From the outset, the Trust was keen to invite distinguished scholars and peace activists, politicians, and others inspired by Archie’s legacy of principled resistance to war to honour his memory and re-interpret his stand for peace and justice for a twenty-first-century audience.
The annual Archibald Baxter Memorial Lecture is held each year on or close to International Peace Day, 21 September.
Archibald Baxter Memorial Lectures
| 2025 | Principles for Aotearoa New Zealand’s Foreign Policy | Delivered by Nanaia Mahuta - former Minister for Foreign Affairs 2020-2023 YouTube link |
| 2024 | Making Peace with our Past and Future | Delivered by Hon Grant Robertson. YouTube link |
| 2023 | No lecture held | |
| 2022 | The United Nations & Peacebuilding and how to Invigorate the Multilateral System | Delivered by David Shearer MBE, former Labour MP. YouTube link |
| 2021 | Modern Peace Building | A discussion featuring former Prime Minister Helen Clarke ONZ, in conversation with Prof Clement Clements, Ingrid Leary MP and Prof Robert Chapman. YouTube link |
| 2020 | The Importance of Descent | Delivered by Chris Finlayson KC, former National Party MP and Attorney General. YouTube link |
| 2019 | Absolutism and the Price of Dissent | Delivered by Wellington historian, David Grant. YouTube link Renowned New Zealand historian David Grant profiles “forgotten hero” Mark Briggs, staunch conscientious objector, family man, loyal New Zealander ... and pig hunter. |
| 2018 | Informed Dissent: Challenging State Secrecy | Delivered by NZ human rights activist, Maire Leadbeater. YouTube link Human rights and peace activist, Maire Leadbeater discussed New Zealanders anti-war activities and willingness to challenge and disobey the state. She began with some consideration of dissent in WWII — in keeping with the heritage of Archibald Baxter. |
| 2017 | Passchendaele’s Shadow | Delivered by historian, Prof Tom Brooking. No video available |
| 2016 | The Politics of Compassion in a World of Ruthless Power | Delivered by Honorary Prof Kevin Clements. YouTube link |
| 2015 | The Politics of Torture: The Findings of the US Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Torture | Delivered by theologian, David Tombs. YouTube link |
| 2014 | Discovering Archibald Baxter and the thoughts on war which followed | Delivered by Historian, Prof Henry Reynolds from the University of Tasmania. No video available |