Waitangi Day in Melbourne
Tena koutou nga Tangata e tautoko ana te kaupapa Tino Rangatiratanga me te Mana Motuhake o Aotearoa
To show our solidarity for the kaupapa of Tino Rangatiratanga we will be assembling outside the NZ settler consulate this Waitangi Day where we will proudly display our Tino Rangatiratanga (Maori Sovereignty) flag.
* The Treaty of Waitangi still remains to be honoured 168 years after its signing
* The NZ Settler Governments refusal to sign the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous peoples.
* The recent human rights abuses of the peoples of Tuhoe by the NZ settler state.
Nau Mai Haere Mai
Consulate-General of New Zealand
Suite 2, North Level 3 350 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3001
1pm Wednesday 6th of February 2008
Ka Whawhai tonu matou ake tonu atu !!!!!
contact Sina on 9504 8449 for more info
or mail uriohau at gmail dot com
Operation LandGrab
Created by some of my favourite people. Deadly work crew!
Let’s Hear It For Tuhoe
This is allegedly the work of TV reporter Ali Akram. The singing is atrocious.
But goodness this is funny.
EDIT
I’ve removed this clip because this has caused great offence to many people in particular the people of Tuhoe. See Ana’s comment below and this story over at Te Kaea to understand why. While I don’t agree that this was intentionally denigrating to Tuhoe, in fact quite the opposite. And I have had enough interactions with Ali in the past to know that he is more than understanding of issues of tino rangatiratanga and the history of colonisation in Aotearoa. But it’s not up to me.
Watching this video again I can totally understand why it is seen as offensive. TV3 might be a bit confused and not sure about it cause it wasn’t their intention to offend. But nonetheless they should definitely pull this from their site (they won’t be able to pull it from the internet, too late for that now) and issue an unreserved apology. And it would be nice for Ali to visit. Knowing him he probably will if he’s invited.
A Cross Stitch for my friends
I actually finished this a little while ago but it’s taken me ages to get my a into g. I’m still not happy with the photos but I really want to get this out there now all the crew are out of lock up. Hopefully someone near them will bring it to their attention. Please note that cross stitch is a slow art and I know that Urewera 17 is inaccurate, forgive me.
It’s framed in one of those great cross stitch hoops that doubles as a frame. I got it from an op shop and I’d been waiting for the right project. It doesn’t quite hold the fabric straight, but close enough.
For those who don’t know what this is about read here, see indymedia for updates, and go to the civil rights defence website to send messages of support and donate to the defence fund.
Deep in the forest: Ross Meurant
An article was published today in the NZ Sunday Star Times. It’s an opinion piece by former NZ Police and Member of Parliament, Ross Meurant.
And it’s brilliant. But before we get to it, I want to share a wee story.
I remember when I got arrested as an activist, explaining the ridiculousness of arresting us and seeing the face of one of the officers understand what I was on about but stepping back to support the main arresting officer. I always thought that a bit odd.
That ridiculous arrest cost the court system thousands of dollars to throw the charges out. And also led to a police compliants authority investigation which ruled in my favour. Probably about $20 000 worth of total cost to the system when a third of our children are living in poverty. If that officer had tapped his colleague on the shoulder , whispered in his air that this was a waste of time, we could have all gone home with a bit of mutual respect.
And that was just a minor case.
Meurant says “The strength of our police is public confidence and support; without which they are nothing.” In the activist scene this confidence was undermined a long time ago. When police officers warn people that they will be arrested if they do a certain action and then arrest them anyway. When police officers physically assault members of the public when they appear to be acting as private security guards for multinational companies. When police officers remove their identification before peace protests and then front up to parliament asking for more weapons, they not only undermine our confidence but they draw some pretty serious battle lines.
I have witnessed all of the above happening, some of which I have seen on numerous occaisions. I have also had a number of older activists, those who were around during the Tour, say to me that it wasn’t like this in their day. That being the time when Meurant was around…
Read this and then tell your parents to read it.
Tautoko That
“Democracy hasn’t always been kind to minorities.”In Maoridom it’s not democracy that we strive for. It’s really tino rangatiratanga, the absolute individual’s rights within the collective.”
Kingitanga kaumatua Hare Puke
Stand in solidarity! Global Day Of Action – Saturday 27th Oct, 12 noon
Don’t forget to make yourself heard on Saturday. If there’s nothing on in your area, organise something!
I’m baking, stitching and painting!
- Everywhere: Any letters emailed to lettersforprisoners[at]riseup[dot]net will printed out and distributed to arrestees. Obviously don’t write anything that could negatively impact on you or anyone else! If you can help with processing these letters, please email the crew on the same address. For more information, see http://www.civilrightsdefence.org.nz.
- Auckland: Demonstration Saturday Oct 27th at 12 noon meeting in Aotea Square. [ Poster ]
- Hamilton: Protest Sat 27th, meet 12 noon @ Garden Place.
