GPJA #400: Sat 3pm – Robin Hood tax march / Sun 2pm – protest outside National Party conference

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 400 October 28, 2011

3PM SATURDAY OCT 29, AOTEA SQ, AUCKLAND: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR A TAX ON ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS TO ELIMINATE POVERTY AND HUNGER IN THE WORLD. There is no need for 19,000 children to die every day of hunger and preventable diseases. It’s time to take from the rich and give to the poor. On October 29, on the eve of the G20 Leaders Summit in France, the people of the world rise up and demand that our G20 leaders immediately impose a 1% #ROBINHOOD tax on all financial transactions and currency trades. Let’s send them a clear message: We want you to slow down some of that $1.3-trillion easy money that’s sloshing around the global casino each day – enough cash to fund every social program and environmental initiative in the world. There is no need for 19,000 children to die every day of hunger and preventable diseases. It’s time to take from the rich and give to the poor. Details: http://www.adbusters.org/blogs/adbusters-blog/robinhood.html Share the Facebook event – Post it on your friends walls http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=294954730534183

SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER – ASSEMBLE AT CAMP 2PM AND MARCH ON NATIONAL PARTY CONFERENCE
Going from the Camp of Aotea Square to the Tower of the Sky City. Oppose reintroduction of youth rates for 6 months.

SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER – 130 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF PARIHAKA EVICTION

OCCUPY AOTEAROA

Matt McCarten: Global protest shows way for people power http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10761021

New Zealanders get low wages http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/5824465/New-Zealanders-get-low-wages

Gordon Campbell On The Occupy Movement http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/10/25/gordon-campbell-on-the-occupy-movement/

The Two Souls of the Workers Movement – a discussion at Occupy Auckland on Labour Day http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/10/two-souls-of-workers-movement.html

Auckland: Occupy Auckland http://www.occupyauckland.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/OccupyAuck

Christchurch: Occupy Ōtautahi Christchurch http://occupychristchurch.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/occupychristchurch

Dunedin: Occupy Dunedin Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Dunedin/141220149310691

Wellington: http://www.facebook.com/OccupyWellingtonNZ

OCCUPY WALL STREET

We Are the 99 Percent http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/

Scott Olsen’s Condition Upgraded from "Critical" to "Fair" http://www.eastbayexpress.com/92510/archives/2011/10/27/scott-olsens-condition-upgraded-from-critical-to-fair

Occupy Oakland Rises Up

Dean Baker: Occupy Wall Street: The Real Tea Party http://tinyurl.com/3d9jbuq

US Income Disparity, Economic Anxiety Grow: Studies By AFP – Income for the richest Americans has grown 15 times faster than for the poor since 1979, a government study showed, as a poll out Wednesday highlighted deep anxiety over uneven wealth distribution a year ahead of US elections.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29528.htm

The Class War Has Begun – And the very classlessness of our society makes the conflict more volatile, not less. By Frank Rich http://nymag.com/news/frank-rich/class-war-2011-10/

Global indignation inspires Spanish movement http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49180

Mike Davis: No More Bubble Gum http://lareviewofbooks.org/post/11725867619/no-more-bubble-gum

Michael Moore "Don’t Fall For The Media’s Trap About Who Is The Spokesman Here? WE ALL ARE!"

From Wall Street to a Campus Near You? http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/560.php

1% versus 99% http://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/1-versus-99/

Data on income gains support 99ers’ gripes http://www.epi.org/publication/data-income-gains-support-99ers/

Trend toward economic disparity surprises many Americans http://www.gazette.com/opinion/horner-126965-country-surprises.html

How Economic Inequality Is (Literally) Making Us Sick http://healthland.time.com/2011/10/19/how-economic-inequality-is-literally-making-us-sick/#ixzz1bGFDmMkh

Michael Moore offers CNBC his take on Occupy Wall Street http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/24/8467686-michael-moore-offers-cnbc-his-take-on-occupy-wall-street

