Website http://www.gpja.org.nz/ Contact details: Forums – John Minto, Work: (09) 845 2132, Home 09 846 3173 jbminto@xtra.co.nz ; Newsletter Editor – Mike Treen 0295254744 mike@unite.org.nz ; Web page - media@ndu.org.nz Donations can be sent to GPJA, P O Box 7175, Wellesley St, Auckland. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter visit http://www.gpja.org.nz/ or click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.

Kia ora koutou,

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"There must be a better distribution of wealth, and maybe America must move toward a democratic socialism." - Martin Luther King

ANNOUNCEMENTS

URGENT! PLEASE DO YOUR BIT TO HELP STOP WATER PRIVATISATION AND USER-CHARGES FOR WASTEWATER SPREADING TO MANUKAU CITY!

Submissions must be in by 4.45pm Thursday 18 April 2008! Below is a 'proforma' submission that you can use if you wish, or write your own. You can cut and paste it in to 'your submission' section. http://www.manukau.govt.nz/default.aspx?page=DraftAnnualPlan

ATTENTION MANUKAU CITY COUNCIL

Submission for Draft 2008/09 Annual Plan, Amendments to the 2006/16 Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) and the Wastewater Tariffs Review.

I strongly agree that the right to affordable, safe water is a basic human right.

I strongly believe that, by making poorer (especially bigger) families, who NEED to use more water, pay proportionately more than wealthier families, VIOLATES this basic human right.

I strongly support the Christchurch model for water services, where the services of bringing water to households and taking away wastewater are paid for as a % of the general rate – so the cost is spread more fairly across the community on the basis of 'ability to pay'.

I strongly agree and water and wastewater are essential public services, vital to public health and sanitation, and should be run as such, under direct Council control. NO WATER RESTRICTIONS!

I strongly support Manukau Water being abolished as a 'Council Controlled Organisation', and returned back to the direct control of Manukau City Council. I strongly support an URGENT INQUIRY into the contracting out (PRIVATISATION) of Council services, especially those connected with operation, management and maintenance of water services to PROVE who is benefiting from our public money. The PUBLIC or CONTRACTORS?

I strongly oppose 'one big water company' for the Auckland region, as I believe that this will allow WATER PRIVATISATION through 'contracting out' as has already happened in Papakura.

Thanks! Penny Bright, Media Spokesperson, Water Pressure Group (Auckland), Ph (09) 846 9825

SH20 WATERVIEW MOTORWAY - OPPOSE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS -

Transit are planning on building a SH20 motorway extension from Mt Roskill to Pt Chevalier in Auckland. The funding will be decided by a 3 person panel set up by government, which will almost certainly recommend a PPP, which means road tolls (paid directly by motorists or indirectly by council or government - so called 'shadow tolling'). We need your submissions against both the PPP funding model, and the $2bn+ SH20 Waterview extension! Submissions on: SH20 Waterview PPP Funding Closes: 5pm, Friday 11 April, 2008 Send to: Waterview Tunnel PPP Procurement Group waterview@treasury.govt.nz SH20 Waterview Motorway Extension Closes: 5pm, Friday 11 April, 2008 Send to: Transit NZ waterview.connection@transit.govt.nz Late submissions possible. For more information, and to help organise, contact: Citizens Against Privatisation (CAP) Rose Hollins (09) 828-0238 or Meredydd Barrar (09) 836-6389. For more info and sample submission go to: http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/75207/index.php

ALL THE NEWS WORKERS NEED - SUBSCRIBE TO WORKERS CHARTER NEWSPAPER! Workers Charter newspaper is an independent left-wing newspaper (Editor: John Minto) publishing news and views about workers rights and issues. Published monthly, the Workers Charter gives analysis that the mainstream media's capitalist owners do not. All this available for just $40 a year, for 10 issues posted out to your home! If you can afford to, $100 a year solidarity subscriptions help us spread the Charter to others, and are greatly appreciated, as are donations. How can you subscribe? Either: 1) Post your contact details and a cheque made out to "Workers Charter" to PO Box 56506, Dominion Rd, Auckland 1446, NZ OR 2) Pay online by transferring money to Kiwibank account 38-9004-0785934-00, with a reference (a 1 copy sbscription by Joe Bloggs becomes 1JBloggsSUB, a donation of $20 by Joe Bloggs is 20JBloggsDON), then e-mailing admin@workerscharter.org.nz to tell us your contact details.

