The Pulse of Kiwi-Indians Auckland Christchurch Wellington Hamilton Palmerston North Hastings Invercargill

8 May, 2015 Vol. 7 Issue 7 | www.iwk.co.nz

New Zealands first Kiwi-Indian weekly newspaper

FREECOPY

20152015

KIWI INDIANYOUNG ACHIEVER

2015KIWI INDIAN

UNSUNG HERO2015

IN PURSUIT OFHAPPINESS

OvER-wORkEd, UNdER-PAId

MIGRANT wORkERS

8 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Red Black Orange

2 NEW ZEALAND

Package details, lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. A copy of our terms and conditions and our Reserve Bank Disclosure Statement is available on request from any ANZ branch. ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited 05/15 17786IW

NEW TONEW ZEALAND?

CHOOSE THE BANK THAT UNDERSTANDS

WHERE YOURE COMING FROM. TALK TO US

ABOUT OUR MIGRANT BANKING PACKAGE.

Its everything you need for your personal and business banking, from discounts on online international money transfers and insurance protection to business current accounts.

For more information visit your nearest branch, anz.co.nz/migrantpackage or call 0800 269 296.

www.iwk.co.nz | 8 May 2015

Red Black Orange

3NEW ZEALAND

Continued on Pg 4

In pursuit of a home away from homeThe story of migrant workers trying to build their dreams in New Zealand

Maya ShivaM

In continuation of our three parts story, from last week on the state of the overseas (Indian) students, we look at the state of migrant workers this week. In reality, a large number of these students make up the section we call migrant workers. The abuse and exploitation of migrant workers that has come to light recently, has perhaps pushed the Government to take a serious look at the Immigration amendment bill that takes a serious look at this.

The Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) which cracks down on employers who exploit migrant workers, has passed its final reading in parliament.

I have been concerned about reports of migrant exploitation and am confident this new legislation will make a big difference in protecting some of

our most vulnerable workers, says Michael Woodhouse, the Minister of Immigration. The fundamental principle is that migrant workers have the same employment rights as all other workers in New Zealand.

Under the new law, employers

who exploit temporary workers will face a jail sentence of up to seven years, a fine not exceeding $100,000, or both. A new offence has also been introduced for employers who exploit legal temporary or unlawful workers and are reckless as to their

immigration status. This offence carries a jail sentence of up to five years, a fine not exceeding $100,000, or both. In addition, exploitative employers who hold residence visas will also be liable for deportation if the offence was committed within 10 years of gaining residence.

The tough penalties reflect the seriousness of such offences and reinforces that this Government does not tolerate employers who exploit migrant labour for their own commercial advantage and will do everything possible to stamp out this abhorrent practice, says Woodhouse.

The Bill also extends the search powers of immigration officers so they can search an employers premises and talk to the people present to identify offending by employers. They will also be able to check documents and search for unlawful workers.

The Government has already

made a number of changes to detect and address migrant exploitation that encourages victims of serious workplace exploitation to come forward and report that exploitation, and this new legislation complements those changes.

We are also spending more than $7 million over four years to boost the number of labour inspectors and immigration officers dealing with the Canterbury rebuild, says Woodhouse.

Although the bill covers off many areas of migrant exploitation, the problem is perhaps a little more complex and reforming the situation will need time, education, awareness and also greater support for the migrants who find themselves in this predicament.

We tried to delve slightly deeper into this issue and

8 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Red Black Orange

4 NEW ZEALANDContinued from Pg 3realised some facts that perhaps contribute to the state of migrant workers and what makes them vulnerable to exploitation. To start with, temporary migrant workers can be particularly more vulnerable to exploitation because they cannot access social services and, in particular, income support. Also if there are certain restrictions or conditions on their visa, they are often reluctant to approach the authorities for fear of the consequences for their immigration status. In addition, many migrants are not familiar with New Zealands institutions or their employment rights under New Zealand legislation.

Statistics show that most students, specially coming from India, arrive with a view to secure a permanent residence for themselves on completion of their study. A large number of them have families back home who are paying off huge loans to help them settle overseas. Generally, students who are granted work rights, their visa conditions specify that they may only work for up to 20 hours in any given week and full-time over the Christmas/New Year holiday period. It has become evident that students, possibly because they are underpaid by their employer, want to work longer hours, making them in breach of their visa conditions (with potential liability for deportation and/or impacts on subsequent visa applications). In many cases, students who do not have work rights also continue to work to

make ends meet and therefore do not complain about their work situations.

Also, both international students with work rights and those on essential skills visa have employment conditions on their visas that, if breached, could make them liable for deportation or could potentially affect subsequent visa applications. This fear of immigration consequences can be exploited by unscrupulous employers. For these workers, their visa conditions stipulate the occupation that the worker must work in and the employer that the worker must work for. Because their visa is tied to a specific employer, if they leave

their job, they can lose their visa and therefore become liable for deportation.

Unlike New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who have access to our welfare system, temporary migrant workers do not have a safety net and may be more reliant on their employer. In addition, the ability for migrant workers to stay in New Zealand may require the support of their employer, creating an even greater power imbalance between employer and employee. Therefore, migrant workers need additional protection over and above that of other workers.

New Zealand is a small economy and therefore profits in

small business enterprises are not very large. Employers therefore possibly seek to gain a commercial advantage by employing migrants on terms below minimum employment standards. For example, an employer who pays two workers $5 an hour less than their entitlement for a 40 hour week is saving $400 per week or $20,000 per annum in overheads. By avoiding the full costs of employing workers on a lawful bias, the commercial advantage gained by exploitative employers can potentially drive compliant businesses out of the market.

The Labour Inspectorate has only been collecting data on

employees migrant status since July 2012, so an understanding of the true scale of the problem is still limited. Between July 2012 and May 2013 the Labour Inspectorate has completed investigations of approximately 180 complaints that involve breaches of the Minimum Wage Act 1983.

The Labour Inspectorate and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) report that it is common for employers who exploit migrant workers to themselves be former migrants. There are certain sectors where exploitation of migrant workers is more prevalent, for example, lower skilled work in horticulture/viticulture, hospitality, retail and construction. Migrant exploitation is also prevalent where there is reliance on labour contracting as a business model.

Looking at the other side of the coin, some well-intentioned employers often find themselves being used by their employees who leave them in the lurch as soon as their Residence formalities are completed. We heard many stories of employers who lost their employees overnight once their residence applications had been approved. Having invested and supported their migrant employees, small business owners feel let down and short changed.

Although the passing of this bill is a step in the right direction but there is still a lot of ground to be covered, if the government is serious about resolving this issue with migrant workers.

There is a lot to be said and heard on this subject, but we decided to venture into the community and speak to some employers and employees to hear what the reality on the ground was like. The people sharing their stories here, wish their identities to be unknown and we respect their privacy. Here is what they had to say:

Male, 27 years old

I have worked in a liquor store for more than three years. I started working at a pay rate

as low as $5 per hour. I was a student when

I started working. I did not have much money at that time that I could not survive without a job. And at a pay rate that lo

w, I had to

work more hours than I was allowed to, in order to generate an adequate amount of money to bare my expenses and save

some of it for

future. I have worked for almost one and a half year at the same pay rate, which then increased by a Dollar. I would work

almost 15-18

hours a day and would come home to get a short sleep of 4 hours only. My friends used to tease me that you are only after

Dollars. What

will you do with that lot of money, you should enjoy your life also. But I couldnt tell them what I was going through.

And that wasnt it. I never got any sick leave or monthly paid leaves. Because I needed a visa support from my employe

r, I had no

other option than to get exploited. Because Kiwi companies do not hire immigrants with temporary visas and then we are l

eft with these

kind of jobs only where employers I think take it as their opportunity to save their money. I think the employers who com

plain for their

staff using them for their visas, should also make sure that they are providing their employees with the

basic benefits one should get.

Male, 32 years old

I wont say that I havent been exploited but my exploitation period didnt go too long. Like most of the people know, that Indians are not paid very well. And those behind exploiting are also Indians. This is the most disheartening fact of the exploitation. I

came here thinking that people who belong to our country will be helpful to us. But they instead, having the advantage of knowing

our situation very well, are exploiting their own country-people. This has also largely ruined the image of Indian in many countries.

