GPJA #421: Join the Hikoi Against Asset Sales – Sat 3pm in Auckland – “Aotearoa is Not for Sale!”

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 421, April 26, 2012

AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE HIKOI

Hikoi Sent Off From Cape Reinga with Pointed Message http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00287/hikoi-sent-off-from-cape-reinga-with-pointed-message.htm

Aotearoa is Not 4 SALE hikoi Through Moerewa too Kawakawa http://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=a.4592939340623.8127558.1206332245&type=3

Overwhelming opposition to asset sales at hearing http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/overwhelming-opposition-asset-sales-hearing-4848612

Power price rises main fear over asset sales bill http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10801299

Asset sales mean power price rises http://thestandard.org.nz/asset-sales-mean-power-price-rises/

Ohariu concerned about Peter Dunne’s stance on asset sales http://www.3news.co.nz/Ohariu-concerned-about-Peter-Dunnes-stance-on-asset-sales/tabid/1607/articleID/251883/Default.aspx#ixzz1t7PSugIz

‘Aotearoa is Not For Sale’ hikoi begins today Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Aotearoa-is-Not-For-Sale-hikoi-begins-today/tabid/423/articleID/251506/Default.aspx#ixzz1su14PD00

The hikoi against asset sales begins today http://tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/hikoi-against-asset-sales-begins-today.html

Asset sales Hikoi – what will it acieve http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/asset-sales-hikoi-achieve-anything-video-4847740

Anti-asset sale hikoi aims to create change http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/anti-asset-sale-hikoi-aims-create-change-4847347

Claim asset sales will lead to higher power prices http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10801111

Q&A regarding upcoming Aotearoa is not for sale Hikoi 2012 http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/16662
Where can I get more information? Go to: rangiwhero

Saturday, April 28, 3pm, Britomart, Downtown, Auckland
Aotearoa Is Not For Sale demonstration: Let’s get out in our thousands to march up Queen Street next month and show we’re serious that AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE. For: retaining and developing public assets and services – keeping our schools, prisons, universities, hospitals and ports publicly owned; affordable electricity, education and housing; workers’ right to a good job and a liveable wage. Against: privatisation of public services, sale of public assets to private investors (local AND overseas), casualisation of labour, privatisation and pillage of our country’s resources. Most New Zealanders don’t want our public assets sold to private investors; whether they are American, Chinese, German or Kiwi, it is not in our interests to put our future into the hands of a few billionaires whose primary incentive is to make a profit for themselves. Our public assets, our schools, our jobs and our homes are all under attack. New Zealand is for sale. Come to the demonstration on Saturday April 28th to defend Aotearoa and force the government to put a stop to this madness. Invite everyone you know. 3pm Saturday April 28th, From Britomart, downtown Auckland. http://www.facebook.com/events/334873306563769/

WHAT’S ON

Friday, April 27, 5.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn
The Red Flag Social Club invites you to join us in commemorating Workers Memorial Day. Remember Pike River. Support safe work for the meat workers and the port workers. Live music from “Bad Muriel” and Paul Brown. Bring some cash – Fund raiser for Talley’s Affco workers. EVERYONE WELCOME. The Red Flag Social Club is brought to you by the Working Women’s Resource Centre. For further information contact Ros Hiini, Organiser, WWRC Phone 09 379 7906 or email wwrc

Saturday, April 28, 10am-4pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland
QPEC Annual meeting and forum: After last year’s great AGM and forum, there was little evidence that educational issues were to the fore in the general election. Thus the abrupt resumption of neo liberal education policies, with the announcement that charter schools would be opened in Auckland and Christchurch as part of National’s coalition agreement with ACT, came out of the blue. The forum and AGM are free, but a $10 donation toward the cost of lunch would be most welcome.

