Indian Newslink Digital Edition June 1, 2015 Edition

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FREE 

Daylight murder rattles Indian community 

Venkat Raman 

The murder of an international 

student from India in broad 

daylight in the busy Central 

Business District of Auckland 

last week has raised concerns among 

the members of the community. 

However, as an isolated incident, 

which occurred shortly after midday 

on Friday, May 23, 2015, it is likely 

to be relationship issue and as such 

evoked sympathy and helpless anger, 

especially among international 

students. 

Twenty-two-year old Parmita Rani 

was reportedly stabbed several times 

on that fateful afternoon with scores 

of students and others present within 

the premises. 

She later died of related injuries at 

the Auckland hospital. 

Another man is said to have been 

hurt in the incident, which occurred 

Free Media will spell true democracy in Fiji 

Phil Goff 

The general election held on 

September 17, 2014 was a turning 

point for Fiji and for the bilateral 

relations with New Zealand. 

Re-establishment of an elected 

Parliament provides an opportunity for 

us to reengage with Fiji, and to rebuild 

relations. 

That can be 

made easier 

because despite 

successive 

coups that 

have affected 

governmentto-government 

relationships, 

Kiwis and Fijians have always got on 

well together on people-to-people relations. 

I was a part of the team that visited 

Fiji last month, the first in many years. It 

included Parliament Speaker David Carter 

and Clerk of Parliament Mary Harris 

Refreshing change 

Its purpose was both a show of support 

for the reestablishment of Fiji’s democracy 

and anoffer to work with its Parliament 

to create a strong and sustainable 

Parliamentary system. 

www.indiannewslink.co.nz ■ Phone: 09 533 6377 ■ info@indiannewslink.co.nz ■ Issue No 324 ■ JUNE1 2015 

in a building situated in the corner of 

Auckland’s busy Karangahape Road 

and Liverpool Streets, close to the 

Upper Queen Street. 

The incident occurred around 1215 

pm outside the AWI International 

Education Group School where 

Parmita was an IT student. She is 

believed to have lived in the South 

Auckland suburb of Manurewa since 

2013. 

Man charged 

The Auckland District Court 

charged a 29-year-old man with 

murder on August 25 and remanded 

him to custody, granting him 

temporary name suppression. 

It is understood that he is also from 

India and a resident of Manurewa. 

According to the information given 

to the Police, the accused offender 

was waiting for Parmita to come out 

of the School where she was writing 

her examination papers. 

After eight years without elected 

representatives, it was good to see how 

quickly Fiji’s new Parliament is settling 

in office. 

Opposition members were asking good 

questions and Ministers were quickly 

adjusting tothe fact that they can now be 

held to account for their decisions. 

Our role was not to criticise 

shortcomings in the system but to engage 

constructively to help where we can 

to build a strong democracy and the 

conventions needed to underpin it. 

Good progress 

Fiji’s economy has made good progress. 

The Government also deserves praise 

for working to remove discrimination 

Parmita Rani 

TVNZ’s One News quoted Joe 

Johar, a witness, as saying that he 

had seen a man who was stabbed in 

the neck and was bleeding heavily. 

Police Northern Communications 

Centre Inspector Kerry Watson said 

Phil Goff with David Carter and Mark Mitchell in Fiji 

based on ethnicity.Indo-Fijians have 

lived for generations in Fiji as secondclass 

citizens. 

New Zealand is now in a position to 

further develop and strengthen connections 

with Fiji. 

We will provide a big boost to 

development assistance, taking it up to 

$30 million. 

We will also allow greater access to New 

Zealand by Fijians. 

Quota System 

Hundreds of Fijians will be able to 

participate in seasonal work in New 

Zealand through the Recognised Seasonal 

Employment Scheme. 

Fijians will also have access to the 

that the Police were not seeking 

any other persons in relation to this 

incident. 

Friendly woman 

Comments posted by the School on 

a Facebook page described Parmita 

as a “friendly and smiling woman.’ 

“Let us offer a prayer to our 

beloved Parmita. Let her smiling face 

remind us as how good of a person 

and a friend she was everyone. Let us 

also pray for her family in this time 

of grief. May we also be reminded of 

the good memories we have shared 

with her,” it said. 

Auckland City District Police 

Commander Superintendent 

Richard Chambers, Asian Liaison 

Officer Jessica Phuang, Wellington 

based National Ethnic Advisor 

Inspector Rakesh Naidoo have been 

in consultation with the Indian and 

international student communities to 

find ways and means of improving 

Pacific Quota Scheme, allowing 250 

people each year to gain permanent 

residency based on a ballot. 

There are many challenges still ahead 

for Fiji.Democracy needs a free media and 

an independent judiciary. 

It needs strong conventions that the 

military is subservient to a government 

elected by the people. 

Coup mentality is damaging. 

These are issues that Fiji must address 

of its own accord. 

New Zealand however is signalling that 

at Fiji’s request we will work with it to 

strengthen the institutions and conventions 

necessary for a resilient and sustainable 

parliamentary democracy. 

Phil Goff is former Foreign Affairs, 

Trade and Justice Minister and has been 

Member of Parliament for almost 35 years. 

Elected from Mt Roskill, he is today Labour 

Party’s Spokesperson for Ethnic Affairs 

and Auckland Issues. He was a member 

of the first Parliamentary delegation (since 

December 5, 2006) to visit Fiji last month. 

The delegation included Parliamentary 

Speaker David Carter and National Party 

MP and Chairperson of Parliamentary 

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs Mark 

Mitchell. A related story appears under 

Fijilink in this issue. 

FREE 

safety and security of students. 

Safety measures 

Indian Newslink whose Editor 

is on the Asian Advisory Board of 

Auckland City District Police, South 

Asian Advisory Board of Counties 

Manukau District Police and the 

National Ethnic Focus Forum of 

Police Commissioner Mike Bush, 

has been working with the Police, 

government officials and community 

organisations to address issues. 

Wellington based Indian High 

Commission Second Secretary and 

Head of Chancery Sandeep Sood 

has assured that the Indian High 

Commission is always keen to serve 

the Indian community and that he and 

his officials would facilitate quick 

processing of all formalities and offer 

timely assistance to the families and 

friends of victims. 

Lawyer dies in 

boat tragedy 

Shean Singh, a well-known 

barrister and lawyer, died on 

Sunday, May 24 in a boat accident 

while out at sea near Waikato. 

While the Corner’s Report is 

awaited, we understand that Mr 

Singh and three others managed to 

swim ashore but he died thereafter. 

Mr Singh left behind his wife 

Darshan, also a barrister and their 

two sons Shannon and Christopher 

and two daughters Olivia and 

Simran. 

He will be cremated at 

Snappers Rock Cemetry in Albany 

after a funeral service at 1 pm on 

Saturday, May 30, 2015. 

Indian Newslink will publish a 

detailed profile of Sean Singh who 

was known to us for more than 15 

year in our next issue.-SR 

Sarfraz (Saif) 

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Samaritan Singh earns global accolades 

Venkat Raman 

Far being chastised for what 

would on other occasions be 

considered impermissible, 

international student 

Harmanpreet Singh has not only 

earned world attention but also made 

his Sikh community proud. 

What he did on the morning of 

Friday, May 15, 2015 in the South 

Auckland suburb of Takanini was out 

of the ordinary for many – he removed 

his turban to use as a temporary 

bandage to the bleeding head of a local 

pupil hit by a speeding car. 

Everything right 

Harmanpreet was the right man at 

the right time at the right place doing 

the right thing. No one would have 

objected to his action; in fact, it proved 

what Sikhs believe- to promote the 

goodness in every human being and be 

of assistance to any person, especially 

those in distress. 

Five-year-old Daejon Pahia was on 

his way to school when a car knocked 

him off. Harmanpreet, who saw the 

incident, rushed to the rescue of the 

boy, removed his turban and used it 

as a cushion to stop the bleeding. He 

remained there along with a few others 

until medical help arrived. 

Show of Gratitude 

When he visited the Starship 

Hospital four days later, he found 

Daejon not only recovering but also 

waiting to greet him with a ‘Thank 

You’ Card, balloons and flowers. 

‘Daejon and his family would just 

like to say thank you for helping and 

saving Daejon.We are very grateful,” 

were the words written on the card. 

Probably still unaware of the major 

following that he had begun to attract 

all over the world, all that Harmanpreet 

worried was if the boy was recovering 

well. 

“I am very happy to see Daejon 

doing well. He is a brave young lad. 

His parents have been repeatedly 

thanking me. I do not think it is 

necessary. I did what should come 

naturally to any human being,” he said. 

Useful Reward 

As Harmanpreet came into limelight, 

his modest economic condition 

also became apparent. Visiting his 

apartment, reporters and the crew 

of One News (TV One) noticed that 

he was sleeping on the floor since 

he could not afford a bed. They also 

observed that the furniture around the 

house was plastic. 

They decided to do their part of 

expressing gratitude. 

Their bosses decided to contact the 

‘Big Save Furniture’ chain store and 

arranged with them to provide a bed, 

lounge suit and a coffee table. 

“I could not believe my eyes 

when a furniture van turned up the 

driveway. I was moved to tears; I 

was overwhelmed by the unexpected 

generosity. This is the biggest surprise 

of my life,” he said. 

At that moment, Harmanpreet 

thought of his father who had left this 

world last year. 

“If he could see me right now, he 

would have been proud of me,” he 

said. 

Egalitarian Religion 

Sikhism was founded on the concept 

of oneness and justice, and the Gurus 

rejected all social inequalities. They 

rebuked discriminatory practiced and 

encouraged women to take up active 

leadership positions. 

It is also relevant here to state that 

Sikhism established new practices to 

challenge social norms such as the 

caste system that perpetuated social 

inequalities. For instance, the tenth 

Guru asked all Sikhs to abandon their 

last names, which identified caste and 

asked them to take their collective last 

names. These were names reserved 

for royal families to signify the 

inherent equality and nobility of 

every individual. These were ‘Kaur’ 

for women and ‘Singh’ for men. 

The Gurus established the institution 

of ‘Langar,’ a free meal provided at 

every Gurdwara, open to all people, 

who sit together on the ground, 

regardless of caste, social status, 

gender or religious background. 

Sikhs honour 

The Auckland Sikh Society 

honoured Harmanpreet on May 24 

at Sri Dasmesh Darbar Gurdwara 

Indian Newslink June 1, 2015 

Harmanpreet tending to Daejon Pahia on May 15 2.015 National MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar honours Harmanpreet on May 24 

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a special meeting convened to donate 

$5100 to the New Zealand Red Cross 

Society for the victims of the Nepal 

earthquakes. 

Auckland Fund Raising Coordinator 

Claire Yu received the cheque at the 

event. 

Society Secretary Raj Bedi said 

that Harmanpreet was honoured by 

National MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar at 

the meeting. 

“The timely cushion prevented 

excessive bleeding from the head 

of five-year-old Daejon Pahia. 

Harmanpreet held on to the boy’s head 

until the ambulance arrived. Under the 

Sikh religion, no Sikh removes the 

turban in full public view but what 

he did saved the boy’s life. It was 

commendable,” Mr Bedi said. 

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Priyanca Radhakrishnan 

Why are women under-represented at 

senior governance levels? 

A Massey University 2013 analysis 

of 107 NZX listed companies 

revealed that over half of them 

(54%) had no women directors 

and that only five of them (5%) 

had gender-balanced boards. 

More than 85%of all companies 

on the NZX had less than 30% 

of their board roles filled by 

female directors, and only five 

companies out of 107 had a female inthe role of 

Chairperson, with two of those chair roles held by 

the same woman. 