Everyone have heard of the recent Masala controversy. It is one of such examples. My immigration lawyer, when I went to him

for my visa assistance, told me that in case of Indian employers, immigration is more careful because they expect people working or

paying illegally in such companies. So, its causing a big problem for many genuine cases also. We are the ones who have to pay for the

misdeeds of a bunch of crooks.

www.iwk.co.nz | 8 May 2015

Red Black Orange

5NEW ZEALAND

Continued on Pg 6

Indian Takeaway in Food CourtWeekly Sales $9000, No Late HoursAsking : $95,000

Licensed Restaurant close to Eden ParkWeekly Sales $20,000, ProfitableAsking $530,000

Indian Spice StoreSouth Auckland, Weekly Sales $21,000Asking $269,000+stock

Indian Takeaway & Cake ShopProfitable, Full training,Reasonable RentAsking $169,000+stock

Thai RestaurantRent $1150 pm, short hours, Weekly Sales $6,000Suits any cuisineAsking : 139,000+stock

Thai Takeaway North ShoreWeekly Sales $5,000, Busy LocationSuits any cuisine.

Pizza RestaurantChef dream, Huge potentialAsking $135,000

Call now to find out more Preeti Thakar at 021 0224 3202

Suman Sharma Ph: 09 266 9890(Registered Financial Adviser) M:022 044 4455 info@reliancefinance.co.nz www.reliancefinance.co.nz

Suresh Sharma Ph: 09 625 3800(Ex NZ/U.K Bank Manager) M: 021 82 7575 (Registered Financial Adviser) suresh@cherrymortgage.co.nz

NEW ZEALANDS BEST MORTGAGE & INSURANCE SOLUTIONS

We get you best interest rates and best loan structures which save you thousands of dollars and make you debt free faster. Call us today!

For most appropriate and economical insurance solutions for your unique situation call us today for a no obligation quote.

Home Loans - 90% Business Loans Commercial Loans Debt Consolidation

Life & Health Insurance Trauma & TPD Mortgage and Income Protection

4 CHARLES PREVOST DRIVE, THE GARDENS AUCKLAND 2105PERSONAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS FOR BOTH ADVISERS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FOR FREE

Female, 43 years old

I am working as a beautician with an Indian employer. Shes paying me $9 per hour. I have been working here from 3 years. My husband is working in a good company. We both are PR holders. But we cant run our house with only his earnings. So I have to work as well. I cant speak very good English so have to work with Indian employers. I have to work 8-9 hours continuously in 15 minutes of lunch break. I cant complaint about it to the concerned authorities because I cant afford to lose my job. Now, I have even stopped thinking that I am getting exploited. And moreover, I think I never thought of moving out of my comfort zone and try something challenging.

Female, 25 years old

I came here as a student in 2001 and had started worki

ng at

an Indian restaurant. I am still working at the same place,

because I need visa. Employers thinks that we (employees) are

being selfish and only use them till we get our residency. I would

not lie and would say that it is true. I mean, who would like to

work at a place where you have no chance of professional growth

and getting $10 per hour. You have to work more in order to

earn a basic salary. And worse than that is, when the employers

behaves as if hes doing a favour on you by paying at least $10

dollars because other are paying lower than that. I cant see it

stopping in near future. Because migration of Indian students is

increasing every day and 98% of them come with the intention

of settling here down permanently. Most of the Kiwi companies

prefer to hire people who are residents of the country. So what

are we left with? Nothing but such jobs where you can speak up

for you basic rights.

8 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Red Black Orange

6 NEW ZEALANDContinued from Pg 5

FREE EmplOYmENt WORKSHOpS FOR NEW mIGRANtSIN mAYAuckland Regional Migrant Services (ARMS) is running two free job search workshops for new migrants on 12 and 26 May.

The job search workshops provides new Kiwis with advice and guidance on finding work, writing CVs and cover letters, answering interview questions, and communication in the Kiwi work place.

The workshop will take place at the ARMS offices at the Three Kings Plaza, Mt Albert Road from 9.15am 3.15pm.

The workshops are free to people on full work visas and have been in NZ for less than two years.

ARMS is also running an

immigration information workshop with Auckland Community Law Centre on 14 May from 9am to 1pm at the ARMS Regional Offices. The workshop covers legal rights and obligations

of holding a residence visa, visa expiry, and unlawful stay in New Zealand, where to find the right information, who can assist, in what way and how much it would cost.

To register please contact ARMS on reception@arms-mrc.org.nz or call on 09 625 2440.

The workshops are free to people on full work visas and have been in NZ for less than two years.

Barry Kundu, Manager at an Indian restaurant

I have been working here as a manager of different restaurants at different times for the last 4 years

. The employers mostly hire people with good

experience and the energy required in the service sector. All these years even I have been a part of recruitments I have se

en many people come and go. If

students are coming here without any experience or exposure to the New Zealand market how can they expect a good job

until they get experience, plus

most of them have trouble speaking English which is a basic requirement here. See theres 200-400 students coming to A

uckland from India every week,

how can 200 jobs be provided every week?

We see the skills but most of them lack the skills even if they are hard working, plus their education does not really matte

r in service sector.

When it comes to exploitation, yes there are exploitations happening that I have heard of. Students who say they are paid le

ss than minimum wage and

have to work long hours are actually their mistake too. If the employers are guilty then so are students be

cause if they are offered less than minimum wage

they can say no and look for better jobs. They are not bound to work on less than minimum wage and again if they comp

lain, thats not fair.

Jasmeet Kaur, owner of a snacks restaurant in Sandringham

I started this restaurant around in 2001 and have seen so many students working under us. We have around 7-9 employees working with us mostly students, some are part time and some are full time. I treat my employees as my daughters; they are required in the service section as well as inside the kitchen. They are all minimum wage paid and we make sure their class hours (if students) do not clash with our working hours. I know many who come from India are not from very rich families and they have financial constraints as well as other pressures on their head. I can understand getting job here is

difficult because there is so much competition in the market, not just in food business but in every sector. So many students are coming here and looking

for work but where to produce work when you have a budget and certain requirement only. I get around ten to twelve CVs every week asking for part time and full time work but sometimes we dont really need anyone and everything is stable, where do we hire them for?? I know it is tough for them and I do know that some Indian employers do not pay them on minimum wage but since I have never discriminated my employees I would not like to comment on this, its bad to exploit your employees because they are the ones who get business to the firm. I dont know what education agents in India promise the

students there and they come here with huge expectations. Its the agents who need to answer and should be held responsible and are guilty of projecting false promises to naive students and their families.

Ninad Joshi, Grocery store in Sandringham

I have been working here for the last two years in this store because it is my cousins store so I am like the employers. We dont really have big operations so we have hired only one student at our work, he is given minimum wage and works for 20 hours weekly. Look, the students who come here are too many, and there are of course fewer jobs here because it is a small country. We want employees who can speak fluent English because that is the demand of the job. Yes there are students who get exploited by the employers by getting less than minimum wage payment and long working hours so the employers are guilty and they should be held responsible.

Varun Makol, owner of Stop n Shop stores in Auckland

I came here around 6 years back and worked as a bartender in Skycity, my wife was a student of Accounts at AUT. Soon after she got the job we planned to open up a business instead of just working under someone and now I have 5 necessity stores in Auckland, planning to open a couple of more by this year end.I have 25-30 part time and full time employees of which some are students and some are on work visa. I have always considered my employees very dearly and a part of my family. I treat them with respect and make them feel comfortable at workplace since they are our real assets. I have 5 stores so I dont stay in one store all day; I have to manage all of them. When I recruit employees, I look for their experience and more than that their enthusiasm and passion to work, not just for money but to learn. This is why I dont have to employ a new person every time, most of my employees work for long term with my stores. When it comes to students who complain of being exploited, yes it is true that some Indian employers do that and since NZ is a small country with a very stiff competition many students are not able to secure job in this place. Now since IELTS is removed for most students so they really dont have a clue how to communicate in this English speaking country, in such scenario the students cannot really blame the employers of not employing them or the government. Over that I find the agents back in India who send these innocent out of hatch kids to a foreign nation with such high false hopes and dreams, they are to be blamed and caught guilty and to some extent the parents too. Some students are barely 18 or 19 years old and parents send them to a foreign country with huge investments, when they cannot secure a job here, the parents put a pressure on them that to earn their living because they too are having cash crunches. Source: Regulatory Impact Statement Protecting Migrant Workers from Exploitation , www.mbie.govt.nz Employees and employers comments as told to Swati Sharma and Md Rizwan of Indian Weekender

www.iwk.co.nz | 8 May 2015

Red Black Orange

7NEW ZEALAND

Deities Enshrined at Thiru Subramaniam Temple

Rizwan MohaMMad

The newly made temple in Mangere was inaugurated by hundreds of devotees on Sunday 3rd May where the idols brought from India was placed during a 2 hour long Puja ceremony.

