Posted on 20-8-2003

GPJA What's On Aug-Sept03

Thursday, August 21, 6pm, Eden Roskill Activity Centre, 489 Dominion Rd
Refugee Council of New Zealand AGM. Guest speaker Hon. Lianne Dalziel

Thursday, August 21, 7.30pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby
"Women, poverty & the Pacific - what does it mean?" Guest speaker: Patti
O'Neill, Special Advisor, Gender And International Development, NZAID. The
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Auckland Regional
Committee AGM. Gold coin donation appreciated. For further information: ph
4446462 or 5761415.

Friday, August 22, 12.30pm, Pioneer Women's Hall, High St, CBD Wake Up!
Auckland. Join the rates revolt. Contact Marney Ainsworth 3766213

Friday August 22 and Saturday August 23, 9am to 3-30pm, St Columba's
Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby, Auckland "Creating a peace-based society"
is the theme of the Pax Christi 2003 Assembly. Fri - Mass, AGM, then shared
supper, 6-30pm to 8-30pm, St Benedict's Crypt. Sat - Assembly with speakers
Yvonne Duncan on "Peace-making in Education", Bunny McDiarmid on "Peace for
the Environment", Keith Locke on "Creating Peace among Nations"; Phyllis
Short on "A Church of Peace", Manuel Beazley on "Towards a Post-Colonial
Society", and David Tutty on "Theologising Together for a Peaceful
Society". For more info contact Pax Christi.

Saturday, August 23, 12 noon, lower Queen St/Fort St, downtown, CBD The
biggest rates revolt ever protest march up Queen St. Contact: ElaineWest,
Auckland City Residents and Ratepayers Spokesperson, Auckland Regional
Ratepayers' Delegate's Assoc.09 360 2771 aucklandcity_elainewest@yahoo.co.nz

Friday, August 29 to Sunday, August 31. Nga Kete Wananga Marae Cultural
Provocation - Art, Activism and Social Change" conference Cultural
Provocation is a marae-based hui and conference bringing together leading
theorists, critics, artists and activists. Local and international
contributors include project collaborator, writer and cultural theorist
John Welchman (UK/USA), film maker Merata Mita (Ngati Pikiao) (NZ), art
historian and critic Grant Kester (USA), Yes Men initiator, artist and
activist Andy Bichlbaum, Parihaka (Taranaki Iwi) musician, activist and
historian Te Miringa Hohaia (NZ).

Aotearoa/New Zealand's social and political history has been punctuated by
dramatic acts of "cultural provocation," symbolic gestures that have
continued to challenge the values of the dominant culture. From the
invasions of Parihaka and Maungapohatu, through to the 1981 Springbok Tour,
Bastion Point, and a Nuclear Free nation, Aotearoa/New Zealand's distinct
political identity has been fueled by and articulated through the images
and iconography of artists.

From Hone Heke to Tame Iti, Maori have been at the forefront of this
tradition in Aotearoa/New Zealand and have played a central part in its
examination, pointing up the conflicting values of coloniser and colonised.
For information, and registration go to: www.manukau.ac.nz/culturalprovocation

Wednesday, August 27, 7:00pm start, Alleluya Café, St. Kevin's Arcade, 183
K'Rd THE ANTIDOTE # 3. An Auckland Indymedia GE-FREE Film Fundraiser. An
evening of independent documentaries on genetic engineering in response to
the lapsing of the moratorium on the release of genetically modified
organisms. FEATURING:
KIA TUPATO Documentary short by local filmmaker Michelle McGregor exploring
Maori views on the environment and genetic engineering through interviews
with the late Sir John Turei. (11 mins.)

The LEECH and the EARTHWORM Indigenous peoples voice their views on Western
science, its vision of a genetically engineered future, and its deep links
with corporate profits and globalisation. "The Leech and the Earthworm" is
a journey that combines passionate critiques of a future threatened by
genetic engineering and representations of living alternatives to a
globalised monoculture with stunning visuals and music from around the
world. The "Leech and the Earthworm" is a provocative film that inspires us
to ask serious questions of the collective illusion we call 'progress'."
(68 mins.)

STOP THE CROP Produced by Undercurrents UK. A short documentary of a
direct action event in the UK in which a genetically modified crop was
pulled up in protest to the sowing of GMOs. A portent of things to come.
(7mins.)

HOMEGROWN Homegrown profiles the use of successful alternatives to the use
of BT maize in Kenya and the reaction of the biotech companies to this use
of cheap, natural alternatives to genetic engineering. (8 mins.) The
upcoming screening on the 27th August is the third such screening organised
by Auckland Indymedia and is part of our aim to provide a regular forum for
alternative political documentaries and media art. Queries Ph. (9) 631-5810
or email: auckland@indymedia.org www.indymedia.org.nz

Monday, September 1, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
GPJA FORUM: Can NZ be GE Free? Steve Abel (Greenpeace) and John Clearwater
(PSRG - physicians and scientists for responsible genetics), also Jean
Tallentyre from the AGEFC - Auckland GE free coalition will speak about the
GE free register.

Friday, September 12, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. "The
other September 11 - Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the coup in
Chile.

