SPECIAL GPJA MEETING: 7.30pm on Monday 24 September at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd.

Countdown to the TPPA round in December: It’s just been announced that the next round of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations will be in Auckland from 3rd to 15th December. That gives us about 10 weeks to plan and educate. As a first step Global Peace and Justice Auckland is holding a meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 24 September at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd.
Speakers will be:

Deb Gleeson, an Australian public health expert on the TPPA who has been brought over here by the unions. Deb will talk about the threat of the US-driven TPP agenda to public health, especially Big Pharma’s attack on affordable medicines and the tobacco industry assault on Australia’s plain packaging laws.

Jane Kelsey will provide an overview of the state of the TPPA negotiations and highlight the issues that have the potential to bring the negotiations to a grinding halt.

Followed by discussion about what to do between now and December.

Please come, armed with energy and ideas.

WHAT’S ON

Saturday, September 22, 11am, Victoria Bridge on Bridge Street in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton
MIGHTY RIVER POWER PROTEST – Hands Across the Bridge, Saturday, September 22. There will be a ‘Hand’s across the Bridge’ symbolic action at Victoria Bridge on Bridge Street in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton. The action will be done to draw attention to our continued opposition to all asset sales and Mighty River Power in particular. This symbolic action is initiated by MANA Hauraki-Waikato but they ask all organisations, groups, and individuals opposed to the sale to attend and wave their colours. We want to link up from one side of the bridge to the other to show our opposition to the sale. 11am-12 Noon at Victoria bridge on Bridge Street, Hamilton, September 22. For more info or any queries please reply to this email or contact Alvina (027-221-6864) or Jared (029-4949-863)

Sunday, September 23, 2pm, Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace, Auckland
Human Rights Network (Auckland) invites you to PUBLIC FORUM – 2012: "Human Rights and International Development”. Panelists include: Chris Mahony, Centre for Human Rights Law, Policy and Practice, University of Auckland; Marama Davidson, Human Rights Commission; Sue Elliott, ECPAT / Child Alert Trustee, international development practitioner, Unitec lecturer; Rev Uesefili Unasa, Auckland University Chaplain; Prof Jane Kelsey, Auckland Law School; followed by an open discussion, chair: Edwina Hughes, Peace Movement Aotearoa. For more information, details of topics, speakers etc, contact: Joan Macdonald phone: 360 8001 email: Beverley Turner info

Sunday, September 23, 5pm, Room Four Art Space, 336 St Asaph St, Christchurch
The Art of a Political Prisoner – Humor From My Pen – a one-week exhibition of the political cartoons of Gerardo Hernández, one of the Cuban Five, incarcerated in the U.S. for fighting terrorism. Opening 5.00pm, Sunday September 23rd. Cuban music • snacks • address by Cuban Ambassador. Thereafter Daily from: 10.00 am to 4.00pm Monday to Wednesday; 10.00 am to 7.00pm Thursday to Friday, Room Four Art Space, 336 St Asaph St Christchurch (Room Four is in the same building as The Darkroom and Galaxy Records). Humor From My Pen On the web Humor From My Pen On Facebook Please forward to all you those you think may be interested. You have been sent this message because you appear on one of our contact lists – if you no longer wish to remain in the list please let us know.

Monday, September 24, 7.30pm, WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch
CAFCA AGM. 1/ 2011 minutes; 2/ Presentation of CAFCA accounts; 3/ Annual report of CAFCA/ABC Organiser Account; 4/ Election of officers; 5/ Murray Horton’s annual Organiser’s Report; 6/ General business. DVDS ON TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. A fascinating 25 minute panel discussion on the TPPA, broadcast on TV3’s Think Tank in June. Facilitated by the show’s host, former Labour MP John Tamihere, the panel is: Professor Jane Kelsey, NZ’s foremost critic of the TPPA and a world expert on globalisation; Mike Smith, a veteran activist opponent of globalisation for decades; and Syd Keepa, Maori Vice President of the Council of Trade Unions. Tamihere makes clear that he invited Tim Groser, the Minister for Trade Negotiations, to appear but Groser declined. The discussion ranges from an analysis of the TPPA and its innumerable fish hooks through to discussion of solutions and alternatives. & TOBACCO TNCS’ MACHINATIONS IN NZ. “Smoke Screen”, broadcast on TV3’s 60 Minutes in July, is a revealing 20 minute programme about the machinations of the tobacco transnational corporations in NZ. Faced with a Government policy of making NZ smokefree by 2025; already denied public displays in shops; and facing the imposition of plain packaging, the merchants of death and addiction are fighting back, issuing threats of court action using NZ’s existing trade deals and the proposed TPPA as their weapons (as they are already doing in Australia). Tens of thousands of internal documents from their NZ subsidiaries (released as a result of US court action) show what they’ve got up to in NZ in the past 20 years, what they think of the public health system, and the contempt in which they hold their customers (50% of whom die from smoking–related causes). A must see!

