Welcome to Women's International League for Peace & Freedom, Aotearoa |
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WILPF is a feminist peacebuilding organisation of volunteer activists around the world.
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We bring women together, and provide a space where we can unite and work for peace by non-violent means-promoting political, economic and social justice for all.
NEWS
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WILPF Aotearoa says: Join The Hague Group, PM WILPF Aotearoa calls for individuals, trade unions and civil society organisations across the motu to demand the New Zealand Government join the Hague Group and support its programme of action. In light of the Israeli government’s armed attack on Iran and the postponement of high-level diplomatic talks halting momentum toward a two-state solution, the Hague Group will convene an Emergency Conference in Bogota, Colombia to expand the block and gain support to implement its programme globally. The Republic of Colombia, as co-chair of The Hague Group, will host an emergency ministerial meeting on Palestine at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bogotá on 15–16 July 2025 after which states will announce concrete actions to enforce international law through coordinated state action — to end the genocide and ensure justice and accountability. Read the media release here |
New Zealand can recognise Palestinian statehood WILPF member Treasa Dunworth writes about how New Zealand is trailing its allies over recognising Palestinian statehood: (Originally published in The Conversation) It’s now a week since Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced his government had begun to formally consider New Zealand’s position on the recognition of a Palestinian state. That leaves three weeks until the United Nations General Assembly convenes on September 9, where it is expected several key allies will change position and recognise Palestinian statehood. Already in a minority of UN member states which don’t recognise a Palestinian state, New Zealand risks becoming more of an outlier if and when Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom make good on their recent pledges. Luxon has said the decision is “complex”, but opposition parties certainly don’t see it that way. Labour leader Chris Hipkins says it’s “the right thing to do”, and Greens co-leader Chloë Swarbrick has called on government MPs to “grow a spine” (for which she was controversially ejected from the debating chamber). More here |
Photo: Mirjam Lems Fotografie
Earth Charter 25+ conference, The Hague Report from Pauline Tangiora I write with deep appreciation to acknowledge your support for my attendance at the Earth Charter 25+ conference in The Hague, under the theme "Turning Conscience into Action." As one of the original founders of the Earth Charter in 2000, my presence offered a sense of continuity and connection to the Charter’s roots. Yet what made this gathering particularly meaningful was witnessing the rich dialogue and learning that took place between the generations—elders who carry long-standing wisdom and young people who carry the energy and vision for our collective future. Two sessions especially highlighted the importance of this intergenerational exchange. The first, "Future Generations and Intergenerational Justice," underscored how today’s decisions must honour the needs of tomorrow’s children. Neshan Gunasekera of Sri Lanka, representing the World Future Council and the Earth Trusteeship Initiative, offered a compelling reminder that each generation’s freedom is bound by its responsibility to those who follow. The second, "Planetary Consciousness, Ethics of Care and Education," brought forward voices like that of Mindahi Bastida from The Earth Elders, Mexico. He spoke powerfully of ethical education rooted in ancestral knowledge and planetary care—emphasising how traditional wisdom can guide us in building a sustainable future. Throughout the three days—across three venues, with 340 participants from 35 countries—interactions between young leaders and elder knowledge-keepers created a dynamic learning environment. As the post-conference newsletter reflected: “It was very intense, we learned so much and generated new energy and new ideas.” Shortly after the event, the Earth Charter International Council released a powerful statement reaffirming the Charter’s relevance and calling on all of us—young and old—to act with renewed hope, wisdom, and unity. I have included a copy of that statement with this report. As it declares, “It is time to choose life.” I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Women of WILPF Aotearoa, Kate Dewes, Diane Shand, the World Future Council, Earther Charter International and my whānau for making my participation possible. Your support enabled not just a personal journey, but a shared moment of intergenerational learning that I will carry forward in the work yet to come. Ngā mihi nui, Pauline Tangiora |
Aotearoa New Zealand is one of the nations in the Asia Pacific region that is part of WILPF - the international women’s peace organisation established in 1915.
WILPF Aotearoa is committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi as this is a positive way to prevent conflict and to remedy past and present injustices.
WILPF aims to generate discussion about the costs
of maintaining a military.
And where the money could be going.
What is a Feminist Budget? How is a Feminist Budget different?
of maintaining a military.
And where the money could be going.
What is a Feminist Budget? How is a Feminist Budget different?
