Signed by Awhi Ngā Mātua, IHC,  Disabled Persons Assembly NZ Inc, Parent to Parent, Disability Connect, Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, NZEI Te Riu Roa, Parents of Vision Impaired PVINZ, iFUNZ, NATINA Neuroscience And Trauma Informed Network Aotearoa, ASD Dads NZ, VIPS Equity in Education, Flying Kites, Empower Learning Project, Inclusive Performance Academy, Fragile X New Zealand, NZ Disability Advisory Trust Inc, United Community Action Network (UCAN),  Te Aka Tauira - Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association, Auckland Action Against Poverty, United Community Action Network, Project Gender, ActionStation, The Angelman Network, Fairer Future Collaboration,  Aotearoa Liberation League, Little Shadow, Te Kura o Hāpuku, System Change Aotearoa, NZ Disability Advisory Trust Inc., Supporting Diversity, Whakaata Tohu Tohu | Mirror Services, Justice and Peace Commission Catholic Diocese of Auckland, Standards and Monitoring Services, Chrome Collective Charitable Trust, Willow Corner, Kahu Hurihia Durie Family Trust, Barbarian Productions Ltd., Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition,Lead Aware NZ.  

This petition does not argue “for” or “against” genetic modification, mRNA medicine or the Gene Technology Bill itself. Our concern is that everyone—farmers, families, scientists, and everyday citizens—deserves adequate time to assess how this Bill could: • Reshape our agriculture industry and threaten the 100% Pure reputation upon which our exports rely. • Allow more glyphosate in “Round-up ready” GM crops, negatively impacting our waterways, honey bees, and animal products. • Introduce “emergency” genetic therapies without thorough public scrutiny, raising questions about medical autonomy and national sovereignty. IF THIS BILL IS TRULY BENEFICIAL • It will still be beneficial after 90 days of additional fair public debate. • Rushing it through in just eight weeks disrespects our largest export sector and compromises democratic transparency. BY SIGNING THIS PETITION, YOU CALL ON THE GOVERNMENT TO: 1. Grant an immediate extension of the Gene Technology Bill’s deadline for at least 90 days. 2. Provide clear information so all New Zealanders can fully grasp the Bill’s ramifications. 3. Honour fair and transparent governance by giving us the time to engage, ask hard questions, make informed submissions and consult our peers. No matter where you stand on genetic modification, we all deserve the right to weigh the evidence and protect our environment, our economy, and our medical freedoms. Extend the Say—90 days is not too much to ask. YOU CAN CALL OR FORWARD THIS LETTER TO YOUR MP Your MP will want to know your position, no matter which party they serve.  Call your MP’s office or copy and paste this petition and email it. You can your MP’s email address in the first link below. ADDITONAL INFORMATION & REFERENCES https://www.beehive.govt.nz/ministers https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/22059628-b0cc-4931-5e07-08dd18a12bfb?Tab=history https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2024/0110/7.0/LMS1009752.html

All people should have the right to freedom, safety and self-determination. Whether we live in Nelson or Palestine, feeling at peace and safe in our homes is essential to living happy lives. To know that the gardens and orchards our families have tended over generations will still be here to nourish our children.  We all deserve these rights yet right now families in Palestine live in constant threat of being targeted by the Israeli military, pushed out of their homes and persecuted for being Palestinian. Since 1967 many Palestinian homes, gardens and orchards have been bulldozed or cleared for Israeli settlers.  We seek that the Nelson City Council align their procurement policy with United Nations Resolution 2334, and the obligations placed on member states by that resolution. Israel is currently in breach of many international laws. Israel is illegally occupying Palestinian territory (2, 3). UN resolution 2334 refers to the territory held by Palestine in 1967 and the illegal occupation of that territory by Israel.  As an occupier state, Israel has legal obligations to protect Palestinians who live in their territory. Israel is in breach of these obligations by directly targeting and harming Palestinian civilians.  UN resolution 2334 requests that Israel cease all settlement activities in the occupied territory. In support of this, Clause 5 of the resolution calls upon all states to distinguish between the territory of the state of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 in all dealings with the region.  The Resolution was put forward by and voted in favour of by the New Zealand government under the leadership of the National Party in 2016 (4). Subsequently, in February 2020 the United Nations published a database of over 100 companies it considered were doing business in the Israeli settlements. On 1 July 2023, the United Nations reviewed the list and removed 15 companies from the list due to them having halted activity in the Israeli settlements.  United Nations Resolution 2334 declared that all member states should not deal with organisations doing business in the illegally occupied Palestinian Territories, this includes Aotearoa/New Zealand.  We call on our local government to align its procurement policy with UN resolution 2334. References: 1. https://www.un.org/webcast/pdfs/SRES2334-2016.pdf 2. https://www.icj-cij.org/node/204176 3. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/07/experts-hail-icj-declaration-illegality-israels-presence-occupied 4. https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/media-and-resources/un-security-council-adopts-historic-resolution-on-israeli-settlements