Thiru Subramaniam Temple of Auckland which was originally situated at 41 Stanhope Road, Mt Wellington has been moved to 69 Tidal Road where the enshrinement of the new idols took place last week. The Puja started in the morning at 10 am with devotees queueing in their traditional attire and tikas on their forehead along with.

National MP from Manukau East Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, NZ First MP Mahesh Bindra, Labour MP Sua William Sio, Sunny Kaushal & Priyanca Radhakrishnan from Labour Party were also present at the venue to grace the event. The Puja started with chants from the priest is Sanskrit and then with the breaking the coconut and doing the aarti.

Lord Murugan is one of the South Indian Gods; it was the ceremony to place the idols since the previous place was smaller for a large crowd. This ceremony called Maha Kumbabishegam (Prana Prathista) or evoking life into the idols from their stone state.

The idols have come especially carved by sculptures from India, the idols are of Lord Murugan, Lord Venkateshwara, Lord Shiva, Vinayaka and all these idols have their respective vahanas (vehicles)

like Venkateshwara had Garuda, Shiva had Nandi, Vinayaka had Mushaka and so on.

The Puja was conducted by the chief priest of the temple Shri Chandru, the head priest of the Sri Ganesh Temple in Papakura, Sri Swaminathan and few of his volunteered assistants.

The idols were bathed in coconut water, holy water from the Ganges with herbs and with milk too. The Puja ended by noon and lunch was served to almost 500 devotees, and again at 6 pm special puja and Deeparaathanai was done.

8 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Red Black Orange

8 NEW ZEALAND

SIT to donate to Nepal Earthquake

The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) has pledged its commitment to the fundraising efforts by SIT students, graduates and the Nepalese community in Southland with a donation of NZD$1,500 to go to the relief efforts organised by the SIT students in association with the Red Cross.

The SIT Council agreed on the decision at Monday nights council meeting.

SIT Chief Executive Penny Simmonds said The Nepalese community in Southland, many of whom are SIT graduates, and our current Nepalese students are working very hard with the Red Cross to raise awareness and financial support for the Nepal earthquake recovery efforts.

Many of our students and graduates are in a state of shock.

It is a credit to them that they have focussed their concerns into fundraising efforts to assist the Red Cross to provide relief for their country and SIT is pleased to make this contribution to their target.

First round of Multicultural Workshop successful

Rizwan MohaMMad

The Waitakere Multicultural Council hosted a multicultural workshop on Wednesday 29 April 2015 to discuss the ways New Zealand can be made more friendly and welcoming to the new communities. The subject of the workshop was to address the possibilities and barriers to form a peaceful and striving community in Auckland.

The workshop was facilitated by former Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres, who is also an honorary advisor to Multicultural New Zealand. The people present for the workshop belonged to different work backgrounds, different ethnicities living in New Zealand for a long time.

The people at the workshop were divided into different groups to discuss three topics namely:

} The key to a successful multicultural society are?

} The barriers to a multicultural society? and

} What new solutions can be

taken to make New Zealand more multicultural and welcomingThe larger group was broken

up into smaller subgroups and members exchanged ideas and brainstormed speaking from their previous experiences and the vision that they have for this country. Of the key points that were put forward the concept of Ubuntu derived from African culture was placed on the table that means humane-ness and also expands to looking out for one another.

Other main feature of the event

was about the topic of getting rid of close mindedness, being open to new opportunities and accepting change to be a part of life, respecting other cultures and their norms, standing for each other and the barriers discussed were like stubbornness, superiority complex of individuals or groups, narrow thinking, self centeredness etc.

The workshop started with light refreshments for all present there then with group discussions and then putting the contributions of individual groups to everyone present there by the individual

group conveners. Multicultural New Zealands

agenda was to discuss with normal people as part of a project to develop a widely accepted strategic agenda for a multicultural and multilingual New Zealand. The project was funded by the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, the discussion document will provide the basis for a second round of discussion to generate actions that will overcome the obstacles and achieve the vision of a multicultural New Zealand.

www.iwk.co.nz | 8 May 2015

Red Black Orange

9NEW ZEALAND

www.victoriaresidences.co.nz

P 021 0235 6648E chetan.k@harcourts.co.nz

ARTISTS IMPRESSION ONLY ARTISTS IMPRESSION ONLY

MA

YO

RA

L D

R IV E

SYM

ON

DS S

TR

EET

NO

RTH

ER

N M

OT

OR

WAY

EE

T

NE

LSO

N S

TRE

ET

HO

BS

ON

STR

EET

R EET

C US TOMS S T E AS T

QUAY S TR E E T

WELLES LEY S T W

ES T

WA

KEFIELD

ST

VIC T OR IA S T WE S T

FED

ER

AL

ST

6

8

9

5

410

1 Sky Tower2 Sky city casino3 Countdown Supermarket4 Auckland university5 AUT6 Auckland Domain7 Aotea centre8 Auckland art gallery9 Myers park10 Albert park 11 Victoria park markets12 Chancery13 Vulcan lane14 Britomart Train/bus station

11

12

14

1516

QU

EE

N S

T

AL

BE

RT

ST

FREEHOLD STRATA TITLE RESIDENCES SKY PAD $420,000* SKY RESIDENCE $520,000* SKY HOME $695,000*

PRICED FROM PRICED FROM PRICED FROM

ONSITE DISPLAY SUITE

OPEN DAILY 11AM - 4PM

75 VICTORIA STREET WESTCORNER VICTORIA ST WEST & FEDERAL STOPPOSITE AUCKLAND SKY TOWERCARPARKING ON-SITE

CHETAN KANJABHAT

INDIAN WOmAN ExCElS IN EARlY CHIlDHOOD

Packing up all your worldly belongings and moving to another country is a daunting feat, but a move from India to New Zealand four years ago has proven invaluable for Ninu George.

George moved to New Zealand with her husband to pursue her study in early childhood education at New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) after hearing about its great reputation from family and friends in India.

As the first international student to graduate from NZTC with a Master of Education in early childhood education, Georges accomplishment was celebrated at the annual NZTC graduation ceremony held in April.

The celebration was made all the more special by the fact that George is among the first two Masters students to graduate from NZTC, the only private education

institution in the country to offer this qualification.

I am very proud to say I am the first i n t e r n a t i o n a l Masters graduate at NZTC. Everyone at the college is very happy for me and proud of my a c h i e v e m e n t . I consider it a privilege to

study at NZTC with the supportive team of teachers and lecturers, said George.

After working with high school students in India, George decided that her passion lay with young children, so she brought her Indian teaching experience to New Zealand and wrote her thesis on Transitional experiences of Indian teachers from Indian education system to New Zealand early childhood education - a comparison between the Indian and New Zealand early childhood education system.

George plans to further her study sometime in the future with a Masters degree in English literature after having completed a bachelors degree in India. She aspires to be a lecturer in early childhood education at NZTC and is looking forward to having more time to pursue voluntary work now that she has finished her Masters in early childhood education.

8 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Red Black Orange

10 NEW ZEALAND

Govt dumps infrastructure costs on Auckland ratepayersThe Governments failure to invest in infrastructure to service its Special Housing Areas is dumping massive costs on Auckland ratepayers, Labours Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says.

Auckland Council has declined to approve three new Special Housing Areas on the city fringes, citing lack of investment in infrastructure to support the developments.

If the Government does not pay its fair share, that burden either falls on the ratepayer or developments get built without the infrastructure they need.

Two hundred thousand extra people, 80,000 new dwellings and 60,000 extra jobs are planned for Aucklands North West, but the Government hasnt thought about how these people are going to get to work.

They are splattering Special Housing Areas around the city, 84 in Auckland so far, without thinking about what it means for transport infrastructure.

Aucklands North West

Motorway already looks like a giant parking lot at peak hours. With such big planned population increases in the North West, SH16 will jam up altogether.

The Government should be investing in a dedicated busway on SH16 like the successful one on the North Shore which currently carries the equivalent of three lanes of traffic into the city every morning.

But having blown the national transport budget on wasteful projects, the Government has no money left to service the regions or

Aucklands growth.Although developers are

responsible for laying roads, power and water pipes inside their new developments and Councils can levy them for a share of wider infrastructure costs big new developments on the city fringes still impose a heavy cost on local government to connect these utilities.

The Government has blindly been pursuing its Special Housing Areas without thinking through the cost to the ratepayer, Phil Twyford says.

Prime Minister welcomes Royal babyP rime Minister John Key has congratulated Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on the birth of their second child, a girl.