GPJA FORUM WITH NICKY HAGAR
Monday, November 7, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
GPJA Forum: Nicky Hagar on New Zealand’s role in the war in Afghanistan. Investigative journalist and researcher Nicky Hagar will speak about New Zealand’s war in Afghanistan following publication of his acclaimed (by all but a few politicians) book "Other People’s Wars" released in early September. In his book he details the real role of our troops and reconstruction teams in this country’s longest running war and the false and misleading information put out by politicians and our defence force officials. THIS FORUM IS NOT TO BE MISSED.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPERATION 8 DOCUMENTARY ON MAORI TV, SUNDAY OCT 30, 8.30PM
Critically acclaimed New Zealand documentary examining the “anti-terror” raids of October 2007. On October 15, 2007, activists around New Zealand woke to guns in their faces: black-clad police forced their way into homes and dragged families out onto roads, and in the rural village of Rūātoki, helicopters hovered while locals were stopped at roadblocks. This was the NZ Police’s ‘Operation 8’ and involved 18 months of surveillance of activists accused of attending terrorist training camps in the Urewera ranges – homeland of the Tūhoe people. Operation 8 asks "How and why did the raids take place? How did the War on Terror become a global witch-hunt of political dissenters reaching even to the South Pacific?" Starring Tame Iti, Valerie Morse, Urs Signer, Tuhoe Lambert, Tamati Kruger, Paul Buchanan, Moana Jackson. Directed by Errol Wright, Abi King-Jones. Documentary | 1hr 50mins | Origin: New Zealand Official website: http://www.cutcutcut.com/Operation8.html

NOMINATIONS FOR ROGER AWARD CLOSE MONDAY OCTOBER 31
Nominations close Monday 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

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

KIA ORA GAZA – DELIVERING AID TO GAZA AND BREAKING ISRAEL’S CRUEL SIEGE
In Dcecember 2011 Kia Ora Gaza will join an international aid convoy to Gaza led by UK charity Viva Palestina. The convoy intends to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza by linking up with Cairo’s democracy movement and entering the besieged enclave through Egypt’s land gate. This strategy could well lead towards the permanent opening of Egypt’s gateway to Gaza, thus fatally wounding Israel’s siege. That would be a truly world historic event. How can you reach out to the 1.5 million Palestinians imprisoned in Gaza? By donating towards our $50,000 Gaza Appeal to fund a four-person Kiwi Team and their humanitarian aid. Kia Ora Gaza has a proven track record. Our team was on last year’s Viva Palestina convoy which broke the Gaza blockade and delivered NZ$7 million in medical supplies. Can we do it again? That’s where you come in. Please donate generously to our $50,000 Gaza Appeal – and spread the word! To see how to donate, go to the sidebar of office

REMINDER: LOCAL PEACE GRANTS AND THE LOXLEY AWARD
This message has information about the Quaker Peace and Service Aotearoa New Zealand / Te Ropu Rongomau me te Ratonga a Te Hahi Tuhauwiri (QPS) Local Peace Grants and the Loxley Award – the deadline for applications is Monday, 31 October.

Local Peace Grants: Applications are invited for grants up to $500 to assist with non-violent local peace work anywhere within Aotearoa New Zealand. Applicants need not be Quakers. Preference is given to work which is new and / or innovative in content – a one-off occasion (for example: constructing a mobile peace stall, printing / advertising, an inter-faith peace conference, a peace / green fair, or a non-violence training day) or for a longer project (for example: restorative justice, or a new organisation). There are two deadlines each year for applications for Local Peace Grants – 30 April and 31 October – with the allocation of grants decided in May and November. The Local Peace Grants application form is available at qpsanz

Loxley Award: QPS invites applications for the Loxley Award – a grant of up to $10,000 established to assist New Zealand Quakers or non-Quakers to undertake a study programme or project of their choosing, in New Zealand or abroad, which promotes understanding of peace, justice and environmental issues. The deadline for applications is 31 October each year. Information about the Loxley Award is available at qpsanz

PLEASE SIGN PETITION AGAINST TRANSPACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. IT CLOSES NOVEMBER 1ST (THIS TUESDAY)
This online petition closes on November 1st (this Tuesday) 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. Sign the petition For full details, visit our Website www.nznotforsale.org

PMA: WHITE POPPIES FOR PARIHAKA, ARMISTICE / REMEMBRANCE DAYS
PMA will be sending out a reminder next week with details about white poppy orders for Parihaka Day (Saturday, 5 November) and Armistice / Remembrance Day (Sunday, 11 November) – if you are interested in having white poppies available at your event/s for either or both of these, please keep an eye out for the message next week because this year all orders must be received by Monday, 28 October at the latest as we are involved in out of town seminars and gatherings during the first two weeks of November. If you would like to know more about white poppies and collecting donations for the White Poppy Peace Scholarships, please go to whitepoppies Thank you.