If you have a friend or family member you think would appreciate the paper, please let us know their contact details, and we will send them a free promotional copy (no obligation). We will check first to see if they are already a subscriber. If you would like to write for or send photos to the paper, please contact: editor@workerscharter.org.nz If you have any questions about the paper, please contact: admin@workerscharter.org.nz

FREE RADICAL WEBSITE HOST ENZYME CALLS FOR DONATIONS, VOLUNTEERS OR PROJECT COORDINATOR

Dear Enzyme users and supporters, Enzyme, the free hosting and free url project for progressive and radical groups in Aotearoa New Zealand, needs your help. After more than five years running the project I am no longer able to pay the server costs. I am also physically unable to properly support the project on my own as I have recently moved to Titirangi where I only have dial-up internet access. My work commitments also meant I was unable to deal with a recent server problem quickly enough when enzyme was (dos'd) attacked constantly and email spam was clogging the sites arteries. I am not only calling for donations, but volunteers and/or a project coordinator who could give the project a new direction and energy. In five years, Enzyme has hosted over 200 websites, continues to host over 40, has donated 78 urls, crashed 5 times and changed server four times. Running the site costs around $800 a year for the hosting and several hundred more for urls each year. Since 2003 the project has cost over $7000. I am eternally grateful for the help given me by volunteers over the years when I've needed time away from the computer.

But the real blow came last year when Solid Energy cost the project a further $2,000 in legal fees when I refused to remove the Save Happy Valley Coalition's mock Solid Energy Environmental Report from their website.

In 2005, I called for donations when I was last in financial trouble. Over $1,000 was raised and it enabled me to get through a financially tough period and back on my feet and supporting the project again. If you're an Enzyme user, don't jump ship yet. I can keep the project running and have the option to slightly downgrade some little used services which will halve the cost of the server. But I still believe there is a lot that can be done with the project and only with new energy from others. It never quite became what I had intended (an online activist web-hub) and it has had a few hiccups over the years, but I think Enzyme has played an important role for those not wanting commercial, advertising-ridden or data-mining Gmail-type hosting and email. Ok I wanna help, what can I do?

Donations: All donations can be made to: ASB BANK, MR S A OOSTERMAN 12-3061-0238825-000 (You may only need two 0's) Reference ENZYME. The money will only be used for Enzyme. In the likely event that the site is shut down it will be given to another free hosting project. I want to get involved: Please contact me at: media@ndu.org.nz or call me on +64 9 622 8433 or +64 21 922 551 (between 9am and 6pm, we are out of cellphone range) Yours, Simon Oosterman, Enzyme Project Co-Ordinator

POLITICAL FOOTBALL

Social football (soccer) is catching on among activist communities the world over. English anarchist teams have travelled to Chiapas in Mexico to play against Zapatista rebels. In San Francisco, an annual fixture between the Left Wing Football Club and the anarchist Kronstadt FC is one of the social events of the season. These local "political football" teams are open to players and supporters of all genders, ages, body sizes, and skill and fitness levels. Competitiveness is actively discouraged in favour of participation, fun, and social networking. In some areas, even the rules of the game are decided democratically! Interested in starting a "political football" 6-a-side competition in Auckland? Email daphne@randomstatic.net. For more information (from an anarchist point of view) see www.anarchistsoccer.org http://www.anarchistsoccer.org

MICHAEL HOUSTOUN TO PLAY BEETHOVEN'S ' MOONLIGHT ' SONATA AT THE 14TH MANAWATU MAYDAY CONCERT

Dion Martin, coordinator of the 14th annual Manawatu Mayday Concert, to be held at the Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North, at 7.30pm on Saturday 3 May, is, "thrilled to announce that one of New Zealand's greatest pianists, Michael Houstoun, has agreed to play Beethoven's ' Moonlight ' sonata , all 16 minutes, 47 seconds"."Michael Houstoun is highly regarded for his performances of Beethoven's music, and what better composer from the world of classical music to feature in a concert that celebrates ' International Workers Day ' than Ludwig van Beethoven? He was one of music's great revolutionaries, believing passionately in freedom from political and social oppression, and in the brotherhood of Man". For more information contact Dion Martin 021 776 029 or 06 3569658 or dion.martin@ndu.org.nz

