Anthroposophy in Hawkes Bay
Calendar of Coming Events
-- Diary Dates
In the Rudolf Steiner Centre, 401 Whitehead Road, Hastings unless stated otherwise.
- Friday 11 July. 7 pm. Leading Thoughts Study Group. p181 "The Freedom of Man and the Age of Michael"; LT 162-164
- Monday 7 July at 7 pm. 1st of 4 Conversations on RS's Foundation Stone Meditation. Then 14, 21, 28 July.
- Friday 3 to Monday 6 October. Salutogenesis Course.
- Monday 5 to Sunday 11 January 2026. Social Eurythmy Course, at Michael Park School, Ellerslie.
Sine Die (without a day)
David Urieli has offered to continue speaking on the theme he started at the Festival for the Dead - the journey of human souls after death.
We will have a Memorial Evening for Daniel Brent where those who knew can share and celebrate his life
We will find dates and let you know after the Committee meeting this Thursday.
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-- Regular Groups
Leaders of Regular Study Groups are invited to list what your group is doing, when and where and how those interested can join you. Details to info@anthrohb.nz
- Friday Leading Thoughts Study Group meets on 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at 7 pm in the Foyer. All Welcome. Next meetings 7 pm on Fridays: 27 June, 11 & 25 July, 8 & 22 August, 12 & 26 September.
- Conversations on RS's Foundation Stone Meditation. Mondays 7, 14, 21 & 28 July.
- School of Spiritual Science from 9:30 to noon on Saturdays 5 July, 2 August, 6 September, 4 October, 1 November & 6 December.
- HB Branch Committee meetings 5:30 pm Thursdays 10 July, 14 August, 11 September, 9 October, 13 November & 11 December.
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Daniel Brent
The Christian Community Movement for Religious Renewal is to celebrate a Memorial Communion service for Daniel Brent on
Saturday, 12th July, 10am at Rangimarie, 617 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings.
This Act of Consecration (Communion service) begins with a Eulogy to Daniel and has a special prayer to Daniel before the reading of the last Epistle.
Those present are welcome to share communion towards the end of the service.
There will be an opportunity after the service for memories of Daniel to be shared. All are welcome to attend.
Many thanks,
Lesley Waite
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Why did Rudolf Steiner call the Christmas Conference of 1923/24
and shape it the way he did with a Foundation Stone?
Conversations on this theme start on Monday 7th July at 7pm at the Centre, then weekly.
Christopher Bacchus
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Taruna College is excited to be once again offering the following workshops:
Winter Warmer Craft workshops on the 26th July. Are you keen to try your hand at gilded letter creating; needle felting; pottery; flax weaving or tea towel printmaking! Workshops are $125 for the day, some of the workshops have an extra materials fee.
For more information or to register go to Taruna’s website https://www.taruna.ac.nz/courses-and-workshops/winter-warmers-craft-workshops/
Enlivening the Earth Biodynamics Workshop on the 11 - 13 July
This workshop will involve hands on stir and spread of 500, utilizing the rhythms of the biodynamic farming and the gardening calendar. The workshop is designed for those who want to use biodynamic regenerative practice in their own farm or garden. We are grateful to the Kete Ora Trust for sponsorship of this workshop #keteoratrust
Price $350 for the three day workshop. For more information follow our link: https://www.taruna.ac.nz/courses-and-workshops/biodynamic-learning-pathways/
Noho ora mai
Charmaine Wilson
Business Manager
Taruna College
33 Te Mata Peak Road
06 877 7174
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Elemental Beings
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Kathy Allan
Therapeutic Pastel Class with Kathy
This term we will be working with Wagner's opera of Parzival in story form.
Each week we will have a guided color meditation from the tale.
Working from the wisdom of Liane Collot d’Herbois with “Light, Color and Darkness".
Time…Wednesday 10 -11.30am
Place…Rudolf Steiner Centre Art Room
Materials…Mangyo pastels and paper (bulky newsprint) can be purchased at Humanity Book.
