Peacenic 2026: An Act of Joyful Defiance

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.

Each Peacenic event is an opportunity for the whole family to meet up with friends, old and new.

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