfinder Press books and the Militant newspaper, the hall is open one hour before the forum. For viewing at other times, call to make an appointment. On the web: Pathfinder Press books and pamphlets: www.pathfinderpress.com The Militant: www.themilitant.com
Friday, September 2, 9am – 12 noon, Waikirikiri Room, Landcare, Gerald Street, Lincoln, Christchurch
What: Forum 28 – Peak Oil: NZs response. Prof. Bob Lloyd, Otago University; Steve Abley, Abley Transportation Consultants; David Welch, Transport commentator; Prof. Chris Kissling, Renew our City (ROC).
Friday, September 2 to Friday, September 9
SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM LEADERS SUMMIT: Nine postgraduate Asia-Pacific Journalism students have been accredited to cover the South Pacific Forum leaders summit in Auckland and related civil society issue conferences next week (Sept 2/9). This will be the largest special coverage of a single Pacific political and social issues event by any journalism school in New Zealand. International visitors include the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The reporting team includes students from China and Papua New Guinea and will be led by Pacific Media Watch contributing editor Alex Perrottet and PMC director Dr David Robie. Their coverage will be run on Pacific Scoop website http://www.pacific.scoop.co.nz which is edited by the Pacific Media Centre. Our APJ students’ reports will be supplemented by other Pacific journalists such as Kiribati Independent editor Taberannang Korauaba and Pacific academic specialist commentators and analysts. The Forum special reports will also be archived (pre-Forum reports have already been posted here): http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/category/pacific-islands-forum/ The PMC is also partnering other groups during the week: Suva-based Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) for a media workshop (Sept 4/5 at the Otago University Auckland Campus in Queen St);
The Auckland-based Indonesian Human Rights Committee (IHRC), which is hosting three West Papuan civil rights activists on the AUT marae (powhiri at 10am on Tuesday, Sept 6); and Amnesty International for the launch of a special report on gender and human rights at the AUT Conference Centre (also launching at 10am, Tuesday, Sept 6). All welcome to the AUT-based events. The full PIF and civil society programme of activities (including AUT events) is here: www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/events/pacific-islands-forum-2011-and-related-events
Friday, September 2, 12.30pm, High Commission of the Republic of the Fiji Islands – 31 Pipitea Street, Thorndon, Wellington
The Fijian Government is removing rights of workers and unions – and it’s getting worse…. Physical assaults of union leaders; Detention of union and church leaders; Restrictions on being able to hold meetings; Major restrictions on the media;Decrees removing trade union and human rights
Military presence in a number of civilian workplaces like sugar mills. Joint protest by CTU and Amnesty International.
Friday, September 2, 1-3pm, Lecture Theatre OGGB5, Level 0, OGGB Building, University of Auckland Business School, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland
Launch of the report – The effectiveness of public investment in Maori and Pasifika children. Maori and Pasifika children are more likely to live in poverty than other groups of New Zealand children. This report, commissioned by Every Child Counts and authored by Dr Manuka Henare of the University of Auckland, explores the contributing factors of Maori and Pasifika child poverty – and presents a new paradigm for future planning.
RSVP to anton.blank 09-376 8378. Every Child Counts is a coalition of Barnardos, Plunket, UNICEF, Save the Children, Te Kahui Mana Ririki and thousands of others working together to improve the status and wellbeing of New Zealand children.
Saturday, September 3, 5.30pm, Te Whare o Te Ata (Fairfield/Chartwell Community House), 60A Sare Crescent, Fairfield, Hamilton.
Mana Hauraki-Waikato Public Forum From South Africa: An evening with a shack-dwellers’ movement leader. S’bu Zikode has been President of the Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement in South Africa since 2005. ABM is the largest organisation of the poor in South Africa and campaigns for housing, water and electricity supplies for the poorest South Africans. Schedule: 5.30pm Kai: Soup & Bread, 6.30 John Minto, 7.00 S’bu Zikode (8.30pm finish).
Cost: Koha / $2 unwaged. Contact: Jared Phillips 029-4949-863 or Alvina Barret-Nepe 027-221-6864. Public Forum hosted by Mana Movement (Hauraki-Waikato), All Welcome!