Phone Kathy on 0272330970 if you are interested.
Accommodation
The Rangimarie Flat at 617 Heretaunga Street East is now ready for a tenant. If you know of anyone who may be interested in sharing our house and gardens, please ask them to contact Lesley Waite at 021 065 8065 or Corrie Molenaar at 027 368 0242
Representation
What is the character of decision making in the three Social Realms?
In the Cultural or Educational (the “I”) Realm, freedom is a principle – individuals need independence in making their own decisions which affect their personal life, without pressure from outside agencies. A form of “self-rule” [or ‘autocracy’] perhaps? The main restriction is when an individual’s personal decisions begin to affect other people’s rights adversely.
In the Legal or Political (the “You”) Realm people meet and interact, and equality is a principle. When decisions are made, those affected expect to have an equal opportunity, with others, to influence the outcome of the decision-making process. This is the realm of democracy, of rights and responsibility, of permission, prohibition and penalties, of common sense.
In the Economic or Community (the “We”) Realm, cooperation is a principle. When we have problems in the production of goods and/or the creation of services, we want effective, appropriate decisions, made in consultation with people who have expertise and experience. Would that be, perhaps, meritocracy? Not necessarily a democratic or voting matter!
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The transcendental values of Truth, Beauty and Goodness can be connected to the three social realms in various ways.
In the Cultural /Spiritual Realm, we can see Truth as a guiding ideal.
In the Legal /Soul Realm, we can see Beauty as a guiding ideal. In earlier times “fair” meant “Beautiful”
In the Economic /Body Realm, we can see Goodness as a guiding ideal. It is a realm where we make “goods” to meet our bodily needs in a healthy or good way.
Back to the Cultural Realm: it’s also 3fold: Science – Truth; Art – Beauty; Religion (moral guidance) – Goodness.
The Legal Realm is also 3fold. In the Courts we seek justice by asking for “The Truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. In Parliament (house of representatives) we seek to create laws that are fair, and thus beautiful. In Government (including local government) we seek the provision (namely key appointments and financing) of good civil services, such as Police, defence (Army, Navy, Airforce), health, transport infrastructure (roads, rail, ports and airports), education (schools and universities) – that is: services that improve the lives and circumstances of the region’s citizens.
The Economic Realm is also 3fold. Not such strong links, I think.
In Production – Truth? Perhaps using the most effective, efficient processes and best use of natural materials and resources.
In Distribution – Fairness? Everyone has equal access/opportunity to the goods and services provided?
In Consumption – Goodness? That the goods and services fully meet needs and expectations, that are pleasing & easy to use, are healthy (not toxic), are durable without creating undue waste.
Back to the middle realm, Legal Political Realm where decisions are made that affect you, and are made on your behalf by representatives. The way these decisions representatives are selected is interesting.
In the Courts, whose task it is to seek the Truth, it is 3fold: we have 1. the Judge, 2. the legal Counsel of the parties concerned, and 3. where warranted, a Jury.
In New Zealand, judges are appointed by the Governor-General, typically on the advice of the Attorney-General who consults with the Chief Justice. Candidates are assessed on legal ability, personal qualities (like honesty and integrity), and technical skills. The learned Judge has years of experience acquiring the necessary skills – relates to the Cultural Realm.
The legal Counsel provide a service of advocacy and advice - relates to the Economic Realm.
The Jury, consisting of 12 adult citizens representing the general population, the public, are selected by a process called ‘sortition’.
How Sortition works:
- Random Selection: Individuals are chosen by lottery, from the local electoral roll, ensuring a cross-section of the population.
- Stratification: Often, the randomly selected group is further refined based on demographics (age, gender, location, etc.) to ensure it accurately reflects the broader population.
During jury selection, Counsel can challenge for ‘cause’, which means a request to remove a potential juror because they cannot be fair and impartial in the case on trial. (This differs from a peremptory challenge from a counsel, whereby a juror can be removed without Counsel offering a specific reason.) Challenges for cause are based on specific grounds, such as bias, prior knowledge of the case, or an inability to understand the proceedings.