Tuesday, September 25, 9-11.30am, School of Population Health, Room 370 220 (main function room off atrium), Auckland University
Symposium on Trade and Health presented by Dr Debbie Gleeson and Professor Jane Kelsey. Topics to be addressed: How does / will trade agreements such as the Trans Pacific Partnership affect health and the broader determinants of health in New Zealand and our Pacific region? Who are the key stakeholders in these negotiations and how can health advocates, academics and health professionals become involved as stakeholders and advocates for fair trading in the region? Views from key stakeholders in the Auckland region will be invited and discussion on the what next questions, particularly as they pertain to research questions, will be explored? Staff, students and anyone else who might be interested are all most welcome.

Wednesday, September 26, 1.30pm, CTU Building, Wellington.
Union meeting with Dr Debbie Gleeson. Australian Public Health expert Dr Deborah Gleeson has been brought to New Zealand by CTU, affiliated unions and public health groups to speak about the threats to health and other concerns about the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). She will talk about campaigns around health and TPPA in Australia and internationally, but it will also be an opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues with her in more depth.

Wednesday, September 26, 5.30-6.30pm, Lecture Theatre 3, Government Buildings, 15 Lambton Quay, Victoria University
Dr Deborah Gleeson will give a presentation on Public health, the cost of medicines, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations, focussing particularly on PHARMAC, medicine costs, and changes to the pharmaceutical patenting regime. There will also be a short commentary by Professor Susy Frankel (Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington) on the intellectual property implications of the TPPA. Geoff Annals, CEO of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, will introduce the speakers.

Wednesday, September 26, 7.30pm, Piha Bowling Club, Piha
The implications of mining the west coast seabed: Public meeting. Film, presentation, discussion, refreshments. All welcome.

Thursday, September 27, 12.30-1.30pm, Adam Auditorium, (Wellington City Art Gallery) Civic Square 101, Wakefield Street, Central Wellington
Dr Deborah Gleeson will give a presentation on Public Health, Big Business, and the TPPA, focussing on the TPPA’s implications for public health decision making — particularly on where the balance of power is struck between the interests of the public and those of big pharmaceutical companies. Simon Terry (Executive Director, Sustainability Council of New Zealand) will also make a short address on concerns for the environment around the TPPA, in particular the proposed Investor State Dispute provisions. Warren Lindberg, CEO of the Public Health Association, will introduce the speakers.

Thursday, september 27, 6.00-7.00pm, 19 Tory Street, Community Gallery, Central Wellington (limited space)
Dr Deborah Gleeson will give a presentation on Public Health, the Asia-Pacific region, and the TPPA, focussing on the TPPA’s potential effect on developing countries, in particular on access to medicines. Dr Bill Rosenberg, Economist and Director of Policy at the NZCTU, will introduce Dr Gleeson and will give a brief presentation on the implications of the TPPA for workers

Friday, September 28, 1-3pm, 59B Mahunga Drive (next to KUMFS Shoes), Mangere Bridge, Auckland
An open meeting for all communities on the Living Wage will be held (an agenda will be sent out soon). Regards, Fala Haulangi fala.haulangi

Saturday, September 29, Te Tira Hou Marae, Cnr Tripoli and Caen Rds, Panmure, Auckland.
GARAGE SALE: 7am Start. Nau mai, Haere mai!! “Support the appeal for the imprisoned Te Urewera 2”. Household items, appliances, furniture, toys, bric-a-brac, clothes, bbq.. etc etc, open mic/open stage from 12pm-2pm. CONTACT: NUMIA – mob 021326613

September 27 to October 8, NZ-Venezuela
SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA: HALF-PRICE FLIGHTS AVAILABLE FROM AUCKLAND: Join the 2012 Presidential elections brigade to Venezuela. Register now to witness the final election campaign for President Hugo Chavez and observe first-hand a living people’s power revolution. Brigade dates: September 27th – October 8th, 2012. Half-price flights Sydney-Auckland-Venezuela return are currently available through Aerolineas Argentina. The 2012 brigade is the 13th study tour organised by the AVSN. Reports from previous brigades are posted at: brigades or phone Jim McIlroy 0423 741 734, Roberto Jorquera 0425 182 994 or Lisa Macdonald 0413 031 108.

