The English Fortnightly (Since November 1999) Issue 452 | December 15, 2020 | Free

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tenancy negotiation support. Leave Support Scheme Another pay out promised should Alert Levels change The government is retaining the Leave Venkat Raman The payment will help specially the Full Time Employees ($21,500). Firms Support Scheme, enhancing it with a new Short-Term Advance Payment to cover hile community transmis- hospitality and events sectors if there that experience a 30% drop in revenue are disruptions. over a 14-day period will be eligible. eligible workers wanting to stay at home sion of Covid-19 seems while awaiting a Covid-19 Test Result. to under control in New “This recognises that some Wage Subsidy again businesses face one-off costs or impacts “We have also committed to the This will be a one-off payment of $350 Zealand, the government to employers to pay such workers but Wis prepared to manage should there be to cashflow when we step up an Alert Wage Subsidy Scheme whether there eligibility will depend on the advice of a resurgence of the Virus. Level to follow public health advice. is a regional or national move to Alert The payment is structured to provide Levels Three and Four. This Scheme public health officials. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris “Other supports retained include the Hipkins has announced an extensive & Finance Minister most support to smaller firms who are has been very effective in keeping most likely to face cashflow issues but people in work so far with more than loan products Business Finance Guaran- plan for management of the pandemic tee Scheme, which is being extended to should it recur in this country and Resurgence Support Payment will be available to all businesses and $14 billion paid out to protect 1.8 sole traders,” Mr Robertson said. million jobs,” he said. June 2021 with additional availability and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance He said that a new Resurgence flexibility, and Small Business Cashflow Minister Grant Robertson has assured Support Payment will be in place if the He said that the payment will include Mr Robertson said that the State Cab- a core per business rate of $1500 plus inet has asked the Justice Minister to Scheme, which has also recently been businesses of certainty and another country is compelled to move to Alert extended,” Mr Robertson said. pay out. Level 2 or higher for a week or more. $400 per employee up to a total of 50 reassess options on future commercial Government announces Covid Plan for Summer Holidays Venkat Raman risk, Get Ready and Respond. According to him, improved testing network are ready,” he said. ith the Coronavirus Mr Hipkins said that for each of the and contact tracing capacity have Mr Hipkins said that the agencies of pandemic raging scenarios, extensive contingency plans enabled the government to successfully the government are well connected and through United States are in place. manage outbreak of the Virus four have worked closely Civil Defence and of America, Europe “We have learnt from previous times without having to change alert Emergency Management, local govern- andW in many countries of Asia, New cases and regional lockdowns and used levels. ment and community leaders to Zealand remains vulnerable despite that knowledge to refine our plans Elimination Strategy obtain a fully-coordinated response. having controlled its spread, Covid-19 and preparations. We know what to “Our Summer planning approach “People in remote locations where Response Minister said. do and the health system is standing to manage any community cases over there is limited cell phone coverage Although the country has not ready. People and resources are on call. the holidays supports ’s would very likely be safe from exposure witnessed community cases in recent Our supply chains are stocked. Since elimination strategy for Covid-19. If to Covid-19 but they should follow weeks, the risk is high with the March, New Zealand has strengthened we find it, we will stamp it out, and we public health advice upon return from return of (citizens Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and evolved its ability to respond to have made sure that the government’s those locations. This is a personal and permanent residents) and the scenario testing and understanding Covid-19,” he said. Covid-19 team and the national support responsibility,” he said. proposed arrival of seasonal workers actions that might be needed, including, from countries which experience high as a last resort, Alert Level changes. We incidence of Covid-19. will continue to respond swiftly and Let us all enjoy the Holiday Season! New Zealanders are expected to openly during the holiday period. If a together to prevent the spread of travel widely to various parts of the his is the last issue of Indian positive case is found in the community, Covid-19. However, we realise that country during the holiday season and Newslink for 2020. Our we will use the usual approach to com- there is no room for complacency. participate in various festivals and offices will be closed from municating with the public,” he said. Our Gratitude mass-gatherings, thereby increasing Mr Hipkins said that in such an December 16, 2020 and will Treopen on Thursday, January 14, Year 2020 also saw two fiercely the risk of contracting Covid-19 further. event, either he or Director General fought general elections- In New Extensive response 2021. However, our round-the-clock of Health Dr (or Zealand and USA; which is a better Announcing the government’s plan coverage of news on our website, his official) will provide updates and democracy is anyone’s guess. in case the Virus re-emerges in the social media and through our advice through the Media and through We take this opportunity to express community today, he said that while it biweekly newsletters will continue. the Health Ministry website. our gratitude to our advertisers, spon- was difficult to predict how a case can The passing year has been one Three Broad Scenarios claiming lives, public health and sors, readers, staff, correspondents, emerge, he assured New Zealanders of challenges and opportunities The government’s Covid Plan for businesses. We in New Zealand contributors and friends and wish that planning in coordination with for the world which continues to Summer has taken into account three are lucky. We belong to the ‘Team them Merry Christmas and a Happy various ministries has been extensive. experience a terrible pandemic, broad scenarios. of Five Million’ which worked News Year. Indian Newslink Team “The planning process includes The Plan outlines how to Reduce the

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Imams urge for more “Cabinet Minister Andrew Little (Health Imams from the Al Noor and Linwood and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) will mosques thanked the Royal Commission for be placed in charge of coordinating the gov- New Ethnic Communities Ministry, laws on hate crime coming its handling and sensitivity into the inquiry ernment’s response and implementing the to produce the report, but said a lot of action recommendations; a new Ministry for Ethnic would need to follow the findings. Communities will be created; ‘Te Raranga,’ Government, Intelligence Agency and Police apologise toMuslim community Future Actions The Weave will be set up to help frontline “He was financially independent and wide- doing and listening to concerns from the The Royal Commission of Inquiry Report Police identify, record and manage hate ly travelled...in his preparation and planning community. has said that New Zealand should boost its crime and be more responsive to victims; We for his terrorist attack, he was methodical and “I know that a number of people have counter- terrorism expertise and capacity will establish a National Centre of Excellence single minded. The individual could present found this upsetting, and to them I apologise,” and offered suggestions as to how to ‘con- to research radicalisation, violent extremism well and conduct himself in a way that did she said. front and engage openly on the hard issues and social cohesion in New Zealand, amend not attract suspicion. He was not identified as Police Commissioner Andy Coster better,’ tighten up firearms licensing and the terrorism suppression and hate crime laws someone who posed a threat.” Police Commissioner has way the regime is run, broaden hate speech and create an early intervention Police Arden Apologises to Muslim Community ‘unreservedly’ apologised for the ‘failures in laws, support affected survivors, whānau programme for individuals showing early While Ms Ardern offered the government’s the administration of the firearms licensing and the broader community. signs of radicalisation,” Ms Arden said. apology to the Muslim community, Direc- system,’ saying that their administration of Ms Ardern told Parliament that her Mr Coster said that the Police will release tor-General of the New Zealand Security Intel- the Arms Act had not always been to the level government will adopt all the 44 recommen- its review of its response to the March 15, ligence Service (NZSIS) Rebecca Kitteridge and the public would reasonably expect. dations of the Commission. Establishment 2029 attacks, along with more information to Police Commissioner Andy Coster apologised “I accept the findings (of the Royal of a new National Intelligence and Security the public tomorrow, Wednesday, December on behalf of their respective organisations. Commission of Inquiry) that there was a Agency will need further consideration, she 9, 2020. “For many years the, Muslim community “lack of coherent and complete guidance for said. has raised concerns over issues like the processing applications when a near relative disproportionate scrutiny by security and in- referee could not be interviewed in person telligence agencies. The Report confirms that and that training and review processes were there was an ‘inappropriate concentration of not adequate,” he said. resources’ ... and failings within the firearms Mr Coster said that the Police should have licensing system. The Commission made no done “more to consider whether the two findings that these issues would have stopped referees knew the individual well enough to the attack. But these were both failings none- serve as referees.” theless and for that I apologise,” she said. “Whilst the Commission finds this would NZSIS Director General Rebecca Kitteridge not have necessarily stopped an attack, we ● First Home ● Buying an Apartment Ms Kitteridge said that at the heart of the know that we need to reassure the public ● Investment Property ● Low Deposit Royal Commission of Inquiry are the 51 that we have learnt from this event and I am ● Residential or Commercial ● Self Employed victims of the March 15, 2029 terrorist attacks, committed to ensuring that we give this work their whanau, survivors and witnesses. the priority that it deserves, and the public ex- ● Building / Extending / Renovating ● Business Loan “I could not comprehend what they had pects. Changes already made to firearms laws ● Re-Finance/ Restructure ● Property Development been through and I reflected deeply on the would fill the gaps that had existed before the submissions and public comments made by attacks,” he said. For all your home loan and insurance needs talk to us... the Muslim community who felt they had Mr Coster said that while the Commission been ‘targeted by the security agencies.’ I did not mention any specific intelligence Contact us for FREE know that some people with whom NZSIS had failure in respect to the Police, the Report consultation engaged felt that they were under suspicion concluded that their ‘intelligence function Toll Free: or were of security concern when that was to assess strategic terrorism threats had not so. In some cases, this caused real anxiety, degraded in recent years.’ We will work on 0508 33 22 11 and led to the belief that the Muslim commu- strengthening that part of its operation, and Rakesh Bansal Era Bansal Manisha Kumar Jatinder Singh 021 030 8135 021 066 7598 021 154 4327 M:021 030 8135 nity was being monitored, which was not and the ability to deal with hate crimes. There are [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] is not the case,” she said. some hard lessons for police ... but there are Ex-Banker for years Ex-Banker for years 09 903 3602 Ms Kitteridge said that the Agency should also some opportunities to improve and do 116b,Cavendish Drive, E:[email protected] | w:www.kiwimortgages.net.nz have done better to explain what they were better,” he said.

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Continued from Page 4 a Minister (2017 to 2020) Dr Gaurav Sharma serving the interests of the Dr Gaurav Sharma, who Pacific Islands people along was the first person of with (who was Indian origin to be elected to Minister of Ethnic Commu- Member of Parliament (the nities in the previous term) announcement regarding Ms and that he looks forward to Radhakrishnan as the elected serving all communities. MP from Maungakiekie came “In 2017, when we after the special votes were came into government, counted and declared on we recognised that there November 6, 2020) said that were significant challenges he was keen to represent that the country needed to not only his Hamilton West address- unrepaired infra- electorate, but also the structure, under-investment Parliamentary Under-Secretary to Min- whole of Hamilton, Indian ister of Revenue Dr Deborah Russell in our public sector; all community and all other speaking of that contributed to the ethnic communities. growing inequality. We also “I am looking forward to recognised that we have look working with all of you over at long-term- you could not the next three years to get the address it in one term or one best response and to achieve budget. We needed to lay a good economic recovery,” he strong foundation for the fu- said. ture… this is what underpins Our Special Guests our government,” he said. Among the Members of Dr Deborah Russell Parliament who attended Dr Russell, who was first the luncheon were Camilla elected to Parliament from Birch, Helen White and Neru New Lynn Constituency in Leavasa. Our special guests at 2017, said that New Zealand the luncheon included Adnan have not only placed implicit Mirza and Farah Alvi, Anil trust on the Labour Party but Thapliyal, Arjun Mahajan also immense responsibility. and Praneeta Kochhar Hamilton West MP Dr Gaurav Sharma “We are incredibly hum- Mahajan, Gurbrinder “Even as a student, I have bled by the massive mandate Aulakh, Ilango and Sakthi had opportunities to be that we have received from Krishnamoorthy, Gopal involved in the Community the people of our country and Sreenivasan and Rachna and Voluntary Sector and we will work together the Dave, Hemant and Rozeena the youth of the country best possible results for our Parikh, Indra and Manasa and I deem it a great honour country,” she said. Sirigiri, Pancha Narayanan to serve these sectors in a Dr Russell said that as and Ravi and Kiran Singh. ministerial capacity. I will the Parliamentary Under- The special lunch was meaningfully engage with all secretary to the Minister of prepared and sponsored by the communities,” she said. Revenue, she will work the Ravi Singh, owner of Raviz Aupito William Sio Minister and the concerned Indian Restaurant, located at Aupito William Sio, who has departments to ensure that 61 Hobson Street, Auckland been a regular contributor of the best interests of the Central Business District. articles to Indian Newslink, people are served and that said that he spent the first she would strive to optimise Videos by Hemant and Rozeena three years of his role as revenue for the government. Parikh, Pictures by Daryll Garcia. 06 Educationlink DECEMBER 15, 2020