No dearth 

I am sure that most of us would agree that there 

is no dearth of competent women who would be 

suitable for governance and senior leadership roles. 

Both India and New Zealand have had many 

women at the helm in political and business arenas. 

Indira Gandhi, Helen Clark, Indra Nooyi (Pepsi Co, 

USA) and Theresa Gattung (former Telecom Chief 

Executive) are virtually household names.There 

are many more examples of women business and 

political leaders. 

Tough questions 

Therefore, if some women have made it through 

the proverbial glass ceiling, why are women still 

grossly under-represented around the board table 

and at senior management levels?Are companies 

just not hiring or appointing women at senior 

leadership, including governance roles? Or is it an 

issue of retention? 

The Ministry for Women proposes that there 

are three main reasons that women are underrepresented 

in leadership positions, namely, 

unconscious bias, career breaks and a lack of 

flexible work options. 

Unconscious bias 

An unconscious bias refers to a set of beliefs that 

are created and reinforced by our experiences and 

environments.We all have biases - some are explicit 

and easy for us to identify and others are implicit. 

Both our explicit and implicit assumptions can affect 

the decisions we make. 

Our minds are constantly processing information at 

high speeds, and sometimes, when wehave to make 

a decision very quickly or without the required data, 

our unconscious bias fills in the gaps. 

Sexist stereotypes 

Therein rests the problem with sexist and racist 

stereotypes. 

The more we consume such stereotypes, in the 

media, in advertisements, and through song lyrics, 

the more they reinforce our own unconscious bias. 

Unconscious biases in hiring practices and board 

appointments must be addressed in order to increase 

cultural and gender diversity at senior management 

levels and on boards. 

There is also a growing body research, led by 

scientists at Google,exploring how we can prevent 

our unconscious biases from negatively impacting 

our decisions and interactions. 

Crucial tests 

For example, there are tests like the Implicit 

Association Test that assesses associations between 

your attributes – gender, race or sexual orientationand 

your positive or negative views towards them. 

Such measures allow those on hiring or appointment 

panels to test their own unconscious biases. 

Primary Caregivers 

Women also face challenges to career progression 

when they re-enter the workforce after taking time 

out to raise children or care for the elderly – and 

New Zealand Census data indicates that women are 

more likely to be the primary caregiver. 

Employer attitudes to such breaks can make it 

difficult for women to re-enter theworkforce and to 

progress to senior roles or be appointed to corporate 

governance roles. 

KPMG Research Studies show that while 

caregiving may slow women’s career progress,it 

has not been significant in stopping them from 

getting to the top. 

It is employers’ perceptions of caregiving as a 

barrier that holds them back. 

Aussies Views 

Research conducted by Kronos, a leading 

workforce management firm, showed that 

someAustralian organisations would not consider 

candidates for senior positions if they hadtaken a 

career break or had worked part-time. 

Kronos’ research also found that Australian 

employers have a pre disposition towards candidates 

who are ‘young, male and unattached.’ 

Greater gender and ethnic diversity at the top 

allows for greater diversity of thought. 

No lip-service please 

Mere tokenism is never the answer and is often the 

argument against quotas, targets and other measures. 

The tokenism argument, however, assumes that we 

do not have enough competent women. Competence 

must always be the bottom line. 

Addressing the barriers to women’s participation 

in senior leadership merely removes barriers and 

allows competent women to contribute to thought 

diversity at the top echelons. 

I commend Indian Newslink for dedicating the 

Fifth Annual Sir Anand Satyanand Lecture 2015 

to a discussion about and celebration of the role of 

women in governance. 


Gender diversity essential for better governance 

Priyanca Radhakrishnan is a strong advocate 

of ethnic and gender diversity in corporate 

governance and in public life. She is a Member 

of the Labour Party Policy Council and lives in 

Auckland. 

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Visa changes must enter all of New Zealand 

Kamil Lakshman 

Associate Immigration 

Minister Craig Foss 

recently made a number of 

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workers will have to fill this gap. 

These workers can come through 

various immigration pathways 

including those on working holiday, 

students and people with Essential 

Skills. 

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) 

should have in place proper systems 

and measures including streamlined 

visa processes, labour market 

flexibility and zero tolerance towards 

migrant exploitation. 

Policy Changes 

Christine Hyndman, Immigration 

Policy Manager at the Ministry 

of Business, Innovation and 

Employment told a Christchurch 

Immigration Law Conference in 

Auckland that the changes would 

include the following: 

The maximum duration of 

Essential Skills visas for lowerskilled 

occupations in Canterbury 

will be extended to three years for 

applications received between July 

2015 and December 2016. This 

change will mean increased certainty 

for employers and employees and 

reduced cost of doing business with 

government; 

Essential skills visas granted in 

Canterbury between July 2015 and 

December 2017 will allow the visa 

holder to work for any employer in 

the same occupation (no variation of 

condition is required); 

Holders of current Essential Skills 

work visas will be able to apply for 

variation of condition to remove the 

condition stating the employer on 

their visa – meaning that they will 

not have to apply for a variation of 

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flexibility in the Canterbury labour 

market and make it easier for migrants 

to leave exploitative employers. 

Accreditation Scheme 

INZ will introduce an Accreditation 

Scheme for labour hire companies 

similar to accredited employers. 

They must demonstrate a 

commitment to training and 

employing New Zealanders and good 

work place practices. Accreditation 

will be compulsory for companies 

employing migrants for work in the 

construction sector in Canterbury 

to hire Essential Skills work visa 

holders. This is because some 

migrants in this sector are more 

vulnerable to exploitation. 

Accredited companies will also 

receive longer visa durations and 

faster visa processing. 

These changes would be welcome 


4 

for Christchurch. 

Outcome watch 

Whether Auckland and Wellington 

will eventually have the same 

approach given the new building 

requirements in Wellington and the 

building boom in Auckland remains 

to be seen. 

Christchurch will become the most 

attractive destination for migrant 

workers. 

Kamil Lakshman is a Lawyer & 

Principal of Wellington based law 

firm Idesi Legal Limited. She can be 

contacted on (04) 4616018 or 021- 

1598803. Email: kamil.lakshman@ 

idesilegal.co.nz; The opinions 

expressed in her article above 

are her own and not that of Idesi 

Legal Limited or Indian Newslink. 

Readers can send their comments to 

editor@indiannewslink.co.nz 

Young Sikh sets 

exemplary example 

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi 

Harmanpreet Singh, a 

22-year old student 

living in Auckland, 

recently received 

international recognition for 

his efforts. 

He was inside his house 

when Daejon Pahia, a five-year 

old boy was hit by a car while 

on his way to School. 

Harmanpreet removed his 

turban and placed it under the 

boy’s head to avoid further 

bleeding. 

Sikh Philosophy 

He did what any human being 

should do. He immediately 

rushed to the spot and tried his 

best to assist. It was because of 

Harman’s actions that today he 

has earned respect from people 

across the globe. 

He has provided an example 

of the philosophy of Sikh 

religion. 

The third part of Sikh 

‘Ardas’ has the quotation of 

‘Maan Neeva Maat Unchi.’ 

The words ‘Neeva’ and 

‘Unchi’ are puzzling when 

used together.‘Neeva’ refers 

to lowand ‘Uncha’ refers to 

high. The words ‘Maan’ and 

‘Maat’ refer to the mind and 

ones wayof thinking.The Ardas 

teaches us to keep our ego in 

control and our mind of simple 

and high thinking. 

Five Items 

The five ‘Kakkars’(or five 

items of Sikh faith) areKesh, 

Kangha, Kara, Kachera and 

Kirpan. ‘Kesh’ was prescribed 

by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib 

so that a Sikh’s identity 

remains distinct. A Sikh, as 

per guidance provided by the 

Guru, never cuts or trims their 

hair as an indication that their 

creation by the Guru is perfect. 

The Turban 

A Sikh wears a ‘Dastar’ 

or ‘Turban’ to protect his 

‘Kesh’(hair) and to guard the 

‘Dasam Duaar’(The Tenth 

Gate), a spiritual opening at 

the top of the head. 

The Turban is also a constant 

reminder to every Sikh that 

he or she sits on a throne of 

consciousness. The actions 

displayed by Harman obey 

this principle that is deeply 

espoused in Sikhism. 

The ‘Kara’ is an iron bangle 

that serves as a reminder to all 

Sikhs that their actions must 

always be as per the teachings 

of our Gurus.It also symbolises 

life as never ending and serves 

as a permanent bond to our 

community and to the world 

at large. 

The Dagger 

The ‘Kirpan’ is a short 

symbolic dagger that serves as 

Harmanpreet Singh 

a reminder to all Sikhs of their 

duty to come to the defence of 

those in need. 

The teachings of our Gurus 

guide us that it is the duty of 

a true Sikh to help those who 

suffer unjustly, by whatever 

means available. 

Harmanpreet’s actions 

have provided all of us with 

an example of how to follow 

andabide by the teachings of 

our Gurus, to place humanity 

above and beyond everything. 


has been a Member of 

Parliament on National 

List since November 2008. 

He is also Chairman of the 

Parliamentary Law & Order 

Select Committee. Another 

article on Harmanpreet 

Singh appears under 

Homelink. 

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EDUCATIONLINK 

The Stars of Race Unity twinkle on stage 

Venkat Raman 

There is an old Tamil saying that 

victory comes to those who 

articulate well. 

The gift of the gab does not 

always purport verbosity but saying 

the right word with righteous belief has 

the most powerful and enduring effect. 

The ability to stand up and argue 

with conviction distinguishes people, 

regardless of their age, disposition or 

even erudition. 

The young mind is seldom restricted 

by environment or for that matter even 

the audience. It speaks its thoughts and 

delivers opinions. 

The Great Race 

That was how it was at the Annual 

Race Unity Speech Competition which 

the New Zealand Police sponsors 

with enthusiasm and energy, not 

least because it symbolises freedom 

of speech but because it fosters the 

young to think and speak, promoting 

in the process the concept of oneness. 

Wellington based New Zealand 

Police National Ethnic Advisor 

Inspector Rakesh Naidoo personified 

the anxiety of his Organisation to 

engage with the people of all ethnicities 

in general and the younger members 

of the society in particular and enthuse 

them to debate on issues that matter to 

them and to the country at large. 

Small to Big 

“This year’s theme, ‘Big Change 

Starts Small,’ held at Mahurehure 

Marae in Pt Chevalier, Auckland on 

Saturday May 16, 2015, was indicative 

of the need to maintain and promote 

New Zealand’s achievement as a 

peaceful and harmonious nation. 

We are increasingly becoming 

multiculturalist and multilingual and 

it is therefore necessary to engage in 

healthy dialogue for collective thinking 

Kimberly D’Mello, the Winner 

and action,” he said. 

The theme, taken from the speech 

of the winner of the 2014 competition, 

captured the essence of Race Relations 

Day to which the event was dedicated. 

There were moments of seriousness, 

sobriety, humour and solemnness as 

well as those of laughter, theatrical 

skills and language delivery as students 

from schools from Bay of Plenty to 

Dunedin argued on the need to forge 

unity, despite our diversity. 

The Treaty Reference 

There were eight finalists in the 

competition and almost all of them 

referred, as if on a cue, to the Treaty 

of Waitangi and its 175th anniversary 

celebrated on February 6, seeking to 

draw the achievements or otherwise 

of the famous document. 

The teenagers showed their 

penchant for quietude (evident in 

the eloquent speech of Waimarama 

Matenafrom Wanganui High School) 

and anxiety to foster a more inclusive 

society (as witnessed for instance in 

the presentation of Gauri Prabhakar of 

Lynfield College, Auckland) appeasing 

the ageing generation that all will be 

well with them. 

