A reminder! we are currently receiving vast amounts of email messages, so to improve your chances of your event listing being noticed it is helpful if you can send it to us at mailto:pma@xtra.co.nz with 'for what's on' in the subject line.

*** INTERNATIONAL ***

~ International Days of Action Against War - * 5 and 6 April - Reclaim the Bases http://www.reclaimthebases.org.uk/ are calling for a weekend of protest, nonviolent action and civil disobedience at military bases throughout Britain; and War Resisters International http://wri-irg.org have extended this to a call for non-violent action at military bases around the world; * 12 April - the ANSWER Coalition (US) http://www.internationalanswer.org/ the Stop the War Coalition (Britain) http://www.stopwar.org.uk and others are calling for an International Day of Action.

~ Ongoing - Wear a white ribbon for peace - originating with the Campaign Against Violence Against Women, a number of overseas and local groups are now promoting the wearing of a white ribbon, arm band or poppy on your clothing, wrist, car aerial, briefcase or whatever to show your grief for the people of Iraq and opposition to the invasion.

~ Ongoing - Medical supplies for Iraq - Quaker Peace and Service Aotearoa/NZ are once more raising money to buy medical supplies for Iraq. These will be used to support the US-based NGO, LIFE for Relief and Development, mainly in their cancer relief projects, and the Rome-based NGO, Bridge to Baghdad's Sindbad Primary Health Care Clinic in Basra. Cheques can be made out to Quaker Peace and Service and sent to QPS, 7 Moncrieff St., Wellington; credit card donations can be made by email - for more info about that, or about 'Medical supplies for Iraq', please contact Tony Maturin or Sandra Jones tel (04) 389-4715 or email mailto:hoggard@top.net.nz

~ Ongoing - Cities for Peace Campaign - Cities for Peace is a rapidly growing coalition of local elected officials and concerned citizens overseas working to get their City Councils and other civic bodies to pass resolutions against a war on Iraq. For more info check out the Cities for Peace web site at http://www.citiesforpeace.org/ Here in Aotearoa, Waitakere City Council passed two resolutions on 26 February: 1) That this Council strongly supports the New Zealand Government's stance and urges the United States of America to pursue diplomatic measures in its attempts to ensure that Iraq does not possess weapons of mass destruction; 2) That this Council urges the members of the United Nations Security Council to support the continuation of the current arms inspection process being conducted in Iraq. On 13 March, the Kapiti Coast District Council passed a resolution calling "on the Prime Minister and the Government of NZ to protest strongly against any form of military action against Iraq which is not sanctioned by the UN Security Council. The Council also calls on the Government to continue efforts in support of the United Nations and all countries that are seeking a peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis."

*** NATIONAL ***

~ SUN, 30 March - The Ethical Trading Initiative, including the business of Fair Trade Coffee in NZ, hear all about it on Chris Laidlaw's programme in the 'Ideas' section, 11am on National Radio.

~ New! - 'Our Children: The priority for Policy' (2nd edition), published by the Child Poverty Action Group. "By almost any measure of child poverty, NZ remains near the bottom of the league of comparable countries, at odds with its commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child." For more information or to get your copy ($10 each), write to CPAG, PO Box 56 150, Dominion Road, Auckland or check out their web site at http://www.cpag.org.nz You can get a free four page summary of the report from the Downtown Community Ministry, tel (04) 384 7699 or email mailto:dcm@paradise.net.nz

~ Current - as you may be aware, the Bishop of Auckland condemned Peter Murnane and Nicholas Drake's non-violent action of painting a cross with their own blood in the US Consulate - see their excellent statement giving their reasons for doing so at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/cra0980.htm - if you are supportive of Peter and Nicholas's motives and action, you could telephone the Catholic Diocese (09) 378 4380 and tell them so.

~ Ongoing - Not in Our Name (Aotearoa / New Zealand) - wage endless war? not in our name! at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/nionnz.htm

~ Ongoing - Buy USA? No Way! Boycott US brands, we can help peace every time we go into a shop and we can choose where to spend our money. We can send a message to Bush and his band of bullies that is strong and clear and effective. For more info check out Spend for Peace Boycott at http://www.spendforpeace.co.nz

***** LOCAL *****

*** AUCKLAND

~ SUN, 30 March - March Against the War on Iraq, organised by the local Muslim community whose spokesperson says: "I express my profound gratitude to you for not supporting the war. We also believe that Saddam must go but we do not endorse war as the right way"; at 2pm, QE II Square. For more info or to help, please contact tel 027 491 8583 or email mailto:panworld1@xtra.co.nz

~ SUN, 30 March - A Just War? speakers Marie Leadbeater, peace activist, Mike Treen, Global Peace and Justice spokesperson, and Terry Dibble, lecturer/social activist, talk the hard questions; at 7-30pm, St Columba Church, 92 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn. For more info contact St Columba's, tel (09) 376 4229.