Unsurprisingly, these negative effects are disproportionately experienced by US debates morality of cancelling student debt first-generation, low-income and Black student borrowers, whose life choices in repaying their loans. About 70% of are especially restricted by the need to The same arguments those in default are first-generation stu- make loan payments. could hold water in dents, and 40% come from low-income Avoiding moral hazard backgrounds. Some analysts have argued, however, New Zealand Twenty years after college, when that cancelling student debt will create white borrowers have repaid 94% of a problem of moral hazard. A moral their loans, the typical Black student has hazard arises when people no longer been able to repay only 5%. feel the need to make careful choices The rates of defaults because they expect others to cover the These repayment and default rates risk for them. Kate Padgett Walsh reflect significantly lower graduation For example, a bank that expects the moral principle of following especially the burdens it imposes on rates for students in those groups, who to be bailed out by the government in through on one’s promises. Borrowers resident-elect Joe Biden promised low-income, first-generation and Black typically need to work long hours while the event of a financial crisis thereby have a moral duty to fulfil their loan to forgive at least some student borrowers. also in school and hence engage less has an incentive to engage in riskier agreements, the philosopher Imma- debt during his campaign, and Young people today start their adult with both the academic and non-aca- behaviour. nuel Kant argued, because reneging he now supports immediately lives burdened with much more student demic aspects of college. Moral hazard can be avoided by on promises is disrespectful to oneself Pcancelling US$10,000 per borrower as debt than previous generations. Almost But they also reflect significantly combining student debt cancellation and others. part of Covid-19 relief measures. 70% of college students now borrow to lower postgraduation incomes for with programmes that reduce the need Once people have promised to do Such proposals are likely to be quite attend college, and the average size of such students, due in no small part to for future borrowing, especially for something, he noted, others rely upon popular. their debt has risen since the mid-90s continuing social and racial wage gaps first-generation students, low-income that promise and expect them to follow A poll from 2019 found that 58% of from less than $13,000 to about $30,000 in the labour market. students and students of colour. through. voters support cancelling all federal today. Black men with a bachelor’s degree The Tennessee Promise In the case of federal student loans, student debt. As a result, total outstanding student make, on average, more than 20% One success story is the Tennessee a borrower signs a promissory note But there are those who question debt has jumped to over US$1.5 trillion, less than white men with the same Promise, a program enacted in 2015 to agreeing to pay back the government the idea of debt forgiveness and call making it the second largest form of education and experience, though that make tuition and fees at community and, ultimately, the taxpayers. And it unfair to those who never took out debt in the US after mortgages. wage gap is smaller for women. And and technical colleges free to state res- so student borrowers seem to have a student debt or already paid it off. Significant concerns first-generation graduates typically idents. This programme has increased moral duty to pay their debts unless As an ethicist who studies the moral- This explosion in student debt raises make 10% less than students whose enrolment, retention and completion mitigating circumstances like injury or ity of debt, I see merit in the question: two significant moral concerns, as my parents graduated from college. rates, while reducing borrowing by illness arise. Should student debt be cancelled? student Justin Lewiston and I argue in A second moral concern is that over 25%. The case against cancellation an article published last month by The student debt is increasingly causing Ultimately, morality requires Educational debt is often regarded as Journal of Value Inquiry. widespread distress and constraining a forward-looking as well as a an investment in one’s future. The first concern is that the life choices in significant ways. backward-looking approach to debt Millennials with a BA, for instance, distribution of costs and benefits is very Consider that even before the cancellation. typically earn US$25,000 more than unequal. pandemic, 20% of student borrowers Looking backward at initial promises those with a high school diploma. Fairness requires equal opportunity, were behind on their payments, and to repay can explain why people are College education is also generally as Philosopher John Rawls argued. first-generation borrowers and borrow- generally required to pay their debts. correlated with a variety of positive Yet, while borrowing for education ers of colour are struggling even more. But looking forward will enable life outcomes, including physical and is supposed to create opportunities Stress and delinquency policymakers to imagine how cancelling mental health, family stability and for students from disadvantaged The financial distress indicated by student debt could help create a fairer career satisfaction. Students demonstrating in New York against backgrounds, those opportunities often this high rate of delinquency is under- society. Given the benefits of college educa- ballooning student loan debt (Photo by Cem fail to materialize due to educational mining both the physical and mental Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) tion, cancelling student debt appears challenges and wage gaps in the labour health of young adults. It prevents to some as a giveaway for those who The case for cancellation market. young adults from starting families, Kate Padgett Walsh is Associate Professor are already on their way to becoming Fairness and respect, however, also Data show that low-income students, purchasing cars, renting or buying of Philosophy at Iowa State University. The well-off. demand that society addresses the first-generation students and Black their own homes and even starting new above article has been published under Cancelling debt also seems to violate magnitude of student debt today, and students face much greater struggles businesses. Creative Commons Licence. Study sheds light on how neurons form long-term memories Fos is expressed within minutes after a We think that at long last we have a possible molecular- and circuit-level neuron is activated. handle on how Fos may in fact support mechanism for long-term memory. Scientists have taken advantage of memory processes, specifically by or- They shed new light on the fundamen- this property, using Fos as a marker chestrating this type of circuit plasticity tal biology of memory formation and of recent neuronal activity to identify in the hippocampus,” Yup said. have broad implications for diseases of Kevin Jiang brain cells that regulate thirst, torpor, Imagine the day memory dysfunction. and many other behaviours. The researchers further probed The researchers note, however, that n a late summer day in 1953, Critical role of Fos the function of Fos, which codes for a while the results are an important step a young man, who came to be Scientists hypothesised that Fos transcription factor protein that regu- in our understanding of the inner work- known as patient HM, under- might play a critical role in learning and lates other genes. They used single-cell ings of memory, numerous unanswered went experimental surgery. Neurons in the human brain (iStock Image) memory, but for decades, the precise sequencing and additional genomic questions about the newly identified OIn an attempt to treat his debilitating is a fundamental one, and our Study function of the gene has remained a screens to identify genes activated mechanisms remain. seizures, a surgeon removed portions of gets to the very heart of this phenome- mystery. by Fos and found that one gene in “We are not quite at the answer yet, his brain, including part of a structure non,” Professor Greenberg said. To investigate, the researchers particular, Scg2, played a critical role in but we can now see many of the next called the hippocampus. As well as being the HMS Nathan exposed mice to new environments regulating inhibitory signals. steps that need to be taken. If we can The seizures stopped. Marsh Pusey Professor of Neurobiol- and looked at pyramidal neurons, the In mice, with experimentally silenced understand this process better, we A distinct process ogy, he is Corresponding Author of the principal cells of the hippocampus. Scg2, Fos-activated neurons in the will have new handles on memory Unfortunately, for patient HM, so Study. They found that relatively sparse hippocampus displayed a defect in sig- and how to intervene when things go too did time. When he woke up after Activating sparse neurons populations of neurons expressed Fos nalling from both types of interneurons. wrong, whether in age-related memory surgery, he could no longer form new The researchers observed that new after exposure to a new experience. These mice also had defects in theta loss or neurodegenerative disorders long-term memories, despite retaining experiences activate sparse popula- Next, they prevented these and gamma rhythms, brain properties such as Alzheimer’s disease,” Professor normal cognitive abilities, language and tions of neurons in the hippocampus neurons from expressing Fos, using a thought to be critical features of Greenberg said. short-term working memory. that express two genes, Fos and Scg2. virus-based tool delivered to a specific learning and memory. The findings also represent the cul- His condition ultimately revealed that These genes allow neurons to area of the hippocampus, which left Previous studies had shown that Scg2 mination of decades of research, even the brain’s ability to create long-term fine-tune inputs from so-called inhib- other cells unaffected. codes for a neuropeptide protein that as they open new avenues of Study that memories is a distinct process that itory interneurons, cells that dampen Mice that had Fos blocked in this can be cleaved into four distinct forms, will likely take decades more to explore, depends on the hippocampus. neuronal excitation. In this way, small manner showed significant memory which are then secreted. In the current he added. Scientists had discovered where groups of disparate neurons may form deficits when assessed in a maze that Study, Yap and colleagues discovered “I arrived at Harvard in 1986, just memories are made. But how they are persistent networks with coordinated required them to recall spatial details, that neurons appear to use these as my Paper describing the discovery made remained unknown. activity in response to an experience. indicating that the gene plays a critical neuropeptides to fine-tune inputs they that neuronal activity can turn on Now, neuroscientists at Harvard “This mechanism likely allows role in memory formation. receive from interneurons. genes was published. Since that time, Medical School (HMS) have taken a neurons to better talk to each other so The researchers studied the Together, the team’s experiments I have been imagining the day when decisive step in the quest to understand that the next time a memory needs to differences between neurons that suggest that after a new experience, a we would figure out how genes like Fos the biology of long-term memory and be recalled, the neurons fire more syn- expressed Fos and those that did not. small group of neurons simultaneously might contribute to long-term memory,” find ways to intervene when memory chronously. We think that coincident Using optogenetics to turn inputs from express Fos, activating Scg2 and its Professor Greenberg said. deficits occur with age or disease. activation of this Fos-mediated circuit different nearby neurons on or off, they derived neuropeptides, in order to Additional authors of the Study Newly identified mechanism is potentially a necessary feature for discovered that the activity of Fos-ex- establish a coordinated network with its include Noah Pettit, Christopher Davis, Reporting in Nature on December 9, memory consolidation, for example, pressing neurons was most strongly activity regulated by interneurons. M Aurel Nagy, David Harmin, Emily 2020, they describe a newly identified during sleep, and also memory recall affected by two types of interneurons. “When neurons are activated in the Golden, Onur Dagliyan, Cindy Lin, mechanism that neurons in the adult in the brain,” Yup said. Neurons expressing Fos were found hippocampus after a new experience, Stephanie Rudolph, Nikhil Sharma, Eric mouse hippocampus use to regulate sig- Circuit Orchestration to receive increased activity-dampen- they are not necessarily linked together Griffith, and Christopher Harvey. nals they receive from other neurons, In order to form memories, the brain ing, or inhibitory, signals from one dis- in any particular way in advance. But The Study was supported by the in a process that appears critical for must somehow wire an experience in- tinct type of interneuron and decreased interneurons have very broad axonal National Institutes of Health, a Stuart memory consolidation and recall. to neurons so that when these neurons inhibitory signals from another type. arbors, meaning they can connect HQ and Victoria Quan Fellowship, a The Study was led by Lynn Yap, HMS are reactivated, the initial experience These signalling patterns disappeared with and signal to many cells at once. Harvard Department of Neurobiology graduate student in neurobiology, and can be recalled. in neurons with blocked Fos expression. This may be how a sparse group of Graduate Fellowship and an Aramont Michael Greenberg, Chair of Neurobiol- In their Study, Greenberg, Yap and “What’s critical about these interneu- neurons can be linked together to Fund. ogy in the Blavatnik Institute at HMS. team set out to explore this process by rons is that they can regulate when and ultimately encode a memory,” Professor “Memory is essential to all aspects of looking at the gene Fos. how much individual Fos-activated Greenberg said. Kevin Jiang is Editor, Harvard Medical School human existence. The question of how Office of Communications, Harvard University, First described in neuronal cells neurons fire, and also when they fire Possible Molecular Mechanism USA. The above article appeared in the Harvard we encode memories that last a lifetime by Greenberg and colleagues in 1986, relative to other neurons in the circuit. The Study findings represent a Gazette on November 11, 2020. DECEMBER 15, 2020 Educationlink/Fijilink 07 Quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Cook Islands coming Air services likely to Priyanca commence by end of March 2021 Venkat Raman Radhakrishnan uarantine-free travel between New Zealand and QCook Islands will become a MP for Maungakiekie reality in the New Year, following an Agreement signed by Jacinda Jacinda Ardern and Mark Brown (INL Photo) Ardern and Mark Brown, Prime Cook Islands’ recovery from New Zealand Chief Executive Ministers of the respective Covid-19 impact. Greg Foran as saying that countries. “This Arrangement is the next the Airline’s teams are busy The Agreement is the result of step towards resuming many preparing to start two-way a visit by New Zealand officials to aspects of life in the Cook Is- travel between New Zealand Cook Islands a few weeks ago and lands that have been disrupted and the Cook Islands, working the assessment made by them by Covid-19, including access closely with the governments and the conversations between to health and education, and and airports. Onehunga office the two leaders. reuniting family and friends,” “Safety will continue to be top The two Prime Ministers and he said. priority for 09 622 2660 their Councils of Ministers have Ms Ardern said that New and we are looking forward to [email protected] instructed officials to ensure that Zealand acknowledges the being able to provide people the all the measures are in place to Covid-free status of Cook Islands opportunity to travel again,” Level 1, Crighton House, 100 facilitate quarantine-free travel and that access will be given to he said. between the two countries. travellers from the Cook Islands Edgewater Resort and Club Neilson Street (entrance on Galway Ms Ardern said that that to New Zealand as a first step in Raro Chief Executive Andrew Street), Onehunga, Auckland Arrangement recognises the a phased approach to resump- Whittaker described the special ties between New Zealand tion of two-way quarantine free Agreement as ‘huge news’ and and the Cook Islands. travel between the two nations. said that Cook islands has been priyancanzlp “It will allow people to travel “Quarantine-free access for suffering since the borders more easily between our two travellers from the Cook Islands were closed. countries, while acknowledging to New Zealand will provide for “A formal Agreement in place that the priority remains to the movement of people for de- is an early Christmas present. protect our populations from livering and accessing essential We understand the timeframe Covid-19,” she said. services, while allowing officials that the Agreement has taken Central to recovery to finalise preparations for a but as we know. We are excited Mr Brown said that the free safe return to two-way quaran- about the news and will hope- movement of people between tine-free travel,” she said. fully hear a bit more about the New Zealand and the Cook Air New Zealand starts progress over the next few days Islands is central to the close preparations and before Christmas,” he said. relationship and integral to the quote Air

script, the collective number Advocates seek public support reaches close to 100,000. Therefore, a strong case exists for Hindi in Amendment Bill for introducing a sustainable Lifelong Language Learning

framework for Hindi. Authorised by Priyanca Radhakrishnan MP, About the Foundation Parliament Buildings, The Foundation was established in January 2018 with Sunita Narayan an overall aim of strengthening and growing capability in ubmission are open for Indian languages for Lifelong Education (Strengthening Language Learning outcomes Second Language Learning that contribute to strengthening in Primary and Interme- family, community and business Sdiate Schools) Amendment Bill, relationships. which was first presented to the If you or your organisation on Sep- Dr Pushpa Wood (Picture Supplied) want your voice heard or want tember 6, 2018 by Paul Goldsmith, additional resources provided to view the submission before National Party List MP. by the government to fund vouching your support, contact: It is currently at Parliament’s professional development, Sunita Narayan sunita.d. Select Committee on Education language specialists, and online [email protected] or Dr Choose New Zealand’s and Workforce. Its report to resources. Pushpa Wood pushpa.wood@ Parliament is due on January 1, The Indian Languages and gmail.com. 2021. Research Foundation, in collab- We will send you a copy for most trusted paint brand! This Bill proposes introduction oration with community-based your endorsement by December of ten priority languages in prima- Hindi language schools and 10, 2020. ry and intermediate schools. other stakeholders, has prepared The details of the Bill can be Visit your local Resene ColorShop The move has been warmly a submission, stating that a case found here: or shop online at shop.resene.co.nz welcomed by long standing advo- exists for Hindi at primary and https://www.parliament. cates for strengthening languages intermediate schools. nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/ in schools and communities. Census 2018 showed a sig- bills-proposed-laws/document/ Strengthening Hindi in Schools nificant increase in speakers of BILL_80226/education-strength- Indian languages, with Hindi at In a nutshell, the Bill aims ening-second-language-learn- resene.co.nz to strengthen primary and 69,471 and Fiji Hindi at 26,805. ing-in-primary intermediate schools, including Given that Hindi and Fiji Hindi Communities of Learning, Access share some linguistic character- Sunita Narayan is Coordinator of the to Language Learning through istics, including the Devanagari Wellington based Hindi School.

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it easier to determine what qualifies as a Pacific Island product. It helps Pacer Plus comes into force to boost New Zealand exports to create opportunities for Pacific Venkat Raman through Pacer Plus,” Mr Twyford exporters to get their products said. and services into Australian and he Pacific Agreement on About the Agreement New Zealand markets, and trade Closer Economic Relations The Pacific Agreement on Closer throughout the region. Plus (CERP) popularly as Economic Relations (PACER) Plus is Pacer Plus improves market ‘Pacer Plus, comes into force a landmark trade and development access for New Zealand suppliers Ttoday, Sunday, December 13, 2020, and investors. It provides greater agreement that will raise living marking an important chapter standards, create jobs and increase certainty around tariffs and creates in trade relations between New exports in Pacific Island countries, efficiencies in clearing customs. Zealand and the ten other member lowering barriers and providing It also provides New Zealand countries in the Pacific region. greater certainty for New Zealand businesses with legal protections Pacer Plus will boost two-way trade from Pacer Plus countries currently businesses. that guarantee market access and include Australia, Cook Islands, $3.1 billion treatment equivalent to that given The Ministry of Foreign Affairs restrictions affecting key economic Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, to local and foreign competitors, Minister of State Trade and Export Growth & Trade (MFAT) website said that sectors such as tourism, trade and Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga as a Pacific country, the wellbeing unless subject to specific exceptions. labour mobility,” the website said. Development Assistance of New Zealand’s people, economy Common rules, easier trade and environment is closely linked To help Pacific Island countries Pacer Plus establishes a common adjust to Pacer Plus, New Zealand to the wellbeing of the wider Pacific set of trading rules for the region, region. and Australia are offering dedicated which will make it easier for development assistance. This “We are connected through businesses to trade throughout the history, culture, people, trade, includes A$25.5m five-year Devel- Pacific. Open, rules-based trade is opment and Economic Cooperation crucial to help the region and the Countries out of the Pact from the devastating impacts of Work Programme. world recover from the economic Tuvalu and Vanuatu and yet to Covid-19. New Zealand has also committed impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. sign the Agreement. “The Agreement provides op- to invest at least 20% of its total It will help Pacific countries to Fiji and Papua New Guinea, the portunities for goods and services Official Development Assistance attract investment and increase two important economies in the re- produced in the region to be sold (ODA) in aid for trade activities in exports, driving economic growth gion, have refused to join the trade within the Pacific and globally, the Pacific. This will support Pacific and providing higher incomes and bloc, citing the ‘Most-Favoured thereby using trade as an engine of countries to build their capacity to more opportunities for people. Nation Clause’ as detrimental to economic growth and sustainable trade and attract investment. Pacer Plus also improves market them. development,” he said. According to the MFAT website, access for New Zealand suppliers According to the two countries, Increased Aid Pacer Plus is an arrangement and investors and provides a more this Clause includes a pledge by Describing the CERP as a which will look at ways to enhance predictable trading environment. Pacer Plus members to extend to ‘Landmark Trade and Development Pacer Plus will improve market access to regional labour mobility oppor- New Zealand and Australia are Australia and New Zealand any Agreement,’ Mr Twyford said that every-day goods tunities among participants - the offering dedicated development terms negotiated with another it demonstrates New Zealand’s languages and shared interests. Arrangement on Labour Mobility. cooperation assistance to help region or country: in effect counter- enduring commitment to the Blue New Zealand is home to more than “Regional labour mobility benefits Pacific Island countries adjust to acting regional integration. Pacific. 381,600 Pasifika peoples, about 8% both New Zealand and the Pacific Pacer Plus and the opportunities it The non-signatories said they “As a part of that commitment, of New Zealand’s total population. region. Through working in New offers. were concerned about losing the New Zealand has agreed to commit Our Pacific neighbours face Zealand, Pacific workers can learn Pacer Plus Highlights ability to protect infant industries, 20% of our Official Development unique challenges for economic new skills and gain higher incomes, For Pacific Island countries, although this concern may be less Assistance towards Aid for Trade development, including their and their communities back home the agreement helps to increase warranted. activities in the region. This support small size and difficulty achieving can benefit from remittances and exports and attract investment. New Zealand’s Minister of State will provide opportunities to build the economies of scale needed to local investment. New Zealand It reduces tariffs across the Trade and Export Growth Phil capacity, enhance infrastructure compete in international markets. businesses can access a reliable region, improves transparency Twyford welcomed the CERP, saying and improve the ability of countries Pacific Island countries have been Pacific workforce in industries for businesses, and provides more that it will be instrumental in sup- to benefit from trade opportunities severely impacted by the Covid-19 where there are not enough local liberal rules of origin, which makes porting Pacific economies to rebuild such as those made possible pandemic, with global travel workers,” it said.

