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Celebrating Devonport’s History of Peace Activism
May 27, 2017 @ 2:00 pm - June 14, 2017 @ 3:00 pm
CELEBRATING DEVONPORT’S HISTORY OF PEACE ACTIVISM: THE PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK OF GIL HANLY AND JOHN MILLER
In 1987, 30 years ago, Aotearoa New Zealand’s Nuclear Free Zone Act was introduced establishing this country as a nuclear and biological weapon-free zone.  In 1981, 6 years earlier, Devonport Borough had declared itself a Nuclear Free Zone, New Zealand’s first. It was an expression of Council’s concern at the proliferation of nuclear weapons and part of growing trend towards NZ developing an independent ethical approach to foreign policy and to our environment. By  November, 1983, 33 other municipalities around the country had joined Devonport in declaring themselves nuclear free.
This exhibition, organised by Ruth Coombes on behalf of WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom) and the Devonport Peace Group, celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Aotearoa New Zealand and fittingly takes place in Devonport given its long and active commitment to peace.
The Depot Artspace exhibition comprises iconic images of the anti-nuclear protest activities of the 1980s by two of our most significant photographers, Gil Hanly and John Miller, whose photographic documentation of major social movements and public events since the 1970s established them as pre-eminent recorders of New Zealand’s recent history.
To further celebrate this significant commemorative exhibition, a selection of banners, posters and other peace and protest memorabilia of this time will be displayed at the former Devonport Borough Council Chambers, No.3 Victoria Road, now home to the Visitors’ Information Centre.
Saturday 27 May to Wednesday 14 June
Main Gallery 2
Opening Saturday 27 May, 2 – 3:30pm
Associated Events
Saturday 10 June, 12:30pm – Join WILPF at the Depot Artspace to meet some of the people who helped to make it happen and to hear their stories.  The Mayor of the Peace City of Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland, Phil Goff, will also be present.
Sunday 11 June, 12-2pm –  The Peace Foundation will be doing a myriad of peace activities, including creating a giant peace sign for an aerial photograph. This event will be at Auckland Domain, behind the museum.
Tuesday 13 June, 8pm –  An evening of songs for peace presented by the Devonport Folk Club at the The Bunker on Mt Victoria in Devonport. Access is via Kerr St. Koha appreciated.
