~ MON, 1 March - Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Day; see separate message following these listings.

~ MON, 8 March - International Women’s Day, for local events see Auckland and Wellington below.

~ SAT, 20 March - anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, and the Global Day of Action against War and Occupation, for more information about the overseas events see United for Peace and Justice http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2136 For NZ events, see national listings below; and for local events, see Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch below.

~ Mid-May - Flotilla! ‘a flotilla of freedom, hope and responsibility’, convergence on Nauru - “a diverse group of people and boats are taking to the seas in a festival of the oceans! Their purpose it to draw attention to the plight of asylum seekers fleeing from their war-ravished homelands, yet incarcerated by the Australian government on the small impoverished central Pacific nation of Nauru where 264 refugees (93 of them children) languish for want of justice. The Flotilla will leave Sydney and Brisbane in mid-May and converge on Nauru on 20 June, World Refugee Day.” For more info, and to join the Flotilla, go to http://www.flotilla2004.com

~ Just 1 Day - 24 hours without war, all around the world ... “a war-free day to prove to ourselves and each other that we are all capable of setting our fears aside and trusting one another for once.” This project, being undertaken by A Circle Of Friends, will involve contacting every leader of every nation to ask them, whether their nation is or is not currently involved in armed conflict, to join the other nations of the world on 22 August 2004 from midnight to midnight for 'Just 1 Day' of world peace. If you would like more info, or to be a part of the project, check out Just 1 Day at http://acof.net/just1day.htm or contact email ACOF_Just1Day@yahoo.com

*** NATIONAL ***

~ New - The winner of the Roger Award for the Worst Transnational operating in NZ in 2003, announced in Dunedin on 19 February, is Juken Nissho - Juken Nissho is "a company which operates wood processing plants in Kaitaia, Masterton and Gisborne and creates work for more than 1,000 New Zealanders.

The reasons for the Award are JN’s horrifying safety record in its plants and its arrogant disregard for the welfare of the Kaitaia community with the emissions from its triboard plant in the town". The judges called for a public inquiry into both aspects - health and safety, and pollution by its Kaitaia mill. British American Tobacco (BAT), which has 80% of the tobacco market in NZ, came second because: "BAT contributes to the death of 5000 New Zealanders annually – 2000 women, with Maori women disproportionately represented. In fact, some 34% of all Maori deaths are smoking-related". Carter Holt Harvey came third, because it "has continued its appalling track record through 2003…", specifically by its treatment of its workers, its attitude to safety, political interference, and its role in the leaky buildings scandal. Telecom got a Special Award for Monopoly Profiteering because it "continues to be a standout case of using every trick in the book to maximise profits at the expense of New Zealanders"." The organisers of the annual Roger Award are CAFCA and GATT Watchdog. The full Judges Report is available at http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/Roger2003.pdf or from email cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

~ SAT, 20 March - anniversary of the invasion of Iraq - events around NZ are on-line at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/20mar04.htm If you are planning something for the day, don't forget to send the details to for inclusion on that page. Plus see Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch local listings below.

***** LOCAL *****

*** AUCKLAND

~ MON, 1 March - 'Working Women on the frontlines' - in the lead-up to International Women’s Day (IWD) the IWD Committee will co-host the Global Peace and Justice Auckland forum. Includes a screening of the documentary film 'Even Dogs Are Given Bones', women workers fight back, Rixen NZ 1981, which shows the occupation of Rixen Manufacturing in Levin by 43 factory workers, after being given only one weeks notice of closure with no redundancy payment; guest speaker is Maxine Gay, secretary of the Clothing, Laundry and Allied Workers Union of Aotearoa who will be speaking on changes in the clothing sector in NZ since ’81, and conditions for workers globally; Janet Bogle will represent the IWD Committee, speaking about the history of International (Working) Women’s Day and this year’s event; 7-30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. For more info contact Karyn Amoore tel (09)358 4105 or email amoorenz@yahoo.com

~ TUES, 2 March - 'Power relationships, accountability and the challenges of international aid today' with Robert Chambers, Professor at the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex University, England; and Rosalind David, an independent consultant who has recently relocated to NZ, who will talk about some examples of British NGOs attempts to address issues of power and increase downward accountability. Two opportunities to hear them speak: 12-30pm to 2pm, lunchtime forum and 2-30pm to 5pm, mini-workshop; both at OXFAM, 62 Aiken St, Kingsland. For more info or if you wish to attend, please contact Kim Chamberlain tel (04) 04 472 6375 or email kim.chamberlain@cid.org.nz to register before Friday 27 February.