project at the outset. Doing spent a lot of time and money this exercise will provide the on a project in obtaining the developer with a good indica- various consents. Prudent tion of the likely project margin developers would talk to the and will also allow the develop- funders right at the outset and Keep Calm and Stick er to tweak a few variables, if ensure that the project being possible, to potentially increase envisaged would be one that the project margin. If you do not lenders would be willing to to the Fundamentals have the required experience support. Prevailing market in preparing a feasibility report, conditions are such that finding reach out to someone who the funds for getting a devel- ousing affordability and to review some of the basic does and seek their help. opment off the ground is quite the rapidly escalating tenets of developing property: c. Be Realistic: In a rising mar- tough. The bank’s appetite property prices are a. The Profit is in the Buy- ket, it is very easy to succumb for such funding is extremely issues that are being ing- do your due diligence: to the prevailing optimism. A limited and often comes with constantly highlighted, analysed Experienced and successful classic mistake that people pretty onerous conditions. In the Hand discussed across all media developers spend a lot of time make is to assume that the non-bank market, there are only over the last couple of months. conducting exhaustive due market will increase another a handful of players who would Almost every other day we diligence on all aspects of a 10%-15% by the time that the consider funding developments keep coming across reports of development prior to buying the development is completed. This and the policies and appetite new price records being set for land. Without a high level of due kind of flawed logic is often for funding developments vary properties, especially those with diligence, the price one pays for forwarded by developers who significantly among those play- “development potential”. Even land is a huge leap of faith into know that they have “over paid” ers as well. So, it is extremely properties in fringe suburbs the unknown and could have for the land on today’s market critical to engage with a funder which were considered reason- very serious consequences. value but it doesn’t matter early in the development cycle For example, an experienced because the market would rise and get reasonable assurance ably affordable six months ago Parash Sarma are now fetching record prices developer will ascertain the 10%-15% by the time that that the project being contem- as land bankers and develop- sight of the inherent risks of number of dwellings that could their development comes to plated would be something that ers furiously bid for properties property developments in a be potentially built on the land fruition; hence the project would the lender would support in 6-8 to secure “developable stock” buoyant market. Professional prior to committing to the still be reasonably profitable. months once the consents are for the future. Especially in and experienced developers purchase. Imagine if one paid a However, one should consider obtained. This also ensures that Auckland, the unitary plan who have encountered eco- certain price for a property on the opposite side of the coin as the developer becomes aware has completely changed the nomic downturns will attest to the basis that 8 units could be well- what would be the conse- of the lender’s requirements development landscape; today the fact that property develop- built to find, post purchase, that quences if the market does not very early in the development if someone has even a 400sqm ment is a risky endeavour with a only 6 could actually be built rise or even worse, actually falls cycle and can work towards section, it could potentially number of potential pitfalls. It is on the site. A reduction in two 5%-10%. This is called “stress meeting those requirements. be developed into 2-3 new an activity that should be purely units could mean the differ- testing” the project feasibility While we are increasingly see- dwellings depending on the based on numbers and calcu- ence between a project being and most experienced and ing acronyms such as FOMO underlying zoning. As a result, lations rather than emotion. It is reasonably profitable or a loss prudent developers will always (Fear of missing out) being there are lot of people who are not an enterprise for the blindly making one. stress test their feasibility. bandied about in the media, it either doing or planning on optimistic but for those who are b. Preparing a project d. Find the Money: Another is important to remain calm and doing property developments cautiously realistic. feasibility: As a developer, one classic mistake that a lot of stick to the basic principles. as a side gig. In light of the current market has to a very robust newbie developers make is to However, it is easy to lose environment, I believe it is good feasibility for the proposed approach funders after having To find out about our funding solutions, please contact: Parash Sarma - Client Services Director Mob: 021 864 730 Email: [email protected] DECEMBER 15, 2020 Businesslink 09 Indians are underpaid, their talents are underutilised says economist But they contribute $10 billion to the national economy Venkat Raman lthough People of Indian Origin (PIO) contribute about $10 billion to the New Zealand economy, Atheir skills, experience and expertise are underutilised, says a popular economist. Shamubeel Eaqub, who works of Sense Partners, a boutique consultancy based in Auckland, says that the contribution of PIOs are less than what they can be, Economist Shamubeel Eaqub and attributes the shortcoming to the mismatch of their skills and figure for financial year 2019-2020 income, saying that typically, an was $323.1 billion). International average Indian earns $50,000 per students, visitors (and tourists) annual (gross), compared to the contributed respectively another national average of $55,400. $645 million and $180 million as at “Reducing barriers for recent the end of 2019. the total (nearly 20%), but the gap age are in work, compared to the Moving to higher levels migrants will be better for New Occupational preferences is lower in prime working ages 65% on average. “Indians also less likely to work Zealand Indians and New Zealand,” “Indians are more likely to work (5%-10%),” he said. Lower share in business in some sectors. For example, he said in a Report titled, ‘Economic in retail, accommodation, logistics, Growing population According to Mr Eaqub, Indians 4% of Indian workers are in the Contributions of NZ Indians’ com- health, business support, finance, The Report placed the total num- are less likely to be in business construction sector compared to missioned by the Waitakere Indian IT and professional services. On ber of people of Indian ethnicity at (entrepreneurship), making up 9% for all ethnicities. However, Association (WIA). average, Indians in work earned 240,000, accounting for 5% of the around 3.5% of employers and the share of Indians working in Publication of the Report was $50,000 per annum, compared to total population of New Zealand in self- employed. construction has been increasing embargoed until 5 am today, a national average of $55,400; 37% 2019. This represented a rise of 3% “The prevalence of Indian en- over time. On average, Indians Sunday, December 6, 2020 but it of the difference was explained from 2% in 2001. trepreneurship has trended lower appear to be moving toward higher was breached by WIA and a couple by a younger workforce; 8% by The Indian population is young, over time, from 18% in 2001 to 10% paying industries and occupations, of others with postings on Social occupational mix; and 54% due to with a high proportion in the under now with an increasing proportion “the Report said but admitted that Media and WhatsApp group. wage differences,” Mr Eaqub said. 5 and 20-40 age groups. They are in in paid employment. However, this is not universally true.” Detailed Analysis Indians are less likely to work in their prime working age, and in the there has been a similar declining Mr Eaqub said that the economic Mr Eaqub’s 28-page Report clerical, administrative, community family building phase. 78% of the trend in entrepreneurship across contribution is increasing over carries a detailed analysis of the and personal care occupations, population – or 186,000 Indians – the economy, and the Indian share time, not only because there are Indian population in New Zealand and increasingly likely in sales and are of voting age. of all entrepreneurs has in fact been more Indians living and visiting including their share in the coun- professional occupations. “Indians, like many other trending higher, from less than 3% New Zealand for pleasure and try’s demography, employment Mr Eaqub said that new PIO mi- migrant communities, are largely of all entrepreneurs in 2001, to 6.6% work, but also because they are by qualification, employment by grants face low bargaining power, concentrated in Auckland (65% of in 2018,” he said. more likely to be involved in higher sector, exposure to various sectors although the gap is closing. the Indian population), Wellington The Report also accounts for paying and higher productivity of the economy, rate of unemploy- “Indians are increasingly likely to (9%) and Waikato (7% of the Indian changing nature of employment of industries and occupations. ment, evidence of lower income, work in higher income industries population), although they are Indian in various sectors of the New “But right now, the skills and barriers faced by new migrants and and occupations. Reducing this present in every region of New Zealand economy. In 2018, 14% of qualifications of Indians is not economic contribution. penalty will increase their econom- Zealand,” the Report said. all Indians in New Zealand were being put to best economic use. According to the Report, PIO in ic contribution. Age composition Indians are more likely be highly most employed in the retail sector, The more the barriers to ‘migrant New Zealand contributed $10 bil- matters. But even within age groups qualified and employed, with 56% more than other ethnicities. settlement’ can be reduced, the lion to the national economy, which there are differences in incomes. of them holding post-school qualifi- However, the share of Indians in greater the benefits to NZ Indians Mr Eaqub said was $303 billion Young Indians experience the cations, about 1.6 times the national this sector has dropped from 22% and New Zealand,” he said. as at the end of 2019 (the actual biggest difference in income from average. 72% of Indians of working in 2001. Protest against Indian farming laws in Auckland and Rs 1600 crores (about $320 Harpreet Singh, an organiser of the Venkat Raman million) every year. protests in Auckland as saying that ore than 1200 members Better deal says the government they want New Zealand to pressure of the Indian community According to Agriculture Minister the Indian government to repeal got together at Aotea Narendra Singh Tomar and Food the laws. Square in Auckland’s and Consumer Affairs Minister “These laws will force farmers in MCentral Business District on Sunday, Piyush Goyal, ‘The Farmers India to go into further debt. Many December 6, 2020 in sympathy Agreement on Price Assurance and Indians living in New Zealand have with the farmers in India fighting Farm Services Act’ assures farmers families in India who are directly against new agricultural laws. of a legal framework to enter into or indirectly connected to farming. Three contested laws pre-arranged contracts with buyers India is an agricultural country and Farmers in India are protesting including pricing. without government support, our against the ‘Farmers’ Produce “This will help our farmers strike farming community will have no Trade and Commerce (Promotion a better deal,” they said. safeguards,” he said. and Facilitation) Act, 2020,’ ‘the But the farmers are not Supreme Sikh Society of New convinced. They fear that corpo- Zealand Spokesperson Daljit Singh Former MP , Kharag Singh Sidhu, Daljit Singh, Lali Ranvir Singh and Farmers (Empowerment and others at the protest meeting (December 6, 2020) Protection) Agreement on Price rates will twist and turn words expressed concern over the farm- Assurance and Farm Services Act, to bind them into unfavourable ing laws passed in India, saying 2020,’ and the ‘Essential Commodi- contract, just as moneylenders that it will affect their lives. ties (Amendment) Act, 2020.’ make workers into bonded labour. The pinch of Winter in India The three Bills were passed by They believe that it would be “Winter has set in many parts of Indian Parliament in September, hard for them to understand the India and it is heart-rending to see with the Indian government saying ramifications of contracts. our farming brothers and sisters that they will improve the lot of the Essential Commodities Bill sitting on roads to protest against farming sector. ‘The Essential Commodities these three Acts. This is not a pro- Produce Trade & Commerce Act Amendment Bill’ removes food test by farmers in Punjab alone but grains, potatoes, onions and other the entire country since the laws It said that the ‘Farmers’ Produce Senior leaders at the Auckland get-together Members of the wider community at the Trade and Commerce Act’ will perishable food from the list the will affect everyone. We request (December 6, 2020) Auckland (December 6, 2020) allow farmers to sell their produce List of Essential Items except in the Indian government to engage anywhere they want, including times of war, famine or extraordi- in proper conversation with the online. The Act stops the State nary situations. farming community in India and government from imposing any tax The Act also allows people to resolve the issue. We look forward or fee for these transactions. stock as much as they want unless to a positive outcome,” he said. But the farming community the price of a perishable goods dou- Protests have been held in var- is scared that the Act may lead bles or there is a 50% increase in ious parts of the world including to corporatisation of the entire the price of non-perishable goods. USA and Canada as an expression agricultural market, with prices The implications are that of solidarity to farmers in India. driven by large and medium-sized supermarkets and corporates in the According to Asian News corporates in India. business can stock up, reducing the International (ANI) the protesting The States of Punjab and Harya- supply, while the demands remains farmers in India have called for a na are supporting the protests but the same. nationwide shutdown on Tuesday, for a different reason. Farmers say that this will create December 8, 2020. They believe that if they are not price fluctuations which will affect allowed to levy taxes and faces, them adversely. they may lose respectively up to Rs Appeal to repeal the laws Pictures sent by Daljit Singh, Spokesper- Daljit Singh with Kawaljit Kaur from Whangarei 3500 Crores (about $700 million) The New Zealand Herald quoted son, Supreme Sik at the protest meeting (December 6, 2020) Farmers protesting in New Delhi 10 Businesslink DECEMBER 15, 2020 Malabar exercises underscore American Strategy over China And launch of Quad 2.0 could tempt New Zealand