Judges challenged 

Each contestant was forceful, 

elegant and superb in his or her oratory 

skills, creating a major challenge for 

the panel of judges, which included 

Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Race 

Relations Commissioner Dame 

Susan Devoy, Ethnic Communities 

Office Director Berlinda Chin, AUT 

Professor of Diversity Dr Edwina 

Pio and Barbara Morgan of Speech 

Communications Association. 

However, there was little surprise 

when Kimberly D’Mello, Year 12 

student of Aquinas College, Tauranga 

was declared Winner, followed 

by Louis Paul of Huanui College, 

Northland and Stephanie Cooper of 

Rangitoto College, Auckland as Joint 

Runners-Up. 

Winning Speech 

Kimberly proved the dictum that 

right words are not enough, it is 

the moment that matters. She also 

proved that three essential elements 

determined a good speech- something 

important to say, ability to say it well 

and the moment of consequence on 

which response is based to gain the 

attention of an audience. 

She converted Race Relations, 

Community Unity and the Competition 

theme (‘Big Change Starts Small’) into 

a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ exercise. 

“Don’t wait for someone else; Do 

it yourself. Don’t get someone else to 

fix the problem; Do it yourself. Don’t 

rely on the Aussies; Do it yourself!” 

she said to a thunderous applause. 

There were moments of seriousness, 

even interrogation, when Kimberly 

asked a few questions, aiming 

particularly at none. 

DIY Nation 

It was a half-question and halfstatement, 

when she said, “Would it 

not be cool if we built bridges between 

cultures rather than building walls to 

contain our differences? We are aiming 

at building those bridges of Race 

Unity. So are we gonna get some bloke 

Indian Newslink JUne1, 2015 

Kimberly D’Mello with (from left) Judges Barbara Morgan, Dr Edwina Pio, Berlinda Chin, Dame Susan Devoy and Rakesh Naidoo 

6 

in? Come on mate, Do It Yourself!” 

“New Zealand has its own identity. 

We have come this far,” she said. 

Kimberley said as New Zealanders, 

we should take pride in our Nation and 

believe in our ability to achieve and 

punch above our weight. 

“We are a progressive nation in so 

many respects and the world looks 

up to us. We should have the ability 

to analyse our rock star economy, 

marvel at our low unemployment, be 

astounded by our low crime rate, be 

surprised that we made the ‘Lord of 

the Rings’ movies and be astonished 

by what our small country can do!” 

she said. 

The Finalists 

Among the other finalists were 

Christine Shao, Macleans College, 

Gauri Prabhakar, Lynfield College 

(Auckland), Jacobi Kohu, Morris 

Logan Park High School (Dunedin), 

Saffron Huang, Macleans College 

(Auckland) and Waimarama Matena, 

Wanganui High School (Wanganui) 

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Guest Speaker: 

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The Role 

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Pullman Hotel, Auckland 

Master of Ceremonies: 

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EDUCATIONLINK 

Finnish experience should 

teach us a lesson or two 

Jane Silloway-Smith 

Spend any time with an 

education reformer and 

you are likely to hear 

something about Finland. 

This Scandinavian country of 

5.5 million has been the toast of 

the education circuit for much of 

the 2000s, regularly topping the 

international charts in student 

achievement. 

Educationalists around the 

world have, over the past decade 

and a half, tried to figure out 

what it was that made Finnish 

education so great, and how they 

could bring those things to their 

own countries. 

Student-led learning, no 

standardised testing, a systemwide 

focus on equity, and short 

school days and years were the 

often cited secrets to Finland’s, 

and presumably one day everyone 

else’s, success. 

Sliding scale 

But this decade-and-a-halflong 

orthodoxy is now being 

called into question. 

In the last two rounds of 

PISA testing out of the OECD, 

Finnish students have slid 

precipitously out of the top spots 

in mathematics, reading and 

scientific literacy. 

A new study from the Centre 

for Policy Studies in the UK seeks 

to discover why this is happening 

and what lessons this may have 

for education reformers around 

the world. 

Gabriel Heller Sahlgren finds 

in ‘Real Finnish Lessons: The true 

story of an education superpower,’ 

that all the things traditionally 

cited as the ingredients of Finnish 

success are actually more likely 

the seeds of its current downward 

trajectory. 

Vanishing excitement 

Before Finland became the 

shining star of the educational 

firmament, its education system 

was a highly centralised one 

in which hierarchical and 

traditional schooling dominated 

in classrooms around the country. 

The exciting, creative 

characteristics educationalists 

saw in the system when they 

flocked to Finland in the 2000s 

were the product of mid to late 

1990s education reforms. 

Observers saw these reforms 

and assumed that since they 

correlated with Finland’s topping 

the charts, they must have caused 

the top rankings. 

Converse effect 

Not so, says Sahlgren backed 

by rigorous causation models; 

not one of these things has been 

found to have a strong causal 

relationship with Finland’s past 

academic success. 

In fact, some of these things 

such as student-led learning, in 

particular, prove to have had a 

strong negative causal relationship 

with Finnish academic success. 

That is,they havebeen bad 

for Finnish students and their 

achievement. 

The real story of Finland’s 

educational success, then, is one 

in which its pre-1990s education 

system produced outstanding 

results. It is only now that we can 

accurately assess the results of a 

system fully transformed by the 

reforms of the 1990s. 

Some pointers 

Sahlgren’s findings have 

lessons for us here in New 

Zealand. 

The first is that the traditional 

teacher-in-the-front-studentslearning-in-the-back 

model of 

education may have more going 

for it than it has lately been given 

credit for. 

Secondly, we should never 

mine another countries’ 

educational system for hints about 

how to fix our own without doing 

due diligence on why that country 

has experienced the success it 

has. Correlation, no matter how 

attractive and easy it may be, does 

not necessarily equal causation. 

If we are looking for our own 

secrets to educational success, we 

should pay attention to this very 

important lesson. 

Jane Silloway-Smith is 

Research Manager at Maxim 

Institute, Auckland 


A Good Broker is the 

Best Insurance 

you can have 

About 12 years of experience in New Zealand 

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More than $3 million claims settled 

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Products and services tailored to individual needs 

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Fali Mistry 

Registered Financial Adviser 

Winner of the ‘Best Customer Service Award’ 

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Telephone: (09) 6255060 Fax: (09) 6255062; Mobile: 021-426858 

Free Phone: 0508 INSURANCE; Email: fali@insuresecure.co.nz 

Website: www.insuresecure.co.nz 

(Disclosure statement available on request) 

7

EDUCATIONLINK 

Finnish experience should 

teach us a lesson or two 

Jane Silloway-Smith 

Spend any time with an 

education reformer and 

you are likely to hear 

something about Finland. 

This Scandinavian country of 

5.5 million has been the toast of 

the education circuit for much of 

the 2000s, regularly topping the 

international charts in student 

achievement. 

Educationalists around the 

world have, over the past decade 

and a half, tried to figure out 

what it was that made Finnish 

education so great, and how they 

could bring those things to their 

own countries. 

Student-led learning, no 

standardised testing, a systemwide 

focus on equity, and short 

school days and years were the 

often cited secrets to Finland’s, 

and presumably one day everyone 

else’s, success. 

Sliding scale 

But this decade-and-a-halflong 

orthodoxy is now being 

called into question. 

In the last two rounds of 

PISA testing out of the OECD, 

Finnish students have slid 

precipitously out of the top spots 

in mathematics, reading and 

scientific literacy. 

A new study from the Centre 

for Policy Studies in the UK seeks 

to discover why this is happening 

and what lessons this may have 

for education reformers around 

the world. 

Gabriel Heller Sahlgren finds 

in ‘Real Finnish Lessons: The true 

story of an education superpower,’ 

that all the things traditionally 

cited as the ingredients of Finnish 

success are actually more likely 

the seeds of its current downward 

trajectory. 

Vanishing excitement 

Before Finland became the 

shining star of the educational 

firmament, its education system 

was a highly centralised one 

in which hierarchical and 

traditional schooling dominated 

in classrooms around the country. 

The exciting, creative 

characteristics educationalists 

saw in the system when they 

flocked to Finland in the 2000s 

were the product of mid to late 

1990s education reforms. 

Observers saw these reforms 

and assumed that since they 

correlated with Finland’s topping 

the charts, they must have caused 

the top rankings. 

Converse effect 

Not so, says Sahlgren backed 

by rigorous causation models; 

not one of these things has been 

found to have a strong causal 

relationship with Finland’s past 

academic success. 

In fact, some of these things 

such as student-led learning, in 

particular, prove to have had a 

strong negative causal relationship 

with Finnish academic success. 

That is,they havebeen bad 

for Finnish students and their 

achievement. 

The real story of Finland’s 

educational success, then, is one 

in which its pre-1990s education 

system produced outstanding 

results. It is only now that we can 

accurately assess the results of a 

system fully transformed by the 

reforms of the 1990s. 

Some pointers 

Sahlgren’s findings have 

lessons for us here in New 

Zealand. 

The first is that the traditional 

teacher-in-the-front-studentslearning-in-the-back 

model of 

education may have more going 

for it than it has lately been given 

credit for. 

Secondly, we should never 

mine another countries’ 

educational system for hints about 

how to fix our own without doing 

due diligence on why that country 

has experienced the success it 

has. Correlation, no matter how 

attractive and easy it may be, does 

not necessarily equal causation. 

If we are looking for our own 

secrets to educational success, we 

should pay attention to this very 

important lesson. 

Jane Silloway-Smith is 

Research Manager at Maxim 

Institute, Auckland 


A Good Broker is the 

Best Insurance 

you can have 

About 12 years of experience in New Zealand 

Over 500 satisfied clients 

More than $3 million claims settled 

Value added customer relationship 

Products and services tailored to individual needs 

Let us speak today. 

Tomorrow may be too late. 

Fali Mistry 

Registered Financial Adviser 

Winner of the ‘Best Customer Service Award’ 

Member of 

● Life Insurance Cover ● Trauma Insurance 

● Business Insurance ● Income Protection Cover 

● Mortgage Repayment Cover ● Key Person Cover 

● Premium Cover ● Home Loans ● KiwiSaver 

MAZDA FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD 

61 Carlton Street, Hillsborough, Auckland 1042 

Telephone: (09) 6255060 Fax: (09) 6255062; Mobile: 021-426858 

Free Phone: 0508 INSURANCE; Email: fali@insuresecure.co.nz 

Website: www.insuresecure.co.nz 

(Disclosure statement available on request) 

7

FIJILINK 


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12TH EDITION 

BUSINESSLINK BUDGET 2015 

Tightened belt may loosen budget surplus 

Craig Ebert 

Given the alternative, it is 

not a bad thing that people 

still seem obsessed with 

the government achieving 

a surplus in the very near term, 

especially with the fiscal slippage 

affirmed in Budget 2015, announced 

on May 21, 2015. 

We need to 

keep an eye on 

this. However, 

with its 

centrepiece 

policy aimed 

at alleviating 

the plight of 

children in 

poor families, 

we must also 

realise that 

this Budget’s overall numbers, and 

underlying stories, surely do not speak 

of economic and financial hardship, 

in general. 

If we are to have a go at the 

Budget’s fiscal projections then it is 

not because they have failed to burst 

back into the black as soon, or as 

much, as previously imagined. 

A phase of low inflation (and low 

interest rates) can do that to the books. 

Ross Buckley 

Budget 2015 

presents a 

nuanced 

dilemma for 

the National-led Government. 

Historically, the first 

budget of a third term 

Slower growth 

It is more because the projections 

are based on a macroeconomic 

outlook that seems a bitoptimistic. 

It is not that Treasury’s forecasts are 

raging beyond credibility. 

It is possible that GDP growth 

slows only glacially over the coming 

few years, to averageabout 3% per 

annum. 