Sunday, September 4, 1pm, Archway Theatre 4, Otago University, Dunedin
To mark the anniversary of the 1981 Springbok Tour, Global Peace and Justice Auckland has invited S’bu Zikode, the president of Abahlali baseMjondolo, the South African shanty dwellers movement, to tour NZ. The Otago University film studies dept is screening an award-winning documentary about the shack dwellers struggle, "Dear Mandela" at 1pm, Archway 4 lecture theatre. Following the film, people are invited to accompany Zikode to Araiteuru Marae, Shetland St, Kaikorai Valley, for a shared meal, a screening of Merata Mita’s classic documentary of the 81 Tour "Patu". Attached is a poster advertising his visit and a short biography. Zikode is an inspiring and articulate speaker and the film and hui should be a great opportunity in this election/RWC year to remember international solidarity. If you could forward this to your networks, we’d be very grateful.
Monday, September 5, 10am, Copthorne Hotel, 449 Memorial Avenue – near Christchurch Airport
National Cabinet Welcoming Committee! For the first time in 16 years the cabinet are meeting outside of the beehive to acknowledge the anniversary of September’s Earthquake. The same cabinet that brought us 1000’s of families freezing in condemned homes, record levels of unemployment, attacks on workers and beneficiary rights, billion dollar bailouts for private business and a cabinet with a clear agenda to drag New Zealand into a third world economic state – LET’S MAKE IT CLEAR THAT NOT EVERYONE IN AOTEAROA LOVES JOHN KEY AND HIS PARASITIC MATES!!!
Monday, September 5, 8pm, Paramount Theatre, Wellington
UNIONAID FUNDRAISER – REPEAT SHOWING OF THE EXCELLENT “WASTELAND” FILM: UnionAID has been successful in obtaining another excellent Oscar nominated film as a UnionAID fundraiser. Winner of nine audience awards at festivals the world over, including the 2010 Sundance film festival, “Waste Land” is a truly inspiring and moving film about celebrated New York artist Vik Muniz’s work with Rio garbage pickers on an ambitious art project in his native Brazil. Tickets $20 available from insidejob5 All proceeds to UnionAID projects See www.unionaid.org.nz and join us on Facebook
Tuesday, September 6, 5.30pm, NZCTU, Level 7, West Block, Education House, 178 Willis St, Wellington
BOOK LAUNCH – “UNIONS IN COMMON CAUSE”: Helen Kelly, President, NZCTU, will launch “Unions In Common Cause, the New Zealand Federation of Labour 1937-88.” Published by Steele Roberts, this book is the first detailed study of the history of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Based on a conference held in 2007, it includes chapters by four leading labour historians (Erik Olssen, Peter Franks, Melanie Nolan and Ray Markey), contributions by past and present union activists, biographical and statistical information. The book is richly illustrated. RSVP to Julia London julial@nzctu.org.nz before Thursday 21 July for catering purposes. Phone 04 8023810
Tuesday, September 6, 7.30pm, MacLaurin Chapel, 18 Princes St, Auckland (corner of Princes Street and Waterloo Quadrant)
Hear West Papuan leaders discuss the road to peace and how the Pacific Island Forum Leaders can help. The indigenous Melanesian people of West Papua have been forced to live under Indonesian military rule since the early 1960s, but yearn to be part of the Pacific family again. Speakers: Dr John Ondawame, West Papua People’s Representative Office in Vanuatu; Rex Rumakiek, Secretary-General West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPCNL); Paula Makabory, Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights (IPAHR) Australia and ELSHAM West Papua (One of the 1000 peace women nominated for the Nobel Prize in 2005). The Pacific Islands Forum meets in Auckland 6-9 September at Sky City in Auckland. Forum leaders must not overlook West Papua which is experiencing an unimaginable human rights tragedy: ‘slow genocide’ What can we do to help. Contact Indonesia Human Rights Committee, Box 68-419 Auckland 1125 or maire
Tuesday, September 6, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m, Knox Centre, Bealey Ave (cnr of Victoria), Christchurch
