Let's make something clear: I'm not advocating myself, or my ideas as being better, holier, or superior to yours (or anyones). What I am interested in (and this has been great so far in this forum) is trying to put across some alternative ideas and methods, that like you said, are often dismissed because of the nature they are presented. You may have noticed that I post up zines and things from time to time — hopefully in a manner that opens up debate rather than creating a party line. I agree with Toby that there is definite need for critical (and not slanderous) debate here in Aotearoa, in order to form ideas closer to home, hence my posts.

There's an incredible amount of grassroots organising happening here in Aotearoa which goes under the radar of the traditional left — don't assume because there's no formal anarchist party that nothing is happening. The recent Anarchist Hui's (Anarcha-Feminist, Christian Anarchist), the Auckland Anarchist Network, The October 15th Solidarity Groups and various Social Centres and Infoshops, local indigenous groups, individuals within unions and union projects, the odd writer and historian, growing community gardens, seed exchanges and co-ops, radical anarchist crafsters (go Addington Womens Revolutionary Craft Circle!) and everyday people — are examples of anarchist ideas in local practice. While these groups aren't really federated into a network as such, it's something that looks set to change, and attempts to do this have recently taken place.

I recognise that in the low period of class struggle, it makes it hard to identify strong, anarchist or anarcho-syndicalist movements here in NZ, and anarchist tend to concentrate on community building — but growth of the CNT abroad gives me hope of something similar here. And don't dismiss the radical potential of creating dual power structures that totally reject the state such as the ones above, as deconstructing our own lives and relationships go hand in hand with total social change.

So, in short, far from dismissing what other groups are doing or have done, I'm interested in shedding light on (what I think) may be more viable and inclusive ways of operating. This might ruffle the feathers of some, and so be it, that's something I can deal with.

Oh, just an end note — how many members does it take to constitue a 'mass movement'? As a poster above mentioned, a slim number of people actually represent party numbers, so I'm interested. Also, counldn't one argue that democracy, marxism, or any kind of 'ism' is essentially 'foreign' to NZ in terms of their origins? For me, it seems of all of the isms, anarchism is one which can be worked and re-worked locally the most effectively. That's just my opinion!

Also, for a bit of a background on revolutionary socialism in NZ, check out these links and books. Cheers!

Industrial Unionism in Aotearoa
katipo.net.nz/product_info.php/cPath/48/products_id/320

Rabble Rousers and Merry Pranksters
katipo.net.nz/product_info.php/cPath/48/products_id/317

The Red-Feds by Erik Olssen
(it's out of print, but you can find it at libraries)

Against Freedom
katipo.net.nz/product_info.php/cPath/48/products_id/316

Revolution!
www.tuhp.org.nz/books

Trouble Makers!
www.takver.com/history/nz/tm/index.htm

Jared D