Saturday, April 28, 3pm, Britomart, Downtown, Auckland
Aotearoa Is Not For Sale demonstration: Let’s get out in our thousands to march up Queen Street next month and show we’re serious that AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE. For: retaining and developing public assets and services – keeping our schools, prisons, universities, hospitals and ports publicly owned; affordable electricity, education and housing; workers’ right to a good job and a liveable wage. Against: privatisation of public services, sale of public assets to private investors (local AND overseas), casualisation of labour, privatisation and pillage of our country’s resources. Most New Zealanders don’t want our public assets sold to private investors; whether they are American, Chinese, German or Kiwi, it is not in our interests to put our future into the hands of a few billionaires whose primary incentive is to make a profit for themselves. Our public assets, our schools, our jobs and our homes are all under attack. New Zealand is for sale. Come to the demonstration on Saturday April 28th to defend Aotearoa and force the government to put a stop to this madness. Invite everyone you know. 3pm Saturday April 28th, From Britomart, downtown Auckland. http://www.facebook.com/events/334873306563769/

Saturday, April 28, 8.30am-5pm, St Aidan’s Church, cnr Remuera Road and Ascot Ave, Remuera, Auckland
Church, State & WAR – ECUMENICAL Study Day Paul Oestreicher • Richard Jackson • Stephen Tollestrup • Thomas Noakes-Duncan. This Study Day has been arranged by the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship NZ Branch in conjunction with the New Zealand Christian Network. Fee $20, to be paid on the day. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided.

Monday, April 30, 6.30pm, University of Otago, Auckland Centre, Room 401, Level 4, 385 Queen St, Auckland
National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies University of Otago Public Lecture in Auckland. What’s the use of Peace Studies in a World of Terror? presented by Associate Professor Richard Jackson National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. Richard Jackson is Deputy Director at the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (NCPACS). Prior to taking up this position, he was Professor of International Politics at Aberystwyth University in the United Kingdom, and was the Honourable Secretary of the British International Studies Association (BISA) from 2009-2011. He is the founding editor and current editor-in-chief of the journal, Critical Studies on Terrorism, and the former convener of the BISA Critical Studies on Terrorism Working Group (CSTWG). His various research interests are bound together by an overall interest in the nature, causes, and resolution of organised forms of contemporary political violence. More specifically, his research has focused on questions of international conflict resolution, including negotiation and mediation, the social construction of war and other forms of organised political violence, political development in the African state, and critical approaches to terrorism.

Tuesday, May 1, 1pm, Aotera Square, Auckland
Welfare Rights are Under Attack! Stand Up Fight Back! Stop National’s Attacks upon Mothers and Babies, Older Women and Youth! No to the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill! May Day Pram Parade Celebrating the Work of Mothers Tuesday 1st May, 2012 , International Workers Day 1pm : Assemble Aotea Square, 1.30pm Pram and Push Chair Parade Hand out teddies to children at WINZ, 450 Upper Queen St. Social Welfare not Corporate Welfare! Don’t separate mothers from children! No Privatisation of Welfare! Living Benefits Now! http://waitemataunite.blogspot.com 8369104 0212800080

Tuesday, May 1, 7pm, Rm 3402, Engineering Building, Auckland University, 20 Symonds St, Auckland
Auckland Philippines Solidarity is pleased to invite you to join the film screening on "Ka Bel" a May Day Productions documentary on the life of Philippines and International Working Class Leader CRISPIN "Ka Bel" Beltran. Ticket costs $10. Proceeds will go to the Crispin Beltran Resource Center and APS solidarity campaigns. To order tickets, please email ph.solidarity or contact Helen Te Hira at 098348690 or Dennis Maga at 0226073918. Drinks from 6.30pm.

Sunday, May 6, 1.30pm, Palmerston North Library, Palmerston North.
Free Song Writers Workshop! Songwriters Peter Hicks and Geoff Francis are inviting the people of the Manawatu to attend a free ‘Song Writers Workshop’. Peter and Geoff (both from Tasmania) will be in Palmerston North for the annual May Day Concert at the Regent on Broadway on 5 May that celebrates International Workers Day and will be presenting this free two hour song writers workshop on Sunday 6 May at 1.30pm in the Sound & Vision section of the Palmerston North Library.

