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

This issue is undeniably important to New Zealand, especially in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque shootings.  It is a matter which implicates the lives of many people including school children, vulnerable communities such as the Muslim community and the LGBTQ+ community, as well as those struggling with their mental health. By making it harder to access semi-automatic weapons, we are able to increase the safety of everyone.   It is clear from observing other countries, especially the United States, that unrestricted access to semi-automatic weapons leads to violence and division. While it may not seem likely that slight changes to gun laws in Aotearoa could have a large effect, one must remember two key points: firstly, that the Christchurch shooter obtained his weapon completely legally; and secondly, that the state of mental health support in Aotearoa is abysmal. Without treating this second point, something which the current government seems to have no real intention of doing, allowing even slightly looser access to semi-automatics is a massive safety risk. It provides a space for a dangerous weapon to leave the hands of an ordinary person and fall into the hands of somebody with ill intentions. Even if there are only non-regular incidents of gun violence following these law changes, the fate of the dead and injured will be in the government’s hands.  While the proposed changes are on the surface somewhat innocent - aiming to rectify the difficulty of some recreational gun users in carrying out their hobby - it carries a confusing sense of urgency and secrecy for a process which by all accounts should be taken as slowly, carefully, and yes, even bureaucratically as possible. Consultation should expand to include the opinions of the entirety of Aotearoa, not just select groups of individuals. I think it is naive to expect that these changes will only affect a small number of people. It would be unsurprising if this was only the beginning of a series of changes to gun laws in Aotearoa; Nicole Mckee, the Minister in charge of the reform, is a former gun lobbyist who may be interested in emulating the gun culture in the United States.  About me I am a year 13 student from Kapiti College who is concerned about gun safety in Aotearoa. I believe in maintaining a peaceful and safe society for everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs. As a young person in Aotearoa, I want to feel confident that the government is making decisions that prioritise the safety and well-being of all communities, rather than catering to a few special interest groups. Any changes to our gun laws must be done with full transparency and public consultation. I believe that by opening up the conversation, we can come to a solution that balances the needs of recreational gun users with the safety concerns of the wider population. I urge Minister Nicole Mckee and the coalition government to release the consultation document and ensure that any changes to our gun laws are made with the input of the public, the police, and those most affected by gun violence. Together, we can build a safer Aotearoa.

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

We all want to live in a society that has well resourced services, where our collective pool is big enough to cover the things that make our communities thrive - like good education and health systems, public transport and infrastructure. But right now that pool is being drained. Not only by the cuts and funding freezes implemented by the current government, but also by international corporations profiting off everyday people accessing basic services.  Banking is no different. Currently, the four biggest banks in Aotearoa are all Australian-owned, and all operate to make huge profits off the basic financial services we all rely on just to take part in society, and those profits are growing. In the decade to 2022, the Big Four banks’ profits increased by 80%, generating $50 billion in cumulative net profit after tax over this period, with 77% of that going to offshore shareholders.[1] That’s billions of dollars coming out of Aotearoa that could be going into our communities, our health and education systems, our infrastructure. The privatisation of BNZ contributed to this drain of resources, along with the broader reforms of the banking sector in the 1980s and 90s which saw consolidation and acquisition by Australian banks. That’s why Kiwibank was set up. A project driven by the late Jim Anderton in the 2000s, its aim was to claw back some of what was lost, and it was successful in driving down bank fees for customers across the market.[2] The National Party, Act Party and big banks opposed it from the start,[3] as it posed a direct threat to corporate profiteering.  “And now, they have announced their desire to sell Kiwibank, with Nicola Willis, the Minister of Finance, currently taking proposals to Cabinet.[4]” She has said it’s needed so Kiwibank can compete with the “highly profitable” offshore owned banks. But this is a contradiction - privatising Kiwibank will only see it become just like the others, sending mega profits offshore, and defeating its own purpose. There is another way! “We are calling on the Government to abandon any plans to privatise Kiwibank and commit to keeping it in public ownership. ” This is despite who’s buying - selling Kiwibank to the Superannuation Fund or ACC likewise does not protect public ownership, as they could sell it themselves in the future (like the Superannuation Fund wanted to in 2022).[5] We need our representatives to do just that - to represent the people of Aotearoa, and our long term economic interests, not those of corporations. To stop the sale, and turn Kiwibank toward benefitting us all, through providing lower rates and fees, and better services to the public.  Shifting Kiwibank's focus from profitability to providing lower margins will make it more competitive and help bring down mega profits across the sector.  Fight privatisation! Hands off our Kiwibank! [1] https://actionstation.org.nz/publications/bankflation-in-aotearoa [2] https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/20-years-on-whats-the-future-of-kiwibank/5HMNAWZFNNA75NS2LQ5CORJZVQ/ [3] https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/the-peoples-bank-to-some-a-waste-of-money-to-others/D7WE647763YU4CEFH4DOAVJXLM/  [4] https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/delivering-more-competitive-banking-kiwis [5] https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/117273/crown-buy-out-nz-super-nz-post-and-acc-transaction-values-kiwibanks-parent 

