GPJA #455 (part 1): What’s On and News for Aotearoa

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 455, February 25, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENTS

UNION ORGANISERS WANTED FOR SOUTH ISLAND (1) AND SOUTH AUCKLAND/WAIKATO (1)

 

Unite Union is looking to employ two full time organisers. Both organisers will have a primary repsonsibility for visiting, recruiting and representing workers in the fast food industry, cinemas, hotels and security.

Organisers need to have some experience as a union delegate, advocate for workers and beneficiaries or organising experience in community movements. A knowledge of current industrial law would be an advantage.

Applicants need to be computer literate. A current drivers licence is essential as substantial travel will be required.

The South Auckland/Waikato organiser would be based in the Auckland office. The South Island organiser could be based in either Christchurch or Dunedin. The South island organiser would also be working with a part-time organiser based in Christchurch.

Applications should be sent by email to Unite National Director Mike Treen (mike) by 5pm, Friday, March 1.

WRITE IN “PAKEHA” IN CENSUS

Well, it is census time again and New Zealanders who identify ourselves as Pakeha are once again ignored in the current census format – we have only two options: “New Zealand European” or “Other”. Those of us who don’t consider we are Europeans of any kind are denied the opportunity to describe our ethnicity accurately, in an official language of New Zealand. We may acknowledge the European ancestry of our forebears but we don’t consider that our ethnicity.

In 1996 the relevant category was “NZ European or Pakeha” but the “Pakeha” option has been removed for all censuses since – apparently because some people objected to the expression “Pakeha”. Surely it is unfair to deny those who identify with the term on the basis that other people don’t feel comfortable with it.

And recent research has indicated we are moving past those days anyway.

At the last Census, something like 15,000 Pakeha New Zealanders checked the “Other” box and wrote in “Pakeha”. Perhaps if more of us do so this time the authorities will get the message and in future include a “Pakeha” or “NZ European or Pakeha” option, as so many other surveys do.

Peter Hosking, Call Me Pakeha

WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND

Wednesday, February 27, 7pm, Waipapa Marae, Auckland University, Wynyard Street, Auckland
Next Mana Tamaki Meeting: We will be planning the year ahead and in particular looking at the local body elections in October. How should Mana be involved? Everyone welcome!

Thursday, February 28, 6.30pm, Commerce Building A (114), Room G18, University of Auckland (City Campus)
Public Meeting: Students and the Education Factory by ISO Aotearoa. Imagine a world where you could study anything you wanted without worrying if someone would employ you at the end of it. A world where university was free. Sadly this is not the world we live in. Over the last 30 years we have seen ever increasing fees set by the university and the slashing of non-profitable departments. This is the reality of the degree factory. But students around the world aren’t taking this lying down. A mass student movement in Montreal fought back fee rises; Chilean students are continuing their battle against austerity measures and in Aotearoa we have seen student activist’s groups form and protest across the country.

Saturday, March 9, 2pm, Friends Meeting House, 113 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden, Auckland
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Aotearoa Notice of Public Meeting. We will be having a speaker from PARS to tell us about the support give that organisation to women in prison and their families. All welcome. For more information contact Joan Macdonald joanmac Ph 360 8001

Sunday, March 10, 10am to 4pm (set up Saturday 9th, or Sunday morning), Olympic Park, New Lynn (area surrounding Sustainable Living Centre).
EcoDay 2013 – an opportunity to show your green credentials! Calling for Eco Expo exhibitors and stall holders. EcoDay is back by popular demand. If you would like to be part of the biggest EcoDay in West Auckland then get in touch with us as soon as possible. The details of EcoDay are: – Eco Expo featuring commercial businesses selling and promoting sustainable or environmentally friendly products; – Green Marketplace with art, craft, growers and not for profit groups; – Green Transport zone; – Free Interactive Workshops; – Kids entertainment and activities; – Food and Beverage providers. Booking deadlines: to assist with site planning we would appreciate a verbal commitment by Friday 8thFebruary. Final booking & payment by 1 March 2013. For more information and an application form please contact EcoDay Event Manager – Anna Fomison atecoday or on 021 163 7492

Saturday, March 16, 4pm, Westlake Boys’ High School, 30 Forrest Hill Road, Auckland, New Zealand
MIGRANTE: The Filipino Diaspora ( A Joel C. Lamangan Film). A touching movie about the trials, hopes and dreams of migrants working in foreign countries. Bring along your family and friends to this inspiring film about migrants helping one another in times of great need. Ticket sales will be donated to support purchase of lifeboats for communities vulnerable to massive flooding and for rebuilding of schools for indigenous people devastated by typhoon Pablo in Mindanao.

