1.Rules based order. New Zealand supports a rules-based international order – for example through the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Israel is the world’s most egregious violator of international rules. Things have got extremely dire this last month. Gaza is a walled in community where the population cannot leave and no food or water has been allowed in since May 8 2025 [2]   2. War crimes. Unfortunately, our government has stayed silent, although it has called for a negotiated settlement in Gaza, which Israel agreed to and then has trashed. Israel agreed to a three-phase ceasefire in January this year but then refused to negotiate stage two of the agreement which would have forced it to withdraw its troops from Gaza. An arrest warrant has been issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for trial on war crimes charges. [3] 3. The precedent exists: New Zealand Government has imposed sanctions before for war crimes. The Green Party bill is based on the sanctions the government has imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Why did we sanction Russia but not Israel? 4. The New Zealand Government has spoken out before against illegal Israeli settlements and criticised IDF attacks on UN staff.[4] NZ has made it clear that Israel needs to let humanitarian aid into Gaza and for a permanent ceasefire to come into being. NZ also voted in the UN General Assembly last September to endorse the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory was illegal and Israel must vacate Occupied Palestinian Territorywithin a year. 5.  TheNew Zealand Governmen must follow the ICJ. [5]T he ruling by the ICJ requires NZ to take actions against Israel’s illegal occupation but the government has done nothing. 6 Pressure from the international community is mounting. This week alone, the Hague group 30 states from Africa, Asia, Europe, as well as North America and South America have come together for multilateral action against the Genocide in Gaza. [6] Joining Belgium, Spain and Ireland, France, the UK and Canada have now moved to recognise Palestinian statehood.[7] Why now? Starving civilians, severely malnourished children are dying daily in increasing numbers.[8] In an alert, the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, relayed desperate testimonies from its colleagues who are also struggling to survive in the war-torn enclave. “We’re in the death phase,” one UNRWA worker said. “Everything around people at the moment is death, whether it’s bombs or strikes, children wasting away in front of their eyes from malnourishment, from dehydration, and dying.” Doctors and nurses who continue to work in the UN agency’s clinics and medical centres “are watching children disappear and die in front of their eyes, and there's absolutely nothing that they can do about it,” the worker continued.  The development comes after desperate Gazans seeking aid came under fire at the weekend “from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire”, according to the UN World Food Programme. [9] In a detailed statement after the incident on Sunday 20 July, it explained that a 25-truck lorry convoy crossed the Zikim border point in northern Gaza “destined for starving communities”. Shortly after passing the final checkpoint after the Zikim crossing point, the convoy encountered large crowds of civilians waiting to access food supplies. This was when the shooting began, leaving “countless” Gazans dead, WFP said, echoing reports by the health authorities. Condemning the incident, WFP noted that the victims “were simply trying to access food to feed themselves and their families on the brink of starvation”. That's why we're calling on the National party members to support the Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Bill  - as your constituents, we are telling you now is the time to act.  References: [1] New Zealand Parliament |Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill  [2] [8] Terror and chaos for Gaza’s people now entering the ‘death phase’ | UN News [3] UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: The worst case scenario of famine is now happening in Gaza  [4]  Israel/OPT: Netanyahu, Gallant and Al-Masri must face justice at the ICC for charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity - Amnesty International  [5] NZ can respond to ICJ ruling on Israel - AUT News [6] Emergency Conference of The Hague Group [7] Canada to recognise Palestine at UN general assembly, joining France and UK in push for new state | World news | The Guardian    [9] Gaza Convoy Incident Statement | World Food Programme 