FOUR COMMUNITY ELECTION FORUMS
Unions and community organisations bring you a fun, fast and furious evening of political debate.
West Auckland – 8 November: 7pm, Kelston Community Centre, cnr Great North & Awaroa Rd. MC’d by Jeremy Elwood
Wellington – 9 November: 5.30pm, St John’s on Willis St. MC’d by Ian Harcourt
Auckland Central – 15 November: 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. MC’d by Michele A’Court
Hamilton – 16 November: 7pm, YWCA, 36 Pembroke St. MC’d by Jeremy Elwood
Hosted by some of New Zealand’s favourite funny people. Party spokespeople will have 2 minutes each to answer questions on: Public service cuts; Collective bargaining and a living wage; Early childhood education; ACC; Family carers and paid work; Disabled persons’ issues; Healthy workplaces; Welfare. Brought to you by: the PSA, NZNO, SFWU, First Union, NZEI, Carers NZ, People First Inc Nga Tangata Tuatahi, Working Women’s Resource Centre, Auckland Disability Law, Disabled People’s Assembly, Poverty Action Waikato, ACC Futures Coalition, Beneficiary Advocacy Federation of NZ, and Wellington Council of Social Services. Entry by gold coin koha. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information or to register email election.campaign Visit our Facebook page

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA! JOIN THE 29TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CROSS WORK-STUDY TOUR TO CUBA
Organised by the New Zealand – Australia Cuba Friendship Society 28 Dec 2011 to 20 Jan 2012. Be more than just a tourist join the 29th Southern Cross Work-Study Tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working alongside Cubans for a few days picking fruit, pruning or planting fruit trees or slashing grass and then visiting schools, hospitals, cultural sites & urban agriculture projects, etc. You’ll experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in socialist Cuba. This year’s program will give participants an opportunity to celebrate the 51st anniversary of ICAP & gain an insight into how the Cuban people have triumphed over adversity to keep the revolution strong. For more information about the 29th Contingent of the Southern Cross Brigade visit the Brigade Webpage , email us or call 027 226 9950.

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012
The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish. The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control. First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens. Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca www.converge.org.nz/abc $40 Registration ($20 unwaged). Make all cheques to ABC

WHAT’S ON

Saturday, October 29, 1pm-4.30pm, Canterbury WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch
Demystifying Capitalism – Philip Ferguson. $13. The woes in the financial system globally and overall stagnation in many capitalist economies have raised new concerns about whether capitalism actually works and is the best way to organise the resources of society to meet human needs. This course will take a critical look at the origins of capitalism, how it works and why, ultimately, it has a tendency to regularly go awry. It suggests that an economy planned by the people to serve the needs of the people offers a real alternative. Dr Philip Ferguson currently teaches history and world affairs in Bridging Programmes at the University of Canterbury. To register please phone 366 0285, or email: cwea Web: cwea.org.nz

Sunday, October 30, 12.30pm, Sky City, 90 Federal St, Auckland
Anti Poverty group to Picket National Party Campaign Launch. Auckland Action Against Poverty is organising a picket timed to coincide with the National Party’s election campaign launch: 12.30 Sunday 30 October outside Sky City, 90 Federal St, Auckland. ‘National is campaigning on a programme of austerity and we all know what that means for those on low incomes,’ says Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson Sue Bradford . ‘Those least able to defend themselves will be made to pay for the massive tax hand-outs to the rich, and for other poor economic policy choices this Government has made. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00470/anti-poverty-group-to-picket-national-party-campaign-launch.htm

Sunday, October 30, 9.40am, Radio NZ
Rob Green will be interviewed by Chris Laidlaw for 30 minutes on Sunday 30 October at 9.40am about his new book A Thorn in Their Side: The Hilda Murrell Murder. In 1984 Hilda Murrell, a 78-year-old distinguished rose-grower turned anti-nuclear campaigner, was found brutally murdered outside her home town of Shrewsbury, England. The case became one of the biggest, most bizarre and baffling British murders of the 20th century involving political conspiracies surrounding the nuclear industry and the Falklands War. After a cold case review, in 2005 Andrew George, who was a 16-year-old petty thief from a foster home, was convicted. However, Hilda’s nephew, former British Navy Commander Robert Green’s new book ‘A Thorn In Their Side: The Hilda Murrell Murder‘, about his pursuit of the truth, in which he reveals explosive new evidence which almost certainly would acquit George. He also describes intimidation of us at our home in Christchurch and in Britain almost certainly by British Security Agents which led to Dr Warren Tucker (SIS Director) visiting us to be briefed about the case. Because of this, the book had to be produced in great secrecy with a publisher in Masterton. The updated Hilda Murrell website (www.hildamurrell.org) features the latest news items ( Listener last week, Dominion Post yesterday, TV1 News, ODT etc) under news/links.