INTRODUCING S’BU: S’bu Zikode has been President of the Abahlali baseMjondolo (urban shack-dwellers) movement in South Africa since 2005 . (See http://www.abahlali.org/ ) AbM is based in Durban and campaigns for housing, water and electricity supplies for the poorest South Africans. Together with the Landless People’s Movement (Gauteng), the Rural Network (KwaZulu-Natal) and the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign, AbM is part of the Poor People’s Alliance – a network of radical poor people’s movements in South Africa. Before becoming President of AbM S’bu was Chairperson of the Kennedy Road Development Committee (Kennedy Road is one of the shack-dwellers’ settlements in Durban). He has spent over ten years campaigning for housing justice. S’BU’S VISIT TO NZ: S’bu has been invited to New Zealand by Global Peace and Justice Auckland as part of the 30th anniversary commemoration of the 1981 Springbok Tour of New Zealand. His visit is a great opportunity for New Zealanders, especially those active in the campaign against the 1981 Springboks, to get an up-to- date picture of progress in South Africa in the 17 years since the first democratic election. S’bu will be speaking at public meetings in six cities in New Zealand, and showing highlights from a newly released award-winning post-apartheid movie, Dear Mandela. This film deals specifically with the difficulties faced by young and poor black South Africans today. Read more on S’bu, and also link to what he has written, at christine (03) 329 4588 / 0274 911 884 and for more information about his national tour contact John Minto, Spokesperson Global Peace and Justice Auckland. Ph (09) 8463173 or 021447067
Thursday, September 8, 7-9pm, Canterbury WEA 59 Gloucester Street, Chrictchurch
WEA Classes on The 2011 Referendum on the Voting System. Starts 8 September, 7-9pm, 3 Thursdays. All welcome! 8 Sept: ‘Understanding Referendum 2011: What are my options?’ – Therese Arseneau, Senior Fellow, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Canterbury. 15 Sept: ‘Proportional and non-proportional systems’ – Alan McRobie, political scientist specialising in electoral systems. 22 September: ‘Why MMP is good for New Zealand’ – the Campaign for MMP Group. A call to our office to register for one or more of these free events is appreciated; phone 366 0285; email: cwea
Tuesday, September 13, 6:30pm, Eng3.401. Department of Engineering, Symonds St, University of Auckland
Operation 8: Deep in the Forest – Screening for Auckland University Human Rights Week. On October 15th 2007, activists around New Zealand woke to guns in their faces. Black-clad police smashed down doors, dragging families out onto roads and detaining some without food or water. In the village of Ruatoki, helicopters hovered while locals were stopped at roadblocks. Operation 8 involved 18 months of invasive surveillance of Maori sovereignty and peace activists accused of attending terrorist training camps in the Urewera ranges – homeland of the Tuhoe people. Operation 8 asks why and how the raids took place. How did the War on Terror become a global witch-hunt of political dissenters reaching even to the South Pacific? Screening will be followed by Q&A with guest speakers. Collection will be taken to support the October 15 Solidarity Fund. Screened as part of AUSA’s Human Rights Week.
Tuesday, September 13, 6pm, Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Historic Harbour Board Room, Wellington
1951 WATERSIDERS LOCKOUT DRAMATISED. Few confrontations have divided New Zealand as decisively as the 1951 Waterfront Dispute, lasting 151 days, from February 26 to July 15. Pass It On by playwright Renee Taylor is the peoples’ story of the 1951 waterfront lockout. Come and see Jeannie, Gus, Nell and Cliff and their comrades as they struggle to get their message to the people. Spliced with scenes shot in Wellington, ‘Pass it on’ promises to be as moving and real for audiences today as it was 60 years ago. This version has been produced by Year 12 Paraparaumu College Drama students, and is a whole class collaborative project. The production will take place in the Museum of Wellington City & Sea’s magnificent historic Board Room of the Wellington Harbour Board – one of the key players in the bitter dispute. The dispute is the longest standing industrial dispute in New Zealand’s history. Bookings: Phone: 472-8904, E: museumswellington Koha/gold coin donation (max X50 tickets)
Thursday, Friday September 15–16, City Campus Conference Centre WA220,WA224 A & B Wellesley Campus, Auckland University of Technology Wellesley Street, Auckland CBD
JOURNALISM, MEDIA and DEMOCRACY CONFERENCE: All Attendees Welcome. Conference Website, Programme and Electronic Registration w.hope Centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy School of Communication Studies Auckland University of Technology.
OVERVIEW: The Political Economy of Communication is a research field that deserves wider recognition. It has identified a deepening symbiosis between capitalism and communication. Convergences across mass media, telecommunication and computer technologies have opened up new sectors of production and profit realisation. These same technologies also shape the networks of finance, production, symbolic representation and consumer culture. Such developments have generated concerns about regulation, cultural expression, ideological obfuscation and communication rights. Meanwhile, evolving information and communication technologies directly facilitate local–global activism against prevailing relations of power.