Local governments have a role to play in upholding this legal framework and ensuring our cities do not profit from or contribute to the normalisation of human rights violations by dealing with the listed organisations and companies. Failure to do so would be a grave blow to the credibility of and trust in the international legal order, and to the reputation of New Zealand.   Palmerston North is a proud multicultural city, and a certified Welcoming Community. We have many sister cities, in support of international peace, and our Mayor is currently the President of Sister Cities NZ. Many members of our community have whakapapa to the Arab world and are deeply affected by events in the Middle East. The Palestinian members of our community are grieving; they have all lost family and friends, and have faced decades of trauma and loss.   As a city, we have historically stood for peace, social responsibility, and human rights. Our Council has ethical guidelines for its operations and procurement processes, with commitments to values such as integrity, sustainability, and inclusion.   It is crucial that the Council condemns injustice wherever it occurs, in reflection of our shared ethics.  We cannot claim to support women while watching Palestinian women targeted and starved. We cannot say we protect tamariki while Gaza’s children are orphaned, amputated without anaesthetic, and lie cold under rubble. We cannot support human rights while turning away from genocide. This is the test of our generation, and history will remember what we choose.   While Palmerston North City Council may not currently purchase large volumes of goods directly,  we call for a formal policy that ensures:   • PNCC does not knowingly enter into service contracts, sponsorships, or investment arrangements with companies that profit from or are complicit in violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, including the illegal occupation of Palestinian Territory.   • PNCC commits to ongoing ethical screening of procurement, investment, and funding practices, in line with its existing sustainability and social responsibility goals.   • PNCC aligns future policy development with New Zealand’s obligations under international law and the rulings and advisory opinions of the ICC and ICJ.   This is an ethical call, not a political call. Councils have, in the past, taken ethical positions on international issues, including condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sponsoring fundraising, and fundraising for Ukraine, and refusing procurement from companies complicit in other abuses.  Likewise, the procurement policies called for in this petition are neither arbitrary nor politically  biased — they are based in international law: UNSC Resolution 2334, ICJ Advisory, Opinions, and  the Rome Statute and Geneva Conventions, which prohibit aiding and abetting war crimes or  occupation. Councils have a duty to not support or engage with entities complicit in these crimes,  especially as the ICJ and ICC are now actively investigating crimes against humanity and plausible  genocide.  Across Aotearoa New Zealand, local authorities have begun taking action. Far North, Whanganui, Nelson, and Dunedin City Councils have passed motions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza  and to uphold Palestinian human rights. In addition, Nelson and Christchurch City Councils have  amended their procurement policies to comply with UNSC Resolution 2334 and not contract with  the list of companies identified by the UN Human Rights Council as being involved in the building,  maintenance, or consolidation of illegal Israeli settlements (as has Environment Canterbury  Regional Council). Dunedin City Council’s Community Services Committee has recommended that  their Council support the Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill proposed by the Green  Party, and supported by the Labour Party and Te Pāti Māori. This movement is part of a wider global effort. Hundreds of city councils worldwide (including in  Australia, USA, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Turkey, and Belgium) have passed motions calling for a  ceasefire, to divest from companies complicit in Israel’s violations of Palestinians’ human rights,  and/or to end Sister City relationships.   In light of the above, we urge Palmerston North City Council to pass the following motions:  CEASEFIRE MOTION   That Palmerston North City Council:   1. Expresses grave concern at the continuing loss of life in Gaza and Israel, and calls for an  immediate and permanent ceasefire;   2. Condemns all acts of violence against civilians, and calls for the immediate release of all  Israeli and Palestinian hostages held unlawfully;   3. Calls on the Government of Aotearoa New Zealand to actively support a permanent ceasefire, uphold ICJ rulings, and fulfil its legal obligations under international law, including UNSC Resolution 2334.  ETHICAL PROCUREMENT MOTION  That Palmerston North City Council formally adopts and enacts an ethical Procurement and  Investment Framework that:   1. Incorporates respect for human rights, international law, and peacebuilding as key criteria  in decision-making;   2. Screen suppliers, contractors, and investment partners for involvement in serious human rights violations, including those identified by the United Nations and international courts, UNSC Resolution 2334, and the 2004 and 2024 ICJ rulings on the wall and settlements,  ensuring that Council resources are not used in ways that contribute to the occupation or related violations.   Passing these motions would place Palmerston North City Council among the ethical leaders of local government in Aotearoa New Zealand, building on its commitment to sustainability and social justice.