OCTOBER 15 SOLIDARITY WELLINGTON

Protest: Saturday 12 April, midday, meet at Te Aro Park (between DixonSt and Manners St)

The protest will start at Te Aro Park (also known as Pigeon Park) and move to the Labour Party Congress (held at the Town Hall). Everyone who opposed the raids is invited to come and bring banners, placards and noise-makers. The government has attacked, October 15 Solidarity Wellington will not allow the government that attacked us to congratulate itself in peace. More information: www.October15thSolidarity.info http://www.October15thSolidarity.info

OXFAM CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR NEEDED We are currently recruiting for a Campaign Coordinator at Oxfam New Zealand. The closing date is this Thursday, 10 April at 5pm. Email me or phone for a job description. Kirsty Wright, Campaign Coordinator, Oxfam New Zealand. Ph 64-9-355 6500 Kirsty.Wright@oxfam.org.nz

LOOKING FOR WORK

Dylan Tromp dylantromp@hotmail.com 021 828 501 With a strong professional and academic background in international development, Dylan is a passionate advocate for social justice and the peaceful advancement of human rights. He has worked with Oxfam Australia, the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and a number of other international development and social justice organisations. He is seeking employment from mid-April 2008 in the Auckland region. Please contact Dylan directly for further details or for a copy of his CV. skype: dylantromp t: +64 9 920 4950; f: +64 9 920 4951; m: +64 21 828 501

MEMBERS OF THE NEWCASTLE PEOPLE’S CHORUS WILL TOUR NEW ZEALAND, singing “ACappella”. Influences include the Flying Pickets, Billy Bragg, and Pete Seeger. The repertoire includes:

• Historic Australian songs such as “Beneath the Southern Cross.” • Traditional Union songs like "Bring out the Banners" and "Solidarity."

• Contemporary songs such as Bruce Springsteen’s "The Factory," and Jez Lowe’s "Coal Town Days."

• Songs of freedom & struggle including the Flying Pickets’ "Remember This".

• Political satire and Protest Songs.

Performances

The Newcastle People’s Chorus has given more than 300 performances from 1988 – 2008, and sings regularly at May Day marches, rallies, union functions, picket lines, folk festivals, clubs and pubs. In July 2006 the People’s Chorus toured the UK & Ireland to great acclaim, performing in London, Durham, Newcastle on Tyne, & Dublin, as well as the Tolpuddle Festival in Dorset & St Albans Folk Festival. A general video The People’s Chorus was released in 1990 and another "Life on the Picket: The Story of the Vickery Coal Strike", in 1997.

An audio tape "The People Sing Out" was released in 1995 and a second volume (on CD) was released in 2004. For more information: peopleschorus@yahoo.com.au

NZ-WIDE SOLIDARITY NETWORK WITH VENEZUELA

Hugo Chavez's Venezuela is an inspiration to hundreds of millions around the world. That's because in Venezuela human beings are now at the centre of government policy, not the "almighty dollar". In the wake of a recent NZ tour by Canberra-based Venezuelan diplomat Nelson Davila, moves are underway in many centres to form a NZ-wide Venezuela solidarity network. This will be broad and inclusive, with people in each locality deciding what their regional structure and priorities will be. Our general aims include:

• Share and spread information about the ongoing democratic revolution in Venezuela.

• Set up a common solidarity website.

• Mobilise public opinion against attempts by the US state to destabilise and destroy the popularly elected Chavez government.