~ SAT, 5 April - Palestine/Israel Rally for Peace, supporting peace and justice based on Removal of Israeli Occupation, Right of Return for Refugees, Sharing Jerusalem and Cessation of Jewish only Settlements in occupied Palestine, 2pm to 3pm, Aotea Square, Queen Street. Contact David Wakim tel (09) 520 0201.

~ SUN, 6 April - 40 minutes for Peace, a time to light candles and pray for peace in the world - part of Contextual Liturgies, creative and contemporary feminist liturgies for women and men in response to specific events in our context of Aotearoa / New Zealand; 7pm in the Crypt, St Benedict's Catholic Church, Newton Rd. For more info contact the Women's Resource Centre tel (09) 571 9158 or email mailto:info@womanspirit.org.nz

~ MON, 7 April - GPJA forum with special guest Sue Rhodes who has spent the last six months in Hebron, Palestine, as part of the Christian Peacemakers Team; 7-30pm at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. For more information contact Global Peace and Justice Auckland, John Minto email mailto:jbminto@xtra.co.nz or Mike Treen email mailto:miket@pl.net

~ Every day - picket at the US Consulate, Citibank Building, Customs St East; from 7am to 9am, 12 noon to 2pm, and 5pm to 7pm; bring your friends, come every day you can. Organised by Direct Anti War Action, for more info contact email mailto:euphemiak@yahoo.com

~ Every week day - anti-war vigil / service with Rev Craig Forbes, 12 noon to 1pm, at the Pitt Street Methodist Church, Newton.

~ Every Wednesday - Direct Anti War Action meeting, supper provided, all welcome! 7-30pm, at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. Organised by Direct Anti War Action, for more info contact email mailto:euphemiak@yahoo.com

~ Every Sunday - Silent Peace Vigil, every Sunday from 9-15am to 9-45am, outside the Quaker Meeting House, 115 Mt Eden Rd. All welcome, for more info tel Friends Centre (09) 630 6834.

*** HAMILTON

~ SAT, 29 March - March for Peace, meet at 12 noon in Garden Place. For more information contact email mailto:ham4peace@hotmail.com

~ WEDS, 2 April - public meeting with Sue Rhodes who has been part of the Christian Peacemaker Team in Palestine, an initiative of Mennonite, Church of the Brethren Congregations and Friends' Meetings. Sue describes her work thus: "Here in Hebron our days consist of firstly getting the children safely to school, avoiding the hassle and possible attacks from both Israeli settlers and the Israeli soldiers. There are so many children and so few teachers able to get to the schools that most do a double shift, enabling children to have three lessons each day. Under the curfew, the soldiers try to oppose the teachers and children getting to school. We, in our red baseball hats, try even harder to make sure they do get there. Our motto is 'getting in the way' and this is not only a religious reference, but we do physically put our bodies between people in conflict to reduce the violence. Other things we do throughout the day are looking after people under curfew, standing with people whose homes are under threat of demolition (and this often means sleeping in their homes to be ready for attack during the night), accompanying people to and from hospital, standing alongside people being detained at checkpoints and trying to get them through and generally opposing the humiliation and degradation inflicted by the Israeli army of occupation." Sue speaks at 1pm, Gurus Lounge, Students' Union Building, University of Waikato. For more info contact Zaeem tel (07) 856 5355 or email zeebee001hotmail.com

~ THURS, 3 April - public meeting with Sue Rhodes (see listing above for more details), 7-30 pm, at the Methodist Centre, London Street. For more info contact Hamilton Peace Movement, tel (07) 856 1001 or email mailto:davetricia@hnpl.net

~ SAT, 5 April - Peace March - from Founders Theatre to the Plaza, Garden Place; with speakers and prayers, an Interfaith Gathering; gather 1pm at Founders Theatre. For more info contact Hamilton Peace Movement, tel (07) 856 1001 or email mailto:davetricia@hnpl.net

*** THAMES

~ Every Saturday - silent vigil for peace, 9-15am to 9-45am, outside St James Church. For more info contact tel (07) 868 9914, email mailto:bellbird@wave.co.nz

*** GISBORNE

~ Every Thursday - peace vigil, while the aggression continues, from 5pm to 6pm, at Heipipi park by the waka, while the aggression continues. For more info contact tel (06) 868 1905 or email mailto:cdelahunty@clear.net.nz

