OPERATION 8 - Trailer

On October 15, 2007 activists around New Zealand woke to guns in their faces. Black-clad police smashed down doors, dragging families out onto roads and detaining some without food or water. In the village of Ruatoki, helicopters hovered while locals were stopped at roadblocks. Operation 8 involved 18 months of invasive surveillance of Maori sovereignty and peace activists accused of attending terrorist training camps in the Urewera ranges -- homeland of the Tuhoe people. Operation 8 asks why and how the raids took place. How did the War on Terror become a global witch-hunt of political dissenters reaching even to the South Pacific?

Screening soon at The World Cinema Showcase

The Day the Raids Came

Stories of survival and resistance to the state terror raids

 

On October 15th, 2007 an estimated 300 police raided houses all over Aotearoa New Zealand and arrested people based on warrants issued under the Terrorism Suppression Act. Lives were turned upside down as the police searched for evidence of ‘terrorism.’ This book is a collection of oral history interviews of people affected by those raids and the aftermath: defendants, friends, family, supporters and other people subject to the state’s coercive powers on that day.

The case is the first ever attempted use of the Terrorism Suppression Act, a piece of legislation enacted in response to the 9/11 events in New York and Washington DC. The terrorism charges were not brought, but the people arrested continue to face a long journey to freedom as the state seeks to punish political activists and to reinforce the status quo. http://www.rebelpress.org.nz/publications/day-raids-came

 http://www.october15thsolidarity.info/

 

Tainui supports privately managed prisons

What a bunch of Maori $ellouts. Serco are serial human rights abusers.  Clearly Tuku has no scruples or ethics going into business with dogs like Serco. This is NOT a gain for Maori, this is a money making opportunity for Serco & Tainui Inc. It ushers in the expansion of the prison industrial complex in Aotearoa.

Is it to much to ask Maori commentators & the Maori media need to stop being so sycophantic and start asking some hard questions and start giving some rigorous analysis like . I dont recall one article from a Maori journalist questioning the corporate iwi support for the privitisation of prisons, when the excesses and human rights abuses of the transnationals the want to go into joint partnership with is easy to find.

See Also :

SERCO Sharples Corporate Kupapa

As more and more Western governments use the services of Serco – the British multinational with an unhealthy hold on prisons and detention centres – it’s worth remembering the gross human rights abuses under its watch   http://antonyloewenstein.com/tag/serco/  

 Serco Rap Sheet:

• Serco staff bullied & inappropriately used excessive violence to restrain a mentally ill 14yo boy, lead to his suicide -- the youngest UK death in custody, in a Serco-run detention... facility

• Serco staff refused to address pleas for medical assistance of a meningitis-affected prisoner for four days, dismissing it saying he was “at it” again and “he was probably suffering from the flu and was only looking for tablets”, despite knowing the potential consequences of this in light of his medical history (he had previously slipped into a coma previously from the illness prior to his prison term). Guards told him to take Panadol, their inaction and stalling resulted in his death. He had previously lodged a complaint about his lack of access to medical care for his condition in the Serco centre

• Kilmarnock, the only privatised prison run by Serco in Scotland, has a higher than the national average number of deaths in custody

• High levels of self-harm & suicide in Serco-run centres. Australia’s detention facilities have seen a fourfold increase in self-harm rates in the past year, coinciding with the awarding of Serco’s contract to run Australia’s facilities. Self-harm behaviour has “spread among adolescents” according to Dr. Louise Newman, head of the Detention Health Advisory Group

• People in Serco facilities in the UK are sleeping in toilets to deal with overcrowding, with a “worrying” deterioration in access to GPs and health care and increases in violence and self-harm, following an unannounced visit by independent UK chief inspector of prisons, Anne Owers

• ‘Squalid’ conditions with ‘institutional meanness’ with Serco denying detainees pillows and toilet seats – Owers

• Suicide attempt and subsequent death of asylum seeker detained at Serco-run UK Colbrook Immigration Reception Centre. This followed obfuscation from Serco staff & the denial of help for his ongoing mental illness, including the removal of his anti-depressants upon his arrival in detention during a high at risk time for his mental stability

• Similarities between desperate protests in Serco-run immigration centres and prisons in UK and Australia. In the past six months in Australia, we have seen recurring hunger strikes at Darwin and Villawood IDC, public protests involving self-harm at Villawood, and regular breakouts at Darwin IDC.