Monday, October 31, 4.30pm, NZEI Te Riu Roa, 4 Bond St, Arch Hill, Auckland
Invitation to speak with Wisconsin Union Leader – Union and Public Services Under Attack in Wisconsin: Under Governor Scott Walker the US state of Wisconsin has slashed public spending and passed legislation dramatically limiting collective bargaining and union rights. The response has included legal challenges and weeks of street protest by union members. Glenn Schmidt, an office holder of education union the Wisconsin Education Association Council and the National Education Association, will be in Auckland on Monday 31 October. NZEI Te Riu Roa invite union members and officials to meet with Glenn and hear him speak about the situation in Wisconsin and the union response. Light refreshments provided. Please feel free to circulate this invitation to others in your union who may be interested. Please RSVP to Chris Walker chris.walker

Monday, October 31, 7.30pm, St Marks Church parish Centre, 334 Pakuranga Rd, Pakuranga, Auckland
Public Meeting with Pakuranga Election Candidates. The St Marks Church Justice & Peace Group has invited all the Pakuranga candidates in the November General Election to a public meeting where we will be asking each a number of questions about where they stand on jobs, wages, welfare reform, and the right to life. Questions will also be taken from the floor. All Welcome.

Tuesday, November 1, 7-9pm, Bruce Mclaren intermediate School, Bruce Mclaren Rd, Henderson.
Public meeting: SPEAK UP FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. Are National a threat to our public edcuation system? Early childhood cuts! Are you concerned about Naitonal Standards and their effect on our childrens education? What do you think about private companies being allowed to own our schools? (public/private partnerships), Its already happening and the worst is maybe yet to come. Have your say! Invited speakers: Sue Bradford (Mana), Steve Tollestrup (Greens), Carmel Sepuloni (Labour), Paula Bennett (National).

Wednesday, November 2 – Saturday November 5, Wellington
The Wellington Latin America Solidarity Committee invites you to join us for: Celebraciòn Día De Los Muertos – Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life

Wednesday 2 November – Saturday 5 November 2011. Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an annual festival observed throughout Latin America originating in pre Columbian culture which celebrates life by honouring the dead. It is believed that on this day each year the spirits of the dead return to Earth to reconnect with the living, and re-experience the sensory world. Friends and family honour the deceased by celebrating in cemeteries, homes, and public spaces with food, flowers, music, and prayers. Colourful paper cut-outs called papel picado decorate churches and cemeteries. Fancy dress, especially skeletons and other deathly outfits, is the norm. Ofrenda’s – or altars – often have a photo of the deceased, and are elaborately-decorated with flowers as well as objects, foods and drinks that the dead prized or enjoyed while they lived. It is believed that displaying their favourite things entices their souls to return to take part in the remembrance celebrations. The Latin America Solidarity Committee remembers all the indigenous people of the Zapatista movement in Mexico who have perished in their struggle for freedom, democracy and self-determination and the 50,000 people who have died in the so-called war on drugs across Mexico, many of whom have little to do with the drug trade and have been innocent casualties in the cross-fires. Three events will be held from Wednesday November 2nd to Saturday November 5th as follows: Ofrenda (altar) exhibition at FREDERICK STREET SOUND AND LIGHT EXPLORATION SOCIETY Wednesday Nov 2 – Saturday Nov 5. A traditional ofrenda will be installed and open to the public at 46 Frederick St from Wednesday 2 November to Saturday 5 November to commemorate and honour those who have perished under persecution in Mexico, as well as our own family members and loved ones who have passed. Day of the Dead Parade Saturday Nov 5, 7pm (preparations from 3pm) from 46 Frederick St to Mighty Mighty, Cuba Mall. The public are invited to take part in a Day of the Dead procession from the ofrenda exhibition to Mighty Mighty, where the Day of the Dead Fiesta will take place. 46 Frederick St will be open from 3pm for participants to decorate and paint their faces as skeletons and dress in the traditional style of Day of the Dead as well as enjoy music and food. The public are encouraged to arrive in fancy dress and bring colourful memorabilia of deceased loved ones. The procession will be lead by a Mariachi singer and will depart from 46 Frederick St at 7pm making a stop on Viva Mexico Café on Cuba Street before arriving at Mighty Mighty around 8pm for the renowned Day of the Dead Fiesta! Day of the Dead Fiesta – Fundraiser for La Garrucha Community Project. Saturday Nov 5, from 8pm – late, Mighty Mighty, Cuba St. This year, Mighty Mighty will host the celebrations: an evening of performances on the theme of life and death, from the sound of urban latin ensemble Café Tango to the mellow Mariachi sounds of Carlos Navae to Gyp-Hop-Ruski-Roots Reggae of Bella Cajon. All this for only $5 on the door, and all proceeds go direct to the Zapatista municipality of La Garrucha in Chiapas. More info about the Wellington Zapatista Solidarity Group at:lmayaal