Monday, October 1, 6:30pm, in Case Room 3, Level 0, Auckland University Businees School, Owen Glenn Building, Grafton Street Auckland.
"Social democracy Aotearoa: Problems and Prospects". A Fabian Society event with Dr Peter Davis. Peter will discuss the following ideas: What does social democracy have to offer in addressing our current discontents (loss of sovereignty, emigration of some of our best and brightest, commodity-dependent standard of living, structural deficit, inability to retain our key assets, solidifying underclass)? Kiwi social democracy in the 2000s produced some “big ideas” – Working For Families, Early Childhood Education, New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Kiwisaver, tax credits for R&D. Internationally, the Nordic model of social democracy is attractive – open and competitive economies, active labour market policy, enabling State, solid social underpinning. But there are plenty more ideas – from across the Tasman, from the OECD and (yes!) Davos, and from the UK Fabians. These provide a strong platform for a social democratic agenda. Please register here if you would like to attend this event.

Wednesday, October 3, 7pm, Garden Room, Grey Lynn Community Centre, Auckland
HE PANUI * INVITATION. MANA AUCKLAND ACTION FORUM. All Mana Movement members and supporters welcome. A chance to get together and share information, ideas and updates on activities. Help us build our movement across the whole Auckland region. Proposed Agenda: Karakia; Welcome; Reasons for calling this forum; Who is in the room? Where are we strong, and where are our gaps? Brief reports from activist groups in the room – what’s happening?; Is there more we should be doing as a region via these forums? Next steps – see list of ideas below for where we’ve got to so far. Closing. Nga mihi nui ki a koutou, Sue Bradford, Matt McCarten & John Minto

Monday, October 1 to Friday, October 5, Auckland University Students Association
AUSA POLITICS WEEK: This year for Politics Week you can expect exciting debates, discussion panels, workshops, competitions, free food, and an amazing variety of party and NGO stalls and more. Highlights include a Marriage Equality debate with MP Louisa Wall, a Pussy Riot Protest against the Russian government, Mini Back Benches at Shadows with Wallace Chapman, a Political Compass with (hopefully) all your favourite political parties in the quad and more! Please do take the time to check out each event and share the ones you like. We hope there will be something for everybody, even students who aren’t normally very ‘political’. Politics is fun and I hope that you enjoy the week and learn something new. support the special events which are run by them. That is all, enjoy!Max Lin, Your National Affairs Officer, Auckland University Students Association

