Posted on 16-7-2003

What's On

PROTEST USER CHARGES IN WAITAKERE - MEETING THURSDAY
Kelston Community Centre, Thursday 17th July 7.30pm (cnr Awaroa and Great
North Rd.) Waitakere City Council has reneged on its promise to review
water funding after its recent consultation (Long Term Council Community
Plan). They have shelved the decision until 2005-2006. Citizens Against
Privatisation occupied the council offices on Wednesday 9th July and met
with Mayor Bob Harvey, Deputy Mayor Caroline Stone and CEO Harry O Rourke.
They committed to relooking at the issue at the next Council meeting.
Public pressure at this point is therefore crucial so please attend the
meeting at Kelston. Numbers do count.

Through the LTCCP process the council received nearly 2000 submissions
supporting a fully rates funded option for water. Since 1997 14000 people
have signed Submissions and petitions on this issue. They deserve a
decision in the coming months, not years. We need maximum support at this
public meeting. WCC representatives will be there to explain their
position. We need you to come along and demand that they deliver a fairer
charging system for water, one that does not penalise the low to average
income majority. There will be speakers from various groups and an
opportunity for anyone to
voice their opinions.

For further information contact Meredydd Barrar (Citizens Against
Privatisation spokesperson) Ph (09) 836 6389

ECCO
ECCO Meetings Every Monday @ 7 at 9/210 Upper Symonds St, AK CBD (Down
alleyway beside green Digital River building, red door on left.). We are a
collection of Auckland groups and individuals seeking to build an Auckland
Community Activism Centre in the Auckland CBD to help build community
activism and an activist community. Meetings involve locating a suitable
space, discussing the development of the centre and introducing a wide
range of individuals, groups and projects to help people network.

SOCIAL FORUM AOTEAROA - NOVEMBER 21-23
Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Porirua. Another world is possible. Since its first
meeting in Porte Alegre (Brazil) in 2001 the World Social Forum (WSF) has
helped transform the globalisation debate. Now New Zealand is to hold its
first Social Forum - in Porirua in November 2003. The Social Forum is an
open meeting place where groups and movements engaged in building a global
society centred on the human person come together to pursue their thinking,
to debate ideas democratically, to formulate proposals, share their
experiences freely and network for effective action (see the WSF Charter of
Principles).

The WSF movement seeks to create alternative means of building a
globalization in solidarity, respecting the human rights of all and the
environment. It is grounded in democratic international systems and
institutions at the service of social justice, equality and the sovereignty
of peoples. It aims to develop an international coalition of the widest
range of social movements and organizations, on the principle of respect
for differences, autonomy of ideas and forms of endeavour.

The first meeting of the Social Forum Aotearoa aims to strengthen
community/whanau/ngo networking and to showcase community based ideas and
solutions in Aotearoa. It will facilitate input to processes such as the
World Social Forum meeting in Mumbai, India, in 16-21 January 2004; New
Zealand's Action Plan for Human Rights; the Commonwealth Civil Society
Meeting prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Abuja,
Nigeria, in December 2003.

Combining workshops, interactive events, cultural performance and
entertainment, everyone's invited to come! For more information contact Pat
Hanley angoa@clear.net.nz or Mike Treen miket@pl.net

PEACE MEDIA AWARDS
We are contacting you to let you know that we are currently receiving
entries for this year's Media Peace Awards. 2003 marks the 20th year of the
Awards, which aim to recognise the work of those in the media who promote
understanding, tolerance and peace "whose work sheds light rather than
heat". The categories are print, radio, TV/film, and advertising/public
relations and rangatahi/student (print, radio & TV/film). The closing date
for entries is 11th August, and the eligibility period is 1st August, 2002
- 1st August, 2003. To enter this year's Media Peace Awards and be a part
of an amazing event, just check out our website - www.peace.net.nz. Let us
know if would like more information, or like us to mail you the brochure
and entry forms. Sincerely, Wendy John, General Manager, The Peace
Foundation, PO Box 4110, Auckland 1020, Ph 09-373-2379

ROGER AWARDS 2003
Now available - the nomination criteria and nomination form for the 2003
Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation operating in
Aotearoa/New Zealand; you can get yours on-line at
canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/Rogernomination.pdf
or from Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa, email
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz The deadline for nominations for the 2003 Roger
Award is 31 October 2003.