Wednesday, November 2, 7.30pm, Knox Presbyterian Church Lounge, 28 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch
Election 2011 – the real issues. PUBLIC MEETING: What are the real issues facing the people of NZ and Christchurch this election? SPEAKERS: Jeremy Agar, CAFCA Chairperson, on the Productivity Commission; Murray Horton, CAFCA Organiser & Convenor of New Zealand Is Not For Sale Campaign, on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA); Bill Rosenberg, CTU Economist & Policy Director, on privatisation; Mike Peters, Addington Action Organiser, on the social impact of the quakes on Christchurch working people and the politics of the earthquake recovery; For more Information Email cafca Web http://realissuescafca.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, November 2, 5pm, ‘The Lounge’, Southern Cross, 39 Abel Smith Street, Wellington.
Fundraising Evening: An opportunity to support the work of Wellington Rape Crisis with guest speaker Dr Jan Jordan on Responding to Rape: Is the Crisis over? Nibbles and networking 5 – 5.30pm, speaker and time for questions 5.30 – 6.15pm with time for conversations to follow. Cost: $25 per person, including a glass of wine and nibbles. All proceeds going to Wellington Rape Crisis. RSVP: Spaces are limited, please RSVP by Monday 31st October to Liz at 04 801 8970 or lizw or click here to book and pay online. ALL WELCOME.

Thursday, November 3, 7pm, Freemans Bay Community Centre – Auditorium, 52 Hepburn Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland
AUCKLAND’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS. Election meeting to hear the housing policies of the main political parties. Candidates or spokespeople from National, Labour, Green, Maori, ACT, Mana, and NZ First Parties have been invited to give their policies on addressing the lack of affordable, quality housing in the Auckland region, and their overall direction in housing policy. Shortage of supply, the growing crisis of overcrowding, the impact of HNZC reforms on most vulnerable families / individuals, high proportion of Maori & Pacific Island Homeless, poor quality and security of the private rental sector are just some of the many pressing concerns. They will answer a set of questions, followed by further questions from the floor. This meeting has been organised by Housing Call to Action, a broadbased network of housing and social service organisations working in West Auckland and more recently in South Auckland. We look forward to seeing you there. For further information contact: Sigrid Shayer, Waitakere Community Law Service, Ph 09 835 2130; sigrid

Thursday, November 3, 7.30pm, Canterbury WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch
Election Issues: Starts 27 October, All welcome! 5 Thursdays, gold coin donation.
3 Nov: Taxation in focus: What are the Issues? – Prof. Adrian Sawyer, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Canty University
10 Nov: New Zealand is Not For Sale – Murray Horton, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) and the NZ is Not For Sale Campaign Working Group
17 Nov: Capital Gains Tax: in the context of NZ inequality – Neville Bennett, retired academic and NBR columnist
24 Nov: Youth Health: The community’s wealth? – Dr Sue Bagshaw, Korowai Youth Well-being Trust
Canterbury WEA, phone 366 0285, email: cwea Web: www.cwea.org.nz

