We went to the premiere of the film Carol, a lesbian love story based on an early Patricia Highsmith novel The Price of Salt, with some reservations, thinking it might be a Hollywood let-down. But actually we loved it – all our group of eight very different women found it moving, and beautiful in its portrayal […]
Mai Chen, MIXIT and The Girl from Niue Island
January 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Mai Chen on Cultural Competence A fine article in the NZ Herald (18 January 2016) by Mai Chen celebrates New Zealand’s cultural diversity . She makes a strong case for us to become culturally competent, and a couple of video clips in her on-line article illustrate what this can mean, and how valuable and empowering it […]
Ranui in the Sunlight
December 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment
How lovely to open the Weekend Herald and find Steve Braunias celebrating Ranui and its library! We feel very proud because this corten steel canopy was created by Nic Moon of Nelson, from Tanya’s extended family… We especially enjoy the people of Ranui, too, as those who have read our earlier blogs will know – […]
Diversity in Dunedin…
December 16, 2015 by 2 Comments
We had a week in Dunedin last month – and managed to find all the ingredients of a fine holiday: catching up with family and friends, lesbian company, cultural activities, conservation projects, and a political visit. We stayed the first night with former Aucklander, Pleasance, in her hilltop villa, and joined a monthly dinner group of Dunedin lesbians. Ann Charlotte, whom we met there, […]
A Fan for Flax..
December 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment
We went to Okahu Bay Domain at Orakei for the final wananga of Te Ara Reo Maori which Tanya has been attending all year at Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Musicians were a big part of the day, including Whirimako Black, Justin Kereama and Pikiteora Mura-Hita and others. Just as we were leaving we saw this number plate […]
AGGS farewells Toesulu Brown MNZM
December 15, 2015 by 1 Comment
Toesulu Brown has worked at AGGS for thirty years. Charmaine created a position for her in 1985 as a community liaison officer and a teacher of Samoan language, especially to NZ-born girls who were not fluent. Over the years Toesulu has fulfilled many roles in the school and the community, becoming a key member of the national […]
Solstice Greetings from Ranui!
December 15, 2015 by Leave a Comment
To all of you, we hope you have a very happy Solstice , relaxing and celebrating with family and friends. To those of you in the northern hemisphere- keep warm, and to those in the south, like us- keep cool and rest a lot! AND Nga mihi nui o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou ki […]
Suffragette
November 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment
We’ve just seen an outstanding, gut-wrenching film, Suffragette. If it comes your way, don’t miss it. It was shown as a fundraiser for the Auckland Women’s Centre on Sunday 15th November. It’s a profoundly important film, reminding us in the most visceral way of the hatred still shown in much of the world towards women […]
Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood
Public Good