June 8 & 9, Aotea Square, Auckland
8/9TH JUNE AUCKLAND PEACE CITY PUBLIC LAUNCH & NUCLEAR FREE NZ EVENT AOTEA SQUARE. Calling all people who support the ideals of peace, justice and a nuclear free world. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION –put into your diaries NOW, circulate among group networks to include in your calendar of major events, newsletters etc. Auckland Peace City Public Launch ~ Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone and Disarmament Legislation of 1987.
8th June Friday 2:00-3:00pm – Mayor Len Brown’s official Auckland Peace City Declaration launch at Auckland Council Reception Lounge-Town Hall Queen St.
9th June Saturday 12:00 noon – Auckland Peace City Public Celebration. Assemble Britomart (bottom Queen St.) for Peace Parade up Queen St. with Peace Banners and Brass bands playing to celebrate the achievement of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone 25th anniversary and the Auckland Peace City Declaration. Aotea Square 1:00 –3:00pm– Community Cultural PEACE celebration event –speakers, music, dance, poetry. (Peace Exhibitions inside Concert Chamber). There will be materials available for children to make ‘Auckland Peace City’ flaglets. Features: The Parade will be led with the carved Maori wooden torch from the 2009 World Peace Run that will be returned to New Zealand by Peace and Disarmament NZ international leader Alyn Ware. This will be followed by runners with flags of the 192 nation states in the United Nations. Everyone else is encouraged to walk at their own pace together up Queen St. with their peace banners and flags, both historical or new banners celebrating Nuclear Free New Zealand for a Nuclear Free World. Wet weather Event plan: Concert Chamber Town Hall – Inside 1:00-3:00pm. The Peace City Public Launch Event Team welcomes volunteers and offers of help. If you want to be involved in any way please contact: laurie-ross Coordinator Laurie Ross on 818 0696

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE FIGHT FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS: FROM INDONESIA TO IRAN
Rena Herdiyani, Director, Kalyanamitra, Jakarta, Indonesia; Hegel Terome, Organisation Deputy, Kalyanamitra, Jakarta, Indonesia; Mary-Alice Waters, President, Pathfinder Press, New York. Speaking in Auckland 3rd – 5th May 2012. Kalyanamitra is a women’s rights organisation in Indonesia. It recently worked with Pathfinder Press to produce two classic books on the origins of women’s oppression in the Indonesian language.
Seminar, University of Auckland, Thursday May 3rd, 4-5:30pm: ‘Changes facing women today in Indonesia and Iran: Why previously banned books are now being published’ Speakers: Rena Herdiyani, Hegel Terome, Mary-Alice Waters, Sharyn Graham Davies (AUT) Room 325, Level 3, Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Rd, Auckland
Community Seminar, Friday May 4th, 5:30-7pm: ‘Changes facing women today in Indonesia and Iran: What can we learn’ Speakers: Rena Herdiyani, Hegel Terome, Mary-Alice Waters, Manukau Campus, Auckland University of Technology, 640 Great South Rd.
Meet the speakers for an informal lunch, Saturday May 5th, 12:30pm: Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Central Auckland
For more information, or to make a donation to help with tour costs, please contact: Maire, Indonesia Human Rights Committee, Email: maire Janet, Pathfinder Books, Email: pathauck

WEST COAST MAYDAY WEEK
When we celebrate the contribution of working people to a just society.
Sunday, April 29, 12noon, Runanga Club Workers Memorial Picnic: children focused poetry, demonstrations fun day, market stalls, sausage sizzle, treasure hunt. Katie Thompson + Fleur Jack live 4pm-7pm Inquiries 762 7854 | runangaclub
Wednesday, May 2, 12-2pm, Runanga School Hall Workers and Champions: linking with elders. Paparoa Range + Runanga students interview elders, workers and champions over lunch.
Friday, May 4, 7.30pm, $15/$10, Runanga School – goodnight irene: Kiwi/Possum productions present live theatre with songs triggered by the Pike River disaster. Premiered at The Regent Theatre, Greymouth has since played Hokitika and the Dunedin Fringe Festival where Heather Fletcher was nominated for best performer award. This unique community project reveals the power of performance to engage both heart and mind. Sharon Mathews, Theatreview. Like a system of shafts and tunnels, the themes in goodnight, Irene connect and reconnect: grief and love, place and belonging, memory and song. Greg O’Connell, Theatreview.Bookings 732 4010, wkcultur
Saturday, May 5, 11am-3pm, Runanga School – Dreaming Our Future: Symposium sector leaders + citizens are invited to gather + ponder the future of the West Coast. Current dream/ a future dream: problems, solutions, concerns, data. A free flowing process which we hope will at least begin this necessary adventure. All welcome. Lunch/refreshments provided. Koha appreciated. Bookings: 732 4010 | 762 7352 wkculktur | pfknz
Saturday, May 5, 7.30pm, $15/$10, Runanga School Hall Worlds’ Workers Dinner: honouring the Milton Locked Out Workers 20th anniversary, the launch of Runanga Miners Hall Restoration Project. Speech Paul Watson (FirstUnion) Then/now ECA+current disputes, similarities+differences. Struggling through the 90s Kiwi/PossumProductions first staged in 1995, based on interviews with Milton Locked Out Workers. Workers songs from the WestCoast Wobblies.