However, we think that the 

economy may slow to about 2% 

annual pace by 2016-2017. 

Diving immigration 

Treasury expects this to keep 

barrelling along at a brisk rate of 

knots, even though net immigration 

may take a dive soon.We broadly 

share Treasury’s view on waning 

immigration, but see this as one of the 

factors causing consumption growth 

to moderate over the coming years. 

In this vein, we also have to wonder 

the likelihood of house price inflation 

pressing on as firmly as Treasury 

expects over the coming few years (so 

much for affordable housing?). While 

it did talk about risks on this front, 

the upside scenario was centred on 

maintained-high immigration, while 

the downside scenario was more 

pitched around global demand and 

commodity prices. 

starts to lay the groundwork for the government’s 

legacy. With popularity remaining high,it 

is also an opportunity to deal with issues with 

an eye on the 2017 election. 

So it proved when Finance Minister Bill 

English introduced his Budget for 2015 to 

Parliament on May 21. 

Four Priorities 

On the face of it, this budget continues to 

Watching expenditure 

The broader fiscal issue for 

the macro-economy is that the 

government may have to maintain a 

tight rein on overall expenditure over 

the next couple of years to keep the 

surplus target in the frame. 

We should not overlook the Crown 

accounts underfoot, however. 

We say this with reference to the 

fact that the monthly accounts to 

March 2015 proved a lot better than 

expected. 

This was partly because tax revenue 

was (suddenly) running 1.8% above 

(Half Year Economic Fiscal Update 

2014) plan. 

Outright, core tax in the March 

quarter was up almost 9% on a year 

ago. It will beinteresting to see how 

the June quarter accounts travel. 

Good buffer 

Could we yet see a tiny operating 

surplus for 2014-2015? 

Let us not overlook the fact that a 

$2.5b provision has been maintained 

in the fiscal projections for each of the 

2017-2018 and 2018-2019 June years. 

It is a nice buffer to have. 

It will either afford some moderate tax 

cuts starting 2017 (a scheduled election 

year) or go a good way to helping secure 

a surplus around that time. 

The government has taken no 

decisions on tax cuts at this stage, 

however. It will still depend on 

economic circumstances closer to 

the time. 

Still, the current fiscal projections 

entail a bit more of cash shortfall. 

Bond Programme 

Therefore, the bond programme 

must be increased but only by 

$1billion to $8 billion for 2015-2016, 

meaning that it remains unaltered 

(from half-yearly forecast) at $7 

billion a year beyond this period. 

The Debt Management Office is 

yet to announce how this will play 

out in full. 

We look toward to its quarterly 

update in June. 

However, it has stated that “subject 

to market conditions, a new April 14, 

2033 Nominal Bond is expected to be 

launched, via syndication, in the first 

half of 2015-2016.” 

Inflation-indexed bond issuance 

will be up to $2 billion of the $8 

billion 2015-2016 Domestic Bond 

Programme. 

Crown Debt 

Even so, net Crown debt is expected 

to top out at 26.3% of GDP in 2015- 

2016, still very low by international 

standards. 

progress the four priorities of the National-led 

government, which have consistently opened 

Minister English’s budget policy statements: (a) 

Responsibly manage the government’s finances 

(b) Building a more productive and competitive 

economy (c) Delivering better public services 

within tight financial constraints, and (d) 

Rebuilding Christchurch. 

There will be short-term focus on matters 

like the property taxes, reduction in ACC levies 

releasing welcome cash flow to businesses and 

households, and continued health and education 

spend. There is also significant initiative 

towards addressing housing supply, especially 

in Auckland. 

Fiscal discipline 

The continued focus on careful financial 

management in this Budget has not meant a 

lack of social interventions. While continuing 

to avoid tax-based solutions to problems linked 

with social inequality, Budget 2015 continues 

National’s approach to social intervention based 

on ‘what is good for New Zealand’s people, 

is good for the Government’s books.’ The 

increased spend on vulnerable families, early 

childhood education and Children’s Action Plan 

represent this approach of investing now for 

better future outcomes. 

The move to address the economic situation 

for low-income families is welcome and perhaps 

overdue. 

The fiscal disciplines imposed by the 

Government are demonstrated by the fact 

that benefit increases have been delivered in 

a Budget after a general election and not as 

avote-seeking promise. 

Doubtless, the Government will also argue 

that the quid pro quo of increased workseeking 

expectations, and removal of the KiwiSaver 

kick-start incentive, are ‘tough love’ to help 

fund the modest benefit increases. 

No surprises 

From a business perspective, the Business 

Growth Agenda and continuing focus on long 

term, meaningful strategic and challenging 

targets for the economy means there are few 

real surprises in Budget 2015. 

Contrasting with Australia’s unashamed 

stimulus package for small business, New 

Zealand’s approach is very much about a 

predictable environment and reducing red tape 

and cost. The R&D funding is confirmed, as is 


10 

It is one of many things likely to 

keep the rating agencies relatively 

comfortable with the New Zealand 

story. Already, Standard and Poor’s 

and Moody’s have come out in 

support of Budget 2015 in terms of 

ratings and outlooks. 

The markets have also taken the 

Budget in their stride. There has 

been very little reaction, if any, in 

the currency and wholesale interest 

rate markets. 

As important as Budgets still are for 

the wider economy, the markets are 

obviously waiting to see the Reserve 

Bank’s Monetary Policy Statement 

in June. 

Craig Ebert is Senior Economist 

at BNZ based in Wellington. BNZ 

is the Title Sponsor of the Indian 

Newslink Indian Business Awards 

2015, the fifth successive year. 

Budget seeks new direction with social intervention 

the framework for future efficiencies in dealing 

with Government. 

Big picture though, New Zealand is at a 

turning point. 

Over the last few decades, commodity 

industries and innovations have laid the 

foundation for an economy that has robustly 

weathered global financial turbulence and an 

earthquake event of far-reaching impact. 

Diversified economy 

To take us forward over the next 30 years, we 

need a diversification of the economy and to 

raise the value chain in knowledge or technology 

industries. The challenge this represents should 

not be underestimated. 

It is pleasing then to see the government 

looking ahead in this way, with a view to laying 

the frame work for this change to enable a 

prosperous future. 

Where the jury is out is ensuring that the 

change and impacts of it does not leave 

anyelements of society behind. 

KPMG believes that it is incumbent on 

business to assist thischange process. 

The way forward 

In a nutshell, what got New Zealand to 2015 

will not get us there in 2030. 

A change in approach to issues of prosperity, 

Government interventions and making social 

outcomes (and not merely spending) a priority, 

are things that need a rethink. 

The change to ‘social investment,’ and the 

Business Growth Agenda with its big picture 

aspirations and challenging paradigms are the 

beginnings of the framework to address the 

challenges the future will bring for this nation. 

Budget 2015 is well balanced, yet challenging 

fiscal framework. 

Ross Buckley is Executive Chairman of 

KPMG New Zealand, which is the Sponsor of 

the ‘Best Accountant of the Year’ Category of 

the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 

2015. 

Mobile: 022 429 3549 

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Finance starting from 8.88% pap 

BUSINESSLINK 

Lower car levy 

drives up savings 


Does paying one third of 

what you currently pay in 

ACC levies on your car 

sound like a good idea to 

you? The Government thinks so too. 

The average ACC motor vehicle 

levy (including the annual licence 

levy and 

petrol levy) 

is expected 

to drop 

to around 

$120 from 

2016, 

saving New 

Zealand 

families 

a wad of 

cash. This is on top of the already 

confirmed reduction, from around 

$330 currently, to $195 kicking in 

from July 1 this year. 

Since 2012, ACC levy reductions 

have saved New Zealanders around 

$1.5 billion – and we have just 

announced another $500 million of 

indicative reductions as part of the 

up coming Budget.That is $2 billion 

in total for New Zealand businesses, 

workers, and motor vehicle owners 

to keep in their pockets. 

Further Reductions 

On top of the cuts to motor vehicle 

levies, we are looking at a 20-cent 

reduction in the average Work 

Account Levy, and 6 cents in the 

Earners Account Levy. 

We are committed to at least half a 

billion dollars in reductions, but final 

decisions will be made after public 

consultation. 

These are real savings for New 

Zealand families. 

But they are also prudent and 

balanced measures made possible by 

ACC’s sound financial performance. 

It is the right time to do this, after we 

have overseen a dramatic turnaround 

in ACC’s finances. 

While ACC is in a good position 

now, this has not always been the 

case. 

Before our reforms, which brought 

about the conditions needed for levy 

cuts, ACC was in dire straits. The 

scheme we inherited had a $4.8 

billion shortfall in one year alone. 

ACC sound 

The sound financial performance 

we are currently seeing means ACC 

is now essentially fully funded. There 

is enough money invested to meet 

the future costs of all current claims. 

ACC is important to New Zealand 

and we are committed to ensuring it 

is sustainable into the future. 

People want levy cuts but they 

also need stability. The Government 

recognises this and is introducing a 

new levy-setting framework for 2016- 

2017, which will bring about greater 

transparency about the levy-setting 

process, and more stable levies going 

forward. 

The Government is committed to 

setting ACC levies in a way that is 

fair to both levy payers and claimants 

and maintains ACC’s ability to the 

meet the needs of New Zealanders 

in the future. 

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi has 

been Member of Parliament 

since November 2008. He is 

also currently Chairman of the 

Parliament Select Committee on 

Law & Order. 

BUDGET 2015 

Dinesh Naik 

In a surprise move before Finance Minister 

Bill English presented his Budget 2015 to 

Parliament on May 21, the government 

announced that it will tax residential 

property investment 

that is sold within two 

years if the following 

conditions are met: 

The property is 

not family home, 

inherited property or 

property transferred 

in a relationship 

settlement. Investment 

properties and holiday homes will be caught if 

acquired on or after October 1, 2015. 

Taxing foreigners 

Also from that date, buyers and sellers must 

provide their IRD number and non-residents 

must have a New Zealand bank account to get an 

IRD number (as well as provide a Foreign Tax 

Number). A withholding tax on non-resident 

David Shearer 

Growing our small businesses should 

always be at the top of the political 

agenda. 

This is because small businesses 

were responsible for nearly a third of New 

Zealand’s economy 

last year. 

We are an 

innovative, pioneering 

nation. About 41% of 

new jobs created in 

2014 were in firms 

with fewer than 20 

employees. 

That is why I was 

disappointed in this year’s national budget – and I 

am hearing the same from friends and constituents 

who own businesses. 

The budget included nothing for small 

business; no plan to boost growth, support 

sellers is also being considered, with a possible 

mid- 2016 introduction. 

The measures are aimed, at least partly, to 

cool hot spots in the housing market. 

What does this mean? 

There are already rules for taxing property. 

However, these require the property to be bought 

with the dominant purpose or intention of sale. 

Where the property is rented (e.g. while held 

for sale), this intention can be difficult for IRD 

to prove. 

From October 1, 2015, investment property 

bought and sold within two years will be 

taxed, with no exceptions. This includes where 

someone is not a property speculator, i.e. did not 

buy to sell but is forced to do so. 

Further, investors should be aware that 

holding for more than two years is no guarantee 

that any gain will not be taxable. 

Existing tax rules will still apply in this case. 

Positive Move 

The need to provide an IRD (and Foreign 

Tax) number and have a New Zealand bank 

businesses and create the jobs and opportunities 

New Zealanders so keenly need. 

The government has ignored one of the most 

important sectors of the economy. 

Narrow focus 

According to Finance Minister Bill English, 

the main reason New Zealand has been unable to 

get out of deficit is a drop in global dairy prices. 

Surely that proves our economy is too narrowly 

focused on dairy farming. 

