What’s on in Aotearoa/NZ (21/4/15)

Unite Union appeal for financial support after burglary. Help End Zero Hours in the fast food industry.
Unite Union’s offices in Auckland were burgled after the international day of action by fast food workers on April 15. We don’t know if it was politically motivated or just a low life scum, but their actions threatens the campaign to end zero hours. Unite is asking for donations to replace their equipment and help the campaign. Go to http://www.unite.org.nz/donate

Marx Jones, spring boks veteran arrested by armed defenders squad.

Hello All, Please click on the link below to find out more about Marx’s arrest. It is an outrage!! There is an online petition to sign and more background. Please distribute this to your email lists and your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks, Meredydd Barrar.
https://www.change.org/p/police-complaints-authority-new-zealand-drop-charges-against-veteran-protester-and-facilitate-restorative-community-solution-to-sound-control-issue

2015 White Poppies for Peace Appeal collectors needed + orders
A reminder that the White Poppies for Peace annual appeal begins today, and collectors are urgently needed for the street collections in Wellington, the Kapiti coast and Dunedin – this message has information about that, and how you can how you can order poppies and support the Appeal wherever you are.

The White Poppies for Peace appeal, the main fundraiser for the White Poppy Peace Scholarships, is held annually from 17 to 24 April. The white poppy is an international symbol of remembrance for all the casualties of war – civilians and armed forces personnel – and of peace; further information about the white poppy is at www.whitepoppies.org.nz White poppies are available for a donation to the White Poppy Peace Scholarships, information about the White Poppy Peace Scholarships is at www.peacescholar.org.nz

White Poppies for Peace collection boxes for the 2015 Appeal have been distributed to collectors around the country from Hokianga to Dunedin, and there are street collections in Wellington, the Kapiti Coast and Dunedin on Wednesday, 22 April.

a) Helping with a street collection in Wellington, the Kapiti coast and Dunedin on Wednesday, 22 April: collectors are urgently needed as follows:

* In Wellington there are three collection times in central city locations: from 7am to 8.30am, from 12.30pm to 2pm, and from 4.30pm to 6pm – if you can help, please email whitepoppies or leave a message at 04 382 8129 providing your name, telephone number, and the time/s you are available.

* On the Kapiti coast the collections are from 9am to 12 noon in Waikanae, Paraparaumu, Paekakariki and other towns in the area – if you can help, please email whitepoppies or leave a message at 04 382 8129 providing your name, telephone number, which town you are in, and the time/s you are available.

* In Dunedin the collections are at various central city locations between 10am and 4pm – if you can help, please email whitepoppies providing your name, telephone number, and the time/s you are available, or contact the local coordinator via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/800918596681803/

b) Ordering white poppies: white poppies are available for a donation to the White Poppy Peace Scholarships – if you would like to order white poppies, please email whitepoppies and provide your name, postal address, and let us know how many poppies you would like. We will reply letting you know we have received your order, and how you can make a donation.

c) How you can support the White Poppy Peace Scholarships: You can support the Peace Scholarships by making a donation during the Annual Appeal or at any time during the year – your generosity will help to promote peace by directly supporting research into the impacts of militarism, militarisation and warfare; alternatives to militarism, militarisation and warfare; or media coverage of militarism, militarisation, military deployment and / or armed conflict. To make a donation by cheque, please use the form available at whitepoppies for the details – a tax credit receipt is sent for all donations. Thank you.

Thursday, April 23, 6-9pm, Fresh Gallery,
Shop 5 Fairmall,
Otara Community Courtyard,
Auckland

The exhibition runs from 23 April – 2 May. Gallery opening hours: Tuesday – Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 8am-2pm
Auckland Big Picture Exhibition – Opening 23 April: We are delighted to announce that The ‘Big Picture’ competition entries will be shown in Auckland in late April. These powerful and thought provoking pictures, showing what a child really needs to thrive, were created by school children for the Big Picture competition last year and were originally exhibited in Wellington. The exhibition is an excellent opportunity to see how young people view child poverty and their ideas on creating a society where no child goes without.The exhibition runs from the 23rd April to the 2nd of May and is being held at Fresh Gallery in Otara, in partnership with the Anglican Trust for Women and Children. More details of the opening are below. We hope to see you there!

Thursday, April 23, 10am to 12 noon, Panmure Community Hall

Please come and hear 4 women’s perspectives on “What is it like to live in Auckland as a migrant woman?" There will be plenty of time for your views and for discussion after the speeches.