GET ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND – CHOOSE FAIR THIS FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT
New Zealand’s biggest annual celebration of all things fair trade is nearly upon us. Already Fairtrade benefits almost 1.2 million farmers and workers. This Fortnight we want Kiwis to stand up and ‘Choose Fair’ and work towards increasing that number. So get involved, put on an event, list it on our website and promote it with our supporters pack. Check out the events calendar and more.
Breakfast events in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin: A coffee grower from Papua new Guinea will join TV presenter and comedian Te Radar to kick off Fair Trade Fortnight in Auckland on Friday 4th May – 7-9am. This special event is expected to sell out and is supported by Kokako, Caffe L’affare and All Good who will provide a delicious Fairtrade breakfast with unlimited hot drinks, and also by Heart of the City and Good magazine. Get your tickets now.
Dunedin’s Fair Trade Breakfast will be held at the Otago Polytechnic’s training restaurant on Friday 11th May at 7.30am with guest speaker, Michael Toliman, coffee producer from Papua New Guinea. More details coming soon.
Wellington’s ‘Fairtrade Breakfast in the City’ is on Friday 18th May 7.30-9am. Doors open 7.00am, Upstairs at St James Theatre. Join Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, MP Grant Roberston, entertaining MCs and fascinating speakers for some early morning Fairtrade fun. Tickets include a light breakfast, unlimited coffee and a free Fairtrade goodie bag. Check out www.fairtradewellington.org.nz for more.

AUSA PRESENTS – ACTIVIST WEEK MAY 14TH -18TH
To whom it may concern, I am writing to you in my capacity as International Affairs Officer for (AUSA) at Auckland University to invite your organization to participate in our Activist Week May 14th-18th. This event is designed to provide a buffet of workshops, political actions and events to cater for a growing appetite of students wanting to engage with community activists and to receive practical political education, through seminars/forums and debates. The content and aims of a seminar/forum is of course up to you though if you feel a particular skill set or issue-awareness is absent and you are keen to hold workshop-style course for students then this is certainly encouraged. The goals of this Week is such: To promote your organization and activities to a wide array of the student body ; To establish closer links between the University and your organization; To cultivate a community minded and activist minded generation of students; Encourage political events and/or discussion about your field (this can range from action/demonstration to a debate/forum/film-screening); Provide workshops/training seminars to build political and campaign skills to a wide array of interested students. I encourage your organizations involvement in Activist Week the best place for attracting massive pool of passionate and articulate students would be mutual beneficial for you. The student population is such a large sphere in society and you would be able to tap into a huge amount of people during your time at University. I would love if you were able to signify if this is something that you’d be interested in. Any questions/concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch, Kind Regards, Martin Graham. International Affairs Officer, Auckland University Students’ Association Inc. (AUSA). Ph (09) 309 0789 ext 243 | Fax (09) 306 6580 | Mob: 022 653 1583

SAVE TV 7
TVNZ 7 only has a couple of months left but we’re still challenging the government to change their decision to close the only Public Service TV channel for all Kiwis. If anything we’re getting more motivated. So what’s happening? Firstly, the savetvnz7 and we’ll put you in touch with the right people. Recent exciting news (sorry to be so frothy) came when Labour MP Clare Curran announced she is about to introduce a Private Members Bill to save TVNZ 7. Although the bill is a long shot, it is a great way to publicise this important issue and garner support from all the political parties (even National). Please keep reminding your local MP and List MPs of your concerns about the imminent closure of TVNZ 7 and what it means to you, your family and friends. It’s been a busy few weeks in the media with many columns and articles written in favour of TVNZ 7 and Public Service TV. Here are links to a few goodies:
Why We Must Try to Save TVNZ 7 by Paul Norris
The Death of Pakeha TV by Paul Casserly
TVNZ 7. Is It Worth Saving? by Clare Curran MP
Finally, as our campaign rounds into the home straight (yes, it is depressing) Save TVNZ 7 needs more publicity. So please do your bit to talk about the demise of our last Public Service TV station and the end of a broadcasting era when TVNZ 7 finishes in June. Whether you’re an All Black, a talkback caller or gossiping at the local playgroup – the more we talk about TVNZ 7, the more others will realise what’s happening. Who knows. We might still stop this terrible decision and keep Public Service TV alive in NZ. Many thanks, Myles Thomas, Save TVNZ 7

