Jessie Dennis

Guest writer

Jessie Dennis is the kaiwhakahaere/manager of the Women's Self Defence Network – Wahine Toa and the co-founder of Fem Force, a group campaigning to take abortion out of the Crimes Act this year.

Abortion-rights demonstrators in Northern Ireland (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

It’s crunch time: Five reasons to hit the streets for abortion rights

As New Zealanders prepare to gather to demand the Abortion Legislation Bill be passed and that abortion be removed from the Crimes Act, here are just a few reasons why you should get involved.

By Jessie Dennis | 14th February, 2020

Women march in a Greenpeace-organised protest in Katowice, Poland in December last year (Photo: Martyn Aim/Getty Images)

The climate crisis is a feminist issue

Climate change will affect us all, but it already affects women and other marginalised genders differently.

By Jessie Dennis | 8th June, 2019

Scott Kuggeleijn of New Zealand hits a shot during the twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Eden Park in Auckland on January 11, 2019. (Photo by Fiona Goodall / AFP / Getty Images)

Silence about Scott Kuggeleijn reinforces a culture of sexual violence

When cricketer Scott Kuggeleijn took to the pitch for the Black Caps last Friday there was no mention of his two trials for rape. Asks Jessie Dennis, is silence really the best NZ Cricket can do?

By Jessie Dennis | 18th January, 2019

People gathered outside Parliament last Thursday to demand the government bring Manus Island refugees to New Zealand

Words are cheap. Now Ardern must take real action to save the Manus Island refugees

Over the weekend PM Jacinda Ardern reiterated the government's offer to take 150 asylum seekers imprisoned on Manus Island. But we can't stop there, writes Jessie Dennis. Now it's time to swap compassionate words for life-saving action.

By Jessie Dennis | 6th November, 2017

30 ways campaigners changed Aotearoa for the better, despite nine years of National

30 ways campaigners changed Aotearoa for the better, despite nine years of National

As we wait for the government announcement today, let's reflect on the power of the individual to effect change, whatever the political party in power, writes peace activist Jessie Anne Dennis.

By Jessie Dennis | 19th October, 2017

The weapons expo is a marketplace for misery

The weapons expo is a marketplace for misery

This week's NZ Defence Industry Association Forum is a chance for the weapons industry to woo politicians and entice officials to spend more on the military. But are fancier killing machines really the best use of our taxpayer dollars, asks peace activist Jessie Anne Dennis.

By Jessie Dennis | 9th October, 2017