GPJA #392: Sunday – 81 Tour protest anniversary / Mon – Operation 8 picket: “Drop All Charges”
September 9, 2011 Leave a comment
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 392, September 9, 2011
SEPTEMBER 11: 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPRINGBOK TOUR PROTESTS – S’BU ZIKODE FROM SOUTH AFRICAN SHACKDWELLERS ORGANISATION SPEAKS
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
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPERATION 8 SOLIDARITY PICKET MONDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 8.30AM – DROP ALL THE CHARGES!
Solidarity picket outside the Auckland High Court Monday, 12th September, 8.30am. 13 accused in the Urewera case will be discharged. Please join us for a solidarity picket demanding the freedom of the four remaining people – Emily, Taame, Rangi and Urs – and an end to all of Operation 8. Brings flags, banners and placards. Please forward this to your whanau and friends. Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=173033956106500 And for a bit of fun: http://tinyurl.com/operationeight
STATEMENT FROM THE WEST PAPUA SOLIDARITY GATHERING AT NGA WAI O HOROTIU, TAMAKI MAKAURAU / AUCKLAND
8 September 2011, We are very encouraged by the statement of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban ki-Moon, at a media conference in Auckland yesterday, 7 September 2011, that West Papua should be discussed by the Decolonisation Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. Noting with appreciation the Secretary-General’s statement that “whether you are an independent state or a non-self-governing territory or whatever, the human rights is inalienable and a fundamental principle of the United Nations”, and “we will do all to ensure” that the human rights of the people of West Papua are respected, we therefore call on:
The United Nations Secretary General to act without delay, and:
• appoint a Special Representative to investigate the situation in West Papua – to review the circumstances and outcome of the 1969 ‘Act of Free Choice’, as well as the contemporary situation; and
• use his good offices to persuade the Indonesian government to allow free access to West Papua for media representatives from the international community and for non-governmental human rights organisations.
The Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting in Auckland to act without delay, and:
• send a fact-finding mission to West Papua to investigate the human rights situation;
• support the West Papuan people in their call for peaceful dialogue with the Indonesian government;
• grant observer status to West Papuan representatives who support the people of West Papua’s right of self-determination; and
• recommend to the United Nations General Assembly that West Papua be put back on the agenda of the Decolonisation Committee.
The New Zealand government to act without delay, and:
• play a role in mediating and beginning the process of peaceful dialogue between West Papuan representatives and the Indonesian government; and
• cease all military ties with Indonesia until the human rights of the people of West Papua are respected.
Civil society to:
• support the West Papuan call for peace and justice, and for a process of peaceful dialogue with the Indonesian government; and
• take every opportunity to support West Papuans working for peace, justice, human rights and environmental sustainability.
Participating organisations: New Zealand non-governmental organisations Bicultural Desk of the Auckland Catholic Diocese, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, Christian World Service, CORSO Inc., Indonesia Human Rights Committee, Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand, Peace Movement Aotearoa, Philippine Migrant Centre, and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Aotearoa Section; New Zealand based Coalition for Democracy in Fiji; and Australian non-governmental organisations Australia West Papua Association (Sydney), Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights, Medical Association for Prevention of War, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre (Australian Province), Pax Christi Australia and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Australia Section.
Photos from some of the West Papua solidarity actions in Auckland: are available at http://www.facebook.com/PeaceMovementAotearoa
Formatted copy of this statement: is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/wp-ngos0911.pdf
AUSA HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK AT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY
AUSA PRESENTS Human Rights Week 2011 Te Wiki o te Mana Tangata. AUSA Human Rights Week 2011 will put the spotlight on what’s been done in the fight for respect of people’s human rights around the world and here in NZ. There are two pillars to the event:
– The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml : The UDHR is the world’s most translated document and represents the widest worldwide consensus on human rights that has ever been achieved. Every event and display this week will focus on action in support of the realization of one or more of the rights described in this document.
