The English Fortnightly (Since November 1999) Issue 454 | February 1, 2021 | Free

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Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2018 Multi-Ethnic staff from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Japan, Winner Tonga, Iraq, Samoa and China Supreme Business of the Year Business Excellence in Marketing Raj Pardeep Singh Shyama Sharma Best Employer of Choice Specialists in Sale and Purchase of Property & Business, Leases, Principal Partner Barrister and Solicitor Best Medium-Sized Business Employment Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, Wills & Trusts, Immigration LLB/BA (Hons.) LLB/MIT/B.Com LLB/ DBM/ BA( Hons) Ashima Singh, Winner of the email: [email protected] Law- all types of visas and appeals (Initial Consultation Free) E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Best Businesswoman of the year 2016 Ph: (09) 2799439 | Level-1, 31 East Tamaki Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland 2025 | PO Box 23445 Hunters Corner, Papatoetoe, Auckland 2155 | www.legalassociates.co.nz New Zealand faces the real danger of Covid-19 variants those branches. If we see 100 branches, we have very few restrictions and it is Increasing calls to 50 of one variant and 50 of another, summer, R for the standard virus might reduce the number of grow into 200 branches, we would be around 2. A multiplicative effect of expect to end up with about 100 of each 70% would increase R to 3.4, while an international arrivals variant. additive effect would just add the same Whole genome sequences of viral cas- amount — 0.6 — seen in the restricted es sampled across the UK let researchers UK environment, putting R at 2.6. construct the family tree of the virus The difference between 2, 2.6 and 3.4 and watch it grow. What they observed may seem small. But after four weeks of was 501Y-V1 outgrowing other variants: spread starting from one case it could be Dr David Welch the split was more like 115 501Y-V1 the difference between 30, 120 and 450 branches and 85 of the other type. new cases. hen a Covid-19 case Of course, chance may also be What can New Zealand do now? was found in Northland involved here. The big factors that As New Zealand moves into the cooler on February 24, 2021, influence transmission are how we weather of autumn and winter, the Aotearoa’s second-longest respond as a society through preventive background R number will creep up. Wperiod with no detected community Director General of Health Dr (left) and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris measures. So far we have been somewhat lucky case came to an end. Hipkins (right) assure New Zealanders of the government’s prompt action to contain the spread of the Covid-19 Variant (Getty Images) Seasonal influences are increasingly with the community cases detected since ESR scientists worked late into being recognised, too. the first wave. With the notable excep- that night to obtain a whole genome As the UK variant spread, cases rose tion of the Auckland outbreak in August sequence and reported next day that as winter set in and students returned to 2020, the index case has always been it was one of the “variants of concern” education. Growth in case numbers was quickly identified, linked to the border, that we have heard so much about no surprise. and has not been a super-spreader. since mid-December 2020. But the higher growth rate for 501Y- While many of the individual cases So far, close contacts of the infected V1 has now been observed repeatedly. involved have done everything right in woman have tested negative. But this Estimates typically put it around 30-70% getting tested early, at some point our is the ninth community incursion more transmissible. “dumb good luck“ may run out, with a detected since August 2020. With a Rapid growth has also been observed case triggering a super-spreading event. makeshift Managed Isolation and in 501Y-V2 in South Africa, and genetic It has been estimated that around Quarantine (MIQ) system using hotels similarities suggest 501Y-V3 may also 15-20% of cases are super-spreaders and in the country’s biggest city, rather Community Checkpoints were set up as fears of Covid-19 community spread increased share this trait. these cause 70% to 90% of infections. than purpose-built facilities, further (Stuff on Twitter) The known unknowns Seeing one major outbreak from nine community cases have been expected. seen multiple times in several countries, Before December 2020, there was We should be cautious about border incursions tallies with these And the increasing prevalence of the what makes these three variants of only evidence that one variant, with transferring these numbers to other estimates. new variants worldwide meant it was particular interest is that they are spike protein mutation 614G might have environments. The most obvious and cheapest way inevitable that we would eventually see all accompanied by multiple other a higher rate of transmission. This is The UK was at a fairly high alert to reduce the risk of a rapid outbreak one in the community. Unless there are mutations that are not seen together now the dominant strain worldwide. level, which reduced the reproduction would be to reduce the number of peo- major improvements at the border, we elsewhere. But it might have achieved its current number (or R number, the average ple returning from high-risk countries can expect more cases. It is thought that the combined effect dominance by simple luck as it spread number of people each infected person (though not necessarily the number of How concerned should we be? of these mutations helps the virus to new and fertile grounds for transmis- is expected to infect) to about 0.9 for the people overall). The Three Variants spread more quickly and potentially sion. Scientists spent much of the last standard strain. We can also reduce the chance of Briefly, there are three variants that helps it evade parts of our immune year down suggestions that new The R number for 501Y-V1 was super-spreading events by adding extra all share a common mutation known response. Very early and incomplete mutations were changing the dynamics above 1, at around 1.2 to 1.5, hence post-quarantine testing requirements as 501Y in the region of the genome evidence suggests they may pose a of the pandemic. the claim it was up to 70% worse. It and having those leaving quarantine that codes for the spike protein, the part slightly greater risk of death than the Reports from the UK of 501Y-V1, the is not yet clear, though, whether the severely limit their contacts for the first of the virus that binds to our cells and original virus. first , changed that. effect is multiplicative (meaning that week in the community. establishes infection. Risk of increased transmission Here was a variant competing with we multiply the observed R number by The three variants are most simply Trying to establish whether one many others in the same location and it 170%), or additive (we simply add the known as 501Y-V1 (or B.1.1.7, first Dr David Welch is Senior Lecturer at variant spreads faster than any other is seemed to be growing faster. difference between the higher and lower the University of Auckland. The above detected in the UK), 501Y-V2 (B.1.351, very difficult. Winter plays a role R numbers to make the adjustment, so article and pictures have been published detected in South Africa) and 501Y-V3 (P1 A huge range of factors influence We can think of viral transmission as up to 0.6 based on the UK data). under Creative Commons Licence. or B.1.1.28.1, first detected in Brazil). viral spread and there is a lot of random a tree, new infections being branches If there was an undetected outbreak Please read related stories under While the 501Y mutation has been chance involved. budding off and current cases the tips of in New Zealand right now, given that Homelink.

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Email: [email protected] 24 Roberta Avenue, Glendowie, Auckland 1071 Website: www.0800rachna.co.nz Mobile: 021-02290344 Phone: (09) 5336377 Email: [email protected] Toll-Free: 0800RACHNA (0800 722 462) *Subject to lending Terms and Conditions 02 Homelink FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Experts say Covid Variant threatens lockdown in New Zealand Professors Michael Plank & same way as the original one: through close contacts between ith new, more people, especially in crowded or infectious variants poorly ventilated environments. of Covid-19 detected This means all the tools that we around the world, and have developed to fight the virus Wat New Zealand’s border, the risk will still work. These include testing, of further level 3 or 4 Lockdowns is contact tracing, masks and physical increased if those viruses get into distancing. the community. But any variant that is more trans- missible has a higher R number. These include a variant called Roadblock in Christchurch Shutterstock/Lakeview Images Some countries have cancelled flights from the UK (Shutterstock/Rarrarorro) B.1.1.7 that has spread very quickly To control an outbreak, we need to bring the R number under 1 and so within the UK, with other new infected person with Covid-19 passes already had Covid-19. Or it might But there is more uncertainty we may need to use more of these variants now observed in South the virus on to — the so-called R cause people to become infectious about these variants, partly because tools to achieve this. For example, Africa and Brazil. number — is 40%-70% higher with more quickly. the data quality is not as high as in in the Auckland outbreak in August Changing genetic codes B.1.1.7 than the original variant. Researchers in the UK used the UK, which is very good at doing 2020, Alert Level 3 was enough to Changes in the genetic code of A variant like B.1.1.7 with a higher mathematical models to test these genome sequencing. contain and eventually eliminate the viruses like Covid-19 occur all the transmission rate is actually more hypotheses. Our border controls outbreak. Our analysis showed Alert time but most of these mutations dangerous than one with a higher They found that the explanation The new variants have been de- Level 3 reduced R to about 0.7. don’t have any effect on how the fatality rate. that fitted best with the data was tected in many countries, including If we had a similar outbreak disease spreads or its severity. Sure, a 50% increase in the fatality that the new variant really is more in people in New Zealand’s managed with the new variant, R could be These changes can be useful rate would cause 50% more deaths. transmissible. And they estimated isolation facilities. 50% higher which would mean it is because they leave a signature in the But because of exponential growth, that a person with the new variant There have previously been above 1. In other words, we would virus’s genetic code that allows us to shown in the graph, a 50% increase infects 56% more people on average several cases of people working in likely need to use Alert Level 4 to trace how the virus has spread from in transmissibility causes 25 times than a person with the original these facilities picking up infections contain an outbreak, and it might one person to another. more cases in just a couple of variant. from recent arrivals. take longer to eliminate the virus But the new variant detected in months if left unchecked. More transmissible, evades The more transmissible variants than it has previously. the UK is more transmissible than That would lead to 25 times more immunity arriving at the New Zealand border To give our contact tracers the the original virus that was dominant deaths at the original mortality rate. Contact tracing data from the increase the risks to these workers, best possible chance of containing a in 2020. That means it spreads more How do we know the new variant UK also showed more of the close who in turn have a higher chance of new outbreak without needing Alert easily from one person to another. is more transmissible? contacts of someone with the new passing the virus onto others in the Level 3 or 4, we all need do our bit. The good news is it does not Incidence of Variant rising variant go on to be infected. community, amplifying the risk of a This means looking for QR codes cause more severe illness or have a The number of cases of the B.1.1.7 Patients with the new variant community outbreak. when out about and using the app higher fatality rate than the original variant has risen rapidly relative to have also been found to carry more In response, the government says to scan them, as well as turning on variant. Evidence so far suggests the original variant. of the virus. Together, this provides international arrivals will require Bluetooth. And it means staying at that vaccines will still be effective This can happen for a number of strong evidence the B.1.1.7 variant is a negative test in the 72 hours home and getting tested if you feel against it. reasons. The new variant might sim- between 40% and 70% more trans- prior to departure. They will also be sick. But the bad news is because it ply happen to be present in a part of missible than the original variant. required to take an arrival day test spreads more easily, it has the po- the country or group of people who The variants found in South Africa when they get to New Zealand. tential to infect many more people, are spreading the virus more rapidly and Brazil share some of the same These measures provide an Michael Plank is Professor in Applied causing more hospitalisations and for some other reason. mutations as the B.1.1.7 variant. extra layer in our defences against Mathematics at University of Canterbury, deaths as a result. It could have become resistant to There is some evidence they may COVID-19. and Shaun Hendy is Professor of Physics Why variants are dangerous at University of Auckland. The above immunity, meaning it could more also be more transmissible or better Managing the risk article and pictures have been published The average number of people an easily re-infect people who have able to evade immunity. The new variants spread in the under Creative Commons Licence. New Zealand must close its borders and keep Covid out

infected people boarding flights, ment with them. This intervention the risk of infections on flights assumes that vaccination provides to New Zealand (which is well some protection against transmit- documented), and ultimately the ting the infection to others, which number of infected people arriving is likely but not yet confirmed. and the risks of outbreaks in the There is a range of other meas- community. ures that can help New Zealand The booking system that sustain its Covid-19 elimination Professors Michael Baker and Nick Wilson travellers are using to arrange a status until such time as the popu- space in MIQ facilities as part of lation is protected by high vaccine their travel planning could be used coverage: (a) learn about COVID-19 he global Covid-19 pandemic to help manage these precautions. vaccination roll-out strategies is intensifying, with more In the medium term, pre-travel from countries that seem to have infectious variants of the vi- vaccination will become possible done it well so far (e.g. Israel). rus, and more rapid spread, and should provide a further way Unfortunately, many European Tespecially in countries such as the of reducing the risk of importing countries have had a slow start to US and UK. This deterioration has infection. their programmes (b) upgrade the meant a higher number of infected Tighten border processes alert level system so it maximises returnees arriving at New Zealand’s Some strengthening of MIQ risk reduction while minimising MIQ facilities — with 31 new cases facility processes has recently economic damage (c) mandate that in a recent three-day period. occurred (e.g. by the NZ Defence MIQ facility workers and returnees This situation is a particular Auckland hotels are still being used as quarantine facilities (Getty Images) Force) but the government could use digital technologies, such as concern given we know that hotels still consider the following: (a) the Bluetooth function on the NZ used as managed isolation and huge gains from New Zealand’s Suspend UK, USA, SA flights close MIQ facilities in Auckland COVID Tracer app, to facilitate quarantine (MIQ) facilities are not successful implementation of an The government should also (to protect such a key economic contact tracing in the event of a designed for infection control due elimination strategy. consider a large reduction in travel centre), or reserve Auckland-based border failure. Returnees could be to problems with shared spaces and Reduce infected arrivals numbers from high-incidence MIQ facilities for relatively low-risk required to use such technologies ventilation. There are multiple ways New countries, as has just been imple- travellers (such as those from Aus- for two weeks after leaving MIQ fa- Border, MIQ lapses Zealand could greatly reduce the mented in Australia. New Zealand tralia) (b) eliminate shared-space cilities and (d) consider using rapid Indeed, there have been eight number of infected travellers is now accepting higher inbound use in MIQ facilities, at least until antigen tests for community testing border failures identified since arriving and entering MIQ facili- traveller numbers (about 11,000 the first test returns a negative — which may help counteract the early August 2020, with seven ties, particularly those with more per month) than are allowed into result (exercising in rooms only, declining number of community probably associated with failures infectious virus variants. all of Australia (about 10,000 per provision of nicotine patches for tests which are currently far below at MIQ facilities. There have also Systematic pre-travel testing month for a country with five times smokers) and (c) prosecute those optimal levels for early detection been many rule breaches in these requirements have been phased the population). who break MIQ rules. Despite purposes. facilities. in by many countries and New Given the seriousness of the many instances of rule-breaking In summary, the global Covid-19 The Simpson and Roche review Zealand has added a requirement current risk, the government could within these facilities, no one has pandemic situation is still deterio- of the testing and surveillance for pre-travel PCR testing from suspend flights from the UK, US, yet been prosecuted. rating and may continue to do so regime also highlights multiple January 15. and South Africa immediately. Fast-track vaccination of border for some months. problems with the national This process could be made more This is what China has done for workers New Zealand’s response needs to response, although action is un- effective by using a combination of UK flights, and Japan has recently Waiting for a vaccine to arrive be urgently upgraded in the ways derway to address some of these rapid antigen testing and a period banned entry to non-resident in March is too long in our view. outlined here. Failure to adapt to deficiencies and extra funding is of pre-travel quarantine prior to foreigners from more than 150 The government could explore a evolving realities puts our success- being allocated. boarding flights (e.g. a five-day stay countries. fast-track process for vaccinating ful elimination strategy at risk. Nevertheless, nursing staff at at an airport hotel combined with Such a suspension could border control workers. This MIQ facilities recently reported rapid antigen testing on arrival at then potentially be extended to process would require expedited persisting concerns with staff the hotel and just before boarding other countries with out-of-control MedSafe approval and fast-tracked shortages. the flight). pandemic spread — especially if of the vaccine into the Recent COVID-19 outbreaks and Antigen testing has several pre-flight testing and pre-flight Michael Baker and Nick Wilson are country. near-misses in Australia remind advantages over PCR testing and quarantine is not feasible in such Professors of Public Health at University Given that Australia plans to start of Otago based in Dunedin. us that community spread is a real can provide reasonable diagnostic countries. performance in a screening situation These measures should vaccinating in February, it might be The above article has been published possibility and could threaten the under Creative Commons Licence particularly with repeat testing. substantially reduce numbers of possible to come to a joint arrange- FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Homelink 03 New community Covid case identified as South African Variant Sourced Content the isolation facility, authori- Legal obligation keep each planeload together ties would look at fixing this. There was a legal obligation because we know that is he Ministry of Health More than 100,000 people on the government to allow one of sources of infection is is confident that the had gone through the system New Zealanders to return the plane journey itself,” Mr Northland Covid-19 so far, Mr Hipkins said. home. Hipkins said. community case came “Not one of them has The policy was to try and Appeal to doctors Tdirectly from Pullman Hotel in subsequently taken Covid-19 keep planeloads of people The College of General Prac- Auckland and that there is no out into the community with together in managed isolation titioners has sent a message to missing link. them. A longer quarantine because transmission within its 5500 members to ramp up Director-General of period would be an option planes has been a problem. Covid-19 testing, in response Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield only if the source of the case “If you were isolating out to the new case of community confirmed that the strain of proved to be from abroad. the people who came from spread. The college said that Covid-19 in the case is from the There has not been a notable the US, the UK or South Africa GPs were crucial to helping new South African Variant. : No big surge in cases (RNZ Photo by Samuel Rillstone) increase ... we are not seeing and then separated them keep the disease from taking Covid-19 Response Minister a big surge in the number of out from others you might hold in New Zealand. Chris Hipkins said that those leaving managed isolation contacts, who are being asked to cases coming through,” he potentially increase the risk. Published under a Special released since the 56-year-old have tested negative. isolate after taking tests. said. The safest thing to do is to Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz woman left the Hotel, which is The 56-year-old woman Mr Hipkins said that it could one of the Managed Isolation travelled around parts of be up to 48 hours before there is Quarantine facility, were being Northland and visited 30 enough information to make any contacted. businesses over nine days calls on changing alert levels. Dr Bloomfield said that 15 while unknowingly having He is hopeful genome people were being treated as coronavirus. sequencing will be completed close contacts of the new case Test Results awaited today to determine the source of and that the woman tested Mr Hipkins told Morning the case. positive for the virus after Report that the results for He praised the woman for travelling widely in the region. the woman’s husband and using the Covid Tracer App and restricting her movements and The Northland Chamber of hairdresser have since come ● First Home ● Buying an Apartment Commerce had predicted hun- back negative. close contacts since leaving dreds of staff would not come “So, that is some good news managed isolation. ● Investment Property ● Low Deposit to work after the woman vis- to start the day. Her husband Longer quarantine periods ● Residential or Commercial ● Self Employed ited about 30 locations across would without doubt be her He said that before Christmas, ● Building / Extending / Renovating ● Business Loan closest contact - that coming the government looked at lower Northland and north ● Re-Finance/ Restructure ● Property Development Auckland. Mr Hipkins said that back negative is a good sign whether longer quarantine the results for the woman’s and so, we will know more periods and self-quarantine at husband and hairdresser have as the day unfolds as to what home might be justified. For all your home loan and insurance needs talk to us... come back negative. the overall risk of this case “The advice at that time was that would not be justified - now Contact us for FREE Infectious Disease Expert is,” he said. consultation Michael Baker said that it is He said that the woman obviously we keep that under unlikely the woman caught the had six close contacts in review,” he said. Toll Free: virus while she was in Europe. total and that they are all If the source of the virus isolating while awaiting test showed it had a long incubation 0508 33 22 11 The following is from an Rakesh Bansal Era Bansal Manisha Kumar Jatinder Singh results. Other casual contacts period, if it had been brought earlier RNZ Report: 021 030 8135 021 066 7598 021 154 4327 M:021 030 8135 [email protected] Two of the closest contacts of who have been in the same back from abroad, they might [email protected] [email protected] Ex-Banker for years 09 903 3602 a woman who tested positive place at the same time are need to have another look at Ex-Banker for years for Covid-19 in Northland after regarded as “casual plus” changes to MIQ. If it was a result 116b,Cavendish Drive, Manukau City E:[email protected] | w:www.kiwimortgages.net.nz of cross-contamination within Are you looking to Buy or Sell a Business? NewZealand Immigration Specialists with 30 years of experience