As people with great compassion for the world's wellbeing, humanitarian issues are of deep concern to the people of Aotearoa. Cuba is in the midst of an ongoing humanitarian crisis, and October’s widespread power outages are only adding to the Cuban people’s troubles. For the last six decades, Cuba has been on the receiving end of myriad sanctions by the United States government. This blockade has proved devastating to human life. The people of Cuba need international support to repair the damage wrought by these sanctions, and we can achieve this by providing food and aid. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Hurricane Rafael caused widespread destruction, primarily in the province of Artemisa. OCHA reports: “The impact of Hurricane Rafael has so far left (damage is still quantified), some 25,471 homes with various damages, concentrating its impact in the province of Artemisa with more than 83% of the damage. Severe effects predominate considering the ravages of strong category 3 winds. As a result, some 92,000 victims have been identified. At the same time, around 60,000 people (20,000 families) have been identified with severe problems in accessing electricity; they have had coverage with small photovoltaic systems as an immediate alternative, among others to access water. At the same time, damage to the conventional power grid has affected an additional 305,000 people. [...] With Hurricane Rafael, a total of 144 health institutions were damaged in the three affected provinces of the western region. These include 28 hospitals, 43 polyclinics, 123 family doctor's offices and 51 other types of clinics. In Artemisa, significant damage is reported in two hospitals, the José Ramón Martínez Pediatric Hospital in Guanajay and the Ciro Redondo García General Hospital in the municipality of Artemisa. (UNCT Cuba, OCHA, 25 Nov 2024)” One of President Donald Trump’s final acts, when he was in office last time, was to re-designate Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SSoT), after President Barack Obama had removed them from the list in 2015 as a part of his Cuban thaw. Inclusion on the list subjects a country to restrictions on US foreign aid and financing, but, more importantly, the SSoT list encourages third-party over-compliance with sanctions. “Businesses and financial institutions, including many from outside the United States, often elect to sever all connections to Cuba rather than risk being sanctioned themselves,” The Hill (1/5/24) reported.

