GPJA #422: Hikoi in Wellington / Sun: “Women in Cuba” book launch with Cuban ambassador
May 2, 2012 Leave a comment
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 422, May 2, 2012
AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE HIKOI, WELLINGTON AREA
Kia ora, below is some information about the arrival of the Aotearoa Is Not For Sale hikoi in the Wellington area tomorrow, what’s happening on Friday and next week.
Thursday, 3 May 2012: Protest rally against asset sales, meet at 8am in the Johnsonville railway station carpark (Moorefield entrance). "Peoples Power Ohariu is joining the Hikoi at the Johnsonville railway station carpark (Moorefield entrance). We’ll be hanging a banner over the Helston Road overbridge then moving the Peter Dunne’s office around 9am to protest . If Peter Dunne retracts his support of the Mixed Membership Model Bill then National / Act can’t flog off the remainder of our assets." Updates about tomorrow’s events will be posted at http://www.facebook.com/events/229812663789851
Friday, 4 May 2012: gathering at Te Papa Tongarewa at 11am, speeches from 11.30am, the hikoi will leave for parliament at 12 noon. Updates about Wellington hikoi events will be posted at http://www.facebook.com/events/170682386382094
Saturday, 5 May to Saturday, 12 May: a week of events, activities and demonstrations that will take place in and around Wellington, more information and updates will be posted at http://www.facebook.com/events/170682386382094
WHAT’S ON
Thursday, May 3, 7-8.30pm, WT1004, AUT Tower, AUT University
Media freedom in the Pacific: THE RHETORIC AND THE REALITY. Marking UNESCO World Press Freedom Day. Pacific Media Centre Seminar/Film Series. Panel: Dr Steven Ratuva (seminar chair), Pacific research fellow and senior lecturer, Fiji, and at the University of Auckland Pacific Studies Centre. He is also on the editorial board of Pacific Journalism Review; Professor Crosbie Walsh, founder of the Development Studies programme at the University of the South Pacific and publisher of a blog on Fiji; Iulia Leilua, chair, Pacific Islands Media Association (PIMA); Henry Yamo, Papua New Guinean journalist and MCS programme researcher; Rukhsana Aslam, Pakistani journalist and media educator/PhD researcher. Also screening two short videos: Pacific media freedom videos from AUT student journalists and Fiji Television. All welcome. Other PMC information on the website at: www.pmc.aut.ac.nz
Thursday, May 3, 4pm, Room 325, Level 3, Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Rd, Auckland
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: ‘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), Thursday, May 3, 4pm, Room 325, Level 3, Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Rd, Auckland
Friday, May 4, 5.30pm, Manukau Campus, Auckland University of Technology, 640 Great South Rd.
Community Seminar: ‘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.
Saturday May 5th, 12:30pm: Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Central Auckland
Meet the speakers for an informal lunch: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
Sunday, May 6, 1.00pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
Celebrate two new books on the Cuban Revolution. Hear: Maria del Carmen Herrera, Cuban Ambassador to New Zealand; Mary-Alice Waters, president of Pathfinder Press & editor of the two books; Kathryn Lehman, Latin America Studies Programme, University of Auckland. This meeting will celebrate two new titles published by New York-based Pathfinder Press. Women in Cuba: The Making of a Revolution Within the Revolution gives dramatic accounts of the struggle against the U.S.-backed Batista dictatorship and of the revolutionary course of the government that came out of that struggle – including the integration of women into the leadership and ranks of the revolution. The Cuban Five: Who They Are, Why They Were Framed, Why They Should Be Free describes the fight to free the Cuban Five, framed up and jailed by the U.S. Government. 1pm reception, 1.30pm presentations and discussion, Sunday, May 6. Sponsored by the Cuba Friendship Society and Pathfinder Books. For more information: Cuba Friendship Society, phone Ina (09) 3031755 or email inashina Pathfinder Books, phone (09) 3691223 or email pathauck
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.