Friday, November 4, 7.15am, Loaves and Fishes, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Hill St, Thorndon, Wellington
Election Breakfast on ACC. Speakers start at 7.30am. Cost: $10 (at the door). Chair: David Russell (former CE Consumer NZ). The Politicians Panel (so far): Stephen Whittington (ACT); Kevin Hague (Greens); Chris Hipkins (Labour); Sue Bradford (Mana); Michael Woodhouse (National). Sponsored by the ACC Futures Coalition. Register at http://issues.co.nz/accfutures/Events

Thursday, November 3 at 9:00pm – November 4 at 2:00am, San Francisco Bath House, Wellington
Meth Drinker, Numbskull, Rogernomix – Kia Ora Gaza Benefit Show! Four New Zealanders, including Wellington personality Tali Williams, are taking humanitarian aid to Occupied Palestine in December. They need to raise $50,000 ASAP. We can help. Come party for freedom with sweet bands at San Fran on November 3rd!

Saturday, November 5, 2pm, QE2 Square, Downtown, Auckland
Auckland rally for justice and peace in Palestine: callout by NZ Palestine Human Rights Campaign. We rally on the first Saturday of every month.

Next rally – 2pm this Saturday, 1 October 2011.
QE2 Square
, Customs St and Queen St intersection
 (outside Downtown shopping centre). Come support justice and peace based on: Ending 44 years of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (including East Jerusalem); Ensuring the right of return for Palestinianrefugees; Sharing Jerusalem; Vacating all settlementcolonies in Israelioccupied Palestine; Dismantling Israel’s annexation/apartheid wallin occupied Palestine.

Monday, November 7, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
GPJA Forum: Nicky Hagar on New Zealand’s role in the war in Afghanistan. Investigative journalist and researcher Nicky Hagar will speak about New Zealand’s war in Afghanistan following publication of his acclaimed (by all but a few politicians) book "Other People’s Wars" released in early September. In his book he details the real role of our troops and reconstruction teams in this country’s longest running war and the false and misleading information put out by politicians and our defence force officials. THIS FORUM IS NOT TO BE MISSED.

Monday, November 7, 9am-4pm, Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, 773 New North Road, Mt Albert, Auckland
Auckland District Council of Social Services invites you to “Cultural Diversity in the Super City”. A day of evaluation. Speakers Dr Paul Spoonley, Dr Camille Nakid, Tony Kake, Chaired by Joris de Bres. RSVP to Angela Maynard: a.maynard by 31st October ph 445 9996

Monday, November 22, 5pm, Cuba Mall, Wellington
Support high-quality public education? Want politicians who stand up for high-quality public education? Well, join us then for a flaming extravagant musical and theatrical protest. Just six days before the general election we’ll be telling politicians of all persuasions and predilections that it is time to speak up for education. And we really want you and your organisation to join us in large numbers. Our rally will be flambastic and flamboyant. Come dressed in fiery tones of red, orange or gold and bring your loudest off-key singing voice. The rally will coincide with our annual TEU conference and we will be bussing every single one of our conference delegates to it, as well as encouraging union members from Weltec, Massey University, Victoria University, Whitireia NZ, the Open Polytechnic, NZCER, Otago Medical School Wellington, and Te Tari Puna Ora to attend. We hope to encourage delegations from local students associations, PPTA and NZEI branches, WEA, kindergartens, early childhood centres, adult and community education organisations, schools and workplace training organisations. Our message will be simple – we need to speak up for public education this election. Oh, and just to be clear, we will be rallying in support of all public education, not just tertiary education – and our speakers and performers will reflect that. Our rally will be short, loud and musical. We would really like each organisation that comes to prepare a song or piece of theatre beforehand to share with the crowd. For instance, TEU’s guitar-bearing National President Sandra Grey is working on an adaptation of Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning and may well also reprise her rewrite of the Fred Dagg classic If It Weren’t For Our Polytechs Where Would We Be? So it is hard not to be keen. What you can do: 1. Let us know you that you want to take part, and what you would like to contribute – songs theatre colour, etc. 2. Share this email with members of your organisation and encourage them to come along – they can sign up to the TEU Facebook event ‘Speak up for Education’ if they want to. 3. Let us know how you will be getting to the event – marching, procession, buses etc. 4. Let us know what support we can offer you to promote this event. I look forward to hearing your excited responses and creative ideas and to seeing you in Cuba Mall on the day. Yours sincerely, Sharn Riggs, TEU National Secretary. Authorised by Sharn Riggs, Tertiary Education Union, 8th Floor, Education House 178-182 Willis St, Wellington 6011.