All people should enjoy freedom, justice and equality. That includes Palestinians. Israel is occupying and colonising Palestinian land, and maintains an apartheid system of discrimination against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in violation of international law.  We support the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity, as called for by the Palestinian-led BDS movement. Israel is only able to maintain its apartheid regime and to expand its illegal settlements because of material support from the international community, including through unethical investments by global financial institutions (including ASB and other New Zealand banks and funds). According to research by Mindful Money, KiwiSaver funds' investments in companies financing and constructing illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine and arming Israel were up 20% in the first 5 months after October 2023. The research showed that our KiwiSavers have an estimated $200 million collectively invested in these companies. Many of our KiwiSaver funds are invested in companies that are involved in Israel’s illegal occupation, meaning that through our retirement savings we are inadvertently helping to finance of Israel’s system of apartheid, the expansion of illegal settlements in the Westbank and East Jerusalem, and the genocide of the people of Gaza. What can you do about it? It’s time we pressure our KiwiSaver providers, beginning with ASB, to stop financing Israel’s apartheid, ongoing colonisation and genocide and divest from the illegal settlements. Together we can get them to do the right thing.  • Are you an ASB customer? Sign the petition and use your power to demand that ASB divest - or else you will switch to another provider. But don’t switch yet - while you’re still a customer you have power to pressure ASB - keep the pressure on till 29 November when everyone will switch together if they haven’t divested from Israel. • Not a ASB customer? Sign the petition and share to help bring others on board to demand action from ASB. Boycott action works - and is a powerful tool we can use to make big companies realise the cost of doing business with an apartheid state.  Why ASB? Of all of New Zealand’s KiwiSaver funds, ASB has the most investments in Motorola Solutions Inc.  Motorola Solutions Inc provides telecommunications, surveillance and military technology to the Israeli military and illegal Israeli settlements - effectively operating as the IDF’s technology arm and enabling the maintenance and expansion of these settlements. The company also provides technology for operating Israel’s checkpoints and separation wall, two key pieces of Israel's apartheid infrastructure.[1] https://www.whoprofits.org//writable/uploads/old/uploads/2018/06/old/bab_al_shams_-_ahmad_al_bazz.jpg Motorola Solutions Inc. have been included in the UN List businesses involved in activities that help maintain/enable Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law. [2] ASB has $14 million invested in Motorola Solutions Inc., making their KiwiSaver fund one of the biggest investors in the occupation in the top 10 KiwiSaver providers. While many KiwiSaver funds are complicit in Israeli crimes, we have identified ASB as the #1 Most Unethical KiwiSaver for those who care about Palestinian human rights.  The International Court of Justice – the world’s highest court – recently declared that states, international organisations, investment corporations and all other institutions must not assist in maintaining the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.[3] ASB is currently complicit in Israel’s violations of human rights and international law through its investments in Motorola Solutions Inc. To avoid being an accomplice to this illegal activity, ASB must divest from Israeli apartheid. BDS works! In calling on ASB to divest from Motorola Solutions Inc. we are taking the lead from the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions as a form of non-violent pressure on Israel. Both globally and here in Aotearoa, companies are realising that the investments in companies that sustain Israel's apartheid are unethical and are divesting. NZ Super Fund, KiwiSaver provider Simplicity, and most recently Ireland’s sovereign investment fund and French Insurance giant AXA have all divested from services due to their role in illegal settlements. Public pressure works! We won’t stop with ASB’s investments in Motorola… ASB and other New Zealand banks and KiwiSaver providers continue to maintain investments in other companies directly or indirectly involved in the maintenance and expansion of the illegal settlements, listed in the UN database.[4]  So we are also calling on ASB and all other New Zealand banks and KiwiSaver providers to adopt policies that prohibit investments in the companies identified by the UN and get rid of any existing investments in these companies. These financial institutions are on notice that we don’t want our money invested in Israel’s discrimination and colonisation. If they continue to bank on apartheid, we’ll stop banking with them! It is more urgent and important than ever that our voices are heard loud and clear by decision-makers and to encourage others to join our growing movement. References:  [1] https://www.whoprofits.org/companies/company/3808? and https://wiki.stoparmingisrael.nz/motorola [2] OHCHR update of database of all business enterprises involved in the activities detailed in paragraph 96 of the report of the independent international fact finding mission to investigate the implications of the Israeli settlements on the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem [30 June 2023]. [3] Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem (Advisory Opinion) [2024]. [4] See for example: kiwisaver_investments_israel – Stop Arming Israel (stoparmingisrael.nz). Photo credit: Motorola communication device used by the Israeli Police during the dispersal of a Palestinian demonstration Bab Al Shams, E1 Area | Jan 2013 | Photographed by Ahmad Al-Bazz, Activestills.

The ageing Interislander ferries must be replaced. We believe it’s crucial that new ferries are rail-enabled and publicly owned, letting rail freight and equipment move easily between the North and South Islands. Without rail-enabled ferries, the two islands’ rail networks will be disconnected, restricting the movement of goods and putting the South Island’s whole rail network at risk. Current and future passenger rail services also rely on a viable national rail network.  The government said in its transport policy statement that it would prioritise making the best use of existing transport infrastructure. The only decision consistent with this policy is to ensure future ferries are rail-enabled and remain in public ownership.

In November last year mayor Phil Mauger called for a ceasefire. We ask now that Christchurch city Council go further and follow the ruling of the International Court of Justice and divest itself from the genocidal regime.  The Israeli bombardment and siege of the people of Palestine only continues with the support of other states. The highest court in the world has called on all of us to divest from the genocidal occupation. We ask our representatives to follow international law; Christchurch City Council is obligated to speak out against the genocide, and refuse to support the products of the Israeli apartheid regime.

Calling all peace activists! The annual Aerospace Summit is approaching fast, on the 23rd and 24th of September in Ōtautahi, and we need YOUR presence to shut it down!  We must end the aerospace military industrial complex, and stop the climate and human rights injustices perpetrated by Rocketlab and others at the Aerospace Convention. We condemn the use of Aotearoa as a private military launch pad, and we WON'T stand for criminals like the Boeing head of 'Sustainability' coming to our city. In the midst of a climate crisis, our Government is intent on patting the back of the aerospace industry to line their own pockets. These rockets have a vast climate impact, ripping holes in our ozone layer, polluting our night sky and implicating us in foreign military weapon targeting systems and surveillance without our consent. Boeing executive Kimberly Camrass is being paid to speak on 'Aerospace for good' at the conference- how on earth are the billions Boeing makes from bombing Palestinian family homes and hospitals, 'GOOD'?? We have to oppose this criminal industry!

