On the last Saturday of June 2025, members and Ambassadors for Peace gathered at the Peace Embassy, 24 St Stephens Avenue, Parnell for UPF New Zealand’s monthly meeting — a regular rhythm of reflection, review, and planning that keeps the organisation’s work grounded and forward-looking throughout the year.
The agenda reflected the full breadth of UPF New Zealand’s commitments: from global geopolitics to local community events, from the practical logistics of upcoming programmes to the strategic questions of how to grow the National Family Day Petition campaign. It was a full morning — and a productive one.
1. UPF Statement on the Escalation Between Israel and Iran
The meeting opened with a topic of international urgency: the recent escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran. The Middle East had once again become a focal point of global anxiety, with the potential for broader regional conflict weighing on the minds of leaders and communities worldwide.
UPF New Zealand reaffirmed its dedication to dialogue, peaceful resolution, and the importance of upholding international law and human rights in all circumstances. Members reviewed and endorsed a draft statement emphasising the need for restraint and constructive diplomatic engagement — and expressing UPF’s support for all efforts aimed at de-escalation and lasting peace in the region.
The statement was grounded in a conviction that UPF holds consistently across all conflicts: that wars begin with the breakdown of relationship — between individuals, between communities, between nations — and that the path back to peace runs through the same territory. Dialogue is not naivety. It is the only road that actually leads somewhere.
2. UN Family Day Event Review
Members turned with warmth to a review of the UN International Day of Families event held the previous month. The gathering at Kelston Community Centre had been a success by any measure: around 60 attendees, a thoughtful programme, inspired presentations from Mrs. Anne Degia-Pala QSM and Chairman Kenji Watanabe, and musical performances that had lifted the afternoon.
Positive feedback from participants was shared — and the committee discussed ideas for building on this year’s programme in 2026. The question of venue, of outreach, and of how to deepen the partnership with organisations like IKPACT and FFWPU Youth was explored with enthusiasm. Each iteration of the UN Family Day event has grown more connected and more reflective of the community it serves.
3. Planning for UN International Day of Peace — 21 September 2025
Early planning discussions were held for UPF New Zealand’s commemoration of the UN International Day of Peace, scheduled for 21 September 2025. Ideas under consideration included collaborative prayer for peace and reconciliation with local faith and community groups — an acknowledgement that in 2025, with conflicts active in multiple regions of the world, a day set apart for reflection and recommitment to peace carries particular weight.
The committee agreed to reach out to the various faith and ethnic communities with whom UPF New Zealand has established relationships, inviting them to participate in what it is hoped will be a gathering that reflects the full diversity of Auckland’s community.
4. Youth and Family Peace Day — 8 November 2025
Early planning for the third annual Youth and Family Peace Day — scheduled for Saturday 8 November 2025 — was also discussed. Building on the success of the previous two events (350+ attendees in 2023 and 300+ in 2024), the committee reaffirmed the importance of the event’s core vision: empowering families, fostering a culture of unity and mutual respect, and giving young people a genuine stake in the peace they are being asked to build.
The discussion touched on venue logistics, programme development, and the question of how to expand the exhibition element — which has consistently been one of the most popular features of the event, giving community organisations the opportunity to share their resources and connect with new audiences.
National Family Day Petition Promotion
The meeting concluded with a review of strategies for promoting the National Family Day Petition — the ongoing campaign to establish 11 November as a dedicated national family day in New Zealand. Key actions discussed included:
- Increased outreach through social media platforms, including personal stories about the positive impact of strong family bonds
- Collaboration with community organisations and schools to broaden the petition’s reach
- Engaging local politicians and community leaders as vocal supporters of the campaign
- Hosting informational sessions and Q&A forums in different parts of Auckland
The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of purpose — and the particular kind of energy that comes from a group of people who share a vision and have the plans to pursue it. UPF New Zealand meets monthly at the Peace Embassy. All Ambassadors for Peace and interested community members are welcome to attend.
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