Tuesday, November 22, Te Whaea, Wellington
LABOUR HISTORY PROJECT RONA BAILEY MEMORIAL LECTURE 2011 – “DANCE IS A WEAPON” Details per legal

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

"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud." Sophocles

"I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him." – Booker T. Washington

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Mapp flunks his final Afghan Torture Test by David Beatson http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/mapp-flunks-his-final-afghan-torture-test

Keith Locke (Frogblog): NZ Defence Force reports dodge most important torture questions http://blog.greens.org.nz/2011/10/22/nz-defence-force-reports-dodge-most-important-torture-questions/

Shock over low tally of refugees http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5835596/Shock-over-low-tally-of-refugees

Political activism surge driven by students http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5837826/Political-activism-surge-driven-by-students

Tapu Misa: Decline in criminal offending has many causes http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10761219

Housing New Zealand job losses increases risks for vulnerable tenants http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00456/housing-nz-job-losses-increases-risks-for-vulnerable-tenants.htm

Group plans National campaign launch protest http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5861273/Group-plans-National-campaign-launch-protest?mid=512846

Head-banging on economics & the Auckland spatial plan – Hide writes his exit monologue and council endorses argument for changing discount rate http://www.propbd.co.nz/afa.asp?idWebPage=8338&idBobDeyProperty_Articles=16855&SID=802703557/forum.html

Gordon Campbell: On our election campaign opening, and Tunisia’s election triumph http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/10/27/gordon-campbell-on-new-zealands-and-tunisias-elections/

Gordon Campbell: On the Prefu, and on the RWC attempts to vilify the French http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/10/26/gordon-campbell-on-the-prefu-and-attempts-to-vilify-france/

NZ’s quality of life mediocre http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/5852636/NZs-quality-of-life-mediocre

LABOUR HISTORY

Labour’s introduction of peacetime conscription and the fight against it by Murray Horton http://rdln.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/labours-introduction-of-peacetime-conscription-and-the-fight-against-it/

Labour Day’s origins in New Zealand by Philip Ferguson http://rdln.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/labour-days-origins-in-new-zealand/

RENA DISASTER

Rena grounding has left National floundering http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/5840139/Rena-grounding-has-left-National-floundering

NZ ECONOMY

Costs rising faster than wages: CTU http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/5832585/Costs-rising-faster-than-wages-CTU

Government economic management in question after new Treasury forecasts http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00431/government-economic-management-in-question-after-forecasts.htm

Mana Movement: Treasury “smile and wave” update based on delusion http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00450/treasury-smile-and-wave-update-based-on-delusion.htm

Youth unemployment a growing problem http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/5854100/Youth-unemployment-a-growing-problem

Is our state sector more efficient? http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5851131/Is-our-state-sector-more-efficient

NZ WORK RIGHTS

CTU: National’s plan for a low wage economy http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00493/nationals-plan-for-a-low-wage-economy-ctu.htm

The public service is the real world: Public servants are real people who do real jobs and have real lives, contrary to what State Services Minister Tony Ryall imagines, says the PSA. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00458/the-public-service-is-the-real-world.htm

Nasty turn at Pact http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00492/nasty-turn-at-pact.htm

PSA: National’s employment policy rings hollow of jobs http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00517/nationals-employment-policy-rings-hollow-of-jobs.htm

EPMU: National’s Employment Policy a Leap Backwards for Workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00518/nationals-employment-policy-a-leap-backwards-for-workers.htm

Changes in mining health and safety regulations should not be overlooked by those inquiring into the Pike River disaster, says CTU Health and Safety Organiser Tina McIvor. http://union.org.nz/policy/side-steps-health-and-safety-regulation-and-pike-river

National returns to youth rates http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00499/national-returns-to-youth-rates.htm

MANA MOVEMENT

Mana Party announces ‘economic justice’ policy http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5861981/Mana-Party-announces-economic-justice-policy?mid=5129

Mana releases ‘economic justice’ policy http://www.3news.co.nz/Mana-releases-economic-justice-policy/tabid/419/articleID/230916/Default.aspx

Mana Party Economic Justice Policy Launch in Aotea Square 27 Oct 2011

Mana Party’s bid to abolish GST http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10762036

MANA – National’s attack on young workers ‘despicable’ http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00495/mana-nationals-attack-on-young-workers-despicable.htm