Friday, May 11, 1pm, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Picnic for Paid Parental Leave Wgtn: Friday, May 11, 2012 – 1:00pm until 2:00pm. Looking after babies is no picnic! That’s why we need 26 weeks paid parental leave. Bring your lunch and a blanket and join us on the lawn at Parliament to mark Mother’s Day and lend your voice in support of Sue Moroney’s bill to extend paid parental leave to six months. Sue Moroney will be there to talk about what we can to do to make 26 weeks paid parental leave a reality. All grownups and little kids welcome! Here is the link to the event http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/446916665335105/
Saturday, May 12, 5.30pm, Satellite Gallery 136A Newton Rd, Auckland
Come to the opening of a two-week exhibition: Humour from my Pen with Art to Aid the Cuban Five. Opening is 5.30pm, Sat., May 12, Satellite Gallery 136A Newton Rd, Auckland. Cuban music, snacks. Address by Cuban Ambassador. Exhibition runs Wed-Sat, 11am-5pm, to May 26. The Cuban Five are five Cuban agents who infiltrated right-wing terrorist groups in Miami to gather intelligence on attacks on their homeland. They have been in jail in the U.S since 1998 on trumped-up ‘conspiracy’ charges. In a trial stacked heavily against them they were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 years to double life plus 15 years. An international campaign to win them justice has won the support of many prominent groups and individuals. One of the Five, Gerardo Hernandez, has drawn 30 cartoons entitled Humour from my Pen during his unjust incarceration. The cartoons are the central piece of this exhibition. More than 20 New Zealand artists have contributed work to Art to Aid the Cuban Five to raise funds to put on the show and tour it. They include: John Walsh; Gerda Leenards; Dion Hitchens; Malcolm Evans; Anna Crichton; Jeremy Leatinu’u; Matt Molloy; Donna Sarten.
Monday, 7pm, May 14, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
False Economy: The High Cost of a Low Wage Economy. How the government’s drive for a low wage economy affects us all – and what we can do about it. Jan Logie and Denise Roche, Green Party MPs, are on a national tour to highlight the impact of the government’s funding cuts and policy reforms on our communities. Based on the increasingly popular Pecha Kucha* format, we’ll have a series of fast-paced presentations from a range of speakers from different organisations including those representing Women, Workers, Disabled People, Youth, Children, Refugee and Migrant communities, Māori, Pasifika, the Mental Health community, Problem Gambling and more. A light supper will be provided. Cash Bar courtesy of the Working Women’s Resource Centre. This is a wheelchair accessible venue. To RSVP email conor.twyford or marie.retimanu-pule or visit our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/132801423520290/ Please advise if you require a NZSL interpreter for this meeting. (Pecha Kucha events consist of up to a dozen presentations, each presenter having 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds. Each presenter has just 6 minutes and 40 seconds to explain their ideas before the next takes the stage. The format keeps presentations concise and fast-paced and is being used increasingly as a way for people to meet, show their work, exchange ideas, and network.)
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
CONNECT THE DOTS AUCKLAND CLIMATE ACTION – MAY 5 @ 12 NOON
Meet at the Mission Bay Fountain. Action: To build a human seawall!! Bring An umbrella. Please join us on Saturday, May 5, as part of a global day of action, to make the connection between climate change and the extreme weather events happening all across the world. Highlighting sea level rise as a definitive challenge we face here in Auckland, we are going to create a human installation along the Tamaki Drive seawall. Umbrellas will be our “connecting the dots” symbol – so be sure to bring yours! There will be fun activities, good conversation and a relaxed environment for the whole family to enjoy. Photographs of our ‘seawall’ will contribute to the international call to Connect the Dots, to recognise the impacts of climate change already occurring, and to make the shift to a low-carbon society.
