Wellington McDonald’s workers standing strong
Members of our Wellington branch were proud this morning to stand in solidarity with Unite union members striking for a living wage at McDonald’s. McDonald’s makes hefty profits, but its workers, on casual contracts, are paid minimum wages. The strike was solid – union members on a morning shift came out, and were joined by […]
Marching Against Asset Sales
Saturday was another reminder that there is deep-seated opposition to the government’s asset sales plans, whatever the spin around the advertisements may be. Asset sales benefit the rich and power is a public good that should run by the public in the public interest. It’s a simple, class-based analysis that resonates. The spirit of the […]
MANA Feeds the Kids
This morning the Otara Leisure Centre reminded me of the photos I’ve seen of the Black Panther Party’s food parcel drive. Thousands of brown paper bags filled with sandwiches, fruit and juice packed the back rooms of the Community centre. Dozens of MANA volunteers and supporting parties, parents and activists worked to together to put […]
Stand Up for Kids: Supporting Public Education
Public education in Aotearoa is under attack. From charter schools – the failed money-making scheme imported from right-wing US think-tanks – to National’s ongoing plans to increase classroom sizes to national standards and league tables, the last years have seen relentless assaults on public education. Add to this the disaster of Novopay, and the insecurity […]
Treaty hides racist rip-off
For many New Zealanders, Waitangi Day is a time to celebrate the founding of New Zealand, a nation which we are taught to believe is born of a union of two peoples, Maori and Pakeha – “He iwi tahi tatou”. This national myth serves to obscure the true character of the treaty and the colonial […]
Marching against the TPPA: What really happened
Between 200 – 300 people marched in Auckland yesterday against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, the latest ‘free’ trade agreement designed to give maximum gains to New Zealand business and pain to workers globally. The negotiations – conducted in secret conditions making a mockery of democracy, as Jane Kelsey points out – were going on at SkyCity’s […]
Wellington: Solidarity with Gaza
Around 35 people joined an emergency picket in solidarity with the people of Gaza here in Wellington at lunch-time on Friday. The action had been called at less than 24 hours’ notice as news came through of Israel’s latest murderous assault. Israel is threatening a new slaughter, and the prospects for more death and destruction […]
Defending State Housing
While the world was focused on the outcome of the US election, some 100 residents from Glen Innes (Auckland), Maraenui (Hawkes Bay) and Pomare (Lower Hutt) marched in protest to Parliament to present a petition for immediate action on the housing crisis affecting low-income families in these areas. Angry residents protested the government’s housing policies, […]
Marching for Marriage Equality
At least a thousand people showed out today to support a bill being introduced to parliament today, which would amend the Marriage Act to allow marriage between same sex couples. While many would argue that marriage is an institution best avoided, that doesn’t change the fact that it is a right, with many associated legal benefits, […]
AFFCO Workers Stand Strong in Te Puke
“We’re gonna march, march, march to victory! We’re gonna fight right to the end! For workers’ rights, and freedom! Aue! Ake, ake, kia kaha e!” A new take on the folk song dedicated to the Māori Battalion echoed through the streets of Te Puke on Saturday as over 500 locked-out meat workers, whānau and supporters made their […]