On behalf of the people of New Zealand I would like to congratulate Prince William, Catherine and Prince George on this wonderful news.

This is a very special time for any family. The Duke and Duchess are excellent parents and I am sure Prince George will adore his

new little sister.Mr Key also extended his

congratulations to The Queen and Prince Phillip, and The Prince of

Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, on the arrival of the newest member of the Royal Family.

New Zealands official gift to the Royal couple will be a selection of woollen baby items from Hutt Valley Company, Stansborough, including a pelt teddy bear.

I wish Prince William, Catherine, Prince George and the Royal Family all the very best, says Mr Key.

A 21 gun salute will be fired from Point Jerningham, Wellington to celebrate the birth.

Strong job growth continuesThe latest Household Labour Force Survey shows ongoing job growth in the New Zealand economy, while a record labour market participation rate kept the unemployment level steady at 5.8% in the March quarter.

This week released HLFS shows the number of people employed grew 16,000 in the March quarter and 74,000 over the year. The participation rate was the highest ever recorded for New Zealand, at 69.6%.

It is encouraging to see strong job growth continuing

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says. We have seen job growth in 16 out of the last 17 quarters, and job growth is running ahead of Treasury predictions.

In Budget 2011 Treasury forecast 171,000 more jobs in the four and a half years to June 2015. The current figure of 194,000 is 23,000 more than that target, with one quarter still to run.

The Quarterly Employment Survey, also released today, shows that hourly wages continue to increase ahead of the cost of

living. Average hourly earnings are up 2.1% over the last year, compared with a consumer price index increase of just 0.1 per cent.

Other notable elements from the labour market data released this week include:

The South Island unemployment rate has dropped to 3.6%, nearly half of the North Island unemployment rate of 6.9%

There has substantial growth in Pasifika employment over the last year, with 17,500 more Pasifika people employed at

the end of March than one year ago.

Job growth over the past year is broad-based across industry sectors with 15,900 more jobs in manufacturing, 23,300 more in construction, and 13,900 more in retail, accommodation and food services

The number of hours worked grew s t r o n g l y , u p

1.4% in the March quarterIt is good to see a continuing

and robust recovery in the New Zealand employment market. Mr Joyce said.

Next steps in social housing reform announced Tauranga and Invercargill have been selected as the first regions for the proposed transfer of Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) houses to registered Community Housing Providers (CHPs), Ministers Bill English and Paula Bennett say.

This is another important step to creating a more effective and efficient social housing sector with more housing providers supporting tenants and their needs, Housing New Zealand Minister Bill English says.

As announced by the Prime Minister in January, the Governments Social Housing Reform Programme includes plans to transfer 1000 - 2000 HNZC houses to registered CHPs over the next year.

Weve gone through a robust process to identify the first areas for potential transactions. Tauranga and Invercargill have been chosen because they have stable demand for social housing, and active community housing providers keen to consider the next steps. Providers in other regions are also interested, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

No decisions have been made on the number of houses that may be transferred. The next step is to consult with iwi and hap in the two regions to identify any particular interests under the Treaty of Waitangi, before deciding whether to proceed to market sounding.

Existing tenants will continue to be housed for the duration of their need and their rights will

not be affected if their landlord changes, says Mr English.

Houses will not be transferred unless tenants get better services and taxpayers get fair and reasonable value.

Any transfer of houses will not affect the rent tenants pay or their eligibility for subsidised housing, and properties transferred as social houses will also have to stay as social housing unless the Government agrees otherwise.

There are a number of tenants in these regions with long- and medium-term needs, which gives CHPs the opportunity to integrate housing with other services they may provide, like mental health and disability services or budgeting support, Mrs Bennett says.

Tenants will continue to be supported to independence, where appropriate, so that social housing remains available for those most in need.

Registered CHPs can partner with other organisations to acquire and develop social housing.

In both regions Housing New Zealand owns a significant number of houses so there is potential for more than one organisation to acquire houses for community ownership, Mr English says.

Since April last year, Government-registered CHPs have been eligible to receive the Income Related Rent Subsidy (IRRS), previously only available for people living in HNZ houses.

Hui with iwi/ hap will be held later this month and submissions will close on June 12.

www.iwk.co.nz | 8 May 2015

Red Black Orange

11NEW ZEALAND

More discounts for SuperGold Card holders

More than 650 new businesses are offering discounts for SuperGold Card holders. These include 60 dental practices and more than 40 legal firms around the country.

Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry says the latest S u p e r G o l d b u s i n e s s r e c r u i t m e n t campaign that ran over March and April has achieved its aim of signing up more health professionals and lawyers.

Around 70% of these new businesses have come from outside of the main centres.

There is now even more opportunity for SuperGold Card holders to save money when they are considering setting up legal documents like updated wills and appointing trusted people to have Enduring Power of Attorney, Ms Barry says.

I want the SuperGold Card to be more useful for our older people. I would like it to have a special focus on attracting businesses in traditional health categories

that look after the eyes, ears and

teeth, as well as legal services.From humble beginnings in 2008,

there are now more than 8000 businesses represented by 12,500 outlets offering

discounts for SuperGold Card holders.More than 200 businesses offering

hearing, dental and legal services across the country provide a discount, as well as around 275 optometrists.

An ageing population means it makes good business sense to join the SuperGold programme as a way of reaching out to this ever growing group of older New Zealanders, Ms Barry says.

Tax avoidance by non-resident targetedAn officials issues paper released this week seeks feedback on suggestions for helping to ensure that non-resident investors pay an appropriate amount of tax.

The focus of the issues paper is the current non-resident withholding tax rules on interest earned in New Zealand by non-residents.

The issues paper raises questions around potential weaknesses in the tax treatment of interest earned by non-residents, Minister of Revenue, Todd McClay says. The issues paper tests what changes are appropriate.

Non-resident withholding tax has not been significantly reformed since it was introduced in 1964. It was originally designed when financial transactions were much less complex than today.

Mr McClay says that without changes to the rules, there is an incentive and ability for non-residents to shift profits out of New Zealand with no or minimal New Zealand tax paid. He says that Inland Revenues

audit activity had uncovered instances where large multinationals were using sophisticated techniques to defeat the tax rules.

This matter is a domestic law issue and

is consistent with the aims of the OECDs action plan to tackle base erosion and profit shifting. Acting to remedy this deficiency in our tax laws is part of New Zealands response to the issue of multinational tax avoidance Mr McClay says.

The Government has already taken steps to tighten the thin capitalisation rules to stop foreign firms from artificially loading debt onto their New Zealand operations in order to minimise their New Zealand tax. New Zealand has also signed and ratified the OECD multilateral tax assistance convention which, together with a growing network of bilateral tax treaties, allows information sharing with other countries to limit tax avoidance opportunities.

Well continue to support the OECD work to eliminate opportunities for companies to avoid paying tax says Mr McClay.

8 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Red Black Orange

12 NEW ZEALAND

Winston PetersNZ First leader

David ShearerLabour MP

Kanwaljit BakshiNational List MP

Working hard for New Zealands seniors

F rom our youngest to our oldest New Zealanders, the National-led Government is working hard to make the country a better place to live, work and raise a family.

We want a society where people can age positively, and where older people are highly valued as an integral part of families and the community.

National understands and respects the Indian culture and family values that now forms an essential part of our Kiwi culture.

We have worked hard to ensure that

senior members of our society continue to feel that we care for them.

National has maintained financial security for seniors.

We have kept the retirement age at 65, and the after-tax weekly rates of Superannuation have increased by 31 per cent since 2008. We have also maintained Superannuation for a married couple at 66 per cent of the average wage.

Our successful economic management means healthcare continues to improve.

National is investing over $400m extra each year in public health services.

We are shifting resources from the back office to the frontline and there are now an extra 1500 doctors and 3300 more nurses across the country.

Latest health target results show 161,933 hip, knee and other elective operations were performed by district health boards in the last year.

This helps our older New Zealanders maintain their independence and get out and about.

Additionally, National is working hard to keep Kiwi families safer. We put 600 extra Police on the streets and deployed them more strategically, in areas and at times when Police know theres a greater risk of crime. Under National, we have achieved the lowest crime rate since 1978.

We have worked hard to maintain independence for seniors.

The SuperGold Card gives older New Zealanders the opportunity to do the things they enjoy, like using free off-peak travel to visit friends and family.

Over 8000 businesses offer SuperGold Card discounts and this continues to rise.

We are recruiting more legal services to the scheme, as well as other businesses offering those services that incur unavoidable expenses. This is a way to take financial stress off families.