Creatives in Schools (CiS) was an arts programme that ran from 2019 to 2024. It funded schools and kura to partner with professional artists and creative practitioners to share specialist artistic knowledge and creative practice with ākonga and students.  The programme enabled tamariki and rangatahi throughout Aotearoa to participate in high-quality, arts-rich experiences in their schools, in collaboration with professional artists.  The program not only empowered students but also offered professional development for teachers and essential employment opportunities for hundreds of artists throughout New Zealand. It was truly a win-win for all involved. Young people need access to the arts more than ever in this fast changing world. CiS was a fantastic programme that worked on many levels. We call on the current government to reinstate the Creative in Schools Programme. "Playfulness and imagination aren't just essential for children's development, but for our world. Empathy is a basic, and that's why the imagination is so important. To be able to imagine someone other than yourself and what their life is, is so vitally important in our times now." – Professor Peter O’Connor.[2] References:  [1] https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/schooling/creatives-in-schools-programme/creatives-in-schools-programme-evaluation-round-1 [2] https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018948356/imagining-a-better-school-system-for-new-zealand Further reading:  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/education/kiwi-filmmaker-dame-gaylene-preston-says-government-daft-to-cut-creatives-in-schools-programme/XGZVLDOFVZAJDLUHOXTLJGWD6Y/#:~:text=The%20Creatives%20in%20Schools%20programme,to%20better%20support%20current%20priorities%E2%80%9D. https://thebigidea.nz/stories/a-national-disservice-the-need-to-reinstate-creatives-in-schools https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350316203/parties-jostle-over-axeing-creatives-schools https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350320475/creatives-schools-was-more-nice-have https://www.thepost.co.nz/culture/350391419/arts-and-music-are-essential-not-nice-haves?cx_testId=3&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=2&utm_source=localised_module#cxrecs_s https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018948356/imagining-a-better-school-system-for-new-zealand

Peters’ recent comments misrepresented the facts surrounding athletes Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting and the broader debate on gender and sports. His assertions, based on misleading information and lacking in scientific and factual accuracy, highlight a dangerous trend of disinformation that threatens the integrity of public discourse and undermines trust in democratic institutions. Disinformation is a deliberate attempt to mislead and manipulate public opinion, often with harmful consequences. It obscures the truth, incites fear, and distracts from meaningful, evidence-based discussions. When such disinformation is propagated by elected officials, it not only betrays the principles of honesty and transparency but also erodes the foundational values of democracy. We urge Parliament to: 1. Strengthen Regulations and Oversight: Develop and implement stronger regulations to address the spread of disinformation by public officials. This includes establishing clear guidelines against misinformation and disinformation in the Cabinet Manual and codes of conduct for elected representatives to enhance accountability and integrity in public discourse. 2. Promote Transparency and Truth: Support initiatives that enhance transparency and truthfulness in public statements and media coverage. Encourage public figures to adhere to high standards of factual accuracy and integrity. 3. Foster Public Awareness and Education: Invest in educational programs that help citizens critically evaluate information and recognize disinformation. This includes supporting media literacy programs that equip the public with the skills to discern credible information from falsehoods. 4. Encourage Responsible Communication: Advocate for a culture of responsible communication among public officials and political leaders. Promote ethical standards that prioritize the well-being of citizens over political gain. By addressing the issue of disinformation head-on, Parliament can help restore public trust, uphold democratic values, and ensure that public discourse is grounded in truth and respect. We urge you to take immediate action to combat the spread of misleading information and protect the integrity of our democratic processes. Further Reading: Peters delivers self-uppercut with cynical boxing claims

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.