Balaji Chandramohan

he recent Malabar military exer- cises involving the four nations of United States, Australia, India and Japan held in the coast of India holds the key to the success of Quad 2.0: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (India Inc Group) Ships from the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force TArabian Sea and Bay of Bengal will be make their approach toward the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. Mc- watched with abiding interest by the Cain while conducting replenishment-at-sea approaches as part of Malabar 2020. governments of the region. New Zealand could also seek part- Quad 2.0 is a politico-military strategy The vast Exclusive Economic nership into the alliance in view of the having the profound subset of maritime Zone surrounding the French Pacific growing importance of such moves. military strategy. represents a maritime resource position The Malabar Military exercises is Extending the French interest for Paris. a subset of the United States Grand Apart from the four countries which Experts say that France will strength- Strategy in the 21st Century which is are in the maritime alliance of Quad 2.0, en cooperation with other maritime clearly seen as an aim to thwart the there is a chance that other maritime powers in the Indo-Pacific, including maritime ambition of Beijing. countries in the Indo-Pacific such as India and Australia in the Indian Ocean. Background to Malabar Naval France and Indonesia may join. The FRANZ equation Exercise and Quad India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (left) with his counterparts at the France has territories and military If the proposed Quad 2.0 is extended According to the Diplomat, during Tokyo Summit in November 2020 bases in both the Western Indian to the whole of the Asia-Pacific, France November 2020, the Australian naval Ocean and South Pacific and as being a will strengthen the existing trilateral ship HMAS Ballart joined the Navies of ducted between the navies of India, US, negotiations to revive the Quad Forum. member of NATO, it does not need the arrangement with Australia and New the United States, India, and Japan in Japan, and Australia, with Singapore During the Foreign Ministers confer- latest Quad to have a maritime alliance Zealand (FRANZ). this year’s edition of the Malabar Naval participating as well. ence in Japan last month in Tokyo, US with the United States. Further, its There is also a chance that France Exercise in the Indian Ocean, first in The Chinese government responded Secretary of State Mike Pompeo singled territories in the South Pacific include may cooperate with India in the South its east early in the month and then in angrily to Malabar 2007 by issuing out China as a threat to the region, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, and Pacific just as it is warming with the west, between November 17 and formal diplomatic protests. although the three other Foreign Minis- French Polynesia. Australia and New Zealand. 20, 2020. Australia quickly backtracked from ters, including India’s External Affairs France Overseas territories in the On the other hand, Indonesia will The re-inclusion of Australia in Ma- the Quad and made its intention clear Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Pacific Islands such as French Polynesia also cooperate with the proposed labar, as the Australia-India-Japan-US to not participate in future Malabar did not directly mention China. In and New Caledonia have joined the Quadrilateral Security Initiative by Quadrilateral Security Forum (Quad) exercises. Quad 1.0 thus quickly lost October 2020, the Indian government Pacific Islands Forum to counter China’s participating in operational exercises takes off, has raised fresh hopes for a steam and wilted away. The US, India, announced that Australia would join presence in the South Pacific. such as Malabar which may also new mechanism to counter China in and Japan eventually began to exercise the Malabar 2020 naval exercise. It is expected that they will join the involve the participation of Australia in the Indo-Pacific. trilaterally but Australia was absent, The four countries united in the need MSG (New Caledonia) and PSG (French the upcoming years. The Quad Formation until 2020. to counter China, however, have their Polynesia) respectively. If the proposed Quad 2.0 increases The Quad was conceived in an Revival as Quad 2.0 own unique set of strategic imperatives France has a privileged geostrategic its range and scope of its military August 2007 meeting in Manila, held on The Quad’s revival (or Quad 2.0 as it to revive the Quad; thus it is useful to position in the South Pacific as it is alliances New Zealand may be tempted the sidelines of ASEAN Regional Forum is being called) is driven by a renewed look at each country’s circumstances the only European country to have a to join the alliance and provided logistic (ARF), between the Prime Ministers commitment among the partner separately to chart the future of the military presence in the region. assistance. As being a part of the Five of India, Japan, and Australia and the countries to confront the plethora of grouping. Maritime resource Point Defence Agreement and being a Vice-President of the United States. strategic challenges emanating from Balaji Chandramohan continues: The French Navy, based in Noumea, part of the he Association of Southeast It was widely perceived as a security China, such as aggressive territorial The military alliance between US, In- accounts for two surveillance frigates, Asian Nations (ASEAN) , New Zealand forum to rein in the Chinese belliger- grabs in the South China Sea, present- dia, Japan, and Australia can eventually four patrol vessels, two multi-mission will also join the bandwagon to contain ence in the Indo-Pacific and re-establish ing potential obstacles to freedom of develop as a Defence Alliance similar to ships, five maritime surveillance China’s influence in the South Pacific. a rule-based international order. navigation, use of debt traps to develop the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation aircraft, four tactical transport aircraft, The following month, using the influence overseas, and the Belt and (NATO) with a subtle difference from several helicopters, and 2800 military Balaji Chandramohan is Indian Newslink Correspondent based in New Delhi. He evinces already existing Malabar exercise Road Initiative (BRI). the earlier proposed Quad 1.0 which personnel. This number may rise as During the 2017 ASEAN Summit, was primarily a maritime strategy deep interest in geo-political, defence and framework between the Indian and France continues to strengthen its economic strategies of Australia, New Zealand US Navies, a major naval drill was con- all four former members re-joined in involving naval strategy. presence in the region. and countries of the South Pacific.

than 2,300 affected borrowers. holidays Public holidays falling on a BNZ warned over responsible “BNZ has identified these Top five employment tips for weekend and When a public holiday matters itself and reported falls within a leave period lending and disclosure failures them to the Commission, 4. Employees can ask to cash-up made remediation payments Christmas you need to know Supplied Content some of their annual holidays to its customers and made Supplied Content Employees can request to cash ank of New Zealand system changes to reduce the up to one week of their four weeks’ s an employee or employer, (BNZ) has been risk of issues like this arising annual holidays in any entitlement in the future. Taking into you need to know your warned by the Com- year, providing the employer agrees. account those steps, and con- holiday legal employment merce Commission The employee must ask in writing Bover likely responsible sistent with our Enforcement rights and obligations – it is and have completed 12 months lending breaches and Response Guidelines, we have Aespecially important as we enter the employment. decided that it is appropriate Christmas and New Year season. failures to provide timely If an employer declines, they must to issue a warning to BNZ for Employment New Zealand has five and accurate information to do this in writing, but they don’t have borrowers. this conduct,” Ms Rawlings top employment tips to help you pre- to give a reason. In the Commission’s Commerce Commission Chairper- said. pare and avoid problems later. These son Anna Rawlings For more information, visit view, BNZ is likely to have Background: Initial tips are based on minimum rights. disclosure Cashing-up annual holidays breached responsible information required by the Employers and employees can agree to Act. For example, in some cases Lenders must disclose to 5. Cancelling approved annual lending and disclosure terms above these minimums. BNZ provided incomplete or the borrower all the informa- if (a) the public holiday falls on a day holidays is a matter of negotiation obligations under the Credit 1. A business may close down over inaccurate disclosure, and in tion listed in Schedule 1 of the the employee would otherwise have An employer cannot cancel an Contracts and Consumer the holiday period other cases disclosure was CCCF Act which applies to the worked; and (b) the requirement to employee’s approved annual holidays Finance Act 2003 (CCCF Act). Businesses can have an ‘annual provided a day, a few days, or contract before it was signed. work on the public holiday is noted in unless they agree to it. An employee In late 2018, BNZ reported closedown’ for their whole business or 15 potential breaches of the as many as seven months after Variation disclosure: Where their employment agreement. may have already arranged their a part of it. They must give at least 14 CCCF Act to the Commission. the information should have a loan contract is changed, Otherwise, an employee does not holiday, for example, paid for accom- days’ notice. Best practice would be to The matters reported been provided to borrowers. the lender must provide full have to agree to work during a public modation, or organised a holiday with do this in writing. to the Commission related We expect lenders to regularly particulars of the changes to holiday. friends or family. the borrower. If a business closes down over to certain home loans, audit their systems to make For more information visit Public If an employer would like an sure that they can comply with Warning letters: the holiday period, employees are personal loans, credit cards holidays employee to cancel their leave, they consumer credit law, or quickly A warning explains the required to use their existing annual and overdrafts entered into 3. Entitlements for public holidays should approach the employee in identify problems if they arise, Commerce Commission's holidays to cover the closedown or varied between 6 June Employees must be paid time and good faith and make sure that there fix them and provide appropri- opinion that the conduct period. 2015 and 24 February 2017. a half for all the hours worked on a are no consequences if the employee ate remediation to borrowers,” at issue is likely to have If an employee is not yet entitled to There were 11,956 affected public holiday. In addition, if the public declines to cancel their leave. For customers. she said. breached the law. Only the annual holidays (been employed for holiday falls on a day an employee more information, visit Taking annual Breaching CCCF Act In late 2018, BNZ refunded Courts can decide whether a less than 12 months) the employer would normally work, then the employ- holidays Commerce Commission approximately $3.8 million in breach of the law has in fact must pay the employee 8% of gross occurred. ee is entitled to a paid day off at another More information Chairperson Anna Rawlings interest and fees to borrowers earnings up until the closedown, the affected by these issues. The purpose of a warning time (called an alternative holiday). If you have any workplace issues it said that following its inves- employer and employee may also Refund to borrowers letter is to inform the recipient If an employee does not work on a is best to sort them early. We can help tigation, the Commission agree to annual holidays being taken BNZ has cooperated with of the Commission’s view that public holiday and the holiday falls on a through rights and responsibilities has warned BNZ that it is in advance. the Commission throughout there has been a likely breach day that the employee would normally information on our website: www. likely to have breached its For more information visit Annual the investigation, and in of the law, to suggest a change work then the employer should pay the employment.govt.nz obligations under the CCCF closedowns Act. September 2020 it refunded in the recipient’s behaviour, employee for that day. Some public hol- You can also access the Early 2. In most circumstances employees, “In the Commission’s $350 to each borrower affected and to encourage future idays are Mondayised (or Tuesdayised) Resolution Service and send enquiries/ don’t have to agree to work on a view, BNZ failed to meet the by its likely failure to meet compliance with the law. if they fall on a Saturday or Sunday complaints via the online form. requirements of the CCCF responsible lending obligations. public holiday and those days are not days that an Act including by making This amounted to a total refund Source: Commerce Commis- An employer can only make an employee would normally work. Supplied by Ministry of Business, Innova- errors when delivering of more than $1 million to more sion, Wellington employee work on a public holiday For more information, visit Public tion and Employment DECEMBER 15, 2020 Businesslink 11 Covid antibody testing needed to counter false negatives about their regular routine in the Auckland CBD. Our biggest city described by the Ministry as a group Based on currently available would’ve been back at risk, without of “10 or more individuals who “knowns,” no one can define the role anyone knowing how or why. likely caught the virus from each of asymptomatics or false negatives We cannot fool ourselves by other.” in those local 89 cases or six clusters dismissing the real risk this new There have been three aged resi- so far that have “unknown” sources. Dr Parmjeet Parmar case could have imposed. dential care facility clusters of 56, 19 The current strategy is good tandfirst: Donald Rumsfeld A finger prick blood sample as part of an We could all have been thrown and 51 cases each in Christchurch enough only to keep the spread (Former US Secretary of antibody rapid serological test for Covid-19 back to where we started when the and Auckland, a private function under control but not good enough Defence) once said that (Photo: AFP/Getty Images) whole country was put into level 4 cluster of 40 people in Auckland, a to find any “unknowns” and assure they could plan for the an earlier this year who travelled lockdown. community cluster of 30 cases in no exposure to the virus. Sknown unknowns. It was the from Auckland to Sydney had tested Asymptomatics are spreaders Auckland, and the Marist College The answer may be serological unknown unknowns that were the positive but that was a completely Various scientific studies cluster of 96 people in Auckland tests, known as antibody tests, that greatest risk. Dr Parmjeet Parmar different scenario. around the world have shown that – all starting from sources that are work on blood samples rather than examines that threat in Covid-19, The source of her infection was asymptomatics are spreaders too. “unknown.” nasal swabs. and why it makes the need for “unknown” and it came down to There are publications suggesting No single test for Covid-19 assures This type of test is not publicly serological testing pressing. her being deemed a missed asymp- asymptomatics can spread the virus 100% certainty that the person is not available in New Zealand. The blood A possible source of infection tomatic case earlier– only suffering for longer than 14 days. Scientific infected. of someone who has been exposed is “known” for the two Auckland from some loss of smell and taste, publications suggest that a person The possibility of false negatives is should have developed antibodies women who have tested positive for not meeting the criteria to get tested. being asymptomatic does not mean a known fact. against the virus. Covid-19 in the Fiji border quaran- While we realise the importance that person is carrying less viral Some examples It is the presence, or absence, of tine, the Fijian Ministry of Health of “knowns,” every new incident of copies than one showing symptoms Examples are the cases of those such antibodies that the new tests and Medical Services says. Covid-19 has presented us an oppor- and their capacity to infect others two Auckland residents in Fiji who measure. That is a relief. tunity to explore the “unknowns.” around them should not be under- tested negative on day two in border It is time to review the settings The pair tested negative 72 hours People largely present themselves estimated. quarantine, and in the most recent that restrict the availability of prior to leaving Auckland; the new for a test only if they have symp- For the number of New Zea- local Defence Force-related cases. serological testing. positive results did not come up until toms. landers that have no symptoms or A Defence Force worker and a It is time to take the next step and tests on day 12 of their managed AUT student positive weak symptoms, they are none the person in a neighbouring apartment set a system for a negative PCR test isolation. The only reason that positive AUT wiser to their risk of infecting their to the positive AUT student’s to be followed up by a serological It is believed they were infected student who lives in an apartment community. apartment first tested negative and test to bring some rigour in estab- on the flight into Fiji, indicating the block in Vincent Street came to Not just that, but the virus can finally tested positive. They were lishing more “knowns.” day 2 test may have been a false anyone’s attention last month was mutate anywhere, even in New chosen to undergo multiple tests only because they were ”known’ as -Published under a Special Agreement negative. However, it is great to fall because she fell ill. Zealand. with . back on a possible “known” source Now that may sound obvious, but According to the Ministry of high-risk suspects. This makes the Dr Parmjeet Parmar holds a doctorate and that these positives have finally with the current approach we are Health on December 5, 2020, we “unknowns” of not suspected, low (PhD) in Biological Sciences from the been detected. still addressing the “knowns.” have had 89 such cases making up risk individuals and asymptomatics and was employed Not the first time 4% of total cases so far who contract- important. in the industry. She served as a Member For a minute, imagine, that of Parliament on National List from This is not the first time when a positive AUT student that caused all ed the virus within New Zealand but Defining unknown resources It also makes the case for more September 2014 to September 2020 and as person from Auckland has tested the panic was asymptomatic. The the source is still “unknown.” a Families Commissioner (Member of the positive after arriving overseas. For consequence would have been no About Clusters than one type of testing and an Board of Families Commission) from 2013 example, a previous case of a wom- detection and they would’ve gone In terms of clusters, a cluster as approach beyond the current one. to 2014. She lives in Auckland. ‘climate action journey’ of advice and support. FMA warns ‘an individual’ on alleged BNZ pledges $10 billion to SMEs It will then be tailored to the specific motivations and conditions of each misconduct and deception reducing carbon emissions business and connect them to good Staff Reporter quality existing information, tools and Supplied Content resources. he Financial Markets Authority “SMEs are the lifeblood of the New (FMA) has issued a formal ank of New Zealand (BNZ) has Zealand economy. They must have a warning to an individual for released its first sustainability place in a new low carbon economy. conduct that was likely to have report and has announced Tamounted to market manipulation. The toolkit will be a vital initiative to changes to its lending policy make it easy for SMEs to increase the Following an investigation, the FMA Band ambitious targets to work with concluded that the individual had sustainability of their operations and Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have a significant impact on carbon likely created a false or misleading to reduce New Zealand’s carbon emissions,” she said. appearance regarding the demand emissions. Manaakitanga: Growing social and for, and price of, shares of a listed Chief Executive Angela Mentis said financial wellbeing company, which is a breach of the that the Bank, would in the next five BNZ’s Sustainability Report outlines Financial Markets Conduct Act. years, deliver $10 billion in sustainable initiatives and targets that the bank What the person did finance and will embed a focus on will focus on to ensure New Zealand- The alleged misconduct occurred in helping intensive carbon emitting ers can benefit from the acceleration April 2020, with the individual trading customers to transition to new ways of in digital technology and support on their own behalf via an online doing business. those in vulnerable circumstances. trading account. It involved the indi- She said that a stronger ESG frame- Ms Mentis said that Covid-19 has vidual buying a small parcel of shares work will be launched next year and changed the economy dramatically at a price materially higher than the FMA General Counsel Nick Kynoch increase investment in businesses and last traded price, while attempting to and put pressure on businesses and Appropriate response projects that deliver carbon reduction sell a larger parcel of the same shares individuals. The FMA determined a formal and sustainable benefits. “The future is digital and it is at the higher price. Trading of this warning was the appropriate and Environmental protection BNZ’s sustainability strategy reflect a important that no one gets left behind nature is likely to trigger surveillance proportionate response, after taking “BNZ has also committed to sup- Te Ao Māori worldview that ensures as the country recovers. BNZ will build alerts, which it did in this case. The into account the small size and low porting half of all its SME customers that the Bank takes an interconnected, on initiatives such as its dedicated Surveillance team of NZ RegCo (the value of the trade, the individual’s (around 100,000 businesses) to adopt long-term and intergenerational view Over 70s phone line and BNZ’s Scam NZX’s regulatory agency, formerly personal circumstances and trading and use a Digital Climate Change of the way its people work and engage Savvy to support people to feel safe NZX Regulation) referred the case history, the public interest in issuing Toolkit to measure, reduce and report with customers and stakeholders, and and capable online and participate to the FMA, having been alerted to court proceedings, and that this was a on their emissions by 2025. We are the Bank’s impacts on communities in an increasingly digital world. The the activity by the person’s trading single act of potential misconduct by clear about what we stand for. BNZ is and the environment. Bank will also step up its support for account provider as well as by its own the individual. The person will not be a bank that protects the environment, Kaitiakitanga: Supporting people in vulnerable circumstances,” surveillance activities. named. works with its customers to reduce transition she said. Serious breach Mr Kynoch said that formal warn- emissions and supports the long-term In addition to the $10 billion “Everyone can have a moment FMA General Counsel Nick Kynoch ings are an important part of our improvement of the social and finan- sustainable finance target, BNZ will of vulnerability; it just takes an said market manipulation is a serious regulatory toolbox where we have cial wellbeing of all New Zealanders,” introduce an updated and enter- unexpected life event. We will partner breach of the law, even if the volume concerns about particular behaviour. she said. prise-wide ESG framework in 2021, with social organisations across the and value traded is low. “We did not believe the circum- Ms Mentis said that in reporting the embed sustainability risk as a material country to tackle some of the toughest “New Zealand’s market manipu- stances of this case warranted the impacts BNZ was demonstrating its risk category and roll out climate risk issues we face such as domestic and lation provisions seek to ensure our use of significant costs, resources plans to reduce emissions and support training for all staff within the next economic abuse, inadequate housing equity markets reflect genuine supply and the courts. A warning sends a New Zealanders, and signal to the two years. and access to finance to support and demand and play a critical role in strong message to this individual and market the types of businesses that it “It used to be that lending decisions families and job seekers,” she added. preserving the integrity of the share reinforces the provisions set out in wants to work with to grow the New considered a narrow range of Good Loans initiative market. We know there are many the law to investors and the industry,” Zealand economy in a sustainable economic factors, but new ambitious Since 2014, BNZ’s Good Loans relatively new investors participating he said. way. targets will hardwire sustainability initiative has partnered with a in New Zealand’s share market and In some circumstances, market Two Principles into how we work. We are serious number of community organisations we want to remind all investors that manipulation may amount to a As part of its delivery or sustainabil- about changing the way we work and to offer people on limited incomes they are responsible for their own criminal offence and the most serious ity targets, BNZ is committing to two the people we do business with for fee-free, low-interest and no-interest actions. Ignorance of the law is no ex- instances can result in imprisonment principles that it says are important to the benefit of New Zealand and its loans. When Covid-19 hit, BNZ worked cuse. All trades must be for legitimate (maximum of five years) or a substan- the long-term future of New Zealand: people,” Ms Mentis said and added with its Partner, Good Shepherd NZ, purposes,” he said. tial fine ($500,000 for an individual Kaitiakitanga, to accelerate the just that she is excited to work with SMEs to extend its Community Finance Mr Kynoch said that the trading or $2.5 million for a company). This transition to a low emissions economy, to tackle Climate Change. Programme, allowing $5 million of by this individual illustrated conduct reflects the gravity of the offending that supports the regeneration of the She said that BNZ will partner with no-interest loans to be accessed by that can undermine the integrity and and the serious harm that market natural environment; and Manaak- Sustainable Business Network and families that were financially impact- reputation of our markets and have a manipulation can cause. itanga, to grow the long-term social provide a Digital Climate Change ed by the pandemic. The Bank also serious impact on investor confidence. More information for investors and financial wellbeing of all New toolkit to its SME customers. The launched a domestic and economic The FMA will continue to inves- about market manipulation can be Zealanders. simple self-assessment tool works abuse team and received Living Wage tigate and take appropriate action found on the FMA website Ms Mentis said it was important that through an easy-to- follow step by step Accreditation this year. against this type of activity. 12 Viewlink DECEMBER 15, 2020 Labour government good on rhetoric, short on performance