Thursday, April 23, 6.30pm, Case Room 2, Business School, Owen Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, University of Auckland
Dr Bill McArthur – Understanding Adam Smith: how the invisible hand beats the smart trick to create the common good
Self interest in Smith’s argument is not simply confined to profit seeking individuals, but in the context of business practice, people are led by an invisible hand to promote an end that was no part of their intention. That end was the common good.
Smith advocated that the role of government be more than mere policing. He considered that the government had a responsibility to ensure that the nation was well provided with ‘the necessaries and conveniences of life’. People must be reasonably sure that he or she will benefit from their labours.
This state of affairs can be achieved by haggling and bargaining in the market place. Not only does this facilitate a free flow of information, but ensures that people in small to medium sized enterprise are morally accountable to any disciplinary measures in which customer contact is inherent. As Smith puts it, ‘When people seldom deal with one another, we find that they are somewhat disposed to cheat, because they can gain more by a smart trick than they lose by the injury which it does to their character’.
Bill is a rare combination of industrialist & academic and has a PhD from the University of Waikato, and a background in high quality electrical precision and in the management of Arts notably with Theatre of the Impossible Charitable Trust.
Born in Scotland raised in the Waikato, Bill is passionate about social issues, ethical standards and accountability, and a ‘fair deal for all’. Parking available under the building. You can register here.

Saturday, April 25, 6pm, Friends Meeting House, 113 Mt Eden Road, Auckland
ANZAC DAY VIGIL 2015: On Saturday 25 April, Anzac Day, a Candlelit Vigil is being held outside the Friends Meeting House, 113 Mt Eden Road from 6pm -6.30pm in memory of all those affected by the tragedy of the First World War. This Vigil is being organise by Mt Eden Quakers and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and is open to anyone. Enquiries Tel: 09 630 6834 or 09 360 8001

Tuesday, April 27, 9am to 1pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St Ponsonby, Auckland
Working Together for Vulnerable People: Progressing the Church’s Social Mission. A Workshop on Issues and Solutions. Speakers Fr Bernie Thomas ofm Auckland Tertiary Chaplain. Sr Anne Hurley Mercy sister in South Auckland. Followed by 4 workshops :  Sustainable Income/Budgeting  Housing
 Inequality/Poverty  Strategy for Action. Please rsvp by 16 April to Judith Lunny jandblunny

Friday, May 1, Knox Presbyterian Church Hall, 28 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch
2014 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating In Aotearoa/New Zealand

Friday, May 1, and Saturday May 2, Blackball, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand
You are invited to The Blackball/Runanga Mayday Celebrations, 2015.
Friday May, 7.30pm, Schools debate, Grey High versus John Paul 11 7.30pm, Runanga Working Men’s Club. Topic: Capitalism is better than Socialism.
Saturday, May 2, Mayday Forum: A sustainable West Coast economy- a dream or a possibility? Blackball Working Men’s Club. $10 to cover catering. Please register: wkcultur or by ringing 7324010.
Morning session, 9.30am-10.00am registration and morning tea.
10.00am-12.30pm: The Issues: Paul Maunder(Co-ordinator, Blackball Museum): Setting the scene. Grant Robertson(Labour Party Deputy Leader and shadow Finance Minister): The Future of Work. Sam Huggard (Secretary, NZCTU): The Role of the Union Movement. Jeanette Fitzsimmons(past co-leader of Green Party): The problem with the extractive industries. Garth Elliott (EPMU): Face to face with the workers: Debt, precariousness, terror and television. Each speaker, up to 20 minutes. Discussion and comment at end.
Lunch 12.30-1.15pm.
Afternoon session: 1.15pm- 2.40pm: Looking for direction locally. Cuban ambassador, Maria del Carmen Herrera Caseiro: New directions in Cuba. Joseph Thomas, CEO, Development West Coast: DWC’s role. Mayor Tony Kokshoorn : Economic development for a sustainable future in the Grey District. Mayor Gary Howard from Buller District Council: Where to turn?
2.40pm- 3.30pm: Discussion &formation of grass roots pressure group and drafting initial kaupapa.

3.30pm-4.00pm: Afternoon tea.
4.00pm: Blackball Museum of Working Class History. Opening of exhibition of "I Will Die As I’ve Lived", exhibition of paintings by Antonio Guerrero by Cuban Ambassador and opening of new permanent exhibition based on Blackball’s mining past by Mayor Kokshoorn, with cutting of ribbon by Digger Howden, Hank Hynes and Walter Shaw. Followed by drinks/dinner at The Hilton (please book for dinner – 7324705).
8.00pm (Hilton). The annual Runanga versus Blackball debate: It’s time to return to communism.

Saturday, May 2, 2-3pm, Downtown Shopping Centre, Cnr Queen and Customs Streets, Auckland
Rally for Palestine: Add your presence and make a difference at the only regular public display of support for Palestine in Auckland!
Monthly Rally at Downtown Shopping Centre Cnr Queen and Customs Streets. 2pm to 3pm, every first Saturday of each month
The Palestine Human Rights Campaign Aotearoa/New Zealand (PHRC) works to raise public awareness of the Palestinian people’s struggle to resist Israeli military occupation and Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.