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be hosted by Facebook. When speaking to those contacts, WhatsApp dispels fears over new privacy policymessages might be stored and managed by Facebook, and so those conversations However, update delayed could be shared with the company more generally. until May 15, 2021 Not surprisingly, WhatsApp insists that European users will not see any changes to the use of their data, even if they agree to the terms. Though the reasons for this exception are not clear, it is my hunch that this is directly or indirectly linked to (Image Courtesy: TECHNOZU) the GDPR. Anand Mokashi February 8, 2021, and users would New Policy delayed be required to accept these changes And finally, following widespread confusion over whether the new policy onfusion and misinformation if they wish to continue using would mandate data sharing with Face- currently clouds the minds of WhatsApp. book, WhatsApp has announced that it millions of users of WhatsApp, The new terms and privacy policy will delay enforcing its new privacy terms one of the most popular and comes about six months after a similar from February 8 to May 15, 2021. Cuser-friendly text and video communi- change WhatsApp announced in July Images from WhatsApp “We have heard from so many people cation Apps. last year and included a summary of how much confusion there is around our One of the most important features how WhatsApp will share information called upon to withdraw the proposed privacy of your messages with friends recent update. There has been a lot of that led to the sky-high popularity of with Facebook, and how any shared changes.” or family in any way. The changes are misinformation causing concern and we this App is the comfort of knowing information might be used. TechCrunch states that they had related to optional business features on want to help everyone understand our that all messages are “end-to-end- Options to users withdrawn obtained a copy of the email letter sent WhatsApp and provides further trans- principles and the facts,” WhatsApp said encrypted.” There is however, a major differ- by India’s IT Ministry to WhatsApp parency about how we collect and use in a blog post on January 15, 2021. This means that no one, not even ence this time. While in the previous regarding the App’s new policy change. data. Learn more about new business So loyal WhatsApp users can take a WhatsApp, can read or know what any update, WhatsApp gave users the Fears unfounded features and WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy deep breath, relax and take some time message contains. option to ”not have your WhatsApp Upon studying the changes to update here.” before they make up their minds on For some time now, WhatsApp users account information shared with policy however, it appears to me that Users can therefore confidently relax “What’s up with WhatsApp.” have been receiving the following Facebook” this time, WhatsApp has many of the user’s extreme fears are with the knowledge that the “infor- Disclaimer: This article is for in-App Notice regarding the service’s withdrawn that option. unfounded. For a start, there appears mation” collected by WhatsApp is not informational purposes only and does new terms and privacy policy. Users will have to accept the new to be no change in the handling of the their chats, since those will continue not constitute professional or legal advice New Terms and Privacy Policy terms and privacy policy if they encryption and messages will continue to remain encrypted and therefore about the product and its usage. The The Notice informs users about want to continue using the instant to remain end-to-end-encrypted as cannot be seen by the company even if author has expressed his views based three key updates that will affect how messenger after the cut-off date. before. On their website FAQ page, the it wanted to do so. on a number of sources, which he has WhatsApp processes user data, how The response worldwide has been following text is prominently displayed. Significant update referenced, including the WhatsApp web- businesses can use Facebook-hosted understandably robust. Further clarifications in different The information to be shared is per- site. The author is in no way related to services to store and manage their Global reaction parts of the WhatsApp website state: sonal data such as the phone number or connected with WhatsApp, Facebook, WhatsApp chats, and how WhatsApp According to TechCrunch, India, a “We recently updated our Privacy of users and their contacts, profile or any of their companies and takes no will soon collaborate with Facebook to prolific WhatsApp using nation, has Policy and we have received many names and pictures, and diagnostic responsibility of any decision or outcome offer “deeper integrations” across all of even asked WhatsApp to withdraw the thoughtful questions. With some data. As such, there is no concern, not for WhatsApp users. All users are urged the latter’s products. planned change to its privacy policy. of the rumours going around, we yet at least, that private WhatsApp to read the Policy rules and regulations of Readers would be aware that In an email to WhatsApp Head Will want to answer some of the common conversations will be harvested the website and make their own informed WhatsApp, which Facebook bought for Cathcart, the Nation’s IT Ministry said questions we have received. We go to to use for advertisements or other decision about the product and its usage. $19 billion in 2014, has been sharing that the upcoming update to the App’s great lengths to build WhatsApp in a purposes by Facebook, for instance. It is possible that the Policy may change some limited information about its data-sharing policy has raised “grave way that helps people communicate The really significant recent update is again in future. users with the social giant since 2016. concerns regarding the implications privately. that WhatsApp has added new features We want to be clear that the to allow people to communicate with Anand Mokashi is an IT Lecturer and a The message initially stated that for the choice and autonomy of passionate Netizen. Email: anand_mokashi@ these changes will go into effect on Indian citizens… Therefore, you are policy update does not affect the businesses and those businesses could consultant.com

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Mortgage services Insurance Home loans Life, Trauma Call us today Construction loans Medical/Health 0800 21 22 23 Refinances and restructures General Ground Floor Top ups & debt consolidation Business 86 Highbrook Drive Commercial & Business loans Income Protection Highbrook FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Homelink 05 Pre-departure tests extended More stringent measures to all arriving passengers possible Mr Hipkins said that $1000 fine from the government will add more measures as deemed February 8, 2021 necessary and that it would be the primary obligation of Venkat Raman all passengers to comply, but ll travellers to airlines are also expected to New Zealand from play a key role in checking anywhere in the (Picture from Facebook) documentation where practi- world other than 17 the future if their situations cable at the start of someone’s Acountries in the ‘Exempt List’ change. journey. will be required to undergo He said that with the “Customs staff will check pre-departure testing at the high rates of inflation seen passengers’ arrival cards and place of their departure, the in many countries, most inspect test documentation global air routes are of critical for all arrivals except for announced today. concern for the foreseeable those who are exempt. Last Covid-19 Response Minister future. week, I set out exemptions Chris Hipkins said that the Preventing Covid spread and provided information to extension of pre-departure “New Zealand is currently assist travellers with the new testing will come into effect in a good position with no requirements via covid19. after 11.509 pm on Monday, community cases, but we govt.nz and Unite Against January 25, 2021 and will be in continue to take action with Covid-19 social media, and force until further notice. very specific steps to further directly to airlines. They will In addition, effective Feb- strengthen our borders in re- apply to all the countries that ruary 8, 2021, all passengers sponse to what we are seeing have been added,” he said. arriving in New Zealand overseas. The expansion of Mr Hipkins said that the except those from exempted Day 0/1 testing at Managed government acknowledges countries without evidence Isolation and Quarantine to that these new requirements of a negative approved test all passengers to New Zea- add complexity for people or medical certificate would land, except for those coming keen coming to New Zealand incur an infringement offence from Australia, Antarctica or but it was imperative to fee or a fine not exceeding most Pacific Islands, is now keep New Zealand and New $1000. in operation. All travellers Zealanders safe from the Virus Exempt Countries are still required to complete that continues to spread in The exempt countries 14 days mandatory isolation, many countries. include Antarctica, Australia, including routine Day 3 and “So far, after four days of The Cook Islands, Federated Day 12 tests,” he said. flights arriving with travellers States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiri- According to Mr Hipkins, from the US and UK, we are bati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand already has seeing extremely high levels New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, stringent border protection of compliance. It is great to see Samoa, Solomon Islands, Toke- measures and that the people doing the right thing lau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu amendments further for their fellow passengers, and Wallis and Futuna. strengthen that position in airline staff and the New Mr Hipkins said that other line with the government’s Zealand public,” Chris Hipkins countries will be excluded in overall elimination strategy. said.

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*Available to domestic students only. Find out more at manukau.ac.nz/free-study. MKT245_5g20 06 Educationlink FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Community-Specific Counsellors for Mental Health Support needs exacerbated considerably by of the groups that receive unique to a much greater degree in South towards community mental health Covid-19 worsens the contamination of the disease. counselling. Asian culture. support would also be a beneficial vulnerability of South Among the strain placed on these Mental Health for South Asians In addition, spirituality and faith addition to the available services. countries, 67% saw disruptions to Over 9% of New Zealand’s is different than for Western culture, Apps like Melon, Heart Healer and Asian communities counselling and psychotherapy; population identifies as South Asian. due to the different religions in play, Mentemia are all popular examples 65% to critical harm reduction Conversely, 70% of New Zealand’s such as Islam and Hinduism. of applications that not only promote services; and 45% to opioid agonist population identifies as being either Questions and struggles that regular meditation and communi- maintenance treatment for opioid Kiwi or European. South Asians might have regarding cation, but also contain wellbeing dependence, quoted from the WHO Beliefs in the South Asian commu- their faith would be different than journals, daily wellness goals, and Mohammad website. nity regarding mental illness and for a Kiwi with Christianity, as an ways to track your progress. Hassaan Mirza Need for Community Counsellors sources of support differ from those example. This is an area where more work There is a growing need for more common to Western cultures. These are quite general observa- can be done to cater towards the hile the Covid-19 mental health support services and According to studies undertaken tions, as each culture would have migrant community, and with the pandemic has drastically tools, recognising which the New by organisations such as Mental unique facets that would make amount of money that the govern- affected the way a vast Zealand government has allocated Health Programmes Limited, current providing mental health support ment has put aside for this purpose, majority of the people an additional $40 million for 100 strategies of counselling, namely for them a more nuanced effort. we feel that communities around Woperate in the physical world, the new health practices to provide the “talking therapy,” are unable to meet As such, there is a great need to New Zealand would benefit greatly environment fostered by it has taken mental health and addiction services the needs and goals of the Asian ensure that more attention is paid from being able to use mental health its toll on the mental states of its already available at 22 sites across demographic, and as such, they are to providing the kind of mental applications, especially keeping in denizens. the country. less likely to access counselling, and health support that the South Asian mind the South Asian communities The World Health Organisation We would urge that special more likely to drop out. community needs. hesitance to engage in talking (WHO) recognises that the isolation of attention be paid by these services Not only has the attitude of ‘Talking Therapy Counsellors’ therapy and keeping emotional and quarantine and the anxiety of being in to assign special community-specific keeping all problems private been These can come in the form of mental difficulties private. an era where potentially fatal disease counsellors. This is because, one normalised across South Asian ‘Talking Therapy Counsellors,’ as To conclude, there is a vacuum could be in unforeseen spots. of the main contributors to an culture, but also a significant portion mentioned prior, or in the form in mental health support catered Rising alcohol and drug abuse individual’s mental health is, not of the community present in New of mental health support lines. towards individual communities As countries prolong and tighten only the setting they are surrounded Zealand are migrants or refugees. Youthline, Mental Health Foundation within New Zealand, such as the security and health measures, lone- with, but also the culture in which They would be facing different and Gandhi Nivas are all examples South Asian community, and we feel liness, depression, harmful alcohol they live. The pressures upon an and unique pressures from the of mental health support lines that that this with the budget put aside by and drug use have risen to terrifying individual, and the manners in differences in background alone have been finding a great deal of the government towards furthering extremes. WHO has also recognised which the process and address those but compounding on that are their success in assisting those in need, mental health support services, that that prior to the pandemic, countries pressures are invariably determined traditions. with the latter also being a great there is an opportunity to meet the were spending less than 2% of their by the individual’s background and Variations between cultures example of a service of this type to needs of these communities. national health budget on mental culture. Family duty, tolerance of hardship New Zealanders of all ethnicities. health, with the struggle of those In particular, we would urge that and achieving success are all present In the event where these sessions Mohammad Hassaan Mirza is Assistant Editor (English Section) of Sangam countries to meet their populations’ the South Asian community be one in the Western culture but are found are not enough, applications geared Magazine. He lives in Auckland. Positive mental attitude sets the pace for peaceful existence