XXX SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE TO CUBA – DEC 27 – JAN 18
Receive warm greetings from Cuban Institute for Friendship with Peoples (ICAP), that every year receives, with great satisfaction, all friends that spontaneously decide to join us in the Southern Cross Brigade of voluntary work and solidarity with Cuba. Main objectives of the brigade are to provide a great deal of knowledge about Cuban reality so that the visitors could understand it as well as to work voluntarily in the agricultural fields in order to help in the development and productivity of the country. The program of the brigade includes visits to historical, cultural and social places. Participants will receive lectures on national and international topics and will also interact with representatives of Cuban organizations and people in general.
Program of the Brigade starts on December 27th, 2012 and finishes on January 18th, 2013. It includes 15 nights at Julio Antonio Mella International Camp (CIJAM), which is located in Caimito municipality, 45 kilometres away from Havana City; 2 nights in The Friendship House in Villa Clara province and 5 nights in a hotel in the revolutionary Granma province, where many of the historical events lead by Fidel and other guerrilla fighters during the war to achieve our total independence from 1956 to 1958 took place.
Program costs 580.00 Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) per person. It includes accommodation in 5 or 6 persons´ rooms in CIJAM, three meals daily in CIJAM and also in province, accommodation in the hotel in Granma province and Villa Clara ICAP’s facility, transfer in-out as well as transportation to all activities included in the program. Each extra night in CIJAM, previous to the beginning or after the brigade will cost 10.00 CUC per person and should be paid directly in CIJAM, as well as optional activities during the extra period. It is compulsory to stay at least 7 days in the brigade. Agricultural work will be done in fields near the camp. CIJAM was founded in 1972; it provides the proper environment for living in groups and satisfies needs of visitors from all over the world.
The increasing number of brigadistas coming to Cuba as members of the International Brigades ICAP organizes is a clear evidence of how motivated our friends are about coming to our country and knowing our reality. They are also committed to condemn the genocide blockade of the United States against our island as well as to express their respect towards our independence, sovereignty and self determination rights. We also have their support on the cause and liberation of the Cuban Five Heroes unjustly imprisoned in the United States jails.
Each brigade member, at the moment of the arrival, is committed to follow the program and schedule, and also to have a proper behaviour, discipline and social interaction not only in CIJAM but also all over the country. For further communication: Phone numbers (53 7) 838-24 30 / 8335372 / 830-1220 / 834-4544 ext. 15 and Emails: asia.norte director.dao and amiventas We would be pleased to have you in the XXX Southern Cross Brigade, a beautiful project that ICAP and Australia/New Zealand – Cuba Friendship Societies have proudly maintained since 1983, which has allow to show Cuban reality to more than one thousand people who have taken part in previous brigades as well as to receive their support and deep solidarity. This year program and brigade has a special aim and it is to commemorate 55 anniversary of the triumph of Cuban revolution on January 1st, 2013 and also to celebrate with every participant coming the 30 anniversary of the Southern Cross Brigade visit to Cuba. This is a formal invitation to join the brigade in order to strengthen brotherhood between our peoples. Sincerely yours, Asia and Pacific Division, Cuban Institute for Friendship with Peoples
NZ Participants: Email Ina Lawrence inashina for the full programme and any other questions.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“I believe that good fortune obligates. Those who have fared well in our economy have a moral obligation to contribute more to the common good, not as a punishment for success, but as a responsibility to our community.” Rev. Richard Gilbert, president, Interfaith Impact of New York, Tax facts and just taxes, April 17, 2012

"The terrible, cold, cruel part is Wall Street. Rivers of gold flow there from all over the earth, and death comes with it. There, as nowhere else, you feel a total absence of the spirit: herds of men who cannot count past three, herds more who cannot get past six, scorn for pure science and demoniacal respect for the present. And the terrible thing is that the crowd that fills the street believes that the world will always be the same and that it is their duty to keep that huge machine running, day and night, forever." – Federico Garcia Lorca – Spanish Poet and Playwright

STATS OF THE WEEK

The weekly pay gap between the top and bottom 10 percent of U.S. wage and salary workers has jumped by nearly 50 percent over the past decade, the Labor Department reported last week. Top 10 percent earners now average $1,498 more per week than bottom 10 earners.