Over the past seven years, the government 

should have been carefully diversifying 

andmodernising the economy to create strong 

regions and extra jobs.When small businesses get 

ahead, job growth goes up and unemployment 

goes down. Iwant to see plenty of jobs around for 

those who need them. For that, we need a strong 

and thriving small-business economy. 

Labour’s Plan 

By contrast, Labour has been supporting small 

businesses at the front and centre of our economic 

plan. 


Taxes do not determine appetite for property 

11 

account are aimed at ensuring sales can be 

tracked by IRD and foreign buyers comply 

with New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering 

requirements. 

This tax information is also likely to be shared 

by IRD with the non-resident’s home country. 

This will make non-compliance more difficult, 

and is a positive move. 

The question for many is whether this will 

cool growth in the housing market. 

If investors respond by holding on to 

properties longer, to avoid the two-year rule, 

this will constrain the stock available for sale 

in the short term. 

There may also be increased demand leading 

up to October 1 to avoid the changes. 

The long-term picture is likely to depend on 

broader housing demand and supply factors, 

rather than the tax rules. 

Dinesh Naik is Tax Partner at KPMG New 

Zealand, Sponsor of the ‘Best Accountant of 

the Year’ Category of the Indian Newslink 

Indian Business Awards 2015. 

Small businesses must top political agenda 

We want to make sure that when working 

people make the leap to start a business,they will 

not face unnecessary hurdles to do so. 

We want to make surethat small business 

owners get to spend more time focussed on 

making their business work, instead of filling 

out their tax forms. 

We want to make more training available to 

new business owners so that someone who has 

never owned a business before can get up and 

running without too much red tape. 

We want to help businesses that want to 

diversify their offerings because we know that it 

is better for our economy when we do not have 

all our eggs in one basket. 

No Labour budget will overlook small 

businesses. 

We will make it easier to start a business and 

have it succeed. 

David Shearer is Member of Parliament elected 

from Mt Albert and Labour Party’s Spokesman for 

Foreign Affairs and Consumer Affairs. 

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Takanini, Auckland 

Office: 09-213-9687 / 09-213-9688 

Contact Jasmit Singh at 021-321-065 

E: info@wholesaleautos.co.nz W: www.wholesaleautos.co.nz

BUSINESSLINK 

We welcome the 

Government’s 

announcement that 

450 hectares of Crown 

land will be brought into play for 

development of housing. 

This is adding to the toolkit to 

address the 

issues of the 

Auckland 

housing 

market, but the 

underlying issue 

is population 

growth. 

Auckland’s 

population is 

surging on the back of movement 

from the regions and as the preferred 

destination of immigrants and 

returning Kiwis. 

Speculator’s Tax 

The Reserve Bank’s LVR approach 

targeting loans made in Auckland 

and to investors (rather than owneroccupiers) 

can be expected to 

contribute to restraining demand, 

although it does so by making 

property ownership more expensive. 

Some of the speculation in the 

current market will also be damped 

by the new ‘Bright Line Tax’ on 

properties sold within two years, 

along with the requirements for 

foreigners to register with tax 

authorities. 

These can act in the short term, but 

do not address the key population 

growth, which is driving demand. 

Crown Land 

On the supply side, the government 

Budget 2015 marked a turning 

point for the government in 

its approach to runaway 

houseprice inflation in 

Auckland. 

While the government has long 

dismissed that a ‘crisis’ is developing, 

its actions over recent times and 

Budget 2015 have certainly signalled 

that it is well aware of the need to act 

on both the supply and demand sides 

of the problem. 

Auckland’s residential property 

sector is simply too big to fail. 

The government has consistently 

held a line that growing supply in 

Auckland is the most important thing 

to be done. 

Developing land 

Leading up to and in Budget 2015, 

is continuing to push Special Housing 

Areas hard andnow bringing some of 

its own land into the frame making it 

available for developers. 

This follows models being trialled 

in Christchurch for accelerating 

affordable housing developments. 

It will be useful, but it is not large 

in terms of the imbalance between 

demand and supply. 

Urban regeneration: Significant 

investment has been signalled via 

Tamaki Redevelopment Corporation, 

with the transfer and potential 

redevelopment of over 2500 Housing 

New Zealand properties. 

Other parts of Auckland would 

benefit from similar approaches. 

Does density better: Restrictive 

rules around height and density in 

popular areas limit land supply and 

the government had announced 

it will contribute to supply by 

redeveloping land now held by the 

Tamaki Redevelopment Company 

and will also look to open up Crownowned 

land in Auckland for housing 

development. Implementation of the 

social housing reforms also features 

heavily in Budget papers. 

These initiatives mark a much more 

hands-on approach to growing supply 

than we have previously seen from 

the government. 

Whereas earlier steps were 

regulatory in nature, the government 

is now intending to partner directly 

with developers to ensure that houses 

are built. In addition to previously 

announced measures such as Special 

Housing Areas, it will go some way 

to meeting the 

projected 10,000 

a year new homes 

required to meet 

Auckland’s 

demand. 

But at best, the 

Reserve Bank of 

New Zealand and 

others are only 

able to guess as 

to who is really 

The Government 

will give extra $29 

million over the next 

five years to Inland 

Revenue Department (IRD) in 

Budget 2015 for the property 

tax compliance activities. 

This is mainly to ensure 

property speculators also pay 

their fair share of tax,which 

is currently being largely 

avoided. 

The additional allocation 

will take the total funding on 

this account to $62 million. 

The forecast is that it will 

generate additional revenue 

of at least $420 million for the 

government. 

push too much responsibility onto 

greenfields developments to address 

the problem and financially penalise 

land owners in ‘protected’ suburbs in 

the long run. 

Open up the building supplies 

market:We are a small market for 

building products with New Zealandspecific 

regulatory regime for product 

certification. 

As such, the costs of market entry 

limit variety for products and reduce 

price competition. 

The food we eat and the medicines 

that cure us are subject to a joint New 

Zealand / Australian standard so why 

are not building products? 

Align infrastructure investment 

with targeted housing areas:The 

Auckland Council is right. Housing 

without supporting investment 

driving the market. Is it owneroccupiers, 

new home owners, rental 

investors (domestic or foreign), or 

speculators? This makes it difficult 

to respond with good, targeted 

policy (assuming that such a policy 

is possible). 

The Intention 

The two-year rule is, at least, a 

Bright Line. There will be no more 

ambiguity around proving of intent 

within this time frame. 

However, there is no revenue 

assumed to arise from this change in 

Budget 2015. 

Investors who do not acquire for 

sale will only sell within two years 

if they are forced to, so limited tax 

will be paid. 

Investors who acquire for sale are 

more likely to defer sales beyond 

the two-year period, in the mistaken 

belief that this guarantees the sale will 

be non-taxable. (It does not; a sale 

will be taxable whenever made if, for 

example, the property was bought for 

the purpose of sale). 

The upside 

In reality, the most important 

tax effect of the two-year rule is to 

provide Inland Revenue Department 

(IRD) with more readily usable 

The new rules will come in 

to effect from October 1, 2015. 

All New Zealanders and 

non-residents must supply 

their IRD number at the time of 

property transactions (buying 

and selling) other than their 

main home (principal place of 

residence). 

Anti-Money Laundering 

New rules will comply 

with Anti-Money Laundering 

regulations and all buyers and 

sellers must provide their IRD 

number for each transaction. 

Non-Residents must have a 

New Zealand bank account 

that is operational to obtain an 

IRD Number. 

The so-called Bright Line 

Test will come in to effect, 

which is in addition to current 

Intention Test of the IRD. 

Under the Bright Line Test, 

if the property is sold within 

two years, then any gains made 

out of the transaction must be 

included in the tax return. 

Bright line Test 

This test will require income 

tax to be paid if a residential 

property is bought and sold 

within two years, unless it is 

the seller’s main home. 

If a property is sold within 


Land allocation will boost housing in Auckland 

Richard Forgan 

BUDGET 2015 

The long property tunnel has a bright line 

Darshana Elwela 

Budget creates new 

social partnership 

Adrian Wimmers 

Budget 2015 is a step 

further down the 

social investment path 

for this National-led 

Government, both in scale and 

ambition. 

T h e 

Government 

is attempting 

to present a 

compelling 

logic for 

its social 

investment 

approach; a logic it hopes 

will continue to inform New 

Zealand’s direction past 

thetenures of the Prime Minister 

John Key and Finance Minister 

Bill English. 

This Budget is not exclusively 

about which agency the 

government channels taxpayer 

money through but about how 

focusing and addressing key 

social issues can improve the 

situation of targeted individuals 

while delivering financial 

improvement. 

Key Features 

This Budget’s key social 

features include a package 

designed to ease child hardship; 

additional government spending 

to support vulnerable children; 

further development of its 

flagship Social Housing 

Reform Programme; and further 

investment in health, education 

and trades training. 

Beneficiary parents of the 

children targeted in this Budget 

will, however, face increased 

requirements to return to work, 

increase part time work and/or 

have their eligibility re-tested 

every year. 

Surplus Focus 

Despite delivering a social 

budget, this Government is 

acutely focused on moving 

towards a surplus. To that 

end, Mr English has described 

social investment as“targeted, 

evidence-based investment to 

secure better long term results 

for the most vulnerable New 

Zealanders.” 

The government is willing 

to pay more up front on the 

assumption that sustainable 

changefor the most vulnerable 

New Zealanders will equate to 

financial gains for the Crown. 

That is, although this is a 

‘social’ approach, the key aim 

remains improved fiscal track. 

Local Government, Social 

Housing and State Services 

Minister Paula Bennett will have 

akey role to play in achieving 

the aims of this Budget with Mr 

English. 

Minister challenged 

Her portfolio has been 

designed to give her the visibility 

and change levers needed to 

progress the social investment 

agenda beyond the realm of 

her previous portfolio, Social 

Development. 

Ms Bennett’s new mix of 

portfolios and experience make 

her a key player supporting the 

social element of Mr English’s 

broader economic strategy, and 

signals the increasing part she 

is expected to play in delivering 

this Budget and achieving the 

government’s aims. 

We can expect greater focus 

on the following in 2015- 

2016: (a) Information sharing 

between public sector agencies 

(b) Systemic measurement (c) 

Evaluation of interventions (d) 

More effective contracting, 

increasingly focused on 

integrated service delivery (e) 

Existing providers, especially 

government agencies, facing 

increasing levels ofcontestability. 

All these signal a new way of 

working between government 

and private/not for profit social 

sector providers. 

It is less about how 

Government is organised or 

officials’ desire to shy away from 

‘risky’ innovation, and more 

towards making a difference to 

people in need, as long as the 

fiscal return is identifiable. 

Confounding barriers 

However, there are several 

barriers that must be overcome 

for the government and the 

public sector to achieve the 

desired results. 

These include variable quality 

of information available to 

inform targeting investment as 

well as culture and practices 

across public sector agencies that 

hinder collaborative initiatives 

and the ability of NGOs to 

respond to rapid changes in 

the way their services are 

commissioned. 

The impacts of these barriers 

should be closely monitored, and 

steps put in place to overcome 

them in the future. 

Adrian Wimmers is Head 

of Infrastructure at KPMG 

New Zealand, Sponsor of the 

‘Best Accountant of the Year’ 

Category of the Indian Newslink 


12 

reduces the attractiveness of 

greenfields sites to developers, which 

reduces supply. 

The success of the greenfields 

areas in the south of Auckland will be 

utterly dependent on the ability of the 

transport network to connect people’s 

homes to their places of work. 

The capacity driven by the City 

Rail Link, as well as the Southern 

Motorway projects are critical to 

the commercial attractiveness of 

these developments, yet the CRL 

is being delivered five years later 

than the Southern Initiative if the 

Government’s timeline for the project 

is accepted. 