*** NAPIER

~ Every Wednesday - Peace vigil, a time of silent meditation, from 5pm to 6pm in the Sunken Garden, Marine Parade. Organised by Hawke's Bay Peace Movement, for more info contact Margaret Gwynn, tel (06) 835 2122, email mailto:gwynn@paradise.net.nz

*** WHANGANUI

~ Every Friday - vigil for peace, 12 noon to 1-30pm, Majestic Square. For more info contact Peter tel (06) 345 0634 or email mailto:pbiet@clear.net.nz

*** DANNEVIRKE

Every Sunday - candlelight vigil for peace, from 7pm to 7-30pm in Copenhagen Square; bring your candle, and wish for peace. Organised by Peace For Iraq - Tararua, for more information contact Tanya tel (06) 374 7267.

*** MASTERTON

~ Every Sunday - Peace Vigil: silent meditation and prayers for world peace, from 5pm to 5-30pm at the Cenotaph, Masterton Park, until the invasion ends. Bring a cushion, candles and flowers if you wish. For more information contact Guusje tel (06) 379 5047

*** LOWER HUTT

~ SAT, 5 April - You can not bomb the world to peace! march and rally against the invasion of Iraq, gather 11am at the Melling Bridge end of the river bank car park, the march will proceed through central Lower Hutt down Queens Drive, to the US ambassador's residence and Town Hall, then to a rally in the park outside the Lower Hutt public library where there will be short speeches and music, including Brass Razoo. Organised by Hutt Peace Action and Peace Action Wellington, for more info tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:peacewellington@hotmail.com

*** WELLINGTON

~ FRI, 28 March - 'Whose war is it anyway?', a rare opportunity to hear Paul Oestreicher - Canon Emeritus and Director of the Centre for International Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral (retired); founding Chair of Amnesty International; Vice President, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; and a lifetime worker for peace and social justice - speaking about the new war on the people of Iraq. From 6pm to 7-30pm at St Andrews on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace. Organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa, in conjunction with St Andrews on the Terrace, for more info contact Peace Movement Aotearoa tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:pma@xtra.co.nz

~ FRI, 28 March to MON, 31 March - peace camp at the US embassy (Murphy Street side) to serve as a tangible reminder to the US government that New Zealanders do not support this illegal and unjustifiable war. The camp will provide a public space for people to come and share their anger, frustration and sadness as well as provide opportunities for education, discussion and debate about the war. From 6pm on Friday to 8-30am on Monday; includes a teach-in on Saturday from 2pm, with Ramon Das speaking about the immorality of war, and others. For more information please contact Peace Action Wellington tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:peacewellington@hotmail.com

~ SAT, 29 March - Justice and Peace in the Middle East information stall, 11-30am to 1pm every Saturday in Cuba Mall (usually near Trade Aid), look for the banners. For more info contact Peace Action Wellington tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:peacewellington@hotmail.com

~ SAT, 29 March - 'Who Wants Control Of Our Water Supply', with speakers Grant Brooks on The Threat From GATS, Con Devitt on The Joint Management Unit (Wellington and Hutt), Robert Reid on Alliance Policy on Water; followed by informal discussion and afternoon tea; from 2pm at Crossways, corner Brougham and Elizabeth Streets, Mount Victoria. Organised by Wellington People's Forum, for more info email mailto:jocelynb@actrix.co.nz

~ SAT, 29 March - War and Peace playback performance, Wellington Playback Theatre presents an evening exploring the theme 'war and peace'. Come and tell your stories, and see them spontaneously re-enacted with movement, music, sound and dialogue; from 8pm, Drama Christi Studio, 75 Taranaki St (next to Methodist Wesley Mission Church). $12 waged, $8 unwaged, $6 children. For enquiries, more information and bookings please contact Dee Gujah on (04) 383 7148 or email mailto:dzgujah@paradise.net.nz

~ MON, 31 March - Say NO to war! protest in support of the peace camp, 7-30am to 8-30am along the Murphy Street side of the US embassy; bring a banner, noisemakers, and long strips of crimson or red ribbons or streamers. For more information please contact Peace Movement Aotearoa, tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:pma@xtra.co.nz

~ WEDS, 2 April - Dying for some peace? join the 'die-in' outside the US embassy. "Our intent is to visually represent the Iraqi civilians who have thus-far been killed as a result of the US led invasion, and to publicly confront the US state that their actions continue to cause avoidable deaths. We will also be lighting candles, one for each of the civilian victims of the war, and the Rev. Michael Watson from St. Cuthbert's Church will be present to lead a brief funeral/ memorial service and reflection." This peace action has been initiated and organised by various Christian groups (from a variety of denominations) opposed to the war, but people of all faiths and beliefs will be welcome to participate. If you are able to participate please meet at 5pm at the Cenotaph where those who would like to can have wounds painted on; we will then move to the embassy as a group, to arrive around 5-30pm, and lie down in front of the embassy and 'die' for around twenty minutes. For more information (or if you wish to indicate your desire to participate) please tel (04) 3845458 or email mailto:just_mike@clear.net.nz