WHAT'S ON IN AUCKLAND

Thursday, July 17, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn ALLIANCE
FORUM: "The Health of Nations" with Dr Barry Gribben. Contact
c.casey@xtra.co.nz or ph 3763780.

Thursday, July 17, 7.30pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby. AN
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE INVASION OF IRAQ' - Ruth Russell, from South
Australia, was a human shield in Baghdad for eight weeks, including three
weeks protecting a humanitarian site during the bombing which began in
March 2003. She speaks about her experience there, what she and other human
shields saw during the invasion; her talk is illustrated with photos taken
at the time. "I decided to pack my bags and go to Baghdad because I
believed this was the strongest statement I could make that this war was
both illegal and morally wrong. So my first and most important effort was
to speak out to try to prevent war. Right up until the last moment I
thought the incredible world opinion and lack of any UN Resolution would
work the people of the world did not want it - only three out of 180
countries supported the US government. When war was declared, I chose to
stay at the Taji Food Silo to prevent bombing of this UN designated
humanitarian site." Organised by WILPF, for more information contact Joan
tel (09) 360 8001 or email joanmac@pl.net

Thursday, July 17, 7.30pm, Kelston Community Centre CITIZENS AGAINST
PRIVATISATION protest meeting against Waitakere City Council's decision to
shelve plans to deliver a fairer water charging system for the city.

Thursday, July 17 to Saturday July 19, Auckland University POETICS OF EXILE
- AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE About 200 scholars, writers and creative
artists from around the world are coming together to explore every aspect
of the relationship between exile and creativity. Academic papers are mixed
with poetry readings, visual art exhibitions, and video screenings. Themes
taken up by contributors include: exile, memory and forgetfulness, identity
and exile, the theology of exile, language and exile, and the sense of
exile experienced by indigenous people. The conference is open to the
public. For details and daily programme see:
www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/sell/complit/conf/ To register for the whole
conference ($225, or $150 for full time students and unwaged) - print off
and mail in registration form from the website. Refugee groups and
organisations working with refugees should e-mail m.hanne@auckland.ac.nz
for special rates. To buy tickets for single sessions ($10 per session,
maximum 3 sessions), send cheque made out to 'University of Auckland', to
Mike Hanne, Comparative Literature, University of Auckland, Private Bag
92019, Auckland.

Friday, July 19, 8pm, Hopetoun Alpha, Beresford St, City "NINE EXILED POETS
- A PUBLIC PERFORMANCE" Poets from many countries attending the conference
present their work. Kapka Kassabova (born in Bulgaria); Bronislava Volkova
(Czechoslovakia); Emad Jabbar (Iraq); Yang Lian (China); Yilma Tafere Tasew
(Ethiopia); Nora Nadjarian (Cyprus); Basim Furat (Iraq); Sudesh Mishra
(Fiji); Chris Abani (born in Nigeria) with music performed by Drummers from
Burundi; Classical pianist Tamas Vesmas from Hungary and Rumania; Hip-hop
Pasifika musicians Mua Strickson-Pua, JP and Feleti; Jazz saxophonist Chris
Abani For tickets ($10) send cheque made out to "University of Auckland",
to Mike Hanne, Comparative Literature, University of Auckland, Private Bag
92019, Auckland. Refugee groups and organisations working with refugees
should e-mail m.hanne@auckland.ac.nz for special rates.

Monday, July 21, 7pm, Trades Hall,147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA
ORGANISING COMMITTEE MEETING

Monday, July 21, 7.30pm, F1/5 Seymour St, St Marys Bay PEACE: THE SENSIBLE
ALTERNATIVE TO WAR, an empowering community workshop run by Ruth Russell,
human shield in Iraq, which provides opportunities for participants to work
through the many outcomes of peace and war - personal, social,
environmental, economic and political. Please RSVP if you are planning on
attending so we have some idea of the number of people coming. Organised by
WILPF, for more information, or to RSVP, contact Joan tel (09) 360 8001 or
email joanmac@pl.net

Tuesday, July 22, 7pm, upstairs at Kocket Restaurant, 118 Ponsonby Road.
Mothers Against Genetic Engineering (MAdGE) meeting, Come along and get
involved because there's a lot to be done and we need everyone to be active
as the lifting of the moratorium looms closer; for more info contact email
madge@paradise.net.nz