– Action: What can we *do* to see that our rights and the rights of all people are respected? Every event and display this week will focus on action students can take to see human rights more respected around the world. Find out more about Human Rights Week here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=261476933865086
Monday 12 September: Thinking Matters Presents: "FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN A SECULAR SOCIETY"
Tuesday 13 September: AUSA Presents: DOUBLE FILM NIGHT: Courage Unfolds and Operation 8 – 6 PM Eng 3.401. Find out more about the event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=277147725634023
Wednesday 14 September: Human Rights Expo 11-2PM The Quad. Find out more about Human Rights Expo here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=220135984702402
AUSA & UN Youth Present: HUMAN RIGHTS DEBATE: An all-star lineup of all your favourite humanities lecturers from the University of Auckland discuss “Humanitarian Intervention is a tool to impose non-universal standards on human rights.” 6.30 PM Library Basement B15. Featuring: Mohsen al Attar (Law) | Anita Lacey (Politics) | Tim Dare (Philosophy) v Kris Gledhill (Law) | Rhema Vaithianathan (Economics) | Corey Wallace (Politics)
Find out more about the event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=204659562926785
Thursday 15 September: The Reason And Science Society Presents a discussion: WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS AND SHOULD WE WANT THEM?
By Tim Dare of the Philosophy Department. 5 PM Seminar room G25, Clock Tower East Wing RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123478771083553
Amnesty on Campus & SJP Present: What about Palestinian Human Rights? – A Panel Discussion. Margaret Taylor (Amnesty International) | Tuma Hazou (Journalist) | Harmeet Sooden (Freedom Flotilla activist). 6.30 PM Engineering Room E.3403 RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=260051864015100
Friday 16 September: HUNGER BANQUET – Join us for a delicious, fun, thought-provoking end to human rights week. Entry tickets are just $2 but as in real life not all guests are guaranteed a full 3-course meal…. 6.30PM Cap & Gown Lounge. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169783093097661 For more information contact the organizers Ben Smith (022 685 4105) and Dan Haines (021 0258 6355).
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/
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/48372
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
WHAT’S ON
Sunday, September 11, 2pm, Avon Riverbank just south of the munted Medway Street Bridge, Christchurch
RIVERSIDE RALLY: Riverside Community Group in east Richmond is calling for a mass rally. We will not accept the offers from CERA or Insurance Companies until: 1. Insurance companies honour Full Replacement policies for homes that are due for demolition in the red zone; 2. RVs are reviewed where there is significant and demonstrable undervaluation; 3. Measures are taken to improve availability and affordability of relocation options so that home owners can move on without losing equity or increasing their debt burden; 4. There is certainty and clarity about the future use of the red zone lands. Please support us – bring your own placards and banners! In order to progress the organisation of this rally I need a number of helpers to organise placards, banners, flags, bunting, bbq, etc – please meet at 3 Lois Place at 10am Saturday 10 September if you can help in any way! Thanks.
We would hope to see further rallies organised in Christchurch and Waimakariri in the future on similar themes until these issues are addressed. If you have any further questions relating to the rally please do not hesitate to get in touch. Best regards, Evan Smith, Riverside 029 739 9796
Monday, September 12, 7.30pm, Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland City.
Films at the Peace Palace …exploring creative artists’ response to war: Grand Illusion (1937); Director: Jean Renoir; Runtime: 114 min. Black & White.
Admission: by Koha / donation (Please post this to friends, on Mail Lists, Notice Boards etc) See also: http://thepeaceplace.wordpress.com/
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.
Saturday, September 17, 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Westpac Stadium, 147 Waterloo Quay, Wellington
Fiji Demonstration: Handing out of leaflets and armbands before the Fiji-South Africa rugby game. Organised by the NZ Council of Trade Unions
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
Thursday, September 22, 6pm, LHT2, Rutherford House, Bunny Street, Wellington
HOW TO MAKE A MORE DECENT CAPITALISM” Fabian Society Lecture. The Fabian Society invites you to a lecture with Prof Robert Wade of the London School of Economics on "HOW TO MAKE A MORE DECENT CAPITALISM" on Thursday 22 September at LHT2, Rutherford House, Bunny Street, Wellington at 6pm. The lecture is being held in conjunction with the Victoria University School of Government. Prof Wade writes in the abstract for his lecture: "Some may consider "decent capitalism" an oxymoron, like "MIT nightlife" or "LSE sports". I start from the premise that it makes sense to distinguish "more decent" and "less decent" capitalism. I first give some indicators – relating to income inequality, social mobility, child well-being and mass education – which serve to place European and North American national capitalisms on this scale. Then I suggest what social democrats should be arguing for, in contrast to "taken for granted" standard/mainstream/conservative prescription, in four areas: the role of the state and markets, the solution to the eurozone crisis (the finger points at German wages); the use of northwest European capitalisms rather than Anglo-American ones for inspiration about decent capitalism; and development strategy in developing countries. Then I briefly discuss the elephant in the room, the possibility of continuous "green growth". Robert Wade is a New Zealander who is Professor of Political Economy at the London School of Economics. He won the Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought in 2008, and his book Governing the Market: Economic Theory and the Role of Government in East Asia’s Industrialization (1990, 2004) won the American Political Science Association’s Best Book in Political Economy award. His recent work has dealt with: financial booms and busts; world income distribution; global economic governance (especially the G20, World Bank, IMF and WTO); neoliberal (“Washington Consensus”) policy prescriptions, with particular reference to East Asia, the US and the UK; the fights over environmental norms inside the World Bank; industrial policies; and Iceland.