• A death in custody at Serco-run Curtin IDC due to unspecified ‘health condition’ after being found unconscious, unofficially reported to be a heart attack from a congenital past condition. This raises questions as to the provision of health care at Curtin – if staff were aware of his apparent condition, what measures were taken to prevent an incident like this occurring? If they were taken, why did they not prevent his death?

• The suicide of detainee at Villawood IDC followed Serco staff dismissing attempts from refugee advocates becoming involved in dissuading the detainee from the roof. This included a Serco staff member hanging up on a phone call from a concerned friend. The detainee jumped to his death a short time later. Following his death, Serco staff cancelled a previously planned memorial service for the deceased by detainees at midnight the morning of the service. No reason was given for this.

• The next day, a group of asylum seekers took to the roof while a hunger strike continued inside Villawood. After they publicly self-harmed and were denied water and food until their return to the ground a day and a half later, a second group of detainees took to the roof. A member of this group also self-harmed, slipping into unconsciousness. Following their return to the ground, their advocate has said Serco staff have punished their protest with separation detention.

• Allegations of sexual abuse of children at Serco-run Leonora Alternative Place of Detention, with Serco staff unable to prevent the alleged abuse occurring.

• Disturbing sexualisation of children in UK Serco immigration detention centres: “One parent spontaneously complained that he had found his daughter in the [UK Yarl’s Wood Immigration Detention] centre without any clothes on. His child explained that she had been encouraged to undress and play “sex games” instigated by another detained child. This father felt that there was inadequate supervision of the children within the center and after this incident he no longer allowed his children to play with the other children. Another mother spontaneously commented on the sexualized behavior of children within the center.”

• Illness outbreaks of viruses and skin-based diseases affecting children in overcrowded UK Serco immigration detention centres

• Serco combines violent prisoner populations with asylum seekers, resulting in “dangerous” environments (Owers) at UK immigration detention centres

• Violent force from Serco staff ‘high’ (Owers) at UK’s Colnbrook IDC

• Serco use separation detention for long periods to manage difficult detainees in UK immigration detention, including separating mothers from children

• Quality and quantity for meaningful education and training for detainees ‘insufficient’ (Owers) for long periods in UK immigration detention facilities

• Excessive control & violent restraints used by Serco staff at UK Yarl’s Wood IDC on women and children. Generally aggressive and rude temperament of staff disrespectful of detainee human dignity

• Yarl’s Wood IDC women detainees have taken Serco to the High Court in March 2010, questioning their inhumane treatment from guards. Some have stripped naked to protest “being treated like animals”

• On 8 February 2010, their peaceful protest was met by attacks from Serco staff and forced confinement in a locked corridor without access to water, food or medication

• Detainee allegations of ongoing racist abuse from Serco staff in UK IDCs

• Requests for medical assistance and welfare of children ignored, denied and/or substantially delayed by Serco staff at Yarl’s Wood IDC

• Meetings between government agencies and Serco to consider the implications for women and children’s welfare of prolonged detention focused on public relations management and potential counter-legal concerns, instead of ongoing independent accountability for detainee health and dignity

• Serco continues to refuse to be interviewed on its activities in running Australia’s immigration detention facilities. Why?

References:

A. Owers, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons, ‘COLNBROOK IMMIGRATION REMOVAL CENTRE – SIGNIFICANTLY LESS SAFE’, Press Release, November 2007, <http://www.justice.gov.uk/inspectorates/hmi-prisons/docs/colnbrook_pn-rps.pdf>

M. Wainwright, ‘Report into death of boy, 14, calls for reform of youth custody’, The Guardian, September 3, 2007, <http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/sep/03/ukcrime.prisonsandprobation/print>.

Associated Press, “New inquest ordered into teenage boy's death in custody”, The Guardian, 22 January 2009, <http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jan/22/youngpeople-deathsincustody/print>.

