New Zealand was the first self-governing nation to grant all women the vote, when a bill was passed in Parliament on 19 September 1893. Each year Women’s Suffrage Day is celebrated throughout Aotearoa (although largely ignored by mainstream media, of course…). There’s an excellent web page about women winning the vote at http://www.christchurch.org.nz/women/ We went to […]
W.H.O. with Wheels
September 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Driving lessons are underway for the local refugee women from W.H.O. (Women of Hope: Wakeup and Help Ourselves). Already Odetta Ntezicimpa (left) , formerly from Burundi, who runs her own mobile driving school, has taken 8 lessons; two of the women are now ready to take their Restricted Licence tests. Our warm thanks to Odetta for her skilled teaching, affirmation […]
The Spring has Sprung
September 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
We love the kaka beak, kowhai and crimson manuka around Earthsong… Peach, anemone and plum are in full bloom too…
All Black in deed…
September 17, 2015 by 3 Comments
We’ve had enough. We’re absolutely sick of having people assume we want to hear endlessly about rugby, and the ABs, and the World Cup. Like hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders, probably, we are not fans of rugby – indeed we find it a war-like, ugly disgusting game glorifying brutishness and thuggery. It’s often played […]
Samoa scenes…
August 19, 2015 by 4 Comments
We’ve just returned from the winter warmth of Samoa and Tanya’s 70th birthday. Here’s a few glimpses of our week… Flowers… Fale… Poutasi Village Developments : Crafts, Education and Gardens… Church on Sunday, of course: the Methodist Church in Siumu Tanya’s 70th birthday surprise from Sinalei Staff… accompanied by “Manuia lou […]
Shakti – Celebrating 20 Years
August 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
We’ve mentioned before our friendship with Farida and Shila, from the group which founded Shakti in Aotearoa. http://shakti-international.org/about-us-nz/ We have a huge admiration for Shakti’s work, which began in Auckland as a service for women from minority ethnic backgrounds experiencing domestic violence. This year it celebrates 20 years here in Aotearoa, and its expansion to […]
Who are W.H.O?
August 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Our Congolese friend Lema Shamamba, with the support of Hinemoa Key from Ranui Action Project, has brought together a group of refugee women living around Ranui for companionship and support. The two names they discussed for their group: Women of Hope, and Women Wake up, Helping Ourselves have become one: W.H.O – Women of Hope, Helping Ourselves […]
Whole House: ReUse – not Refuse
August 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Whole House ReUse Project was founded and codirected by two women: Juliet Arnott and Kate McIntyre. With teams organised by Rekindle almost 100 artists and craftspeople from throughout Aotearoa (and beyond) have turned a red-zone Christchurch building into 390 creative works ranging from a 4m x 2.5m studio-sleepout, and dining suites, to an elegant Maori flute, […]
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