To consider such themes we have invited an array of established and aspiring researchers. Our keynote speakers Graham Murdock, Dwayne Winseck and Janet Wasko are not only distinguished scholars in the political economy of communication; they have given identity and purpose to the field. However, this is not merely a forum for specialist media academics. Many of the issues that will be discussed here have wide public relevance – nationally and internationally. Such issues include the defunding on TVNZ’s digital channels, local encroachments of the Murdoch empire, Hollywood and Wellywood, the surveillant capabilities of Facebook, child literacy, world food prices and global warming. We anticipate that animated discussion concerning the political economy of communication will extend beyond lecture/seminar rooms toward local bars and restaurants.
Monday, September 19, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road Grey Lynn, Auckland
GPJA Special Forum in conjunction with AUT’s Pacific Media Centre: Inside Al Jazeera: Guest Speaker Yasmine Ryan. Yasmine Ryan writes for Al Jazeera English Online, where she focuses on North Africa, France and digital activism. She has spent much of the year in Tunisia covering the uprising and its aftermath, and will be returning to cover what Tunisians hope will be their first free and democratic election in October. Al Jazeera has led the way with its coverage of the Arab Spring, gaining a much wider global audience as many people turned away Western news outlets. http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/profile/yasmine-ryan
Tuesday, September 20, 5-7pm, ArtStation Gallery, 1 Ponsonby Rd, Newtown, Auckland
Opening: Political Poster Art in Aotearoa – Kotare’s exhibition of political posters, “Art/Movement”, celebrates the creative force of flaxroot activism: the passionate energy of those working for justice in Aotearoa as embodied in the power, beauty and humour of street poster art. Highlighting a variety of key themes in the Kotare collection, the exhibition at the ArtStation Gallery features over 100 posters on honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi, anti-racism/anti-apartheid, unemployed workers’ rights, feminism, peace, environmentalism, and education. Come along and be inspired! Supporting events at the gallery. 20 September, 5-7pm, exhibition opening; 22 September, school students’ talk with Elizabeth Rankin (Professor of Art History, University of Auckland) and Sue Berman (Kotare); 24 September, 2-3pm, "The people behind the posters", oral history presentation with Sue Berman (Kotare); 24 September, "Silkscreen political posters: design and print"; workshop with Jarad Bryant (ArtStation – requires booking and fee); 1 October, 2-4pm, "Dare to struggle, dare to sing", Sue Berman and the Kotare crew: BYO stories, posters, and banners. Postcard reprints of selected posters will be available for sale. There is an opportunity also to purchase a limited edition silk screened poster by Christchurch political artist and historian Jared Davidson. Details will be available on the website : www.kotare.org.nz/Political_Poster_Exhibition Orders and enquiries to research@kotare.org.nz or call Sue Berman 09 833 3421
Saturday, September 24, 5.30pm, Cityside Baptist Church Hall, 8 Mount Eden Road, Mt. Eden, Auckland
‘Remains to be Seen: Tracing Joe Hill’s ashes in New Zealand’—an easy-to-read account of censorship and radical labour during the First World War—will be launched in Auckland September 24. Jared Davidson, author and designer of ‘Remains to be Seen’, will share a few thoughts on the book, to be followed by a screening of ‘The Wobblies’—a classic and informative documentary of one of the worlds most lively and radical unions, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). You can watch an excerpt here: Come along and share in a slice of Aotearoa’s radical history. More information on the book can be found at http://www.rebelpress.org.nz/publications/remains-to-be-seen.
Thursday, September 29, 6.30 PM Powhiri, WAIPAPA Marae, 16 Wynyard St, Auckland University, Auckland
MANA TOI presents A Contemporary Maori Art Fundraiser: With works from a selection of inspiring contemporary Maori Artists including Star Gossage,Tracey Tawhiao, Ngahina Hohaia, DLT, Rakai Karaitiana, Hemi Kiwikiwi, Charlotte Graham and many more. With GOOD food, beverages & conversation. Live Music from Whirimako Black, Dam Native & DJ Phaze plus others. Special Guest Speakers including Rob Tuwhare reading his late fathers poetry And Hone Harawira for a Q & A. MANA TOI is a collective of Artists who fundraise for non-funded Art initiatives. This fundraiser is in support of MANA MOVEMENT’s Artists who want to support changes directly through Art & Music. Tickets are $75.00 each and there will be tables of 10. If you buy a table you go into win a painting by Tracey Tawhiao. There are only 150 tickets and fifteen tables. To purchase tickets or a table please email: info or tearahori23 Links that may help: http://www.wises.co.nz/l/Auckland/Auckland+Central/Waipapa+Marae/ http://www.korero.maori.nz/forlearners/protocols/powhiri.html
Thursday, October 20, 6.30-8.30pm, Academy Cinema, Lorne St, below Auckland City Library.