Also, weve just released the Positive Aging Strategy report which shows New Zealand is progressing well in most areas. National knows we can improve on this, and will work hard to raise awareness of elder abuse and social isolation, and support and promote our seniors economic activity.

National remains committed to ensuring senior citizens have the security, wellbeing and respect they deserve.

Ports policies defy logic

In the absence of a coherent economic plan New Zealand is being taken over by commercial warlords like the company Ports of Auckland, at the expense of provincial ports like Northland.

The Auckland company defies its shareholder, the Auckland Council, the usual rules, public opinion and is a total law unto itself over its controversial plans to expand into the Waitemata Harbour to take bigger ships.

The plans, kept secret even from its shareholder, have shocked and alarmed many Auckland people who want the proposals stopped for environmental and cost reasons.

New Zealand First also wants to stop the plans for the two large wharf extensions by Ports of Auckland and to bring further

container port development to its natural place at the Port of Whangarei.

It will be necessary to upgrade the Auckland to Northland railway line and also build the rail link to Marsden Point.

Marsden Point has the maritime and adjacent land assets to become a leading New Zealand port and we will be pressing central government to fully develop this port, build a railway link to it and then develop a First World double line link to Auckland.

At present the freight train takes four hours to travel from Whangarei to Kaukapakapa and must slow to five kilometres an hour in some areas. That is what happens when central government neglects to build appropriate infrastructure and allows a province to sink into Third World status.

The immediate question of the cost of this development has to be seen in the context of capital expenditure creating a valuable asset, compared to the mind boggling waste of taxpayers money by the National government in other areas.

For example the cost of extending the railway link to the port has been estimated at $100 million. KiwiRail has wasted more than that on the Cook Strait ferry Aratere

while neglecting provincial rail links like Northland and thet Gisborne to Napier line.

The Government has also lost hundreds of millions of dollars in recent months on five computer programmes and planning is underway for a $1.5billion upgrade of the Inland Revenue Departments system. This also has the potential to become another IT cost disaster zone.

Northland would be a huge beneficiary of stopping the unsound Auckland port expansion. The province will become much less reliant on seasonal opportunities and the steady port revenue would help businesses and create more jobs. Many jobs

would be created by simply getting on with the project.

Aucklands future and Northlands future are interlinked. Aucklands harbour is being constantly dredged.

The current wharves are not big enough or inoperable.

For the North to grow there has to be real vision, a cohesive economic and social plan, and total political commitment. Taking more and bigger ships to Northland creates a win-win situation.

The North gets a much needed boost and the Ports of Auckland gets a much needed kick in the pants.

Firing squad deaths needless and deplorable

I t was very sad to wake last Wednesday morning to the news eight men had been executed in Indonesia overnight. They had waited 10 years on death row

in a foreign prison thats inhumane, and surely punishment enough for their crimes.

While in prison, the two Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran -- reformed themselves: Sukumaran studied fine arts and Chan studied theology to become a pastor and counsellor of his fellow inmates.

Punishment and rehabilitation should be what prison sentences are about. Tragically for their families well never know what their future contributions to society would have been. What a waste.

We understand Indonesia wants to take a tough stand on drugs and we respect its right to do so.

But New Zealanders do not support the death penalty under any circumstances.

Execution is not the solution. As such, I would have liked to see a

stronger voice from our government, calling for fairness.

International law is also is very clear that capital punishment should only used be for the most serious of crimes, and drug trafficking is not one of them as opposed to terrorism or murder.

The executions by firing squad went ahead despite strong international pressure on Indonesia and President Joko Widodo

to show mercy. His focus on executing drug convicts

and the fact that the majority of prisoners on death row for drug crimes are foreigners means foreign citizens are now more likely than Indonesians to be executed in Indonesia.

Sadly, this is diminishing the countrys steady progress on human rights in the eyes of the international community.

In the words of the bereaved families of Chan and Sukumaran, Today we lost Myuran and Andrew, our sons and brothers. They asked for mercy, but there was none.

www.iwk.co.nz | 8 May 2015

Red Black Orange

13NEW ZEALAND

8 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Red Black Orange

14 FIJI

ICONIC lOGO DESIGNER DIESThe woman behind the Fiji Airways masi logo design, Makereta Matemosi, died on Sunday morning at her home following a long-term sickness.

Mrs Matemosi, of Namuka-i-Lau, was described by her daughter, Koto, as a loving mother who always worked hard and made her family and the Namuka-i-Lau community proud when her design was picked by the Fiji Airways team.

Fiji Airways board director Stefan Pichler, who made a statement on the death of Mrs Matemosi, expressed his deep condolences to the family who had lost their mother at the age of 54.

The Fiji Airways Group is deeply saddened by news of the passing of Makereta Matemosi,

the person who was commissioned to design our masi logo, he said.

Her collaboration with us has led to much acclaim and appreciation of our new logo. Our thoughts are with Makeretas family at this time.

She is survived by husband Meli Matemosi, three daughters and a son.

Karans golden five successesManeesha Raksha Karan is Fijis first Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholar to receive five gold medals.

The 28-year-old was awarded by the Mysore University, which is in Karnatak State in India, where she completed her Masters in Journalism and Communication.

Originally from Salusalu Street, Labasa, Ms Karan dedicates her award to her parents.

I dedicate these awards to my parents; they were the first two people who always encouraged and inspired me to further my studies, Ms Karan said.

After completing my Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Information System from the University of the South Pacific my dad would sit down with me and ask what my future plans were and always encouraged me to do post-graduate studies. I was contemplating on undertaking some PG units when I met Fijis Ambassador to India, His Excellency Yogesh Karan (to whom I am not

related to but am frequently asked whether I am because we share the same surname), who advised me to broaden my knowledge and expertise in my field, which was journalism. The third of four siblings then followed his advice and applied for the scholarship.

The then ICCR director Dr Kamal Mishra was very helpful and he provided his assistance throughout my stay in India, Ms Karan said. I wanted to grow my expertise in my field because there is a limited number who have the expertise in journalism in Fiji.

She said her parents were the proudest when she received the scholarship. Ms Karan first gained

the knowledge of her awards towards the end of March at 11pm.

I would also like to thank the current ICCR director and the Indian Embassy for their swift actions in issuing me visa. There was great competition in my department amongst the batchmates as many of us were experienced journalists and were equally capable for the gold medals. She explained that it was intriguing to get first-hand information on media operations in various countries.

There were times when we had to research and prepare for exams, it was challenging but thats the path to success, Ms Karan said.

She studied at the Mysore University which falls in Karnataka Sate, in South of India. Mysore is also the second cleanest city in India, first being Chandigarh. Mysore is also one of the safest cities. For Ms Karan, India overall was a wonderful experience.

My advice to the younger generation is to stay focused to your goals and work hard-you are the only

one who can do it, Ms Karan said. Gain an education, explore

your possibilities and make the right decisions. You will meet many people who will try to pull you down, and many situations that can rip you apart, but stand strong, and you will definitely get what you dream of.

Dr Mishra who is currently a Professor in University of Calcutta, which is the oldest University in India, said he was very proud of Ms Karan and her achievement.

Her achievement reflects how her dedication to study with full of commitment, focus and value for scholarship opportunity, Dr Mishra said.

When I interviewed her, I had an assurance in my heart that this student will make the best use of scholarship and will make Fiji proud. With five gold medals she is the role model for every students studying in India on ICCR scholarship, Dr Mishra said.

He added such student would be a bridge of information for Fiji and Indian relations.

UNDOF force praises Fijian SoldiersF ijis permanent representative to the United Nations Peter Thomson visited Fijian soldiers serving in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

UNDOF chief of staff, Colonel Jone Kalouniwai met him when he arrived at Camp Ziouani, Golan Heights last week. The force commander, Major-General Purna Chandra Thapa, was also present.

At the briefing the force commander praised the Fijian peacekeepers serving in the UNDOF.

Mr Thomson was there for meetings with the UNDOF command and the officers of the Fijian contingent.

In his meeting with the UNDOF senior officers, he received a comprehensive briefing on the current security situation within the Area of Separation between Syria and Israel that is monitored by

UNDOF. The briefing included plans for UNDOFs future activities, along with measures required to reinforce delivery of the forces mandate. Lieutenant-Colonel Vatimio Leva and the officers of the Fijian contingent hosted Mr Thomson to a luncheon during which issues of importance to the contingent were discussed. Ambassador Thomson told the officers that the UN had expressed its deepest appreciation for Fijis service in UNDOF.