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, September 29, 9.30am – 4.30pm, Wellington Community Law Centre Level 2, 84 Willis Street, Wellington
EMPLOYMENT LAW TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY WORKERS: Invitation to attend full-day training. Presented by Wellington Community Law Centre staff and guest speakers, this workshop will provide you with a working knowledge of key areas in Employment Law (including the 2010 Employment Relations Amendments), as well as advising how and where to access legal information. We invite all community workers and community members with an interest in Employment Law to attend. Tea, coffee, morning and afternoon tea will be provided Participants will need to bring or buy their own lunch. Cost: Half Day: $20 per person Full Day: $25 per person
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
"We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine; and remember that we are not descended from fearful men. Not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular. This is no time for men . . . to keep silent, or for those who approve. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of a republic to abdicate his responsibilities."-Edward R. Murrow (March 9, 1954)
"It would be foolish to expect objective reporting: not because the journalists are bad people, but because of the economic structure of the organizations they work for. In fact, what is surprising is that despite all of this, occasionally there is some very good reporting. But overall we either have silence, or a completely distorted picture, in which those resisting their impoverishment are being labelled ‘terrorists’ " Arundhati Roy
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Q+A: Richard Wilkinson interview transcript http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/richard-wilkinson-interview-transcript-4368806
Geoffrey Palmer whitewashes with blood http://tumeke.blogspot.com/2011/09/geoffrey-palmer-whitewashes-with-blood.html
Column: Taking control of our destiny by Manu Caddie http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/opinion/column/?id=24392
Fight against National Standards will move to new battleground http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1109/S00024/fight-against-national-standards-moves-to-new-battleground.htm
UREWERA RAIDS
Urewera raids worst blunder in police history – Minto Video http://www.3news.co.nz/Urewera-raids-worst-blunder-in-police-history—Minto/tabid/309/articleID/224773/Default.aspx#.TmgrpIYJBms.facebook
Police should apologise for Urewera raids – Sharples – Video http://www.3news.co.nz/Police-should-apologise-for-Urewera-raids—Sharples/tabid/309/articleID/224730/Default.aspx
Police won’t apologise for Urewera raids http://www.3news.co.nz/Police-wont-apologise-for-Urewera-raids/tabid/423/articleID/224764/Default.aspx
Urewera terror raid case a ‘house of cards’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/national-news/5576232/Urewera-terror-raid-case-a-house-of-cards
Treaty ‘breached’ by Urewera raids http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/treaty-breached-by-raids/1095973/
Take prosecutions away from police – Nandor blog http://www.3news.co.nz/Take-prosecutions-away-from-police—Nandor-blog/tabid/1341/articleID/224965/Default.aspx#ixzz1XQRKR78k
Ian Steward (Stuff): Urewera terror raid case a ‘house of cards’
Danya Levy and Kate Chapman (Dom Post): No apology likely over terror raids
TVNZ: Police apology for Urewera raids ruled out
Danya Levy (Stuff): Apology, compo over Urewera raids unlikely: Key
Jared Savage and Jamie Morton (NZH): Apology to Urewera accused unlikely – Key
Jared Savage and Jamie Morton (NZH): Iti: Madness to go ahead with trial
TVNZ: Urewera couple confident case will fall apart
Felix Marwick and Laura Heathcote (Newstalk ZB): Tuhoe unfairly smeared – Maori Party
RNZ: Lawyer wants suppression order on raids case lifted
RNZ: Police credibility dented after raids, says Tuhoe elder
Imperator Fish: Problems with Police
Steven Price (Media Law Journal): Did the Crown breach the suppression order in the Ureweras case?
Chris Ford (Voxy): Urewera Thirteen Now Free – Re-Consider The Charges Of The Remaining Four!