The English Fortnightly (Since November 1999) ISSUE 452 | DECEMBER 15, 2020

Peter Dunne Commission sets the path t is now stand and deliver time for Labour on Climate Change. Oth- for introspection and action erwise, it looks set to follow other flagship Labour commitments like he Report of the Royal The Report found that the Isolving the housing crisis and reducing Commission of Inquiry killer – Brenton Tarrant - flew child poverty into the policy abyss. into the Christchurch under the radar of the secu- When Labour was in Opposition, it massacre of March 15, rity agencies; 10 public sector constantly touted its Kiwibuild policy of T2019 has revealed a number agencies held information building 100,000 homes over 10 years of lapses in administration about him but nothing that as the answer to New Zealand’s housing of various departments that would warrant a red flag. woes. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaking on Climate Change Emergency in Parliament on De- are charged with ensuring Tarrant emailed a manifesto to But in reality, Kiwibuild proved to be cember 2, 2020 (Picture for New Zealand Herald by Mark Mitchell) the safety and security of the Parliamentary Service, along such a failed policy when Labour tried country. with politicians and some in Bronwyn Hayward told the Guardian having talked so big to the world about to implement in government that it was While the Commission’s the media, referring to the at- newspaper that “even under Trump, our ambitions, we should hardly be abruptly dropped, and the Minister Report did not find fault tack just eight minutes before the US is going to have made better surprised when others highlight our replaced. with the way in which the the terrorist attacks started. per-capita reductions than we have.” perceived shortcomings. The British Now, the very word has even disap- government responded to It is not that the current New Zealand’s response – with an High Commissioner’s comments, and peared from the Labour lexicon. the shootings of a terrorist government (or technically the obvious immediate eye to inclusion the potential exclusion from the Sprint Housing crisis worsens killing 51 men, women and previous one) was at fault. The in the forthcoming Sprint to Glasgow to Glasgow meeting are likely to be the At the same time, the housing crisis children who were praying at Report has said that successive meeting – has been to resort to the first of many international wake-up has worsened with more people on two Mosques in Christchurch governments have failed to politics of the grand gesture that this calls. waiting lists and the costs of buying on that fateful day, it has make counter-terrorism strat- government is so good at – the declara- Ministers’ assurance a first house soaring. Bereft of the pointed to the ‘head in the egies more public, perhaps tion by Parliament of a Climate Change So, having declared a Climate Change boldness of Opposition, Labour now sand’ approach to the threat of worried about alienating or Emergency, and the promise to achieve emergency by way of a Parliamentary looks completely out of ideas when terrorism, an unwillingness to provoking sections of the net-zero emissions levels within the motion, the ball is very much in the it comes to dealing with the current talk about it publicly and alert population. next thirty years. government’s court to back up that fine situation and is crying out for others New Zealanders to the risk. Reassuring stance Not of transformation sentiment with practical and measur- like the Reserve Bank to solve the Serious inadequacy It is reassuring that Prime The Speech from the Throne last able policies for the next three years problem for it. This is in itself a serious Minister Jacinda Ardern, NZ- week said Climate Change Policy would and beyond to turn around and reduce Likewise, with child poverty, another inadequacy, for it is the duty of SIS Director General Rebecca be a priority over the next three years New Zealand’s steadily rising emissions of Labour’s major attacks in Opposition. every government, and along Kitteridge and Police Commis- with the government committed to levels. Ministers have been at pains to Indeed, we were constantly told that with it, law enforcing agencies sioner Andy Coster have ac- developing policy to reduce emission reassure that such actions are coming, the sole reason the Prime Minister had such as Intelligence Services knowledged the findings of the levels. and that the government will deliver on got into politics in the first place was and the Police, to guarantee Report and have apologised to More fine words, but as is rapidly this policy. They do so against the Unit- to tackle child poverty. She even made the lives of people, especially the Muslim community for the becoming the hallmark of this govern- ed Nations Secretary-General’s lament herself the Minister for Child Poverty those who are vulnerable, lapses, pledging to implement ment, words still waiting to be backed this week that nowhere near enough is Reduction, yet, under her watch child non-combative and pursuing the recommendations- there up by firm action. being done by governments across the poverty levels have continued to rise. peaceful activities. In this case, are 44 of them- of the Royal Others are starting to notice that this world to tackle climate change. Nuclear Free Movement innocent people who were at a Commissioner. government is not the government The clock has been ticking on this When the Prime Minister was place of worship were gunned That in itself is a good start. of transformation it promised to be generation’s “nuclear free moment.” in Opposition she proclaimed that down. back in 2017. It has certainly turned The time for rhetoric has passed. The Climate Change was her generation’s emoting and getting angst about the Parliamentary declaration has set up “nuclear free moment,” implying a various issues facing the country into a the expectation that decisive action will determination and commitment to bold veritable art form, which has paid it a now follow. As part of the accountabili- New Ministry should and resolute action not so far matched positive political dividend so far. ty inherent within that Ministers should by her actions in government. At the same time, it is becoming be required to report to Parliament tap migrant talent The largely Green Party inspired increasingly adept at finding others to each year what tangible progress he announcement that within the Department of Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) blame for its failings. First it was the the country is making to reducing its a new Ministry for Internal Affairs) to spearhead Act passed in 2019 talks of providing previous government, then it was its emissions levels and moving to a more Ethnic Communities enhanced engagement with “a framework by which New Zealand former coalition partner, and now, the sustainable future. will be established ethnic communities and ensure can develop and implement clear and housing crisis is apparently the fault of Otherwise, climate change policy Tshould come as good news not that they have opportunities to stable climate change policies” that the New Zealand public! risks quickly disappearing into La- only for ethnic communities excel at every sphere of New allow “New Zealand to prepare for, and However, there is no room for bour’s policy abyss the way Kiwibuild but also for the entire country. Zealand life,” he had said. adapt to, the effects of climate change.” excuses any more. As the country’s and reducing child poverty have done For, despite enormous growth There is little doubt that Good worthy words, but beyond that first single party majority government in recent years. rhetoric little has actually happened in a quarter of a century it will be over the past 20 or more years, New Zealand can and must Peter Dunne was a Minister of the Crown the representation of the ethnic do better at integrating ethnic so far. expected to match its rhetoric with Rising gas emissions under the Labour and National-led govern- voice in Parliament has been communities with indigenous action. Failure to do so will be no-one ments from November 1999 and September minimal. and other New Zealanders In fact, New Zealand’s greenhouse else’s fault but its own. Moreover, 2017. He lives in Wellington. The new Ministry, as Prime and we will not harvest the gas emissions levels have been increas- Minister Jacinda Ardern potential of our diversity until ing at the second highest level of the mentioned, will address the we do that successfully. 43 industrialised nations considered to Report says Waikato DHB concerns expressed by the Removing anomalies have the greatest obligation to reduce Royal Commission of Inquiry An inclusive, contemporary emissions. Mounting international con- breaches health code cern at New Zealand’s relative inaction into the Christchurch massacre and ethnically diverse New eputy Health and Disability General Surgery reviews. These of March 15, 2019 and those of Zealand needs cultivation means there is the real possibility of New Zealand being excluded from an Commissioner Rose Wall included missed opportunities for the Muslim communities. and the new Ministry will has released a report finding increased senior oversight and As former Labour MP and spearhead progress towards important summit this month to mark the fifth anniversary of the landmark Waikato inadequate documentation of some former Race Relations Concil- that goal. New Zealanders of Din breach of the Code of Health and reviews. Paris Agreement on climate change and iator Dr Rajen Prasad wrote in all ethnicities need to own its Disability Services Consumers’ Rights Ms Wall also considered that a lack our newspaper (November 1, future and engage actively in to prepare for the next major meeting in Glasgow next year. for the care provided to a pregnant of effective communication and coor- 2011), we are yet to realise the shaping it for our children and woman. dination between the Obstetrics and full potential of such diversity. grandchildren. Far from being the climate change leader the government would like us to The woman, who was 28 weeks General Surgery teams contributed Shifting ethnic relations The new Ministry will pregnant, presented to the public to a delay in appropriate radiological “To do this we need to shift focus on utilising the expertise think they are, we risk being reduced to a climate change also-ran. hospital with abdominal pain. assessment. our ethnic relations from sym- and knowledge of the ethnic Assessments by the obstetric and Recommendations for action bolism to joint nation building. communities to build economic Credibility gap In an unusually blunt and withering general surgical teams had not estab- Ms Wall recommended that Labour’s Ethnic Policy released and trade relationships with lished a cause for the pain before the Waikato DHB report on the action in Auckland on October 16, their countries of origin. assessment from a senior diplomat, the British High Commissioner recently woman collapsed 17 hours later and points identified in its Serious Incident 2011, proposes a number The Diaspora has was found to have a ruptured uterus. Review Report; provide evidence of of measures to achieve the enormous knowledge about pointed out there was a credibility gap between New Zealand’s rhetoric and its The baby initially survived but recent staff training on co-ordination objective. Its major structural doing business in particular died a month later as a result of birth of care, escalation of care, and docu- reform will be to establish a environments and we will do actions. She said, “There is also a gap – if hypoxia. mentation; use the report as a basis for new Ministry of Ethnic Affairs well to use that intelligence Ms Wall noted that the rupture of an staff training; and report back on its (currently it is a third tier Office systematically you’ll forgive me for saying it, as a friend, and someone who has married unscarred uterus in a non-labouring implementation of the New Zealand one of your own – between ambition woman is extremely rare and, prior National Maternity Early Warning and reality. You have Scandinavian to the woman’s collapse, it was not a system (MEWS). Indian Newslink is published by Indian Newslink Limited from its offices located at 24 Roberta Avenue, She also recommended that the DHB Glendowie, Auckland 1071. All material appearing here and on our web editions are the copyright ambitions in terms of quality of life and diagnosis that would have been con- apologise to the woman and her family of Indian Newslink and reproduction in full or part in any medium is prohibited. Indian Newslink and public services, but a US attitude to tax. sidered or made by many clinicians in and acknowledges compliance of the its management and staff do not accept any responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. The brand 100% Pure New Zealand the circumstances. Managing Director & Publisher: Jacob Mannothra; Editor & General Manager: Venkat Raman; lulled many into a false sense of secu- Deficiencies noted recommendations. Production Manager: Mahes Perera; Accountant: Uma Venkatram CA; Phone: (09) 5336377 rity, when the environmental reality However, the Deputy Commissioner criticised Waikato DHB for a number Email: [email protected] is far more challenging.” New Zealand Source: Health and Disability Websites: www.indiannewslink.co.nz; www.inliba.com; www.inlisa.com climate change expert Professor of deficiencies in the Obstetric and Commissioner, Wellington DECEMBER 15, 2020 Businesslink 13