As teachers, the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi is always at the forefront of our minds. We want children everywhere to be able to thrive and learn, and to grow up in a safe, stable environment. Unfortunately, our NZ schools are reliant on a leasing scheme which includes a contract between the Ministry of Education and HP - a company that provides computer hardware to the genocidal regime in Israel. HP products assist Israel in maintaining the illegal occupation of Palestine [1]. The contract between HP and the NZ Government is worth millions of dollars. HP currently supplies many teachers and education staff in schools across Aotearoa New Zealand with leased HP branded laptops, tablets and Chromebooks. This means that as educators in Aotearoa, we are using technology which supports a company that contributes to the ongoing occupation and genocide in Palestine when we do our mahi. This does not align with the values of compassion, equity, and care for future generations that we hold as teachers. Background HP Inc (US) provides services to the offices of genocide leaders, Israeli PM Netanyahu and Financial Minister Smotrich [2]. HPE, which shares the same brand, provides technology for Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, a pillar of its apartheid regime [1]. This ID system forms a core part of the Israeli apartheid regime’s tiered system of citizenship and residency that privileges Israel’s Jewish population and gives inferior status and rights to Palestinians, especially those in East Jerusalem. HP's technology is used to uphold institutional racial discrimination and segregation in relation to freedom of movement, housing, employment, marriage, healthcare, education, and policing. This discrimination is further exacerbated in the case of Palestinian “residents” in occupied East Jerusalem, whose most basic rights can and are being revoked arbitrarily. The system also holds information about Israeli citizens living in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, therefore serving Israel’s settler colonial project directly [3]. HP has also worked directly with the Israeli military, helping build its IT infrastructure [4]. This has included a program with the Israeli Navy which enforces the illegal naval blockade on Gaza [1]. Teachers for Palestine Aotearoa stands with activist groups across Aotearoa who want to see our nation live up to a long history of fighting against oppression. We demand justice for Palestine! We call on Erica Stanford and the NZ Government to have courage, listen to what New Zealanders want, and cease all procurement agreements with HP. References: [1] https://www.whoprofits.org/companies/company/3774?hewlett-packard-enterprise-hpe [2] https://bdsmovement.net/BoycottHP-GazaGenocide-Update [3] https://visualizingpalestine.org/visual/israeli-id-system-animation/  [4] https://investigate.afsc.org/company/hewlett-packard

Why the Bill Matters The Bill proposes targeted sanctions against individuals and entities complicit in maintaining Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT. These sanctions would restrict the movement of assets, services, and individuals between New Zealand and those contributing to violations of international law. The Bill builds on New Zealand’s existing sanctions framework—used in response to Russia’sinvasion of Ukraine—and is a credible, principled method for: • Upholding the rights of Palestinians, Israelis, and others affected by the occupation and apartheid policies. • Translating New Zealand’s verbal commitments at the United Nations into tangible legislative action. • Reinforcing the integrity of the rules-based international order and our obligations under international law. Call to Action This is a member’s bill. Under Standing Order 288, it may be introduced directly if 61 or more non-executive MPs express their support. Given the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we believe the urgency of this situation justifies bypassing the standard ballot process. We respectfully ask you to: 1. Publicly support the introduction of this Bill, allowing Parliament to consider this critical issue in a timely and principled manner. 2. Advocate within your caucus for party support, and encourage fellow members to join the 55 MPs who already support the Bill, so we may reach the 61-MP threshold. 3. Commit to voting in favour at all stages of the Bill’s progression, demonstrating that New Zealand will not tolerate violations of international law. A Matter of Conscience Standing up for the fundamental rights of Palestinians—including children, families, and the elderly—is a moral imperative. History will remember those who chose to act in the face of injustice. We, the undersigned, urge you to stand with us and support this Bill. It is a vital opportunity for New Zealand to show leadership, uphold international law, and affirm the values we claim to represent on the world stage. Ngā mihi nui, Your constituents

The Where’s the Work? campaign highlights the growing urgency for increased local job availability and accessibility, both during and after studying. While there may be work out there, it is often unsuitable or out of reach for students managing demanding study schedules and financial pressures. Students need flexible, fairly paid employment that complements — not competes with — their education. These roles are crucial to sustaining themselves while pursuing their degrees and, critically, retaining & growing the tertiary-educated workforce.  VUWSA believes that if Aotearoa is serious about retaining its talent and revitalizing its communities, then we must invest in our young people — not only with education, but with real pathways to employment. Where’s the Work? is a campaign grounded in the belief that when students succeed, we all benefit.    The campaign also aims to champion the mutual value of stronger partnerships between local businesses and students. Students bring fresh ideas, innovation, and energy to the workforce. In turn, they gain practical skills, income, and a sense of belonging in the communities they live and study in. By fostering a reciprocal relationship between students and employers, we’re not just supporting individuals — we’re enriching our city’s social and economic fabric.  This is a call for employers, policymakers, and universities to step up — to support tauira in tangible ways, to value their contribution, and to build a future where they don’t just survive here but thrive here. 