Disenfranchised young deserve respect, Sue Bradford http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/14295

Govt Escalates Fear,Diverts Reality of Private Prison Nation http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1110/S00426/govt-escalates-feardiverts-reality-of-private-prison-nation.htm

MANA Rangatahi, Friday 14 October 2011 http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/14216

MANA says Government delusional on how credit downgrade will impact the poor http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/14085

Angeline Greensill on Mana Policies for Hauraki Waikato

CULTURAL DISSENT

Lowkey – Soundtrack to the Struggle: Lowkey returned last Sunday with his second studio album, ‘Soundtrack to the Stuggle’, which reached #1 on the iTunes Hip Hop Album Chart and #8 in the overall album chart in the UK. http://tinyurl.com/3tmu4w7

Review: Jewish diaspora opposition to Israel detailed http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49173

Voices screaming to be heard in Gaza http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49192

Cuba: An interview with Leonardo Padura: Cuban author Leonardo Padura Fuentes visited Denmark in September to present his latest book, The Man that Loved Dogs, recently published in Danish. Socialistisk Standpunkt, interviewed him, asking what led him to write the book and his views on the present situation in Cuba. http://www.marxist.com/interview-with-leonardo-padura.htm

Review: The real lessons of Easter Island by Roger Atwood http://www.the-tls.co.uk/tls/public/article802176.ece

Review: The People’s Lawyer: the Centre for Constitutional Rights http://tinyurl.com/3r4wyj9

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

It’s all connected: A Spectators guide to the Euro crisis http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2011/10/22/opinion/20111023_DATAPOINTS.html?ref=opinion

Commodity traders: The trillion dollar club http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/21/us-commodities-houses-idUSTRE79K49320111021?irpc=932

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

The Food Crisis Strikes Again http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23238

Kenya: Flower cash crops reap hunger, destruction http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49188

How the Potato Changed the World: Brought to Europe from the New World by Spanish explorers, the lowly potato gave rise to modern industrial agriculture http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/How-the-Potato-Changed-the-World.html#ixzz1blSFkXNG

AUSTRALIA

Despite arrests, Occupy protesters won’t give up http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-24/occupy-protesters-vow-to-continue/3597178

Green Left articles and video http://www.greenleft.org.au/taxonomy/term/4013

CANADA

Canadian Government Announces Multi-Billion Dollar Warship Building Program by Roger Annis http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/562.php

CHINA

Shanghai Homeowners Smash Showroom in Protest Over Falling Prices http://tinyurl.com/63uvwx9

GREECE

"Do you think we are the parasites of Europe?" – Fury Mounts Among Greek People by PATRICK COCKBURN http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/10/24/fury-mounts-among-greek-people/

INDONESIA

Occupy Indonesia has started and continues http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23239

ITALY

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – notes on the Rome Riot http://tinyurl.com/4xwarz4

LIBYA

In Libya, Massacre Site Is Cleaned Up, Not Investigated http://tinyurl.com/44q3w82

If the Libyan war was about saving lives, it was a catastrophic failure – Nato claimed it would protect civilians in Libya, but delivered far more killing. It’s a warning to the Arab world and Africa http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/26/libya-war-saving-lives-catastrophic-failure

PACIFIC

West Papua: Army starts fresh crackdown on freedom movement http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49184

44 years of theft, 44 years of state protection, end the violence and close Freeport now http://kprm-prd-english.blogspot.com/2011/10/44-years-of-theft-44-years-of-state.html

They ask for wages, not bullets http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/10/24/they-ask-wages-not-bullets.html

West Papua : Six Dead, Many Injured And In Hiding: At least six people are believed to have been killed and many more were injured when Indonesian military and police opened fire on a gathering of West Papuan leaders. http://newmatilda.com/2011/10/20/troops-open-fire-papuan-gathering

PALESTINE

BDS Victory: Alstom loses Saudi Haramain Railway contract worth $10B http://www.bdsmovement.net/2011/alstom-loses-saudi-haramain-8253

PORTUGAL

Portugal: breakthrough for the movement http://tinyurl.com/3ln6p3e

TUNISIA

The battle for Tunisia http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/2922/the-battle-for-tunisia

USA

Are regulations killing US jobs? Politicians pushing right-wing positions assume they can say anything about economics with little scrutiny. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/10/201110197948847722.html

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

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