psychological and physical a nature of our behaviour in all wellbeing circumstances, and that is not easy. Better cardiovascular We have to work hard to become health and (e) Improved good. Amal Karl resilience Personal Check A finding from John In my own journey, every night he dawn of a New Hopkins expert Lisa R Yanek before I sleep, I take five minutes to Year tends to provide held that people with a fam- analyse the day for my interactions us all with an oppor- ily history of heart disease with people and situations. I re-visit tunity to reflect on who also had a positive these situations and identify the Tour approach to life. One of outlook were one third less root cause of any negative feelings the greatest choices that we likely to have a heart attack that I had and think about how I can exercise to navigate our or other cardiovascular could have better dealt with them. lives is the power of Positive event within 5 to 25 years Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Image by John Hain from Pixabay I also identify instances of Thinking. than those with a more happiness in my day and bring that Is our glass half-empty or negative outlook. Understanding Self-Talk Positive Emotions can be achieved by inculcating energy and positivity to the current half-full? The mechanism respon- Is your Self-Talk positive or ‘I am Responsible’ creates the six opposite traits to moment. How we answer this age- sible for the connection negative? positive emotions. the above – those of pure This practice can be done in a old question changes our between health and Some common forms of We create everything that is sentiments like love and way that works best for you – it outlook on life – and it may positivity remains unclear, negative Self-Talk include happening in our lives, good affection, sympathy and could be sitting in a meditation even affect our health. but researchers suspect that (a) Filtering- we magnify the and bad! cooperation, compassion and posture with eyes closed, lying in Health Benefits having a positive outlook negative aspects of a situation Self-Responsibility is the understanding, kindness and bed, or by journaling. Studies show that enables us to cope better and filter out the positive key to personal effectiveness generosity. When done daily, review and optimism and Positive with stressful situations, ones (b) Personalising - when in every sphere of life. The six bad elves have to introspection can be a very power- Thinking is a key part of which reduces the inflam- something undesirable oc- As a leading self-develop- be replaced, and that is our ful tool to assist your journey from effective stress management matory damage of stress on curs, we automatically blame ment author stated, “Every training discipline (Sadhana) the restrictive and negative to the and can provide many our body. ourselves (c) Catastrophising time you blame someone else to move from the negative expansive and positive. health benefits, including Another possibility is that - we automatically anticipate or make excuses, you give (Tamasic) conditioning to the Amal Karl is Group Chief Executive of (a) Increased life span (b) hope and positivity help the worst. your power away. You feel pure and truthful (Sattvic) FxMed New Zealand, NaturalMeds New Positive Thinking does not weakened and diminished. state of mind. Positivity has Zealand and RN Labs Australia and Lower rates of distress (c) people make better health Director of other companies. He lives in Greater immunity (d) Better and life decisions. mean that we ignore life’s less Without the acceptance of to become a trait, a character, pleasant situations. Rather, complete personal responsi- Auckland. we can approach unpleas- bility, no progress is possible. antness in a more productive On the other hand, once you way, which often starts with accept total responsibility for Self-Talk – the endless stream your life, there are no limits of unspoken thoughts that to what you can be, do and run through our head. have.” Instead of brooding Establishing deeper trans- over bad thoughts, we can formation houses are built by hands, substitute them with positive In Yogic philosophy, a more homes are created by designers thoughts and try to reframe complete, deeper transfor- the conversation. As an mation can only take place everyday example, instead when we identify and deal space designers ltd of stressing about a traffic with the six elves which are architectural designer jam, appreciate the fact that our negative expressions in our strengths you can afford a car and can life. They are the conditions member of ADNZ-recognised professional body spend a few extra minutes of mind that are identified listening to music, accepting as (a) Passion- Kama) (b) well equipped & established with good reputation that there is absolutely Aggression- Krodha (c) Delu- overall personal service technical competency & nothing you can do about the sion- Moha (d) Greed-Lobha professional experience. traffic. (e) Arrogance- Mada and (f) Email: [email protected] Viktor Frankl, a prisoner Envy- Matsarya). in the concentration camps, Self-generated problems Website: www.spacedesignersltd.co.nz author of Man’s Search for always indicate that there 178 A Pakuranga Road, Pakuranga, Auckland 2010 Meaning, demonstrated that is something that we react Phone : 09 577 2172 / 021 687162 we all have a choice to carve against, and we are reacting out a tiny bit of space be- due to the six components tween a stimulus (something that we have within us which happening) and our response, are altering our thoughts, at- because in that gap we can titude, perception, behaviour, decide what we want to do actions, needs and desires. instead of acting on autopilot. Everlasting inner positivity FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Educationlink 07 Science platform opens applications for funding for 2021 South Auckland by Reremoana School, monitoring nership with a scientist(s); and be institutions can seek up and trapping Guava moth to lift offering enduring educational value to $20,000 fruit tree harvest numbers at East and two-way learning for those outhSci, a Participatory Science Tamaki School, and AUT scientists involved. Platform in South Auckland working with senior students at For the best chance at designing is welcoming applications for Manurewa High School to look a successful application, please funding from STEM related at math modelling of the housing contact Ying Yang on (09) 3072101; Sprojects for 2021. problem in their area. Email: [email protected]. South Auckland Schools, Universi- “The project teams are a collab- nz or visit Website. (Image from the SouthSci Website) ties, Community and Iwi Groups may oration between young people and About SouthSci apply up to $20,000. scientists from universities and SouthSci is one of three Expressions of interest will be research organisations working region-specific Participatory Science accepted until March 26, 2021. to complete their projects. The Platform funding initiatives, the New Project Manager Ying Yang platform helps schools and other two based in Otago and for neurodiverse students. has come on board to manage community groups find expertise, Taranaki. The timing of this funding SouthSci for 2021. knowledge and resources they may round does not apply to the other She said that the aim of SouthSci not otherwise have had access to,” two regions. is to show young people the value Ms Ying said. The Participatory Science Criteria for Applications Platform is part of A Nation of of science skills and highlight career Naren Gopi and Hayley Ross (Reremoana School), pathways through collaborations helped design and build a Sensory Garden A View of the Sensory Garden Following are the criteria that will Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri with local STEM businesses, re- use scientific and design-thinking Some examples be applied while evaluating applica- i te Mahara, the Government’s searchers and engineers. skills on real-world projects that Previous examples include the de- tions: (a) community relevance and strategic plan to encourage all New A Civil Engineer, Ying is excited to have a direct impact on their sign of a water self-sufficient garden participation (b) tackle a substantive Zealanders to get engaged with help students get the opportunity to communities. for students with neurodiversity scientific question in active part- science and technology. Course to educate businesses on Anti-Money Laundering Law Massey Fin-Ed Centre offers 50-hour become more financially savvy by for all companies in New Zealand joint programme with Maxima improving their knowledge, attitudes impacted by the AML/CFT Act and and behaviour towards money. It is Regulations. Dynamique is a wholesale/ Venkat Raman globally unique for the breadth of institutional capital markets, risk, and assey University is launching its work around financial capability, business performance education firm. a new training programme covering education, research and Originally set up in the UK, it was a on Anti-Money Laundering consultancy. It also runs courses and leader in providing workshops and Law (AMLC) to help professional development programmes e-learning content to financial firms Mbusinesses understand the compliance for both groups and individuals in on topics as global custody, derivatives, procedures and prevent potential losses personal financial management. trading and best execution, and client resulting from dealing with money About Maxima relationship management. Maxima is a joint venture between Further information can be obtained launderers. Dr Pushpa Wood Guy Dobson The Massey Fin-Ed Centre, function- (Director, Massey Fin-Ed Centre) (Director, Maxima New Zealand) Compliance Plus and Dynamique. by email from Dr Pushpa Wood ing as a part of the Massey Business ters, accountants, financial advisors, implement. Compliance Plus is a leading provider [email protected] or Guy School and Maxima, a financial real estate agents and a range of other “While some seek to exploit this of advice, compliance testing, risk Dobson [email protected] consultancy firm, is jointly offering the businesses to benefit from the course, knowledge gap and overcharge their assessment and enterprise evaluation Programme called ‘The New Zealand gaining the ability to apply the learning services, this micro-credential course Anti-Money Laundering Compliance to implement the relevant AML/CFT will provide businesses the tools and Officer (NZAMLCO).’ systems in their organisations. understanding to effectively manage Airline operators want About the Programme Self-paced learning their own AML/CFT compliance. It will Stated to be the first of its kind in “NZAMLCO offers 50 hours of also provide micro credits to those who more government funds the country, the micro-credential structured, self-paced learning that will wish to pursue a career in compliance programme aims to ensure that man- give participants a good understanding with the AML/CFT Act,” he said. Supplied Content “Costs were being covered for agers, compliance officers and other border agencies and air navigation of New Zealand’s AML/CFT regime as Applying global rules irlines are calling for an ex- relevant staff of businesses covered well as global money laundering and Mr Dobson said that New Zealand services. That has now all been under the Anti-Money Laundering and tension of support packages stopped. Air cargo support through terrorism financing issues. Course is among more than 200 countries from government following Countering Financing of Terrorism participants will become familiar with that have signed up to the rules of the the International Air Freight Capacity 2009 Act (AML/CFT Act) are properly the Prime Minister’s forecast Scheme (IAFC), which is the only thing businesses’ minimum requirements Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Aof keeping the border closed until the equipped to support their business and and obligations under the AML/CFT Act “As a policy-making body, FATF keeping many airlines flying here, effectively and efficiently manage their latter part of 2021. is due to finish at the end of March. 2009,” Dr Wood said. works to generate the necessary Board of Airline Representatives compliance obligations under this Act. Guy Dobson political will to bring about national We are calling for an extension of Enrolment opens on April 1, 2021, New Zealand (BARNS) Executive the cargo support scheme and the Maxima Director Guy Dobson said legislative and regulatory reforms in Director Justin Tighe-Umbers warned with the course going live on May 1, that most training in this area, includ- these areas,” he said. Essential Travel Connectivity Fund 2021. that New Zealand is at a severe risk of until the border can re-open to the ing those undertaken by supervisors FATF has developed 40 recommen- losing what few international air links To register interest, please email is supplied by internationally-based dations to ensure that countries take rest of the world,” he said. [email protected] . it has left. Vital industry groups. effective measures to deter and detect “We have gone from 44 direct Course content is delivered via “Our understanding is that these attempts by criminals and terrorist Mr Tighe-Umbers said that airlinks Massey’s extramural learning platform. air connections to about a dozen. have been massive generators of courses focus mainly on overseas leg- financiers to use countries’ financial International air travel is down by Dr Pushpa Wood islation. New Zealand businesses must systems to benefit from their criminal income for New Zealand through Fin-Ed Centre Director Dr Pushpa 95%. This is now likely to remain exports and imports and travel. adhere to New Zealand legislation. activity or to finance terrorism. for the rest of the year, or at least Wood said that a lack of knowledge However, we have found that in the “FATF monitors countries to ensure Pre-Covid 19 a typical daily long-haul among local businesses about how until a Tasman Safe Zone is up and flight was worth half a billion dollars. past seven years of consulting, busi- they implement the recommendations running. Our remaining air links best to comply with New Zealand’s An- nesses still struggle to understand how fully and effectively and holds coun- Extending support to airlines to ti-Money Laundering Laws has resulted simply cannot survive unsupported. help the international tourism sector to their AML/CFT risk assess- tries to account that do not comply. The government must act to preserve in financial losses for companies and ments and programmes in accordance Countries that do not effectively is going to be key to a fast restart tax-payers alike. them,” he said. once New Zealand has a vaccinated with the mandatory requirements of implement FATF’s recommendations Another lifeline support “Through this course, we aim to take the AML/CFT Act,’ he said. are put on their grey or blacklists. A population. away the mystery and the ‘too difficult Mr Tighe-Umbers said that the gov- “Let us not make the mistake of Haemorrhaging Money country on either of these lists will find ernment made a good start in April to implement approach’ that people According to Mr Dobson, many busi- it difficult to participate in the global throwing away our $17 billion export have developed over the years towards last year by providing the aviation earner, tourism, just because we nesses are “haemorrhaging money” economy,” Mr Dobson said. sector a $600 million lifeline and that Anti-Money Laundering Compliance because they do not understand the About Massey Fin-Ed Centre did not make another investment in requirements.” is time for a similar-sized support retaining air connectivity,” he said. fundamental requirements of the Act The Massey Fin-Ed Centre was estab- package set up fast. She expects lawyers, money remit- and how simple they actually are to lished in 2011 to help New Zealanders

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Airport Oaks 09 255 5500 Manukau 09 263 5555 Henderson 09 836 5555 Tauranga 07 577 0011 08 Fijilink FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Fiji to lead Human Rights Council for the year Supplied Content with expertise and advice on thematic groups that monitor, examine, advise ed Kingdom, a postgraduate in Law and human rights issues and the Complaint and publicly report on thematic issues a Master of Philosophy in Criminology he Human Rights Council has Procedure which allows individuals or human rights situations in specific from the University of Cambridge. elected Nazhat Shameem Khan, and organisations to bring human countries. Prior to her appointment as Fiji’s Permanent Representative of Fiji rights violations to the attention of the In creating the Human Rights Coun- Permanent Representative to the UN in to the United Nations to serve as Council. cil, the UN General Assembly decided 2014, she was a legal practitioner and Tits President for 2021. UN Special Procedures that the Council’s work and functioning legal consultant, training judges in Fiji Ambassador Khan, who has been Fiji’s The Human Rights Council also should be reviewed five years after it on human rights, sentencing, and crim- envoy to the UN since 2014, was elected works with the UN Special Procedures had come into existence at the level of inal justice. She worked for 16 years as through a secret ballot process at which established by the former Commission the General Assembly. a prosecutor in Fiji and was appointed all the 47 members of the Geneva-based on Human Rights and now assumed About Nazhat Shameem Khan Director of Public Prosecutions of Fiji human rights body cast their vote. by the Council. These are made up of Born in 1960 in Fiji, Ambassador in 1994. The election was held as a part of special rapporteurs, special representa- Nazhat Shameem Khan is a graduate in In 1999, she was appointed Fiji’s first the Council’s Annual Meeting and tives, independent experts and working Law from the University of Sussex, Unit- woman High Court judge. she has since taken charge of the new responsibility. The Council also comprises Ambassadors of the Bahamas, Sudan and Netherlands, who were Digital X-Ray Machines to hasten health diagnosis elected Vice-Presidents of the Council in Sourced Content Donation from Bred Bank December. In other news, Mr Bainimarama The election of the fourth Vice-Presi- Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan (Facebook) ijians will now have access to received a donation of $112,500 dent, from the Eastern European Group, state-of-the art digital x-ray from Bred Bank (Fiji) for the Prime will take place following negotiations Khan is well-suited to help steer our machines when visiting any Minister’s Tropical Cyclone Yasa Re- within the Group. international community towards a healthcare facility for medical lief Fund to assist the government’s The other two contestants to the post future of justice, decency and dignity for Ftreatment around the country. relief and rehabilitation efforts were Yusuf Abdulkarim Bucheeri (Bah- all peoples,” he said. Launching the facility, Prime Min- for communities affected by the rain) and Ulugbek Lapasov (Uzbekistan). About the Human Rights Council ister Frank Bainimarama said that Cyclone. Ms Khan received 29 votes, followed by The Human Rights Council is an Health Ministry is rolling out 22 new Presenting the cheque BRED Mr Bucheeri (14) and Mr Lapasov (4). inter-governmental body within the UN Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama viewing portable digital x-ray machines in the latest X-Ray machine at a Health Centre in Suva Bank Chief Executive Thierry ‘Victory for basic rights’ system, comprising 47 States responsible health facilities across Fiji, including (Facebook) Charras-Gillot said that the donation Fiji’s Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe for strengthening the promotion and in some of the most remote rural and “This is critical for the diagnosis is cumulative funds from the parent Bainimarama described Ambassador protection of human rights around the maritime pockets of the country. of certain conditions. It creates an bank, Bred Banque Populaire in Khan’s election as a victory for the basic world. The Council was created by the Fast and reliable accurate digital record that informs France and BRED Bank Fiji. rights of all climate-vulnerable people. UN General Assembly on March 15, 2006 “The single greatest advantage of better treatment, anywhere in Fiji that Mr Bainimarama has said that “The Fijian government’s fundamen- to address situations of human rights these new machines is the rate at treatment is sought. Rather than lim- the donation by Bred Bank would tal assurance of equality for all Fijians violations and make recommendations. which they operate. We are cutting a iting the availability of this technology assist Fijian families affected by the placed human rights at the heart of our A year later, the Council adopted its 20-minute traditional x-ray process to hospitals only in the urban centres, Cyclone. national development, leading to rapid ‘Institution-Building Package’ to guide down to about five seconds. The these digital machines will reach every “We are aware of the financial progress at instituting rights-based its work and set up its procedures and digital X-ray process is not only division in the country. Every Fijian need to rebuild damaged homes, protections and our historic position as mechanisms. faster, but it also delivers better deserves access to the best possible schools and infrastructure and the first Pacific Island Country on the Among them were the Universal Pe- care,” he said. medical treatment and equipment we we extend this support to the Human Rights Council. Fiji’s leadership riodic Review Mechanism, which serves Mr Bainimarama said that the can afford to provide. That is not only government especially during these of the Council comes at a critical time to assess the human rights situations images captures can be quickly and my opinion but also the mandate of the difficult times when we are also for humanity, as the climate emergency in all United Nations Member States, securely shared across Fiji’s national Fijian Constitution,” Mr Bainimarama battling the impact of the Covid-19 threatens human rights on a global and the Advisory Committee which serves healthcare network. said. pandemic,” Mr Charras-Gillot said. generational scale, and Ambassador as the Council’s think tank providing it Priyanca Radhakrishnan MP for Maungakiekie Design & Construction Our team can offer you: House design and land subdivision Onehunga office To build your dream house 09 622 2660 with an affordable price [email protected] Level 1, Crighton House, 100 A Fixed price contract with Neilson Street (entrance on Galway no hidden cost Street), Onehunga, Auckland Built on time, in months priyancanzlp not years Reliable professional team and customer based service