In 2014, VUW promised to divest from fossil fuels. The Vice Chancellor of Te Herenga Waka announced VUWs  “ethical investment stance” and pledged to divest $650,000 invested in fossil fuels. A decade later, evidence reveals that the Foundation still holds significant investments in fossil fuels through third-party investment managers. The 2014 commitment was clearly a false promise. The world that we wish to create is one of climate justice: where communities across the world live and thrive without the threat of flooding or drought, where our needs can be met through sustainable means, and where we can enjoy, without exploitation, the ecosystems that support human life. This future is created by investing in renewable energy and sustainable industries, not fossil fuels.  The Foundation should give weight to earth scientists’ “final warning”that “humanity faces ‘devastating domino effects’ including mass displacement and financial ruin” as the planet warms. The UN states that the “world is on the edge of a climate abyss”, and ecologists have said that unless we change course, ecosystem collapse is ‘inevitable’. ExxonMobile, (one of the companies in VUW’s investment portfolio) has known about the devastating effects of fossil fuels since the 1950’s and admitted to systematically undermining the efforts of climate scientists. There are no excuses. Investment in fossil fuels in 2025 is unjustifiable and should be abandoned immediately.  With this in mind, we make the following demands of Te Herenga Waka Victoria University and the Foundation board: 1. Disclose the amount of money the Foundation has invested in companies involved in fossil fuel production and distribution. The Foundation has already disclosed their fund managers, one of which oversees the fund “Schroder Sustainable Global Core PIE Fund (Hedged)”. This is of primary concern.  According to Mindful Money this fund contains 4.73% fossil fuel companies, including climate criminals such as ExxonMobil and Shell. With the foundation trust overseeing over $100M, dirty investments could make up millions of their portfolio. The VUW foundation must be transparent as this is the starting point for accountability. 2. Divest all money away from companies involved in fossil fuels. The Foundation’s divestment from Israeli government bonds in 2024 demonstrates that making changes to their investment portfolio is possible. We urge the Foundation to take the same rapid action and divest from fossil fuels.  3. Implement a specific exclusion policy with zero tolerance for fossil fuel investments. The Statement of Investment Policy Objectives (SIPO) that governs Foundation investments has failed to prevent unethical investments and can no longer be relied upon. The Board of Trustees must implement a policy to ensure that the Foundation permanently divests from fossil fuels, both directly and indirectly. VUW must follow through with its original pledge and prevent any money being placed into fossil fuel companies again. 

Aotearoa is known on the world stage as a progressive, peaceful nation, and our Government should ensure that our policies are consistent with that reputation by putting people and the planet first. Proactive spending on wellbeing for people and the environment would go much further in ensuring peace and security than investing in the large global powers’ wars and aggression. We spent over $6 billion on Defence in 2024/25, while Aotearoa is considered one of the safest countries in the world and there is no threat of military invasion. The extra $12 billion of spending on the military is happening because the US government demands it - not because our country needs it.  Focussing on a “combat-ready” military with soldiers and weaponry doesn’t address the real threats to our security. A defence force ready for overseas combat cannot stop the emergencies caused by climate change, pandemics and earthquakes; or encroachment on fisheries; trade tariffs; cyber attacks and lone-wolf terrorism. We need to reconsider our place in the world and focus on these realistic existing threats. Our small, isolated country will only be in danger of attack if we are locked in with a major military power that’s threatening another major power. We can be a much more effective voice for a peaceful world if we become a non-aligned country. Meanwhile, essential public services in healthcare, education and social welfare have been defunded, resulting in growing distress and increased inequality, with negative effects on vulnerable citizens. Defence cost us $16.46 million a day [1] in 2024-2025. Consider a few examples of what that level of defence funding could be spent on instead [2]: • Midwives: one day’s worth of defence spending could pay 174 midwives for a year. • School teachers: one day’s worth of defence spending could pay 211 teachers for a year. • Hip replacement operations; public hospital: one day’s worth of defence spending could provide 890 hip operations. • Free prescriptions: less than two days’ worth of defence funding could pay for free prescriptions for everyone for a year. • Hospitals: with one year’s worth of current military spending we could build two new hospitals and have money left over. Instead of funding militarisation, we propose: Non-alignment. A policy of non-alignment is protective: if we are not militarily aligned with any major world power, we are less likely to be caught up in overseas wars or subject to attack. Non-alignment means we could protect our trading relationships without having to fight other people’s wars. Invest in civil defence/ emergency management. Emergency preparedness requires resources, transport, communications, and trained leadership. Community-based civil defence builds community in quiet times and provides local support after earthquakes or during severe weather events. Maintain adequate shipping, aircraft, and technology to protect fisheries and support Pacific neighbours. Surveillance ships and planes do not need to be armed for war. Support and aid to Pacific island nations is important to Aotearoa New Zealand as a good Pacific neighbour. Show leadership for peace. As a small and geographically isolated country, we have shone in international affairs through moral leadership, from the setting up of the United Nations to our principled Nuclear-Free policy and our successful “guitars not guns” peacekeeping role in Bougainville. Now is the time to renew our independent foreign policy and focus on the real threats to our security. Please sign and share this petition with your family and friends. Together we can develop a truly independent foreign policy, ensure sensible spending and lead the world in peace-making. Footnotes: 1.  If the new spending goes ahead, that number will be closer to $25 million a day, roughly $9 billion a year. And the government said that is just the beginning.  2. Data Sources:  1. NZ Budget 2024-25 Vote Defence and Vote NZ Defence Force; Parliamentary Library. 2. Salaries derived from careers.govt.nz 2024. 3. Hip replacements: estimated hospital cost data from: Te Whatu Ora/ Ministry of Health: “Publicly funded casemix hospitalisations 2021/22” (latest available in 2024) 4. Prescriptions, hospital building: media sources, 2024 Further reading: • Spend on inequity and the climate crisis, not soldiers’ wargames. Newsroom 6 June 2024 • Defence Force spend-up: Who is it meant to protect us against, and other questions, RNZ 8 April 2025. • Richard Jackson: Does NZ really need its defence force? RNZ 2 December 2023. • New Zealand abandons Indigenous Rights and Pacific priorities in foreign policy By Nina Hall and Rhieve Grey, The Diplomat 21 December 2023. • Is our investment in defence value for money? Newsroom 27 May 2024 • Just Defence www.justdefence.org

