INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY FIONA MANSELL

Every year on 8 March, International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world.

This is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to any divisions.

In Aotearoa New Zealand we have so many wahine who have worked hard, defeated the odds, stepped out of their comfort zones, spoken up for their own people, their land and anything else that was/is wrong in this country.

They achieved results that would never have been resolved had they not led the way.

Her catch cry “Not one acre more” ignited the modern Māori land rights movement. This indigenous land rights movement known as Te Roopu o Te Matakite started with 50 marchers, and ended with 5,000 assembling on the forecourt of Parliament where a 60,000-signature memorial of rights was presented. A demand for justice!

For most of the twentieth century Dame Whina Cooper used her charisma to challenge and battle the status quo and fight for a nation still in denial about the Treaty. She was fearless and articulate in both Māori and English.

The work she accomplished is remembered in the film Whina but should also be remembered by learning from the past, educating ourselves, our children, and grandchildren.

Not everyone agreed with Dame Whina, she often had many robust debates within her own tribe and though she was shunned in her community, she still she stuck to her beliefs.

A memorial statue of Dame Whina was unveiled on 2 February 2020 in Panguru-Hokianga by her son Joe Cooper and the Prime Minister at the time Jacinda Ardern in honour of her.

A moment her family will be immensely proud of.

Dame Whina Cooper

A beautiful Wahine Toa, Hohepine Te Wake better known as Dame Whina Cooper was a leader for her people. She was born 9 December 1895 and died 26 March 1994 at age 98. She was also known as Te Whaea o te Motu (Mother of the Nation).

Her courageous spirit, strong will and tenacity is what drove her to get through the many battles of her life.

In particular, she led the historic 1975 Maori Land March from Te Hapua (Northland Region) to Wellington, a march that was nearly 1,100km long at the age of 79.

This march led by Dame Whina was the second big event of the decade which turned a lot of people into activists.

Helen Kelly

Another Wahine Toa is Helen Kelly, an extraordinary leader. Born in Wellington on 19 September 1964, Helen came from a strong union background. Her father Pat Kelly was a well-known unionist, and her mother Catherine was active in the anti-Vietnam war movement.

She was brought up around unions, her playground was at union meetings, her home was union central with visitors constantly coming in to discuss union business.

As a primary school teacher Helen was appointed union delegate on her first day teaching. It is no surprise then that she quickly became actively involved in union affairs.

From 2007–2015 Helen was President for the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU). She was an outspoken advocate in many areas especially improving safety standards in the forestry industry, which resulted in her campaigning for a review into the industry.

In one instance where the government refused to press charges against a forestry employer, Helen led a private prosecution against the company.

The industry accident rate fell from 10 deaths in 2013 to 1 in 2014 and 3 in 2015. This is only one of many battles Helen Kelly fought.

She was right in there campaigning after the Pike River Mine disaster that killed 29 miners, fighting for improved safety standards and justice through the courts for miners’ families.

She was a supporter of the Unite Union’s campaign against zero-hour contracts, and led campaigns exposing farmers offering jobs at below minimum wage.

In 2010 she was involved in a controversial debate with The Warner Bros’ Hobbit Films, regarding contract workers’ rights in the film industry.

After she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015 and during her illness, she continued leading the way and campaigned for the right to die with dignity and the right to use medicinal cannabis.

Helen passed away on 14 October 2016 leaving a great legacy.

Both of the above women never gave up advocating even when faced with different types of adversity. The lives of Damn Whina Cooper and Helen Kelly are encouraging, empowering, educating and well worth remembering. These are the attributes I want to fulfil in my life as a woman in our union.

This year, a few of us MUNZ women got together and celebrated, most of us seafarers from Interislander.

However, one special friend of ours Rebecca Hauck, National Women’s Rep for RMTU and a Shunter for Kiwirail, also joined us. We always get excited when we get to hang out with RMTU women regardless of any issues in the past between our unions. It was a great night, the first of many which will grow in years to come.

Family Picnic Day

Another great day with members and whanau, thanks to everyone who turned up, and helped out.

We would love it if more members could attend. The next picnic TBC.

Port Update

C3: negotiations still active, contract expired 20 October 2022.

SGS Nelson: negotiations finished.

CPL: monthly Health and Safety meetings have been consistent, quite a few issues have been raised and discussed.