If you are interested in joining this solidarity network, and didn't put your name on the contact list that circulated during Nelson's meetings, then simply email Nelson's tour manager Grant Morgan at grantmorgan@paradise.net.nz

INVITATION TO VENEZUELA EDUCATION STUDY TOUR

A Collaborative Exchange and Study Tour for Academics, Teachers & Students February 2009

Dear Friends and Colleagues, We would like to invite you to participate in the first Education Exchange and Study Tour of Venezuela. A number of educators here in Australia and internationally have become increasingly interested in the radical education reform currently taking place in Venezuela. The reconstruction of public education has been positioned as a driving force for the wider process of social change manifest in Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution. It is clear that the changes are providing access to education for many Venezuelans previously excluded from the system, as well as new models of provision and new curricula based on the ideals of a “Bolivarian socialism for the 21st Century.” The early outcomes of this nationwide radical reform of education are certainly inspiring! This educational exchange aims to deepen participants' understanding of these processes in all their complexity, including the successes, the challenges and the relationship between education and the broader process of social change.

This exchange provides a unique opportunity to join educators and students from around the globe, in an investigative and collaborative tour aimed at learning more about Venezuela's revolution in education. The issues and themes of access, equity, school and university community partnerships and education for social change are at the core of our own work and experiences with education, providing a strong basis for the sharing of practice and perspectives. It is also hoped that the exchange can lead to the development of collaboration, new links and projects with institutions, community organisations and unions working in the education sector in Venezuela.

The study tour will take place in January 2009 and will involve a range of meetings (seminars) and visits with educational groups, institutions, and community organisations. The details of the week are to worked out in conjunction with colleagues from the Bolivarian University of Venezuela, and local schools and community organizations in Caracas. Initial details:

Preliminary dates: January 6 - 14, 2009 Estimated costs: International Airfare ($3500) Registration fee: $300/$150 concession Estimated internal travel costs: $150 Estimated accommodation costs: $250 Food is cheap and participants will also have to budget for spending money. The Study Tour Organising Committee will assist with advice on airfares and accommodation.

The Study Tour is hosted by Dr Tom Griffiths, University of Newcastle, Australia, and Jo Williams, Victoria University, Australia in collaboration with the Bolivarian University of Venezuela. It is supported by Centre for Latin American Solidarity and Studies (CLASS) and the Australian Venezuela Solidarity Network (AVSN), please contact us if you would like to register the support of another organization.

For further details, to contribute ideas and/or to register your interest

please contact the organising committee:

Tom Griffiths Tom.Griffiths at newcastle dot edu dot au Jo Williams Jo.Williams at vu dot edu dot au Roberto Jorquera roberto at latinamericasolidarity dot org Jorge Jorquera Jorge.Jorquera at rmit dot edu dot au

ARABIC LANGUAGE COURSE FOR BEGINNERS

MEIIC for the second time has opened another class for the community: Daily Arabic Lesson For The Beginner.

Open for everybody regardless their background education, ethnicity, religion, race and gender. The teacher is a graduate from Massey Uni and a native speaker. He will teach not only the language but also the culture of the language and the comparison with several other languages. Class starts on Tuesday, 11 March at 7 PM till 8 PM.

Bring your own stationery to Middle East Islamic Information Centre: 2 / 25 Horoeka Ave, Mt. Eden (Beside no 57 Bellevue Rd) Cost: $2 Koha. Information: Ghassan – 0212947349. Understanding The People and Their Culture By Understanding the Language! Sony Ambudi, Center Executive Manager, Mt. Eden Islamic Information Center www.islamicinfo.org.nz http://www.islamicinfo.org.nz (09) 4424588; 64-21725290

SUPPORT THE DEFENCE OF ACTIVISTS ARRESTED IN THE SO-CALLED “ANTI-TERROR RAIDS”

A CD of great music…Double CD & Booklet $25 - TU KOTAHI - Freedom Fighting Anthems - 25 excellent tracks of sheer Kiwi music/voice !!!!!!!!! From CD sleeve note: "Tu Kotahi - Freedom Fighting Anthems" is a non-profit, consciousness raising project. All funds will go to organisations in Aotearoa who are working specifically with those affected by the Oct 15th 2007 state raids. The booklet, called Wahanui, was put together by Conscious Collaborations T Shirts "Ka whawhai tonu matou". $25 (orders taken - state size required). To order or to help sell - Contact VANESSA - spadarkle@hotmail.com Ph 09 836 9002 http://www.freedomfighterscd.org.nz/