Richard Forgan is Leader and 

Partner at Price water house 

Coopers New Zealand 

information. 

By providing investors’ IRD 

numbers, this will allow the agency 

to match investor information with 

its own records. This will make its 

compliance activity more efficient. 

A mooted withholding tax will 

ensure foreign investors must front 

up and demonstrate the sale is not 

taxable to get their money back. 

The flipside 

On the downside, if IRD 

misinterprets that information, it may 

also make unnecessary disputes more 

prevalent. Investors will need to make 

sure that their documentation supports 

their position. 

The new rules will give IRD de 

facto land register for investors. 

It will have information on the 

relative holdings of domestic and 

foreign investors. 

It must however be able to 

distinguish between foreign and 

domestic owned companies if it 

desires to produce a true picture. 

Darshana Elwela is National Tax 

Director at KPMG New Zealand, 

Sponsor of the ‘Best Accountant 

of the Year’ Category of the Indian 

Newslink Indian Business Awards 

2015 

IRD gets more to 

regulate property tax 

Saurav Wadhwa 

two years, then the tax will 

be paid on any gains made 

from the sale. There are some 

exemptions such as seller’s 

personal home, inherited 

property and relationship 

property settlement. 

Implementation 

IRD will have sufficient 

information around these issues 

prior to the commencement of 

the new regulations on October 

1, 2015. 

However, this may be 

little harder to implement in 

practical terms, as people may 

wait for two years and then sell 

their property. 

Intention Test has always 

been a subjective matter but 

the Bright Line Test gives more 

tools to IRD to implement 

property related tax. 

Only time will tell if the 

new rules will help regulate 

the property market in the 

absence of full-fledgedCapital 

Gain Tax. 

Saurav Wadhwa is 

a Charted Accountant 

and Principal of IBBZ 

Accounting Limited based in 

East Auckland. Phone 027- 

5555458; Email: Saurav@ 

ibbz.co.nz

BUSINESSLINK 


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VIEWINK 

Human life supersedes 

religious protocol 

When Indian student Harmanpreet 

Singh removed his turban to 

cradle the bleeding head of 

a pupil who was struck by a 

speeding car in the South Auckland suburb 

of Takanini, he thought nothing of it. 

At that point of time, on that fateful 

morning of May 15, 2015, he was concerned 

about the boy’s condition before medical 

help arrived. Whether removing turban 

in public would be considered an act of 

impropriety or religious sacrilege hardly 

crossed his mind. 

But the positive effect of his graceful and 

timely action moved the world. The news 

went viral with almost every newspaper, 

television and radio organisation and social 

website praising Harmanpreet for his act 

of kindness. 

He was a student from India, and like 

a majority of his peers, lived in a modest 

environment. He suddenly became a hero 

and recipient of not only accolades but also 

material help. 

As we have reported under Homelink in 

this issue, Harmanpreet has earned world 

attention as a young man with a kind heart. 

Religious Teaching 

In fact, he symbolised the spirit and 

teaching of the Sikh religion. 

As the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book 

of Sikhism says, Oneness and love serve as 

the foundations of Sikh theology.These are 

both the objective and process. Sikhs aim to 

recognise the divinity within everyone and 

everything they encounter, and this daily 

practice helps the individual cultivate and 

embody the qualities of oneness and love. 

Sikhs believe that the Creator permeates 

all of Creation and that every individual is 

filled with the same divine potential. The 

Sikh tradition emphasises the collective 

family-hood of all humanity and challenges 

all social inequalities, including those based 

on class, caste, gender, and profession. 

Global Unity 

The grace and humility with which 

Harmanpreet took the world spotlight that 

suddenly fell on him was also inspiring. 

Good planning targets 

financial gains 

Guest Column by John Key 

Finance Minister Bill English 

delivered the National-led 

Government’sseventh Budget on 

Thursday, May 21, 2015. 

It sticks to a plan that is working and 

helps families, while responsibly managing 

thegrowing economy and the Government’s 

finances. 

Budget 2015 confirmed that the economic 

outlook for New Zealand is positive. 

We are on track for average growth of 2.8% 

a year over the next four years. 

We have created 194,000 new jobs since 

the start of 2011 and a further 150,000 new 

jobs are expected to be created over the next 

four years. 

Surplus forecast 

A $176 million surplus is forecast for 

next year, and is expected increase over 

thefollowing years. 

This confirms New Zealand’s strong, 

growing economy, backed by the Nationalled 

Government’s clear economic plan, 

is translating into real benefits for New 

Zealandhouseholds and businesses. 

Through Budget 2015, we are continuing 

to build upon what we have put in place to 

help New Zealand families. 

Our approach is working, as there are now 

42,000 fewer children in benefit-dependent 

families than there were three years ago. 

Budget 2015 delivers an investment of 

$790 million over the next four years to help 

children living in some of our poorest families. 

This investment will see increased work 

obligations for sole parents on benefits, and 

“Thousands of people have said, ‘well 

done.’ I was only doing what I had to 

and trying to be a decent member of the 

community. Thanks to all the messages 

and calls; thanks to all worldwide Facebook 

members who messaged me. I just did my 

job, nothing else,” he said to news reporters 

from many countries. 

That again is the teaching of the Sacred 

Guru Granth Sahib. Realising oneness and 

love within one’s life also compels the 

individual to seek unity with the world 

around them.The tradition urges its followers 

to live as a ‘sant-sipahi’ (warrior-saint), 

one who strikes a balance of cultivating 

spirituality while contributing through 

community service. 

No Issue 

While helping those in distress comes 

naturally to Sikhs, they are among the most 

impressive groups to integrate themselves 

into any society in which they live. 

As evidenced by the inclusion of writings 

from other religious leaders within the 

Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Gurus did not 

believe in religious exclusivism. Rather, 

their pluralistic worldview posited that 

one could reach the Realisation from any 

religious tradition. Sikhism teaches that 

diverse paths can lead to the divine, as long 

as the individual traverses the path with 

love. Because of this pluralistic outlook, 

Sikhism has no real history of missionising 

or proselytising. 

Guru Nanak Dev 

Harmanpreet did what came naturally 

to him- following the teachings of Guru 

Nanak, the Founder of his religion. The 

Sikh community has drawn inspiration and 

guidance from such great Gurus over the 

years, and has demonstrated a commitment 

to justice in various ways. Sikhs are taught to 

defend the defenceless and have historically 

led responses to political oppression. 

We salute Harmanpreet and wish him well 

in life. His good deed will always keep him 

and his family in good stead. 

more childcare support for low-income 

families to help parents be in work, education 

ortraining. We will also increase Working for 

Families payments to low-income families 

by$12.50 in most cases and deliver a $25 a 

week increase in benefit rates for families 

with children. 

Around 160,000 of New Zealand’s 

lowest income families will benefit from 

the changes,which will help parents to better 

provide for their children. 

Improving health 

This package is on top of the $500 million 

investment we announced last year, which 

included free doctors’ visits and prescriptions 

for children aged under 13, extensions topaid 

parental leave and increased parental tax 

credits. 

Health also continues to be a priority in 

Budget 2015 and gets the largest share of new 

funding -$1.7 billion over four years.We are 

providing new funding for more elective 

surgeries, hospice care and extending the 

bowel cancer screening pilot. 

Education also receives a boost, bringing 

our total investment in education to a record 

$10.8 billion next year.We are investing in 

building new schools and classrooms, more 

support for early childhood education and 

special education. 

Overall, I think we can rightfully be proud 

of what we have been able to achieve in 

Budget 2015. 

John Key is Prime Minister of New 

Zealand. The above was sent as his weekly 

column received on May 26, 2015. 

Published By Indiana Publications (NZ) Limited 

P.O.Box 82394, Highland Park, Auckland 2143 

Ph: (09) 533 6377 Fax: (09) 533 6378 Mob: (021) 753 699 

email: info@indiannewslink.co.nz w: www.indiannewslink.co.nz 

Indian Newslink © Reports and articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Indian Newslink. 

All rights reserved. Indian Newslink is not responsible for claims made in advertisements. 

Publisher & MD Ravin Lal│Editor Venkat Raman│Circulation Arin Lal │Printed By Horton Media Ltd 

The United States is 

known for its hyperpartisan,rhetoric-laden 

public debate. 

From the Huffington Post to Fox 

News, the left-right divide seems 

to be gaping 

wideras 

n e w s 

sources 

and online 

media act 

as echo 

chambers, 

reinforcing 

deeply held 

values and 

prejudices. 

But once 

in a while, discussions of real value 

rise above the din of disagreement 

and go some way towards bridging 

this divide. 

An all-star panel held recently at 

a Georgetown University Poverty 

Summit, including President Obama, 

was one such discussion.Joining the 

President were Robert D. Putnam, 

a liberal Harvard Professor and 

Arthur C. Brooks, the conservative 

President of the American Enterprise 

Institute. 

With the tragic deaths and riots 

in Baltimore and Ferguson focusing 

attention on poverty through the 

lens of race, the broader debate on 

the causes of poverty in USA falls 

down predictable lines; the decline 

of culture and family on one side;the 

failures of the capitalist economic 

system on the other. 

But it does not have to be this way. 

Straw Men 

As President Obama said,“We 

have been stuck in a debate that 

creates a couple of straw men. The 

stereotype is that you have folks on 

the left who just want to pour more 

money into social programmes and 

do not care anything about culture 

or parenting or family structures, 

and that is one stereotype. And 

then you have cold-hearted, free 

market,capitalist types who are 

reading Ayn Rand and think 

everybody are moochers…I think 

the truth is more complicated.” 

Precise comments 

And he was spot on.It is 

complicated, and we all have a 

share in it. 

Mr Obama continued, saying, “If 

coming out of this conversation we 

can have a both/and conversation 

rather than either /or conversation, 

then we will be making some 

progress.” 

Straw men arguments certainly 

shore up political support, but they 

also scare away conversations that 

can influence policies that can 

change lives for the better. 

This is why it was encouraging to 

hear the panelists speak in the spirit 

of ‘both /and.’ 


First Cousin marriage 

risks genetic disorder 

Marrying your cousin may 

be legal but scientists 

have found it could 

significantly reduce 

genetic diversity, potentially leading 

to genetic disorders and lower fertility. 

Although frowned on by many, 

including some religions, the only 

country in the Western World to outlaw 

first cousin marriage is the United 

States of America. 

Author and poet Edgar Alan Poe, 

physicist Albert Einstein and, perhaps 

ironically, the author of the theory of 

evolution, naturalist Charles Darwin 

are among famous people in history 

to marry their cousins. 

New Research 

New research published in the 

journal ‘Molecular Biology and 

Evolution’ examined the relatively 

small population of the Rindi region 

on the Indonesian island of Sumba, 

where marriage rules dating back 

centuries dictate that men must marry 

a first cousin on the mother’s side of 

the family. 

With a population of only about 

7000, the scientific team, which 

includes experts from Indonesia, 

Singapore, the United States and New 

Zealand, expected to find significant 

biological effects of hundreds of 

generations following the rule. 

They used a specially developed 

computer programme to run 

simulations to see how non-sex 

linked chromosomes (autosomes), 

the X and Y chromosomes and the 

DNA that is inherited only from the 

mother (mitochondrial DNA) would 

be affected if everyone followed the 

rule. They modelled it over many 

generations because the evidence 

suggests the practice is longstanding. 

DNA Reflection 

What they found was that arranged 

marriage should theoretically reduce 

the genetic diversity in those different 

DNA regions but what surprised them 

was that testing of the DNA in the 

Kieran Madden 

current population did not reflect that. 