FULL POLITICS WEEK 2012 SCHEDULE:
Essay Competition, Deadline 22nd of September. Judge: Senior Lecturer Kathy Smits. Prize: $50 Shadows Bartab / UBS voucher. http://www.facebook.com/events/199743930157122/
Monday Oct 1 – Aotearoa New Zealand
Political Compass and Political Party Stalls 10am-4pm, Quad ("Atrium"). Includes: All "major" parties, Republicanism NZ, Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party and more. http://www.facebook.com/events/341301075964079/
Documentary: In a Land of Plenty, 12-2pm, Quad. http://www.facebook.com/events/354702134613055/
BBQ: Meat Club Kiwi BBQ (TBC), 1.30pm-2.30pm, Quad. http://www.facebook.com/events/372469766118600/
Debate: Republicanism versus Monarchism, 2-3pm, Quad. Speaker(s): Lewis Holden, Todd Livingstone.
http://www.facebook.com/events/103716989783412/
Discussion: Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. 5-7pm, Engineering 3403-403. Speaker(s): MP Kennedy Graham
http://www.facebook.com/events/383927258347638/
Debate: This House believes Blockade the Budget is harmful to student interests. 6.30pm-8pm. Judge: Retired Supreme Court Justice Ted Thomas. http://www.facebook.com/events/367745473300040/
Tuesday Oct 2 – Mandate, Equality
NGO and Nation Stalls, 10am-4pm, Quad ("Atrium"). Includes: Amnesty, Oxfam, Red Cross, P3, Students for Justice in Palestine, Campaign for MMP and more http://www.facebook.com/events/341301075964079/
Presentation: Stop Asset Sales, 12-1pm, Quad. Speaker(s): MP David Cunliffe http://www.facebook.com/events/440285222684795/
Panelled Discussion: Poverty and Unemployment in NZ, 2-3pm, Quad. Speaker(s): MP Jacinda Ardern, Dr Susan St John, Jane Smith, Kiri Hannifin. http://www.facebook.com/events/254655894654627/
Workshop: How to make a Parliamentary Submission? 5.30-7pm, Library Basement 28. Speaker(s): MP Nikki Kaye, MP Louisa Wall
http://www.facebook.com/events/460629657305279/
Debate: This House supports the legalisation of same-sex Marriage. 7pm-9pm, Library Basement 15. Speaker(s): MP Louisa Wall, Colin Craig, Levi Joule, Matt Flannagan, Bonnie Hartfield, Joe Moeono. http://www.facebook.com/events/149352698539400/
Wednesday October 3 – Democracy, Rights
Parties, NGO and Country Stalls Continued. 10am-4pm, Quad ("IC" and "Atrium"). http://www.facebook.com/events/341301075964079/
Presentation: Potential Changes to MMP. 12-1pm, Quad. Speaker(s): Matthew Fitzsimmons. http://www.facebook.com/events/101745266648376/
Help Green Our Uni & Dessert Club: The Last Ocean Documentary (TBC). 1-3pm, http://www.facebook.com/events/420055541390480/
Global Poverty Project, 3-4pm, TBC.
Workshop: Amnesty What Rights are Human Rights? 4-6pm, Library Basement 15. Speaker(s): Sophie Pollak, Emily Wright
http://www.facebook.com/events/487633267928236/
Discussion: Your Tertiary Education. 6.30-8pm, Library Basement 15. Speaker(s): MP David Clendon http://www.facebook.com/events/489690907708402/
Thursday, October 4 – Activism
Protest: Protest in Solidarity with Pussy Riot against the Russian Government. 10am-2pm, Quad. Features: Cate Bell in a Shell
http://www.facebook.com/events/499349096759297/
Vegan Lunch: Sustainability Network Documentary Lunch No Impact Man. 12-2pm (Lunch), 2-4pm (Documentary), Cap & Gown http://www.facebook.com/events/151768531630758/
Workshop: Red Cross NZ Make Nuclear Weapons the Target. 12-1pm, Cap & Gown. Speaker(s): Gabrielle Emery
http://www.facebook.com/events/355131811235459/
Workshop: Child Poverty Action Group. 1-2pm, Cap & Gown. Speaker(s): Janfrie Wakim, Sam Drumm, Innes Asher
http://www.facebook.com/events/184340585034304/
Workshop: Students for Justice on Palestine Nationalism (TBC). 5-7pm, Cap & Gown, Speaker(s): TBC
Back Benches: University Back Benches. 6-9pm, Shadows Bar. Speaker(s): MP Jacinda Ardern, MP Simon O’Connor, MP Tracey Martin, MP Denise Roche. http://www.facebook.com/events/382277591843699/
Friday, October 5 – Beyond New Zealand, the World
Parties, NGO and Country Stalls Continued. 10am-4pm, Quad ("IC" and "Atrium"). http://www.facebook.com/events/341301075964079/
Flash Mob: Red Cross NZ Make Nuclear Weapons the Target, 12-1pm, Quad. http://www.facebook.com/events/160463627410949/
Protest against the Syrian Government: Balloon/Lantern Release (TBC). 2-3pm, Quad. http://www.facebook.com/events/360735570675628/
Discussion: SJP Boycott, Divest, Sanction (TBC). 6.30-8pm, Library Basement 15

Friday, October 5, 12 noon, Henderson Square, Catherine Square, near Great North Rd, in front of Westfield Shopping Mall
Waitemata Unite is joining a National Day of Protest Against Welfare Reforms, on 5th October, 2012. We propose: 12 noon: Rally at Henderson Square, Catherine Square, near Great North Rd, in front of Westfield Shopping Mall. 12.30: March to WINZ. 1-2pm Protest outside WINZ , 36 Sel Peacock Drive, Henderson. 2pm : march to Paula Bennett’s Office. 2.30-3.30 pm Protest outside Bennett’s Office, 429 Great North Rd. Join our Facebook Event Page and contribute your ideas: http://www.facebook.com/events/115323888618428/

Tuesday, October 16, 4.30pm-5.30pm, WA Conference Centre, Level 2, WA Building, 55 Wellesley Street East, AUT City Campus
AUT PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES 2012: “COUPS, CONFLICTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS – Pacific media challenges in the digital age” Inaugural Professorial Address – Professor David Robie, Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies. David Robie is director of the Pacific Media Centre in AUT’s School of Communication Studies and editor of the international peerreviewed journal Pacific Journalism Review. Refreshments will be served after the address Please RSVP to: sue.chapman