Friday, July 25, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn NATIONAL
GE FREE HUI PUBLIC MEETING; with speakers Jon Carapiet (GE Free NZ), John
Clearwater (Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Genetics) and others;
for more info contact tel (09) 358 4105 or email gefreehui@yahoo.co.nz

Friday, July 25 to Sunday July 27, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey
Lynn NATIONAL GE FREE HUI, a conference for anti-GE activists from around
the country, with the focus on developing strategies for campaigns to
prevent the lifting of the moratorium in October. Sessions and workshops
are planned on the following: current situation with GE in NZ, what
effects will the lifting of the moratorium in October have; update on
current campaigns (reports from anti-GE groups); strategies for campaigns;
consumers, direct action, lobbying, GE-Free zone; coalition building
skills; treaty issues; GE and GATS, WTO; GE and animal rights; and
eugenics, human cloning, the new HART Bill. For more info, and to register,
contact tel (09) 358 4105 or email gefreehui@yahoo.co.nz

Sunday, July 27, 3-10pm, Danish Society Hall, 6 Rockridge Ave, Penrose.
PERUVIAN PARTY FIESTA! Supper 5-6pm. Price $18 includes Supper. Music for
dancing: The Fabulous "D" Starlights. This event is to raise funds for the
poor children of Lima. Ph Eva 8150671 or 0276212964

Saturday, August 2, 3.30pm, War Memorial Museum, The Domain. SPECIAL RALLY
OF REMEMBRANCE For all those who have suffered or died because of the
Israeli government's continued occupation of Palestine (West Bank, Gaza and
East Jerusalem). A floral tribute will be laid to honour the memory of all
those who died or suffered. Then we will march to the olive grove at the
rear of the museum where another tribute will be laid Prayers for peace
from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish Faiths will be said. Your own floral
contributions would be appreciated too. Contacts: David Wakim 09 5200201
Tuma Hazou 09 4738677

Monday, August 4, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA
FORUM: Turning up the heat: NZs role in September's WTO Ministerial meeting
in Cancun. Auckland Launch of ARENA's new booklet on NZ's role in current
WTO negotiations.

Monday, August 4, 6.30-9pm, AUT Conference Centre, 55 Wellesley St, City
"LEAD OR BE LED - NEW ZEALAND'S CRITICAL CHALLENGE". Two views are
competing for our attention. One is to align ourselves with US strategy
and action to protect our economic interest. The other is to take a more
self-determined path and forge our own future according to the principles
and objectives of our own. A distinguished panel will speak, opening it up
for public discussion.
Dr. Paul Buchanan, Univ. of AK, Political Science Lecturer, previous
Analyst with US Defense Department,
Dr. Wayne Mapp, National MP, Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Disarmament
and Arms Control,
Ella Henry, Head of Maori Studies, UNITEC, Member UN Panel on Trade and
Indigenous People,
Matt Robson, Progressive Coalition MP, Deputy Leader, Foreign Affairs,
Defense and Trade Select Committees
Part of Anew NZ Forum Series; "Creating a New New Zealand" $20 each,
concessions for Anew NZ associates, students and seniors - $15. Register by
email to ensure a place anewnz@anewnz.org.nz. Contact Greg Liggins 3585790
or Dave Breuer 4139146

Saturday August 9, 1pm to 4pm at the Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey
Lynn END THE GRIDLOCK! Transport Teach In Your chance to find out about
Auckland's transport woes and the plans to overcome them. Speakers and
workshops will include members of the Auckland Regional Council,
Infrastructure Auckland, Auckland City Council, The Green Party, The
Alliance, and others with transport expertise gained from working on
Auckland local bodies and Transit NZ. This is a public forum. All
welcome. Contact: Jill Ovens or Len Richards at 276 9433,
kairos@actrix.gen.nz or Bob van Ruyssevelt at 838 8602,
bobvanruyssevelt@yahoo.com

Sunday, August 10, 7pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby FOCUS ON
WEST PAPUA - OPPRESSION AND RESISTANCE: A critical issue for the Pacific
Hear West Papuan Human Rights Advocate John Rumbiak of the West Papua
Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (ELS-HAM) and other delegates
to the International Solidarity Meeting for West Papua. Contact: Kevin
McBride Pax Christi Aotearoa NZ 377 5541 Maire Leadbeater Indonesia Human
Rights Committee 815 9000 David Tutty Catholic Justice and Peace Office 360 3037