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Our Focus Projects
WORKING
ORGANISING
ADVOCACY & CAMPAIGNING
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From the President
Message from Suzanne Loughlin
WILPF Aotearoa President
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WELCOME
Kia ora katoa The daunting task of picking up the threads of WILPF Aotearoa’s section work from former President Megan Hutching prompted me to look back and reflect on our beginnings, how far we have come and how much remains to be done as we head into WILPF’s 33rd International Congress. While initially motivated to end the industrial-level slaughter that characterised World War I, WILPF’s 1924 manifesto focused on both disarmament and to “Bring about the organisation of economic life, not for individual or class profit, but for the highest possible development of every human being”. However, by the 1960s outgoing President Dwight Eisenhower was warning about the danger the military-industrial complex posed to democracy given the entanglement of the arms industry with executive branch of government – an industry that has gained considerable ground in Aotearoa in recent decades. WILPF marked its centenary in 2015 by reaffirming its manifesto and commitment to eradicating war by addressing its root causes including: militarism, capitalism, the nation-state system, and social systems of racist supremacy and patriarchy. For WILPF sisters, realising peace and equality and justice for all depends on both the full inclusion, representation, and active participation of women in all their diversity, in all walks of life, while at the same time addressing these mutually reinforcing systems of power. The debate facing those who came together to end the war in 1915 goes on today: is women’s liberation advanced or derailed by women’s active contribution to their own country’s war waging? How did women’s claim to the “right to serve” and work in munitions factories – thereby breaking down gender stereotypes – fit with the claim that the demise of patriarchy depended on women forming cross national alliances to oppose militarism. In other words, how to change systems and structures while being part of them – militarism, after all, requires the assent of both men and women. Much has changed since then. A hundred years on, the New Zealand parliament more closely reflects the diversity of our society, and women are found in increasing numbers in a wider range of professions and in decision-making roles. Yet the gender pay gap persists and women in Aotearoa continue to experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence among OECD countries with the highest rates among Māori women. Realising gender equality depends on raising awareness of and reflecting on the persistence of social and economic conditions that make possible ongoing gender-based violence and discriminatory practices that have produced increasing inequality within and between countries. In other words, women’s representation and active participation alone will not change the nature of capitalist democracy, which by definition produces winners and losers, or the purpose of militaries - the use of coercive force on behalf of the state. WILPF’s well tested strategy is to work with all Sections to develop an international programme that is then crafted to address identified issues at the local and regional level. I look forward to working with WILPF Aotearoa’s Branch members and like-minded organisations across the region to reflect on how we might best meet the challenges presented by the United States pivot, with its Quad partners India, Australia, and Japan, to what is now referred to as the Indo-Pacific region and the further militarisation of Aotearoa evident in plans for increased interoperability between the two states defence establishments. Indeed, does interoperability bring with it shared accountability for civilian casualties that characterised United States operations in Afghanistan and Iraq? How is it possible for nuclear-free New Zealand to work closely with nuclear-armed United States? Not all New Zealand women and feminists will feel the same about these developments. Some will likely welcome the idea of being afforded United States protection, but many are clear that sheltering under a nuclear umbrella is hardly a route to peace and freedom. I look forward to debating the issues and crafting strategies with WILPF sisters from around the globe during Congress and implementing our plans in the coming months and years. Haere ki runga i te rangimarie Suzanne Loughlin President |
How we work
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COLLABORATIVETogether our members collaborate with other national peace, disarmament and women's organisations. Networking and sharing Keep up-to-date with actions and issues WILPF is focused on, as well as what's happening with other organisations. Source information from peace activists from around the world Our FaceBook page is a good source of latest news, as well as the pages and websites of WILPF Sections from around the world. |
AOTEAROA, ASIA PACIFIC REGION |
Stay connected wherever you live, we keep in touch online and in person.
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Share your passion for peace
Keep in touch with other women in the peace movement in Aotearoa or beyond, and find out more about peace networks, activists and activity. Perhaps you'd like to contribute in some way? We value your ideas, skillset, and involvement. Donations and sponsorships are welcome. To become a member or have a chat, just contact us. We'd love to hear from you and know more about your interests. (We are all volunteers so we'll get back to you as soon as we can.) |
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We have a HISTORY
WILPF was formed in 1915 in Europe and our section, Aotearoa, was established in 1916. WILPF is an international sisterhood working on peace and disarmament issues then, and now. WILPF believes that the full and equal participation of women in the decision-making processes is necessary to achieve sustainable peace. Today WILPF is the oldest women's peace group in the world. WILPF holds observer status with the United Nations (UN). |
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What is the feminist perspective?
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We see patriarchy, militarism, and neoliberalism as three inter-related causes that push us all towards more conflict.
It does not have to be this way. The antidote is feminism. |
At its core, feminism includes the
beliefs that women matter, that equality matters, and that gender is a construct: the product of unequal power structures. |
Are you 35 or under? Find out more about YOUNG WILPF