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Authorised by Priyanca Radhakrishnan MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Businesslink 09 Jo Biden takes charge of a politically tired USA almost four years ago, Biden said: Senate, and already there are signs “There is truth and there are lies - that some on the right may be lining lies told for power and for profit.” up in opposition to more spending. Biden wrapped up his inaugural Trump’s Senate address by warning that America Impeachment Trial must not “turn inward” - both as Then there’s Trump’s Senate im- Anthony Zurcher individuals retreating into “compet- peachment trial, which will present ing factions” and as a nation on the yet another challenge to national n January 20, 2021, at 12:01, world stage. unity. It will keep Trump’s name in in the midst of his inaugural “We will repair our alliances and the news for weeks, as his defenders address, Joe Biden officially engage with the world once again,” rally to his side and his detractors became the 46th President he said. call for consequences for his actions. Oof the United States. Engaging with the world After that, Biden’s potential He was already well into outlining Rhetorically, Biden turned the political paths diverge. He has said exactly how daunting a task he - and page from Trump’s days of “America that he wants to improve healthcare the Nation - have ahead in what he first.” in the US, address growing college called its “winter of peril.” The first 100 days of any debt, make new investments in What ails America administration are always important infrastructure and tackle climate America is facing a devastating to a new President. What are his change. pandemic which has resulted in priorities? What will he try to He has pledged to push massive job losses and business Democrats Leader Jo Biden being sworn in as the 46th President of USA (Reuters Picture) accomplish when his political capital immigration reform legislation that closures, a threatened environment, is at its highest? includes a pathway to citizenship urgent cries for racial justice and Biden’s speech reflected the reality for undocumented migrants - a resurgence in “political extremism, that he enters office with his top political lightning rod that helped white supremacy and domestic priorities already determined for fuel Trump’s first presidential run. terrorism.” him. What he prioritises, and how His speech was not a laundry list His government will be responsi- successful his first efforts are, could of proposals and solutions. Those ble for distributing the Coronavirus determine the overall success of his were reserved for documents Vaccine in an efficient and equitable administration. released early in the morning out- way. After that, he will have to focus The inauguration ceremony is lining his first 17 executive actions on the societal and economic disrup- over. An evening of (virtual) celebra- as President - on Immigration, tions caused by the pandemic. tion awaits. But, as Biden noted in Climate Change, Transgender Rights The Virus has exacerbated his speech, the American people face and Public Health, among others. income inequality and pushed many one of the most challenging times in Instead, Biden used his speech households to the brink of economic their nation’s history. to offer hope and to argue, at times Trump supporters breached the Capitol on January 6, claiming that the election result was fraudulent ruin. It has devastated the travel and “We will be judged by how we forcefully, that the Nation must (AAP/AP/ John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx) hospitality industries and placed resolve these cascading crises of our be united in facing the challenges moment of crisis and challenge,” he Where Trump frequently spoke incredible strain on the finances of era,” he said. ahead; that it has to move past its continued. “And unity is the path of American greatness and glorified state and local governments. Biden campaigned against Trump current “uncivil war.” forward.” its founders, Biden noted that the His pledge to seek unity will be for the opportunity to face those “Without unity, there is no peace, Direct rebuttal Nation’s history has been a “constant tested early, as he pushes a sharply crises. Now he has his chance. only bitterness and fury,” he said. At times, Biden’s speech seemed a struggle” between its ideals and divided Congress to pass another, “No progress, only exhausting direct rebuttal to his predecessor’s sometimes harsh realities. massive round of pandemic stimulus Anthony Zurcher is North American outrage. No nation, only a state administration, although he did not Where Trump Adviser Kellyanne Correspondent for BBC News. The above aid. If he wants to enact it quickly, he story and picture have been published of chaos. This is our historic mention Donald Trump by name. Conway spoke of “alternative facts” will need Republican support in the courtesy of BBC. YOUR SUCCESS PARTNER Your one stop Print and Signage shop Deepavali

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Where conspiracy theories go hand Jennifer S Hunt Recent Congressional races have in hand with corruption (such as very four years on January 20, further demonstrated the success of Trump soliciting an election official to the US exercises a key tenet of Trump’s template. Holocaust-deniers tamper with results), state authorities democratic government: the in three states ran for office in 2018 should pursue charges. Where disin- peaceful transfer of power. This (all as Republicans). Two of the newest formation has proven lucrative, tools Eyear, the scene looks a bit different. members of Congress are members of should be explored to remove financial If the last US Presidential QAnon, the inheritor of the “pizzagate“ rewards. For instance, non-profit Inauguration in 2017 debuted the conspiracy theory, in which all who organisations that participated in or phrase “alternative facts,” the 2021 oppose Trump are deep state members fundraised what the Joint Chiefs of Inauguration represents their deadly of an international child sex trafficking Staff declared as “sedition and insur- consequences. After conspiracy-theory cabal. rection” could be stripped of protective inspired violence laid siege to the Cap- The challenge ahead for Biden tax status. itol Building where lawmakers met to Where then, does this leave Some of these remedies lie firmly policy-making on national and global with Congress. Impeachment pro- confirm the election results, more than One of Joe Biden’s first priorities should be repairing trust in American institutions 20,000 troops now patrol the US Capitol issues that require sober reflection and ceedings are already underway which to ensure the transition goes ahead “No God, No Country” manner that made the threat appear good judgement? could remove Trump’s ability to run smoothly against calls for insurrection. More recently, he has called his sup- less severe. Alternative facts have no place in in 2024. The 14th Amendment could Threat of Disinformation porters to action, warning that there During 2020, diverse groups stormed good governance. Their purpose is be applied to expel or bar current The threat of disinformation and will be “no God“ and “no country“ state legislative buildings to evade Cov- only to destroy and divide. This is why office holders who participated in the alternative facts has taken many forms without him as President. Though the id-19 mitigation efforts and intimidate disinformation has been pursued so insurrection from running for election over the past several years, from attack only lasted a few hours, the lawmakers at the behest of Trump. aggressively by hostile foreign actors again. conspiracy theories about climate consequences will linger for years. Despite these public signs of growing against the US, with Russian active Trump has recently condemned the change to Covid-19, culminating in a The long-standing threat of extremist violence, even some lawmak- measures detailed extensively by the violence done in his name. But he has 2019 FBI memo warning about the right-wing extremists: This threat ers appeared to be caught unaware by Republican chaired Senate Intelligence not disavowed the rationale for it. His threat of “conspiracy-theory driven appears to have been taken seriously the Capitol insurrection. In an opinion Committee reports. supporters within the Republican base, domestic extremists,” particularly by long-standing national security piece just after the event, Republican Voter fraud, one of the key media and elected ranks continue to around elections. experts and scholars. But action against Senator Susan Collins wrote she first narratives of Russian efforts in election repeat his conspiracy theories on Fox It follows years of warnings from it was hindered under the Trump assumed the attack was coming from interference in 2016, has now become “entertainment” shows, on AM radio, national security practitioners and administration. Iran. mainstreamed in the Republican and now the halls of Congress. More scholars about the growing risk of White Nationalists and others ‘Birther Conspiracy Theory base, with nearly half of respondents than 100 US Representatives voted domestic extremists. More recently, as Starting in 2017, federal funding for Trump has demonstrated that expressing doubt about Biden’s win. against certifying the ballots on which reported by the FBI and ASIO, these tackling white nationalist and other far conspiracy theories can drive electoral Public assurances by Republican they themselves were elected. groups have used the global pandemic right extremist activity was cut, includ- and fundraising success. Having secretaries of state have had limited The next few years will see to recruit and radicalise new members, ing university research and non-profit started his political campaign with the impact, culminating in Trump’s taped investigations, commissions and seizing on the isolation and uncertainty deradicalisation organisations such as “birther” conspiracy theory, challeng- conversation in which he asks the reports detailing the failures that led to offer a sense of community and Life After Hate ing the citizenship and eligibility of Georgia Secretary of state to “find” up to the Capitol attacks. Any delay in clarity of purpose. Last year, a whistleblower report American-born Barack Obama, Trump 11,000 votes for him (to win). accountability could see even more The conspiracy theory that drove from the Department of Homeland also cast shadows over his Republican Repairing frayed trust lives lost to conspiracy theories and the violence at the Capitol Building has Security alleged that senior intelligence rivals, including Ted Cruz, by accusing Joe Biden should focus on repairing those who profit from them Jennifer S. Hunt is Lecturer in National been building for the past four years. officials were instructed to modify Cruz’s father of being linked to the man Americans’ frayed trust in institutions and rehabilitate America’s battered Security, Crawford School of Public Policy, During this time, US President Donald intelligence assessments to match who killed JFK. Australian National University. The above Trump has decried any contest he does Trump’s rhetoric and modify the Similarly, Trump will end his admin- reputation. At the same time, he article has been published under Creative not win as fraudulent. section on White Supremacy in a istration on a conspiracy theory, one should lead with science and fact, most Commons Licence. female and the first African American the clear high point of her candidacy: Kamala Harris of Tamil Nadu origin, makes history to serve as California’s attorney general, debate performances that showed off the top lawyer and law enforcement her prosecutorial skills, often placing BBC News official in America’s most populous Mr Biden in the line of attack, most state. notably criticising his praise for the amala Harris has made history In her nearly two terms in office as “civil” working relationship he had as the first female, first black Attorney General, Ms Harris gained a with former senators who favoured and first Asian-American US reputation as one of the Democratic racial segregation. Vice-President. Party’s rising stars, using this mo- She dropped out of the Presidential KShe was sworn in just before Joe mentum to propel her to election as race in December 2019. Biden took the oath of office to become California’s Junior US senator in 2017. But Mr Biden chose her as his the 46th US President. She was only the second black number two in August, calling her “one been comfortable with her identity Ms Harris, who is of Indian-Jamaican Kamala Harris being sworn in as Vice- woman ever elected to the US Senate. of the country’s finest public servants.” and simply describes herself as “an heritage, initially ran for the Democratic President in Washington DC on January 20, Bid for Presidency After Mr Biden was announced as 2021 (BBC News) American.” nomination. She launched her candidacy for Pres- the next president in November, Ms After four years at Howard, Ms A fearless fighter ident to a crowd of more than 20,000 in Harris tweeted a video of her congratu- Harris went on to earn her law degree But Mr Biden won the race and Oakland at the beginning of 2019. lating her running mate. at the University of California, Hastings, chose Ms Harris as his Running Mate, But Ms Harris failed to articulate a “We did it, we did it Joe. You are and began her career in the Alameda describing her as “a fearless fighter for clear rationale for her campaign and going to be the next President of the County District Attorney’s Office. the little guy.” gave muddled answers to questions in United States!” she beamed. She became the District Attorney - the Prior to taking the oath at the US key policy areas like healthcare. The above article appeared on BBC top prosecutor - for San Francisco in Capitol, Ms Harris paid tribute to the She was also unable to capitalise on News Website. women who she said came before her. 2003, before being elected the first “I stand on their shoulders,” she said in a video. Eugene Goodman, the Capitol police ‘Stop Now Letter’ issued to promoter of Lion’s Share scheme officer who was hailed as a hero for Shyamala Gopalan with her daughters Kamala Supplied Content Commission that she has stopped on the continued recruitment of new steering a pro-Trump mob away from and Maya (Family Photo) promoting Lion’s Share. members, not sales of a product or Senate chambers during the January he Commerce Commission Ms Harris lived in Berkeley, California, Advice to people service. 6, 2021 riot, escorted Ms Harris at the has issued a Stop Now letter The Commission’s investigation “Stop Now letters are issued where inauguration. briefly on Milvia Street in Central to Shelly Cullen, promoter of Berkeley, then a duplex on Bancroft is ongoing. However, because it we urgently want conduct to stop https://youtu.be/QJyV-1VwqpE Lion’s Share, which the Com- considers that the Lion’s Share scheme that we consider likely to be harmful About Kamala Harris Way in West Berkeley, an area often Tmission believes is likely a pyramid called ‘the flatlands’ with a significant is likely a pyramid scheme, the to the market, consumers or public Ms Harris, 56, was born in Oakland, selling scheme. Commission advises any individuals safety, and which is a likely breach of California, to two immigrant parents: an black population. Scheme under investigation Visits to Chennai already involved with the Lion’s Share one of the laws that we enforce,” the Indian-born mother and Jamaican-born Pyramid selling schemes are scheme to cease their involvement Commission said. father. As children, she and her sister visited prohibited under the Fair Trading Act their mother’s family in Madras (now and those considering joining the It gives the recipient early warning Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a 1986. The Commission is currently Lion’s Share scheme are advised not of our concerns and a chance to biologist whose work on the progester- Chennai) several times. She said that investigating the Lion’s Share scheme she has been strongly influenced by to do so. change their behaviour. It does not one receptor gene stimulated advances and Ms Cullen’s promotion of it Preventing harm from pyramid signal that we will not also take in breast cancer research, arrived in her maternal grandfather P V Gopalan, and other potential pyramid selling a retired Indian civil servant whose schemes is a current priority for the enforcement action. the United States from Tamil Nadu in schemes. Commission. The schemes require If the letter does not achieve a 1958 as a 19-year-old graduate student progressive views on democracy and The letter requests Ms Cullen to women’s rights impressed her. constant recruitment of new members prompt end to the conduct, we may in nutrition and endocrinology at the (a) cease association with the Lion’s to buy in and inevitably people lose seek a Court injunction, requiring a University of California, Berkeley. Ms Harris has remained in touch Share scheme and any other pyramid with her Indian aunts and uncles out financially as recruitment dries party to stop what they are doing. Ms Gopalan received her PhD in scheme (b) cease promoting and up. Source: The Commerce Commission, 1964. Harris’ father Donald J Harris is a throughout her adult life. She has also recruiting additional participants Wellington visited her father’s family in Jamaica. About Pyramid Scheme Stanford University Professor Emeritus into the scheme or any other pyramid Pyramid Schemes are illegal under of Economics, who arrived in the United She went on to attend Howard scheme and (c) remove any content University, one of the nation’s preem- the Fair Trading Act 1986. They States from British Jamaica in 1961 from social media (including Facebook can take many forms but have the for graduate study at UC Berkeley. He inent historically black colleges and and YouTube) that promotes such universities. She has described her time following essential elements: (a) they received a PhD in Economics in 1966. schemes. offer a financial return based on the https://twitter.com/i/sta- there as among the most formative On receiving the Stop Now experiences of her life. payments made by new recruits and tus/1351888479370752002 letter, Ms Cullen confirmed to the (b) the return is dependent primarily Along with her younger sister, Maya, Ms Harris said that she has always FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Businesslink 11