The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) are New Zealand’s spy agencies. While they are domestically-focused, they can produce intelligence of relevance to international conflicts. Associate Professor Treasa Dunworth, Dr Max Harris and Vinod Bal are asking the IGIS to open up an inquiry into the GCSB’s and NZSIS’ compliance with New Zealand law, and standards of propriety in relation to possible intelligence-sharing that has contributed to the commission of international crimes by Israel in Gaza. They believe there is a plausible case that the intelligence-sharing actions of the GCSB and NZSIS, in relation to what has occurred in Gaza, breach New Zealand law as well as standards of propriety. They are concerned that intelligence is being gathered by the GCSB and NZSIS which may be shared with Israel, either directly through authorised providing of intelligence or indirectly, through New Zealand’s position in the Five Eyes alliance. For example, New Zealand gives intelligence to the United States and the United States can then pass on that intelligence to Israel. If that is so, then they believe that this intelligence might be supporting the commission of international crimes in the current Gaza conflict. In their request, they begin by setting out the key legal provisions and how they ought to be interpreted. They consider past Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security reports and lessons to be drawn from them. They address the background to Israel’s actions in Gaza, credible reports about what is occurring, and possible New Zealand connections to those actions. Attention then turns to why the IGIS should exercise his discretion to open up and inquiry of this kind. The IGIS has an important role in ensuring that the New Zealand spy agencies act in a way that is compliant with New Zealand law and within the bounds of propriety. It is hoped that the IGIS will discharge this duty by opening up such a request. Read the request document

Vaping is an issue in New Zealand that affects many people’s health habits and can be easily picked up at a young age. There is a particular concern around vaping and the ways it impacts youth. Vaping in schools is a concerning issue in New Zealand, with school kids obtaining vapes and vaping during school hours.  Our petition aims to reduce the amount of vape sales as well as make it common knowledge that vaping is bad for your health. By changing the packaging to be the same as cigarette packaging, we are hoping that this will help hinder the promotion of vapes and inform consumers about the serious health risks they are taking when they are using one. We hope that the impact of our petition helps to inform people that vapes are dangerous to health. We think that vaping is an issue among a large amount of the NZ population and one that impacts us both socially and in a health context. Australia has made significant, admirable crack-downs when it comes to vaping. For packaging, they require that it remains “plain”. By this, they mean “be packaged in a certain colour, display brand names in certain ways, display the required text and graphic health warnings, not display logos, brand images or promotional text.” (3) By doing this they have minimised the appeal of purchasing the products. Corporate interests will undoubtedly affect our ability to change vape packaging, as vape companies prioritise profitability and marketability over public health concerns. Improved packaging will not be seen as an improvement to vape companies as health warnings, no logos, and no bright colours will impact their sales and make them take a turn for the worse, which ultimately means less profit for them. They want their packaging to be attractive in order to keep addicts buying their products. Vapes and vape packaging are brightly or pastel coloured, often with cartoon characters or images displayed. This packaging is part of the reason that makes vaping so attractive and popular among youth. Marketing strategies implemented by vape companies include the packaging targeting youth. According to News Medical, “Packaging holds a significant position in promoting vaping products, including devices, pods, and e-liquids. Candy- or fruit-flavoured vaping products sold in colourful packaging are known to attract the youth attention more than adult smokers. Moreover, packaging of such products is often designed to resemble food or drink products that are mostly marketed to the youth” (4). References: 1. https://www.health.govt.nz/publications 2. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/24952/012318ecigaretteConclusionsbyEvidence.pdf 3. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/smoking-vaping-and-tobacco/tobacco-control/plain-packaging 4. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Colorful-Packaging-Hidden-Dangers-The-Push-to-Regulate-Vape-Aesthetics.aspx

