AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE

8 June 2007

Peace City of the Pacific celebrates 20th anniversary

Auckland City Council today celebrates the 20th anniversary of New Zealand's anti-nuclear weapons stance - its first official occasion after declaring itself a Peace City at the end of last month.

At a lunch hosted by Mayor Dick Hubbard, peace activists will reflect on the important milestones and congratulate Auckland City Council for its commitment. Mayor of Waitakere City Bob Harvey will be a guest. Waitakere City became a Peace City earlier this year.

Members of the peace community will commemorate the world-leading step that New Zealand took in 1987 while artwork from school-aged children will grace the walls of the Council Chamber.

"Peace is a complex and powerful concept," says Mayor Dick Hubbard. "It looks for points of similarity not points of difference, it looks for bridges not barriers, it needs to permeate our whole way of living in communities. Above all, it is about respect, tolerance, and inclusion."

He says city councils have a unique role to play in creating peaceful, sustainable environments and supporting international peace initiatives. Wellington and Christchurch are also Peace Cities.

The Mayor says Councillor Richard Northey has championed these ideas within Auckland City Council. He also notes the leadership that Mayor Bob Harvey has played over the years and the solid underpinning work done by the Peace Foundation and other peace groups.

ENDS

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