A. Lorek, K. Ehntholt, A. Nesbitt, E. Wey, C. Githinji, E. Rossor, R. Wickramasinghe, ‘The mental and physical health difficulties of children held within a British immigration detention center: A pilot study’, Child Abuse and Neglect, vol. 33, 2009, pp. 573-585 <http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/resources/documents/Campaigns/19432_full.pdf>

K. Smith, “Inmate’s pleas for aid overlooked four days before death”, The Sunday Herald (Scotland), July 20, 2008, <http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2403695.0.inmates_pleas_for_aid_overlooked_four_days_before_death.php>S. Gaines, “Inmates sleep in toilets at overcrowded prison”, Sunday Guardian, July 22, 2008, <http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jul/22/doncaster.prison/print>Institute of Race Relations, “Kenny Peter's inquest points to asylum failures”, 5 October 2006, <http://www.irr.org.uk/2006/october/ha000013.html>E. Dugan, ‘Mothers detained in immigration centre hold 'naked' protest’, The Telegraph, April 11, 2008, <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mothers-detained-in-immigration-centre-hold-naked-protest-807802.html>Y. Narushima, ‘Self-harm rates increase fourfold’, The Age, October 4, 2010, <http://www.theage.com.au/national/selfharm-rates-increase-fourfold-20101003-162r8.html>L. Marshall, ‘Detained refugee dies in Perth hospital’, 31 August 2010, Independent Media Centre Australia, <http://indymedia.org.au/2010/08/31/detainee-dies-at-curtin-detention-centre>

Te Whanau Apanui Tukino! Stop deep-sea oil drilling

"This is a hugely important protest. It draws the links between the Crown Minerals Act, the Resource Management Act and the new Takutai Moana Act to show how devastating the confiscation of rights for Maori is by virtue of the Maori Party sell out."

Tukino! Stop deep-sea oil drilling

Flotilla gathers for Petrobras protest

Te Whanau a Apanui has put out the call for a water-borne protest against Brazilian oil giant Petrobras's plans to prospect in the Raukumara basin.

Spokesperson Dayle Takitimu says vessels with links to the Nuclear Free Flotilla, Greenpeace, Forest and Bird, and Coromandel Watchdog are expected to be part of a flotilla leaving Auckland for Cape Runaway on Sunday in the hope of encountering Petrobras survey boats.

She says unlike some other iwi, Te Whanau a Apanui isn't interested in deals with miners.

“It's not about the money or greater ability to invest or joint venture with these companies. Whanau a Apanui just don’t want this activity occurring on our back doorstep when there is so much risk involved,” Ms Takitimu says.

She says all New Zealand is under-threat if there is an oil spill from the drilling.

Flotilla heeds iwi’s call to stop deep sea oil

Friday, 25 March 2011, 2:20 pm
Press Release: Greenpeace New Zealand

Flotilla heeds iwi’s call to stop deep sea oil

Auckland, 23 March 2011: In response to a call to oppose deep sea oil drilling from East Cape iwi Te Whanau a Apanui, a flotilla of ships is to set sail from Auckland, for the East Cape, this Sunday.
Te Whanau a Apanui today redoubled their call for nation wide support in their opposition to deep sea oil exploration and drilling in the Raukumara Basin, East of their tribal lands off the spectacular East Cape of the North Island of New Zealand.

A number of groups have already committed to support the cause, including the Nuclear Free Flotilla, who intend to sail from Auckland this Sunday in protest.

Along with the Flotilla members, Greenpeace, Forest and Bird, anti-mining group Coromandel Watchdog, The Coal Action Network (CAN) and climate action group 350 Aotearoa have all promised their support. All are united in opposition to the Government’s current sell off of rights to drill for deep sea oil around New Zealand’s coast.

Te Whanau a Apanui spokeswoman Dayle Takitimu called on the whole country to support their stand, at a time when seismic surveying by Brazilian oil giant Petrobras is expected to begin off the Cape.
“We are resolute in our defence of our ancestral lands and waters from the destructive practice of deep sea oil drilling. This is an issue for all peoples of New Zealand and we call on those who support our opposition to stand with us in defence of what we all treasure,” she says.

As cheap, easily accessible oil supplies run out, the oil industry is opening up new frontiers in its global search for oil reserves. This includes the Arctic, and the areas of seabed the Government is selling off around New Zealand.