- Deliberation: The selected group of 12 citizens are then empaneled as the Jury, which participates in a deliberative process, considering evidence and arguments to reach informed decisions.
Why use sortition?
- Increased Representation:
Sortition can help address concerns about under-representation of certain groups in traditional political systems.
- Reduced Influence of Special Interests:
By selecting individuals randomly, sortition can mitigate the impact of political parties, lobbyists, (and financial considerations).
Random selection can be perceived as fairer and more legitimate, potentially leading to greater public trust in the process and its outcomes.
However, members of Parliament and of the Government are not selected by Sortition {Can you imagine it?} but by Election, a very different process. (Note: Sortition can help address voter apathy by engaging citizens who may not typically participate in traditional political processes, thus fostering a greater sense of civic participation.
I feel that in New Zealand the distinction between the role of Parliament and that of Government (Cabinet, caucus and party) is blurred and not well understood.
Parliament has several roles which cross-over: 1. Legislation and 2. Scrutiny of the Government.
In essence, Parliament acts as the central institution of democratic governance, balancing the power of the government with the needs and voices of people as individuals.
1a. Representation:
- Parliament serves as the voice of the people, with elected members (MPs) representing their constituents' views and concerns. [Question: How do they determine their constituents' views and concerns?]
- This representation is crucial because it's impractical for all citizens to directly or personally participate in every decision.
- Members of Parliament (MPs) are responsible for conveying the views of their electorate to the government and vice versa.
1b. Legislation:
- Parliament is responsible for creating and updating laws, and is thus the primary law-making body.
- Proposed laws, called bills, go through a process of debate, research, select committees, amendment, and voting before becoming legislation.
2a. Scrutiny:
- Parliament scrutinizes the government's actions and policies, holding it accountable for its decisions.
- This scrutiny involves questioning ministers, debating policies, and reviewing government spending.
- Select committees play a vital role in examining specific issues and holding inquiries.
2b. Authorization of Public Funds:
- Parliament approves the government's budget: taxation and spending plans.
- This ensures that public money is used responsibly and according to the priorities set by the elected representatives in their manifestos.
- The budget process involves debate and scrutiny of the government's fiscal and financial proposals.
In in a certain way the New Zealand Electoral System, MMP [Mixed Member Proportional] recognises this duality as we have 2 votes: one for a Representative of the people living in a geographical electoral district, the other for a Party with a policy manifesto for governing the country.
But then they merge, and more dangerously, the Representatives can be whipped by the political parties into voting in a pre-determined way!
(Whips are the party's "enforcers.” They work to ensure that their fellow political party legislators attend voting sessions and vote according to their party's official policy. Members who vote against party policy may "lose the whip,” being expelled from the party.
The three-line whip is a device (fear) that ensures party unity and allows the leadership to pass legislation effectively. However, critics argue it can stifle individual MPs' ability to represent their constituents' views and vote according to their conscience.)
Here, there can be a great danger of the tyranny of the ‘majority’, especially when it is just a simple majority (merely exceeding 50% of the votes cast). A unanimous majority [everyone agreeing] is rare, so for some important legislation – changing the founding constitution – a super majority of 60% (3/5) or 66.7% [2 over 1] or 75% [3 over 1] may be required.
For the New Zealand Parliament of 120 MPs, these majorities would mean:
Simple: 61 or more FOR, 59 or less AGAINST
60%: 72 or more FOR, 48 or less AGAINST
67%: 80 or more FOR, 40 or less AGAINST
75%: 90 or more FOR, 30 or less AGAINST
However, one can hope that legislative bodies would strive for consensus by considering all reasonable objections. Consensus is reached when all Members agree on a text, but it does not mean that they all agree on every element of a draft document. They can agree to allow a draft resolution to proceed to a further stage, but still have reservations about certain parts of the text.
OK – enough for today.
RB