It turned out the saving grace of 

the population is that the marriage 

rules are not strictly followed, either 

because it was not possible if a man’s 

mother had no siblings or no siblings 

with daughters, or because some men 

chose to ignore the rule – perhaps to 

forge alliances between families in 

other ways. 

Senior author on the paper Associate 

Professor Murray Cox from Massey 

University’s Institute of Fundamental 

Sciences said that anthropologists have 

been studying the diverse range of 

marriage rules for the last century but 

this is the first study to try to understand 

any biological effects. 

“Marriage rules help structure 

connections within and between 

communities but any rules that affect 

marriage will also have a direct 

impact on offspring and the genetics 

of a community. It is important to 

understand these genetic effects 

because reduced diversity might result 

in lower fertility, genetic disorders and 

potentially the loss of a community,” 

he said. 

Problem Children 

A 2013 paper published in ‘The 

Lancet’ found that babies of first cousin 

14 

marriages were twice as likely to have 

a genetic disorder such as cleft palates, 

genital defects or problems with their 

nervous, respiratory and digestive 

systems. 

However, this percentage was low 

at 6% and is comparable to the risk 

faced by children born to mothers over 

age 35. 

The cultural practice of arranged 

marriage is common in areas like 

South Asia or the Middle East as well 

as some Western countries including 

New Zealand, the United Kingdom 

and the Netherlands where there are 

large populations from these regions. 

The research was led by scientists 

from Massey University’s Institute 

of Fundamental Sciences, including 

PhD student Elsa Guillot,with 

scientists from the Eijkman Institute 

for Molecular Biology (Indonesia’s top 

genetic research centre), the Division 

of Biotechnology at the University 

of Arizona, United States, and the 

Complexity Institute at Nanyang 

Technological University, Singapore. 

Source (Article and Picture): 

Massey News 

Baltimore and Ferguson 

signal men of straw 

Economic Reforms 

The President argued for 

significant economic reforms on one 

hand and the need for young black 

men to take greater responsibility as 

fathers on the other. 

Brooks argued that the right 

should declare peace on the 

safety net, heralding it as “one of 

the greatest achievements of free 

enterprise,” while Putnam argued 

that the left should care deeply about 

the family. 

He implored, “They should not 

assume that anybody who talks 

about family stability is somehow 

saying that the economics do not 

matter. Of course, economics 

matter.” 

If we could move towards 

assuming the best in the others 

motives and arguments rather than 

the worst,we would find ourselves 

standing on a firm foundation for 

meaningful conversations, and 

hopefully, better outcomes for all. 

Perhaps the President’s imminent 

exit from the White House has 

allowed him to speak beyond 

party lines, but regardless,this 

conversation is a good omen for 

America, for both the politicians 

and the poor. 

Perhaps the division is not as wide 

as it looks. 

Kieran Madden is a Researcher 

at Maxim Institute based in 

Auckland.

BUSINESSLINK 

Staff Reporter 

Colliers International came out 

in flying colours winning eight 

awards given by the industry 

for achieving excellence in a 

number of areas. 

The Company received the distinction 

at the Annual Royal Institution of 

Chartered Surveyors (RICS) New 

Zealand Commercial Property Awards 

held on May 18, 2015. 

Colliers won the ‘Overall Award 

for Most Sales Transactions over $5 

million’ for the fifth consecutive year, 

as part of the eight out of nine awards 

that it scooped at the event. 

Stringent Criteria 

The three other RICS award 

victories based on both quantitative 

and qualitative criteria were 

‘Property Management Team of the 

Year,’‘Industrial Team of the Year’ 

and the ‘Inaugural Research and 

Consultancy Team of the Year.’ 

The Company also earned four 

Merit or Runners Up Awards 

Wayne Besant is departing his role as Chief 

Executive of life insurer AIA New Zealand 

to lead AIA Vietnam, commencing 

June 2015. 

In the same month, AIA New Zealand will welcome 

Natalie Cameron as new Chief Executive. 

Both appointments remain subject to regulatory 

approval. 

Ms Cameron joins the business after 10 years with 

AIA Australia, where her leadership, commercial and 

operational skills are highly regarded. Most recently, 

she served as the company’s Chief Group Insurance 

Officer, and played a key role in consolidating its 

position as the number one group insurer in the Australian 

market. 

Exciting Opportunity 

Mr Besant described Ms Cameron’s appointment as 

an exciting opportunity 

for the business 

and another milestone 

for an already 

exceptionally diverse 

team. 

“From an AIA 

New Zealand perspective, 

Natalie’s 

insurance experience 

and wealth of skills 

is a huge asset. She 

has a real passion 

for the industry and 

a strong record in 

serving the adviser 

community well. Most 

importantly, she cannot wait to be here withher family 

and to help provide every Kiwi family with greater 

access to insurance.” 

Impressive Leadership 

Under Mr Besant’s leadership, AIA New Zealand 

has continued to grow each year instrength and the 

business has an excellent and positive relationship 

with the adviser community. 

AIA also continues to promote diversity across the 

life insurance sector, including leading the industry in 

providing greater access to insurance for under-served 

migrants and the fast-growing Asian population. 

It is this fostering of a professionally collaborative 

and culturally inclusive team that has seen Mr Besant 

promoted to lead one of the AIA Group’s fastest-growing 

countries. 

He will take to his new role more than 25 years of 

experience with two of Asia Pacific’s largest financial 

services brands - prior to joining AIA New Zealand as 

CEO in 2010, he held the role of Managing Director 

of Retail Banking (NZ) at the ANZ Bank. 

-Material Supplied 

AIA New Zealand is a member of the AIA Group 

and Sponsor of the ‘Best Financial Advisor (Mortgage 

& Insurance)Category of the Indian Newslink 


including ‘Valuation Team of the 

Year,’‘Commercial Team of the 

Year,’‘Retail Team of the Year’ and 

‘Best Deal of the Year.’ 

New Merit Awards 

RCIS introduced the Merit Awards 

this year in view of “the exceptional 

quality of entries and the minimal 

margin between first and second place 

getters.” 

Colliers won the ‘Property 

Management Team of the YearAward’ 

for the third consecutive. This year, the 

Company’s Corporate Solutions team, 

led by Don Smith (for securing property 

management and service assurance of 

the BNZ national portfolio) won the 

Award. This represented the Corporate 

Solutions team’s biggest contract win. 

The Industrial Team of the Year was 

awarded to the Colliers Highbrook 

industrial team, led by Greg Goldfinch, 

for the sixth year in a row 

Colliers Research and Consultancy 

team, winners of the inaugural 

‘Research and Consultancy Team of 

the YearAward,’ is an industry leader in 

New Zealand led by Alan McMahon, 

producing market insights for clients 

around the country. 

Qualitative Focus 

Colliers Chief Executive Mark 

Synnott said, “RICS has made a point 

of weighting itscriteria for award 

winners from a quantitative focus to one 

builtaround qualitative achievements. 

Many of the awards were based on 

the quality of theteam’s work, such as 

success and complexity of a specific 

project, client satisfaction, innovative 

approaches, and sustainability 

initiatives. It demonstrates that our 

teams can win based on both the quality 

of their work, as well as their impressive 

sales figures.” 

The Company’s Auckland Managing 

Director Charles Cooper said that 

being placed in the top two over eight 

categories proved the depth and breadth 

of Colliers’ experience across a wide 

range of services. 


Colliers collects eight honours at Property Awards 

Insurance 

giant gets 

new boss 

Natalie Cameron 

RICS AWARD CATEGORY 

Property Management Team of the Year Winner 

Research & Consultancy Team of the Year Winner 

Industrial Team of the Year 

Winner 

Highest Turnover $5m plus 

Winner 

Valuation Team of the Year 

Runner up 

Commercial Team of the Year 

Runner up 

Retail Team of the Year 

Runner up 

Best deal of the Year 

Runner up 

Award recipients (from left) Kane Sweetman, Peter Herdson, Dean Humphries, Charles 

Cooper, Alan McMahon, Andrew Potter, Kane Tarrant, Chris Dibble 

15 

“This result is a credit to the hard 

work and high calibre of our staff and 

senior leadership team,” he said. 

RICS is the world’s leading 

professional body for qualifications 

and standards in land, property and 

construction, with about 180,000 

qualified members worldwide.

BUSINESSLINK 

Business New Zealand 

hunts for a new head 


Wellington based 

BusinessNZ is 

looking for a 

successor to Phil 

O’Reilly who announced on 

May 19 that he would leave 

the post of Chief Executive 

at the end of the year. 

“I have led BusinessNZ for 

ten years through a period of 

rapid growth and incredible 

change. BusinessNZ is now 

highly respected nationally 

and globally and it is time for 

a new leader to continue the 

work,” he said. 

Mr O’Reilly said that 

he would continue to chair 

the Business and Industry 

Advisory Committee to the 

OECD (BIAC) and retain 

membership of the Governing 

Body of the ILO until the 

conclusion of his respective 

terms in mid-2017. 

Succession Planning 

The following is his 

statement issued with his 

resignation notice. 

“I have given a long period 

of notice because I believe 

it would not be appropriate 

as leader of an organisation 

representing most businesses 

in New Zealand to do other 

than announce my resignation 

openly so everyone is fully 

aware of my intentions. I 

am also looking forward 

during my resignation period 

to helping the BusinessNZ 

Council in their search for a 

Phil O’Reilly 

new Chief Executive. 

“Over the next few 

months I will look forward 

to discussing future business 

and career options with a 

variety of people. I have 

no concrete plans for what 

might happen next, although 

I will investigate taking on a 

small number of directorships 

and engaging in consulting 

work in New Zealand and 

internationally. 

“I am on a number of boards 

and advisory groups in New 

Zealand and in the next few 

months will be talking to each 

of them to assess my future 

role. 

“A decade is long enough 

and I have enjoyed every 

day of it. It has been an 

inspiration to support business 

success in New Zealand and 

I look forward to ongoing 

engagement with friends 

and colleagues. I will remain 

based in New Zealand and 

look forward tocontinuing 

contributing to New Zealand’s 

success in some different way 

in the future.” 

Outstanding Service 

BusinessNZ President 

Laurie Margrain said that 

Mr O’Reilly had given 

outstanding service to the 

business and wider community 

and that the organisation was 

sorry to lose his contribution. 

“This is a challenging 

role requiring enormous 

commitment on behalf of the 

business community and a 

high degree of involvement 

with Central and Local 

Governments. We will use the 

time available to us to ensure 

we secure an appointment that 

will build on the achievements 

of Phil and his team. We do, 

in every sense, wish him well 

in future endeavours and feel 

sure that there will remain 

significant areas of business 

policy where a degree of future 

association will be beneficial,” 

Mr Margrain said. 

Indian Newslink wishes 

Mr O’Reilly success in all 

his endeavours and wishes to 

acknowledge with gratitude 

his involvement as the Guest 

Speaker (on the subject, 

‘Good governance-who 

wins: the shareholder, the 

public or Gordon Gekko?’) 

at the Second Annual 

Indian Newslink Sir Anand 

Satyanand Lecture held 

at Stamford Plaza Hotel, 

Auckland on July 30, 2012. 

It was with great regret I learned 

that the 2015 Budget decided 

to end the $1000 kick-start for 

KiwiSaver based on your belief 

that all persons 

who 

were interested 

by 

now would 

have used 

the incentive. 

N e w 

Zealand is 

made up of 

many cultural and religious groups 

who, in some government initiatives, 

are over looked. 

Ethical Rules 

KiwiSaver was one such policy 

as it excluded the Islamic community 

who hold very high ethical 

requirements before they can enter 

an investment. 