As BP’s Gulf of Mexico spill shows, deep sea oil drilling brings with it the very real risk of disaster. The Deepwater Horizon was working in 1500 metres of water. But depths in the Raukumara Basin, where Petrobras will be working, go as deep as 3000 metres.

“No one wants to see oil washing up on our beaches. A drastic spill would cost the New Zealand economy billions, and do enormous damage to our tourism and fishing industries, and our international reputation,” says Greenpeace Climate spokesman Steve Abel.

Daniel Mares, from the Nuclear-Free Flotilla, says: “Climate change, driven by fossil fuels like oil, is comparable to the nuclear threat in terms of its potential to drastically harm the quality and viability of life on Earth.”

Kevin Hackwell, from Forest & Bird, says: “We are very concerned at the potential damage to our marine wildlife of a Gulf of Mexico type oil spill, and this risk is all the more likely given that we do not have a robust regulatory framework around deep sea oil exploration and drilling.”

Aaron Packard of 350 Aotearoa commented that: “350 Aotearoa is clear that reducing emissions that result from fossil fuels, will not happen by drilling up more fossil fuels. Our continued ignoring of this will mean that the positive legacy we wish to leave will not be possible, and that our accruing carbon debt will continue to be passed onto our youngest citizens, and those yet to come."

The Government’s push to open up New Zealand to foreign oil companies was announced under the ‘Petroleum Action Plan’ in 2010, as part of a package of fossil fuel-based economic strategies that included removing ‘Schedule 4’ protection to parts of the conservation estate. Opposition to this culminated in a massive public demonstration in Auckland in May 2010, after which those plans were dropped.

A public send-off event will be held on the western side of Princes Wharf, downtown Auckland, to farewell the Stop Deep Sea Oil Flotilla on its journey to Cape Runaway (East Cape), on Sunday March 27, at 12.30 pm. Well wishers are invited to turn out in boats, or on foot, to support the send off at that time. All groups will meet at Cape Runaway on April the 2nd.

The public can also help ‘stop deep sea oil’ by going to: www.stopdeepseaoil.org.nz

Youth declaration a promise to fight on for the Takutai Moana

We object to the Political Party named “The Maori Party” within the New Zealand Government, voting in support of the legislation named “The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutaimoana) Bill.

This legislation violates and breaches Maori Rights embedded in the treaty named “Te Tiriti O Waitangi” and the Declaration named “He Whakaputanga o nga Rangatira o Niu Tireni”.

We also object to the Maori Party,s continuation of support to this legislation.

Therefore,we would like to state Maori Party’s vote of support for the Marine and Coastal Area Bill DOES NOT represent our support or tautoko.

We request that the Political Party named the Maori Party cease immediately their continuation of support of the “Marine and Coastal Area(Takutaimoana) Bill, as it continues to violate and breach “Te Tiriti O Waitangi”.

For the asaid reasons given above

We request that Assent is NOT GIVEN to the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutaimoana) Bill by the Governor General of New Zealand.

Petition Here

Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill - Third Reading - Part 13

Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill - Third Reading - Part 5

The Tall Man killed Mulrunji for a Song

Lake Tyers Mission - Blockade Benefit

 

Friday 25th March  at 7:30pm

Sahara Nights

124 Lygon St (near Glenlyon Rd)

 

Lake Tyers Aboriginal Mission is being TAKEN BACK by the people. No more government steamrolling. No more being dictated to by bureaucrats. No more racism.

This is a benefit for the struggle. Some of the women from the blockade will be in town and can fill you in on the situation on the ground. Won't read about it in the newspaper!

Sahara Nights is a beautiful, chill Egyptian restaurant with awesome food, a great sound system, and a stupidly large collection of shishas (hookahs). Up the top of Lygon St, near Glenlyon Road.

Come one, come all.


Musicians (so far...)

Justin Love - reggae/soul
Jake Hapeta from Kia Kaha
Zessie Lloyd
DJ Dustyn Tonks
DJ Pyro (Jeff Pyrotek)

What's going on:
19:30 - Dinner, Shishas, info and mingle
21:30 - Speakers from the Blockade
22:00 - Music starts
23:30 - Let's boogie
01:00 - Get outta here already!

Entry = $10. Includes first drink at the bar. 

