128 is a radical social centre and resource centre located in Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand. It currently houses the Mechanical Tempest bike workshop, an open art space, meeting rooms, Revolting Books Little Anarchist Library, a kitchen, limited accommodation, a wom*n’s room, dance and yoga space, wood workshop, table tennis table, gardening resources, activist resources, event space, and a community noticeboard.
The house is managed and maintained by a non-hierarchical, consensus-based collective that includes live-in caretakers.
Recently the house has hosted informational film nights and served as a base of operations for the anti-bypass movement. It also maintains close links with local radical groups such as the the Freedom Shop and Peace Action Wellington.
== History ==
Built in the latter 1800s, 128 Abel Smith St. has housed many groups and activities including a maternity hospital, music school, and the Lebanese Club. Under threat from Wellington’s Inner City Bypass, it was left vacant and fell into disrepair. In 2002 locals stopped thieves from completely stripping the building and started a community restoration project. Many people have been involved over the last few years and 128 is now established as a grassroots community space.
== 128 Kaupapa (Mission Statement) ==
PURPOSE:
The 128 collective aims to create a radical social centre and resource centre.
STATEMENT OF INTENT:
The 128 collective aims to be a positive example of autonomy, collectivity, cooperation, and sustainability.
The 128 collective aims to create a welcoming, safe, and functional space.
The 128 collective aims to serve and support the radical political community, and prioritises the use of the space and resources for activities, organizations, and individuals that share the values and principles of the 128 collective.
The 128 collective aims to be a functional, responsible, and transparent collective whose members are accountable to each other.
The 128 collective aims to welcome all people who are interested in learning, participating and/or initiating activities in this space provided that they are respectful and responsible.
The 128 collective aims to create a space free of all forms of oppression, domination, and discrimination including but not limited to patriarchy, racism, colonialism, and homophobia.
The 128 collective aims to be transparent to the community that it supports.
VALUES AND PRINCIPLES:
We recognise Māori as tangata whenua and their right to tino rangatiratanga.
We are against all forms of oppression and systems of domination.
We are non-hierarchical, collectively organised, and consensus based.
We value transparency of operations, personal responsibility for individual actions, and cooperative behaviour.
We acknowledge and respect diversity.