Wednesday, October 31, 6.30pm, Maidment Theatre, University of Auckland. Bar open from 5.30pm
2012 Jesson Lecture. This year’s Bruce Jesson Lecture will focus on New Zealand’s need for investigative journalism – by someone once described as “New Zealand’s leading investigative journalist”. Nicky Hager, who will present the lecture at Auckland University on 31 October, has been a fulltime writer for more than 20 years and is the sole New Zealand member of the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

November 9-11. Waihi
REMEMBER WAIHI 9-11 NOV 2012. It will be the 1912 Waihi Gold Miners’ Strike Centenary and Commemoration of the death of Fred Evans. The phrase “Remember Waihi” was used for many years by the union movement to refer to the 1912 Waihi strike. It expressed anger at the death of striker Fred Evans, who was beaten by death by strikebreakers while the police stood by. It also expressed caution at confronting the combined might of the government, big employers and the police. The Labour History Project is remembering Waihi with a weekend-long historical seminar and memorial service in Waihi this November. It’s one of the ways we research, record and celebrate New Zealanders’ working lives, and draw on the past for inspiration and guidance for the future. A program and registration form for the "Remember Waihi" weekend is in this brochure: markderby37 Phone 04 973 8900

December 27 to January 18, NZ-Cuba
XXX SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE TO CUBA: 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. 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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST WELFARE REFORM OCTOBER 5 2012

Beneficiaries who have had enough of the attacks on them by this government will be picketing WINZ offices across the country in a national day of action. The National Day Of Action Against Welfare Reform is being called for on Friday October 5 by the Facebook group ‘Occupy WINZ’. The group is coordinating with people and organisations across NZ who oppose the government’s agenda for welfare reform and are calling for people to join in protests on the day. Details of events are being coordinated in towns and cities throughout the country and will be posted on the National Day Of Action Against Welfare Reforms page as they are organised. Olive Mc Rae of the Occupy WINZ group says "It needs pointing out that what we are facing is a war on the poor. We have working poor now, on minimum wage needing food parcels from food bank. We need to really plug a united front. It’s not just beneficiaries, it’s all of us, low-paid workers included."

"Poverty doesn’t exist as an individual problem, and anyone of us could find themselves at some point needing to go on a benefit especially within this economic climate. I urge all people to stand in solidarity with and show support for the people struggling to provide the basic needs for their families and those being targeted and attacked in these latest reforms. Work and Income NZ is already systematically abusive and time wasting; it is designed to make those who need help feel like untrustworthy criminals in need of interrogation more than care and support, and the policies the Nats and ACT are pushing through are only going to make it worse by creating a defunct and inaccessible welfare system. We need to fight these reforms for all of us; whether you are a beneficiary or not this affects us all." said Joanna Wildish, Chch activist and organiser.

Against Welfare Reforms http://againstwelfarereforms.wordpress.com/

CHRISTCHURCH http://www.facebook.com/events/359769487433655/

WELLINGTON kylebowater

HAMILTON http://www.facebook.com/events/406160476105876/

DUNEDIN https://www.facebook.com/events/284916358279500/

If you can support this action, please respond as soon as possible. Regards, Olive McRae. Email: olive.mcrae Phone: 0272579218

NATIONWIDE WORKSHOPS ON SOLUTIONS TO CHILD POVERTY IN NEW ZEALAND: AUCKLAND, HAMILTON, WELLINGTON, NELSON, CHRISTCHURCH, DUNEDIN.

Come along and have your say on behalf of the thousands of children living in poverty in Aotearoa, New Zealand. ATTENDANCE IS FREE.

In March 2012, the Children’s Commissioner, Dr Russell Wills, established an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) on Solutions to Child Poverty. The EAG published its first report, an Issues and Options Paper, in 28 August, together with 20 background papers on a raft of issues relating to child poverty. Seminars, hui and community events are being held in many of New Zealand’s main centres to give people the opportunity to give feedback on the ideas put forward by the EAG. To view the EAG’s report please click here: Solutions to Child Poverty in New Zealand

Your feedback on the Expert Advisory Group’s proposals is important and welcomed The Group want to know if the ideas in the paper will work in your community. They want to know what proposals you would prioritise and if they have missed any crucial ideas. They are keen to hear about what is happening in your community to reduce child poverty and mitigate its effects.

The Group is interested to know your views on:

· Which proposals will be effective in reducing child poverty?

· Which proposals are less likely to be effective?

· What are the most important proposals to reduce child poverty?

· What needs to be done first and why?

· What is missing from the package?