~ FRI, 5 March to SUN, 6 June - Vietnam war exhibition - "A collection of startling, never-before-published images of the Vietnam War by North Vietnamese photographers. It will be accompanied by 'Vietnam - A Kiwi Snapshot' an exhibition presenting New Zealanders' memories of power politics, protest and the sacrifice made by our own soldiers in this unpopular war. The 113 haunting black-and-white photographs from 'Another Vietnam' are by North Vietnamese soldier-photographers who risked their lives to capture their country’s struggle. Many perished - nine out of 10 died from bullets, bombs, dysentery and malaria." The exhibition is co-produced by the National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall, Washington, and the International Center of Photography, New York. At the Auckland War Memorial Museum, entry is $8 adults, $6 concessions. For more info see http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/?t=230

~ MON, 8 March - 'Reflections', with keynote speaker Judge Karina Williams, first Maori Woman Judge appointed to a District Court in Tamaki Makaurau, and Dr Cindy Kiro, Commissioner for Children, at the UNIFEM International Women's Day breakfast; 7am to 8-30am, at the Ellerslie Convention Centre, Ellerslie Racecourse (Exit Southern motorway into Greenlane Rd East; at first lights turn right into Ellerslie Racecourse Drive, then follow Ellerslie Convention Centre signs via long drive in to the Centre; free parking is available beside and beyond Convention Centre). Entry is $30 or $20 student, all proceeds will support UNIFEM NZ’s Pacific Project. Organised by the The Auckland Regional Committee of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, for more info or to book contact Tupou tel (09) 444 6462 or Aryana tel (09) 576 1415; email dianazadeh@paradise.net.nz or lorna.m@xtra.co.nz or beverleyturner@nznet.gen.nz

~ MON, 8 March - 'Women are on the frontlines' International Women’s Day Rally - "every year on March the 8th women and men mark International Women's Day by remembering the age-old struggle of women for equal rights, and by protesting the barriers that still stand in the way of the winning of those rights." IWD Committee demands are: just pay and conditions for workers all around the world; money for caring, not killing ­ no NZ involvement in the ‘War on Terror’; women are the primary carers and educators: no to the Jobs Jolt, increase the DPB, equal pay for work of equal value; violence against women continues in war and peace: end the silence around domestic and sexual violence; and racism is an attack on women too: dump laws that discriminate against migrants. Rally starts at 5-30pm, Aotea Square, Queen Street. For more info contact Kirsty McCully email euphemiak@yahoo.com or Janet Bogle email janetbogle@hotmail.com

~ SAT, 20 March - March and rally on the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq - Bush has US sights set on Syria, and the occupation of Iraq continues; starts at 12 noon from the bottom of Queen Street, then march to the Town Hall for the rally. More details as they are confirmed. Part of the Global Day of Action Against War and Occupation, organised by Global Peace and Justice Auckland, for more info contact email jbminto@xtra.co.nz or miket@pl.net And to fund raise for their anti-war events, GPJA are selling the ‘Peace Not War’ Fundraising CD Collection which was compiled after hundreds of artists donated their music to the ‘Peace Not War’ project, 32 artists are on the CD collection. To get your copy, go to http://www.gpja.pl.net/#Fundraising

*** WELLINGTON and LOWER HUTT

~ FRI, 27 February - Critical Mass bike-ride! organised to coincide with the excellent celebration of Cuba Street this weekend; meet 5-30pm at Civic Square with your non-motorised form of transport. For more info email laura.beck@parliament.govt.nz

~ SAT 28, to SUN, 29 February - look out for the Latin America stand at the Cuba Street carnival, provided by Wellington's Latin American community to help groups publicise Latin American issues, arts, and culture. For more info, or if you can contribute to the stand, contact Andrew Mercer 021 321 740 or email a.j.mercer@paradise.net.nz

~ TUES, 2 March - vigil for peace, now on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 5pm to 6pm at the Cenotaph. For more info contact Peace Movement Aotearoa, tel (04) 382 8129 or email pma@xtra.co.nz

~ WEDS, 3 March - 'Power relationships, accountability and the challenges of international aid today' with Robert Chambers, Professor at the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex University, England; and Rosalind David, an independent consultant who has recently relocated to NZ, who will talk about some examples of British NGOs attempts to address issues of power and increase downward accountability. Two opportunities to hear them speak: 1pm to 2pm, lunchtime forum and 2-30pm to 5pm, mini-workshop; both at the VSA Training Room, Agriculture House, 12 Johnston Street. For more info or if you wish to attend, please contact Kim Chamberlain tel (04) 04 472 6375 or email kim.chamberlain@cid.org.nz to register before Friday 27 February.

~ THURS, 4 March - ‘Socially responsible investing: (how) do you know who’s using your money?’ - a Capital City Forum featuring Sister Pat Wolf, Director of the New York-based Interfaith Centre on Corporate Responsibility, and a local response from Prue Hyman, Victoria University Research Associate in Women’s Affairs and Arena Trustee; 5-15pm to 7-30pm, at St Johns in the City, corner Willis and Dixon Streets; light refreshments, koha entry. For more info contact Julia Stuart, CASI, email casi@casi.org.nz or Kay Smith, Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington, tel (04) 496 1701.