What is Connect the Dots?: On Saturday, May 5, people all over the world highlight their “climate dots” symbolising the significance of connecting these issues. In places from drought-stricken Mongolia to flood-stricken Thailand, from fire-ravaged Australia to Himalayan communities threatened by glacial melt, we will hold rallies reminding everyone what is happening in our neighborhoods, our communities and across our world. At each of these rallies we will make a point with a DOT. We’ll share our images around the world, to put a human face on climate change, holding up a mirror to the planet and coming face to face with its reality. Read more about Connect the Dots at www.climatedots.org
What is 350.org?: 350.org support a grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. 350 means climate safety as we must reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from its current level of 392 parts per million to below 350 ppm. More than just a number, 350 symbolizes where we need to head as a planet through collective climate action. 350 have been holding "global days of climate action" since 2009 and this year we would like you to join us in launching a global campaign to connect the dots between climate change and extreme weather events around the world. Read more about 350.org at www.350.org and www.350.org.nz
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
I thought I would just let you know that I have a programme screening on Triangle Television called Know Your Rights. It is on at 8.30pm on Thursdays and repeated at 5.30pm on Fridays. Everyone in Auckland can get Triangle but if people have not watched it before they need to tune their tvs to receive it. The programme is about people’s legal rights. Next week we will be looking at the Youth Court and what happens when young people get into trouble with the law. People who have questions about any area of law can email them to info. The questions will be answered anonymously.
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
“The changes to Housing New Zealand Corporation policies seem to be creating hardship for many people. Our members can no longer keep up with demand, and many of their clients are now turning to boarding houses and low quality, unhealthy private rentals.” – Trevor McGlinchey, NZCCSS
“I have clients who wake up in the morning and say, ‘Let’s go to Venice for lunch.’” Jeremy Davidson, a London consultant serving a mega-millionaire clientele, Stateless and super-rich, Financial Times, April 28, 2012
"Every single member of my family on both sides was exterminated. Both of my parents were in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. And it is precisely and exactly because of the lessons my parents taught me and my two siblings that I will not be silent when Israel commits its crimes against the Palestinians." – Norman Finkelstein – http://bit.ly/IQb7AE
"There is only one-way in which one can endure man’s inhumanity to man and that is to try, in one’s own life, to exemplify man’s humanity to man." – Alan Paton
"Dissent is what rescues democracy from a quiet death behind closed doors." – Lewis H. Lapham
STATS OF THE WEEK
Since 2000, 21 U.S. CEOs have walked off into the sunset with “golden parachutes” worth over $100 million, notes the GMI Ratings Report. Some 60 percent of U.S. workers 55 or older, the Employee Benefit Research Institute points out, now have less than $100,000 in their retirement accounts.
Interactive tool on inequality: When incomes grow, who gains? Use the sliders on the timeline to select a timespan, and see how growth in average income was shared between the richest 10% and the other 90% of Americans. All figures are in 2008 dollars. http://stateofworkingamerica.org/who-gains/#/?start=1922&end=1941
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Historic truth mars national days http://www.nzherald.co.nz/anzac-day/news/article.cfm?c_id=773&objectid=10802113
Labour was too close to National: Cunliffe http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6832449/Labour-was-too-close-to-National-Cunliffe
Proposed Immigration Amendment Unneeded http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1205/S00003/proposed-immigration-amendment-unneeded.htm
NZ at risk of breaching Refugee Convention obligations http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO201204/S00353.htm
Gordon Campbell on the John Banks vs Kim Dotcom saga http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/04/30/gordon-campbell-on-the-john-banks-vs-kim-dotcom-saga/
Vulnerability Report: NZCCSS is committed to giving priority to the poor and vulnerable members of our society. To this end our new Vulnerability Report, which commenced in mid 2009, will actively monitor the level of economic and social hardship experienced by a growing number of New Zealanders. http://www.nzccss.org.nz/site/page.php?page_id=260
Must watch video:New Zealand’s chilling child poverty story
Mandatory teaching of Maori has merit http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/blogs/an-auckland-minute/6831094/Mandatory-teaching-of-Maori-has-merit
On the relevance of the latest Hobbit revelations http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/04/27/gordon-campbell-on-the-latest-hobbit-revelations/
New Zealand in Solidarity With Australian Palestinian Activists April 2012
The Important Thing About Income Inequality is What You Do About It. Fabians lecture Feb 2012 http://www.closertogether.org.nz/assets/Uploads/P-Barber-Fabian-lecture-Feb2012.pdf
Protestors wave Maori flag in court http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/5326485/Protestors-wave-Maori-flag-in-court