- Rotorua: Hikoi Thursday 25th Oct, meet 9am Apumoana Marae (by Blue Lake), hikoi to Rotorua District Court for bail hearings.
- Whanganui: Rally and march Saturday October 27th at 12 noon. Meet at the River Traders Market on Moutoa Quay (behind Taupo Quay).
- Wellington: Protest Sat 27th, meet 12 noon @ Midland Park. Bring noisemakers and rage [ Poster ]. Prisoner support meetings are being held at 128 Abel Smith St, 6pm, each Tuesday. A range of solidarity events are happening over the coming days. [ Upcoming events ].
- Christchurch: A solidarity rally and march will be held in Cathedral Square at 12noon on Saturday Oct 27th, followed by a picnic with live music [ Posters: 1 & 2 ]. A meeting to plan solidarity work will be held Thursday 25th, 6pm at the Otautahi Social Centre, 206 Barbadoes St. A benefit gig has been organised for Thursday 1st November at the Wunder Bar in Lytellton.
- Dunedin: Picnic on Sunday Oct 28th to discuss the Terrorism Supression Act, Tuhoe history and Parihaka. 12 noon – 2:30pm, Otago Museum Reserve.
- Sydney, Australia: Public meeting & demonstration on Thursday October 25th, 5:30pm outside NZ Consulate-General, 55 Hunter St, Sydney
- Melbourne, Australia: A solidarity demonstration will be held Saturday 27th in Federation Square, 12noon.
- London, England: Solidarity protest Saturday 27th, 12 noon @ NZ High Comission, 80 Haymarket, SW1Y, Westminster.
Donations can be made to the defence fund. See the Civil Rights Defence Committee website for details. Or if you’re coming to Melbourne, we’ll be collecting on the day to send over one big donation to cut down on paypal fees.
Free All Political Prisoners
Goodness there’s so much happening in support of those arrested last Monday, it’s just awesome to see. Go over to Aotearoa Indymedia and see all the reports from recent demos. Quite a lot of video too which is nice (cause I can see my friends and give them virtual cuddles!). And there’s been more international solidarity from Germany and Greece!
The recent Civil Rights Defence website has been set up (click on that picture up there), which will have all the news, events and how to support. Including how to sonate to the support and defence fund. Remember all these crew not only have to pay their way through the court system but they’ve been denied bail so they can’t work to pay their bills. So we all need to pitch in and help with their rent and power bills etc.
We’re working on another demonstration for Melbourne next Saturday. I was hyping up all the cool kids at the zine fair yesterday to come along, so you all should too. And if you don’t live in Melbourne look up where all the other events are being held. If there’s not one in your town, start one.
In the Kulin Nations (Melbourne) we will be holding a solidarity rally on the 27th of October.At Federation Square at 12 noon.
This rally will also be a condemnation of the 4 settler grubbyments that refuse to acknowledge and affirm our rights as Indigenous peoples to exist, to self determination and to sovereignty.Our solidarity will also be extended to our brothers and sisters in Great Turtle Island, as this phenomena of state suppression on Indigenous peoples is nothing new and still a common daily occurrence around the world.
Stop the State Repression of Indigenous Peoples
Solidarity with the Urewera 17! Free them now!
Free Political Prisoners/Drop the Charges
Drop the Charges against Lex Wotoon NOW
Free Tame Iti NOW
Drop the Charges against Shawn Bryant NOW
Free Leonard Peltier NOW
Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou Ake Ake Ake
Always Was Always Will Be Aboriginal Land.
Doing it for the kids
For those that want to be kept up to date with what’s going on with the Uruwera 17/18 (depending on which report you read) I suggest you keep an eye on Indymedia. The editors at AIMC are doing a fabulous job of keeping everything update, especially with details of solidarity actions.
Just a couple of things I want to point out.
A fighting fund as been set up. At this stage, donations can be made to a defence fund organised by Global Peace & Justice Auckland. Identify the donation as being for the defence fund. 38-9000-0099726-00 GLOBAL PEACE & JUSTICE AKLD.
And those that want to send messages of support direct to detainees can send stuff to lettersforprisoners[at]riseup[dot]net which will printed out and distributed to arrestees. Obviously don’t write anything that could negatively impact on you or anyone else!
Finally, I think the event that upset me the most from Monday was the armed offenders squad searching a bus full of kids on their way to kohanga. This was handled appallingly and I think at the very least those officers involved should be personally apologising to those kids.
There is a hikoi been organised to support the kids and call for protocol to ensure that it never happens again.
Kia Ora koutou katoa nga Kohanga Reo o Mataatua me Tauranga Moana.
He mihi nui. He mihi mahana, he mihi aroha.
Nga mihi ki o tatou mate kua huri ki tua o te Arai.
Tena koutou nga Kohanga Reo whakahirahira o Mataatua-Taurnaga Moana mai nga Kuri a Wh?rei ki Tihirau.