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www.link2services.com 14 Businesslink DECEMBER 15, 2020 New Zealand declares Climate Emergency with reforms Venkat Raman Earlier this year, Mr Shaw tasked the independent Climate Change he Commission with developing advice on has declared that the country whether New Zealand’s international is now in a state of emergency commitment is sufficiently ambitious, on Climate, vowing to reduce advising the government on the scope Tcarbon neutrality over the next five and extent of the first three domestic years. emissions budgets. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern “The immediate steps that are introduced the ‘Climate Emergency From Green Party (Twitter) being taken to deliver on the Climate Declaration,’ in Parliament today is great to see so many examples of Emergency Declaration will show the (Wednesday, December 2, 2020), businesses taking steps to reduce their government leading by example. Then, which was carried by majority. emissions,” she said. next year, we will act on the Climate Labour has a full majority of 60 She said that action on Climate Change Commission’s independent, seats in the 120-member house, Change is a priority for the Labour expert advice and set out how we will and with the Greens (ten seats) and government and forms an integral cut global warming emissions across Maori Party (two seats) supporting the part of the national Covid Recovery the rest of the economy. This will ensure Declaration, the emergency measure Plan. we are playing our part to cut global was easily carried. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern moving the Climate Emergency Declaration in Parliament on “We need to seize the advantages emissions in half by 2030, which will be Major initiative towards 2025 December 2, 2020 (TVNZ Screenshot) of a climate focused recovery and the particularly crucial in the run up to the Ms Ardern outlined a major new economic prosperity such a strategy Global Climate Summit in Glasgow next initiative to combat climate change offers,” she said. year,” Mr Shaw said. that will require the public sector to Ambitious plans coming The steps that will be taken next year achieve carbon neutrality by 2025. Climate Change Minister James are possible only because during the “The Carbon Neutral Government Shaw said that the Climate Emergency last term, the government put in place Programme will require public sector Declaration will be backed with the policy and institutional architecture agencies to measure and publicly ambitious plans to reduce emissions. necessary to take long-term, meaningful report on their emissions and to offset “Our Government has put New Zea- action to cut emissions, he said. any they can’t cut by 2025,” she said. land at the forefront of climate action According to Mr Shaw, this included She said that the government over the last three years. Declaring passing the Zero Carbon Act, making will provide $200 million from the a climate emergency and backing New Zealand one of the few countries State Sector Decarbonisation Fund this with long-term action to reduce in the world to put the global goal of to finance the replacement of public emissions shows that we intend to stay limiting warming to 1.5 degrees above sector coal boilers, with the largest there,” he said. pre-industrial levels into law. and most active the immediate focus, Next year, the Government will “Our priority this term is to put these and support the immediate purchase agree the first three emissions budgets mechanisms to work to build a zero of electric or hybrid vehicles to start required under the Zero Carbon Act, carbon New Zealand that meets the replacing the Government’s petrol car Climate Change Minister James Shaw speaking on the Motion in Parliament on publish an emissions reduction plan to needs of people, communities and the fleet. December 2, 2020 (RNZ Picture by VNP Daniela) meet these budgets, consider updating planet. As we accelerate our economic Target for public sector measure and reduce their emissions target for the public sector to achieve New Zealand’s target under the Paris response to Covid-19, this will not only “Requiring the public sector to be and offset what they cannot in order the Declaration objective. Agreement, and adopt a plan to meet create a better future for our children carbon neutral within five-years, high- to achieve carbon neutrality. It is an “This policy, alongside the declara- our international obligations for the and grandchildren but help bring new lights the government’s commitment important step forward in our plan for tion of a Climate Emergency, serves as period 2021-2030. economic opportunities in low carbon to leadership on climate change and New Zealand to be carbon neutral by a message to the public sector to get Work under way industries, and create good, well-paid the urgency of the action required. 2050,” she said. our own house in order. It is also a call Work on each of these is already jobs across the country,” he said. Government agencies will have to Ms Ardern set year 2050 as the to action for the private sector and it underway. YOUR SUCCESS PARTNER Your one stop Print and Signage shop Deepavali

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• Foot Path Sign • Pull up Banner • A Frame Ilango Krishnamoorthy • Vinyl Stickers • Core • Acm • Banners • Canvas Commercial Printing Service at its best! Wide Format Digital Printing Specialist Ph: 09 263 8854 Ph: 09 262 4550 42D Lambie Drive, Manukau 14C Ryan Place, Manukau Auckland 2104 Auckland 2104 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.merc.co.nz Website: www.irissigns.co.nz DECEMBER 15, 2020 Communitylink 15 Three days of Yaagam witnesses piety, universal good and fraternity Venkat Raman The continuous offering of Ghee led he concept of universal to the final Maha Poornahuthi. goodness pervading the human There were eight Kalasams placed hearts and minds for the around the Yaga Salai representing betterment of the world came as many sacred (Ashta Nathi). Among Talive at the ‘Chandi Homam’ and other them were River Waikato (Ganga), associated rituals conducted by the Yamuna, Saraswathi, Narmatha, New Zealand Hindu Temple Society Sindhu, Kaveri, Tungabhadra and at its Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam Krishnaveni. (located at 69 Tidal Road) in the South Another explanation Auckland suburb of Mangere last The first step: Ilango and Sakthi Krishnamoorthy A section of the devotees at the Chandi Homam Th Grand Chandi Homam is regard- fortnight. taking the Sankalpam ed super powerful and legendary. The three-day religious programme, Offered to Goddess Durga, the a dream project of the Society’s Homam, if conducted religiously and Founder-President and current flawlessly, helps in clearing deterrents Treasurer Ilango Krishnamoorthy, and obstacles in the path to success. brought together more than 1500 The hallmark of the Yagam is the people, among who were devotees so recitation of the Durga Saptasati. These ardent that they were overwhelmed are 700 obscure and effective mantras by emotions. in acclaim of the Goddess who is About Chandi Homam invoked to grant the various demands Sage Markandeya (who belongs to of her devotees. the Bhrigu Rishi clan) is believed of Women reciting slokas The Homam gives strength to face Thirteen Kalasams of Devi Saptasati have delivered ‘Devi Mahatmayam’ The Deity of Amman in all Glory obstacles in life and brings success. (Glory of the Goddess) during the Conducting the Homam helps people times of Vedas. The Goddess is por- Trustees and Priests that they were to win over their adversaries and trayed as Goddess Chandi, Chandika able organise a massive Programme succeed in long-pending court cases. or Chamunda, the reckless one and the at no cost to the public. In fact, almost The Homan is a serious offering to fierce manifestation of the Goddess, 2000 people received Maha Prasadam Universal Mother Durga. feminism personified. She is enraged, along with breakfast, lunch and dinner Heat Energy zealous, or devastating. on each of the three days, all provided In Hinduism, Gayatri Mantra is stat- It is said that when the Gods were free of cost. ed to be the ultimate of South Energy, furious, all their energies put together With no entry free or participation whereas Yaagam is the ultimate of fee (the latter was voluntary to those Karthik Gurukkal conducting the proceedings Mani Gurukkal and others carrying the brought forth a blaze that was Kalasams to the Temple Heat Energy. transformed as Chandika which is a who desired a special Archana), it was (Auckland), Markhand Bhatt from Ram Yajur Veda is a reservoir of precise cosmic form. a people’s event. Mandir (Auckland), Chandan Kumar and Goddess Saraswathi took place, formulas for Yaagam and performing Chandi Homam Significance The outdoor of the extended from Maa Durga Temple (Auckland), representing 16 types of Power and several types of them. As a powerful and fierce Deity, Temple land was converted into a Vishal Joshi from Shiv Mandir and Courage, Wealth and Prosperity, and In a Yaagam, specific types of Goddess Chandi is the primordial shaded ‘Yaga Mandalam’ with a huge Nandlal Shastri from Shiv Mandir Knowledge and Progress. It is often medicinal herbs and woods are power that is responsible for the cycle ‘Yaga Kundalam,’ resembling similar (Mangere) Ajay Tiwari, Rishi Maharaj said that the presence of the Trinity of burned in specified amounts in a of creation, maintenance, and events held regularly in ancient India and Shradha Nand Sharma. the Goddesses is essential for a life of certain sequence. Precision is of destruction of the entire Universe and sparsely in modern times. The They were ably assisted by Yaga completeness. importance here - even the size of the and is the sum of all energies in the presence and willing participation of Salai Priest’s assistants Vikranth Kasib- On the right side, there was a large Yaaga Kundalam must be according to Universe. Chandi Homam should be a cross-section of our communities hatla and Saravanan Duraiswamy. Kalasam on tier one for ‘Thamilarasi specifications. performed by people seeking freedom was an added factor, strengthening the According to Mr Krishnamoorthy, Nayagi’ (Parvathi), below which were Men of lore have said that Yaagam from the negative influences in their belief that combined efforts please the while the weather prediction was placed 13 Kalasams representing the is the scientific way of fumigating the horoscope and those who suffer from Supreme Being. ‘bright and sunny day’ on December following Devi Saptha Sathi Chapters medicinal herbs for the benefit of the the afflictions of planetary positions Participating Priests 4, 2020, there were two bouts of rain and corresponding Goddesses. They individuals as well as the environment. in their horoscope. The Goddess is like The officiating priests were while the priests were changing ‘Durga include (1) Maa Kali Chandika (2) “When a medicine is inhaled, 80% to a mother who cares for her children, Mani Gurukkal and Karthik Gurukkal, Saptha Sathi’ and Yaagam. Mahalakshmi Chandika (3) Shankari 90% of it is utilised by the body. When and those who invoke her blessings Senior Priests at Thiru Subramaniyar “The devotees felt energised from Chandika (4) the Mantras are recited along with the take refuge in her strength and Aalayam, who conducted the chanting and blessings, with many, Jaya Durga Chandika (5) Maha Yaagam, the sound energy interacts courage to have a victorious life. proceedings under the guidance of R including the members of our Commit- Saraswathi Chandika (6) Padmavathi with the light energy to produce Extensive outdoor arrangements Kalyanasundaram and A Sankarana- tee shedding tears uncontrollably. We Chandika (7) Raja Mathanki Chandika desirable effects. The right sounds It was inspiring to see men, women rayanan of India. are grateful to our President Rajaguru (8) Bhavani Chandika (9) Arthambika must be uttered at the right points in and children actively participating in Among the other priests who Rajamanickam, Vice-President Indira Chandika (10) Kameshwari Chandika the progress of the flames. the proceedings, chanting slokas and conducted the programme included Devi Nair, General Secretary Charanya (11) Bhuvaneswari Chandika (12) Agni Yaagams can cure mental disorders extending a helping hand to those in Parameswaran (Chandru), Chief Priest Mohanakrishnan, Festival and Events Durga Chandika and (13) Sivatharika like depression, neurosis, psychosis, charge of the religious rites. The one- at Auckland Sri Ganesh Temple (Papa- Chairperson Sri Charanya Kailash and Parameshwari Sri Vidhya Saptasati schizophrenia and melancholia. The ness of spirituality combined with the kura), Kishore Kumar Shima Bhatt of many others,” he said. Chandika. stress and strain of modern life, degra- desire to serve was evident throughout Balaji Temple (Hamilton) Dr Devram Somethings to know Eleven Priests with 11 Ahuthis dation of social behaviour, fall in moral the three days of Chandi Homam and Kashavlal Raval from Radha Krishna On the left side of the Yaga Salai, (offerings), 700 Slokas corresponding values contribute to psychosomatic other related events. Temple (Auckland), Shravan Kumar invoking of three Kalasams, one each to 7700 Ahuthis accounted for Chapter diseases. Yagna might offer a solution It is to the credit of the Temple, its from Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan for Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi One Poornahuthi. to this problem as well.