 

 Brought 2 U by Lake Tyres Solidarity

Ka pu te ruha ka hao te rangatahi !

 








pics thanks 2 tillnet

Ko nga rangatahi nga rangatira mo apopo

 

And our Rangatahi are those that lay down the instruments of theft... The New Zealand Flag, The Maori Party Flag, the Takutaimoana Act, the Marine and Coastal Area Bill. These Rangatahi have been on the march since it left Te Hapua. They have my greatest respect.  Annette Sykes

Dr Rawiri Taonui talks about the Taku Tai Moana Bill

‎"This is a modern day confiscation"

Kaipara and Auckland elders demand Maori Party return taonga

Gas 'fracking' alarm sounded

CAMERON BURNELL/Taranaki Daily News

 

NOT IN OUR BACKYARD: Environmental activists and Climate Justice Taranaki organisers Emily Bailey and Urs Signer on farmland in coastal Taranaki which they believe is being surveyed for gas and oil exploration.

 

Taranaki climate change activists are calling for residents to stand up against the region's growing oil and gas industry.

Parihaka residents Emily Bailey and Urs Signer have organised a public meeting in Okato tonight to discuss the issue.

The pair are part of the group Climate Justice Taranaki, which is concerned about the effect a new drilling technique called "fracking" is having on waterways and farmland.

An American documentary has suggested fracking involves injecting millions of gallons of water and sand, and hundreds of proprietary chemicals under high pressure into a well to allow gas to flow more freely.

Mr Signer said a survey company contracted by Todd Energy had started seismic surveying in recent weeks along the coast between Okato and Rahotu.

The Taranaki Daily News sought comment from Todd Energy on the issue but the firm had not responded last night.

"With 30 new oil and gas exploration permits for Taranaki, Maritime NZ says we now live in the most likely place for a major oil spill in NZ, threatening wildlife, kaimoana and our own beaches," Ms Bailey said.

She said some landowners were stopping the survey by blocking access to their land, and that the group hoped the meeting would encourage more people to do so.

"If we can stop the surveying now they may struggle to get drilling permits and we can stop the rigs being put up around us."

There were contradictory accounts from workers and the Government about what depths were being drilled at, she said.

"We're worried the oil companies are not releasing all the information about what chemicals they use, as well."

Mr Signer said that in the United States most of the research about the effects of the gas industry had been done by the companies themselves, and there seemed to have been little analysis completed in New Zealand.

"Most of what the Taranaki Regional Council has looked at is what is coming out, such as the drilling waste, but we're concerned with the chemicals that are going in with fracking. There's a mix of about 600 chemicals," he said.

He believes gas companies should give more information about what they are doing and what research they have completed.

The Climate Justice Taranaki public meeting is tonight at Hempton Hall in Okato at 7pm

Source

Blockade continues over Aboriginal land dispute

George Galloway on Wests Libya intervention

Hikoi 2011 update

Sunday 19 March 2011

8.30 am Depart Waipatu Marae, march to Hastings Library

11.00 am Arrive Papaioea, Palmerston North

4.30 pm Depart for Motuiti Marae, SH1, Foxton

...5.00 pm Arrive Foxton

 

Complaint regarding police brutality shut without notice

Action Alert Demo Called By Traditional Owners Victoria

THE GREATEST ATTACK ON TRADITIONAL OWNERS RIGHTS WILL BE DONE BY THE 

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT ON MONDAY 9.00AM 21 MARCH 2011 THE FEDERAL COURT

DIRECTIONS HEARING FOR ALL NATIVE TITLE CLAIMS HEARING WILLIAM/LATROBE 

STREET CBD MELBOURNE. BLACK PEOPLE GETTING SCREWD AGAIN.

..SPREAD THE WORD, DEMO OUT THE FRONT...8.30AM

Takutai Moana Bill Hikoi In Tauranga (17-03-11)

Hikoi opposing Takutai Moana Bill will continue no matter what!

