Tāmati Kruger, chair of Tūhoe’s tribal body Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua, gave the 2017 Bruce Jesson Lecture, Koia Mārika (So It Will Be), on 31 October at the University of Auckland. No summary can do justice to this very profound speech. Every word of Tāmati Kruger’s speech is measured, and to be treasured. We […]
Welcome back, Lema!
November 19, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Lema Shamamba: educator and film-maker We have mentioned Lema Shamamba and her family before in our newsletter- they are good friends of ours – and Lema has become a community leader in Ranui, with support from Ranui Action Project staff. Lema decided this year to return to the DR Congo to visit her family, whom […]
Congratulations, Rock and Ryan!
November 19, 2017 by Leave a Comment
It’s been a while since we’ve had an all-day festival for lesbians, especially one focused on issues like lesbian visibility and social justice. So we were delighted to take a day off on Saturday 4 November, at Toi Tu in Ponsonby, for the Auckland Lesbian Festival 2017, organised by Cissy Rock and Violet Ryan, […]
Sarah Sophia Stothard
November 19, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Charmaine hasn’t had her photo taken in a graveyard before, but this was a special occasion – we were celebrating the unveiling of a headstone for a woman who died one hundred and sixteen years ago. Gillian Dance, a former chairperson of the Parent-Teachers’ Association at Auckland Girls’ Grammar School during Charmaine’s time as principal […]
Care, Community, Creativity…
September 19, 2017 by 2 Comments
What a privilege it is for us, with our resources and networks, to live in Tamaki Makaurau, with the wealth of cultural activities available to many. We are lucky to have friends who invite us to participate in events of special significance in their cultures, or who bring their unique experiences to us.. .and who […]
Women and Politics: Reflections on Women’s Suffrage Day
September 19, 2017 by Leave a Comment
We are lucky to belong to a nation where women not only have the right to move around freely and speak up in public, but also to be elected to Parliament and to become Prime Ministers. One hundred and twenty-four years ago , on 19 September 1893, women gained the right to vote in New […]
Election 2017
September 19, 2017 by 2 Comments
What an extraordinary election campaign we are experiencing here in Aotearoa! For those living outside Aotearoa, a summary of some key events: We’ve lost two party leaders – Andrew Little from Labour, who resigned with dignity to allow his deputy, Jacinda Adern, to become leader; and Meteria Turei, from the Greens, whose attempts to draw […]
Nganeko – a personal tribute
July 18, 2017 by 1 Comment
On June 15 this year we lost a dear friend, Nganeko Minhinnick. We first met Nganeko in 1987, at a Forest and Bird Society meeting where she spoke about the mining by New Zealand Steel of the Maioro iron sand dunes, her people’s ancient burial area at the mouth of the Waikato River, and the […]
Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood
Public Good