Peacenic - a picnic for peace
Each church, mosque, temple or sport club in our local area connects with a unique section of our community. We want to provide an opportunity for people in all sections of the community to build friendships with their neighbours.
Launched in 2016, our annual Peacenic - a 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 simplest gift of sharing our time and lunch together is rewarding in itself, but perhaps goes beyond that to offer a glimpse of the world as it could be.
Within our increasingly multi-religious and multi-ethnic community, we want to help build bridges across the divisions that have historically separated us. A useful first step towards understanding is to simply meet together as families and individuals and to share simple things like food, conversation, and your favourite “backyard” sport.
The purpose of “peacenic” is not to downplay or ignore the differences between the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or any other faiths, but to find a starting point that might lead to friendship in the presence of difference.
Arthur Faulkner Reserve
Tāmaki Makaurau is dotted with grassy, leafy spaces where people can connect with nature. In fact, there are more than 4000 parks across the region,providing a small slice of green within our urban settings. Arthur Faulkner Reserve, Mt Roskill is one of the "Seven pocket parks to discover" in Our Auckland.
This charming park in Mt Roskill lies at the end of Foch and Hazel Avenues. As well as having a fantastic children’s playground with swings, it has lots of trees to picnic under and a concrete table tennis table. There are also tennis courts that are open to the public, which are great for having a casual game with friends or, if no one’s playing tennis, a safe place to teach kids to ride bikes. We think that makes this pocket park a good place to hold our 2025 Picnic for Peace.
The official address is 33 Foch Avenue. Entry to the park is from the end of Foch Avenue or Hazel Avenue (near Dominion Road in Mt Roskill).
There is limited parking available within the reserve at the end of Foch Avenue. If that carpark is full, please find a park on the nearby streets. When you arrive, come and find us near the hall.
Agenda for the day
12:00 PM
We’ll set up and eagerly await your arrival!
12:30 PM
Arrive at the venue. Register your name at the sign-up table and grab a name tag.
Claim your spot for lunch.
Unfold your camping chair and unscrew the lid on your flask of tea.
Then let the eating begin!
Bring a ball to kick or throw around with your kids, ora petanque set for the more sedate sportspeople among you.
Time to get introductions underway, and post your best selfies!?
2:00 PM
Time to enjoy the sun!
Mingle with your favourite cup of tea, chat to an old friend, or meet someone new.
Graze for an afternoon snack (BYO to eat or share)
Stay and chat for as long as you like, or explore the park.
3:00 PM
Pack-up begins.
Farewell to friends, and hope to see you at our next Peacenic event in 2026.
