Who we are
We are a small but mighty group of peaceful activists intent on promoting advocacy, solidarity, education and boycotting campaigns for the Palestinian cause in our Whanganui community.
We support other solidarity and advocacy groups in their incredible mahi towards a liberated Palestine, and work closely with DECOL Whanganui on campaigns to support indigenous struggles here in Aotearoa, and around the world.
None of us is free until we are all free.
We hold events, rallies, marches, film screenings, film festivals, collect petition signatures and create semi-permanent Free Palestine art projects. We are active in the BDS Movement-driven boycotting campaigns.
We also provide training to our group on de-escalation and how to counter racism online.
OUR KAUPAPA
Whanganui Palestinian Solidarity Group (WPSG) seeks to promote justice, freedom, equality and self-determination for the Palestinian people.
All forms of racism and discrimination are the antithesis of justice, freedom and equality. WPSG events and social media will not tolerate any act or discourse which adopts or promotes, among others: violence, racism, anti-Arab racism, Fascism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Transphobia or Homophobia.
We are in full support of Toitū Te Tiriti and the call to respect our foundational document as a guide for living together in Aotearoa.
Our Stance On
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We are against:
Violence, racism, anti-Arab racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Fascism, Transphobia and Homophobia and pledge to actively counter these in our conversations and events in our Whanganui community and online. -
We are actively against colonialism and the ongoing harms it places on indigenous communities and the land colonialism seeks to dominate.
We wholeheartedly support Toitū Te Tiriti and the struggles for Māori sovereignty. -
We wholeheartedly support Direct Action for Palestine as per the BDS Movement’s model of non-violent targeting of companies, governments and organisations that are actively involved in supporting the ongoing occupation and annexation of Palestinian land, and those organisational entities who in any way support the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.
OUR ACTIONS
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Whanganui District Council calls for Gaza ceasefire
Published on 07 May 2024
Whanganui District Council’s elected representatives have called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and condemned all acts of violence and terror against civilians on all sides.
The decision came after the Whanganui Palestinian Solidarity Group peacefully marched to the meeting and presented councillors with a petition with more than 2,000 signatures. After the petition was presented, Councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay moved a notice of motion calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, seconded by Councillor Charlotte Melser.
Councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay said he put the request forward because he believed Whanganui District Council should follow in the footsteps of local authorities nationally and around the world calling for a ceasefire.
He said the situation in Gaza was a humanitarian crisis.
“In an area around half the size of Auckland you’ve got two million civilians – men, women and children – in dire conditions with very little access to hospitals, a lack of sanitary facilities, and limited food and resources, facing a daily bombardment by Israel.”
In the last seven months more than 34,000 people have been killed, including more than 9,000 women and 13,000 children. Over 71,000 have been injured, many with life-changing mutilations. One million people are facing “catastrophic” levels of food insecurity and more than 60 percent of residential buildings, and 80 percent of school buildings, have been destroyed.
Cr Chandulal-Mackay said that the call for the cessation of violence against all civilians was about acknowledging that both Palestinians and Israelis in Whanganui and around the world have been affected by the violence caused by this war.
“Violence against civilians in all its forms is egregious, including the suffering experienced by hostages held on both sides of the conflict.”
Cr Chandulal-Mackay said it was important to speak up.
“I know people sometimes see an awful situation out there in the world and feel powerless to help – but speaking up to apply pressure does make a difference. While a ceasefire has not yet been achieved, you can already see the impact of countries within the global community adding their voices to the call for a ceasefire.
“One thing we know for sure is that silence does not result in progress.”
In further motions, the council condemned all acts of violence and terror against civilians and called for a release of all hostages on all sides in the Palestinian and Israeli conflict.
Mayor Andrew Tripe spoke in support of the decision, saying the situation in Gaza was horrific.
“Citizens in this area are experiencing unimaginable suffering and the impact of this conflict will have generational consequences.
“A call for peace and unity in Gaza is something I am sure we can all agree on.”
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As of July 2025, we have received over 50 local businesses’ and hundreds upon hundreds of individual signatures in support of our open letter calling on our MP to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s “Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill”.
Are you a local Whanganui resident? You can add your name here. -
7 vehicles of Whanganui people made their way from Whanganui to Tāmaki Makaurau for the Aotearoa For Palestine “March for Humanity” in September 2025. We were part of the 20,000+ crowd calling on our government to fulfil it’s international legal obligations as signatories to the Genocide Convention and impose Sanctions on Israel.
SANCTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. -
We have had public licensed screenings of “Israelism”, “Where Olive Trees Weep”, “Walled Off” “The Doctor’s Wife” and “The Wanted 18.” We are aiming to have our first Palestinian Film Festival in 2026.
All entry to films are free entry or a koha donation to ensure accessibility, with all koha received being donated to trusted local or international organisations that help Palestinians.
So far, the koha donations from our WPSG events have been directly donated (in their entirety) to the following organisations:
UNRWA
The PCRF
Doctors Without Borders (Gaza Appeal)
MAP - Medical Aid for Palestinians
Heart Surgery for Palestinian Children (NZ) -
We have hosted family-friendly kite making and kite-flying events, candlelit vigils, art exhibitions, film screenings, market stalls with Palestinian solidarity merchandise and petition signing opportunities, and hold weekly peaceful rallies. Our meetings are accessible to all with easy wheelchair access.