Monday, April 15
2013 Global Day of Action on Military Spending: 15 April 2013 – if you would like to be involved in the 2013 Global Day of Action in Aotearoa New Zealand, or would like your organisation listed as a pma

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Euchred; eclipsed: Ralph Hotere (1931 – 2013) http://iso.org.nz/2013/02/24/euchred-eclipsed-ralph-hotere-1931-2013/

Annette Sykes: “We belong to the water and the water belongs to us http://workersparty.org.nz/2013/02/12/annette-sykes-we-belong-to-the-water-and-the-water-belongs-to-us/

Christchurch shows anger at government education plans http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00176/christchurch-shows-anger-at-government-education-plans.htm

NZEI Protest

New Blog Unites Top Left-Wing Political Commentators and Progressive Opinion Shapers http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/16178935/left-wing-political-commentators-to-launch-new-blog/

“Continue to play our part” – John Key has confirmed that New Zealand will continue to play its part in the plunder and colonial occupation of Afghanistan well beyond the promised withdraw date of 2013. http://www.indymedia.org.nz/articles/685

Rangi Kemara Free on 4 March http://www.indymedia.org.nz/articles/684

“Our friend will be free” by October 15th Solidarity: Taame Iti has been granted parole to take effect on 27 February. Co-defendant Rangi Kemera is set to have his parole hearing next week. http://www.indymedia.org.nz/articles/678

Tame Iti Release: Harawira http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1302/S00203/tame-iti-release-harawira.htm

Brian Rudman: NZ can afford to care more about refugees http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10865050

Michael Timmins: Key’s refugee policy misses the boat http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10864745

Charter schools a ‘failed experiment in New Orleans’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10866640

Prisoners denied access to justice http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00121/prisoners-denied-access-to-justice.htm

17 Feb 2013 – Michele A’Court – Comedian, Writer, Actress, Blogger – I will no longer stand by while the rights and freedoms of real New Zealanders are denigrated by this sorry pack of troglodytes from Blokeistan who say stupid things. www.micheleacourt.co.nz

John Minto: Special deal for privileged pupils http://www.nzherald.co.nz/education/news/article.cfm?c_id=35&objectid=10863813

Committee on Racial Discrimination considers report of NZ http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00238/committee-on-racial-discrimination-considers-report-of-nz.htm

Lecturer urges massacre apology http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8331241/Lecturer-urges-massacre-apology

Focus wrong for new victim law – Ombudsman http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8334399/Focus-wrong-for-new-victim-law-Ombudsman%20

A true bill of health – the real costs http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8309990/A-true-bill-of-health-the-real-costs

National kicks for touch on plain packaging http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00170/national-kicks-for-touch-on-plain-packaging.htm

Kelly slams military course for youths http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/8316592/Kelly-slams-military-course-for-youths

I love Lucy – you should too – Xena eco warrior deserves praise, not put-downs http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/8316636/I-love-Lucy-you-should-too

CTU pays tribute to the people of Canterbury http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00213/ctu-pays-tribute-to-the-people-of-canterbury.htm

Taking free speech too far http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/opinion/8322151/Taking-free-speech-too-far

No rules for NZ Police surveillance drones by David Beatson http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/no-rules-for-nz-police-surveillance-drones%20

Police paid witnesses in murder case shock http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10867167%20

SKYCITY

Vernon Small: SkyCity stench demands restart http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/8331689/SkyCity-stench-demands-restart

Sky City report ‘deeply disturbing’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10866493

No way to run a country by Rod Oram http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/8344053/No-way-to-run-a-country

NZ ECONOMY

100 jobs cut at Datam http://www.epmu.org.nz/news/show/173449

Govt won’t let Solid Energy fail, looks to banks to wear their share http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/govt-wont-let-solid-energy-fail-looks-banks-wear-their-share-bd-136286

Nats’ fossil fuel bet & culture of excess bankrupted Solid Energy http://thestandard.org.nz/nats-fossil-fuel-bet-culture-of-excess-bankrupted-solid-energy/

Hero to zero in two years, and the kitty’s empty http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10866943

Think tanks & global-local networks http://thestandard.org.nz/think-tanks-global-local-networks/