Local decision-making is essential to daily life. The way our council is made up and who we elect to represent us, makes a difference. In 2021, local communities pushed for the then-Government to break down discriminatory barriers and make it easier for Māori wards to be established and strengthen local democracy.  The changes included removing the requirement for councils to hold binding referendums to establish Māori wards if 5% of local voters petitioned the council. This had become an almost unsurmountable barrier for councils who wanted to set up Māori wards. Since the requirement for referendums for Māori wards was removed, Aotearoa has gone from having just three councils with Māori wards to 49 councils which either have them or will have them by 2025. That's a 1500% increase and covers 58% of local authorities. In other words, communities have shown clear support for Māori wards across the country.  Yet the Coalition Government is currently speeding through a process that will reverse this legislation with their Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill.  This change will force local councils to either disestablish their Māori wards, or head to an expensive and distracting referendum in the 2025 local body elections. Two thirds of mayors and council chairs from across the country have said that this Bill is an overreach on local decision-making. The Waitangi Tribunal has found the changes the Government is making in this Bill are a direct breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. They also found that whole communities have benefited from Māori wards, and that referendums or polls are likely to have a divisive effect.  Now is the time to say - Māori having a say in local decision making is good for all of us, let’s keep it going. N.B. Māori wards are seats on councils, not hospital wards. References:  Read ActionStation’s Protect Māori Wards report here Read the Waitangi Tribunal report here Read the Open Letter from Mayors and Council Chairs here

What is this operation? The New Zealand Government has deployed New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel to support the US and UK-led Operation Prosperity Guardian. The Operation was launched in December 2023 after the Houthi Movement in Yemen blockaded access to Israel via the Red Sea and attacked ships heading to or associated with Israel in response to Israel’s war on Gaza and US support for it.[2] The Houthis have said they’ll stop their attacks as soon as Israel agrees to a ceasefire, end its war crimes in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid  to reach the people of Gaza.[3] As the name of the operation suggests, the US, UK, New Zealand and others claim to have launched this operation to protect shipping. Yet this ‘concern’ for maritime law and the ‘free flow of goods’ does not extend to Israel’s illegal sea (air and land) blockade of Gaza that has been going on since 2007. How is New Zealand involved? In January 2024 the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Judith Collins, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, announced that New Zealand was deploying six members of the New Zealand Defence Force to join the US and UK-led operation.[4] At the time the Prime Minister said the deployment would conclude no later than 31 July 2024, even when directly asked if the deployment would be extended. But on 12 July the Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that the deployment would be extended till January 2025.[5] Exactly what NZDF personnel are doing is not entirely clear, but the Prime Minister has said they would provide “precision targeting” through gathering intelligence and the Defence Minister said they would assist in targeting Houthi bases that were involved in attacks on vessels.[6] US-led airstrikes targeting Houthis have killed a number of people and wounded many others.[7] Why are we opposed to NZDF involvement? 1. It aligns NZ with US militarism and Israeli war crimes In joining this US and UK-led operation New Zealand is not only involving itself in war in the Middle East, but it is aligning itself with the US and its support for Israel’s war on Gaza. Israel is currently committing genocide on the people of Gaza, and is perpetuating numerous other war crimes across Palestine. Over 38,000 people in Gaza are officially reported to have been killed, over half of them women and children, but experts have suggested the death toll will be significantly higher - estimated at 186,000 or more - taking into account thousands of people buried under the rubble and indirect deaths as a result of the destruction of health, food distribution and other infrastructure. [8] Israel is also blocking adequate humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, including desperately needed medical supplies and food for the population who are currently starving. The US is enabling Israel to continue its bombardment of the trapped population in Gaza by sending billions of dollars in military aid. 2. Israel is violating international law The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to cease its activities and comply with its obligations under international law. The International Criminal Court is considering issuing warrants for arrest of the Israeli Prime Minister and Defence Minister for war crimes. Various bodies of the UN, most recently the ICJ’s advisory opinion[8], have declared that Israel is in breach of the most fundamental norms of international law, including operating an apartheid regime in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The ICJ has said all States - that includes NZ - have obligations not to support and to prevent Israel's breaches of international law. 3. NZ Government's actions are hypocritical and risky Despite the fact that Israel is flagrantly breaching international law in the most horrific and inhumane way, our Government is putting its military might into maintaining international law rules that enable commercial shipping, and allege it is the Houthis who are disregarding international law, peace and stability. Rather than contributing to the pursuit of peace in the region, the Government has involved the NZDF in a situation which is at risk of expanding into wider regional conflict in the Middle East. 4. There is no democratic mandate The Government’s actions in deploying the NZDF do not represent the views and values of New Zealanders and the Government has no democratic mandate for this action. New Zealanders are proud of our track record maintaining independent foreign policy and standing up for equality, human rights and justice against the apartheid regime in South Africa.This Government is departing from those traditions and putting New Zealand on the wrong side of history, without giving New Zealanders a say. We don’t want the NZDF to be involved in a deadly military operation in the Middle East that has no end date.  Rather than supporting Operation Prosperity Guardian, New Zealand should be putting all its efforts into ensuring the Israeli Government stops committing war crimes, ends its illegal occupation and apartheid policies imposed on the Palestinian people. References [1] Fran O’Sullivan. “Winston Peters’ Houthi Red Sea move brings NZ and the US closer” NZ Herald. 6 Jan 2024.  [2] US-led coalition warns Houthis of ‘consequences’ after Red Sea attacks. Al Jazeera. 3 January 2024. [3] Who are the Houthis? A simple guide to the Yemeni group. Al Jazeera. 12 January 2024.  [4] New Zealand deploying NZDF team to protect Red Sea shipping, 23 January 2024. [5]  NZDF’s Red Sea deployment extended, 12 July 2024. [6] New Zealand to deploy Defence Force to Red Sea, 23 January 2024. [7] US and UK air strikes hit Yemen, Houthi-run TV reports, 7 June 2024. [8] Gaza toll could exceed 186,000, Lancet study says, 8 July 2024.  [9] ICJ Advisory Opinion - On the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, 19 July 2024.