Kula Film awards launched

F ilm Fiji has promised a bigger and better HFC Bank Kula Film Awards this year.

Film Fiji chief executive officer Dallas Foon revealed this during its launch with major sponsors HFC Bank and Fiji Airways in Suva. Mr Foon said this year would be a big year for the Kula Awards because it would celebrate its 10th anniversary.

We are planning a very big show this year and planning a much better and a far more involved professional manage this year, he said.

The awards are categorised into three streams, the Kula Film, Kula Dance and Arts competition. In con-junction with the US Embassy here in Fiji, schools that would be taking part would be undergoing train-ing by two professional filmmakers

from America. The schools would be taught every aspects of filmmaking, from screenwriting, pre-production, filming and editing to prepare them for the awards.

Mr Foon confirmed that so far 15 schools applied for the awards, nine schools for the dance competition and nine for the art competition. HFC Bank chief executive officer Isikeli Tikoduadua said the bank this year chose to extend its support for school children and the growing film industry.

Meanwhile, Film Fiji yesterday launched the 2015 Kula Awards Fa-cebook page. The page would en-able members of the public to be updated about this years compe-tition. The date for the event has not been finalised, but there are plans to hold it in late July.

Journalists mark World Media Freedom Day

Pacific Islands News Asso-ciation president Moses Stevens has urged all key players in the media industry in the Pacific to re-think the role of the media in respective communities.

Marking World Media Freedom Day last week, Mr Stevens said he would like to see that the focus is on improving the welfare and security of media workers in the Pacific.

"I wish to make an urgent appeal to all key players in the Pacific media industry, including publishers, media workers, governments and other stakeholders to re-think the role of the media in our respective communities," Mr Stevens said.

"Let us look within to see if we have been fair in the treatment of our media workers and provided them an environment where they are free to express themselves and report freely." Mr Stevens said the confidence of media workers in a free and inclusive environment would reflect positively on the me-dia organisation.

www.iwk.co.nz | 8 May 2015

Red Black Orange

15

NEWS in BRIEF

FIJI

RESHAmmIYA FOR FIjI CONCERtSWell-known Bollywood singer and producer Himesh Reshammiya will hold two concerts in Fiji next month.

Mr Reshammiya, who is also a lyricist, writer, music director, background music composer and playback singer, has been described as the heartthrob of millions.

Live concerts are planned for the FMF Gymnasium in Suva on May 28 and Prince Charles Park in Nadi on May 29. His audience will get to see him perform live and will get a chance to meet him, take pictures, selfies and many more.

Fiji Broadcasting Corporations Mirchi FM and local entertainment company RS

Promotion are organising the concerts.Mr Reshammiya will be accompanied

by Akash Singh, Aman Trikha and Sonia Kapoor, who is a TV series actress, and 12 other entertainment groups. RS Promotions director and promoter Samuel Atish Sen said the company started preparing for the concerts six months ago.

Aman Trikha he sings in ten languages. He will sing in Taukei while he will be in Fiji, he said.

Mr Sen said Mr Reshammiya has heard a lot about Fiji Islands and would love to meet the people here.

He heard a lot about the Taukei and Fijians, the warm welcome and the tropical

paradise. He is well known for being multi-talented in Bollywood.

Tickets prices have not been decided, but will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

I assure that the ticket price that will suit everyones budget, Mr Sen said.

He has urged fans not to miss this concert.Mr Reshammiya took up a career in

Bollywood after the tragic death of his brother when was 11 and has quickly made a name for himself in the industry.

The latest movie he was seen in was The Xpose, where his music was appreciated by many globally.

He has more than 700 music hits in Bollywood.

Trade still on with Fiji

Despite Fijis non participation at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Pacific region will continue to trade with Fiji as long as it finds it fit.

The secretariat said Fiji played a dynamic role in the forum as an active and respected member.

The regions private sector operators have naturally taken advantage of Fijis trading infrastructure, and they will continue to do so independent of regional politics, the secretariat said.

Decisions on trading arrangements are usually linked to the economic returns, and the region will continue to trade with Fiji as long as it makes economic sense.

And despite Fijis Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama pulling out of being part of the leaders forum, the secretariat would continue with its mission to work in support of forum member governments, to enhance the economic and social wellbeing of the people of the South Pacific by fostering co-operation between governments and international agencies.

Fiji was reinstated into the forum after the 2014 September elections but Mr Bainimarama has maintained his stance that Fiji would only return when Australia and New Zealand are out of the forum.

PM happy with flag response

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said he was happy with the public response when the national flag competition closed last week.

Mr Bainimarama said: We have had a wonderful response from ordinary Fijians to our call for a new flag that all of you will stand before and salute for the rest of your lives.

The office had received more than 580 individual entries in national competition to design a new flag.

They have come from all walks of life, from young people like yourselves to the very old. From ordinary Fijians right across the country, from overseas, and from all sections of the community farmers, labourers, tradespeople, shop workers, professionals.

He said even children submitted their designs on pieces of paper with professionals sending their designs in slick presentations via email. He said the officers would start sifting through the entries and examining the various concepts in detail.

We want to reflect who we are today, not how we were 45 years ago at Independence.

Starting from

NZ $1620*(inclusive all taxes)

FREEMONEY TRANSFER*TO INDIA, BANGLADESH & NEPAL

Getregistered with

EcoLoyalty program and win an iPad in lucky draw

on 1st june2015

*Conditions apply

Accredited Agent

Mt Albert: 0508 15 16 17 K-Road: 0800 024409 Airedale: 09 5506236 East Tamaki: 0800 024411 Three Kings: 0800 024410 Puhinui Rd: 0800 024412 Manurewa: 0800 024413 Mt. Roskill: 0800 024414 Henderson: 0800 024415 Avondale: 0800 024419 Tauranga: 0800 024417 Christchurch: 0800 024418 Hamilton: 0800 024408

DECEMBER SPECIAL TOINDIAN SUB CONTINENT FROM

www.ecotravels.co.nz

Starting from $1165*

Starting from $1210*

Travel between 1st Dec to 31 Dec 2015

Lucky winner of Eco Loyalty Programe

April 2015

Editorial

Indian Weekender : Volume 7 Issue 7

Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited Managing Editor: Giri Gupta | girigupta@xtra.co.nz Editor: Maya Shivam | editor@indianweekender.co.nz Associate Editor: Paula Ray | paula@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | reporter@indianweekender.co.nz Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | iwk.rizwan@gmail.com Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nzArt & Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nzGraphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | designer@indianweekender.co.nz Sales & Marketing Manager: Leena Pal | M: 022 0151971 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz

Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher is not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication

Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, AucklandPrinted at Horton Media, Auckland

Copyright 2015. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

- Bob Riley

Hard CasePronounced: hard caseMeaning: Joker, comedianUsage: He is such a hard case that everyone enjoys his company.

Anything but funny

Thought of the week Hard time dont create heroes, it is during the hard times when the hero within us is revealed.

From the desk of the Managing Editor

The more you think about something happening the more you improve the probability of that thing happening. This is what Karoly Takacs did better than anyone else. He never doubted what he could achieve, but focused constantly on what he needed to do in order to put himself in a position to achieve his goals. His story is one that is told throughout the international shooting communities around the world. While many will use his story as one that proves you should never give up, I think its Karolys ability to think about what he wanted and do what he needed to do to achieve it that is the bigger lesson learned. -Troy Bassham from Attainment

This is the story of Karoly from 1938 who was placed as the Worlds best pistol shooter and expected to win the 1940 Olympics. Then in a fateful accident during the war he loses his right hand (the shooting hand) in a grenade accident. He spent a month in the hospital, depressed that his lifelong dream of winning the Olympics had disappeared in an instant.

Then, he decided to win anyway. So he started to practice secretly everyday shooting with his left hand. The rest is history Karoly goes on to win the 1939 World Championships. Even though the 1940 and 1944 Olympics were cancelled due to World War, he goes on to win the 1948 and the 1952 Olympics.

The fact that Karoly refused to give up is, obviously, remarkable. But Troy Bassham explains Karolys ability to think about what he wanted and do what he needed to do to achieve it.

Victory in life can sometimes hinge on simple steps that you take constantly in the right direction.

The Indian Weekender Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame is one such step in the right direction that celebrates the achievements of exceptional individuals who have known what they wanted and have gone for it anyways. Our office has turned into a hub of activity and is alive with the excitement of the fast approaching event. This year we walk a little taller as we do not just celebrate the achieve of one person but three, with the introduction of the two new awards the Kiwi Indian Young Achiever 2015 and the Kiwi Indian Unsung Hero 2015. Keep reading our subsequent issues as we bring you more updates.

