The Pacific Panthers and Auckland Peace Action are honouring the history of Parihaka by hosting a Peace Action conference at the Auckland Central Library on Parihaka Day on Saturday, November 5th.
The people of Parihaka, led by Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi, resisted military forces by way of peaceful protests in a continued struggle against colonialism. The conference intends to continue the conversation by educating about and discussing contemporary peaceful resistance.
The conference comes before the Week of Peace organised by APA to challenge the 16-17th November Weapons Expo to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and the converging of military vessels in Tāmaki Makaurau around the same time.
"From West Papua to Mauna Kea, from Tāmaki Makaurau to Rapanui, from Moruroa to Manus, we as Pacific peoples must continue to resist the militarisation of our Pacific homelands. We stand in solidarity with Auckland Peace Action in a spirit of peace and justice" says Te Ao Pritchard, Pacific Panther and Auckland Peace Action organiser.
The event’s speakers include filmmaker Paora Joseph, who produced Tatarakihi: The Children of Parihaka; noted academics Keala Kelly, Craig Santos-Perez, Teresia Teaiwa and Jane Kelsey; Muslim feminist Khayreyah Amani Wahaab and prison abolitionist Emilie Rākete. Marama Davidson will also be speaking about her recent experiences on the Women's Boat to Gaza.
Those attending the conference will also write a peace declaration in solidarity with the different movements of resistance that are occurring right now and articulating our commitments to peace and justice.
The conference will take place on Saturday November 5th at the Auckland City Library on Level 2, the Whare Wānanga which sits on Ngāti Whātua land. It will run from 10am to 3.30pm