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Anarchism in Auckland today

There are two main anarchist projects in Auckland today: the Black Heart Infoshop (social space and opshop) and Auckland Anarchists (a local activist network). There are a number of projects anarchists are involved in including the Tumeke Cycle Space (a DIY bike workshop initially setup by anarchists) and Auckland Action Against Poverty (a beneficiary and unemployed direct action group).

There has been a small continued anarchists milieu in Auckland over the past decade.

Auckland anarchists have tended to focus on starting or being involved in broader activist groups, one off actions and projects rather than starting anarchist specific political groups.
These include: Auckland Animal Action (1996-2006), Anti-GenetiX Action (2004-2005), Anti-War Direct Action (2004), Global Peace and Justice Auckland (2004-today), Anti-Bigot Action (2005) Campaign Against the Taser (2006-2007), Civil Rights Defense (2007), Reclaim the Nights and Slut Walk.

Auckland anarchists have only tried to setup permantent anarchist specific political groups a couple of times: Black Cat (2005) and A Space Inside (2006). A Space Inside ran a national conference in 2006 and later became the Auckland Anarchist Network which focuses on being a consistent communication point for anarchists rather than a propaganda group.

Like previous generations of Auckland anarchists, they have often gravitated around inner city flats which have included 8 West Terrace (2004-2005) and Necropolis (1990's-2007).

Like other major cities, many anarchists in the past decade got involved during the anti-globalisation movement including at an anti-APEC rally in 1999. . Auckland Anti-genetic engineering rallies (2003) and anti Iraq war rallies (2004) interested new activists in anarchism.

Another important group at this time was militant direct ation animal rights group Auckland Animal Action (1996-2006). Although not an anarchist group, many anarchists were drawn to the groups militant direct action. Auckland GenetiX Action (2003-2005) was an anti-GE group setup by anarchists and modelled on Auckland Animal Action and helped Greenpeace stop KFC from using genetically engineered soy feed.

Notable Auckland anarchist activities

• Between 2004 and 2007 Auckland anarchists were involved in regular protests in support of imprisoned refugees, including Ahmed Zauoui, an ex-Algerian MP, and three Iranian refugees. The three Iranians were refused refugee status and were imprisoned without charge or trial. They refused to sign deportation documents to Iran where they believed they could be persecuted for converting to Christianity. On 1 September 2007 five anarchists chained themselves to Mt Eden prison in support of one of the Iranians who was on hunger strike for 52 days. They were arrested and three refused to sign bail forms and refused to eat food. The Iranian detainee was released the next day.

• On 5 March 2005 a pro-LGBT anarchist organised counter-demonstration delayed 10,000 Destiny Church “family values” protesters from marching up Auckland’s Queen Street for an hour

• On 22 March 2005 anarchists publicly complained about police brutality while passively resisting arrest for obstructing a footpath, following a peace demonstration that went inside an ANZ bank.