The Far North region lags behind other regions of Aotearoa New Zealand in reducing waste: we need to do more, and that starts with getting the correct title and responsibilities for this  important role!   FNDC understandably works to reduce their costs yet rising waste levels cost ratepayers in other ways. We seek greater focus at Council to align with the requirements of the FNDC Long Term Plan on waste minimisation as well as the recommendations of the 2024 council-sponsored Community/Iwi Working Group on Waste. The currently advertised name of ‘Solid Waste Engineer’ is inappropriate: engineering is not a major part of this role and this title fails to reflect the job we need someone to take responsibility for at Council:  to manage AND to minimise waste.    Now the incumbent is leaving the position, it is a perfect opportunity to rescope and rename the role.  Community, Iwi, and Farming and Business-led waste minimisation initiatives need support from someone in Council whose job title makes them instantly recognisable as the first point of contact.   The current Position Description for this advertised role lacks a focus on waste reduction: out of 18 Key Accountabilities, there is only one imprecise and very general reference: ‘Initiate Waste Minimisation planning and implementation.’  We believe this is insufficient, and request the Position Description to be amended to include specific reference to:  -          Providing advice with regards to waste and litter minimisation, recycling and resource recovery, particularly as they relate to communication and education.   -          Supporting community projects and initiatives to assist Far North communities and to recognise businesses and organisations committed to reducing waste to landfill and litter in the natural environment  -          Encouraging and supporting the FNDC organisation and its contractors to achieve Ecostar certification to highlight their role modelling of waste minimisation and resource recovery    -          Supporting and assisting with the implementation of relevant education actions for waste and litter minimisation and resource recovery strategies and plans.    In common with other councils across Aotearoa NZ,  FNDC has the responsibility to create and implement 5-yearly Waste Management & Minimisation Plans and the title, ‘Waste Management and Minimisation Officer’ will align with similar roles in other councils.      References   https://zeil.com/jobs/new-zealand/solid-waste-engineer?gj=ivfhp   https://localelections.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/FNDC-Long-Term-Plan-2015-2025.pdf   https://zerowastegranny.com/2018/01/06/2018-resolution-for-our-mayor/   https://www.ecosolutions.org.nz/pages/about-the-ecostar-programme

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, Northern Monthly Meeting, the Auckland and Northland branch of  the Religious Society of Friends in Aotearoa/ New Zealand (Quakers) Te Hāhi Tūhauwiri.

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.