Much of the praise for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic聽is justified, writes Bronwen Beechey. However,聽New Zealand's existing inequalities remain, and have potentially聽deepened聽during the pandemic.
Bronwen Beechey
Teachers around Aotearoa New Zealand held a historic one-day strike on May 29 with both primary and secondary teachers joining together in a 鈥渕ega-strike鈥 to demand pay rises, parity between primary and secondary teachers, staffing increases and more time for preparation and out-of-classroom activities.
Continuing New Zealand鈥檚 proud history of protests at sea, attempts by Texan oil giant Andarko to start deep-sea oil drilling are being blocked by a tiny sailing boat.
Thousands came out to NZ's west coast beaches on November 23 to support the Oil Free Flotilla in its stand against Anadarko. More than 1000 gathered for the main event at West Auckland's iconic Piha beach, carrying colourful home-made banners with messages such as "We love our beaches", "No drill, no spill" and "Anadarko go home".
A national day of action against rape drew thousands of protesters onto the streets across New Zealand on November 16. Outrage continues to grow at revelations police were aware of an Auckland 鈥渞ape gang鈥, which posted videos boasting of their exploits on social media, for at least two years, but did nothing.
International Women聮s Day (IWD) 聴 March 8 聴 was marked by marches protesting the recent acquittal of former assistant police commissioner Clint Rickards and two other former police officers on charges of rape.
Provisional results from New Zealand's September 17 parliamentary election suggest that the Labour government of Prime Minister Helen Clark has narrowly won a third term in office.
As the Tongan civil service strike entered its sixth week, New Zealand trade unionists, the expatriate Tongan community, social justice activists and church groups are organising support and solidarity.
ADELAIDE 鈥 Three people were arrested on March 3 during a peaceful protest at the Beverley uranium mine in the far north of South Australia.