The Dim-Post: How appropriate that Urewera means ‘burned penis’
Not PC: agree with John Minto.
PIKE RIVER INQUIRY
Deidre Mussen (Press): Ventilation shaft ‘unfit’ escape route
Editorial (Timaru Herald): Harrowing evidence
RNZ: Dept accused of failing to protect workers
NZ IN AFGHANISTAN
‘Other People’s Wars’: Real journalism exposing NZ imperialism by Joel Cosgrove http://workersparty.org.nz/2011/09/07/%E2%80%98other-people%E2%80%99s-wars%E2%80%99-real-journalism-exposing-nz-imperialism/
Media 7 "Pulling The Wool" – Nicky Hager, Sir Bruce Ferguson http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1109/S00060/media-7-pulling-the-wool-nicky-hager-sir-bruce-ferguson.htm
Retired commander signals abuse cover-up http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/retired-commander-signals-abuse-cover-up-4394059
Russell Brown: Towards the Truth http://publicaddress.net/hardnews/towards-the-truth/
Media7 takes an indepth look at the 2001 terror attacks and aftermath. http://tvnz.co.nz/media7/s7-e5-extra-video-4393971
Talking politics: Hager puts focus on foreign policy http://tinyurl.com/3b4bmz6
Key ignores possible war crimes http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2011/09/key-ignores-possible-war-crimes.html
NZ ECONOMY
Jane kelsey: Labour Day Rally in Chicago Kicks Off Challenge to TPPA Negotiating Round http://watchblogaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/09/labour-day-rally-in-chicago-kicks-off.html
Ben & Jerry deliver 10,000 postcards to US trade negotiator challenging TPP http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00110/ben-jerry-deliver-10000-postcards-to-us-trade-negotiator.htm
NZ WORK RIGHTS
Kiribati workers, members of Northern AWUNZ, fight redundancies and racism in Warkworth http://workersparty.org.nz/2011/09/08/kiribati-workers-members-of-northern-awunz-fight-redundancies-and-racism-in-warkworth/
$100m deal ends pay ‘struggle’ for all-night disability workers http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10749903
Sleepover shifts ratified by workers http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/5584915/Sleepover-shifts-are-ratified-by-workers
Fisher & Paykel staff to strike http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/f-p-staff-strike-over-pay-4389455
PSA lobbying saves jobs but Government cost-cutting continues to hurt regions http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00099/psa-saves-jobs-but-government-cost-cutting-hurts-regions.htm
NZH Editorial: Govt wakes up to overnight carers’ plight http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10750139
Union criticises Minister’s Pollyanna approach to wood processing industry http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00122/ministers-approach-to-wood-processing-industry-criticised.htm
Parliament can’t ignore 14,000 people’s views on local rail jobs http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/10221921/mps-cant-ignore-14-000-views-on-rail-jobs/
Capping update reveals public service cuts – Job cuts are draining skills and knowledge from the public service and creating a health and safety time bomb, says the PSA. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00118/capping-update-reveals-public-service-cuts.htm
MANA MOVEMENT
Finlay’s blog: Annette Sykes http://tvnz.co.nz/talk-talk/finlay-s-blog-annette-sykes-4384735
CULTURAL DISSENT
Inside Job: Must Watch – Full Documentary Movie – A powerhouse of a documentary that will leave you both thunderstruck and boiling with rage.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29057.htm
FEATURES
Gadhafi’s Hollywood ending: How the government and media transformed the Libyan leader’s image from repentant bad boy to evil tyrant http://www.salon.com/news/politics/feature/story/index.html?story=/politics/feature/2011/09/06/gadhafihollywoodending
Lucy Parsons: ‘More dangerous than a thousand rioters’ http://links.org.au/node/2480
Drug Policy in Portugal: The Benefits of Decriminalizing Drug Use http://www.soros.org/initiatives/drugpolicy/articles_publications/publications/drug-policy-in-portugal-20110829
How US warmongers exploited the 9/11 terrorist attacks http://links.org.au/node/1238
Hail to the True Victors of Rupert’s Revolution By John Pilger – Nicholas Sarkozy, a Napoleonic Islamophobe whose intelligence services almost certainly set up the coup against Gaddafi. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29066.htm
Robert Fisk: For 10 years, we’ve lied to ourselves to avoid asking the one real question http://tinyurl.com/3jgmhmg
WORLD ECONOMY
The Robin Hood tax: a small step for capitalism, a big stride for development http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/aug/23/robin-hood-tax-small-step-capitalism
Struggling with a great contraction http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/079ff1c6-d2f0-11e0-9aae-00144feab49a.html#axzz1WYVJvFsI