Strange Birds in Paradise – a West Papuan story. From the Act of Free Choice to the random sanctioning by the Indonesian military today- West Papua still under siege. And it is happening under our own eyes. A great chance here to hear the story of the people themselves. While the Indonesian army continues to dominate the indigenous inhabitants of West Papua, three friends gather in Melbourne to record outlawed folk songs with renowned Australian rock musicologist. A combined event organised by the Auckland-based Indonesian Human Rights Committee, Amnesty International and AUT’s Pacific Media Centre. Map: www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/contact Strange Birds in Paradise website http://www.strangebirds.com.au/
Friday, December 2, Victoria University, Wellington.
New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc (In conjunction with Victoria University of Wellington Law School). Invites you to attend its Inaugural Conference. The New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc will hold its inaugural conference at Victoria University of Wellington on Friday 2nd December 2011. This conference which occurs shortly after the election will focus on two main themes: Labour law across the Tasman and future directions in labour law. Labour Law Across the Tasman: Professor Andrew Stewart (University of Adelaide) will give an address on the current state of labour law in Australia and on the impact of the Australian government’s Fair Work reforms. Professor Richard Johnstone (Griffith University) will speak on Australia’s proposed model OHS law. Future Directions for Labour Law?: The conference date is one week after the 2011 General Election – the ideal opportunity for crystal ball gazing. In addition to keynote speakers and commentators the conference will also feature special sessions looking at future directions in selected areas of the law. These (depending on interest and papers received) are likely to include: Legal Challenges in Advancing Pay Equity, Good Faith Bargaining, Workplace Health and Safety, Employment Security, whether New Zealand should adopt a comprehensive National Employment Standards on the Australian Model. Enrol online now at the Early Bird rate of $200 -Places will be limited. Online enrolment is now open at www.victoria.ac.nz/law/about/events/2011/labour-law-conf.aspx
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." – Martin Luther King, Jr.
"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever." – Thomas Jefferson
"In the past 30 years, the "masters of mankind," as Smith called them, have abandoned any sentimental concern for the welfare of their own society, concentrating instead on short-term gain and huge bonuses, the country be damned — as long as the powerful nanny state remains intact to serve their interests." – Noam Chomsky
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Crown allowed to pursue Waihopai trio for $1.2m http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5542919/Crown-allowed-to-pursue-Waihopai-trio-for-1-2m
Maire Leadbeater: Pacific Island Forum ignores deadliest issue in its patch http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10748245
Tony Blair gets yelled at by Protestors
Special Report: New Zealanders urge P-Noy to end disappearances in Phl http://cbcpnews.com/?q=node/16716
Hike in prison violence after no-smoke rule http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10748188
Depriving Samoans of immigration and citizenship rights http://rdln.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/depriving-samoans-of-immigration-and-citizenship-rights/
Government has Choices on Earthquake Finances http://union.org.nz/news/2011/government-has-choices-earthquake-finances
CULTURAL DISSENT
Ken Loach: ‘the ruling class are cracking the whip’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/aug/28/ken-loach-class-riots-interview
Movie: Ken Loach’s ‘Land and Freedom’ (104 minutes) http://links.org.au/node/2471
Dick Smith obscures causes of ecological crisis By Simon Butler: Review of Dick Smith’s Population Crisis: The Dangers of Unsustainable Growth for Australia, Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 2011, 228 pages http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48660
FEATURES
The US-Saudi counter-revolution against the ‘Arab spring’ http://links.org.au/node/2470
Hegemony or Survival
America’s Quest for Global Dominance By Noam Chomsky – Chomsky indicates that America is just as much a terrorist state as any other government or rogue organization. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article22114.htm
Attention Governor Perry: Evolution is a Fact By Richard Dawkins – There is nothing unusual about Governor Rick Perry. Uneducated fools can be found in every country and every period of history, and they are not unknown in high office. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28973.htm
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Tax us more, say wealthy Europeans: German group latest to volunteer for higher contributions, saying country could raise €100bn in two years with a 5% wealth tax http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/29/tax-us-more-say-wealthy-europeans