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47 Allens Road, East Tamaki, Auckland 2013 P O Box 217206 Botany Junction, Auckland 2164 Phone (09) 2724700 Fax: (09) 2724699 Email: o[email protected] o[email protected] [email protected] 12 Viewlink FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Church abuse victims remain silent Andrew McRae absurdity and therefore there is no accountability,’’ he said. survivor group for people He said that the leaders of the abused while in the care Church place the Institution above The English Fortnightly (Since November 1999) of the Catholic Church says its people and that has to change. ISSUE 454 | FEBRUARY 1, 2021 only a fraction of them are ‘‘What the Catholic Church is Acoming forward. doing today in New Zealand is A number of people have spoken presenting very well on policy and with the Royal Commission into paper and the Catholic Church is Ka Mua, Ka Muri on Abuse in Care, but it is being seen as Photo:123rf spending hundreds of thousands of only the tip of the iceberg. dollars on public relations about the Waitangi Day 2021 Dr Christopher Longhurst from safety and protection of children for Survivors Network of those Abused the future and while that’s all very aori is rich with sayings need. by Priests (SNAP), said that many well and good ... that’s a reaction that should make us “Finally, the permissive people are reluctant to come to the pressure that SNAP and pause and think. impact of the Treaty is creating forward for fear of ridicule. survivors and victims put on it to M ‘‘There is so much shame around The title of this Leader is a an unhealthy and divisive make those changes. ‘The Catholic typical example. We have a ethos within the public service the abuse that society sees the vic- Church will not be doing anything few thoughts borrowed from and beyond. This has occurred tim as wounded and defective and apart from its own historical process some of our leaders to reflect as policy and lawmakers there is victim blaming,’’ he said. of trying to cover up,’’ Dr Longhurst on Waitangi Day, which will be have tried to reconcile Maori No shame to victims said. observed on February 6, 2021. culture with the business He said that there is dignity in Report findings not surprising The Treaty of Waitangi is an of government through the surviving abuse and nothing for the SNAP backs the work the Royal important historical document. foolhardy insertion of the victim to be ashamed. Commission is doing but thinks it It gave all New Zealand ‘principles of the Treaty’ into ‘‘If the Royal Commission or might be going too slowly. citizens rights and protection as legislation and the extension someone could help the country Dr Longhurst said that the Com- British subjects and contained of this into government policy see that there is only dignity in mission’s interim report released a shared vision of the peoples and policy-making processes.” surviving that kind of abuse then in December 2020 had nothing of New Zealand living in A different take on W-Day more people would come forward. surprising in it. harmony. Writing in our February 1, There is tremendous courage in Dr Christopher Longhurst (Photo Supplied to RNZ) ‘‘Why has not it provided some coming forward and to realise that Prime Minister Jacinda 2017 issue, Priyanca Radhakr- position to already be obliged to do recommendations. What is the point Ardern declared last year: “On ishnan, now Minister of I was the victim of abuse but that I of an interim report? Just to make a have survived that,’’ Dr Longhurst something because it is a Church. It this 180th Waitangi Day, let us Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic should already be helping based on report?’’ he asked. pledge to take a step across the Community and Minister for said. SNAP support the call from many He said that many victims of its principles of justice, its Christian bridge between our peoples, Community & Voluntary Sector values, it should already be doing survivors for the establishment of give us the perseverance in and Minister for Youth said abuse deal with it by leaving the an independent body to oversee all institution and just getting on with what we want it to do, but for some our daily lives to commit to a that Waitangi has an especially reason it is not. abuse in care claims and to provide simple action that helps take us amazing vibe during Waitangi their life and that is fine, but that is redress, thereby allow survivors to kind of like putting a band-aid over ‘‘These people [victims] are afflict- to the other side, and in doing Day celebrations and recounted ed and hurt in its own institutions bypass having to approach the very so give us the courage to walk her experience in 2016. the abuse. organisation that abused them. ‘‘They do not have to identify as by its own members.’’ comfortably in each other’s She said that the Treaty Church should be accountable ‘‘It is certainly idealistic because of shoes.” Grounds were taken over by victims or survivors but they were how independent it can possibly be, affected. They can simply report the He said survivors want the Catho- In his comments made in about 150 stalls. lic Church to be held to account but there does need to be one. For 2005 when he was Foreign “It was a convivial event with abuse,’’ he said. healing there needs to be legitimate Dr Longhurst said that the like any legal entity and for the Minister (He was also Maori music, laughter and children government to make that important redress to restore the damage done,’’ Affairs Minister in the Jim playing. I was pleasantly sur- Catholic Church must be held ac- Dr Longhurst said. countable now and not wait for the change. Bolger Cabinet in 1990), prised, because all the media Dr Longhurst said that Priests and He believes New Zealand could be said that over reports that I had read about Royal Commission to report back. a world leader in dealing with abuse He wants it to act now to make Bishops of the Catholic Church in the past few decades, the status Waitangi focused on the pro- New Zealand are not regarded as in care. the Church accountable asking if Andrew McRae is a Reporter at Radio of the Treaty has changed as a tests and the sometimes-hostile employees but are seen as employed result of political interference, treatment of politicians on the Church will not hold itself to New Zealand. The above story has been account, who will. by God. published under a Special Arrangement Maori radicalism and judicial the Marae. It was a surreal ‘‘This is an extraordinary with www.rnz.co.nz activism. experience to be in a place on ‘‘The Catholic Church is in Three main issues a day that holds such historical “Three fundamental issues and political significance for are at the core of Treaty New Zealand.” Covid Variants add to pandemic complexity discontent: 1. Lack of progress Ms Radhakrishnan said that in expeditiously addressing we have a responsibility as historical grievances 2. Lack of migrants to learn New Zea- clarity as to the ‘contemporary land’s history and understand status of the Treaty’ and 3. The the place that tangata whenua pervasive influence of a new occupies in that history. For Professor Edward Feil ethos based on the corrosive too long now, there has been a influence of the so-called struggle between biculturalism hen supplies of oxygen ‘Principles of the Treaty’ which and multiculturalism. at hospitals in Manaus, has imbued the public service Conflicting ideas Brazil, recently ran out, Image by Raphael Alves/EPA and beyond with counterpro- “Some people consider the Airforce was called the three variants share striking The task is made more difficult ductive political correctness,” biculturalism as restrictive Win for emergency evacuations while similarities. Each has picked up because several mutations have he said. because it excludes ethnic healthcare workers frantically several mutations over a short time, accumulated in these variants Mr Peters said that the communities. Others consider tried to save lives with manual with many in the gene providing (so-called constellations). The meandering progress of the multiculturalism a threat to the ventilation. For those that could not the instructions to make the virus’s UK variant, for example, has 23 settlements process and the bicultural framework within be saved, there was only morphine spike protein. separate mutations, representing a insertion of ‘Treaty Principles’ which New Zealand operates. and a final hand-squeeze. The spike protein is where the key remarkable evolutionary jump with into legislation has done little They are concerned about the As calamitous as the situation is battles between human and virus no known intermediate variants for a majority of Maori. effect of multiculturalism on for those affected, the devastating are being waged, including the vac- (like there are “missing links” in the “In fact, it has had the more the status accorded to tangata surge in Covid cases in Manaus over cines. It is the key to how the virus evolutionary chain). insidious impact of diverting whenua, the people of the land. the last few weeks has set alarm interacts with the human body, both Although not all the mutations are attention and resources away I believe that we need both.” bells ringing ever more loudly for regarding the immune response and thought to be important, the effect from the real path to prosperity As popular Public Lawyer governments and agencies around in binding to and entering human of any individual mutation might and social progress for Maori Mai Chen said, “We need to the world struggling to manage the airway cells. be changed by the presence of other - sound education, well paid start talking about multicultur- pandemic. Not only have several mutations mutations (an effect called epistasis). employment, adequate health alism on a bicultural base.” Cases continue to surge in the UK affected this protein, but identical This greatly complicates the prob- and improved housing.” As New Zealanders, we are and South Africa and, as in Manaus, mutations have cropped up inde- lem of figuring out precisely what Grievance mentality all in this together. As migrants, they appear to be mainly due to the pendently both in the variants of these mutations are doing and of According to him, in their Aotearoa’s history has become emergence of new variants of the concern and in other viral lineages. assessing the risk of newly emerging place, a grievance mentality ours. The onus is on us to find coronavirus. In effect, the virus has repeatedly variants from the sequence data has permeated the thinking of out about the historical injustic- Three variants causing concern stumbled across the same evolution- alone. many Maori and even worse it es and understand the attempts The naming of these “variants ary solutions to specific challenges. Despite these complexities, a has facilitated the development being made to address those of concern” – as scientists refer This phenomenon is known as combination of computational of a Treaty ‘gravy train’ which wrongs. to them – is somewhat muddled. evolutionary convergence (consider analysis and laboratory experiments sees large amounts of money Therefore, Ka Mua, Ka Muri- For simplicity, they are referred to the independent evolution of wings have yielded valuable evidence of going to lawyers, consultants In order to move forward, we here as the Brazilian, South African in bats, birds and insects). the effect of these mutations. and Treaty travellers at the should look back. and UK variant. All have emerged Understanding how these muta- Although these variants are expense of those in genuine recently, and all have picked up sev- tions might affect the coronavirus’s causing concern, we should remain eral mutations that mark a distinct behaviour at the molecular level confident that the vaccines will ul- shift in the evolution of the virus. is difficult. Work to bridge the gap timately prove successful in ending Similar variants are almost between each variant’s “genotype” the pandemic and allow a return to Indian Newslink is published by Indian Newslink Limited from its offices located at 24 Roberta Avenue, certainly out there spreading under Glendowie, Auckland 1071. All material appearing here and on our web editions are the copyright (the mutations) and its “phenotype” normality. the radar. Ed Feil is Professor of Microbial Evolution of Indian Newslink and reproduction in full or part in any medium is prohibited. Indian Newslink and (how quickly it spreads) is being More are likely to evolve. ramped up in the UK and elsewhere at The Milner Centre for Evolution, its management and staff do not accept any responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. University of Bath. The above article Managing Director & Publisher: Jacob Mannothra; Editor & General Manager: Venkat Raman; Striking similarities but will require a sustained multi- Despite arising independently and pictures have been published under Production Manager: Mahes Perera; Accountant: Uma Venkatram CA; Phone: (09) 5336377 disciplinary effort. Creative Commons Licence. Email: [email protected]; Website: www.indiannewslink.co.nz on three different continents, Constellations of mutations FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Businesslink 13 Despite everything else, Aussies keep faith in government

