Peacenic 2025
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 community to build friendships with their neighbours.
CCM
Launching in 2016, Peacenic 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 mutli-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 and Muslim faiths, but to find a starting point that might lead to friendship in the presence of difference.
Venue
Al Masjid Al JAmie
This quiet reserve is surprisingly large green space tucked in behind the houses on Renfrew Avenue. There are 2 well maintained tennis courts that are open for public use and also used by the Mt Roskill Tennis Club which has a building next to them. Arthur Faulkner Reserve is also home to the Auckland VHF Club and Mt Roskill Scouts Club which are hosted in another building at the Hazel Ave end of the park. There is a substantial playground which caters to all ages including swings, slides, climbing nets, carousel, a musical game and more.
Location Details
17, Vermont Street, Ponsonby.
Pedestrian access is from Foch and Hazel avenues. Access the car park from the end of Foch Avenue.
The nearest bus stops are on Dominion Road.
12:00 PM
We’ll set up and eagerly await your arrival!
12:30 PM
Arrive and 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, or a 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 to look for 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 on your way home.
3:00 PM
Pack-up begins.
Farewell to friends, and hope to see you at our next Peacenic event in 2026.
What stuff do I need?
Bring your own chairs, mats or rugs. Come prepared for sun with hats and sunscreen; shady trees provided free of charge!
Put a jacket in the car in case the afternoon breeze picks up or the heavens open. Sports equipment.
Cricket set, football, frisbee or petanque set.
Remember your medication if you require access to any.
What food should I bring?
Bring your own lunch to enjoy, your tea cup of coffee mug, some water for hydration, and a flask of your favourite hot drink.
If food is to be shared with others and you're not used to halal cooking, vegan or kosher is best.
We are aiming to be a Zero Waste Event.
Please bring your own reusable cups, plates and utensils where possible.
Take any rubbish home with you for recycling and disposal.