~ THURS, 3 April - vigil for peace, 5pm to 6pm at the Cenotaph, for more info contact Peace Movement Aotearoa, tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:pma@xtra.co.nz

~ SAT, 5 April - Justice and Peace in the Middle East information stall, 11-30am to 1pm every Saturday in Cuba Mall (usually near Trade Aid), look for the banners. For more info contact Peace Action Wellington tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:peacewellington@hotmail.com

~ THURS, 10 April - vigil for peace, 5pm to 6pm at the Cenotaph, for more info contact Peace Movement Aotearoa, tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:pma@xtra.co.nz

~ FRI, 11 April - 'The immorality and illegality of this war' - with Dr Ramon Das, Lecturer in Philosophy, Victoria University, and Merav Datan, International Lawyer and Principal Drafter of the Model Nuclear Weapons Convention - speaking about the invasion of Iraq. From 6pm to 7-30pm at St Andrews on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace. Organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa, in conjunction with St Andrews on the Terrace, for more info contact Peace Movement Aotearoa tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:pma@xtra.co.nz

~ Every week day - St Andrew's on The Terrace is offering a quiet space for anyone to participate in offering ecumenical peace vigil. Everyone is invited to share in a quiet meditative time, offering prayers for peace before going to work; from 8am to 8-30am, Monday - Friday. For more info contact email mailto:office@standrews.org.nz

~ Every Saturday - 'Behind the News' on Wellington Access Radio (783 AM), broadcast at 12-30pm, presented by Don Franks, Victoria Quade and Jim Delahunty. If you have something you'd like them to cover, or a comment on the programme, please contact Jim Delahunty tel (04)938 6943.

~ Every Sunday - Te Aro Heritage guided walks, courtesy of Campaign for a Better City, take place each Sunday for the foreseeable future. Meet at 1pm at the junction of Cuba Street and Tonks Avenue, opposite Arthur Street; entry by koha. Contact Karen MacIntyre tel (04) 973 5355 for more information or to volunteer your time.

~ Every Sunday, 'Peace Report' on Wellington Access Radio (783 AM), broadcast at 11-45am, brought to you by the Peace Council, funded by PADET. If you or your group wish to make a free programme to be broadcast in this slot, please contact Des Brough tel/fax (04) 388 3173.

*** MOTUEKA

~ Every Wednesday - Toot For Peace, from 4-30pm to 5-30pm, in front of Happy Apple Backpackers (east edge of town). Bring a sign and a friend, for more info contact Alison tel (03) 528 8864.

*** NELSON

~ SAT, 29 March - Peace in Streets: Bike Ride For Peace! join bike enthusiasts to take over the streets and convey messages of peace, dress and decorate your bike to express messages of peace and no more war; meet at 1pm at the Cathedral Steps, then from Steps bike down Trafalgar St, left at Halifax Street, right at Haven Rd and bike along the waterfront to the Beach. Bring your own water and refreshments, support crew available along route; loan bikes available; and if you don't bike, then join the support crew! For more info or to book a loan bike, contact Nelson Peace Group, tel Kate (03) 547 7344 or Anne (03) 539 0527 or email: mailto:shuttlebus_kate@hotmail.com

~ Every day - a candle lit vigil will be held at 5pm, on the Cathedral steps at the top of Trafalgar Street, each night until the war stops. For more info contact Briar Maaroufi email mailto:brelma@clear.net.nz or Anne email mailto:anne.f@clear.net.nz

~ Every Friday - Peace Talk on Fresh FM (99.4), at approx 7-20am with Matt Lawry and guest. For more info contact email mailto:anne.f@clear.net.nz

*** TAKAKA

~ Every Thursday - Peace vigil and handing out of 'Not in Our Name' pledges, from 4-30pm to 6pm at Village Green, bring placards. Organised by Golden Bay Peace Group and Golden Bay Quakers, for more information contact tel (03) 525 9576 or email mailto:helenk@paradise.net.nz

