October 15th Solidarity

Five days have been put aside in September for the solicitor-general's case against Dominion Post editor Tim Pankhurst and Fairfax New Zealand. David Collins is taking contempt proceedings against them for publishing 'Operation 8' conversations secretly recorded by police over their two year investigation. The court hearing start on 15th September 2008 in Wellington. This decision was announced by Justice Randerson in the Supreme Court.

Tame Iti’s lawyer Annette Sykes announced that they have successfully secured Tame’s passport so that he can travel overseas. Tame is due to appear in a production of TEMPEST II in Italy and may travel to other European cities and Japan to do further performances. This is a major victory for the case as Tame can now continue his work in educating people worldwide about the struggle of Tuhoe.

About the performance: TEMPEST II is the second chapter of the performance series Tempest.

A Tūhoe activist appeared in the Porirua District Court on charges relating the Tūhoe Hikoi to Wellington in November last year. He faces 3 charges of dangerous driving and one charge for failing to stop after seeing a red and blue light (ie. a police car). The maximum penalty carries several years in prison. This was his first court appearance today and he was accompanied by a large group of supporters. After a karakia by one of his supporters, he was remanded until 30th May and his only bail condition includes a residential bail address.

Legal update – 18 April

Lawyers for the accused appeared in the Auckland District Court today and a number of matters were argued. First, another pre-deposition hearing has been scheduled for 19 May. The accused have been excused from this appearance. On this date, the defence will be seeking to establish if the Crown has fully responded to the application for further particulars – a legal term in which to have the Crown enunciate the precise nature of the arms possession charges.

A woman was arrested on Thursday (17th April 08) afternoon in Auckland and charged under the Arms Act for alleged participation in 'paramilitary-style training camps' in the Bay of Plenty. She is facing several charges. The woman has been bailed and will appear in the Auckland District Court on 18th April. We are unsure whether she has been granted name suppression, so we will not reveal her name.

The Labour Party and its cabal of ministers including Cullen, Maharey, King, Laban, Goff and Horomia were humiliated at a protest today outside of their election year congress by people holding them responsible for a range of issues. Helen Clark’s speech was interrupted and ministers were forced outside when a fire alarm went off at approximately 2:20pm. Cullen sought refugee behind his mummy as he walked outside, but that didn’t stop him being confronted by people who had been arrested on October 15th.

The following interview was conducted via email between Spanish anarchist website Alasbarricadas.org and Omar, an Aotearoa Anarchist of New Zealand who is involved in Indymedia Aotearoa and the Auckland Anarchist Collective.

ALB - We'd like to know at first, if there is something we could take as an "anarchist movement" in New Zealand. Which is its nature? I mean, is it a popular movement, class struggle, community, counter cultural... ?

Upcoming Events

• Christchurch benefit gig for Operation 8 arrestees | 8:30pm | Thursday 10th April | Al's Bar - 31 Dundas St (off Colombo St)
• Crash the Labour Party's Party - Protest against the Labour Party Congress in Wellington | Saturday - 12 April | 12noon | meet at Te Aro Park (between Dixon St and Manners St)
• Reclain the Streets party! | Musicians, DJs, Food not Bombs, Fire and Fun | Upper Abe

The Labour Party is due to hold its election year conference in Wellington on the weekend of April 11-13. This conference will be the staging ground for protests and demonstrations opposing Operation 8.