this day as In the rest of the country, from where this Divine Light can be Ayyappan Vilakku enlightens hopes among devotees this day is known as the Makara witnessed. a few devotees said that the experi- Shankaranthi, a significant day for Lord for worldwide devotees Malayali Hindus score ence was similar to the one he had devotees of Lord Ayyappan. Although principally a Hindu God, another point with festivities obtained at Sabarimala on a previ- On this day, the ‘Thiruvaabaranam Lord Ayyappan is worshipped by ous visit. The Programme included (Jewels) of Lord Ayyappan are millions of people of other religious Venkat Raman Ekakumba Pooja, Sankalpam, transferred from the Old Pandalam beliefs, giving Him the Status of Vigneswara Pooja, Rudrabishekam, Palace to the Sabarimala temple. ‘Universal God.’ The devotees- all According to a legend, Krishna- of them pilgrims – bring with them he Auckland Malayali Hindu Neyyabhishekam, Kumbabishegam paranthu, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu their prayer laden requests of Samajam deserves credit and Mahadeepaarathanai (Aarthi). closely follows the Thiruvaabaran- absolution and help and with that, for having brought together Chandru was supported am procession. This is a rare species they bring garlands to adorn the more than 500 devotees from by his assistants Vasudevan of eagle and is not commonly season, Lord and chant paeans. They carry TAuckland, Hamilton and Wellington to Sharma, Vijithan Sivakumaran except at the procession. with them their Irumudi and bathe celebrate ‘Ayyappan Vilakku,’ a solemn and Ramachandran (Ramesh), After it follows the procession, the in the Holy River of Pampa. annual event that inspires discipline, while chanting of the Rudra was bird circles above the Sannidhanam Such is the call of Lord Ayyappan, orderliness, piety and abstinence Lord Ayyappan at his abode, above 18 steps by Venkat Subramanian, Ragavan at Sabarimala. After making nine that it cannot be resisted, and devo- among devotees. Rengachariar, Manoj (Wellington) circles around the Shrine, and tees take all kinds of pains to catch A Report sent by Samajam Sunil Kumar, Alamelu Ragavan and paying its respects to the Deity, it flies just a glimpse of the lord during the Committee Member Athulya Shreejit Lakshmanan. away, only to be seen the following Makara Vilakku Pooja. Nair said that the six-hour long Traditional Kerala cuisine year at the procession. The legend and history are inter- Programme, held at Shri Ganesh was served for Maha Prasadam Single Star on the horizon mingled in the genesis of Ayyappan. Temple in Papakura, South Auckland (dinner) with Aravana Payasam The legend also says that on the It is believed that Ayyappan was on Saturday, November 28, 2020 and Appam. day of the Pooja, the sky will be born as progeny of the union of followed the rituals seen at Sabarimala About Makara Vilakku characterised only one Nakshatram Vishnu and Shiva. Vishnu appeared in Kerala where Lord Ayyappan has Makara Vilakku Pooja is one (Start) on the horizon, appearing as Mohini, the beautiful enchantress His Abode, witnessing more than 50 of the most significant prayer when Lord Ayyappan adorns the - the alluring damsel appearing million devotees arriving from various offerings to Lord Ayyappan. Priest Chandru performs Ghee Abhishekam on Thiruvaabaranam. at the time of the churning of the parts of the world. Directly linked to the beginning Lord Ayyappan The disappearance of the Star Ocean Of Milk to entice the asuras Strict codes observed of the Sabarimala pilgrimage, the is marked by the appearance of a and divide the nectar (Amritham) Samajam President Gopal Ayyar and Ayyappan, traditionally carried by devotees pious seasons begins on the first Divya Jyothi on the hills opposite among the Devas themselves. Shiva his team of Committee Members and visiting Sabarimala, the abode of the Lord), day of the Malayalam month of the Sabarimala Temple. This succumbed to the beauty of Mohini volunteers organised the event with a prepared the previous evening at the residence Vrichikam (between November 14 Divine Light shines thrice and and Ayyappan was born out of this sound knowledge of the stringent code of Ragavan Rengachariar), their arrival, car- and 17). The pilgrimage continues then disappears. It signifies the union. Hence the name Hari Hara of conduct and protocol for Ayyappan ried by devotes to the Temple. The Ayyappan through to the following month, benevolence of Lord Ayyappan and Putra - Hari (Vishnu), Hara (Shiva), Vilakku. Vilakku Pooja was held at a specially erected with the first day of Malayalam the hill on which it shines is called Putra (son). Ayyappan is regarded as This included preparation of Marquee outside the Temple. month of Makara being the most Ponnambalamedu. the third son of Shiva, the other two ‘Irumudi’ ( a small bundle of two Chief Priest Parameswaran (Chandru) con- important. There are only nine places in being Ganesha and Muruga. compartments of offerings for Lord ducted the proceedings with such mastery that Hindus the world over, mark and around the temple complex 16 Communitylink DECEMBER 15, 2020 Be transparent about Royal Commission recommendations: MNZ Venkat Raman Celebrating Diversity MNZ is a pan-ethnic, non-political “Tangata whenua should be fully organisation, engaged as an inde- major communities-orient- involved in the establishment of pendent Advisor to New Zealanders ed organisation has called the new Ministry. Serious changes and the government. Established upon the government should also be made to the educa- more than 30 years ago, it works to be ‘transparent and attention and consultation. tion system at primary and tertiary with the incumbent government Aaccountable’ in implementing the Ministry for Ethnic Communities levels so that cultural diversity is to provide independent advice and recommendations of the Royal “MNZ welcomes the establishment encouraged. I hope that people will advocacy for voiceless volunteers Commission of Inquiry into the of a new Ministry of Ethnic Com- see that strategic thinking does not who work hard to achieve better Christchurch massacre on March munities (which Indian Newslink always happen in a monolingual settlement outcomes for recent 15, 2019 in Christchurch. reported on Tuesday, December 8, context,” he said. migrants and former refugees. This The call was made by Multicul- 2020). Please read it here. Later, referring to the terrorist advice is provided prior to general tural New Zealand (MNZ) President “However, we want to see New attacks in Christchurch, Mr elections through our manifesto. Pancha Narayanan in a Statement Zealand as a Treaty-based multi- Narayanan told Radio New Zealand Mr Narayanan said that MNZ issued to the media from his office cultural society and hope the new that the establishment of Ministry encourages its members and in Wellington. Ministry will be built from ground of Ethnic Communities might have community networks to consider The Commission of Inquiry was up, with new values and direction led to a different outcome. the Eight-Point Proviso while voting established in the aftermath of the strongly founded on Te Tiriti. It is a “For one, we at least would have in the ensuing general election. tragedy in which Australia-born dubious honour that it has taken 20 had a very strong advocate for ... “These items have been compiled Brenton Tarrant shot dead 51 years for the government to heed example, the Muslim community as a representation of political pri- Muslim men, women and children MNZ President Pancha Narayanan our calls and recognise this was has been raising this issue - these orities for Aotearoa’s multicultural who were praying in two Mosques (Picture Supplied) necessary. It is incredibly sad that concerns and their fears, and a communities. It is crucial to make in Christchurch. The Commission’s implement all of them, although this has arisen after the loss of 51 ministry would have to have been a well-informed decision when Report was sent to the government creation of a new national security lives and so many injured. Their responsible, they would have talked voting, and we urge individuals and on November 26, 2020 and Prime and intelligence agency would sacrifices must never be forgotten,” to various ministers and politicians groups to raise these matters during Minister Jacinda Ardern presented entail substantial discussions and he said. directly. Such a Ministry would political forums and discussions. the report to the media and coordination between various law According to Mr Narayanan, the have had considerable insight into It is crucial that our politicians Parliament on Tuesday, December enforcing agencies. new Ministry should be tasked with the SIS and other agencies, and are aware of these issues when 8, 2020. Urging the government to creating a future for our children stronger policy-making recommen- considering policy initiatives, and Forty-Four Recommendations implement the recommendations and grandchildren, a place where dations, while leaving the mahi on that the multicultural community is The Commission made 44 ‘thoughtfully and promptly,’ Mr we are one people while recognising the ground to the communities,” he invited to provide input into policy recommendations, all of which Ms Narayanan said that various other and celebrating the diversity among said. directives,” he said Ardern said the government would suggestions also consider careful us. About Multicultural New Zealand beauty parlour at home which she still Positive attitude helps couple runs. Along with continuing to prac- Police presence at Christchurch tice her art – painting and music - she has been writing poetry. As an immi- overcome life’s challenges grant, and by nature an intellectually Mosque after suspicious message Vimal Kumar & Sharda Monga marked their Diamond curious person, Vimal has always had worshipper at Al Noor a keen interest in learning about other Mosque is glad that a mes- Wedding on December 2 cultures and people. sage designed to stir up After taking his well-deserved hatred towards Muslims is retirement from the bank, he did not Abeing taken seriously. sit back and while away his time. The message was scrawled in Instead, he volunteered for a chalk on the footpath outside the Alpna Sood, Alka Kurian and Rahul Monga number of community organisations Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch on - ESOL, Citizens Advice Bureau, and Saturday, December 12, 2020 and he occasion of the 60th Wed- as a fundraiser for Red Cross Meals read ‘Islam is right about women,’ ding Anniversary of Vimal Ku- on Wheels, New Zealand Blind The cryptic message was left Al Noor Mosque (Martin Hunter by AAP, CC BY-SA) mar and Sharda Monga takes Foundation. while worshippers were inside at us along a historical journey He is also accredited visitor with the prayer and was being investigated different rights. Everyone lives in Tdating back to the years before they aim of giving back to the society and by the Police. this country, and everybody’s rights came into each other’s lives. learning from it. Serious issue should be protected, he said.” It is a history that has roots in Postgraduate at 75 It came just days after the Royal Royal Commission of Inquiry migration, loss, resilience, and perse- Vimal Kumar and Sharda Monga today (Picture Supplied) The knowledge that he acquired in Commission reported its findings The Royal Commission of Inquiry verance across multiple borders. the process also helped him integrate on the mosque attacks, including Report, released on December 8, They have lived in New Zealand better within the wider society. It was a recommendation for harsher 2020, found that there has been an since 2001 where their younger his abiding interest in the community penalties for hate speech. almost ‘head in the sand’ approach daughter’s family is also settled. that led him to do a postgraduate Canterbury District Commander to the threat of terrorism, an unwill- Their older daughter’s family is diploma in Conflict Resolution from John Price said it was being taken ingness to talk about it publicly and based in the US and their son’s family Auckland University of Technology at very seriously. alert New Zealanders to the risk. lives in India. the age of 75. “Any messaging that is an People noticing the shooter (Brenton Despite being scattered in different In order to keep pace with the undertone that is not right for us Tarrant) in the community, being parts of the world, they are all deeply rapidly transforming world, Vimal in New Zealand is concerning no aware of the risk of mass killings connected with each other around and Sharda completed a Computer matter what time that occurs. So, through access to semi-automatic the common values of love, solidarity, Applications Diploma from Te Wanan- we take these matters seriously, weapons and being more proactive and a passion for classical Indian ga Aotearoa. whether or not it be on the back of about reporting to authorities, music. Vimal Kumar and Sharda Monga on their As well as continuing to evince the Royal Commission of Inquiry would have had more chance of Passage to India marriage day on December 2, 1960 interest in Indian classical music, they or not,” he said. stopping his attacks than what Born in undivided India, the (Picture Supplied) are both keen gardeners and grow In response, Police Officers government agencies would have families of Vimal and Sharda had ters arrived in quick succession and most of their vegetables at home. would be stationed inside and had, said the Royal Commission. to flee cross the newly created their son was born a few years later. Community engagement outside Al Noor. Worldwide spread borders of India and Pakistan in 1947 Sharda left her job to look after the One of the crucial components of “We have got presence in and An expert on Far-Right groups, (following the end of the Freedom children. their settling well in New Zealand has around the Mosque and we will Professor Paul Spoonley said that Movement) with the attendant loss of As a homemaker, she combined been the community-based Indian or- continue to do so to provide any the same statement left outside Al property and of several members of her domestic responsibilities with ganisations they joined such as Shanti reassurance. Visible Policing does Noor had appeared in various forms their family. her passion for the arts. Nivas, Bhartiya Samaj, Hindu Elders enable a confidence and trust by around the world and was designed While in Delhi, their adoptive Being trained in music, she con- Foundation, TANI, Bhajan Satsang our community,” Price said. by these groups to stoke hatred home, they found themselves living tinued to play Sitar and sing Indian and the New Zealand Carnatic Music Increased hate speech towards Islam. opposite each other’s house. classical music. She also received Society. As well keeping them busy as Al Noor worshipper Mirwais “It appears internationally to be Their families soon became friends formal training in painting. participants, these organisations have Waziri, who was injured in the a way of trolling, what the right call and reminisced together about Sterling Service at SBI helped them make a large and diverse attacks, said that unfortunately, the woke left. And so, it is designed their respective time in what’s now Vimal’s diligence and hard work circle of friends, providing them with there had been an increase in hate to draw attention to the way in Pakistan as they built their lives helped him reach new heights at a home away from home. speech directed towards Muslims which Islam is supposed to suppress again from scratch. They were both State Bank of India. Vimal and Sharda feel extremely in Christchurch ever since 15 women, but in a sense, they flip it fortunate of being sponsored by the He served as a Bank Manager in lucky to have migrated to New March. around. So it appears to be in sup- State to study in private boarding Jammu & Kashmir (opting to work Zealand and are grateful to the “Whenever my wife goes port of the way in which Islam treats schools in Rajasthan: Vimal in in climatically difficult areas of communities and the government for somewhere in the markets, some women. But of course the intention Pilani and Sharda in Banasthali Bandipur and Leh) and Dehradun. providing them excellent services for of these racist people, they just use is quite the reverse,” he said. Vidyapeeth. He retired in 2000 after 41 years of a comfortable lifestyle and health. some words and she just ignores However Professor Spoonley Vimal completed his education service. Having travelled the world, crossing them. I hope people understand would not class the words as hate with a master’s degree in Philosophy As children grew up, Sharda was borders, and starting over several that we are New Zealanders. We speech. from the University of Delhi Sharda trained at the Shahnaz Hussain times, the story of Vimal and Sharda is live in New Zealand, and we live “It has been designed to avoid obtained a master’s degree in History Beauty School and opened a beauty one resilience. They have shown that peacefully and we have a beautiful being defined as hate speech. And so from the University of Rajasthan. salon in her house, running it a belief in oneself, positive attitude religion,” he said. it appears to be in support of Islam Raising a home and family successfully for many years. towards change, dedication to family, Mr Waziri said that the massacre and not critical or not inflammatory On getting married on December Life in New Zealand and community engagement can help on March 15, 2019 had shown or racist, but in fact, it is,” he said. 2, 1960, they moved into their first Their first visit to New Zealand overcome any challenges in life. us that such abuse needed to be Professor Spoonley said that Far- home in Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar. By then in 2001 was to initially explore its Alpna Sood, Alka Kurian and Rahul documented and taken seriously. Right groups now stretched around Vimal was working at the State Bank beauty. They both liked the clean, Monga are daughters and son of “It is not a joke. It is a serious the world as online communities. of India and Sharda was employed as green, and friendly country and Vimal Kumar and Sharda Monga. matter, discrimination of a person They were hard to track, as a Librarian in Delhi University’s Lady decided to make it their home. They respectively in Auckland (New and a religious person. We live those involved mostly remained Sriram College. Sharda used her background in Zealand), Seattle (USA) and New in a free world and especially anonymous. In course of time, their two daugh- the beauty industry and set up a Delhi (India). democracy. New Zealand has DECEMBER 15, 2020 Entertainmentlink 17 Jalilo Gymkhana lives up to its name with added talent An evening of music, dance, fun and food by Rambutan Media Works Venkat Raman bout a month ago, announc- ing that they were organising a Programme, Yugendran and Malini Yugendran promised Athat it would be ‘dramatically distinct and different.’ Yugendran Vasudevan and Malini Yugendran Yugendran Vasudevan and Aswathy Sasidharan Organisers Malini Yugendran and Yugendran Vasudevan (extreme right) with participants and performers “All of us in New Zealand are brought together a wide range of talent proud to belong to a Nation of people who care for each other, which was how and why we kept Covid-19 under check. We are grateful to the government and in fact to everyone who complied with the rules and reg- ulations and prevented the spread of the Virus. This is time for celebration,” they said. “However, we will take all the pre- cautions in terms of the government directives. We will even have the QR Priyanca Radhakrishnan holds her Special Award, applauded by Yugendran and Michael Wood Amuthini Mohanraj and Sanchaya Soundhar welcome Michael Wood and Priyanca Radhakrishnan Code at the venue for people to log in with their NZ Covid Tracer App,” they said. And what an event it was! Fickling Convention Centre at Three Kings had undergone an impressive transformation with a festive atmos- phere with a well-decorated stage and guests welcomed with a genuine smile by a team of volunteers and families of participants. Programme presenters Dinesh Kumar and Meenakshi Subramanian with (from left) Yugendran holds the microphone for Nagesh Nemani watched by KS Bakshi and Guests of Honour Aarthi Natesan, Latha Ravindran, Jyothi Muddam and Ilango Krishnamoorthy Priyanca Radhakrishnan As guests arrived, the chief among them being Minister of Transport, Workplace Relations and Safety Michael Wood, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion, Ethnic Communities, Com- munity and Voluntary Sectors and Youth Priyanca Radhakrishnan. They were received with Indian Hospitality, underscored by the Tamil tradition of ‘Virunthombal,’ and personified by a banquet of Mathangi Parthasarathi and Shankar Programme presenters Aravind Hari and tasty dishes prepared by Thangavel Narayanan drew wide applause Aswini Swaminathan Saree draping competition was fun with a difference Mariappan and his team at Saffron Indian Restaurant in Manukau. Among other notable guests were former National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Former President and Current Treasurer and Founder-Trustee of New Zealand Hindu Temple Society (which owns and manages Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam in Mangere, Auckland) Ilango Krishnamoorthy, officials of various Associations and community groups and media persons. Nagesh Nemani, known for his Invocatory dance number in Bharata Natyam organisational ability, was at his best Abhishek Ravi presented another Wonder Girls performance received wide applause style by Ambika Krishnamoorthy Bharata Natyam item with the venue layout, ensuring that The melodious voices of Mathangi Sunder Raman won the contest for lowed by Ministers Michael Wood and with a Special Award by Mr Wood on guests were seated such as to obtain Parthasarathi and Shankar Narayanan wearing a saree in the shortest time Priyanca Radhakrishnan to present her appointment as a Minister of the an unobstructive view of the proceed- drew wide applause as they rendered and parading his wear to the delight of a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’ Crown, the first for a person of Indian ings on the stage. He was supported by popular numbers from Tamil films. the guests. Yugendran, Malini and their team origin. a team of volunteers. Teenagers representing ‘Wonder Life-Time Achievement and had put together a video showing my Nagesh Nemani was honoured for Presenters and Performers Girls’ danced to a medley of songs Other Awards yesteryear photographs with world his services to the community- a much The inaugural segment saw Nithya and sparkled with their dazzling The most surprising moment when leaders. Modesty precludes us from deserved Award. Suresh, an orator and debater costumes. There was a surprise item Masters of Ceremonies Amuthini displaying the photograph here. ‘Jalilo Gymkhana’ was one of a welcoming guests, followed by Dinesh of saree-draping by men, with oral Mohanraj and Sanchaya Soundhar Ms Radhakrishnan received wide kind. We look forward to more such Kumar and Meenakshi Subramanian instructions from their wives on stage. called this Reporter to the stage, fol- appreciation when she was presented programmes. attired as a Tamilian Iyer couple and speaking ‘Agraharam Tamil,’ Sergeant Gurpreet Arora and others. reminiscent of Kittu and Pattu Mami Minister recognises need to support family harm intervention About Gandhi Nivas in ‘Ethir Neechal,’ a 1968 K Balachan- Venkat Raman Gandhi Nivas is a partnership der film. They were ably followed between Serenity Foundation, later by Arvind Hari and Aswini Minister of the Crown has ac- and Sahaayta Swaminathan, imitating the version of knowledged that more should Counselling and Social Support. The Tamil still in vogue in ‘Koyambatoor,’ be done to reduce family harm Partnership was established in 2014, better known as Coimbatore. As a in New Zealand and support using a Lotteries Commission grant native of that City, now arguably the Abetter intervention programmes. and funding from Total Healthcare second largest in Tamil Nadu, I was ACC Minister said PHO and other private funders. grateful that its twangs and twists are that although family violence is a seri- The concept grew from discussions still maintained. ous problem, projects and programmes between Counties Manukau Police and Teenager Ambika Krishnamoorthy dedicated to tackling the issue are its South Asian Police Advisory Board presented an invocative number underfunded. ACC Minister Carmel Sepuloni with (from left) Kari Adams, Jenny Salesa, Ranjna Patel, John Tims with the objective of providing early in Bharata Natyam style, followed “Just about 2% of the total budget and Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki at the opening of the Family Counselling facility at Gandhi Nivas intervention and prevention services by Abhishek Ravi (also as a Bharata allocated to family violence is spent in Papakura, South Auckland (Picture by Karzin Leong, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, Auckland to people identified as at the risk of Natyam item). on intervention programmes,” she Gandhi Nivas and its growth over the Makarau) John Tims, Haku Foundation committing family violence to help Yugendran and Aswathy Sasidharan said, speaking at Gandhi Nivas in the past six years. Director Kari Adams, Martina O’Driscoll them change their behaviour, reduce commenced the journey of melody South Auckland suburb of Papakura on She inaugurated the Family Room (The Tindall Foundation), Monique (To- the likelihood of further family harm for the evening. In fact, the choice of Tuesday, December 15, 2020. at the Papakura facility, which will be tal Healthcare), Gandhi Nivas Chairman and increase safety for families. songs was exemplary, although not Ms Sepuloni, who is also Social used for counselling for families includ- Ranjna Patel, Advisory Board Members Gandhi Nivas is partially funded by surprising- Yugendran is not only a Development Minister visited Gandhi ing children- families of offenders who Inspector Mark Vela, Rakesh Naidoo, ACC. It provides emergency housing celebrated singer with hundreds of Nivas for the first time as a Minister, stay at the safe house for men. Senior Sergeant Sharon Price, Venkat and counselling to men who have songs and as an actor to his credit but although she attended the first Fund- Present at the event were Labour Raman (Indian Newslink), Sahaayta been issued with a Police Safety also the only son famous singer, the raising Programme of the Organisation MP and former Ethnic Communities Counselling and Support Director Such- Order (PSO) following an act of family late Malaysia Vasudevan. Rendered held in Auckland on April 23, 20215. Minister Jenny Salesa, Labour MP arita Varma, Team Leader Zoya Salim harm. Participating agencies describe by Karaoke style, each of the numbers She said that she was pleased to Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki, Kara, Family Harm Partnership Liaison the initiative as innovative and was worth an encore. learn of the work being done by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Tamaki Officer at Whangaia Nga Pa Harakeke ground-breaking. 18 Entertainmentlink/Classifiedlink DECEMBER 15, 2020 Award-Winning Book a perfect gift of the Season: Pass It On including Te Papa Press, Massey Supplied Content University Press, and Penguin Random House NZ. other and daughter duo Recipes and Images Shobha and Keryn Kaly- Pass It On is full of 103 recipes an recently took won two written by Shobha, each of which is National Book Awards complemented by a full-page image Mfor their beautiful and eye-catching photographed by Keryn. authentic Gujarati cookbook Pass The Book has been created and It On. designed in a way to allow readers It was Shobha’s dream to write a to feel that they are immersed in family Cookbook full of traditional the Indian Gujarati culture and Indian Gujarati recipes that have cuisine. The bright colours, vibrant been not only stood the test of photography and design, authentic time but also moved between recipes and the gold edging on each generations. page merge to create a wonderful Her grandparents were one of Karen Ferns (from Harper Collins), Shobha Kalyan, Keryn Kalyan, Shobha Kalyan, Keryn Kalyan, Mel Winder (from Hachette NZ), Gujarati experience. The Cookbook the first Gujaratis to arrive in New Aaron McKirdy (a Judge) Kiran Dass (a Judge) cover also strongly communicates Zealand in the 1920s, and hence their story showing Shobha’s hands it was no surprise that she was Now their authentic family passing spices down to Keryn’s surrounded by traditional Gujarati cuisine is preserved forever. hands. cuisine as she grew up. Awards and Citations Give it with love ‘Sensible Cooking’ In October 2020, Pass It On won This beautiful cookbook makes Shobha was taught by her awards through the Publishers the perfect gift and retails for mother to cook, although she never Association of New Zealand (PANZ). $59.99. Help them carry on the followed a set recipe. They won the Best Cover Award. legacy by buying a copy on their She and generations before her while their Freelance Designer website www.passitoncookbook. learnt to cook using their senses. Jessica Read took the Best Emerging co.nz. A percentage of every “You just ‘knew’ how much of Designer Award. book sold online will be donated each ingredient to be put or how They were the Runner-Up in the to Dementia Wellington, a cause to follow a certain technique,” she Best Cookbook category. close to their hearts after Shobha's says but it was not until she and This was the only self-published mother-in-law passed away. Keryn spent two years dedicated to cookbook in the running, and it Each book ordered online comes pouring their love into their own is a matter of pride that they won signed with a handwritten note. Cookbook that all their recipes were these Awards amongst some of the written down. Shobha and Keryn preparing food in their kitchen country’s big publishing names,