*** CHRISTCHURCH

~ SUN, 30 March - March and Rally Against the Invasion of Iraq - to put pressure on the New Zealand government to condemn the war and end their support of the United States' military. "This war is not about democracy or human rights, these are ridiculous claims, coming from an unelected US administration of people who were quite happy to destroy Iraq's civilian infrastructure in 1991. This war is about United States power. All world governments should stand with their people in condemning this war. If the political costs of continuing the war become higher than the gains to be made from it, the invaders can be forced to withdraw." Meet at 1-50pm at the Museum, and march to the Square for rally with speakers; please bring banners, drums, costumes, friends and family. Organised by Peace Action Network Otautahi, for more info contact tel (03) 981 2825 or email mailto:peaceactionotautahi@yahoo.co.nz

~ SUN, 30 March - Give Peace a Dance! after the peace march there will be the Massive sound system with open decks (a chance to play your records and CDs). "The idea is for the public to bring their favourite peace or protest song along and play it. This is something a bit different for people that would not like to publicly speak, but still want to voice their anti war messages." From 3pm in the Square, for more info contact Peace Action Network Otautahi, tel (03) 981 2825 or email mailto:peaceactionotautahi@yahoo.co.nz

~ MON, 31 March - The 'War on Terrorism' Lenten Series - Why does the 'War on Terrorism' seem to be un-winnable? What is 'terrorism' anyway? Is a' terrorist' merely a bearded man with a bomb strapped to his back? Where does the 'war on terrorism' need to be fought? Is 'terror' actually much closer to home? Do our economic, political and cultural systems disguise a kind of terror? with guest speakers: Walt Davis, formerly Professor of the Sociology of Religion and Director of Advanced Pastoral Studies, San Francisco Theological Seminary; Moana Cole, member of the Catholic Worker and Ploughshares movements, and Masters in Law student; Stephanie McIntyre, Social Justice Commissioner for the Anglican Church, Trustee of the Problem Gambling Foundation and Chair of the Coalition for Gambling Reform; and Rodney Routledge, Team Leader Family and Community Division of Anglican Care, Presbyterian Minister. Each Monday at 8pm, preceded by 6-45pm Eucharist, soup and rolls, at St Luke's in the City (Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia), corner Manchester and Kilmore Streets. For more info contact David Moore tel (03) 366 2253 email mailto:dj.moore@xtra.co.nz

~ SAT, 5 April - Future Faith: A symposium for imaginative explorers - to explore the social and political context of faith today, analyse the changing nature of institutional church, and seek theological thinking around faith relevant to contemporary society; with speakers David Thorns, Susan Jones and Kevin Ward; and facilitation by Rodney Routledge, Jenny Dawson and Graeme Nicholas. From 9am to 3-30pm, at St Mary's Church, Merivale. Please register by 23 March - $25 / $15 (includes lunch). Organised by College House Institute of Theology, tel (03) 355 9145, fax (03) 355 6140 or email mailto:admin@chit.ac.nz

~ Every day - people of faith and no faith are invited to join us for a half hour prayer service for peace, with prayers from Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities from around the world; 12 noon at St Marks Methodist Church in Somerfield (corner Barrington and Somerfield Streets). For more info contact tel (03) 332 5202 or email mailto:ChChSthMeth@xtra.co.nz

~ Every week day - Peace Sanctuary, all are welcome to pray for peace, be still and quiet, or light a candle, from 12 noon to 2pm, at St Luke's in the City, Anglican Church, corner Manchester and Kilmore Streets. For more info tel (03) 366 2253.

~ Every Friday - Christchurch Catholic Worker invite you to join their vigil at the US Air Force base at Harewood, flights from the base serve the vast US military/intelligence bases at Pine Gap and Nurrungar. Meet at 5pm, at the Airport Roundabout (where the totem pole is). For more info contact Christchurch Catholic Worker email mailto:mmc62@student.canterbury.ac.nz

~ Every Saturday - Peace vigil, 12-30pm to 1pm at the Chalice in the Square. For more info contact email mailto:heatherthrasher@hotmail.com or tel (03) 981 2825.

*** TIMARU

~ Every Friday - prayers for peace, 12 noon at the stone cross outside St Mary's Church, Church St. For more info please contact Nance Hammond tel (03) 684 4608 or email mailto:nancehammond@hotmail.com

*** DUNEDIN

~ SAT, 29 March - March Against the War! assemble at 12 noon in Museum Reserve, then march on the Octagon. Organised by Dunedin Coalition Against the War, for more info contact Brian tel (03) 472 7473 or email mailto:brian.roper@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

~ Every Tuesday - Students Against War meetings, 5pm at Clubs and Socs. For more info contact Katie email mailto:klt_grace@yahoo.com

~ Every Tuesday - Coalition Against War meetings, 5-30pm at Quaker Hall. For more info contact Fiona email mailto:fionabowker@hotmail.com

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