Open Letter To Murray Mccully: Support International Law http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00340/open-letter-to-murray-mccully-support-international-law.htm
Student-loan borrowers face Budget pay-cut http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6841106/Student-loan-borrowers-face-Budget-pay-cut
NZUSA on fee history in NZ http://www.students.org.nz/index.php?page=fees
Is rape the cost of double bunking http://norightturn.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/cost-of-double-bunking.html
Banks’ charter school cronyism http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO201205/S00016.htm
AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE
Asset sale petition approved http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00323/asset-sale-petition-approved.htm
Protest march’s simple message: No http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10802159
Thousands join Auckland asset sale protest http://www.3news.co.nz/Thousands-join-Auckland-asset-sale-protest/tabid/370/articleID/252194/Default.aspx
Thousands join anti-asset sale hikoi in Auckland http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/thousands-join-anti-asset-sale-hikoi-in-auckland-4855916/video
Hikoi Aotearoa Not for Sale
HIKOI 2012 – Aotearoa is not for sale
Photos of the ‘Aotearoa is not for sale’ Auckland protest by Susan Price & Viv Miley (Socialist Alliance, Australia) https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=105583559011921895134&target=ALBUM&id=5736568864673511121&locked=true&authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmi8-2_LfOJg&feat=email
Rally photos http://aotearoaisnotforsale.com/2012/04/28/rally-photos/
Photos: Marcha NZ is not for sale http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150700179200811.393573.565450810&type=1
The return of the street http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/news-here.html
Hone Harawira MP — "Aotearoa is not for sale!"
Photos http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.446845875342235.123322.100000504796535&type=1
Photos http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.356681307714026.76571.100001164808396&type=1
Rotorua comes out in force to say NO to asset sales (+video) http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/17454
Rotorua Hikoi
National MPs Office in Rotorua Target of Hikoi http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO201204/S00352.htm
Nelson: Hundreds march against asset sales http://www.stuff.co.nz/6829821/
Caritas opposes partial privatisation of power companies http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00324/caritas-opposes-partial-privatisation-of-power-companies.htm
Short TV3 interview on Peter Dunne, the TPPA and asset sales http://www.3news.co.nz/Ohariu-concerned-about-Peter-Dunnes-stance-on-asset-sales/tabid/370/articleID/251883/Default.aspx
GET YOUR INVISIBLE HAND OFF OUR ASSETS by David Cunliffe – Speech to the New Lynn Women’s’ Branch, New Zealand Labour Party, 29 April 2012
WAKE UP AOTEAROA…Take back your power
‘No asset sales’ banner on Wellington icon http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6843924/No-asset-sales-banner-on-Wellington-icon
SKY CASINO SCANDAL
Banks did not reveal SkyCity as big donor http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10801742
Labour and Greens upset over mayor’s ‘fence-sitting’ on plans http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10801748
Poor communities feed pokies most http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10802309
AFFCO LOCKOUT
ERA sends Affco and union to mediation http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/6844863/ERA-sends-Affco-and-union-to-mediation
Union wants lockout lifted for everyone http://www.mwu.org.nz/2012/04/30/union-wants-lockout-lifted-for-everyone/
Sharples hears impassioned pleas from AFFCO workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1204/S00352/sharples-hears-impassioned-pleas-from-affco-workers.htm
WORKRIGHTS NZ
Council moves to make Ports of Auckland a good employer http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1205/S00033/council-moves-to-make-ports-of-auckland-a-good-employer.htm
Jackson’s Hobbit pledges from Govt http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10801740
NZ Actors Equity responds to new Hobbit information http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00319/nz-actors-equity-responds-to-new-hobbit-information.htm
International Workers’ Memorial Day is about mourning the dead and fighting for the living, says EPMU http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00330/international-workers-memorial-day.htm
CTU: International Worker’s Memorial Day http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00330/international-workers-memorial-day.htm
Serco Failures Highlight Private Prison Folly – PSA http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00321/serco-failures-highlight-private-prison-folly-psa.htm
Pay equality makes business sense http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/pay-equality-makes-business-sense-117576
EPMU To Hold Summit With NZ Post Executives http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00322/epmu-to-hold-summit-with-nz-post-executives.htm
The Union Report with PSA national secretary Brenda Pilott & commentator Chris Trotter: Topics are Issue 1: What is really behind the 130 job losses for the Super Ministry and with a zero budget, how much more cut backs can the public sector take? Issue 2: What do the latest revelations from the manufactured crises at the Hobbit tell us about this Governments negotiating style with unions? Issue 3: What does May Day mean to the Union movement now? How do Unions find relevance in a consumer culture?