Les Leopold, What If the Greedy Rich Paid Their Share? 8 Things to Know About Wealth and Poverty in the U.S., AlterNet, April 17, 2012. Insights on our enormous concentration-of-wealth problem.

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Hone Harawira – We’re Marching Again: Aotearoa is not for Sale http://mana.net.nz/2012/04/were-marching-again-aotearoa-is-not-for-sale/

2011 Roger Awards http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO201204/S00245.htm

‘Can the market speak?’ (part 2), on ‘That’s Science’: http://www.95bfm.com/assets/sm/205157/3/147camp.mp3

‘Our government is brazenly deceitful’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/blogs/an-auckland-minute/6767682/Our-government-is-brazenly-deceitful

Officers look up prisoner’s anus – 84 times in three weeks. http://brookingblog.com/2012/04/21/officers-look-up-prisoners-anus-84-times-in-three-weeks/

Police violence and "Internal Exile" in GI http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/police-violence-and-internal-exile-in.html

Public backlash: ‘Pash mob’ to target Wellington bar http://www.newswire.co.nz/2012/04/public-backlash-pash-mob-to-target-wellington-bar/

Welfare reform law discriminatory – Human Rights Commission http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10800260

Mana movement AGM: A socialist report By Mike Kay and Jared Phillips http://workersparty.org.nz/2012/04/18/mana-party-agm-a-socialist-report/

High school ANZAC Day speech http://www.facebook.com/notes/alastair-reith/high-school-anzac-day-speech/10150709008047989

Justice for Blair Peach: 31 years after his murder, the London Metropolitan Police Force admits it’s murder of Blair Peach. Joe Carolan now argues- it’s time for the murdering coppers of the SPG to pay for their crime. Listen to the Bfm interview HERE

Parents upset over religious classes in schools http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/6776628/Parents-upset-over-religious-classes-in-schools

The Office of Children’s Commissioner made a submission to the inquiry into the determinants of wellbeing for Maori Children. http://www.occ.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/9453/Final_submission.pdf

Afghan interpreters claim they will be killed when NZ withdraws http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10800972

New unit signals end of people’s voice in rebuild http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/6795868/New-unit-signals-end-of-peoples-voice-in-rebuild

On how the government is ducking responsibility for meeting needs in Christchurch http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/04/24/gordon-campbell-on-govts-responsibility-for-christchurch/

ANZAC Day: What are we celebrating? http://workersparty.org.nz/2012/04/25/anzac-day-what-are-we-celebrating-2/

A Huge Exercise In National Denial http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/huge-exercise-in-national-denial.html

Afghanistan – lest we forget by David Beatson – New Zealand troops could be out of Afghanistan next year – but are we stumbling out of one ill-considered international military commitment straight into another, and what happens to our reconstruction and development commitment to the country our troops are leaving? http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/afghanistan-%E2%80%93-lest-we-forget-0

Rent report ‘backs housing crisis claim’ http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/104188/rent-report-‘backs-housing-crisis-claim‘

Paul Norris: Why we must try to save TVNZ 7 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10800954

SKY CASINO SCANDAL

If it’s not a SkyCity conspiracy Mr Key, what is it? http://tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/if-its-not-skycity-conspiracy-mr-key.html

Key the gambler seems set to roll those dice By Matt McCarten http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10800525

Editorial: Principles at stake in SkyCity deal http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10800725

Pokie deal is a devil’s bargain http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10800530

Steven Joyce: SkyCity just pining for the fjords http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/steven-joyce-skycity-just-pining-for-the-fjords

SkyCity job estimate higher than rivals http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10800408

SkyCity theatre under threat http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10800577

On the dubious economic case for the Auckland convention centre http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/04/23/gordon-campbell-the-dubious-case-for-the-convention-centre/