The Indian Theatre Festival also, is picking up the pace and it is heartening to note that the two shows of the Gujarati play have been completely sold out and now, on public demand, we are putting a third show together. Also it may be worth noting that the surplus from these shows are to be donated to Nepal Earthquake relief fund and to Kids Heart. I am looking forward to all our readers supporting the festival and the cause.

We really appreciate the response we are getting from the community to our three part series that we are currently running on the state of our students and migrant workers. I hope you enjoy reading this issue as we deal with some more problems and look out for our next issue where we close this story with our final part of the series.

As they say lifes battles dont always go to the strongest or the smartest, they truly belong to the ones that do not quit. This is also one of the values we strongly follow at Indian Weekender. For all the readers who are currently facing any issues I hope these words bring you hope and for those who are aiming for excellence, I hope these words take you even further. May the force always be with you.

Giri Gupta

Pick of the week

The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, welcomed their second child together, a daughter. The princess was named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana and will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.

Courtesy: DailyMail, UK

www.iwk.co.nz | 8 May 2015

Red Black Orange

17OPINION / EDITORIAL

n cademic

ccountProf Sekhar BandyopadhyayDirector of New Zealand India Research Institute

UnderstandingIslam Part 2A t the early stages of Islam, we remember how the Makkans tried to kill the Prophet (saw). Under the command of Allah (swt), he migrated to Medina. Our Prophet returned to Makkah, this time with a strong army and the upper hand. Did he kill all those who had opposed him in the beginning? No. Rather, he forgave them. As a result of his kindness, a lot of them embraced Islam. This is the way of Islam, the noble way.

Cast your minds back to yet another prophetic example. We all know the story of the woman who left rubbish on the doorstep of the Prophets house. Without any complaint, remorse or ego, our Prophet (saw) cleared it every day. Then one day, he noted that there was no rubbish on his doorstep, and found out that she was ill. He visited her, comforted her, and provided food for her. Allah (swt) turned her heart towards Islam. The kindness that our Prophet (saw) showed won her heart and she became a Muslimah. This is the Islamic way.

And there are many other examples where people who fought against the Prophet (saw) later accepted Islam. For example, Khalid ibn Walid and Amr ibn As. Khalid fought against the Muslims in the battle of Badr. Later he became a Muslim, led many battles on the side of the Muslims and earned the title Sword of Allah. Similarly, Amr fought with the Quraish against the Muslims in several battles. Then he saw Muslims praying, learnt about Islam, and converted.

We dont know. Someday our worst enemies might accept Islam and stand shoulder to shoulder with us. That is Allahs secret. We all remember Arnoud van Doorn, the Dutch politician and producer of a film insulting Prophet Muhammad (saw). What did he do? After reading and learning about Islam, he became a Muslim!

The Quran says in Surah Al Maida verse 32 that whoever kills one innocent life, its as if he has killed all of mankind; and whoever saves one life, it is as if he has saved all of mankind.

We see many youths heading to the Middle East to fight over there. More often than not, it is a battle with Muslims against Muslims. How do we know that we are right? How do we know

that we are not going there to kill innocent life, or even someone who is beloved to Allah (swt)? As the famous saying goes The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Therefore we must be careful in what we do.

Our Prophet (saw) has said that this is a time of fitna (trial). People are being killed and they dont know why they are being killed. People are killing and they dont know who they are killing.

On the other hand, have we thought about the good we can do over here? There are many relief efforts taking place around the globe. Many people are donating clothes and other essentials, and are volunteering their time to help those who are affected. Why not join them?

As the idiom goes, Dont add fuel to the fire. We as Muslims should be fire fighters, not arsonists!

This article is an excerpt from Rocket Science, the

newsletter of Mount Albert Islamic Trust & is reprinted

with their permission. www.mtalbertislamiccentre.org

Indians in the Great War: the unsung heroesThis year on the ANZAC Day, on the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli (started 24 April 1915), we remembered in numerous dawn services all those who fought gallantly or died in this catastrophic battle on the shores of the Straits of Dardanelles.

Indeed, from last year we have started observing the centenary of the First World War (WWI) - often referred to as the Great War - that began on 24 July 1914.

The war ended on 11 November 1918, and so for another three years or more the commemoration will continue. In New Zealand and Australia it is of immense significance as in the fields of Gallipoli - in the sacrifices of the ANZAC soldiers - these two nations have invented their national identities and found a basis for trans-Tasman camaraderie.

In all these memorial services and numerous conferences and seminars it is rarely remembered that Indians too participated in this Great War. This year in New Delhi at a dawn ceremony on ANZAC Day, jointly organised by the High Commissions of Australia and New Zealand, for the first time the top diplomats of these two nations acknowledged the sacrifice and contribution of the Indian soldiers at the battlefields of Gallipoli.

But it did not become news in New Zealand or Australia, where the general citizens remain completely oblivious of this contribution.

It is unfortunate, because it was no insubstantial participation. In all about 1.2 million Indian soldiers

fought in WWI in the battlefields of France and Belgium, in the Mesopotamian campaign, and for defending the Persian Gulf and the Suez Canal. More than 60,000 Indian soldiers died and about 70,000 were wounded in the war.

In the disastrous campaign at Gallipoli, it was only the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade which had reached the summit of the ridge from where they could look down at the waters of Dardanelles. About 1700 Indian soldiers died and more than 3000 were injured at Gallipoli alongside the ANZAC troops. This was no insubstantial participation or insignificant human sacrifice.

But the stories of these Indian soldiers, their bravery and great sacrifices have almost completely disappeared from public historical memory. In their own country as well

in the countries they were fighting to defend they are rarely remembered. No Indian representative attended the centennial Remembrance Day in France last year although 40,000 Indians had defended France from German aggression in WWI.

A recent British Council Survey revealed that 78% of the French respondents believed that India remained neutral during WWI and did not send any troops.

The fact is, 5000 Indian soldiers had died defending Neuve Chappelle in March 1915 and there still stands a memorial tomb in recognition of their sacrifice. Last month the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tour of France, visited this monument, paying his homage to the fallen soldiers of his country.

This was the first official recognisition from the Government of India, apart from an exhibition organised by the Indian Army in the capital city. But among the average citizenry in India, very few seem to be aware of this sacrifice. In remembrance ceremonies in New Zealand and Australia the Indian contribution is rarely mentioned. So the question is, why is this historical oblivion? In the next few weeks I intend to write more about this story of valient sacrifice and the unkind historical amnesia.

Have we thought about the good we can do over here? There are many relief efforts taking place around the globe. Many people are donating clothes and other essentials, and are volunteering their time to help those who are affected. Why not join them? As the idiom goes, Dont add fuel to the fire. We as Muslims should be fire fighters, not arsonists!

The colour of your community Paula Ray

In this column, I have been addressing how the existence of the Ministry of Ethnic Communities is actually detrimental for a multicultural nation like New Zealand. The governmental organisation, by its sheer existence, is segregating the multicultural fabric into pockets of communities.

In the name of recognising their individuality, we are preventing the various communities from integrating. What is considered mainstream does not include the community that is the oldest on this land; rather it is the community that is the largest in numbers comprise the mainstream a community that has multiplied over a couple of centuries.

Then, what happened to the community that resided on this land before the currently largest community made their way here? How come their numbers have not increased as fast as that of the

largest community? Thats where the history of the land gets murky. Let us leave the political analysis of this for another day.

Today, let us talk about what makes us different. How can we overcome our uniqueness to become one with the mainstream?

Names give us our first identity. To integrate with the mainstream culture, immigrants often modify their given names. So traditional names like Mohendra become Mo and Sallishni become Sally. Fair enough.

The younger generations give their newly-borns names that have universal pronunciations. Thus, they make it easier for other cultures to get familiar with them. People across cultures who have catchy or easy names, usually grow up to be more popular amongst their peers. Can you think of a leader, political or otherwise, who has a name that is difficult to pronounce?

Next, lets consider the looks. How we appear in society depends on the latest fashion trends. Accordingly, we tend to choose the colours and cuts of what we wear. We style our hair also somewhat similarly. If we dont, we are labelled retro or punk, given our preferences. This is true across all cultures and communities.

Then what makes us different? Did you say, it is our accent? Not so much, I would say, because our accents are acquired. If you live with a certain kind of people for long enough, you started speaking like them. So this difference boils down to new and old immigrants and how fast they acquire foreign accents.