entire cabinet, including Prime only ten of whose House members Minister Mark Rutte, resigned on voted to impeach the outgoing Friday. This was over a scandal President – despite the president’s involving child welfare payments, sworn commitment to: Mark Kenny which had led to parents errone- support and defend the Constitu- ously being labelled fraudsters. tion of the United States against all hrough recent natural As Rutte explained, “We are enemies, foreign and domestic. disasters, global upheavals of one mind that if the whole The facts show President Trump and a pandemic, Australia’s system has failed, we all must take entreated supporters to storm political centre has largely responsibility, and that has led the Congress, in an attempt to Theld. to the conclusion that I have just stop the lawful certification of his Australians may have disagreed offered the king, the resignation of replacement. at times, but they have also kept the entire cabinet.” It was a mark of Trumpian faith with governmental norms, The two scandals are remark- reach into Australian political eschewing the false allure of pop- ably similar in nature, and in culture that neither that outrage, ulism beguiling voters elsewhere. the scale of the taxpayer-funded nor his wilful mishandling of the Broad public confidence recompense but could scarcely coronavirus, has brought clear Our Federal and State Australian PM Scott Morrison with Donald Trump (SBS TV Image) be more different in the level of condemnation from the Morrison governments enjoy broad public political responsibility taken. government. confidence and draw their core dangers are existential. Some past cases Extreme becomes mainstream legitimacy from the middle What mistakes? Previously, Ministers have Another trait of Trumpism is the ground, whether it be centre-left or Evidence of this deterioration resigned over comparatively tacit legitimisation of an extreme centre-right. can be seen in the marked technical breaches. This includes right-wing discourse of grievance, But if Australians followed the tendency of governments to stare the unwitting importation of a white supremacy, and anti-estab- 2020 Presidential race in the United down calls for resignation, ignore Paddington teddy bear in the 1984 lishment conspiracy theory. States with greater-than-usual in- significant public disquiet, and case of Labour’s Mick Young – the Despite clear mainstream costs, terest, it was because when boiled press on. bear, which would have attracted senior Morrison Ministers have down, it presaged a plausible Contrast NSW with The Nether- an import duty measured in cents, pointedly refused to contradict or descent for Australia’s politics, too. lands was actually in his wife’s luggage. discipline their own MPs (Craig Last November’s poll offered a In 2020, New South Wales Pre- A Berejiklian predecessor, Kelly and George Christensen) choice between two fundamentally mier Gladys Berejiklian admitted Barry O’Farrell, quit in 2014 spreading incorrect and poten- different futures for the US. an intimate association dating after advising the Independent tially dangerous Trumpist dogma On the one hand, there was an back years with a disgraced former Commission Against Corruption he surrounding US electoral fraud, assumption that free and fair elec- MP who, it turned out, had been had no recollection of receiving a Black Lives Matter, Covid-19 tions, the rule of law and concepts arranging property deals for com- single – albeit valuable – bottle of treatments, and claims of left-wing such as pluralism and civility are mission, even as a backbencher. wine. Announcing his resignation, agent provocateurs in the Capitol central to government and society. Berejiklian’s defence amounted he said, insurrection. On the other, there was an to a blunt “I’ve done nothing I do accept there is a thank you Drawing a typically Trumpist angry, polarising disintegration, in wrong”. note signed by me, and as someone equivalence, Acting Prime Minister which rules can be broken, facts The origin of forged documents, who believes in accountability, Michael McCormack referenced undermined, critics abused and the released by federal Energy in responsibility, I accept the last year’s Black Lives Matter ral- usual accountability mechanisms Minister Angus Taylor to defame consequences of my action. lies – which he derisively termed silenced. the Sydney City Council, has never The Army Minister Andrew “race riots“ — to play down the As a partner democracy with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian refused to quit been properly explained. Peacock offered to resign in 1970 Capitol siege while also trotting out deep cultural, economic, and stra- during the scandal over her relationship with Explosive revelations of political after his wife appeared in an offensive lines such as “all lives tegic ties with the US, Australians former MP Daryl Maguire. Dan Himbrechts/AAP interference in a A$100 million advertisement for Sheridan sheets. matter”. lapped up the theatre of the Trump news media, and the willingness of federal sports grants program A few years later, two Fraser Faced with a backlash, McCor- versus Biden contest. political leaders to bluster through have never been conceded government Ministers fell on their mack decried those “confecting But many also worried the ver- mistakes and exposed wrongdo- (although, Berejiklian recently swords over a colour TV carried outrage” as “bleeding hearts.” dict of America’s 150 million-plus ings, refusing to apologise, explain admitted ”political” allocation is into the country but declared as It suggests that the calculation voters would have material or resign. standard practice when forced to black-and-white on a customs already being made by Ministers implications down under. This is a key take-out of the explain similar outrages in a state form. is that nourishing an extremist Strategically, these implications Trump approach: notions of program). The threshold has changed culture of resentment and anger included a continuation of the US honour and tradition, long relied There is also the A$30 million The mere appearance of wrong- is more useful to a centre-right global retreat, which had already upon to protect probity and avoid Leppington Triangle land purchase doing used to be enough to raise government than courting the seen China moving to fill the conflicts of interest, can be ig- which benefited a political donor, public confidence problems and political middle ground. leadership void. nored. Those seeking transparency but brought no resignation. thus end a Ministerial career. Now, America has already been down Domestically, it might involve or who uncover maladministration And the Robodebt debacle, even the substance of dishonesty, this path, and we know where it the insidious adoption of Trumpist can be depicted as political oppo- which caused massive community non-disclosure or incompetence leads. methodology within Australia’s nents or extremists, motivated by suffering and cost taxpayers hun- avoids meaningful sanction. political right. hatred and prejudice. dreds of millions of dollars but cost The right-wing extremism that The Trumpist Approach nobody their job. For the Westminster tradition, informs Trump’s base has become Mark Kenny is Professor at the Aus- Manifestations of the latter are where confidence rests on protec- Contrast this with the response all pervasive. It has certainly tralian Studies Institute of Australian already advanced in sections of our tions only ever partly codified, the in The Netherlands where the captured the Republican party – National University based in Canberra. threatens to stop search engine in Australia BBC and RNZ market competition. This was not compatible with the The government has argued that free-flowing share of information oogle has threatened to because the tech platforms gain online or “how the internet works. remove its search engine customers from people who want to We do not see a way, with the from Australia over the read the news, the tech giants should financial and operational risks, that nation’s attempt to make the pay newsrooms a “fair” amount for we could continue to offer a service Gtech giant share royalties with news their journalism. in Australia,” she said. publishers. Australia is introducing In addition, it has argued that the Last week, Google confirmed that a landmark law to make Google, financial support is needed for the it was blocking Australian news sites Facebook and potentially other tech embattled news industry because a from its search results for about companies pay media outlets for strong media is vital to democracy. 1% of local users. It said that it was their news content. Australian print media has an experiment to test the value of But the US tech giants have fought seen 75% decline in advertising Australian news services. back, arguing the laws are onerous revenue since 2005, according to the Facebook warning and would damage local access to government. Many Australian news Facebook also threatened last services. outlets have shut down or cut jobs in year to stop Australian users from Australian PM Scott Morrison said recent times. sharing news stories on the platform that lawmakers would not yield to Others are watching if the law went ahead. “threats.” Google’s threat to remove its pri- The social media giant repeated ‘Laws unworkable’ mary product is its most severe yet, that position on Friday, with Execu- The proposed news code would amid a debate that is being closely tive Simon Milner telling the Senate tie Google and Facebook to mediated Australian PM Scott Morrison (POOL/AFP Photo by Kiyoshi Ota) watched by other nations. hearing that it was “a potential negotiations with publishers over Morrison said that his threats,” he told reporters on Friday, Earlier this week, US trade repre- worse-case consequence.” the value of news content if no government remained committed January 22, 2021. sentatives urged Australia to drop He said Facebook derived almost agreement could be reached first. to progressing the laws through Other lawmakers on Friday the laws which they said attempted no commercial benefit from having Google Australia Managing Parliament this year. At present they described Google’s ultimatum as regulation “to the clear detriment of news content on its platform. Director Mel Silva told a Senate have broad political support. “blackmail” and “big corporations two US firms.” Both Google and Facebook have hearing on Friday that the laws were Parliament support assured bullying democracy.” What does Google argue? also argued that news organisations “unworkable.” “Let me be clear: Australia makes Why is Australia pushing this law? Google’s concerns already get the benefit of the “If this version of the code were to our rules for things you can do Need for the Law Silva said the laws would set platforms driving readers towards become law, it would give us no real in Australia. That is done in our Google Search is the dominant “an untenable precedent for our their websites. choice but to stop making Google Parliament. “And people who want search engine in Australia and has businesses and the digital economy” Search available in Australia,” she to work with that, you are very been described by the government if the company had to pay for link BBC News published under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz said. welcome. But we do not respond to as a near-essential utility with little and search results. 14 Businesslink FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Important Employment tips for Waitangi Day 2021 February 8, 2021 and has not worked public holiday, then they will get their contracted out). on Saturday, February 6, 2021, must be holiday entitlements on that Saturday Requests for Annual Holidays paid time and a half, if Monday is a day (3) If an employee does not normally Sometimes employees will request that they normally would work. work on the Waitangi Saturday, but to extend Waitangi Day with annual If an employee works on both works on the Mondayised Waitangi holidays. Waitangi Saturday February 6 and day, then their holiday entitlement is Employees are entitled to four weeks Monday February 8, 2021, they only get transferred to the Waitangi Monday (4) annual holidays each year when they paid time and a half for one of the days. If an employee does not normally work have worked for their employer for (See ‘Public Holidays’ below). on Saturday or Monday, they only get 12 months. Prior to the 12 months, an In addition, if the Waitangi Saturday paid their normal wage. employer may grant annual holidays in or Monday falls on a day an employee Public holiday falls on Saturday advance at their discretion. would normally work on the Saturday Sick or bereavement leave on If an employee wants to take entitled or Monday, then the employee who Waitangi Day annual holidays, the employer cannot works is also entitled to a paid day off When an employee would have unreasonably refuse. An employer can Supplied Content holidays is written in their employment at another time (called an alternative worked on a public holiday but is sick say no if an employee wants to take (contract), or there is an availability holiday or day in lieu). or bereaved, the day is treated as a annual holidays in advance. his year, Waitangi Day falls clause and the employee is paid fairly Even if an employer closes their normal paid public holiday and (a) the Taking annual holidays on Saturday, February 6, 2021 to be available. Otherwise, an employee business on February 6 and/or employee would be paid their relevant More information and hence holiday is observed does not have to agree to work or being February 8, they still have to pay the daily pay or average daily pay but Employment New Zealand has a on that day and on Monday, available during Waitangi Monday. employees their entitlements for the would not be entitled to time and a half wealth of information about leave TFebruary 8, 2021. Here are seven items public holiday. If the employer closes or an alternative holiday and (b) no sick holidays and other employment rights Payment for Working a you need to know about rights for em- Public Holiday their business on both days, they cannot or bereavement leave is deducted. and responsibilities. ployees and obligations for employers. Employees must be paid for Waitangi make their employees take annual Pay for public holidays, sick and Source: Ministry of Business, Innovation & Since Waitangi Day falls on a Day, if they normally work on Saturday, leave on one of the days, unless the bereavement leave and alternative Employment Saturday, this holiday is moved to the February 6, 20121 or on Monday, Feb- employer has given the employee 14 holidays following Monday, which is Monday, ruary 8, 2021. If they do not normally days’ notice. Waitangi Day And Annual Holidays February 8, 2021. work on these particular days, they Public Holidays If an employee is in the middle of Requirement to work on need not be paid for Waitangi Day. Giving an employee Waitangi Day their annual holidays during Waitangi Waitangi Day Any employee (including a casual entitlements (1) If an employee Day, and Waitangi Saturday or Monday If your employee normally works employee) who agrees to work on the normally does not work on Waitangi is a day they normally work, they will on Waitangi Monday February 8, Waitangi Saturday must be paid time Saturday, they get the public holiday on get paid for one Waitangi holiday, and 2021, you can only make the employee and a half for all hours they work. Any the Mondayised Waitangi Monday (2) this is not deducted from their annual work or be available on that day if employee (including a casual employ- If an employee would normally work holidays. (See ‘Public Holidays’ above the requirement to work on public ee) who agrees to work on Monday, on the Waitangi Saturday if it was not a and note this is a must and cannot be Government funds are not taxpayers’ money says academic would permit dissenting taxpayers to from it effectually. I do not care to trace of law. assign the defence portion of their taxes the course of my dollar, if I could, till it Kowtowing to a myth of “taxpayer to supporting peace work and social buys a man or a musket to shoot one money” may act as a handbrake on services. with — the dollar is innocent — but I decisive action. Proponents of the legislation have am concerned to trace the effects of my We are taxed in accordance with Jonathan Barrett not sought to pay less tax than their allegiance.” statutory law. fellow citizens but to direct how their Liberal democracies are based on If Inland Revenue seeks to collect hetoric plays an important role tax contribution is spent. These attempts some form of metaphorical social more from us than is due, we have in tax debate and therefore tax have failed, as they must do. Democratic contract, most obviously manifest in the access to various tribunals and courts. policy. political communities permit dissent, constitution. Under this arrangement, These legal rules and processes deter- If your side manages to gain New Zealand Currency (Adobe Image) but nonconformism does not extend to Parliamentarians are elected representa- mine what is mine and what belongs to Rtraction in the public imagination with directing how taxes should be spent. tives, not agents for particular groups. the government. Broadly, we are free to labels such as “death tax“ or “dementia Tax, a social contract Like any government that fails to deal with our own property as we see tax,“ you have gone a long way to In The Variorum Civil Disobedience comply with the basic values of society, fit — and the government is too. normalising the labels and winning (1849), a reflection on his imprisonment groups that seek to control government Media and progressive politicians support. Some truth underpins these for failing to pay a highway tax, expenditure outside the electoral process should stop perpetuating the untruth particular labels — an estate tax is Henry David Thoreau recognised that can be seen as bending, if not breaching, that taxpayers retain some residual triggered by a person’s death, and the an individual citizen can protest against the social contract. property interest in the taxes they United Kingdom’s abandoned levy government by refusing to pay tax (and Handbrake on decisive action pay. Taxpayer money is nothing more for end-of-life care would have been accept the consequences), but they A progressive government should than their after-tax property and the particularly relevant for dementia cannot treat the government’s choices in reject the suggestion that its funds are government’s money is its own. sufferers. its expenditure as if it were a cafeteria. not its own to use as it sees fit for the No Constitutional basis He wrote: “It is for no particular betterment of society — as always, in Nevertheless, these tags are essen- item in the tax-bill that I refuse to pay accordance with New Zealand’s two Jonathan Barrett is Senior Lecturer in tially political messages and we should Taxation at Victoria University, Wellington. it. I simply wish to refuse allegiance to fundamental constitutional principles of The above article and pictures have been expect unbiased media to use neutral the State, to withdraw and stand aloof parliamentary sovereignty and the rule published under Creative Commons Licence. terminology. New Zealand Currency (Adobe Image) Fair reportage would not, for example, repeat the extreme libertarian affect the poor. claim that “tax is theft“ — a baseless Similarly, at a local level, “ratepayer” The importance of home insurance can never be overlooked has become synonymous with the prop- slogan incompatible with the rule of insurer is involved. law. ertied voice to which councils should pay Supplied Content heed, even though renters (rather than Mr Grafton said that ultimately it However, both reputable media and re you buying a new home can lead to a really nasty experience politicians of every stripe invariably the registered ratepayer for a leased property) bear the effective burden of attached to others? for owners - especially following a use the phrase “taxpayer money” to Is it being sold without a significant event that causes wide describe government funds, despite the local rates. If the government is the legal owner of body-corporate to reduce damage that is not insured. phrase having no constitutional or legal Acosts and issues? “Uninsured or underinsured units basis. its funds, then, does it hold tax revenue in trust for taxpayers? Not at all. Subject The Insurance Council of New can cause repair delays, impacting on This article argues that truth-based Zealand ICNZ) is urging all potential everyone’s ability to pick up the pieces media should avoid the phrase, and to the rule of law, governments can do what they choose with their money. or existing owners of multiunit and get back to normal,” he said. progressive politicians should recognise property to check they can ade- affordability, it is critical that property Get a good insurer they fall into a conservative trap when Elections decide tax spend Self-appointed watchdogs such as the quately insure their property. owners are able to appropriately He has advised people buying they repeat it. “If a unit is attached to other protect their assets. We encourage property within a multiunit building, Taxpayers don’t own their taxes Taxpayers’ Union claim to bring govern- ment waste to public notice. Rightly so units and does not have a body people to talk to an insurer early on a multiunit complex (multiple build- Richard Murphy, one of the founders corporate structure in place, many so they can help them understand ings), or a property that is attached to of the UK’s Tax Justice Network and — as citizens, we should demand proper stewardship of government funds. But insurers may not provide insurance the insurance that is available or the others to speak to their insurer before author of The Joy of Tax, explains that because of complexities that can questions they may need to ask before going unconditional. “taxpayers’ money” is the money left our actionable right as electors is to vote a wasteful government out of office. arise at claim time if not all units purchasing,” he said. “This means that you can have a in our pockets after we have paid taxes are insured or if they have different While body corporates can be seen robust conversation about the type that are legally due. Money payable The electorate as a whole, rather than an ideological interest group, determines levels of cover from different as adding extra cost and adminis- of property and what level of cover through taxes is the government’s insurers,” ICNZ Chief Executive Tim tration for owners, they also offer a the insurer may offer to best to meet property. the size of government we should have. Unlike trust beneficiaries, we do not Grafton said. single point of insurance for the entire your needs - enabling you to make an This is quite easy to prove — try Good Risk Management building, including units, shared spaces informed decision to proceed with the not paying your income tax and see have an equitable interest in the gov- ernment’s money. If it were otherwise, “Owning your own home is and common property. Critically this purchase or not and avoid possible if the courts will enforce government increasingly difficult for New ensures that all owners have insurance pitfalls. Do not get caught up in sales property rights in that money. groups of taxpayers might have some claim on the government to spend or not Zealanders and we want to ensure in place, with one insurer, meaning pitch from developers or agents. Murphy also observes that “taxpay- that buyers are not tripped up by claims can be handled simply and Properties are sometimes marketed er” is typically understood as “income spend its money in particular ways. For example, paying taxes to fund steps to make properties appear efficiently. as being BC free to save owners time taxpayer,” thereby implicitly preferring more affordable when they could Spaces not covered and money - but the ultimate outcome high income earners while excluding belligerent activities is problematic for pacifists, notably certain religious actually cause more expense in the However, there can be gaps in cover is that it won’t!,” Mr Grafton said. beneficiaries. future. With high-density housing for multiunits with shared spaces and For further information and advice, But a Goods and Services Tax (GST) groups. A Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act, which has been regularly one of the solutions to address New common property often not covered please visit www. icnz.org.nz and ensures that everyone is a taxpayer, Zealand’s housing availability and by insurance, where more than one read Consumer Guides. and indirect taxes disproportionately introduced to the United States Congress, FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Businesslink 15 There are no Alternative Facts, just Misinformation