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

Saturday, 19 April 8pm. Maidment Theatre, 8 Alfred St, Auckland CBD

THE HOLLOW MEN - HIGHLY-ACCLAIMED NEW ZEALAND PLAY

The Hollow Men comes to Auckland in April for a strictly limited season. Based on Nicky Hager’s controversial book and adapted by Dean Parker, The Hollow Men is at Maidment Theatre, Auckland for ten performances only. The Hollow Men examines the months of Don Brash’s leadership of the National Party leading up to the 2005 election and is a riveting piece of new documentary theatre, a genre which is currently proving to be a phenomenon overseas. The play had its world premiere in Wellington in September last year and among many nominations won a Chapman Tripp Theatre Award for set design. Featuring iconic New Zealand actor Stephen Papps as Don Brash, together with Michael Keir Morrissey, Lyndee-Jane Rutherford, Adam Gardiner, Sam Snedden and Arthur Meek, The Hollow Men seeks to both challenge and entertain in this relevant and topical play. “Exciting, funny and totally absorbing” – Dominion Post. In The Hollow Men, the cast plays a variety of political movers and shakers; many of whom still walk the corridors of parliament and have influence behind the scenes today. Director Jonathon Hendry says The Hollow Men follows an international trend for stories about real events to be played out on the stage. “Shakespeare had great popular hits examining political events on stage with plays such as Julius Caesar and Richard the Third and in recent years, a new form of documentary theatre is selling out theatres on Broadway, at Britain’s National Theatre and at smaller fringe venues everywhere. “Renowned British playwright David Hare (whose play Stuff Happens dramatised events leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003) says that ‘theatre using real people has become a fabulously rich and varied strand which, for many years, has been pumping red cells into the dramatic bloodstream’, and the hottest piece of theatre on the international circuit at the moment is the National Theatre of Scotland’s Black Watch, based on real events in Iraq. “We’ve been performing Dean Parker’s highly entertaining adaptation of Nicky Hager’s book to packed houses. It’s fantastic to be able to bring it to Auckland”. Designed by Brian King, Jen Lal, Judith Crozier and Andrew McMillan, The Hollow Men plays at Maidment Theatre, Auckland for a strictly limited season from 10-19 April. Book by phoning 09 308 2383 or online at www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz http://www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz “Fast and funny theatre” - NZ Herald. “The most impressive new work” – Best of 2007, Harry Ricketts, NZ Listener

Monday, April 14, 7pm, University of Auckland Conference Centre, Room ENG 439, 22 Symonds St, Auckland City.

CHILD POVERTY: WHAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE? LESSONS FROM THE U.K. -

A special guest

presentation by Kate Green Chief Executive, Child Poverty Action Group UK. Entry by koha. For a map of the University with the location of the Conference Centre, see http://www.sges.auckland.ac.nz/public/maps/city.pdf For futher information contact Rachel Somerfield, CPAG NZ Administrator admin@cpag.org.nz or (09) 303-9260. http://www.cpag.org.nz

Tuesday, April 15, 7pm, Latin American Centre, 37 Selwyn St, Onehunga JOHN PILGER FILM/ORGANISING MEETING - John Pilger's latest film "The War on Democracy" is his best yet. It exposes the decades of US coups and imperial bullying in Latin America. It features a recently-retired senior CIA thug in Latin America who candidly admits that the US state will kill untold thousands of Latinos in the name of "democracy" if it's in "our national interests". It includes an in-depth interview with Hugo Chavez. Best of all, it contains wonderful scenes of grassroots activists in Venezuela and Bolivia organising for a new society fit for human beings. Pilger's film will be screened ahead of an organising meeting to start up an Auckland branch of a Venezuela-Aotearoa solidarity network. 7pm: Film - The War on Democracy; 8.30pm: Organising meeting for solidarity network. All sympathisers with the Venezuelan revolution are welcome. Spread the word to your family and friends.

If you cannot make it, but want to get involved, contact:Grant Morgan 021 2544 515 grantmorgan@paradise.net.nz

Tuesday, April 15, 6.00 - 7.30pm, Unitec,139 Carrington Rd, Mt Albert. Building 170, Room 1009.