LOCATIONS, DATES AND VENUES:

Wellington: Wednesday 19 September: 9.00am – 4.00pm. Civic Suite No 1, Wellington Town Hall. RSVP: igps or call (04) 4635307

Auckland: Friday 21 September: 9.00am – 1.00pm. Fale Pasifika, Centre of Pacific Studies, City Campus, University of Auckland

RSVP: igps or call (04) 4635307

Tamaki Makaurau Hui: Saturday 22 September,2012: 11.00am – 3 pm. Te Kura Kaupapa Maori a Rohe o Mangere, 7S Comet Cresent, Mangere. RSVP: r.blaikie

Christchurch: Tuesday 25 September: Time: 12- 1pm. Arts 4 Lecture Theatre, University of Canterbury. RSVP: r.blaikie

For Social Service Providers, Community Leaders. Tuesday 25 September, 2012: 2pm – 5pm. Wheki 305 (entry and parking off Dovedale Ave), University of Canterbury. RSVP: r.blaikie

Nelson: Wednesday 26 September, 2012: 7.30-9.30pm. Café Yaza. Open event, no RSVP required, koha appreciated.

Hamilton: Wednesday 26 September, 2012. 10.30 – 1pm. Te Ara Hou Village Auditorium, Te Ara Hou Village, 100 Morrinsville Rd, Hamilton

RSVP via email to Anna

Dunedin: Tuesday 2 October: 5.15pm – 6.45pm. Archway 4 Lecture Theatre, University of Otago Campus. Open event, no RSVP required

For Social Service Providers, Academics, Practitioners and Community leaders. Wednesday 3 October: 9am – 12pm. Venue Knox Church, 449 George Street, Dunedin. RSVP: r.blaikie

If you cannot attend one of these events, your views and opinions on the package of solutions to child poverty are important to hear. You can provide feedback through an online Survey Monkey, by emailing childpoverty or post: FEEDBACK ON CHILD POVERTY SOLUTIONS, Office of the Children’s Commissioner, PO Box 5610, Lambton Quay, Wellington 6145.

Please feel free pass this important notice onto your working networks who would be interested in contributing to this very important issue for our children.

NICKY HAGER TO GIVE THIS YEAR’S BRUCE JESSON LECTURE
Maidment Theatre, University of Auckland. Wed 31 October, 6.30pm. Bar open from 5.30pm

This year’s Bruce Jesson Lecture will focus on New Zealand’s need for investigative journalism – by someone once described as “New Zealand’s leading investigative journalist”. Nicky Hager, who will present the lecture at Auckland University on 31 October, has been a fulltime writer for more than 20 years and is the sole New Zealand member of the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

His first book, Secret Power (1996), exposed New Zealand’s role in the international surveillance network Echelon.

Seeds of Distrust, on how Helen Clark’s Government covered up the contamination of corn crops by genetically modified seeds, created a political storm when it came out just before the 2002 election.

The Hollow Men (2006), detailing thousands of internal emails and meetings in the National Party before the 2005 election, precipitated Don Brash’s resignation as National leader.

His latest book, Other People’s Wars (2011), uses leaked military and intelligence documents and interviews with key players to reveal the true extent of New Zealand’s involvement in the US-led “War on Terror”.

Hager’s Jesson lecture, “Investigative journalism in the age of media meltdown: from National Party Headquarters to Afghanistan”, will look at “why New Zealand needs investigative journalism, how it is done, and what it will take to have more of it”.

“I am keen to use the opportunity of this lecture to talk widely about the state of politics in New Zealand today, bringing together ideas that have been underlying and running through what I’ve been writing about New Zealand and politics for years,” he says.

“My belief is that we don’t talk enough about why things are like they are and a Bruce Jesson lecture is an ideal opportunity for this.”

“I will then look at the role and potential of investigative journalism, in the context of considering what is needed to improve politics in this country.”

The annual Bruce Jesson Lecture is organised by the Bruce Jesson Foundation in memory of Bruce Jesson (1944-99), another great investigative journalist who, like Hager, worked mainly as an independent writer without any regular wage or salary for most of his life.

The lecture will be at Auckland University’s Maidment Theatre at 6.30pm on Wednesday 31 October. Admission by donation, bar open from 5.30pm. More details: www.brucejesson.com

COME TO WAIHOPAI SPY BASE PROTEST: JANUARY 18-20

2012 has seen the Government get New Zealand back into ANZUS in all but name. For the first time since the 1980s, American troops have trained here; NZ troops have trained in the US; and NZ warships have taken part in US-led naval exercises. How ironic that all this was happening at the same time as the country was celebrating the 25th anniversary of our nuclear free law.

