Thirty to 40 people attended the peace vigil at Whangārei's Canopy Bridge on Sunday evening, calling for justice worldwide.
Thirty to 40 people attended the peace vigil at Whangārei's Canopy Bridge on Sunday evening, calling for justice worldwide.
About 40 people attended a peace vigil in Whangārei on Sunday, calling for justice as the foundation of lasting peace.
The event was organised by Palestine Solidarity Network Whangārei, which has a focus on a more peaceful and just world, as well as protesting against war in Palestine.
The eventat Whangārei’s Canopy Bridge brought together a broad cross-section of the community to reflect on global conflicts.
A large banner was created to reflect the theme of the vigil: Justice the seed, peace the flower.
Keynote speaker Dr Max Ronald, a Whangārei surgeon, provided brief snapshots of conflicts around the world and discussed historical experiences of tangata whenua in Aotearoa, offering context for the evening’s focus on justice and self-determination.
The display of the West Papuan Morning Star flag - a symbol of peace and recognition - was timely as it aligned with West Papua’s national flag-raising day.
Tim Howard addressed the situation in West Papua, outlining the significance of the Morning Star flag as a symbol of the Papuan aspiration for peace, freedom and recognition.
His comments were particularly timely, with West Papua’s national flag-raising occurring the following day, December 1.
The gathering opened with a karakia and mihi from Fred Tito, grounding the gathering in tikanga and acknowledging the mana whenua of the area, while Jenny Hammond served as MC.
Several participants described the vigil as a “beautiful and moving event”.
Organisers shared their thanks for the community’s engagement, and the continued interest in local discussions about peace and justice.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