~ FRI, 5 March - Simon Duffy from World Vision will speak about the Trade Growth and Poverty Conference which he attended in London in December. The Conference aimed to provide an opportunity for debate on trade, growth and poverty reduction and brought together a wide range of stake holders that included policy makers from developing country governments, multilateral organisations, donor governments, civil society organisations and academics. For more info see http://www.cid.org.nz/cgi-bin/viewevent.pl?id=131 A Council for International Development lunchtime forum, from 1pm to 2pm, CID Office, 5th Floor, PSA House, 11 Aurora Terrace. If you are planning on going to the meeting, please RSVP to tel (04) 472 6375 or email cid@clear.net.nz

~ MON, 8 March - 'As working women we have the power to make a difference' - "International Women's Day, a day of celebration and struggle ... a day when we reaffirm our commitment, our passion to fight for a world when women no longer walk this earth facing inequality and oppression. This is a day to celebrate the great contribution of women in the world and to educate others about issues that affect women workers (paid and unpaid) at home and internationally." There will be an educational forum with speakers including Lyndy McIntyre from NZNO talking about the Nurses and Midwives Fair Pay campaign, from 4pm to 6-30pm, in the Student Union Building, Victoria University. At 7-30pm a film, possibly 'Bread and Roses' will be shown at Eastside, the university bar. For more info contact Jennifer Jones tel (04) 463 6980 or email jennifer.jones@vuw.ac.nz

~ TUES, 9 March - Jamil Kassum, World Bank East Asia/Pacific Vice President, speaks - an opportunity to discuss strategic directions for Pacific Island states and to exchange views on the World Bank's perspective on the wider East Asia region; and for NGOs to provide Jamil with information on aid programmes and the assistance required by Pacific Islands. For more info, see http://www.cid.org.nz/cgi-bin/viewevent.pl?id=130 A Council for International Development lunchtime forum, from 12 noon to 1-30pm, CID Office, 5th Floor, PSA House, 11 Aurora Terrace. If you are planning on going to the meeting, please RSVP to tel (04) 472 6375 or email cid@clear.net.nz

~ FRI, 12 March - Tariq Ali, the Pakistani-born, London-based commentator, in conversation with former political journalist Al Morrison on the topic ‘Crusades, Jihads and Modernity’. "Tariq Ali’s two latest works are highly topical in the light of America’s most recent war. His bestseller 'The Clash of Fundamentalisms' provides an explanation for both the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and new forms of Western colonialism. “Ali’s style is vigorous, his narrative compelling, showing that the short-term, self-interested and oil-greedy policies of the British and Americans in such countries as Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Iran must make our much-vaunted ideals of democracy and equity seem like a bad joke”, wrote Karen Armstrong in The Times. 'Bush In Babylon –

The Recolonisation of Iraq' is a polemic on the invasion and occupation of Iraq by the US and Britain. Through both of these works Ali presents not just a passionate argument but a magnificent cultural history and a heartfelt homage to the great poets of Iraq and the Arab world whose influence remained strong throughout their long periods of exile ... He is a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio and contributes articles and journalism to magazines and newspapers including The Guardian and the London Review of Books." 2-30pm to 3-20pm, at the Embassy Theatre, $12 / $9 students; more info at http://www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz/home/page.aspx?page_id=15&activity_id=205

There is a link to the booking form there, or you can get your ticket from Ticketek tel (04) 384 3840.

~ SAT, 13 March - Tariq Ali (see details above) will be part of an international panel discussing history and fiction, ‘The Unreceived Version’ with Jenny Uglow, Annamarie Jagose, and Suchen Christine Lim, chaired by Lydia Wevers. From 12-30pm to 1-50pm, at the Embassy Theatre, $12 / $9 students; at the Embassy Theatre, $12 / $9 students; more info at http://www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz/home/page.aspx?page_id=15&activity_id=205

There is a link to the booking form there, or you can get your ticket from Ticketek tel (04) 384 3840.

~ SAT, 20 March - all day peace presence at the US embassy to mark the anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Come along and be part of the peace presence for all or some of the day - there will be leaflets and other information, peace banners, and an area set aside for those who wish to engage in silent, contemplative or prayerful vigil. From 8am to 8pm, on the grassy area beside the embassy, Murphy Street; bring your peace banner/s, your leaflets, your family and friends, long strips of red ribbon or streamers and messages to tie to the fence if you wish, and candles to light as it grows dark. Part of the Global Day of Action Against War and Occupation, organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (Wellington), for more information contact tel (04) 382 8129, or email pma@xtra.co.nz