Public seminar: Money that works for workers - International expert in local trading systems “Miguel” Yasuyuki Hirota is visiting New Zealand (10 - 18th April) as a guest of Living Economies, an organisation researching successful models for localising money systems to strengthen regional economies and make them more sustainable.

Admission by gold coin. (Take Entry 3, proceed 400m to carpark on left. Room 1009 is just off the south corner of the carpark.) Contact: Peter Luiten, 520 2984 peter.luiten@nettel.net.nz

Wednesday, April 16, 6.30-8.30pm , Sustainable Living Centre, 4 Olympic Place, New Lynn.

Public seminar: Money that works for workers - International expert in local trading systems “Miguel” Yasuyuki Hirota is visiting New Zealand (10 - 18th April) as a guest of Living Economies, an organisation researching successful models for localising money systems to strengthen regional economies and make them more sustainable.

Admission $10. Contact: Therese on 826 0555, therese@ecomatters.org.nz

Tuesday, April 15 & Wed, April 16, 3-8pm,

MOBILISING FOR CHANGE HUI (WORKSHOP). The interactive Mobilising for Change hui

has been developed for people who are actively working on social and environmental justice issues and who seek to mobilise communities to bring about change. It is intended for people who are clear their campaign objectives and who recognise that people power is a necessary step along the way. This workshop will include a range of bright ideas and practical tools to: * Understand community organising, and what makes it different from other approaches to social change * Map their communities and relationships with allies and other constituents * Build and maintain alliances and coalitions * Interact constructively with powerholders and allies * Engage and sustain grassroots activists

Facilitators: James Whelan & Pru Gell (tCA). Cost: $250 (unwaged), $300 (low income) or $350 (higher income) including resources & refreshments. Preparation: Participants are asked to prepare a case study about a campaign they are working on. Registration: Places are strictly limited. Download the registration form from http://www.wea.org.nz/programmes/auckland.html or http://www.thechangeagegncy.org/01_cms/details.asp?ID=74

Queries: Christine Herzog coordinator@trc.org.nz (09) 274 4270 A Change Agency workshop hosted by Auckland Workers Education Association (AWEA) and the Kotare Trust. To find out more about the Change Agency visit http://www.thechangeagency.org

Thursday, April 17, 7-30pm, The Peace Centre, 22 Emily Place, Auckland City (close to Britomart)

Film Evening for your diary: Three important short films about the impact of logging on indigenous communities in West Papua. These unique films were made by the communities themselves with some support from Church and environmental organisations. When you have seen these films you will want to support the IHRC campaign against the import into New Zealand of kwila from West Papua!

1."The tears of Mother Mooi" - documents the negative impacts of of logging on the indigenous Mooi people in Sorong West Papua. The film shows how the local people use the forest - their mother- for their essential resources. The film gives voice to their long struggle against the conglomerates and deforestation. 2. "Gaharu - Blessing or disaster " - impact of the harvesting of gahuru trees on a community

3. "Destiny my land" - impact of defrestation on communities in Bituni Bay- inlcuding an alternative model of community logging. Explains why resistance is so difficult in a militarised environment.

Excerpts from the film "Echoes from Indonesia's Forests: Stories from Papua" made by EIA and Telepak will also be shown - EIA and Telepak exposed the West Papua illegal logging scandal in 2005 and tracked the logs through Malaysia and China and on to the luxury flooring markets in Europe. An evening not to be missed. For further information _ maire@clear.net.nz

10 am, Friday April 18 to 3 pm, Sunday April 20, Whai Ora Marae, Otara, Manukau City

Treaty Educators Professional Development Conference to be held in Tâmaki Makaurau, 18 - 20 April 2008. The purposes of this conference are •To support Treaty educators to improve the quality of their practice •To enhance development of a Treaty educator community of practice •To encourage more involvement in ACE Treaty provision. For more information and to register see the attached document or visit www.treatyeducators.org.nz http://www.treatyeducators.org.nz

Monday, April 28, 7.30pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St Ponsonby, Auckland. Left Behind: How social and income inequalities damage New Zealand children. Editors Susan St John & Donna Wynd

Special guest speaker: Tapu Misa Plenty of parking round the back. For further information contact Rachel Somerfield, CPAG NZ Administrator admin@cpag.org.nz or (09) 303-9260.