Martin Hart-Landsberg: Market ‘outcomes’ and political power""Now imagine if we had a state that engaged in transparent planning and was committed to using our significant public resources to reshape our economy in the public interest. … state planning and intervention in economic activity already goes on. Unfortunately, it happens behind closed doors and for the benefit of a small minority. It doesn’t have to be that way." http://links.org.au/node/2467
Give Karl Marx a Chance to Save the World Economy: George Magnus http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-29/give-marx-a-chance-to-save-the-world-economy-commentary-by-george-magnus.html
LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Native American and Canadian First Nations join civil disobedience to stop tar sands pipeline http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5280
Interview: Fred Magdoff on What Every Environmentalist Needs to Know about Capitalism http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5256
AFGHANISTAN
Malalai Joya: Democracy never comes with invasion http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48649
Deadliest month yet for U.S. in Afghanistan: Sixty-six U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan so far this month, making August the deadliest month for American forces in the nearly decade-long war. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/08/30/501364/main20099087.shtml
AUSTRALIA
Philip Ferguson of Redline recently talked to Melbourne-based longtime Marxist activist Tom O’Lincoln about his new book Australia’s Pacific War: challenging a national myth http://rdln.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/demystifying-australian-myths-about-the-war-in-the-pacific/
Loewenstein: Attacks on BDS meant to ‘criminalise debate’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48653
Sam Watson: Tackle the real ‘Aboriginal industry’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48648
BOLIVIA
TIPNIS Marchers Face Accusations and Negotiations http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2011/08/bolivia-tipnis-marchers-face.html
LEBANON
Hariri Bombing Indictment Based on Flawed Premise: The indictment of four men linked to Hezbollah in the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri made public by the Special Tribunal on Lebanon Aug. 17 is questionable not because it is based on "circumstantial evidence", but because that evidence is based on a flawed premise. http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=104920
LIBYA
Libya’s spectacular revolution has been disgraced by racism http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/30/libya-spectacular-revolution-disgraced-racism
Libyans: Passive Tools? http://pulsemedia.org/2011/08/30/libyans-passive-tools/
Anger simmers among pro-Qaddafi Libyans in Tripoli http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article495241.ece
Eyeing The Prize – NATO Nations Set to Reap Spoils of Libya War By Rachel Shabi – In the context of responsibility for what happens next in Libya, an anonymous British official told the Economist that NATO’s involvement in the Libyan uprising means that: "Now we own it."
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28955.htm
PACIFIC
Samoa: what New Zealand did http://rdln.wordpress.com/2011/08/28/samoa-what-new-zealand-did/
SOUTH AFRICA
As COP17 approaches: Dirty Durban’s manual for climate greenwashing http://links.org.au/node/2469
UK
Corporate homicide law extended to prisons and police cells http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/28/corporate-homicide-law-prison-police
VENEZUELA
Gold industry nationalisation tackles illegal mafias http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48668
OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS
“MIDNIGHT IN MOSCOW” – NEW BOOK OF PLAY BY DEAN PARKER
Midnight in Moscow had the shortest main-venue run of any play in New Zealand. On its second night the curtain came down, followed next afternoon by the ceiling. This was the play that had just opened at the Court Theatre in Christchurch when the great earthquake of February 22 hit, killing 185 people. Here is the full text, together with a major introduction by the author. The play is set in Moscow, 1947; the introduction is set in Moscow, too, in the Bolshevik revolution of 1917 and then at the demise of the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Along the way the introduction takes in Burgess and Philby, Napier in the early 1960s, hippie London, New Zealand politics and theatre in the ’70s, Christchurch and Mervyn Thompson and finally the present — the return of the mob. Dean Parker is a screenwriter, playwright, journalist and political commentator. Previous works include plays Baghdad, Baby, The Feds, and The Hollow Men (adapted from Nicky Hager’s book) and cowriting the screenplay of the film Came a Hot Friday from the novel by Ronald Hugh Morrieson. Play • 144 pages, A5, soft cover ISBN 978-1-877577-37-6 RRP 24.99 • Available July. Steele Roberts Publishers • ph. 04 499 0044 • f. 04 499 0056 • Box 9321 Wellington. www.steeleroberts.co.nz
VISIT CUBA THIS SUMMER
