Gandhi, King, Ikeda Exhibition Showing in Rotorua District, New Zealand - Nov 9

Ribbon-cutting for exhibition opening in Rotorua, New Zealand

The "Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace" exhibition, which opened on November 9 at a public library in Rotorua District, New Zealand, is receiving favorable response from visitors. Sponsored and organized by SGI-New Zealand, the exhibition introduces the human rights and peace activism of three 20th century leaders, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda; and displays valuable historical photographs and documents that chronicle the extensive lifework of the three peace leaders. The exhibition also presents the ideals they followed--the way of mentor and disciple, humanism, self-motivated altruism, the spirit of nonviolence, and an unflinching stance against persecution and oppression. Rotorua Mayor Grahame W. Hall and Steve Chadwick, a member of New Zealand Parliament, attended the opening and thanked the SGI-New Zealand local members for their grassroots efforts for peace. The exhibition is scheduled to travel to other cities in New Zealand, such as Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland.

Rotorua District, New Zealand, Celebrates November 18, "SGI World Peace Day" - Nov 17

Traditional Maori dance featured at "Peacing It Together" peace rally

On November 17, Rotorua District, New Zealand, which designated November 18 as "SGI World Peace Day" in 2000, held a commemorative gathering titled "Peacing It Together," at Ikeda-Hall Peace Garden in Rotorua. More than 700, including Rotorua Mayor Grahame W. Hall, New Zealand Parliament member Steve Chadwick, local residents and SGI-New Zealand members attended. Messages from New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda were read at the gathering. Both stressed the key role that New Zealand and the City of Rotorua have played in promoting a world without nuclear weapons.

Cut-out doves carry peace messages from schoolchildren throughout New Zealand

Rotorua was the first city in New Zealand to declare a ban on nuclear weapons. Mayor Hall welcomed everyone, stating his belief that "Peace begins with individuals, flows into our communities, and extends across international borders into the global community." Co-organized by SGI-New Zealand and the Rotorua District Council, with other local groups, the event featured songs by local musicians Many Hands, and traditional dances of the Maoris, the indigenous people of New Zealand and other Pacific Islands such as the Kingdom of Tonga and Samoa. A Japanese stringed instrument koto performance and Japanese tea ceremony were also presented. A 1.8 km-long peace message made of 7,000 colored cut-out doves, which were sent to schools all over New Zealand several months ago and returned with personal messages of peace, was also displayed in the garden.

Mr. Sasaki receives award on behalf of Mr. Ikeda from Mr. Chang

At the event, Preston Zhang, President of the Auckland-based Asia Pacific Culture Connections Center, announced the presentation of the award of "Peace Messenger and Bridge of Culture" to Dr. Ikeda in recognition of his efforts to promote cultural and educational exchanges between China and Japan. SGI-Oceania Chair Richard Sasaki received a plaque of the award, on behalf of Mr. Ikeda, from Mr. Zhang.

[Ikeda-Hall Peace Garden, a park bearing the last names of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda and Mayor Grahame W. Hall, opened in Rotorua on September 8, 2000, in commemoration of second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda's "Declaration for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons" (September 8, 1957), which condemned the use of nuclear weapons as criminal under any circumstances.]

Gandhi, King, Ikeda Exhibition Held in Dunedin, New Zealand - Nov 25

Ribbon-cutting in Dunedin, New Zealand

On November 25, the "Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace" exhibition opened at the city library in Dunedin, New Zealand, following a showing in Rotorua District. Sponsored and organized by SGI-New Zealand, the exhibition introduces the human rights and peace activism of three 20th century leaders, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda; and displays valuable historical photographs and documents that chronicle the extensive lifework of the three peace leaders. The exhibition also presents the ideals they followed--the way of mentor and disciple, humanism, self-motivated altruism, the spirit of nonviolence, and an unflinching stance against persecution and oppression.

SGI-New Zealand General Director James Wallace gave a welcome address at the opening, with some 100 guests and local residents attending. Bishop Penny Jamieson gave a congratulatory address. A message from Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., Dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, was read. Dunedin Mayor Sukhi Turner also attended the opening and thanked the local SGI-New Zealand members for their grassroots efforts for peace. The exhibition will run through November 6 and is scheduled to travel to Christchurch and Auckland.