Monday 12th May: GPJA MONTHLY FORUM – THE PALESTINIAN STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE,

Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. 7.30pm Maher Mughrabi, Palestinian writer and journalist now working in Melbourne at The Age and a member of the Palestinian Diaspora. This meeting comes just two days before the anniversary of al Nakba – the anniversary of the proclaiming of the state of Israel in Tel Aviv.

Monday, May 12, 5:00pm - 6:30pm, at the University of Auckland in Clock Tower Room TO39, Princes Street

Keith Locke will be giving a PowerPoint presentation on the ‘Geopolitics of Oil’. The talk looks at the problems in the world through the lens of oil politics - past and present. Learn why wars are often fought over oil, and why even the countries that have oil are often burdened by authoritarian government and social inequality. Keith explains how Peak Oil will increase contention for this scarce resource, but is optimistic that we can achieve a more peaceful and equitable world, using more sustainable energy and less beholden to oil interests.

More info, contact: greensoncampus@greens.org.nz

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Protest Against Free Trade Agreement in China - Global Peace and Justice Auckland and Unite Union are jointly organising a protest against New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with China due to be signed by the Prime Minister on Monday. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0804/S00056.htm

Louise Humpage: We're still all in this together - The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services has announced its vision that poverty elimination and quality of life be an election issue. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/466/story.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10502815

3 Letters: Poverty, inequality and housing http://www.cpag.org.nz/news/cpag-news/nr1207711157.pdf

Welfare: Tough rules miss the mark http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0804/S00155.htm Beneficiaries treated like 'second-class' citizens http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0804/S00130.htm

Student debt milestone highlights economic millstone http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0804/S00268.htm

CAFCA Congratulates Government for Preventing Auckland Airport Takeover - But Don’t Stop Now, There’s Lot’s More To Be Done http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0804/S00181.htm

CAFCA Commends John Key on Privatisation Pledge - But 20 Years Of Damage Caused By Asset Sales Needs To Be Repaired http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0804/S00217.htm

Unite–NDU–SFWU Merge To Form 50,000-Strong Union http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0804/S00152.htm

Matt McCarten: Feel the shake-up as ground slowly shifts towards Labour http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10503793&pnum=0

Chiapas - Mexico's Tibet by Julie Webb-Pullman - On 10 April, a petition signed by more than 30 New Zealanders was delivered to the Mexican Ambassador to New Zealand, Angélica Arce, declaiming ongoing human rights abuses of indigenous Mexicans, impunity for the perpetrators, and marking the 89th anniversary of the assassination of Mexican indigenous revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, whose fight for justice for indigenous Mexicans still continues. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0804/S00176.htm

Cinema man who worked two years for free gets big payout http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10501867 Last minute protests over China’s free trade deal - Source: TV3 http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/6587.html The man who helped found Bolivarian Revolutionary Movement in Venezuela is on a mission to see blanket of cohesiveness spread across Latin America against United States covert campaign in the region.

Nelson Davila Venezuela's charge d'affaires for Australia, New Zealand and Fiji recently toured New Zealand conducting public meetings to apprise the people of New Zealand about Venezuelan revolutionary movement in the context of President Hugo Chavez's initiated 'socialism of the 21st century' that saw the formation of United Socialist Party of Venezuela http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0804/S00028.htm

Telecom's legacy of neglect - Recently, Telecom won the Roger Award for being the worst transnational corporation operating in New Zealand in 2007. http://www.stuff.co.nz/4465058a28.html

KiwiFM Audio: Wallace & Selwyn Manning on Martin Luther King http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0804/S00077.htm

Unite Union Employs Slick Marketing Techniques http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0804/S00054.htm

Photography: Exhibition of Zapatista Communites http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0804/S00059.htm

Greenpeace reveal Dairy expansion out of control http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0804/S00128.htm