Hikoi Schedule for tomorrow: FRIDAY 18th MARCH

Hikoi Schedule for tomorrow: FRIDAY 18th MARCH

9.30 am arrive at Whakaue ki Maketu marae, Maketu rd, Maketu

10.45 am Depart for Rotorua CBD

11.30 am arrive carpark Rotorua central mall Amohau st

...12.00 noon Commence Hikoi

2.30 pm Depart for marae (TBC)

7.00pm Wananga 

contact Dorothy Raroa : 021 243 2174

2011 Hikoi Opposing Marine and Coastal Bill

14 of March 2011, a Hikoi Started fropm Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) to oppose the Marine and Coastal (Takutai Moana) Bill.


a Link to the legislation

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2010/0201/latest/DLM3213131.html
Lead with the whakaro to do what is right, the Hikoi will reach Parliaments Door in the coming week.

Hikoi opposing Takutai Moana Bill begins in Cape Reinga

MARCH TOWARDS TRUTH AND JUSTICE OPPOSE the Marine and Coastal Area Bill

The NZ Government is making changes to the Foreshore and Seabed Act and renamed it the new Marine and Coastal Area Bill.

1. What is the Marine and Coastal Area Bill?

Basically it’s about our beaches, our ocean and our seas.

The place where we enjoy and spend time with our friends and family.
The place we teach our children how to swim or build their first sandcastle.  
The place we enjoy a game of cricket or simply just throwing a rugby ball around.
The place we gather seafood for family or community occasions
The place we say I do as we celebrate our love for each other
The place we admire the sea views of nature’s beauty
The place we walk, we jog with our dogs, we skate, we run and scroll baby in pram along the seaside footpath feeling the sea breeze as we go about our daily lives.

1. Who created this Marine and Coastal Area Bill?

This Bill is created by NZ Government for NZ Government, always creating laws for their own needs and not the needs of our nation and people who live and visit our beautiful country.

1. Why the Government wants to make this Bill legal is...?

Simply MONEY, that’s the NZ Governments number one focus, MONEY.
Money cannot bring back our love ones
Money cannot buy us happiness
Money cannot build our nation
Money cannot provide us sea life resources

1. What the NZ Government intend to use this Bill for?    

• To mine on our beautiful beaches, simply means to dig out all our natural resources out of our ocean.
• To oil drill in our harbours, simply means more pollution and no more fish.
• To privatise our shorelines and sell it off to overstate buyers, simply means no public access to our beaches.       

1. What are the dangers of this Bill?

Death road for Maori Party and all Parties who support this Bill.

The NZ Government want to make this Bill legal in the next couple of days, so I am going to MARCH AGAINST THIS BILL, starting 6am from Cape Reinga 14th Monday March 2011, going through to Wellington arriving at Parliament Buildings in due time. If you have great love for our ocean, our environment, our country, our people, our future, you are most welcome to join me on this journey as we March together TO OPPOSE THIS MARINE AND COASTAL AREA BILL
  
If you want to know more on this issue or want to know where we will be in the next couple of days, you can txt me directly on my phone 0211778111

‘Bring your shoes, placards, banners, flags and most of all your love and support’

COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU!

NIPS urges withdrawal of US patent application

President of the Network of the Indigenous Peoples-Solomons (NIPS) Mr Donald Marahare has urged the Solomon Islands Government to demand the withdrawal of a patent application in the US involving genetic samples collected from indigenous Solomon Islanders.

The genetic samples were collected by a Taiwanese researcher, Dr. Ying-chin Ko of Kaohsiung Medical University in September 2006. Dr. Ko and three colleagues filed the patent application in the US on June 10 2010.

Mr. Marahare says he believes the individuals who supplied the samples are not aware of the patent application and would have not consented to taking part had they known the research would be used in this way.

The samples from 192 Solomon Islanders used in Dr. Ko’s US patent application 20100248253 entitled "Method and Kit for Assessing Risk of Gout and Hyperuricemia," were collected at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara and two clinics in rural Guadalcanal province.
Mr Marahare adds that his organization strongly condemns such a deceitful act by Dr. Ko who has utilized the Taiwan-Solomon Islands diplomatic relationship for his personal gain and strongly recommends the Solomon Islands Government commence formalities to demand the immediate return of the samples.

The President of NIPS acknowledges his organization’s link with Mark Munsterhjelm of the University of Windsor in Canada, Neth Dano of the ETC Group in Philipines and Fiu Elisara of Samoa who alerted the NIPS about Dr. Ko’s application.

