New Socialist Organisation Launched Today
Organise Aotearoa, a new socialist organisation for all
of Aotearoa, has publicly launched today. The group is
composed of Māori, Pākehā, and tauiwi, with the goal of
undoing the violence inflicted by colonialism and
capitalism.
“Organise Aotearoa aims to take back
power for ordinary, working-class people,” says
spokesperson Emilie Rākete. “We live in a wealthy, secure
country. Nobody should have to live in mouldy rentals that
make them sick. Nobody should have to scrape by on an
unlivable minimum wage.”
“New Zealanders are
suffering because the rich control the economy. Organise
Aotearoa believes that workers ourselves should control the
wealth we produce.”
Organise Aotearoa has brought
together workers, students, beneficiaries, unionists,
teachers, and people from every walk of life. “Aotearoa is
a wealthy country, and there is more than enough for
everybody. Our goal is socialism — for the resources of
this country to be democratically owned and controlled by
working people,” says Rākete.
Organise Aotearoa
is not a parliamentary party. “We recognise that
traditional political structures have failed. The so-called
“Labour” party is sanctioning single mothers on welfare
and sending soldiers to terrorise the Middle East. It
doesn’t stand with working people,” Rākete argues.
“We believe a new world requires a new kind of
politics. Organise Aotearoa is a mass movement in which
everybody is welcome and anybody can play a
part.”
Tino rangatiratanga, or Māori
sovereignty, is a core principle of Organise Aotearoa.
“Organise Aotearoa acknowledges that the brutal
dispossession of Māori was essential to the establishment
of capitalism in New Zealand. We believe that both
capitalism and colonialism must come to an end,” says
Rākete.
“The Crown has never followed through
on its treaty promises of tino rangatiratanga. For Māori to
truly exercise mana motuhake, capitalism must be destroyed
as well. These are twin aims of Organise
Aotearoa.”
Over the next seven months, Organise
Aotearoa will hold hui around the country on the key issues
affecting New Zealanders, including housing, work, justice,
and the environment. “We want to hear from everyday New
Zealanders about their struggles and their dreams for more
just, fair, and equal society,” says
Rākete.
Membership is now open for anyone who
agrees with the kaupapa of Organise Aotearoa.
ENDS