Tapu Misa: Is ‘free’ convention centre too good to be true? http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10800712

Pokies are ‘the crack cocaine of gambling’ by Chris Trotter http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/columnists/chris-trotter/6795867/Pokies-and-our-deal-with-the-Devil

Various threats arise from one-armed bandit deal http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/206612/various-threats-arise-one-armed-bandit-deal

Ministers said no to higher gambling levy for SkyCity http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10801035

Sky City deal: The devil in the detail by GORDON CAMPBELL http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/opinion/6790216/Sky-City-deal-The-devil-in-the-detail

Valerie J. Grant: Pokies versus Convention Centre http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10801145

Pokie takings steady even as machine numbers cut http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10801300

AFFCO LOCKOUT

Helen kelly: We need to share more fairly http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion/6788528/We-need-to-share-the-fruits-of-the-land-more-fairly

500 more meat workers locked out on ANZAC day, Talley’s lockout settlement conference this Thursday http://www.mwu.org.nz/2012/04/24/500-more-meat-workers-locked-out-on-anzac-day-talleys-lockout-settlement-conference-this-thursday/

WORKRIGHTS NZ

THE UNION REPORT 23 April 2012: The Union Report: Guests are Helen Kelly and Garry Parsloe. Topics are Issue 1: What is driving the conflict at the Ports of Auckland, where is the middle ground and how many dirty tricks does PoAL need to play? Issue 2: AFFCO says they want the Union out of their industry, will these tactics enshrine a low wage economy and if our primary industries can’t provide decent wages, what industry can? Issue 3: This Saturday is International Worker’s memorial Day and 6 months since the death of Charanpreet Dhaliwal on a Fulton Hogan worksite. Is a de-unionized workforce a safe workforce?

$7500 compo for one day’s work in salon http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/6789487/7500-compo-for-one-days-work-in-salon

Housing boss ‘manhandled’ staff http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10800311

Lack of sacking a ‘double standard’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6783219/Lack-of-sacking-a-double-standard

Seasonal exploitation by Kiwi capitalists http://workersparty.org.nz/2012/04/24/6038/

International support for 26 weeks paid parental leave http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00277/international-support-for-26-weeks-paid-parental-leave.htm

CTU: Many risks in MoBIE http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/many-risks-mobie-ctu/5/121428

Fonterra allows second vote http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/6792762/Fonterra-allows-second-vote

Trial periods – one year on http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/small-business/6798036/Trial-periods-one-year-on

Marx on the waterfront http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/marx-on-waterfront.html

NZ ECONOMY

How childhood family income affects adulthood http://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/otago031791.html

Poverty stays in the family – study http://www.3news.co.nz/Poverty-stays-in-the-family—study/tabid/423/articleID/251666/Default.aspx

Secret trade deal raises asset sale issues http://www.newswire.co.nz/2012/04/asset-sales-linked-to-secret-overseas-agreement/

Big bank profits surge to $3.3b in 2011 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10800932

Jane Kelsey: Overview of the TPPA process http://web.me.com/jane_kelsey/Jane/TPPA_files/Overview%20Fabian.pptx

FEATURES

To The Point With Tariq Ali

Complexities of the Socialist Alternative http://www.zcommunications.org/complexities-of-the-socialist-alternative-by-steve-ellner

Noam Chomsky on America’s Declining Empire, Occupy and the Arab Spring http://tinyurl.com/6wp8ffy

Julian Assange’s The World Tomorrow Featuring. Slavoj Zizek and David Horowitz – Must Watch Video Interview – Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek and David Horowitz debate the left-wing influence on global politics, the Israel-Palestine question, the future of Europe and the WikiLeaks controversy. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31170.htm

A New Record is Set for Military Spending The Shame of Nations By Lawrence S. Wittner – World military spending reached a record $1,738 billion in 2011 – an increase of $138 billion over the previous year. The United States accounted for 41 percent of that, or $711 billion.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31162.htm

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

World Bank Overseeing Global Land Grab http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=107540&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Arctic Methane In Vicious Cycle Of Global Warming http://www.countercurrents.org/cds230412.htm

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Squeezing ordinary people’s finances always leads to disaster http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/23/squeezing-ordinary-people-finances?fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038

