Peacenic 2026: An Act of Joyful Defiance
- holytrinitynz
- Jan 26
- 2 min read
By Reverend Bruce Keeley, Founding Christian Co-president of the Council of Christians and Muslims
The 2026 Peacenic ‘picnic for peace’ will take place on Sunday 15 February 3-5pm at Arthur Faulkner Park, Mt Roskill and, when it comes to building relationships in our community, it doesn't get much more grassroots than sharing food and conversation.
The simplest gift of sharing time together is rewarding in itself but perhaps goes beyond that to offer a glimpse of the world as it could be.
Launched by the Auckland Council of Christians and Muslims in 2016, the annual Peacenic 'picnic for peace' grew out of a desire to replace the polarising bad-news stories that dominate media attention with real experiences of hospitality and friendship in our own backyard.
The Auckland-based Council of Christians and Muslims was formed thirty years ago and was ground-breaking at the time. Its purpose was the establishment of trusting relationships through the sharing of common ground, the respectful exploration of differences, and working together towards a more peaceful and just society. That kaupapa became extremely relevant in the wake of 9/11, as all Muslims found themselves under judgement and many Christians (and other non-Muslims) realised their ignorance of Islam and its followers. The CCM was able to offer a meeting point through its regular public gatherings and workshops offered to church and community groups.
In recent years the annual Peacenic has provided a different way of meeting, in an atmosphere of relaxed conversation and the sharing of diverse cultures and food. It might also be seen as an act of ‘joyful defiance’ in the face of increasing polarisation and suspicion between nations and communities of varying faiths, cultures and political persuasions.
Here’s a chance for us to celebrate our common humanity and take a positive stand against the hateful rhetoric of voices that want to keep us apart.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Reverend Bruce Keeley
Founding Christian Co-president
Council of Christians and Muslims
I liked how this post turned a community event into something hopeful instead of just another gathering announcement. During a busy semester, I remember trying to stay involved in local events while handling difficult coding projects, and I ended up using computer science class help so I could finish my assignments and still spend time with friends at community activities like this. It reminded me that small moments of joy and connection can really help during stressful times.
The 2026 Peacenic is set for February 15th, and it's a great way to build community. Sharing food and conversation is so powerful AI Couple Photo
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What a beautiful initiative bringing people together through food, conversation, and shared humanity 🤝 Events like Peacenic, led by the Auckland Council of Christians and Muslims, truly reflect the power of community and understanding in action. In a world that can often feel divided, this kind of gathering is a reminder that connection can be both simple and powerful — a true null brawl Joyful moment where unity and positivity win over division.