The news story is a violation of the Accuracy and Impartiality Standard with TVNZ failing to present a balanced view of the situation in Palestine, potentially misleading the audience on critical aspects of the conflict. Secondly, the news story violates  the Harm and Offense Standard, being an insufficient and inflammatory portrayal of the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Palestine contributing to public misperception and harm. Additionally, there is a concern regarding the Fairness Standard, with individuals and groups affected by the conflict not being given fair opportunity to respond or be represented in the broadcast. These breaches are significant as they undermine the integrity of the reporting and fail to uphold the standards of responsible journalism. Holding our media outlets to high journalistic standards is essential, particularly in the context of the genocide in Gaza. The media plays a significant part in either exposing or obscuring the realities of such atrocities. When news outlets fail to report accurately or neglect to label the situation in Gaza as genocide, they contribute to a narrative that minimises the severity of the crisis and enables and prolongs Israel’s social license to continue it’s genocidal actions.  Should there be no substantial changes to address our concerns,  we will escalate this matter to the Broadcasting Standards Authority for further review.  News Report TVNZ 29 Aug 2024 starts 43:58 https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/one-news-at-6pm/episodes/s2024-e242 Here is a link to the written news article as the origninal video story has now been deleted from TVNZ website. This article was published the same day and is derived from the orginial video.  https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/08/29/israeli-forces-launch-big-operation-in-the-west-bank/   2022.  Mamoun Wazwaz /APA images  95bFM Radio Interview: https://95bfm.com/bcast/get-action-stop-the-bias-report-fairly-on-west-bank-and-gaza-w-actionstations-kareana-kee-11th

Palestinians are calling out to the international community to stop the military assault on Gaza responsible for tens of 1000s of civilian deaths and injuries. The world is watching as civilian populations in Gaza are being deliberately exterminated by Israel's military assault and the obstruction of aid and necessities of life, the scarcity of medical supplies and services and the destruction of hospitals. An authoritative estimate of the total Palestinian deaths from the Gaza conflict is 186,000 (as of July 2024), many times the known body count from direct military assault. 20,000 children simply can’t be found – either buried under the rubble, taken into captivity or buried in mass graves. This has to stop. Humanitarian Law applies to everyone everywhere. War crimes are justified by ‘nothing on earth’ as declared by ICC Prosecutor Khan. If we tolerate or fail to prevent genocide in one place, how do we prevent it in another? A small nation like ours depends on an international rules-based order, and for our own security we must always be vigilant and provide strong, consistent support for international law, so we have assurance that we would neither be subject to nor responsible for war crimes. New Zealand has clear legal obligations to do all it can to prevent breaches of international law that apply to conflict. Our response is not a question of foreign policy or subject to negotiation or diplomatic discretion. With regard to Gaza, a public insistence on an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the unhindered supply of aid is one way we can demonstrate an honest commitment to our humanitarian obligations and values. New Zealand is wavering in its humanitarian obligations. We need to clearly and forthrightly speak out against war crimes in Gaza and name those responsible as we have done for atrocities committed in Ukraine. To reiterate, our international humanitarian commitments are a legal obligation, and are not a foreign policy option. LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY Unhindered by foreign policy considerations, local bodies have the power to be clear and forthright about universal humanitarian principles. These principles, such as respect for human life, reflect our humanity and our values as citizens and as a nation. With the support of its citizens, councils are enabled to remind central government of their responsibilities, or to take responsibility when central government is unwilling. Our own law formalises these values and principles. The observance of human rights and the condemnation of acts which breach those rights, namely acts of violence against civilians, is a legal obligation of our government under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. Many citizens within the New Plymouth district are directly affected. They may be connected to the conflict through place of origin, family, ethnicity, religious faith, identity or a keen awareness, and be suffering as a consequence. Knowing that the local council is making a concerted effort for peace will give those citizens assurance that their well being and the human rights of their broader community matter. Our collective well being is supported when we speak out and condemn acts of violence as a community, especially the daily atrocities committed against children. It is distressing for many in the community to witness these with no means of taking action. Councils are making a difference. There are a number of local bodies, worldwide and in Aotearoa that are calling for a permanent ceasefire. In Aotearoa, Whanganui and Far North Councils have recently passed motions for an immediate permanent ceasefire in Gaza. When our council passes this motion, it is not acting alone, instead it is joining a circle of like-minded local bodies. A ceasefire is not taking sides. It is about saving civilian lives, and breaking the intolerable cycle of violence and  human suffering in Gaza. It is the first important step towards a just solution and a lasting peace for Palestine. PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD As of June 2024, the state of Palestine has been recognised as a sovereign state by 143 of the 193 member states of the UN. On May 10 2024, at the UN general Assembly, NZ voted in favour of a resolution that admitted Palestine as a full member of the UN but has not formally recognised Palestinian statehood which is a necessary prerequisite for New Zealand's longstanding position on a two state solution.