Reports from the Economic Front by Martin Hart-Landsberg – Too Big to Fail Has Gotten Bigger http://tinyurl.com/7ebpm29

Europe Loses Billions to Tax Evasion http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=107494&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

The “New Age” of Austerity Toronto — 23 March 2012. Moderated by Carlo Fanelli. Greg Albo, York University – “The State and Exits from the Crisis”; Tamara Krawchenko and Chris Stoney, Carleton University – “Crisis and Opportunism: Public Finances from Stimulus to Austerity in Canada”; Sheila Block, Wellesley Institute – “Austerity is bad for our health: Gender and Distributional Impacts of Drummond Recommendations” http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls135.php

System Crisis: A Brief History Of Crisis, Part one of System Crisis – a two-part series which examines the financial crisis, why it happened, how it affects ordinary people and what is being done about it http://tinyurl.com/18r

System Crisis: The Rise of Neoliberalism http://tinyurl.com/18r

Bahrain Grand Prix: racing on the blood of the people http://tinyurl.com/18r

CANADA

Massive student upsurge fuels major debates in Quebec society http://lifeonleft.blogspot.ca/2012/04/massive-student-upsurge-fuels-major.html

Student rally against Plan Nord turns ugly (with video) http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Student+rally+against+Plan+Nord+turns+ugly+with+video/6491654/story.html#ixzz1suURzPsq

Quebec education minister calls for truce with student strikers: “What we are beginning to prove is that when students mobilize it is possible to make things change,” – leader of Classe student coalition Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/quebec-education-minister-calls-for-truce-with-student-strikers/article2411323/

CHINA

Bo Xilai Clan Links Included Citigroup Hiring of Elder Son http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-22/bo-xilai-clan-links-included-citigroup-hiring-of-his-elder-son.html

CZECH

Czech Republic sees biggest protest since the Velvet Revolution http://tinyurl.com/8xjvagz

HAITI

New Video of Recent CEPR Congressional Briefing on Cholera in Haiti http://www.cepr.net/index.php/events/events/cholera-and-the-human-right-to-health-in-post-earthquake-haiti

IRAQ

The Children of Fallujah – Sayef’s Story By Robert Fisk – The phosphorus shells that devastated this city were fired in 2004. But are the victims of America’s dirty war still being born? http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31178.htm

Iraq’s Road Back From Oblivion By Robert Fisk – "There is no real country anymore." – We’ve lost our sense of something that belongs to us, our homeland. We’ve lost our national identity as Iraqis." http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31163.htm

LIBYA

Amnesty International accuses Misrata of continued torture http://www.libyaherald.com/amnesty-international-accuses-misrata-of-continued-torture/

MALI

The Malian crisis http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/5140/the-malian-crisis-seen-from-algeria

PALESTINE

One boy’s story: Palestinian-Cuban teen kidnapped in night raid, abused by Israeli army http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/one-boys-story-palestinian-cuban-teen-kidnapped-night-raid-abused-israeli-army

Israel’s Persecution Of Christians In the Holy Land CBS 60 Minutes – The exodus from the Holy Land of Palestinian Christians could eventually leave holy cities like Jerusalem and Bethlehem without a local Christian population. Bob Simon reports.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31157.htm

UK

MI5 ‘gave Libyan spies details of dissidents in Britain’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/22/mi5-libyan-spies-dissidents-britain

USA

A “Fair” Protest in New York City? By Natalia Tylim – If you ride the New York City subway system, then you’ve become accustomed to reading the signs in stations across the city that let riders know about service changes. Most often, there are delays, or you find that you must take a different line to get to where you need to go. On the morning of March 28, though, many subway riders found a very different message: “FREE ENTRY. No Fares Collected.” This was part of an action carried out by activists calling themselves the “Rank and File Initiative.” http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/621.php#continue

Bradley Manning: A Show Trial of State Secrecy By Michael Ratner – The US government’s suppression of all accountability and transparency in prosecuting the WikiLeaks suspect is totalitarian. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31173.htm

The Cost of a Nation of Incarceration – CBS News Video and Transcript – Nationwide, the numbers are staggering: Nearly 2.4 million people behind bars, even though over the last 20 years the crime rate has actually dropped by more than 40 percent.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31156.htm

VENEZUELA

Ten years after coup, Venezuela vigilant despite gains http://tinyurl.com/18r