~ SAT, 20 March - Rally at Civic Square then march to Cenotaph - all people and groups are invited to bring their messages of support for the people of Iraq and victims of the so-called 'War on Terrorism' everywhere; starts at 12 noon in Civic Square. Part of the Global Day of Action Against War and Occupation, organised by Peace Action Wellington, for more info contact Valerie Morse, tel (04) 383 9315 or email peacewellington@hotmail.com

~ Every Monday - Peace Action Wellington planning meeting to organise actions, educational stalls and public discussions on an on-going basis, open to all with an interest in peace and justice issues with a particular focus on the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan; M20 badges are available at the meeting; 7pm at 203 Willis Street. For more info contact Valerie Morse tel (04) 383 9315 or email peacewellington@hotmail.com

~ Every Saturday - 'Behind the News' on Wellington Access Radio (783 AM), broadcast at 12-30pm, presented by Don Franks, Victoria Quade and Jim Delahunty. If you have something you'd like them to cover, or a comment on the programme, please contact Jim Delahunty tel (04)938 6943.

~ Every Sunday - Te Aro Heritage Tours - guided walks through the area designated for the proposed inner city bypass, learn about the history of the area, and the current debate over its future. Meet at 1pm, on the corner of Tonks Avenue and Cuba Street. For more info contact Alison Scott on alison.scott@huttcity.govt.nz or info@cbc.org.nz

*** CHRISTCHURCH

~ Ongoing to FRI, 27 February - Free Ahmed Zaoui Week Of Action! Events include: * Monday to Friday - 24 hour vigil/stall/display outside the SIS offices at 70 Gloucester street as well as a person in a cage as a symbol of solidarity with Ahmed Zaoui; Monday to Friday - daily gatherings/vigils outside the SIS offices from 12 noon to 1pm and 5pm to 6pm, last one at 12 noon on the Friday; and other events! For further information contact Dan tel (03) 388 8923 or email danrae50@hotmail.com

~ SUN, 29 February - ‘Peace in the Asia Pacific regions’, with inspirational indigenous women speakers from the WILPF Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting including Julienne Kaman, Papua New Guinea, advocate for peace education and the protection of indigenous knowledge, rights, sovereignty and independence; and against capitalism, globalisation and privatisation achieved through the use of indirect (structural violence) and direct violence or threats of violence; Julienne will be speaking about the situation in PNG, and ways to achieve peace and stability. Other speakers will include women from West Papua, Tahiti Polynesia, Australia and Aotearoa; 7-30pm in the Elizabeth Kelly Room, Christchurch Arts Centre, Hereford Street. Organised by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, for more info contact tel (03) 341 5141.

~ WEDS, 3 March - 'Israel Palestine - Are there signs of hope?' a presentation by Christina Gibb, a Quaker from Dunedin, who in September 2003 joined a Christian Peacemakers Team delegation to Hebron. She witnessed the impact of the current conflict and occupation on the people of East Jerusalem and the West Bank and met Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups calling for peace; 7-30pm to 9pm, The Community of the Sacred Name, 300 Tuam Street (between Madras and Barbadoes Streets); all welcome, koha entry to cover costs. Organised by The Churches' Agency on International Issues, Christchurch Quakers and Christian World Service, for more info contact Mandla akhe Dube tel (03) 366 9274 or email mandla-akhe@cws.org.nz

~ THURS, 4 March - 'The Hikoi of Hope - 5 Years on' - in October 1998, the Anglican Church led a Hikoi of Hope to the steps of the House of Representatives carrying the stories of those who were suffering through the deepening effects of poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Hikoi had five planks: the creation of real jobs; income and benefit levels which lift people out of poverty; affordable housing; accessible education; and a health system which is affordable, trustworthy and accessible to all. It is now over five years since the Hikoi. This speaker/discussion series (to be held each Thursday during March) asks - so what has happened since then? On 4 March the speaker is Prime Minister Helen Clark, 7-30pm to 9pm, in the Cathedral in the Square. Part of the Inner City Churches Lent Programme, organised by the Cathedral in the Square, for more info tel (03) 366 0046 or email cathedral1@xtra.co.nz

~ SAT, 20 March - One Year On... No NZ Support for Bush's War - Self-determination for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. USA out now! Bring NZ troops home - march and rally on the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, starts 2pm at the Museum, then heads to the Square for the rally. Part of the Global Day of Action Against War and Occupation, organised by Peace Action Network Otautahi, for more info contact tel (03) 386 1025 or email claire_dann@hotmail.com

~ Every week day - 'Peace Sanctuary', 12 noon to 2pm at St Luke's in the City, corner Manchester and Kilmore Streets. All welcome, for more info contact David Moore, Parish priest, email dj.moore@xtra.co.nz

If you would like your event for peace and social justice included in these listings, please send the details (including contact details for at least one of the people organising it) to Please put ‘for what’s on’ in the subject heading of your message.

© Scoop Media