Dame Anne Salmond: Separating free market wolves from the lambs http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10866154

TPPWatch Bulletin # 28 http://www.indymedia.org.nz/articles/687

TPP: a gateway to GE? http://www.idealog.co.nz/blog/2013/02/leaders-or-followers?c=168940

Housing: Watching the dream disappear http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8344246/Watching-the-dream-disappear%20

POVERTY & WELFARE DEBATE

CPAG: Government deserves D for child poverty http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00137/government-deserves-d-for-child-poverty.htm

Gordon Campbell on the latest spasm of welfare bashing http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/02/21/gordon-campbell-on-the-latest-spasm-of-welfare-bashing/

Poor Kiwis left behind, says Salvation Army http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8295161/Poor-Kiwis-left-behind-says-Salvation-Army

Salvation Army Report http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/research-media/social-policy-and-parliamentary-unit/state-of-nation-reports/shell-be-right/

Persecuting the poor http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/persecuting-poor.html

A press release we will never see by Andrew Geddis http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/a-press-release-we-will-never-see%20

Gareth Morgan: Benefits system needs to evolve http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10866463%20

Beneficiaries treated as guilty, says advocacy group http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/128646/beneficiaries-treated-as-guilty,-says-advocacy-group

Ministers accused of downplaying income in measure of child poverty

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/feb/14/child-poverty-ministers-downplaying-importance-income

Poverty strikes at home, children first victims http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8306750/Poverty-strikes-at-home-children-first-victims

Guilty of being a beneficiary http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00199/guilty-of-being-a-beneficiary.htm

Government deserves the State of the Nations’ D for child poverty http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00137/government-deserves-d-for-child-poverty.htm

WORKRIGHTS NZ

Big job losses worry union bosses http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10867528%20

Women paid less than men need better law http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1302/S00316/women-paid-less-than-men-need-better-law.htm

Tapu Misa: Moral pressure drives fight for living wage http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10865952

Matt McCarten: Living wage a moral entitlement http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10865825

Helen Kelly: Working for a Living http://thestandard.org.nz/working-for-a-living/

Chris Trotter: Low-paid staff need solidarity http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/columnists/chris-trotter/8320836/Low-paid-staff-need-solidarity

Call for enquiry into forestry deaths http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/calls-inquiry-into-forestry-deaths-video-5344662

What killed Ken Callow http://onebigvoice.com/campaign/whatkilledkencallow

What Killed Ken Callow? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00162/what-killed-ken-callow.htm

ANZ to cut jobs, outsource work to India http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10866669

Battle for a living wage: Campaigner says mindset shift needed to accompany monetary leap http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment/news/article.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10865279

Ghosts in corridors of power highlight disparities in pay http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10865001

Mareta Sinoti’s workload cleaning Parliament has doubled since she began three years ago but there’s no extra pay. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Cities agree to look into higher pay http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10865266

Hard working poor families desperate for a living wage http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10865272

Green Party Supports Living Wage http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1302/S00174/green-party-supports-living-wage.htm

New Zealand Living Wage $18.40 an hour http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00119/new-zealand-living-wage-1840-an-hour.htm

Labour champions the Living Wage http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1302/S00172/labour-champions-the-living-wage.htm

PSA: Government Needs To Blaze The Trail On Living Wage http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00120/government-needs-to-blaze-the-trail-on-living-wage.htm

Industries quail at pay cost http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10865320

Worker sacked after two days awarded $6000 in compensation http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment-relations/news/article.cfm?c_id=189&objectid=10865262

$18.40 an hour needed for living wage http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/8300471/18-40-an-hour-needed-for-living-wage

Auckland worker (and FIRST Union member) Fa’atau Manoa speaks to One News tonight about how a Living Wage would help his family makes end meet a little easier. http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/report-identifies-nz-s-living-wage-5341150/video

More on Living Wage: http://www.livingwagenz.org.nz/

Foreign vessels bill should have more for NZers http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbnat/798653682-foreign-vessels-bill-should-have-more-for-nzers

FIRST: Secure and safe jobs would help attract primary production workers http://firstunion.org.nz/content/secure-and-safe-jobs-would-help-attract-primary-production-workers

‘Les miserables’ fight for bigger payout http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10862224

Event Cinema worker Mel Johnston protests with colleagues outside the Auckland headquarters. Photo / Chris Gorman