And that leaves us with our skin colour - something that we cannot change. Alas!

8 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Red Black Orange

18 INDIA

CALL : Shell 021 915 346 / Zulfi 021 915 329 / Tony 021 915 340Unit 0, 8 Bishop Lenihan Place, East TamakiP. 09 272 3522 / 272 3544 F. 09 272 3577 E. travel_shop@xtra.co.nz | www.travelshopnz.co.nz

Is Australian coal-lobby blocking uranium deal with India?

Rekha BhattachaRjee

A fter India signed a deal with Canada on uranium imports during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Ottawa, questions are being raised as to why it has taken Canberra so long to clinch a similar pact.

The powerful coal lobby in Austalia has also come under a scanner for the role it may have played in blocking uranium sale to an energy-starved India.

Even though Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb said last weekend that the finishing line is in sight for supply of uranium to India, many experts are expressing doubts. Some of these sceptics blame the so-called Big Coal for pushing the finishing line further away.

The logic behind their analysis is understandable as the importance of coal to the Australian economy is immense. Around 200,000 people are employed in businesses dealing with coal. The value of this fossil fuel industry is estimated to be Aus $60 billion. This figure is huge for a country of 23 million people.

But the coal mining industry in Australia is facing a bleak future as international prices for fossil fuels continue to fall. A clearly discernible downturn in the Chinese demand for Australian coal has not helped. Add to this is the increasing global preference for renewable energy to the mix and not too bright a future emerges for the coal industry.

While there are 1,300 mining firms in Australia, production is dominated by very large firms such as BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Xtrata,Shell Chevron and Woodside Petrolium..

Australia hails the mining sector as a saviour of the economy. The country exported Aus $39.96 Billion worth of coal and Aus $79.67 Billion of iron ore. Coal industry has 220,000 people on its payroll or two percent of the total employed in the country. Development of mining has also relied heavily on foreign investments and has dominated the export earnings. In the past decade the rapid growth of China and India has made significant demand for the raw material.

India, with a chronic deficit of energy, has emerged as the

possible saviour of the Australian coal mining industry.

In this context, it perhaps makes sense that big coal miners in Australia see uranium as a competitor to fuel Indian power plants. This is where the PR managers of the mega coal mining companies step in.

If anyone nursed doubts about the existence or money power of the Australian coal lobby, they were dispelled exactly a year back when the coal industry lobbying machine launched a PR campaign titled Australians for Coal to fight the market slump. The media splurge was designed to, as one industry commentator aptly put, defend its increasingly tattered social licence and a fast depleting market.

It is estimated that the campaign cost touched Aus $100 million.

The Big Coal clout was also evident when Australian PM Tony Abbott appointed CEO of the worlds second largest miner Rio Tinto Sam Walsh to the Australia-India CEO Forum. A number of big names in coal mining in both Australia and India have been included in the list.

It would, therefore, not come as a surprise that coal lobby could be working behind the scene to thwart the supply of uranium required by the Indian nuclear power plants.

It has been nearly eight years since the then Australian PM John Howard gave his nod to lift the ban on uranium export to India in August 2007. His Labor successor Kevin Rudd was quick to restore the ban saying India was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The mandarin-speaking Prime Ministers close affinity with China was given as one of the reasons for reimposing the ban. Those knowing Australian politics reasonably well pointed out that Kevin Rudd came from Queensland - the state which is home to some of the worlds largest coal mines.

Kevin Rudds replacement Julia Gillard lifted the ban after a dramatic Australian Labor Party National Conference in December 2011.

Much water has passed under the bridge in the iconic Australian river Murray at Aubury Wodonga after that historic Labor Party

concession, but the first shipment of uranium for Indias 21 nuclear reactors still looks like a distant dream.

The delay can hamper Indian governments plans to increase power from the nuclear-powered plants from the current 6,000 megawatts (or three per cent of country electricity needs) to 45,000 megawatts by 2032.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Australia in November last year, it was hoped that the contentious issue of uranium supply would be sorted out within a matter of few months.

The precious yellow coloured nuclear fuel also figured in the joint statement issued by the two leaders of the leading Indian Ocean rim economies. But, in spite of the grand statements, Indian nuclear power plants are yet to get the fuel from Australia.

The finger-pointing at the coal lobby, which includes the Minierals Council of Australia, the NSW Minerals Council (NSWMC) and the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), has taken a new meaning as the Indian multinationals GVK and Adani Mining have joined their ranks. Adani Mining owner Gautam Adani is said to be close to the prime minister Modi. How this equation will work out on the uranium question is yet to be seen.

www.iwk.co.nz | 8 May 2015

Red Black Orange

19INDIA

Activist targets Kumar Vishwas, AAP defends him

A woman activist has urged AAP leader Kumar Vishwas to clarify his relationship with her, prompting both Kumar Vishwas and the AAP to deny assumptions of wrongdoing as baseless.

The Aam Aadmi Party volunteer said she had approached the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) against Kumar Vishwas seeking his clarification, who later summoned Vishwas on the basis of the complaint by the party volunteer alleging molestation,.

I want Kumar Vishwas to come forward and clarify that there was nothing between us. I have suffered a lot because of this entire matter, the complainant, her face partly covered, told the media.

My family is not with me because of this issue. I have been living alone for the last one month. The AAP is also not supporting me, she said. I want my respect back.

She did not hurt any criminal allegation against Kumar Vishwas.

The AAP contested the charges.The issue has been played up

as if Kumar Vishwas has illicit relations with the woman. The woman herself has named four people for maligning her image on social media, AAP leader Sanjay Singh told the media.

Spare our families... They get hurt by such baseless reports, he said.

Kumar Vishwas called the whole thing a political conspiracy.

The woman is like my younger sister... People have given their life for our movement. I am facing character assassination.

He specifically blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

A rumour is being spread to malign me and the party. The BJP lost the elections badly in Delhi... In pain and frustration they are targeting AAP leaders, he said.

The woman had taken part in Kumar Vishwas campaign in the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency in 2014.

Later I saw a post on social media in 2015 in which it was claimed that Kumar Vishwass wife had caught us in an objectionable position. When I confronted Kumar Vishwas he asked me not to pay attention to it, and not to make a big issue out of it, she said.

She said she appealed to Kumar Vishwas to tell the media that nothing had happened between us.

She said he promised to do that, adding she was like a younger sister to him... But later he stopped responding.

Government supports non-discriminatory access to Internet: PrasadTelecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government stands for ensuring non-discriminatory access to Internet.

Government stands for ensuring non-discriminatory access to Internet for all citizens of the country, Prasad said in the Rajya Sabha, as a calling attention motion was taken up on net neutrality.

Current debate on net neutrality should be seen from this perspective... while resolving the issue harmoniously and consistently with constitutional principles, he said.

The minister added that a final decision on net neutrality will be taken by the government.

Whatever be the outcome of the consultation paper (of TRAI) the decision will be taken by government, he informed the Rajya Sabha.

In March, telecom regulator TRAI released a paper inviting comments from users and companies on how over-the-top services should be regulated in the country. It asked stakeholders to send suggestions by April 24 and counter-arguments by May 8.

A six-member panel of the department of telecommunications (DoT) is also conducting a study on the issue.

The minister added: Internet is one of the finest creations of human mind, it must belong to mankind, not to few.

Net neutrality means that governments and Internet service providers should treat all data on the Internet equally - therefore, not charging users, content, platform, site, application or mode of communication differentially.

ADVERtISE.StARtING FROm jUSt $99* ONlYCall at 022 3251630 / 022 0151971or Email at iwk.teamnz@gmail.com

* Conditions apply

Salman jailed for five years for hit-and-run Bollywood actor Salman Khan was sentenced to five years in jail for a 2002 hit-and-run accident that left one man dead and four others injured.

Additional Sessions Judge D.W. Deshpande announced the verdict at a packed courtroom here, stunning the actor and his family.

Salman, one of the highest paid actors in Bollywood, was sentenced for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The judge held Salman guilty of rash and negligent driving when he was at the wheels of the Land Cruiser that killed the poor victim in suburban Bandra in September 2002. Defence lawyer Abha Singh said justice had finally been done.

I am very happy, she told the media. Justice has been done. The law has been upheld.

She said the long delay had

given the impression that the rich could get away with murder in India, and that the moneyed were above the law.

Earlier on Wednesday, the actor was found guilty on most of the charges levelled against him in the incident. His lawyers had pleaded for a lighter sentence, citing the actors social work as well as heart and other medical issues.

Salman is likely to be taken into police custody and sent