The Hindu Synthesis Manukau Indian Association marks Gita Jayanti on December 18 The ‘Hindu Synthesis’ emerged during Recitation of excerpts and commentators read varying relations the early Classical period (200 BCE-300 between Self and Brahman in the text: CE) of Hinduism. According to Colum- relevance from the Greatest bian Professor of Religion, History and Gift to humanity Advaita Vedanta sees the non-dualism of Atman (soul) and Brahman as its Human Sciences Alf Hiltebeitel, a period Venkat Raman essence, whereas Bhedabheda and of consolidation in the development of Hinduism took place between the time ndian Association Manukau New Vishishtadvaita see Atman and Brahman of the late Vedic Upanishad (ca 500 BCE) Zealand (IAMNZ) will etch a mile- as both different and non-different, and and the period of the rise of the Guptas stone in its history as it celebrates Dvaita sees them as different. (ca 320–467 CE) which he calls ‘Hindu ‘Gita Jayanti’ on Friday, December 18, Spiritual Dictionary Synthesis,’ ‘Brahmanic Synthesis,’ or I2020 at its Diversity Centre located at 25, The Bhagavad Gita’s call for selfless ‘Orthodox Synthesis.’ Tui Street in the South Auckland suburb action inspired many leaders of the Indi- It developed in interaction with other of Papatoetoe. an Independence Movement including religions and peoples. The event, planned to be held from 7 Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mohandas The emerging self-definitions of pm to 830 pm, will including recitation Karamchand Gandhi. Gandhi referred to Hinduism were forged in the context of of some excerpts the Bhagavad Gita and the Gita as his ‘Spiritual Dictionary.’ continuous interaction with heterodox its relevance to the modern-day world, Due to its presence in Mahabharata, religions (Buddhists, Jains, Ajivikas) culminating with ‘Gita Aarti,’ extolling the Bhagavad Gita is classified as a Smriti throughout this period, and with foreign the greatest gift of God to humankind. text or ‘that which is remembered.’ people (Yavanas, or Greeks; Sakas, or Association General Secretary Aman The Smriti texts of the years between Scythians; Pahlavas, or Parthians; and Kharbanda said that ‘Bhagavad Gita 200 BCE-100 CE belong to the emerging Kusanas, or Kushans) from the third Aarti’ or ‘Gita Aarti’ is a prayer found in Lord Krishna delivers the Bhagavad Gita to ‘Hindu Synthesis,’ proclaiming the phase on (between the Mauryan Empire Bhagavad Gita Shastra, summarising the Arjuna at the Battle of Kurukshetra authority of the Vedas while integrating The Bhagavad Gita for Universal Realisation and the rise of the Guptas). glory and importance of Bhagavad Gita. various Indian traditions and religions. of Ekadashi and chant Bhajans and (kobo.com) The Bhagavad Gita is the sealing “The texts were originally revealed in Acceptance of the Vedas became a perform Poojas. In some places, stage achievement of this Hindu Synthesis, the classical language of Sanskrit spoken central criterion for defining Hinduism plays and Gita-chanting competitions incorporating various religious on the Indian Sub-continent. Aarti can over and against the heterodoxies, which are held for children. traditions. be spoken or sung with musical instru- About Bhagavad Gita rejected the Vedas. ments to give more effect to worship. I Most people know that Lord Krishna is usually performed at the end of the (Lord Vishnu) ‘delivered’ the Gita to Annual performance of Desibeat Pooja ritual. It is said that if there was Arjuna at the Battle of Kurukshetra ex- any flaw in the Pooja, then its fulfilment plaining why means also justify the end Dance School this weekend can be done by Aarti,” he said. (‘Dharma’ or Righteousness is always the Gita Aarti is a highlight of Gita Jayanti Venkat Raman Mr Kharbanda said that the event victor) and that ‘All is fair in war.’ (Wikimedia Commons) will include speakers to impart the Recent screening of India’s great epic our and five-year old children importance of Gita in the daily lives of ‘Mahabharata’ (culminating in the Batlle will be centre of attraction at people. of Kurukshetra) in various television the annual performance of About Gita Jayanti channels in various Indian langauges ‘Desibeat Bollywood Dance School’F on Sunday, December 20, 2020 Gita Jayanti denotes the Birthday of has kindled the interest of the youth on Bhagavad Gita, the most Sacred Text of the Bhagavad Gita. at Blockhouse Bay Community Centre Hindus. The Bhagavad Gita, with 700-verses, located at 524 Blockhouse Bay Road, Gita Jayanti is celebrated by devotees a part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata Blockhouse Bay in Auckland. Mahima Chopra, who runs the of Lord Krishna (followers of Sanatana (Chapters 25 to 42 of the Sixth Book was telecast on the ‘Seven Sharp’ Dharma) and consider Bhagavad Gita as of Mahabharata). The Gita is set in a School, has a passion for exploring and exposing talent among people, more Programme of TV One on November their Divine Mother because she teaches, narrative framework of a dialogue 13, 2020,” she said. in a non-sectarian and scientific manner) between Pandava Prince Arjuna and his so among younger members of the communities. Enthusiasm and Talent how to re-establish our lost relationship Guide and Charioteer Lord Krishna. Ramya said that the forthcoming with God Almighty (The Supreme). Facing the duty as a warrior to fight A Paediatric Nurse by profession and a dialogue between diverging attitudes programme will not only showcase the Many devotees believe that en-masse the Dharma Yudh or Righteous War a mother of a three-year-old child, she concerning the methods of attaining enthusiasm and talent of children but recitation of all the 700 verses of the Gita between Pandavas and Kauravas, finds time to pursue the art of dancing, liberation (Moksha). also the willingness of parents and the chanted throughout the day will bring Arjuna is counselled by Lord Krishna more importantly, imparting them in The Bhagavad Gita was exposed courage of homemakers to step out of happiness and good health to people to “fulfill his Kshatriya (warrior) duty enthusiasts, irrespective of their age. to the world through Sanjay, who the comfort of their homes and support worldwide. and establish Dharma.” Inserted in this A teacher of passion senses and cognises all the events of the their children. Devotees also fast on this day because appeal to Kshatriya Dharma (chivalry) is Ramya Negi, a teacher at Desibeat, battlefield. Sanjay was Kaurava King who sent us this report, paid tribute to “Mahima is an inspiring woman Dhritarashtra’s advisor and charioteer. the dedication of Mahima. and the 10-year journey of Desibeat Staff Wanted for Beauty Clinic Theistic theme “Even during the lockdown period is a story that everyone must know. The Bhagavad Gita presents a synthe- earlier this year, Mahima kept her At Desibeat, all are welcome to learn A very busy, Award Winning Skin and Anti-Ageing Clinic sis of the concept of Dharma, Theistic students motivated and committed to dance, regardless of prior skills or needs the following Staff: Bhakti, the Yogic Ideals of Moksha dancing by conducting classes online. knowledge. Students are given oppor- tunities to participate in competitions. Beauty Clinic Manager through Jnana, Bhakti, Karma and Raja As a nurse, she was extremely busy at Yoga (mentioned in the Sixth Chapter) work but even so, found time to pursue Desibeat is about Trust, Courage and Nail Technician and Samkhya philosophy. her passion. The Junior Group at Desi- Respect and Mahima is the role model,” Hairdresser Numerous commentaries have been beat won the ‘People’s Choice Award’ at she said. written on the Gita with widely differing the Auckland Diwali Festival by a large Tickets priced at $10 can be obtained Send your CV to [email protected] views on the essentials. Vedanta margin of votes. Their performance from [email protected] DECEMBER 15, 2020 Sportslink 19

BRINGS TO YOU 20 Sportslink DECEMBER 15, 2020 Sri Lanka lifts PANZ Annual Cricket Tournament Cup Kohli fastest batsman in One Day International

Naveed Hamid

akistan Association of New Zealand (PANZ) held a multiethnic Tape Ball Cricket Tournament on Sunday, December 6, 2020. PTape Ball Cricket is a very fast paced short PANZ President Naveed Hamid presenting the PANZ Principal Advisor Gul Qaisrani presents overs Cricket format where plastic tape Winner’s Trophy to Sri Lankan Team Captain Runner Up Trophy to Pakistan Team Captain layers are put on the tennis ball for extra pace and speed. This form of Cricket is indigenous to Pakistan and played throughout the country as a national past time. It is increasingly getting popular in the Cricketing world. The Tournament, 13th in an annual Virat Kohli of India plays a shot during the Second ODI match between India and series of PANZ, was played at Glover Park in Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Sunday, November 29, 2020 (Photo Courtesy: ICC Twitter/ANI Photo) St Heliers from 7am to 7pm. PANZ Principal Advisor Gul Qaisrani with the PANZ President Naveed Hamid with the Sri Sixteen teams of various ethnic back- Pakistan Team Lankan Team and PANZ officials 2,000 runs mark reached at both matches, playing a knock of 105 grounds participated in the event. Among entertainment for the players and families communities can engage with other ethnic match against Australia and 104 in the first and second ODI them were players of Pakistani, Indian, throughout the day. and local communities. India’s Skipper Virat Kohli respectively. Sri Lanka, Afghani, Bangladeshi and New More than 300 men, women and children The Association encourages the Pakistani became the fastest batsman Although India have already lost representing various ethnicities attended Diaspora to be proud of their culture, 1to score 12,000 ODI runs today the three-match series, the Kohli-led Zealand origin. Semi-finals were played between Pashtun the event. Teams and families travelled from language, values and the achievements of (Wednesday), December 2, 2020. side still has much to play for in the United (Pakistan) and Epson Lightening (Sri Hamilton and other cities to participate in our youth. Kohli achieved the feat during the final ODI of the series. Apart from Lankan) and Nengyalees (Afghanistan) and the Tournament, relaxing and catching up “We take opportunities such as the Cricket ongoing third ODI against Australia avoiding the humiliating ODI series Loaded 8 (Pakistan). with families and friends. Tournament to show our true identity of a being played at the Manuka Oval. whitewash, India can earn points Epson Lightening and Loaded 8 qualified There were many activities, including fun dignified and peace-loving Nation through According to the International Cricket in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to enter the final match. and games organised as part of the event our diverse culture, rich history, arts, food, Council, he took only 242 innings to Super League. Epsom Lightening representing Sri Lanka for children and families such as kite flying, songs, unity, zeal and enthusiasm to other touch the landmark figure. He is just The series between India and Aus- won the Tournament, taking home the face painting, cartoon characters, bouncing communities living in New Zealand. the sixth player to do so. tralia is a part of the ICC Men’s Cricket Winner’s Trophy, Loaded 8 representing castle. As the Quid-e-Azam said, “With Faith, India won the toss and opted to bat World Cup Super League and defeats Pakistan were runner up and hence called Pakistani cuisine was available through- Discipline and Selfless Devotion to Duty, first in the third and final ODI against in the opening two ODIs means India the Second Position trophy. out the day alongside other ethnic fusion there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot Australia. is yet to open their account. Three main honours food options. achieve.” Australia have already sealed the Whereas, Australia have so far Man of the Match in the Final was M Apna TV and PANZ streamed the event “We also aim to promote better three-match ODI series against India played five matches in the Super Masand for taking three wickets. live. communication, liaison and understanding as the hosts enjoy an unassailable League, registering four wins and PW Amaradiwakara was declared the About the Pakistan Association between the association and government 2-0 lead. one defeat. With 40 points under Best Bowler for taking nine wickets, while Established in 1989, Pakistan Association departments, local bodies, ethnic and The Aaron Finch-led team regis- their belt, Australia top the ICC Men’s the honour of being the Best Batsman went of New Zealand is committed to providing cultural associations. tered a 66-run win in the first ODI Cricket World Cup Super League to Osama Khalid. communities with opportunities ane enable Naveed Hamid is President of Pakistan Association of and a 51-run win in the second. standings followed by England, who The Tournament provided fun and them to celebrate the culture and where New Zealand. Steve Smith smashed a century in have 30 points from six games. (ANI) Property Finance Specialists

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