Saturday, September 13, International day of action against corporate
globalisation and war. Details tba. "From September 10 to 14, the World
Trade Organisation (WTO) will hold its Fifth Ministerial meeting in Cancun,
Mexico. Pushed by multinational corporations, the United States, the
European Union, and other developed countries are seeking to launch a new
round of 'free trade' negotiations and expand corporate globalisation -
further eroding human rights, workers' rights, environmental protections,
and democracy - in the interest of corporate control. Popular movements in
Mexico and their international allies will mark these meetings with massive
demonstrations to demand a world that puts democracy and human dignity
ahead of corporate profits. Solidarity actions around the world will focus
on September 13 as a Worldwide Day of Action Against Corporate
Globalisation and War." Another world is possible - "We have before us a
choice: the world of militarism and corporate globalisation, or a world
built on global solidarity, rooted in a foundation of democracy, dignity,
sustainability, and cooperation." For more info see United for Peace
www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1857

Wednesday, September 17, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
"The crisis facing the NZ health system and solutions needed" Open forum
sponsored by Central Auckland Alliance Party. Contact 3763780.

RATES REVOLT There was some negative feedback to GPJA publicising the
"rates revolt" protests in previous newsletters. As newsletter editor I
take a very broad view on what can be publicised and leave it to
individuals to decide on what they support. While some of the opponents of
rates rises are also opponents of public transport the massive rates
increases by the ARC and ACC have been driven by an unjust rating system
that favours business at the expense of the poor and is therefore a
legitimate target for protest.

THE BIGGEST RATES REVOLT EVER - MARCH UP QUEEN ST AUGUST 23 We need your
help to get as many people to the march as possible. I know of three areas
where elderly ratepayers are hiring buses to get to the march (so far).
Residents who own property or pay rent, face unjust and soul-destroying
rate rises, or consequent rent increases. Together we make the difference!

The Biggest Rates Revolt Ever! March Date: Saturday, 23 August Time: 12
noon Venue: Assemble - Lower Queen St-Fort St Walk: March to the Town
Hall. Resolutions put to the crowd by Grey Power. (Placards depict
regional districts etc). Walk (if able): up Queen St, Mayoral Drive,
Vincent St to ARC house. Speakers/open mike for 3 min. rate protests.
Contact: Elaine West, Auckland City Residents and Ratepayers, Spokesperson,
Auckland Regional Ratepayers' Delegate's Assoc. 09 360 2771
aucklandcity_elainewest@yahoo.co.nz

EVANS SACKED Herald political cartoonist fired
onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail/0,1227,213087-1-7,00.html
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2628687a10,00.html
AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW - LAILA HARRE RESPONDS: In protest at Malcolm Evans's
sacking and its link to his criticism of Israeli policy in the occupied
territories we have cancelled our Herald sub at home and I have written a
letter to the editor (see below). Anyone can write to the editor -
letters@nzherald.co.nz and if you subscribe and cancel they will record the
reason for the cancellation if you ask them to - ph 3795050.

Dear Sir
I am disturbed by the sacking of Herald cartoonist Malcolm Evans and its
apparent connection to his criticism of Israeli policy in the occupied
territories. Evans's abhorrence of Israeli tactics is shared by many of the
world's people and even most governments. Until now I was proud that our
own daily newspaper was prepared to defend freedom of the press in the face
of the predictable accusations of anti-Semitism by the Zionist-inclined
Jewish lobby. My mother's Jewish family had a range of pro- and
anti-Zionist views, but the courage to defend oneself in the face of
criticism would always have been valued over the power to silence the
critic. Please put Mr Evans back on the job. Laila Harré Te Atatu Peninsula

Checkout his cartoons at www.evanscartoons.com/index.htm

ASYLUM FOR AHMED Algerian asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui has been granted
refugee status in New Zealand by the Refugee Status Appeal Authority
(RSAA), but he is still being detained in Paremoremo prison on the basis of
a security risk certificate issued by the New Zealand Security Intelligence
Service (SIS). The SIS will not make the information it holds on Mr Zaoui
public, nor will it make it available to Mr Zaoui or his lawyers. Therefore
it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that Mr Zaoui may be found
"guilty" by the SIS on the basis of false information supplied by the
regime in Algeria, which will in all probability torture and kill him if he
is deported back to his homeland.

STOP THE MALAYSIAN SAWMILL FROM POLLUTING THE WHANGAPOUA HARBOUR
Environment Waikato and the Thames Coromandel District Council are likely
to approve the development of the Malaysian sawmill near Matarangi on the
Coromandel Peninsula. The Coromandel and Whangapoua is an area that is
enjoyed by an enormous number and wide range of New Zealanders and tourists
and is a heritage that should be protected for all New Zealanders of future
generations. Discharges from the mill will affect shellfish, fish, and air
and water quality in an area that has been designated "An Area of
Significant Conservation Values", the highest status under the Regional
Coastal Plan and a "Recommended Area for Protection" by the Department of
Conservation. The resource consents applied for will include pumping of
untreated toxic waste directly into the waterways and the Whangapoua
Harbour. Forward this email to people you know. Visit www.weps.org.nz to
find out more and discover what else you can do to protect the Whangapoua
Harbour and stop this environmental tragedy. Show your support by signing
the online petition www.petitiononline.com/stopmill/

SEED CARRIERS HIKOI The Seed Carriers Hikoi will be making its way from
Cape Reinga to Taupo through September and early October in protest at the
Government's intention to lift the moratorium on GE crops in NZ. We will be
looking for support in the Auckland area as we pass though. For further
information please check our website www.koanga.org.nz/hikoi
<http://www.koanga.org.nz/hikoi> I believe that the imposition of GE on
other countries is just one more facet of US imperialism and am therefore
confident of your support on this issue.