allegiances, sponsorships and business models. For instance, these are some key Mark Pearson questions to ask (a) who is behind that think tank whose views you are he blame for the recent retweeting? (b) who owns the online assault on the US Capitol and newspaper you read and what other President Donald Trump’s commercial interests do they hold? broader dismantling of (c) is your media diet dominated by Tdemocratic institutions and norms news produced from the same cor- can be laid at least partly on misin- porate entity? (d) why does someone formation and conspiracy theories. need to be so loud or insulting in Those who spread misinfor- their commentary; is this indicative mation, like Trump himself, are of their neglect of important facts exploiting people’s lack of media that might counter their view? (e) literacy —it is easy to spread lies what might an individual or compa- to people who are prone to believe ny have to gain or lose by taking a what they read online without position on an issue, and how might questioning it. that influence their opinion? We are living in a dangerous age Just because someone has an where the internet makes it possible agenda does not mean their facts to spread misinformation far and Image by PIRO4D from Pixabay are wrong — but it is a good reason wide and most people lack the basic to be even more sceptical in your fact-checking abilities to discern fact judge in determining the veracity and views of those who agree with this is the key to the fair comment verification processes. from fiction — or, worse, the desire of an asserted statement. However, us, on the topics that interest us and defence to a defamation action. This Reflecting and verifying before to develop a healthy scepticism at we can teach people some basic where we feel most comfortable. permits us to publish defamatory sharing all. strategies before they mistake mere For example, over much of the opinions on matters of public inter- We live in an era of instant Journalists are trained in this sort assertions for actual facts. past five years, I have deliberately est as long as they are reasonably republication. of thing — that is, the responsible Does a basic internet search show switched between various conserva- based on provable facts put forth by We immediately retweet and ones who are trying to counter these assertions have been con- tive and liberal media outlets when the publication. share content we see on social misinformation with truth. firmed by usually reliable sources something important has happened The ABC’s Media Watch used this media, often without even having Five Fundamental Lessons – such as non-partisan mainstream in the US. defence successfully (at trial and on read it thoroughly, let alone having Here are five fundamental lessons news organisations, government By looking at the coverage of the appeal) when it criticised a Sydney fact-checked it. from Journalism 101 that all citizens websites and expert academics? left- and right-wing media, I can Sun-Herald journalist’s reporting Mindful reflection before pressing can learn to improve their media Students are taught to look to the hope to find a common set of facts that claimed toxic materials had that sharing button would allow literacy and fact-checking skills: URL of more authoritative sites — both sides agree on — beyond the been found near a children’s you to ask yourself, “Why am I even Distinguishing verified facts from such as .gov or .edu — as a good hint partisan rhetoric and spin. And if playground. choosing to share this material?” myths, rumours and opinions at the factual basis of an assertion. only one side is reporting something, This assessment of the factual You could also help shore up Cold, hard facts are the building Searches and hashtags in social I know to question this assertion and basis of an opinion is not reserved democracy by engaging in the blocks for considered and reasona- media are much less reliable as not just take it at face value. for defamation lawyers – it is an fact-checking processes mentioned ble opinions in politics, media and verification tools because you could Being sceptical and assessing the exercise we can all undertake as we above to avoid being part of the law. be fishing within the “bubble” (or factual premise of an opinion decide whether someone’s opinion problem by spreading misinforma- And there are no such things “echo chamber”) of those who Journalism students learn to deserves our serious attention and tion. as “alternative facts“ — facts are share common interests, fears and approach the claims of their sources republication. facts. Just because a falsity has been prejudices – and are more likely to with a “healthy scepticism.” Exploring the background and repeated many times by important be perpetuating myths and rumours. For instance, if you are interview- motives of media and sources people and their affiliates does not Mixing up your media and social ing someone and they make what A key skill in media literacy is Mark Pearson is Professor of Journalism and Social Media at the Griffith Centre make it true. media diet seems to be a bold or questionable the ability to look behind the veil of for Social and Cultural Research, Griffith We cannot expect the average We need to be break out of our claim, it’s good practice to pause and those who want our attention — me- University, Gold Coast, Australia. The citizen to have the skills of an own “echo chambers” and our ask what facts the claim is based on. dia outlets, social media influencers above article has been published under academic researcher, journalist or tendencies to access only the news Students are taught in media law and bloggers — to investigate their Creative Commons Licence. Unconventional Funding Options for Small Businesses a stake in the company. business no longer has to deal lenders that offer hundreds or thou- It is important to note that there with the hassle that can come with sands of dollars. Depending on the are different crowdfunding models. getting clients to pay. business or the platform, it can fund You can use equity crowdfunding, This can be good for businesses anywhere from $500 to $50,000. which is a way to use equity in the that have contracts that may take These loans are for businesses Rae Steinbach company to raise funds. You also a long time for clients to pay. It can that need a little funding to get a have a basic model that involves also help to make your finances a small business going. With many of hether you are just pitching the idea and hoping little more predictable. The main the platforms, the idea is to provide running an LLC, sole people donate money because they downside is that you do have to small loans to people in disadvan- proprietorship or any believe in your vision. You also sacrifice some of the value of the taged circumstances. They are other type of business, (Image from www.pexels.com) have rewards-based crowdfunding, invoices to the factor. They will usually small loans at low interest youW are going to need funding. Even checking credit scores, evaluating which involves offering different charge fees and they might also for people who would not be able to the best ideas need money to get the lenders and setting the terms for gifts or rewards for different levels charge interest. Depending on the get funding from traditional lenders. business off the ground. each loan agreement. of support. factor and the circumstances of the With alternative funding, A traditional small business loan P2P loans can be a good option for As great as crowdfunding may business, the costs can add up. businesses have more opportunities is one of the more obvious ideas for businesses that may have trouble sound, it is important for business Microfinancing than they did in the past. You just funding, but it might not be the right getting approved for a bank loan. owners to be realistic. This is similar to a cross between have to take the time to understand choice for every business or for Businesses can usually get funds You will hear a lot about the a P2P loan and crowdfunding. With your needs and do a little research every situation. faster with P2P loans, so it can be a businesses that raised hundreds of this option, the business takes a to find the funding sources that will Some small businesses might not good option when you need money thousands of dollars, but there are bunch of small loans directly from work best for your business. be able to get a traditional bank loan in a hurry. With that said, they tend many more that never came close lenders and packages them together Rae Steinbach is a graduate of or there might be needs left unmet not to be a good option for larger to reaching their funding goals. to meet a larger funding need. This Tufts University with a combined by conventional funding options. loans. P2P loans usually fit in a range Additionally, you have to be able to is another option that involves using International Relations and Chinese Fortunately, there are more that covers from just a few hundred promote the campaign for it to have online platforms to meet lenders degree. After spending time living funding options for small businesses dollars to maybe $20,000-$30,000. success. and manage loans. and working abroad in China, she than ever before. Crowdfunding Factoring The possibilities with this option returned to NYC to pursue her Let us take a look at unconven- Crowdfunding has grown in With Factoring, you take expected can vary significantly. You might career and continue curating quality tional funding options that can be popularity over the last few years. income and use that as a way to get have a bunch of lenders that invest content. Rae is passionate about useful for modern small businesses. This funding model allows a small funding now. as little as $20, but there may also be travel, food, and writing (of course). Peer-to-Peer Lending business to get small amounts of A common model for factoring is Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending is a funding from a wide pool of people. to sell invoices to acquire funding. system that connects individual The business runs a campaign on As an example, if you have a lenders to borrowers. a crowdfunding platform, and $10,000 invoice due at the end of The idea is to make funding more they might offer different types of the month, you might be able to use accessible and affordable by cutting rewards to encourage participation. that to get funding from a factor. out banks and other financial insti- The advantage is that crowd- The factor would then collect on the tutions. Most P2P lending occurs on funding can offer an alternative for invoice while charging various fees. online platforms that help to match businesses that might not have the In most cases, the business would lenders to borrowers and facilitate ability to get funds from traditional sell its accounts receivable to the fac- the loan. financial institutions. If you can get tor. That means the business could While P2P lending does cut enough people interested, you can focus on their core operations and out the banks, it does not mean raise the funds you need to get your the factor would handle collecting that there is no oversight or red business off the ground. on invoices. This is advantageous tape. The sites do have terms and It can also be advantageous be- because the business does not have conditions. Along with that, they cause it can be a way to raise funds to wait weeks or months for their will usually have some process for without incurring debt or giving up clients to pay. Along with that, the 16 Communitylink FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Join Prayer Group for ten million Vishnu Sahasranamam Marathon Three-day event culminating Relative, Brother, Sister or even a Friend. cance of Vishnu Sahasranamam. in Seetha Kalyanam in Extending that thought is the pleasure of “Chanting or listening to Vishnu Auckland: April 23-25, 2021 ‘conducting’ and ‘witnessing’ the Marriage Sahasranamam ensures, that nothing of the Divine. The Rama-Sita Wedding is inauspicious or unwelcome will accrue to Venkat Raman known as ‘Sita Kalyanam,’ one of the most those in this world or the next. It creates auspicious occasions for Hindus. positive energy and peace of mind for the he corridors of Shri Shirdi Saibaba The Bhajan Satsangh Prayer Group whole family at home. Doing so in a Tem- Sansthan (located at 12 Princes Trust is affording a unique opportunity to ple energises the precinct and provides TStreet in Onehunga, Auckland) will participate in this Divine Endeavour for peace of mind to the whole community. reverberate piety, accruing the Divine Devotees, who can indeed belong to any As a community, let us join and achieve Blessings of Lord Vishnu, as devotees religion. this goal in just two days for personal and recite His Name ten million times for the Lord Vishnu, Sponsorships for two persons- one each universal welfare and liberation,” he said. good of all living beings. Men, women and youngsters chanting Bhajans at a monthly The Protector of the Universe meeting of the Bhajan Satsang Prayer Group Trust to represent Lord Rama and Goddess Sita Quoting a verse from Bhaja Govindam The Marathon, arguably the first of will be based on a lucky draw before the (a Composition by Adi Shankaracharya its kind in New Zealand and possibly the start of Sita Kalyanam on April 25, 2021. as a Salutation to Lord Rama and Lord Southern Hemisphere, is being organised Sponsorship costs $501 to be paid by the Krishna), he said, “From Satsang comes by the Auckland based Bhajan Satsangh successful bids at the venue. However, non-attachment, from non-attachment Prayer Group Trust, from Friday, April 23, those interested may please register comes freedom from delusion, from 2021 to Sunday, April 25, 2021. their names as soon as possible at http:// freedom comes self-knowledge and from The Programme is as follows. Registra- bhajansathsangh.org self-knowledge comes liberation even tion is required- please use the QR Code in About Vishnu Sahasranamam while living.” the Poster or visit http://bhajansathsangh. Vishnu Sahasranamam (or Vishnu About the Bhajan Satsangh Prayer org Sahasranama) is a masterpiece by Veda Group Trust The One Crore Virtue Vyasar (Veda Vyas), also the author of Bhajan Satsangh Prayer Group Trust More than 1000 men, women and timeless epics that include the Adhyatma is an organisation registered under the youngsters are expected to participate in Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Societies Act. It has nine Trustees and the ‘Koti Vishnu Nama Parayanam’ over Puranas, and other Stotras. represents a community of approximately three days which correspond with the Yudhishthira (Dharma), the eldest of 300 families in Auckland. The Trust ANZAC weekend. the Pandavas (not counting Karna) was is a Voluntary, Non-Political, Not-for- ‘Vishnu Sahasranamam’ means 1000 confused about the biggest Dharma to fol- Profit organisation, with the objective of names of Lord Vishnu, worshipped as Sita Kalyanam is one of the most auspicious occasions for Hindus low in life. He approached Lord Krishna, creating and maintaining a platform for ‘Protector of the Universe,’ and hence who took him to Bhishma, the great warri- learning and sharing the traditions of reciting it once equals to mentioning God’s or lying on his deathbed on the battlefield, Indian culture. Music is an integral part of name a thousand times. felled by Arjuna’s arrows. Yudhishthira that process. Trustees Venkat Subramanian and Ravi gets guidance on all aspects of life, The Trust primarily facilitates gathering Shankar said that on that count, reciting commencing with Vishnu Sahasranama. of its members once a month for Bhajans the Prayer by 500 persons, twenty times It was the essence of Bhishma’s life. Sage – the first Saturday attended by 100 each, will equate 10,000,000 recitations. Vyasa and Krishna were witnesses to this people. This helps especially the younger “When we chant the 1000 Names alone moment on the Kurukshetra battlefield. generation to learn the traditions of their (Vishnu Sahasranamam, once), we get the Bhishma said that Yudhishthira (and culture. benefit of chanting the 1000 names of the indeed every being) should surrender This practice has continued for over Lord. But when we are in a group and we logic, if there are 500 people and together Vishnu Sahasranamam Marathon’ will we chant Vishnu Sahasranamam 20 times be ‘Sita Kalyanam,’ the marriage of Lord to the Supreme Being. Mediating on his 20 years and was formalised in 2009 with chant the same 1000 Names, the effect is name 1000 times would help achieve the the establishment of the Trust, which multiplied by the number of people who in unison, then each of us gets the benefit Rama (an Incarnation of Lord Vishnu) with of chanting One Crore (ten million) Namas Sita (an Avatar of Goddess Lakshmi) on auspicious state of self-liberation. Bhish- has been approved by Inland Revenue are present there. So, even if there is only ma continued saying the 1000 names of Department under the Charities Act 2005 one other person at Satsangh when you of the Lord, a daunting task that would Sunday, April 25, 2021. otherwise take about 30 years even if we One of the joys of being a Hindu is the Vishnu, and this part of the Mahabharata as a Donee Organisation, making people chant the 1000 Names together, instead is called Vishnu Sahasranamam. eligible to claim a tax credit for their of getting the benefit of the 1000 Names, chant every day,” they said. perception of God or Goddess as per one’s Sita Kalyanam desire or disposition. Thus the Lord or God- The Significance donations. you get the benefit of 2000 Names in the Mr Subramanian outlined the signifi- same amount of time. Extending the same The crowing glory of the ‘One Crore dess can at once be a King, Queen, Parent, Christchurch Maharashtrians celebrate Makar Sankranti The deafening silence of father’s death is too much to bear him in person was in Sep- tember 2019. Thereafter, Covid-19 became a global pandemic international travel became a distant Neha Mokashi Shirish Paranjape dream. An abrupt end eventy Maharashtrians, mostly from Participants and guests at the Festival anuary 16 (Saturday) began As if his passing away Christchurch but a few from Timaru, came like another normal day for was not bad enough, the together to celebrate the Festival of Makar me- that is, the ‘New Normal’ fact that I could not meet Sankranti with gusto on Saturday, January 16, Jafter Covid-19. The pandemic him to say the final good- S2021. has and is still taking its toll. bye was even worse. Due The event turned out to be the biggest gathering One year after its onset, it to the Covid restrictions ever of the Marathi-speaking community in shows no signs of abating. The late Shri Hanumant Dole in India, he had to be Christchurch. The uncertainty is killing and (26.1.1935 to 16.1.2021) cremated within a couple The Festival was held at the Bishopdale Library Haldi-Kumkum Ceremony thoughts of family members (Picture Supplied) of hours of his death. and Community Centre of the Christchurch City spread across the world each There was no opportunity Council. It was the brainchild of Amol Adhokar and struggling in their own way to to take him home for one Dhaval Lamghare, supported by many others. The survive the obvious infectious last time, for the family to venue was suitably decorated to capture the spirit of and the numerous non-infectious grieve, for us here to spend the Festival, including a handmade Rangoli pattern impact of Covid-19. a quiet minute with him made by Minal Lamghare and Preeti Gaikwad It was at such a difficult time over a video call; there was welcoming everyone at the entrance. that my father (Shri Hanumant nothing. Unite against Covid-19 with fun All Black (mostly) Dole) passed away rather All I can remember is Two youngsters - Sia Pathak and her twin Rudra suddenly in my hometown in that dreaded phone call, Pathak - manned the registration counter at the Pune, India. an hour or two of panicked entrance to record the names and contact informa- The fear which haunts The late Shri Hanumant Dole with his calls with close family tion of all those who attended the event, to ensure nearly every person anywhere wife Shailaja Dole (Picture Supplied) 100% compliance with the track and trace process members in India and in this world of a family member A caring husband, a devoted then the final call that it recommended by the New Zealand government. This passing away overseas, became father who was always a friend was in addition to the QR code already available at was all over. a reality for me. After a sudden too, a loving family member and the venue. The silence thereafter Children’s Race stroke and a short stint in the a silent survivor, he was all of Ladies turned up in black or dark-coloured has been deafening and names in Maharashtra, which saw excellent engagement ICU during which his condition these rolled into one. sarees, as is the tradition with the Makar Sankranti the vacuum created in my from the crowd, including some good laughs. A tiebreaker progressively declined, he passed Love for New Zealand Festival. Since the Sun enters the north direction (in life, suffocating. was needed to decide the winner - Abhishek Kurade. away on January 16, 2021, just 10 the Northern Hemisphere), it is believed that this I still remember the wonderful Dad, I know you are in Fun for children: There were competitive games (Spoon days before his 86th birthday. time that I spent with him as I a better place and at peace the black colour absorbs the heat inside it, thereby and Marble Race) for the children, which was great fun to Adaptative and amiable grew up and in the later years and away from all the increasing the body heat. People can also protect watch. Rihan Shevde was the winner of the tight contest. All You can never prepare for when he visited us twice in New imperfections of this world themselves from the cold and celebrate the festival the children received a pack of chocolates, sponsored by Avi grief, you can only get used to it. Zealand. and its people. I love you, properly. (source: www.oneindia.com). Gangurde. ‘Haldi-Kumkum’ Ceremony: In line with the Never did this statement make He had fallen in love with this always have and always Everyone was then treated to sumptuous and delicious more sense to me than now. country and its people. tradition for Sankranti Festival, a ‘Haldi-Kumkum’ Paav Bhaaji. will. You were a legend, ceremony was held for the womenfolk. Each woman Though he was ageing and tiring, At different times in 2020, we ever kind and caring. I Amol Adhokar, it seemed, had poured huge amounts of my father was always happy would talk on the phone and plan exchanged a gift with another woman, the pair love and dedication, to prepare and present an amazingly were so complete that you and cheerful. He made the most for his next visit to New Zealand being decided by a draw from a hat. Preeti Gaikwad tasty dish for the event. He was well supported by many were everything to me. of what life offered him and the along with my mother (Shailaja planned and executed the entire operation of this people, including Ashwin, who had travelled from Timaru. I now feel the emptiness mischievous smile, which was Dole) as soon as the borders ceremony. Everyone had plenty to savour and everyone had only and can do nothing except his trademark, rarely deserted opened up. A youngster’s time to shine: 14-year young Parth positive comments about the food. cry. Gaikwad gave a presentation about Makar Sankranti Til-Gul Laddu (Sesame Jaggery Sweet Balls) were his face. During each phone call, he Neha Mokashi is the using a slideshow. distributed to everyone, as is the tradition during the Makar He had the amazing ability would ask me if there was an up- daughter of the late Ha- Makar Sankranti marks the end of winter solstice Sankranti Festival. of being able to blend with all date about the borders opening numant Dole and Shailaja and start of longer days. The colours, moods & expressions, and all the happenings age groups and be one of them, and if I could make a quick trip to Dole, a resident of Pune. The day is also celebrated in different states of were beautifully captured by Samhita Gokarn, who worked right from his grandkids to his India to meet them. She lives in Auckland and India by different names including Bihu, Pongal, tirelessly behind her camera. peers. An optimist and a trier, he Though I had been fortunate to has written columns in Uttarayan, Maghi and Lohri. All those who attended had only good things to say about always took the challenges that make many trips to India in the Indian Newslink including Shirish Paranjape conducted a quiz about place the event and were looking forward to the next one. confronted him, on the chin. last few years, the last time I saw ‘Neha’s Kitchen.’ FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Communitylink 17 Auckland Tamil Association plans daylong Pongal Festival Venkat Raman ditor’s Note: This story was published in our Web Edition and Social Media on January 16, 2021. A review Eof the event will appear in our February 15, 2021 issue. Auckland Tamil Association will conduct a daylong Pongal Festival involving its members in a variety ATA 2019 Cooking Contest provided a wide range of Tamil Cuisine of competitions and activities with a grand finale dinner in the evening. The Main Dish will pose a chal- The Festival will be held on lenge to the contestants. They will Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Mt be required to prepare Kelvaragu Eden War Memorial Hall located at Kaali (Ragi cooked in thick paste 489 Dominion Road, Mt Eden. form) with Keerai Kuzhambu The evening programme will com- (Spinach in gravy); Kambu Kuzhi Paniyaaram (Pearl Millet Steam mence at 530 pm and will include Kolam Competition brings to the fore creative talent of our women (ATA Pongal 2019) a demonstration of Indoor games Dumplings) with Karuvepillai (Cur- that were popular in Tamil Nadu, ry Leaves) or Kothamalli Coriander) Thuvaiyal (Chutney); Siruthaniyam speeches, cultural performances, Michael Wood (now Minister of Transport, prize-distribution and dinner. Min- Workplace Relations and Safety) tries his hand (Millets) Pongal. isters, Members of Parliament and at the Slingshot (‘Kavan’) a popular sport used to Sweets are to be cooked with community leaders are expected to chase birds and bring down fruits from trees at Karupatti or Jaggery. ATA Pongal 2019 join the members of the Association The items would be Mysore Pagu, to mark the final Pongal festivities. promotes awareness of the health Verkadalai Mittai and Athirasam. Kolam and Cooking Contest benefits of traditional Tamil food Vibrant Pattimanram ‘Kolam’ is a symbolic representa- items. Tamilians are known for their tion of hospitality and piety of As per the rules set in 2019, con- oratory skills and participate in every household in Tamil Nadu. For testants must present the ingredients, debates, taking sides as competitors, thousands of years, women have recipe and health benefits of the dish- arguing for or against issues. performed this simple task of creat- es in a printout or handwritten form Known as ‘Patti Mandram,’ these Michael Wood (now Minister of Transport, Workplace Relations and Safety) and Dr Parmjeet Par- ing a design out of rice flour in front to the judges. The Cookery Contest was events can be enlightening and mar (then National List MP) with Auckland Tamil Association Executive Committee members (from divided into four categories namely entertaining, often encouraged on of their homes, welcoming Goddess left) Arvind Kumar (Treasurer), Nagesh Nemani, Meenakshi Veerappan, Vai Ravindran (President), Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Murali Kumar (Secretary), Syed Kabir, Ganesh Kumar and Vel Murugan (Vice-President) at Soups, Snacks (Savouries) Main either side by the audience. Prosperity). It also served as a frontal Pongal Festival 2019. Dish and Sweets. Contestants should Such a Pattimandram will be a prepare one item under each category. decoration for a household. spectacle of Bullfight) and Farming as orate their Kolam. We will allocate part of the Auckland Tamil Associa- The Choice of items under Soups In later years, the Kolam began to symbolic themes of the Festival. 1.5 m X 1.5 m space per contestant, tion Pongal in the afternoon. would be Kambu (Millet) Vegetable acquire larger dimensions, involving Association Vice-President Vel who can seek the assistance of one Further information can be Soup, Kollu (Horse-gram) Rasam and multiplicity of colours and other Murugan said that the Competition person and complete their Kolam obtained from Vai Ravindran on Keppai Koozh (Ragi Porridge). ingredients used at festivals and evinces wide interest among the within 75 minutes. There will also be 027-2758266, Velmurugan on 022- Siruthaniyam (Millets, that are a gatherings- again as a mark of piety. members of the community, bringing games for children in the morning,” 4291730, Senthil on 022-3221243 group of highly variable small-seeded Auckland Indian Association to the fore their creativity. he said. or Aswini Swaminathan on 022- grasses) will be the core of the Snacks conducts the Kolam Competition as “We will provide 300 gms of colour Delicious Tamil Cuisine 5085330. segment, including Vadai, Thattai and an annual activity. It is customary to and white power but contestants can The annual Cookery Contest (Pictures from Auckland Indian Kaara Kuzhukkattai (Spicy Dumpling). have Pongal, Jallikattu (a traditional bring extra colours or flowers to dec- of Auckland Tamil Association Association Website) 18 Entertainmentlink/Classifiedlink FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Experience the funfest of South Indian Club in Auckland Venkat Raman ditor’s Note: This story ap- peared in our Web Edition on January 20, 2021. If you have not experi- Eenced the fun and amusement that the youth of South India can offer to fill and evening of entertainment, you must then book for an event that will be next weekend in Auckland. Called, ‘Auckland Galatta,’ the programme is being organised by Chennai City Gangzta, a group that has rocked on stage, offering entertainment to thousands of people over the past few years in New Zealand. ‘Auckland Galatta’ will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 9 pm to 2 am at ‘Round 6 Bar and Night Club,’ located at 17A Albert Street in the Central Business Chennai City Gangzta Dance Academy Director The Auckland Galatta Group District. and Auckland Galatta Organiser Raisa Infreda Tickets for the programme are on Engineering from the AUT Universi- Chennai City Gangzta conducts sale now. For bookings and more ty in Auckland. regular classes for children, information, please contact Abi on Passion for dance encouraged youngsters and adults at the 022-3955739 or Barath 022-4661170. Raisa to set up the ‘Indian Flocks Blockhouse Bay Community Centre, Auckland Galatta a new brand Club’ at AUT in 2012 along with a located at 524 Blockhouse Bay Road, Chennai City Gangzta Principal group of youngsters who shared her Blockhouse Bay on Sundays from 11 and Director Raisa Infreda said passion for performing arts. am to 1 pm. Classes will commence that ‘Auckland Galatta’ will also be The initiative was later renamed on February 14, 2021. established as a brand on its own at ‘Chennai City Gangzta’ Dance “We recently staged our biggest the event. Academy.’ production involving 50 dancers, “For the past ten years, I have “Our debut was at the Civic collaborating with Shawn Thomas, been keen to establish a programme, Theatre in 2012. The journey that ‘Bollywood Ambassador in New project or an institution to represent began as ‘fun,’ has grown to become Zealand.’ He is very popular for his my community. I hope that a professional group. It has been a routines in remaking classic popular ‘Auckland Galatta’ will showcase the very satisfying experience thus far. songs. ‘Verithanam’ is a recent hit type of entertainment that South We have presented our performanc- Tamil song from the movie ‘Bigil,’ India, can offer to New Zealanders. es at the Annual Auckland Diwali and our project was to remake the We expect the venue to be filled Festival continuously for the past six song. The filming of the song (the with enthusiastic people from across Students and performers of the City Gangzta Academy years,” she said. first in New Zealand) for held for communities,” she said. alam and Kannada languages. exclusively surrounds music from Students and professionals from about seven hours during the night,” Raisa said that ‘Auckland Galatta’ “This will be a unique entertain- Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and the Academy have been performing she said. is being prepared as the ‘First South ment experience for our young Kannada language. popular Tamil film songs at several Please visit https://www.facebook. Indian Clubbing experience with people,” she said. Passion for dance events for the past few years with com/chennaicitygangzta/ music popular among people who will be the NZ’s First South Indian Raisa is an IT professional with abiding interest among people. https://youtu.be/kvs3cxKYL7k are conversant with Tamil, Malay- Clubbing experience. This event a postgraduate (Masters) degree in Classes for children and adults https://youtu.be/CyKdmMS0NSI Tribute to Raj Kapoor promises an evening of great melody Venkat Raman recording the next morning. It is such a great showman andhya Badakere of ‘Swar Sadhana “Don’t worry, I would be at the who would be honoured later Academy of Indian Music’ and Ravi recording studio,” the thespian this month by two Auckland Shetty of ‘Ravi Shetty Concepts’ will said. based organisations, bringing present this year’s edition of ‘Sune- “No, you would be in Pune for to the fore the musical talents of Sheri Yaadein,’ paying tribute to Raj Kapoor, a meeting,” returned the duo. local singers. acknowledged as the ‘Greatest Showman on “But I will drive back,” Raj The show, ‘Suneheri Yaadein- Earth of all times.’ Kapoor said. The Ultimate Showman-A The event will be held on Saturday, And true to his word, he Tribute to Raj Kapoor,’ is being May 8, 2021 at Dorothy Winstone Centre, flew to Pune after the shooting, promoted as a musical extrav- Auckland Girls Grammar School, 16 Howe finished his meeting at 1 am aganza, aiming to transport Street, Newton, Auckland. and drove back to RK Studios connoisseurs of film music to an ‘Suneheri Yaadein’ has earned the in Mumbai’s Chembur and was erstwhile world of songs, backed reputation of being the ‘Best Musical seated at the recording studio by soothing music. Show’ in Auckland. It brings to the fore 30 minutes before anyone else Galaxy of musicians the musical talent of not only famous arrived. The leader of the singing quint producers, directors and music composers The song, ‘Eh Mera Prem Patra would be Sandhya Badakere, of India but also that of our own singers Padkar,’ picturised on Rajendra an accomplished singer from and instrumentalists. Kumar in the film became a hit Mumbai, whose prowess is Tickets for the show will shortly be on song but did not leave the studio testified scores of cassettes and sale. until Raj Kapoor had heard it 10 CDs of Bhajans and Ghazals. A passion for music times and made a few last-min- She would probably the only Back in the 1960s, as Sangam was on the ute changes. artiste on stage at the forthcom- floors, music directors Shankar Jaikishan Music was his passion and ing show, with a unique honour approached the film’s producer-director perfection, his pursuit. of having been felicitated by the Raj Kapoor whether they could send him He had implicit trust in the icons of Bollywood including Raj a taped version of a song that was due for people who worked with him Kapoor, BR Chopra, Naushad Ali, but would not rest unless he Salil Choudhary and Hridaynath Wanted had listened to every song and Mangeshkar. She has also sung understood the way it was with a number of stalwarts Food Process / Machine composed. including Anoop Jalota, during There are several instances visits to New Zealand. Operators that would provide a better Ravie Shetty, the man whose Horners Confectionery Ltd based in insight into the man, but space voice is heard by tens of thou- Manukau requires Food Process Workers constraint precludes us from sands of people as Radio Tarana doing so. programme host and as spirited and Machine Operators. The Manna Dey Voice audiences, Ritika Puri (nee Bada- Applicants will be required to work But one episode deserves kere), a powerful singer and a 5 to 6 days in a shift operation. mention. galaxy of other singers, would Several weeks after Hasrat Jai- be among those attempting to do This is a hands-on-job position and puri wrote ‘Aye Bhai Zara Dekh justice to the memorable songs requires lifting and handling of food items. Ke Chalo’ for Mera Naam Joker, that made Raj Kapoor and his Applicants should be eligible to there were serious discussions films famous. work legally in New Zealand as to whether it should be ren- They will be supported by a dered by Mukesh (whose voice group of talented instrumental- suited Raj Kapoor), Mohammed ists. Plese apply to Rafi or someone else. Indian Newslink will publish “Let’s have Manna Dey,” the more details of the Programme [email protected] man said to everyone’s surprise. in its ensuing editions. FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Sportslink 19