Cuba consistently makes the news: whether it is it’s health care system (see Salud or Sicko), its response to its oil crisis, its environmental programmes, or by remaining a political opponent of US imperialism for forty years. At the moment it is fundamentally revamping its economy and administration system, while remaining true to the spirit of socialism. It is also the home of salsa and its music is world renowned. Registrations are open for the 27th Southern Cross Brigade to Cuba. Members of the Brigade, which is made up of Australians and New Zealanders, spend approximately four weeks in Cuba, leaving 27th December and returning 24th January. The Brigade stays in the Julio Mella International Camp and the time there co-incides with visits by Brigades from the Nordic countries and South America, which gives an excellent opportunity for dialogue. The programme is varied and includes social occasions, dance lessons, cultural events, talks by community groups e.g. the Womens’ Federation, visits to schools, hospitals and trade unions, resorts and national parks, as well as free time in Havana. Some voluntary work is included in the programme. Brigade members with a special interest in an area can usually be provided for. The trip is suitable for people of any age group. Children are welcome and an 85 year old has coped well. While some knowledge of Spanish is useful, an interpreter is always on hand. As an initial introduction to Cuban society and Cuban people the Brigade is an excellent opportunity to quickly gain insight into this unique country and to express solidarity. The all up cost is $5500, including airfare, spending money and all accommodation and meals. Members of the Brigade often stay longer in Cuba as private travelers or move onto other countries in the region. For further enquiries and registration e- mail Ina at inashina or Paul at wkcultur; (03 732 4010).
PLEASE SIGN ONLINE PETITION AGAINST TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
This was originally going to close on July 4th, but it’s built up momentum, so it seemed a shame to stop it now. More and more of the disastrous implications of the TPPA are making themselves obvious. The new cutoff date (which won’t be extended again) is November 1st. So please sign it now (if you haven’t already done so). And if you’ve got a hard copy of it, please post it to New Zealand Not For Sale Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch 8140. We urge you to circulate and publicise the petition, online and hard copy, through your organisations and networks. Murray Horton, Convenor, New Zealand Not For Sale Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch 8140. nznot4sale www.nznotforsale.org
Petition:
We the undersigned citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand call upon the Government of New Zealand.
• to cease negotiations on the Transpacific Partnership agreement; and
• to not sign this agreement; and
• to cease work on any other in-progress or proposed international trade and investment treaties containing clauses which limit or abrogate New Zealand’s sovereign and democratic right to make and enforce laws and regulations and provide services which differ from those of other states or transnational organisations.
NOMINATIONS CALLED FOR ROGER AWARD
Nominations are now open for the 2011 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand. All details are on the nomination form, which is online at our Website. Here are the links to it, in both Word and PDF.
http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/2011Nomination.doc
http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/2011Nomination.pdf
You can use it to send us your nomination/s, either electronically, or print it it, fill it in and post it to us at the below postal address. And please distribute it far and wide. Murray Horton, Secretary/Organiser, CAFCA, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa. cafca
Please Join CAFCA’s Facebook Group & Follow Our Blog & On Twitter http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117427631610589&ref=ts
http://www.watchblogaotearoa.blogspot.com/ https://twitter.com/#!/NZN4S
SUPERFUND PETITION
“To the House of Representatives: We request that the New Zealand Parliament ask the Guardians of the NZ Superfund to disinvest the Fund from Elbit Systems, Caterpillar, G4S and 3 major Israeli banks: Bank Hapoalim , Bank Leumi and Israel Discount Bank, to ensure that New Zealanders are not profiteering from crimes against international humanitarian law.” For copies email Mandlgriffiths or write to: Lois Griffiths, 48 St Andrews Square, Christchurch, 03 355 4715 http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/petition-nz-superfund-to-divest-from-israeli-occupation/
ME RONGO 2011 PEACE CONGRESS INFORMATION, REGISTRATION AND INVITATION 7 TO 21 NOVEMBER 2011, REKOHU (CHATHAM ISLANDS)
This message is to let you know that information about the Me Rongo 2011 Peace Congress – ‘Peace, Sustainability and Respect for the Sacred’ – the registration form and draft programme are now available. Below is the welcome message from the Congress hosts, an outline of the purpose and vision of the Congress, and an invitation for peace to groups to present workshops at it. The document with more information, the registration details, draft programme and contact details for the organisers, is available as a pdf file at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/merongo01.pdf and as a Word document at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/merongo01.doc This message is available online at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/me-rongo-2011-peace-congress-information-registration-and-invitation/195449993835711
GPJA's Blog 