AAAP to picket John Key this Friday, 11.30am at Lincoln Green, 159 Lincoln Rd, Henderson – What’s On Update

Kia ora AAAP supporters,

We just wanted to let you and your organisation’s know that Auckland Action Against Poverty will be picketing John Key this Friday, 11.30am, at Lincoln Green, 159 Lincoln Road Henderson. This picket will be family friendly with children’s entertainment provided.

The picket will be outside of a charity event that Key is speaking at which is raising money for the children’s ward of the Waitakere hospital. The aim of the picket is to point out the contradiction and hypocrisy of Key raising money for a children’s ward when his party’s welfare reforms will ultimately lead to more child poverty and, as a result, poor health.

If you are able to forward the event details to any of your supporters/membership it would be greatly appreciated.

Facebook details for the event are available here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/372737406137904/

Thanks in advance,

Sarah Thompson (for AAAP)

WHAT’S ON

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

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.

Tuesday, October 2, 5.15pm-6.45pm, Archway 4 Lecture Theatre, University of Otago Campus, Dunedin.
WORKSHOPS ON SOLUTIONS TO CHILD POVERTY IN NEW ZEALAND: 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. For Social Service Providers, Academics, Practitioners and Community leaders. Wednesday 3 October: 9am – 12pm. Venue Knox Church, 449 George Street, Dunedin. RSVP: r.blaikie

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. Do you have other thoughts you’d like to share? Come along to the meeting, or email your comments and ideas ahead of time to auckland 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,
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST WELFARE REFORM
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/

DUNEDIN: Central WINZ Cnr St Andrews & Castle st contact (027) 259218 olive.mcrae://www.facebook.com/events/284916358279500/

AUCKLAND: contact unitewaimata https://www.facebook.com/events/115323888618428/

WELLINGTON: Willis St. (Wellington City) WINZ contact Heleyni (029) 4949865 or kylebowater https://www.facebook.com/groups/501414736555115/

CHRISTCHURCH: Riccarton Rd WINZ contact joanna.wildish (022) 1726120 http://www.facebook.com/events/359769487433655/

HAWKE’S BAY: Hastings East WINZ Office. contact is msnhuata (022) 6014959 https://www.facebook.com/events/343037039119987/

HAMILTON: WBAHamilton (022) 307 9324 http://www.facebook.com/events/406160476105876/

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.