He panui tenei kia koutou kei te watea. Kia huihui mai tatou ki te tautoko te Hikoi a nga Kohanga Reo o te wharua o Ruatoki . I runga i nga pahetanga I utainga ki nga mokopuna I te wa e haere ana ratou ki nga Kohanga Reo
I kite koutou I runga I te pouaka whakaata nga mahi weriweri a nga pirihimana e patu ana nga wairua o a tatou mokopuna nohinohi.
This is an invitation to all Kohanga Reo in Mataatua-Tauranga Moana to come and support the Kohanga Reo from Te P?rei Kohu Purapura on their
hikoi through Whakatane township, through the Whakatane District Council Office and on to the Whakatane Police Station.DATE – Tomorrow – Friday 19 October 2007 in Whakatane
Te Ururoa Flavell , Member of Parliament Waiariki will be at this hikoi
TIME TO ASSEMBLE: 9:00am at the carpark behind the Strand (near the Warehouse). Hikoi begins – 9:30am. If your Kohanga Reo have uniforms please let your children wear them.
TE WAIATA: “He Taonga Taku Mokopuna
Taku Mokopuna Korikori e……………….The purpose of this hikoi has arisen out of the way the Armed Offenders squad stopped the vehicles taking our mokopuna to the 4 Kohanga Reo in Ruatoki and also the School children at the Ruatoki and Tawera Kura.
The Kohanga Reo in Te P?rei Kohu Purapura are highlighting the health and well-being of our mokopuna ‘Nga Taumata Whakahirahira’ MANA ATUA kaua e tukino nga mokopuna. HE TAONGA TE MOKOPUNA
The desired outcome out of this ‘Hikoi’ is that our mokopuna will never be subjected to this type of traumatic experience again and that it be legislated that vehicles transporting Kohanga Reo mokopuna or school children never be stopped, and that they be allowed to continue to the Kohanga Reo, or Kura, where the children can then disembark and be placed in a safe haven, before the vehicles are searched and the Adults responsible be questioned.
You are welcome to make banners/placards for this hikoi. If the words could be in Maori and in English so there are no excuses that they do not understand the message we are trying to get across ‘Ki te Motu.’
This hikoi is very important to inform the whole World how our little children were treated during the recent siege at Ruatoki and that it must never ever happen again.
Solidarity to Aotearoa
Normally, I’d be giving Australians a hard time for living in a police state, but after hearing the news this morning, it definitely sounds like New Zealand should be getting that criticism.
In a nationally coordinated raid, Police have searched residences across the country, made at least 16 arrests and many more have been taking in for questioning. Charges laid so far have reportedly been gun-related, but Police have said they will be looking to lay more.
Given that there is a mildly lengthy process that needs to be gone through to lay charges under the Terrorism Suppression Act, it is likely that any charges laid under that act wouldn’t be able to be made immediately.
Allegedly police have gone to these extreme lengths because they believe a network known as ‘Freedom Fighters’ has been training Tino Rangatiratanga, environmental and peace activists in military techniques for potential planned nation-wide attacks. Smiths Dream anyone?
The evidence that the police have allegedly comes from under cover operatives and informants, as well as electronic surveillance.
Two well-known anarchist flats; the Necropolis in Auckland and 128 in Wellington, were also raided and arrests have been made.
I firstly want to extend my biggest aroha and solidarity to all the crew who got their lives temporarily turned upside down this morning. Having the Police raid your house, whether any arrests are made or not, is a fucking pain in the ass. And it can be really scary, especially if you’ve got kids around, which I understand some of the houses involved did. So kia kaha you lot, and get some good lawyers. This one could be really fun in court, find representation who gets it.
Secondly, I want to thoroughly condemn what has happened. We always warned that these laws would be used to target activists and despite repeated assurances from the government that is wouldn’t, this is exactly what we have seen today.
It appears that the police have used this as an excuse to bring just about everyone on their watch-lists ie people who take an active role in opposing an unjust world, in for questioning, or arrested them. I am aware that there have been other houses visited by police without warrants, so it seems to be wider than what will be reported by the propoganda press too.
Let me make this clear to anyone reading this who doesn’t get just how fucked up this situation is. Standing up for a world without war, justice for indigenous people, justice for the planet DOES NOT make you a terrorist. Getting a warrant from a judge and dressing a bunch of coppers up in their war gear DOES NOT mean that the people concerned are guilty. This is called the criminalisation of dissent.
For those of us in Melbourne, we will be standing up in solidarity tomorrow.
Come and demonstrate your solidarity with our brother & sister activists in Aotearoa, and show your disgust at state repression and the criminalisation of dissent.
Consulate-General of New Zealand
Suite 2, North Level 3 350 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3001
11am Tuesday the 16th of October
Tautoko atu a wairua, a hinengaro, a tinana hoki
Ka Whawhai tonu matou ake ake ake !!!!!
For those of you that want a bit of history about the recent moves to make New Zealand a Police State, check out the Greens Campaign Page. There’s heaps of good info on there including info about the Terrorism Suppression Act .
And for the latest up-to-date info without the corporate hype, check Aotearoa Indymedia.