Media Release

8 March, 2007

Waitakere declares itself a city for peace

Waitakere City Council today voted to declare itself a City for Peace, building on its eco and safe city agendas and joining the increasing number of Peace Cities around the world.

“The key to the City for Peace idea and what makes it an important part of smart city management is that a focus on positives, on solutions, on non-violent methods of solving conflict is very effective in reducing violence,” says Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey who first mooted the idea after a trip to a conference in Hiroshima in August 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on that city.

“Too many New Zealand cities are becoming more dangerous and unsafe and here in Waitakere we are prepared to do something about it. We’ve already nailed graffiti and we will continue to work hard to eliminate other signals of a non peaceful society. We are sending a very positive message to youth and that’s important given Waitakere is one of the youngest cities in the country. As a council we are acting as the ‘glue’ for a peaceful future for our younger generation. A Peace City is a safe city.”

While Mayor Harvey acknowledges the City for Peace declaration could be perceived as merely words he stresses they are definitely not hollow ones and that all successful causes start with a vision and an invitation to other people to share it.

“Our next step is to create in conjunction with our community a programme and action plan of practical ways to make this vision a reality starting with a commitment to build on the many initiatives already underway in Waitakere.”

At the meeting Mayor Harvey tabled dozens of letters from mayors and others around the world supporting the Waitakere initiative which he said was a vision for a better New Zealand and which added to Waitakere’s mantle of worth.

“This is about hope for the future and we can wear this with enormous pride because it will be a great benefit to this city and it’s about making a positive affirmation we can make a difference. I am delighted the concept was passed unanimously and that my council colleagues feel as passionately about this as I and the community do.”

Following the meeting, attended by several representatives from Waitakere’s peace community who were very pleased with the council’s resolution, Mayor Harvey sent a letter to the mayors of Auckland’s other three cities asking them to consider a similar declaration.

The official launch of Waitakere City for Peace will take place in June to coincide with the 20th anniversary of New Zealand becoming nuclear free.

ENDS

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