“Had we not been informed by Mr Munsterhjelm, Solomon Islands would not have the slightest idea of this application” said Mr. Marahare, who also demanded that, “such practice where Indigenous Solomon Islanders are used for commercial interests without obtaining their free, prior and full informed consent must be stopped.”

The Solomon Islands Research and Ethical Committee of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services earlier this week, has also strongly demanded Dr. Ko’s application be refused or quashed.
Meanwhile, a prominent Honiara lawyer requesting anonymity has called on the Solomon Islands Government to be ready to do more than simply requesting the US Patent and Trademark Office “quash or refuse” the patent application filed by Dr. Ko.

He said, “The government must be ready to bring about legal proceedings in the US to restrain relevant authorities from granting the patent. They have to back up requests with legal proceedings as requests is not enough.”

The Network of the Indigenous Peoples-Solomons (NIPS) is currently working to raise awareness and is demanding the immediate return of the samples taken by Dr. Ko back to Solomon Islands and to have the US Patent and Trademark Office disqualify this patent application.

Blockade on Road to Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust WILL CONTINUE

PRESS RELEASE – FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2011

Blockade on Road to Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust WILL CONTINUE The BLOCKADE AT THE ENTRANCE OF LAKE TYERS ABORIGINAL TRUST TO STOP MANAGERS AND GOVERNMENT FROM ENTERING ABORIGINAL LAND WILL CONTINUE until our right to manage our own affairs and control our own destiny is recognized according to the UN Declaration on Indigenous peoples


On Tuesday evening Lake Tyers residents and shareholders met with representatives of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria. They requested that the management and workers be allowed to come back to work or they would stop the funding.

We feel that we are being put down and threatened. We have no rights and want to exercise our right of self-determination according to the UN Declaration on Indigenous People which will enable us to control and own lives and destiny. Our elders fought for the land so that Aboriginal people at Lake Tyers could live without government control of our lives and live with dignity and respect.


Government whose policies on us have once again failed and are AGAIN dictating us. We the shareholders, residents and supporters of the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust request the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, the Honorable Jeanette Powell to STOP the control by the state government by removing the Administrator and handing control of our own affairs back to us. The interim committee will be reinstated to negotiate on our behalf to resolve this situation.

Contact: (E) latessa2006@yahoo.com

My Blood My People

"My Blood My People" - Produced By Jason De Santolo, Directed by Martin Adams, Filmed By Murray Lui. Staring Maupower, Eastern Island Dancers : Joseph Passi, Richard Passi, Anthony Drummond, Western Island Dancers : Damien Fujii, Nasali Tamoy, Sergio Ahmat, Tanu Nona, cultural ambassardor : Gabriel Bani

Kaipara community and Iwi team up to oppose turbines in Kaipara

Pacific should not be used as a testing ground

Tuesday, 1 March 2011, 2:36 pm

Press Release: Pacific Network on Globalisation

Pacific should not be used as a testing ground

1 March 2011

Two campaign organizations, based in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, have joined forces to denounce plans for the Pacific to be used as the testing ground for deep-sea mining. ACT NOW! and the Pacific Network on Globalization say the Pacific region has already suffered the negative social and environmental impacts of industrial mining on land and should not take further risks with the marine environment. “Rather than allowing ourselves to be the testing ground for
multinational companies and foreign governments,

Pacific countries should focus on new approaches to our own development that are consistent with our lifestyle, history and social and political realities”, says Effrey Dademo, Program Manager with ACT NOW!

Nautilus Minerals has already been granted a license by the PNG government to develop the worldʼs first deep-sea mine and the European Union has announced plans to help 15 Pacific island countries to develop laws and policies to
facilitate such operations across the region. Maureen Penjueli, coordinator for PANG, says Pacific island countries do not have the resources, capacity or experience to effectively manage and monitor large resource projects and
government should focus on supporting their own people rather than large corporate interests.

“We have had an alternative development model forced upon on us by outsiders but it is clear that model is not working for us and, indeed, is failing in the West as well. We, as Pacific people, need to find our own voice and return to a focus on our own strengths and knowledge base.”

“Deep-sea mining is likely to be another catastrophic failure for the region and
we don’t need it.”