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.

Eine weitere Frau wurde am Donnerstag Nachmittag (17.04.08) in Auckland wegen angeblicher Beteiligung an 'militär-ähnlichen Trainings-Camps' in der Bay of Plenty (zu der das Urewera-Gebiet gehört) verhaftet. Ihr werden mehrere Vergehen gegen das Waffengesetz vorgeworfen.

Damit erhöht sich die Zahl der Angeklagten auf 20 (16 wurden am 15. Oktober 07 verhaftet, 3 am 19. Februar und eine am 17. April). Ein weiterer, am 15. Oktober verhafteter Mann wurde bereits abgeurteilt.

Beim heutigen (18. April 08) Termin vor dem Bezirksgericht in Auckland, bei dem die Angeklagten nur durch ihre AnwätlInnen vertreten waren, wurden mehrere Sachen verhandelt.

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

Neuseelands Ureinwohner haben einen schweren Stand in der Politik

Von Peter Steiner, Wellington

Die Parlamentswahlen 2008 in Neuseeland werfen ihre Schatten voraus. Am 12. April findet in der neuseeländischen Hauptstadt Wellington der Wahlkongress der regierenden Labour statt. Innerhalb des Veranstaltungsgebäudes kann Premierministerin Helen Clark Beifall von den Delegierten erwarten, außerhalb nicht. Dort hat die Gruppe »October 15th Solidarity« zu Protesten wegen der Regierungspolitik gegenüber den Maori aufgerufen.