Socialist Aotearoa Explained

Country:New Zealand
Socialist Aotearoa
Slogan:"All Power to the People"
Leader1 Title:General Secretary
Leader2 Title:Co-founder
Leader2 Name:Joe Carolan
Colorcode:
  1. b51111
Foundation:2008
Ideology:Revolutionary socialism
Socialism
Marxism
Tino rangatiratanga
Trotskyism
Position:Far-left
Website:https://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/
Seats1 Title:MPs in the House of Representatives

Socialist Aotearoa (also known as SA and Socialist – People Before Profit) is a revolutionary socialist organisation based in New Zealand. SA formed as a split from Socialist Worker in 2008.[1] They are based in Auckland and are part of the International Socialist Tendency.[2] Joe Carolan, a Unite Union employee[3] and former Mana party candidate,[4] is a co-founder[5] and the current Campaigns Officer.

SA has been involved since its inception in organising and participating in campaigns against privatisation, corporate globalisation, racism and war.[6] These campaigns have ranged from Aotearoa Not For Sale[7] to Love Aotearoa Hate Racism,[8] to the movement against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).[9]

Principles and policies

Socialist Aotearoa ratified the statement of its principles titled 'Five Fingers for a Fist' at their foundation hui on 10 May 2008. It is currently published on their website. The document is an allusion to their five key principles: 1. One Solution, Revolution, 2. Workers of the World, Unite, 3. Equality For All, 4. United Fronts, and 5. For a Rank and File Network Within the Trade Union Movement.[10]

Their first principle emphasizes that 'Socialist Aotearoa is a revolutionary, socialist, anti capitalist group', claiming to fight for systemic change. Socialist Aotearoa advocate for a 'working class movement', explained in detail in their fifth principle.

The party also claims to be an international group that strongly opposes "imperialist" wars and occupations, as detailed in their second principle. They have demanded withdrawal of New Zealand troops from the Pacific and (when New Zealand had troops there) from Afghanistan. Furthermore, the party holds strong pro-immigration, pro-refugee and anti-racism stances. Their third principle states that they 'oppose all oppressions based on race, gender, sexuality and religion'.

Mt. Albert by-election

In 2016, Joe Carolan announced his intention to stand in the 2017 Mount Albert by-election.[11] [12] Carolan gave his party as Socialist – People Before Profit on the ballot paper. Carolan received 189 votes, or 1.4%,[13] in the context of low voter turnout, as the incumbent National Party did not stand in the election.[14]

SA's platform in the by-election included:[15]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Open Letter to Socialist Aotearoa (May 2008) . Workers Party New Zealand . 1 May 2008 . 30 May 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100724085635/http://workersparty.org.nz/resources/open-letter-to-socialist-aotearoa-may-2008/ . 24 July 2010 .
  2. Web site: Groups Affiliated to the IST. dead. 14 December 2018. internationalsocialists.org. International Socialist Tendency. 26 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200726044514/http://internationalsocialists.org/wordpress/groups/.
  3. Web site: Mt Albert by-election candidates have housing on their mind. Owen. Catrin. 13 February 2017. Stuff. https://web.archive.org/web/20170223045106/http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local%2Dnews/89292501/mt%2Dalbert%2Dbyelection%2Dcandidates%2Dhave%2Dhousing%2Don%2Dtheir%2Dmind. 2017-02-23. dead. 2017-02-25.
  4. News: Mana names Auckland candidates. 2014-07-14. Stuff. 2017-02-25. English.
  5. Web site: Carolan. Joe. 9 August 2017. The Mettle of Metiria. 2018-12-14. Socialist Aotearoa. en-US.
  6. Web site: Who We Are. Socialist Aotearoa. en-US. 2018-12-15.
  7. Web site: Thousands say: "John Key, you've got mail, Aotearoa is not for sale". Admin. 2012-05-07. FightBack. en. 2018-12-15.
  8. Web site: Love Aotearoa forms to counter Canadian race ranters. waateanews.com. 26 July 2018 . en. 2018-12-15.
  9. Web site: After the Blockade- a Marxist analysis of the TPPA and a movement against Capitalism (at18mins in). After the Blockade- a Marxist analysis of the TPPA and a movement against Capitalism (at18mins in). 10 February 2016 . 2018-12-15.
  10. Web site: 10 May 2008. Founding Principles. 2018-12-14. Socialist Aotearoa. en-US.
  11. Web site: Aotearoa/New Zealand: A new working-class, pro-Maori political voice. 11 May 2011. Socialist Aotearoa. 3 September 2012.
  12. Web site: Is it time for some Community Communism in Aotearoa?. 27 June 2016. Unite.org.nz. 15 January 2016.
  13. Web site: Mt Albert by-election official results. Electoral Commission. en. 2018-12-14.
  14. News: Mt Albert by-election: Low turnout blights massive win for Jacinda Ardern. 2017-02-26. Newshub. 2018-12-14. en.
  15. Web site: Our Demands. Socialist Aotearoa. en-US. 2018-12-15.
  16. Web site: Indian students facing deportation from NZ claim sanctuary in Auckland church. Stuff. 2 February 2017 . en. 2018-12-15.