Functional Neurological Disorder is becoming a fast growing condition in New Zealand. While no one person is born with it, many have come to be diagnosed with FND with growing global awareness of this condition, its poor reaction to mrna vaccines, the lack of helpful and preventative treatment and breach of the code of patient rights. FND is a disabling and devastating condition. Symptoms range from a faint, to seizures,  paralysis, pain, immobility to say a few, and that comes with a lot of psychological damage to one's self esteem. There are many cases of delayed or mistreatment from lack of understanding, including being locked away from family homes, being accused of being crazy, being told we deserve it, not being treated, gaslit, and difficult to get help, or having to wait years for proper assessment. For 37 years I believed I was epileptic and had fibromyalgia. FND was not widely considered at all then. This meant decades of mismanagement, mis-medication, career paths denied, and absolutely no treatment for the real condition. Because of those consequences, I have been - avoided in the street - as I was weaving from medication, yelled at by doctors because they did not know what was going on, accused of not taking my medicines, which I have always taken religiously. I have been subject to abusive situations because of the effects of the medications I did not need. Personally, I have been waiting for nearly 3 years to have the acknowledgement that I even require treatment, and the only reason it has happened THAT QUICKLY is because of the consistent follow up and bringing things to ACC attention. It is exhausting, stress inducing, and causes further harm to FND clients. While I have been compliant and have undertaken every possible process, I am still here, waiting for treatment, 3 years after diagnosis, 43 years after it started. As such, I call on  the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Disabled People, Ministry of Social Development and ACC to take these  three actions. 1. They must adhere to  the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights in every manner regarding FND patient's, diagnosis, treatment and handling by all related staff, including management of patient records and expunged files or diagnosis, and supervision of medical applications used by practices for mismanagement and breach of patient privacy by mis-sharing patient information. 2. They must collaboratively discuss and compile treatment plans and support services for patients in a timely manner so as to prevent further chronic harm. 3. Inclusion of FND in its language and education policies, inclusive of medical staff, acc staff, social workers, and educators of medicine, to better facilitate healthy discussion and further beneficial research around this condition. There is no cure for FND, and while things continue to get worse at an alarming rate, the care in New Zealand is not keeping up. If the Ministry of Health, Ministry for Disabilities and ACC collaboratively create an early treatment plan it could help prevent FND from becoming chronically worse and in some cases, may even reduce symptoms for a short period of time.  I want to see the Government put its people first.  We deserve a good quality of life, with dignity and mana and with whanau around to support us. Not be treated like a burden and excluded from jobs, community and even medical care.   I want to see our future moko be treated with respect and dignity when going into the medical system.  These three steps can lead us towards a positive sustainable change within the health care system that will benefit all people living with FND. Join us by making the health care system more just for everyone!  Sign this petition and share it with friends and family.  Further reading: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/functional-neurologic-disorder. www.fndaware.nz  bFM Interview https://95bfm.com/bcast/get-action-protect-and-support-people-with-functional-neurological-disorder-w-keremia-tairua-9th