Trans-Pacific Trade Negotiations and Financial Volatility – New report: U.S. position on capital controls is more rigidly anti-regulation than the IMF and the Reagan administration http://www.ips-dc.org/reports/capital_controls_and_the_trans-pacific_partnership
Poverty Capitalism: Interview with Ananya Roy http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/213-financing-for-development/50658-poverty-capitalism-interview-with-ananya-roy.html
LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Speculating with Lives – How Global Investors Make Money Out of Hunger http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,783654,00.html
Foundations of an ecosocialist strategy http://links.org.au/node/2475
CANADA
Ottawa takes aim against a historic right of grain farmers http://johnriddell.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/ottawa-aims-blow-against-a-historic-right-of-grain-farmers/
CHILE
‘Our future is not for sale’: The Chilean Student Movement Against Neoliberalism http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/542.php
EGYPT
Hundreds of thousands set to strike http://menasolidaritynetwork.com/2011/09/06/egypt-hundreds-of-thousands-set-to-strike/
Strikes spread ahead of Tahrir mass rally http://tinyurl.com/4xa8n4q
GREECE
Workers Launch New Wave of Strikes: Taxi drivers, tax collectors, doctors and garbage collectors in Greece all signaled a new round of strike action on Wednesday in response to government pledges for the swifter enforcement of austerity measures.
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2011/09/08/workers-launch-new-wave-of-strikes/
LIBYA
Gaddafi, Britain and US: A secret, special and very cosy relationship http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/gaddafi-britain-and-us-a-secret-special-and-very-cosy-relationship-2349039.html
Patrick Cockburn: A clean victory in Libya, but the peace will be rather messier http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/patrick-cockburn-a-clean-victory-in-libya-but-the-peace-will-be-rather-messier-2348920.html
So, was this a war for oil? The dust in Libya has not yet settled, but already the struggle has begun over who gets what http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/02/next-war-libya-one-for-oil
Gaddafi’s army of mercenaries face backlash – Many black Africans have been arrested and accused of fighting for dictator, but claim they were press-ganged http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/02/libya-gaddafi-army-mercenaries-backlash
After Gaddafi by Gilbert Achar & David Wearing http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22765
Libya’s NTC shackled by prisoner overload – With no judicial system to count on, council must decide fate of thousands of enemy fighters and suspected mercenaries. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/09/201195151213201237.html
Unseemly Scrabble For Libya’s Post-Gaddafi Oil Assets Underway http://www.countercurrents.org/daly060911.htm
Western Multinationals Enabled Qaddafi’s Suppression of Libyans http://www.zcommunications.org/western-multinationals-enabled-qaddafis-suppression-of-libyans-by-paul-mutter
Secret Libyan files claim MI6 and the CIA aided human rights violation http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/03/secret-libyan-files-mi6-cia
PALESTINE
Declaration by Palestinians and Israelis in support of social protest, anti-colonial struggle http://links.org.au/node/2481
SWAZILAND
Thousands defy monarchy in second global week of protest http://links.org.au/node/2482
UK
Bosses of banks saved by taxpayer earn more now than before crisis http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2033744/Bosses-banks-saved-taxpayer-earn-crisis.html#ixzz1X83qD6vL
Britain must escape its longest depression http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c6c14d92-d332-11e0-9ba8-00144feab49a.html#axzz1Wr0J5DTE
USA
The Limping Middle Class By Robert B. Reich former secretary of labor, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of “Aftershock: The Next Economy and America’s Future.” http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/opinion/sunday/jobs-will-follow-a-strengthening-of-the-middle-class.html?_r=1
Strike by student exchange workers at US chocolate maker Hershey exposes sordid trail of outsourcing and exploitation http://cms.iuf.org/?q=node/1096
Our Creeping Police State: How Going to the Mall of America Can Land You in an FBI Counterterrorism Report http://tinyurl.com/3kaalhq
The Massive Rewards for Corporate Tax Dodging http://inequality.org/executive-pay-and-tax-dodging/
Chant of ‘tax the rich’ growing louder in nation http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/31/MNOB1KTSHP.DTL
OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS
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
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 