FEATURES USA 2008: The Great Depression - Food stamps are the symbol of poverty in the US. In the era of the credit crunch, a record 28 million Americans are now relying on them to survive – a sure sign the world's richest country faces economic crisis http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/usa-2008-the-great-depression-803095.html Food Shortages An Emergency -FAO Chief - Jacques Diouf, director general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), on Wednesday described spiralling food prices as an "emergency" that demanded concerted global attention http://www.countercurrents.org/devraj100408.htm World Food Price Crisis, Genocidal UK, EU, US Biofuel Perversion Threatens Billions By Dr Gideon Polya http://www.countercurrents.org/polya310308.htm

BOLIVIA

The Morales Moral - Defy neoliberalism, face media wrath http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2997

CHINA

Young and Restless in China http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/young-and-restless-in-china... http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/young-and-restless-in-china/ The International AIDS Society (IAS) today expressed grave concern over the sentencing of Hu Jia - a prominent Chinese human rights activist - on charges of subversion, and called for Mr Jia's immediate and unconditional release. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0804/S00050.htm

CONGO

Congo: How Rich Whites Caused Five Million Blacks to Die - "The holocaust in the Congo is a collective crime by all of the Euro-American mineral extraction industries and the governments that serve them." http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0804/S00140.htm

CUBA

Socialism, but with fewer prohibitions - The daughter of Raul Castro, sexologist and writer, “we still need an Italian Renaissance for Cuba”. http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs1858.html Cuban Medical Program: The Best Show Of Altruism http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0804/S00090.htm

INDIA

India: Disappearing The Poor - As if to demonstrate that poverty is now a residual issue in the world, the poor are being slowly eliminated from the imagery of the busy global media. http://www.countercurrents.org/seabrook100408.htm

IRA

q“Iraq Has Really Become Somalia…A Collection of Different Militias”—Back from Baghdad, Journalist Nir Rosen Paints a Picture of a Broken Iraq http://www.democracynow.org/2008/4/1/iraq_has_become_somaliaa_collection

KASHMIR

Kashmiri Nation- An Identity Of Their Own By Rizwana Abbasi

http://www.countercurrents.org/abbasi070408.htm

NEPAL

RED RULES KINGDOM - Surge catches Delhi napping - The red flag is flying high over Kathmandu. Prachanda’s Maoists have stolen a lightning march over rivals in Nepal, sparing none save the Nepali Congress, the nation’s oldest political party. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080413/jsp/frontpage/story_9132359.jsp

PAKISTAN

They Only Know How To Kill - Drones, machine and human, have drenched Pakistan with the blood of innocents http://www.countercurrents.org/hoodhoy100408.htm

PALESTINE

Dear friends, Your help is urgently needed. In the face of many false attacks, United Methodist volunteers have put up a web site to explain the concept of divestment from companies that sustain the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. This site contains information on Israeli apartheid, and explanations of proposals that will be before the United Methodist General Conference (our policy-making body) later this month. Time is short, and we need to get the word out. There have been many false reports about these proposals and about Methodists who support them. It is urgent that we respond. The site is: http://www.unitedmethodistdivestment.com/ Physicians For Human Rights In Israel - Annual Report: "2007: Challenges and Achievements" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0804/S00078.htm

TIBET

Stop the bloodshed — freedom for Tibet http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/745/38540

USA

The prophetic anger of MLK - After 1965, the civil rights leader grew angrier over America's unwillingness to change. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-dyson4apr04,0,1840793.story

VENEZUELA

Chavez urges Colombia's FARC rebels to release all civilian hostages http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/13/america/LA-GEN-Venezuela-Colom http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/13/america/LA-GEN-Venezuela-Colombia- Hostages.php Venezuela: A party in transition for the transition to socialism http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/746/38596 Revolutionizing Women's Roles in Venezuela http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/6699/1/327/

WEST PAPUA

The West Papua Report http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/0803wpap.htm Shootings and arrests spread fear in West Papua http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0804/S00129.htm Forgotten in the Mountains: Displacement in the Highlands of Papua http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0804/S00055.htm Why West Papuans Reject Special Autonomy http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0804/S00031.htm

ZIMBABWE

How life goes on for the super rich of Zimbabwe http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/opin/070521dg.asp?sector=OPIN

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