BRINGS TO YOU 20 Sportslink FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Between the bat and the ball, there is no Point at all Covid-19 concerns, with two others international matches has been unavailable for personal reasons. severely compromised by Covid-19. Without naming all 12, we are Not only are they losing matches, talking about pretty much every but they continue to haemorrhage good player the Windies can boast players to other nations and Hamish Bidwell right now. coaches too. Is that good for International Jacques Kallis, for instance, lost former Bangladesh Head ? Can the results then be his place on South Africa’s coach- Coach once explained spot taken at face value? ing staff and was immediately fixing to me. Baffling Sri Lankans snapped up by England. Entire games of interna- Similar could be asked about the Look at Day One of South Africa’s tionalA cricket are harder to corrupt, just-completed test series in Sri test against Pakistan in Karachi, although not impossible, he said, Lanka, where England emerged 2-0 where the Proteas were bowled but that still left all manner of victors thanks to some perplexing out for 220 and the hosts went to minor things ripe for exploitation. cricket from the hosts. stumps at 33-4. What colour sunglasses will In both matches, Sri Lanka Was that good bowling? Poor player X wear? Is he in a floppy hat produced one lamentable innings batting? A difficult pitch? Two or a cap? Are there sweat bands on - 135 in the first test and 126 in the teams not quite at test standard? his left arm or his right? second - that seasoned observers What? There will always be a market struggled to explain. The ICC needs to be careful here. for random wides or sixes off the Speaking on Sky Sport, former We get that it has minimal clout first ball of an over, but they are England captains Mike Atherton and that the bigger nations, India Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan. Photo: Photosport not fool-proof. It is far easier, for and Nasser Hussain were unable in particular, call most of the shots. instance, to manipulate a player near impossible, so you can almost This is a player who made the to comprehend Sri Lanka’s batting. But if you leave the other teams into using a yellow batting grip [understand]. It is a different “Team of the Tournament” at the Just as they were baffled by their to feed off crumbs, then you create instead of a white one. world that we live in, it is a tough 2019 Cricket World Cup and is tactics in the field, as England an environment where strange Bowled by bookies world for him,’’ the Coach later sought after by various sought to chase 164 to win the things can happen. Where inex- I was on my way to Bangladesh told me. franchises. And yet. second test. plicable sessions of Cricket occur to cover an ICC T20 World Cup. “He is a great young man; so I It is easy to look at some of New Cricket is not a level playing and outcomes emerge that cause The Coach was scarred by his own am really disappointed for him. He Zealand’s performances and the field. While India, England and people to raise their eyebrows. exposure to these practices but said probably got roped in as a 15-year- enthralling series between India Australia get rich by continually We get that sport is increasingly that I would get a better apprecia- old when he first started by some and Australia and conclude that playing each other, the rest of the played for revenue’s sake, but if a tion of why players could fall prey other people. I feel a bit sorry for international cricket is in great Cricket world are struggling. day ever comes when the integrity to bookies once I had spent some him but I do not condone it at all,” heart. New Zealand, as we are justifia- of the contests is questionable, time there. he said. But for every one of those games, bly proud of, punches well above then you are not left with any sport One of his former players, Cricket’s great heart you have absurd series, such as its weight at home and is mounting at all. batsman Mohammad Ashraful, Bangladesh’s Best Player Shakib those between Bangladesh and the only credible challenge to the was suspended soon after for spot Al Hasan is just back from a ban the West Indies and Sri Lanka and game’s so-called “Big Three.” fixing. for breaking the International England. Woes of South Africa Hamish Bidwell is a Sport Contributor “People like Ashraful, he has got Cricket Council’s anti-corruption In Bangladesh, Shakib and com- But Cricket in South Africa, for at . The above Report 15 people living in his house, he code, after not disclosing to pany are thrashing a Windies team instance, has become embroiled and Pictures have been published under feeds probably five families and on authorities multiple approaches without 12 of their best players. in continual administrative a Special Agreement with a Cricketer’s wage over there it is from bookmakers. Ten declined to tour because of turmoil and their ability to host www.rnz.co.nz Property Finance Specialists

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