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 the global American warfighting machine is, and has been for more than 20 years, 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 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, and certainly not citizens.

Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spy base. 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 spy base on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed.

Email abc for further registration information.

SWITCH OFF MERCURY ENERGY! IT’S ‘PEOPLE POWER TIME!

The SWITCH OFF MERCURY ENERGY community group (formed on 15 August 2012) want 100,000 MERCURY ENERGY CUSTOMERS to SWITCH OFF MERCURY ENERGY (100% owned by Mighty River Power), in order to throw a HUGE spanner into this National/ACT Government’s privatisation agenda! SWITCH OFF MERCURY ENERGY call on all those who have marched down the street and signed the petition against asset sales to now take the action which CANNOT be ignored – thousands of Mercury Energy customers leaving in droves, which will cause the profits of parent company Mighty River Power (MRP) to fall – thus making Mighty River Power a most unattractive investment. There is a precedent for this. In 2008, in a time of financial downturn, (already privatised) Contact Energy doubled their directors’ fees and increased their prices 12%. In six months, 40,000 customers left Contact Energy, whose profits were halved. IT’S PEOPLE POWER TIME! To whom do you ‘switch’? Meredian Energy Ph: 0800 496 496 www.meridianenergy.co.nz Genesis Energy Ph: 0800 496 496 www.genesisenergy.co.nz Powershop Ph: 0800 496 496 www.powershop.co.nz Energy On Line Ph: 0800 496 496 www.energyonline.co.nz (Contact Energy, Empower and Trustpower are already privatised – so – if you’re opposed to privatisation, don’t switch to them!) On 3 September 2012, Prime Minister John Key announced that the proposed sale of up to 49% of shares in Mighty River Power has now been delayed, and will now take place between March and June 2013. This delay is a victory! Key will claim it is the Maori Council that caused the delay, but financial commentators have shown that the companies aren’t as profitable as Government hoped. This battle is winnable! Switching off Mercury Energy will further erode that profit. This may make Government put another company, perhaps Genesis Energy, up for sale instead. So SWITCH OFF MERCURY ENERGY now. And be prepared to switch off any other company that’s up for sale. And sign the petition now, calling for a referendum against all asset sales. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=422693697782504&set=a.422424394476101.133409.415130425205498&type=1&theater SWITCH OFF MERCURY ENERGY SPOKESPEOPLE: Penny Bright, Ph: (09) 846 9825 / 021 211 4 127 Chris Glen 022 020 4400

PETITION: DIVEST NZ SUPERFUND FROM ISRAEL ARMED CATERPILLAR

Caterpillar makes an armored bulldozer for the Israeli military to use for demolishing Palestinians homes. In 2003 an Israeli soldier driving a Caterpillar D9 killed 23-year-old Rachel Corrie, who was acting as a “human shield” in front of a Gaza house with children still inside. An Israeli judge recently ruled that Rachel’s killing was her own fault. Church funds and pension funds around the world are divesting from Caterpillar for ethical reasons. We think NZ Superfund should also divest. Lois and Martin Griffiths in Christchurch have started an online petition which asks Parliament to request Superfund guardians to divest from Caterpillar. To sign the petition, click here

THE TIGERS OF WRATH (are wiser than the horses of instruction).

PEKING, 1974. Trish is ex-St Cuth’s, Pauline is ex-Onehunga High; they’re dykes and Maoists and members of the Auckland PYM. Oliver is from Wellington, writes for Salient and is a member of MiLO. All three are on an NZUSA trip to Red China. HERNE BAY, 1994. Trish is now Labour MP for New Lynn and Opposition spokesperson on education. Oliver has given up writing to become an immigration lawyer. MANGERE BRIDGE, 2009. Oliver’s being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office. Pauline’s cleaning the South Auckland toilets of the BNZ. Trish is a TV current affairs host and the mother of the nation. THE TIGERS OF WRATH. A story of NZ from the recession of the mid-1970s to the crash of 2008-09. This is us. Circa Theatre, Wellington, Nov 3 – Dec 1. Cheap preview night Nov 2. Written by: Dean Parker, Directed by: Jane Waddell