Parental leave price tag splits public http://www.anhourago.co.nz/show.aspx?l=97907224&d=507
MAYDAY CINEMA STRIKE IN AUCKLAND
Strike action on May Day at Events Cinema Queen St http://unitenews.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/strike-action-on-may-day-at-events-cinema-queen-st-2/
Mayday2012- worlds 1st strike in NZ
Events cinema strike mayday 2012
Walking off the job on Mayday
Evil workers obstruct entrance
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm#drafts/1370b74f8fbbc362
NZ ECONOMY
TPPWatch Action Bulletin # 9 – 29 April 2012 http://tppwatch.org/2012/04/29/tppwatch-action-bulletin-9-29-april-2012/
1300 applicants for supermarket jobs http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/207194/1300-applicants-supermarket-jobs
Editorial – Let’s have accurate stats http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/editorials/6816189/Editorial-Lets-have-accurate-stats
What is being done about four Crafar Farms bought by natural dairy without OIO consent? http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=88659
FEATURES
May Day’s Radical History: What Occupy Is Fighting for This May 1st
Occupy actions planned on May Day are tied to the generations-long movement for the eight-hour day, to immigrant workers, to police brutality and repression of the labor movement. http://tinyurl.com/6wmoxzw
May Day Started Here By Noam Chomsky http://www.countercurrents.org/chomsky010512.htm
Possible futures for Occupy by Paul LeBlanc http://socialistworker.org/2012/04/26/possible-futures-for-occupy
You Are All Suspects Now. What Are You Going To Do About it? By John Pilger http://www.countercurrents.org/pilger010512.htm
Burkina Faso President Thomas Sankara’s ‘Against debt’ speech 1987 Part 1
Springtime for the Arab Left? BY Gilbert Achcar , Peter Drucker, Alex de Jong http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2563
Catastroika – Privatisation goes public: The creators of Debtocracy, a documentary with two million views broadcasted from Japan to Latin America, analyze the shifting of state assets to private hands. They travel round the world gathering data on privatization in developed countries and search for clues on the day after Greece’s massive privatization program.
http://www.catastroika.com/indexen.php
May Day 2012: Why They Are Waging War On the Workers and What To Do About It by Ingo Schmidt http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/627.php
Empire of Capital
Colonialism never ended, it continues by different means By George Monbiot – The conviction of Charles Taylor, – sent two messages: if you run a small, weak nation, you may be subject to the full force of international law. If you run a powerful nation, you have nothing to fear. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31216.htm
Revolution In The Air John Pilger Speaks At Marxism 2012 – Video –
John Pilger on the mass media and propaganda. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31187.htm
LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT
CULTURAL DISSENT
Red Reads: 1-10 – 50 books that will change your life with recommendations from Tony Benn, Susie Orbach, Christopher Hitchens and Marina Lewycka http://www.newstatesman.com/books/2009/08/wing-reads-rights-sex-susie
Review: Black Tide -The devastating impact of the gulf oil spill http://climateandcapitalism.com/2012/04/23/black-tide-gulf-oil-spill/
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Inequality and Instability: James K. Galbraith presents his study of the world economy just before the great crisis http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=74&jumival=865
The Fight Over Inequality: A deft overview of inequality statistical measures that debunks the latest conservative claims that inequality hasn’t been growing particularly fast. http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/the-fight-over-inequality/?hp
A Giant Among Giants: Glencore — founded by famous fugitive Marc Rich
GPJA's Blog 