We believe that a just peace in Palestine/Israel depends upon the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland and the dismantling of the Zionist structure of the state of Israel, recognising that the further partitioning of Palestine in order to create the so-called two-state solution would lead only to further injustice and suffering.
We advocate the primacy of international law, the acceptance of which by the Israeli regime must be the basis for the ending of Israeli military occupation and all forms of ethnic discrimination.
We work to raise awareness of the international community’s responsibility for upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the urgent need for the state of Israel to be called to account for its gross abuses of Palestinian human rights.
We call for the establishment of a bi-national, secular and democratic state in Palestine/Israel, with full and equal citizenship rights for all.
We seek to bring pressure on the New Zealand Government to join the majority of the international community in requiring Israel to:
· Observe all relevant UN Resolutions and Geneva conventions
· Cease ethnic discrimination and territorial annexation
· Abandon its militarism and violence
Join the Palestine Human Rights (PHRC) Campaign Auckland
www.palestine.org.nz

Saturday, May 2, 9.30am-4.30pm, Knox Presbyterian Church Hall, 28 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch
THIS WILL BE A ONCE IN 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE! The theme is a combination of celebrating CAFCA’s first 40 years of history; analysing the political/economic situation; and looking forward. It is a celebration with speakers, it’s not a conference. Material on display will feature the old and the new, from CAFCA’s past and present, including screening
a short film of the 1974 Long March across Australia, which inspired the foundation of CAFCINZ (now CAFCA). And you can make a weekend of it, as the event to announce the winner of the 2014 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating In Aotearoa/New Zealand will be held in the same venue on the previous night (Friday May 1). The cost of the day is a koha (send us a donation or pay at the door). Lunch and morning and afternoon tea will be provided. We are also planning a social event on the night of Saturday May 2 (venue yet to be announced). It will most probably be a meal. That will be at the expense of individual participants. For catering purposes we need to have an idea of numbers, so we ask you to please register in advance.
Speakers: Bill Rosenberg – economic overview; Jane Kelsey – TPPA & investment agreements; Murray Horton – CAFCA history; Warren Thomson – military & intelligence overview; Robert Reid – where is the country going?

Registration and koha to CAFCA, Box 2258, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand Or e-mail to cafca
Online payment details at http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/join-cafca.html

Wednesday, May 6, 4.30pm, WG404, Case Study Room in the Sir Paul Reeves Building communications precinct. AUT University

AMIRA HASS: REPORTING FROM THE PALESTINIAN PERSPECTIVE: Amira Hass is an award-winning Israeli journalist and author, mostly known for her columns in the daily newspaper Ha’aretz. She is particularly well-known for her independent reporting on Palestinian affairs in the West Bank and Gaza, where she has also lived for a number of years. Hass was the recipient of the World Press Freedom Hero award from the International Press Institute in 2000. In 2001, she received the Golden Dove of Peace Prize awarded by the Rome-based organisation Archivo Disarmo. In December 2009, Hass was awarded the Reporters Without Borders Prize for Press Freedom for her "independent and outspoken reporting from the Gaza Strip" for the Israeli daily Ha’aretz during Operation Cast Lead.Organised by the Palestine Solidarity Network (PSN) and hosted by the Pacific Media Centre (PMC).

Also: Thursday, May 7, 7pm,Auckland University, Old Govt House Lecture Theatre G36. Capacity 180.

Thursday, May 21.Old Government House, University of Auckland

Friday, May 22, 7.15am-8.45am,
Save the date! NATIONWIDE POST BUDGET BREAKFAST SERIES. Whangarei * Auckland * Wellington * Christchurch * Dunedin
Each year Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) provides child-focused analysis and commentary of the budget. The aim is to provide an accessible and affordable avenue for the community to come together and hear about how the budget affects children and young people, especially our most vulnerable who live in poverty.
AUCKLAND
Looking for Auckland volunteers to help set up on the day so email admin with your interest! It will be held at Western Springs Garden Hall.
WELLINGTON

Wellington CPAG will be working in association with Wellington PHA for the 2015 post budget breakfast. Looking for Wellington volunteers to help set up on the day so email wgtn with your interest. Venue to be confirmed.
WHANGAREI

Whangarei CPAG will be holding a post budget breakfast between 12pm-2pm. Time and venue to be confirmed.
CHRISTCHURCH

Two teachers from Villa Maria College who attended the post-budget breakfast last year were so moved by the event that they incorporated some of the ideas shared at the breakfast into their curriculum, and this year have decided to help organise a breakfast event at the school (all welcome). Would you like to join in organising the day and choosing speakers? Or maybe you’d like to help with setup? Email Sara at chch
DUNEDIN

Dunedin CPAG is excited to announce that it will be holding a post budget Brunch or Lunch in 2015. The time and venue is to be confirmed.
Looking forward to seeing you all there. The CPAG Team, admin / 09 302 5260

April 30 to June 4
Workshops on Linking Knowledge, Practice and Action
Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA) is holding workshops in five key centres on child poverty and the social services. Associate Professor Mike O’Brien will facilitate at each workshop along with a local practitioner. Mike is an academic and has written widely on social policy, child poverty and welfare and social work and social service issues. He also has a longstanding association with the Child Poverty Action Group, and is currently a convener of the NZ Council of Christian Social Services Impacts of Poverty and Exclusion Policy Group.

30 April – Hamilton
5 May – Gisborne
7 May – Napier
23 May – Whangarei
4 June – Dunedin
Note: the venue and local co-facilitator to be announced.