On Monday, July 8th, Te Herenga Waka students returned to their studies after a short break. That same day marked nine months of Israel’s genocidal campaign that has destroyed the studies, lives, and futures of the students of Gaza. According to research published in the Lancet journal on July 5th, "it is not implausible to estimate that up to 186 000 or even more deaths could be attributable" to the genocide. In past weeks, Israel continues its relentless attacks on civilians.  As staff and students of Victoria University, we are appalled that since the closing of the 2023 academic year, no student in Gaza has been able to return to class, no lecturer to a lectern, no scientist to a lab. Not one of Gaza’s 12 Universities remains standing. This is scholasticide. Gaza university staff released an open letter on May 29th, 2024, calling upon “friends and colleagues around the world to resist the ongoing campaign of scholasticide in occupied Palestine”. On the same day, students of Gaza urged the students of the world to “raise the pace and ceiling of your struggle and your honourable stances, quantitatively and qualitatively, against the institutions, corporations, and governments that participate in the slaughter of our children, our students, and our people”. As members of the University community, we must respond to these calls for support and justice not only symbolically, but also through collective and institutional actions. It is with these aims in mind that we make the following demands of Victoria University: 1. Divest all funds held by the university and university foundation with ties to Israel Approximately $47,532 of the Victoria University Foundation's $109 million investment portfolio is invested in Israeli government bonds, which helps finance their military campaigns. These investments are made through ANZ Investments, who are exiting the market at the end of August, therefore the Foundation is seeking alternative fund managers in its place. The Foundation must ensure that it has no investments that tie it to the apartheid Israeli government, and companies that support and finance its genocide and illegal occupation. 2. Implement a financial and academic Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) policy The University can take a meaningful stance against Israeli apartheid by boycotting companies that finance Israel’s crimes, as well as ceasing collaboration and partnership with Israeli universities, in line with the recommendations of the BDS movement and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). 3. Establish scholarships and fellowships for Palestinian students and academics The University must offer opportunities for students and staff who have had their studies and careers violently interrupted either by the assault on Gaza or the punishing occupation and escalating settler violence in the West Bank. A fellowship was launched to support Ukrainian academics in 2022; the same should be done for those in Palestine. We, as students, academics, staff and university constituents, want to be part of a University that takes meaningful, material action against settler colonial violence – both in Aotearoa and elsewhere. The demands laid out in this letter are the bare minimum we could be asking of the institution that represents us. We amplify the call of our Palestinian counterparts, and we invite you, the University leaders, to join the collective struggle against settler colonialism, genocide, the denial of Palestinians' futures, and the silencing of their voices. Organisations signed on: • Student Justice for Palestine Pōneke  • Te Aka Tauira—Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association  • Ngāi Tauira—Te Herenga Waka-VUW Māori Students’ Association  • Ngā Rangahautira—Māori Law Students Association VUW • Victoria University of Wellington Feminist Law Society • Peace Action Wellington  • VUW University Workers for Palestine • VUW International Socialists • VUW Climate Action & Resistance • Alternative Jewish Voices • Working Students Wellington • VicMuslims Club—Muslim Students Association • Wellington Community Justice Project • Asylum Seekers Equality Project

As the Israeli military continues its bombardment and siege on the people of Gaza and throughout Palestine, and the US government continues its support by sending weapons and bombs to drop on civilians, the world is being called upon to act. The genocide we have witnessed over the past 9 months is only the most recent escalation of Israel’s decades-long oppression of Palestinians. As of 26 June, 37,708 Palestinians have been killed, at least 5,000 women and 7,800 children. 1.7 million people are internally displaced, and a high risk of famine persists while over 500,000 people face catastrophic levels of food insecurity due to Israel’s blockade on aid entering Gaza (UNOCHA). The observance of human rights and the condemnation of acts that breach those rights, namely acts of violence and terror against civilians, is an important pillar of our democracy, enshrined in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. Speaking up has moral and political weight. Failure to call out acts of violence and terror against civilians is not a neutral position. Furthermore, New Zealand is a member of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which requires us to take action to prevent genocide. Having leaders who call out these atrocities and call for action is important and impacts our collective well-being. International law is persuasive and relevant to your decision-making. New Zealand is a member state and is bound by UN resolutions. Numerous resolutions have been passed, the most recent being UN Security Council Resolution 2728, adopted on March 25, 2024, calling for a ceasefire. 145 of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognise the state of Palestine as a sovereign state. But NZ, together with our brotherhood of English settler-colonial states (Canada, US, Australia and UK), are part of preventing official recognition and Palestinian statehood, and thus, deny the Palestinian people the right to have rights. This must change! New Zealand governments have taken a strong stance on international issues in the past, for example, in opposing apartheid South Africa. We must continue this legacy.  We believe in our individual, collective and national moral responsibility to use our voice and power to stop the genocide. Many local bodies in Aotearoa and internationally are calling on governments to take decisive action. The more voices that join this call, the stronger it becomes.  None of us are free until all of us are free! Justice for Palestine!