Author: Steve

11th Annual Friendship Concert Celebrates Peace Through Music SGINZ Victorious March Band and Manukau Concert Band held their annual joint concert on a stormy Sunday afternoon on 16 June 2013. The howling wind and sheet rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of concert patrons who turned out in full force. And they were not disappointed for it was a musical odyssey traversing the globe; from music to an Albanian Dance to Puccini's Nessun Dorma and Williams' English Folk Song Suite, it was an uplifting journey not just across continents but through time. (more…)

In celebration of this year’s United Nations International Day of Women on 8 March, women from different religions and diverse beliefs, from different ethnicities and cultures joined together for the Wellington Women Walk for Peace event, which comprised a lunchtime Peace Walk through the city of Wellington and a Peace Celebration at the Te Papa Museum of New Zealand.  The events this year emphasised the empowerment of women and speaking out against violence on women and children, and against war. The events were organised by the Wellington Women Walk for Peace founders and friends, including representatives from Soka Gakkai International of NZ. Peace Walk MC, Emma Willis introduces Barbara Arnold, President of the National Council of Women As custodians of the Wellington Heritage Peace Walk, SGINZ organised the Peace Walk on Parliament grounds.  Deb Moran,…

On 25 February 2013, the SGINZ-sponsored iChoose anti bullying programme was rolled out to Auckland high schools. Debuting in front of Year 9 students at Mount Albert Grammar (High) School, one of the largest and most multicultural schools in New Zealand, the cast were warmly welcomed and given plenty of positive feedback from both students and teachers. The performance captivated the audience and kept them engaged throughout. The personal experiences shared by the cast resonated with students, many of whom left with a smile. And teachers were very appreciative of Yukie Oki, a Mount Albert teacher who had arranged for the program to come to her school. Later that day, iChoose was similarly well received at central Auckland’s Dilworth School, an all-boys boarding school established in 1906. The humour combined…

The dress rehearsal was held ahead of the roll-out of the programme in ten Auckland high schools the following week.   Among the audience were Labour MP for Mangere, Su’a William Sio and his teenage daughter, Dale Ferris (National Network for Stopping Violence), Johnnie Black and Christina Barruel from the Peace Foundation, teachers and students from Albany Senior High School, Kelston Boys High School, Waiuku College and Epsom Girls’ Grammar, parents and friends of the cast and members of SGINZ. Using music and drama to depict the many forms of bullying and passive violence in a classroom setting, the powerful 20 minute performance highlighted issues facing young Kiwis like physical abuse, binge eating, racism, cyber-bullying and suicide though the lives of the classroom characters.   The audience were clearly enthralled.…

“iChoose”, an innovative anti-bullying programme will be launched in Auckland schools on 25 February 2013.  The programme was launched in the United States in 2010 and has since toured high schools in Hawaii, New York, Los Angeles and Oslo, Norway. iChoose is aimed alping youth bullying for what it is: a choice. iChoose challenges people to stop, think and remember that their choices matter. The programme comprises of a 20 minute musical production by young New Zealand performers, followed by a discussion with students facilitated by the cast members. The show will be followed up with the internationally successful Victory Over Violence (“VOV”) exhibition. ‘iCHOOSE’, INNOVATIVE ANTI BULLYING PROGRAMME LAUNCHES IN AUCKLAND SCHOOLS “iChoose”, an innovative anti-bullying programme will be launched in Auckland schools on 25 February 2013.  The programme…

On Sunday 10 February, Soka Gakkai International of New Zealand celebrated the Lunar Year of the Snake at the Auckland Culture Centre in Ellerslie with about 500 people.  The celebration opened in grand style with the traditional lion dance and the “God of Prosperity” conferring ‘red packets’ filled with quotes and chocolates to the audience. Special guests included Melissa Lee MP (also Private Secretary for Ethnic Affairs), Cr Richard Northey from Auckland City Council, President of the Auckland Interfaith Council Ruth Cleaver and Dale Ferris from the National Network for Stopping Violence.  Guests were treated to cultural performances ranging from Chinese traditional dancing to a children’s rendition of Gangnam Style. SGINZ also launched iChoose, an innovative anti-bullying project from the United States at the Chinese New Year Celebrations with Auckland…