FOREIGN CONTROL WATCHDOG 130 AUGUST 2012

Thieves And Conmen: Government Wants To Steal What Is Ours & Sell A Little Bit Of It Back To Us by Murray Horton
Christchurch Council Under Privatisation Pressure by Marty Braithwaite
The Risks Of Private Public Partnerships To The Health System by Bill Rosenberg
Secrecy In TPPA Negotiations Mocks Democracy by Jane Kelsey
Roger Award Event Comes Home by Murray Horton
Kim Dotcom And The Good Character Test: Money Versus Power by James Ayers
Euro Lessons We Should All Learn by Bryan Gould
Class Size Matters The Most Where Students Are Struggling by John Minto
Ports Of Auckland Dispute: It’s About Job Security And Public Ownership by Joe Fleetwood
Blood And Salty Water: The NZ Fishing Industry’s Failed Experiment With Globalisation by Victor Billot
A Major Leftwing Think Tank In Aotearoa: Call To Action Or Impossible Dream? by Sue Bradford
Fair “Share” For Aged Care by Alastair Duncan
Primary Production, Free Trade, Resource Conflict & Corporate Plunder: Part 3 by Dennis Small
Coromandel Still Under Threat by Augusta Macassey-Pickard and Renee Annan
Reviews by Jeremy Agar
Franzi & The Great Terrain Robbery by Sam Mahon
Coal And The Coast: A Reflection On the Pike River Disaster by Paul Maunder
Jagged Seas: The New Zealand Seamen’s Union 1879-2003 by David Grant
The Health Of Nations: Towards A New Political Economy by Gavin Mooney
Capitalism: A Structural Genocide by Garry Leech
Justice On the Agenda by Liz Gordon
Obituary by Murray Horton
Larry Ross
How Many NZ Jobs Do TNCs Provide? by Murray Horton

GRANDPARENTS FOR MORE PAID PARENTAL LEAVE

I am compiling a list of grandparents who support the bill to extend paid parental leave to 26 weeks. Go to Anne.goodman

CALL FOR JESSON PRIZE NOMINATIONS

The Bruce Jesson Foundation was established in 1999 to commemorate one of New Zealand’s greatest political journalists, the late Bruce Jesson, by promoting “vigorous political, social and economic investigation, debate, analysis and reporting in New Zealand”. To this end, the Foundation holds an Annual Lecture and awards two journalism prizes:

• The Senior Journalism Prize which is self-nominated by the journalists themselves and involves an emolument of up to NZ$4,000 to assist them to produce the kind of critical and analytical journalism exemplified by Jesson’s work.

• The Emerging Journalism Prize which has a fixed emolument of $1,000 and is designed to recognise “outstanding recent work by New Zealand print journalism students.” It is nominated by the heads of New Zealand journalism schools or journalism programme leaders for published work by student journalists.

Nominations for the 2012 Bruce Jesson Journalism Prizes are hereby sought both from self-nominating senior journalists and the Heads of New Zealand journalism schools respectively. Nominees’ work will be assessed by members of the Foundation’s Journalism Subcommittee: Camille Guy (convener), Joe Atkinson, Simon Collins, Jon Stephenson, and Geoff Kemp.

Nominations together with copies of nominated work (preferably in electronic form) can be entered electronically on the Foundation website or mailed to Dr Anita Lacey, Secretary of the Bruce Jesson Foundation, C/- Political Studies Department, University of Auckland, PB 92019, AUCKLAND. The DEADLINE for receipt of nominations is extended to Friday, September 14, 2012.

THE ROGER AWARD

The Roger Award For The Worst Transnational Corporation operating in New Zealand has run annually since 1997. There are no prizes for guessing whom it is named after. It is organised by CAFCA and GATT Watchdog, both Christchurch-based groups. The judges have awarded prizes for runners up, continuity and collaborators. The Award has attracted considerable interest since its inception (even from the corporate media), and has had a succession of distinguished and completely voluntary judges. The events to announce the winners have become highly memorable in their own right. Winners of previous awards and judges’ reports can be seen below.

New Nominations are open for the 2012 Award. The nomination form with details of the criteria and how to make a nomination is available in Word or PDF format. Criteria are also below. Nominations close on 31 October 2012.

The judges for 2012 are: Christina Stringer, a Senior Lecturer in International Business at the University of Auckland; John Maynard , from Wellington, President of the Postal Workers Union of Aotearoa, spokesperson for People’s Power Ohariu and founding member of the Brass Razoo Solidarity Band; Paul Maunder, cultural worker, curator of Blackball Museum of Working Class History and a founding member of Unite!; Sam Mahon, an artist, author and activist from North Canterbury; and Wayne Hope, Associate Professor, Communications Studies, Auckland University of Technology. They will be given a shortlist of finalists. The winner(s) will be announced at a Wellington event in early 2013. For more information http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/index.html