Under their ethical rules, they do 

not invest in money lending, interest-based 

products (known as usury 

to Christians), alcohol, gambling, 

machines of war, pornography, 

tobacco and pork. 

The banned areas of investment 

cause huge cost to our society, being 

the source of crime, medical cost 

blowouts and family (especially 

children) distress. Since the rollout 

of KiwiSaver in 2006, no provider 

under the scheme took the time 

oreffort to build a suitable ethical 

investment until the launch of the 

ethical Amanah KiwiSaver Plan on 

January 31, 2015 by Ethnic Communities 

Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga. 

(Editor’s Note: A detailed report 


KiwiSaver incentive withdrawal 

hits Muslims 

A letter to the Prime Minister 

Brian Henry 

Dignitaries at the ‘Amanah KiwiSaver’ launch (from left) Brian Henry, Sheikh 

Mohammed Amir, Winston Peters, Sir Anand Satyanand, Gregory Fortuin, 

Dr Anwar Ghani and Peseta Sam Lotu-liga 

16 

appeared in our February 1, 2015 

issue). 

Amanah KiwiSaver 

The launch was a proud moment 

for the Islamic community and was 

well attended. 

The Amanah KiwiSaver Plan 

commenced its rollout to the community 

in the past eightweeks. To 

the communities’ dismay, they have 

lost the $1000 kick-start before the 

offer had time to be understood by 

the many who seek a high level 

of ethics where they invest their 

money. 

The Islamic community are 

proud to call New Zealand their 

home. 

They, as a community, draw very 

frugally on the costs of the state. 

Good Citizens 

A vast majority of them live 

peacefully, work hard, educate their 

children and live by avery strict ethical 

code in all they do, including 

investments. 

They, as a community, are solid 

taxpayers; their overall tax contribution 

outweighing anycosts their 

members cause to the public purse. 

The chance to participate with 

the rest of New Zealand to utilise 

the KiwiSaver government initiative 

funded to date by their tax 

dollars will be sorely missed. 

They have, by your Budget decision, 

been penalised just when, for 

the first time, they hadthe opportunity 

to stand beside their fellow 

Kiwi citizens and provide for their 

future retirement. 

I ask you to reconsider the decision 

to enable them a fair opportunity 

to assess the Amanah KiwiSaver 

Plan and join with the $1000 

kick-start. 

Unlike the average New Zealander, 

they have had eight weeks, 

not eight years, to decide to join 

KiwiSaver. 

Brian Henry is a well-known 

barrister with more than 40 years 

of experience in commercial litigation 

and other legal matters. 

He is the Managing Director of 

‘Amanah Trust Management 

(NZ) Limited, which launched 

its ‘Amanah KiwiSaver’ on January 

31, 2015, in the presence 

of former Governor General 

Sir Anand Satyanand, Ethnic 

Communities Minister Peseta 

Sam Lotu-liga, Gregory Fortuin, 

Chairman, Amanah Trust Management 

(NZ) Limited and more 

than 150 guests 

2015 

8th Indian Newslink 

Indian Business Awards 

CALLING 

FOR 

ENTRIES 

CATEGORIES: 

1. Business Excellence in Retail Trade 

2. Business Excellence in Innovation 

3. Business Excellence in Marketing 

4. Business Excellence in Customer Service 

5. Business Excellence in ICT 

6. Best Small Business 

7. Best Medium Sized Business 

8. Best Large Business 

9. Business Excellence in International 

Business with India 

10. Best Financial Advisor- 

Mortgage & Insurance (New) 

11. Best Accountant of the Year 

12. Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year 

13. Best Businesswoman of the Year 

Supreme Business of the Year Award (All entries will be entered for this category) 

Enter up to any three of the above first nine categories. Entries to the ‘Best Accountant of the Year,’ 

‘Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ and ‘Best Businesswoman of the Year’ can also be by nomination 

(see website for details). Download Entry forms from www.inliba.com or write to editor@indiannewslink.co.nz 

Completed entries must be sent on or before Sunday, August 31, 2015 to iba2015@ignitionpartner.com 

Winners will be presented with their Awards at a Gala Black Tie Dinner on Monday, November 23, 2015 at the 

Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland City, details of which will be announced later. 

Conditions of Entry: 

Entries must be in electronic format sent by email. Those sent by post, fax or other means will not be accepted. The decision of the judges would 

be final and no correspondence will be entertained in this connection. The management and staff of Indian Newslink and the supporting and 

sponsoring organisations are not eligible to enter the Awards. 

Free Workshops Please attend our Free Workshops on ‘How to file a good entry’ as follows: 

Please attend our Free Workshops on ‘How to file a good entry’ as follows: 

1. Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 4 pm 

BNZ Partners, Level 1, 86 Highbrook Drive, East Tamaki 

2. Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 4 pm 

BNZ Partners Board Room, 373 Great North Road, Henderson, West Auckland 

3. Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 4 pm 

Level 8, Deloitte Centre, 80 Queen Street, Auckland City 

(Workshop in The Board Room, Level 7; please report at Reception at Level 8) 

To Register please email editor@indiannewslink.co.nz 

Indian Newslink 

P O Box 82394 Highland Park, Manukau 2143 

Phone (09) 5336377 • info@indiannewslink.co.nz 

www.indiannewslink.co.nz • www.inliba.com

BUSINESSLINK 

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COMMUNITYLINK 

Temple opens with tales of yore 

Opening ceremonies of $5 million Ram Mandir from June 6 


18 

Ram Mandir in West Auckland The main entrance with carvings Lord Rama breaking the bow to say the vow 

If you need wish to know the highlights of Ramayan 

(or Ramayana), the great Indian epic in a few 

pictures, you can behold beautiful carvings on 

the walls. 

If you wish to understand the great sculptural 

tradition of India, you can see many of them inside 

and outside the Complex. 

If you are looking for a place of worship, to pay 

obeisance to Lord Rama, Lord Hanuman and many 

other Hindu Deities, you could do so on any day of 

the week. They would all be in their ‘Abodes’ forever, 

waiting for you. 

If you wish to know what human endeavor is and 

how much of financial, emotional, material and other 

investments such an effort takes, every brick and fitting 

since the time you enter its portals would narrate a 

story. Finally, if you wish to know where perseverance, 

persistence and focused approach take a man with 

vision and mission, you would get to experience these 

as well. 

Global Financial Services Ltd 

New Zealand’s Leading Mortgage & Insurance Advisers 

ONCE AGAIN, 

THANK YOU! 

Architectural Marvel 

The above are just among a few facts that make-up 

Shri Ram Mandir (Temple) that will witness thousands 

of people in its Complex for its official inauguration 

on June 13, 2015. 

But festivities and religious ceremonies will be 

held over eight consecutive days,unprecedented in 

the history of Hindu Temples in New Zealand. 

With a number of priests, devotees, volunteers and 

others participating in extensive programmes of intense 

Successful Customers deal with Successful Companies to achieve Success! 

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with not one, but two leading NZ banks 

piety, it would resemble the ‘Yagnas’ conducted by 

great Rishis thousands of years ago. 

There is no parallel to the tradition, art, culture, 

philosophy, beliefs and religious values that distinguish 

Hinduism. Temples that bespeak the architectural, 

sculptural and artistic values are monuments that 

symbolise community unity and welfare. 

As reported in our May 1, 2015 issue, Ram Mandir 

will also appeal to members of other communities 

and faiths, reinforcing the belief of ‘Vasudhaiva 

Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family). 

Singular Commitment 

Conceptualised by the Shri Ram Mandir Trust in 

October 2011, the Project, incorporating an extensive 

Temple Complex, aims to create a place of worship and 

a venue for religious, community, social and domestic 

festivals and events. 

Located at 11 Brick Street in the West Auckland 

suburb of Henderson, the Mandir Complex intends to 

be the home of Indian culture and account for the largest 

community hall of the Indian community in Auckland. 

While the credit for the successful completion of the 

Temple Complex should go to the Trustees, volunteers 

and a number of others in various communities, Pravin 

Kumar, Chairman of the Trust (and Managing Director 

of Lotus Foreign Exchange) deserves recognition as the 

author, producer, director and conductor of all aspects 

of this magnificent Temple Complex. 

The Costs 

According to him, the 2366 Square Meters Plot was 

purchased in 2012 with funds donated by a Trustee. 

The cost of land was about $1 million. 

“The total cost of the Project is expected to be about 

$5 million, making the Ram Mandir one of the most 

expensive Hindu Temples in the country. We have 

had several challenges and problems, each of which 

was overcome with the Grace of Lord Rama. The 

Temple in fact personifies our God, with the lesson that 

sincerity and hard work will be rewarded with success 

and pursuit of excellence with truth and honesty will 

be victorious. This Temple is a testimony to the fact 

that Good always wins,” Mr Kumar said. 

West Auckland Community Leader Manoj Tahal 

writes: 

Ajay Kumar of GFS receiving the award from 

Wayne Percival (Right), 

ANZ Bank’s Head of Specialist Distribution 

and Baden Martin (Left), 

Head of Mortgage Adviser Distribution 

at the ANZ Bank office in Auckland 

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Ajay Kumar of GFS receiving the award from 

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Ram Mandir Complex, incorporating a Community 

Centre is the first initiative of its type in West Auckland. 

While providing a place of worship for all Hindus, 

it also pledges to promote and enhance the wellbeing 

of people through community service, education and 

other means. 

Our moto is, ‘From Dream to Realisation,’ and after 

nearly four years in the waiting, we are happy that the 

opening day of the Temple is near. 

The official opening programme will be held over 

eight days, starting on Saturday, June 6, 2015 and 

concluding on Saturday, June 13, 2015 with the Grand 

Opening. 

The first seven days will include morning and 

evening prayers, a fire ceremony (Hawan) and 

Mahaprasad. The programme on the final day will 

commence at 10 am and conclude with Mahaprasad 

lunch at 1 pm. 

We welcome all members of all communities to 

attend the ceremonies. 

Further details can be obtained fromMahendra 

Sharma on 027-6613242 (family_sharma@hotmail. 

com); 

Manoj Tahal on 021-564757; (manojtahal@xtra. 

co.nz)

FOCUS ON OTAHUHU 

Suburb symbolises diversity of a great City 

Len Brown 

Otahuhu has played a pivotal role in 

Auckland’s past and present, and 

it is a part of Auckland for which 

I have great fondness. 

The town of course is named after the 

nearby volcano, Otahuhu Mt Richmond, 

which today is protected by our new 

Maunga Authority. 

In pre-European times, a 1200-metre 

long portage route was used by Maori 

travelling by waka to link the Manukau 

Harbour and the Tamaki River. 

This route, now marked by Portage 

Road, remains the narrowest stretch of land 

in NewZealand, separating the Tasman Sea 

and the Pacific Ocean. 

And since European settlement, there 

has been more than one suggestion of 

building a canal across that stretch of land, 

in earlier times for commercial reasons and 

morerecently for recreation. 

The importance of Otahuhu in transport 

terms does not just relate to east west links 

between the harbours. 

It also has a strategic north-south position 

linking the isthmus and the north with the 

rest of the North Island. 

Fencible Settlement 

In the early European history of 

Auckland,Otahuhu was established in 1847 

as a fencible settlement along with places 

like Onehunga, Panmure and Howick. 

Retired British and Irish soldiers and their 

families were encouraged to live there in 

case they were ever required to protect 

Auckland’s pakeha settlers. 

Otahuhu was also on the route of the 

Great South Road, built to transport soldiers 

from Auckland to Waikato to fight in the 

Land Wars of the 1860s. 

Incidentally, the Great South Road and its 

place in Auckland’s past and present is the 

Otahuhu a hundred years ago 

The Methodist Church & Sunday School 

subject on the winning entry in the inaugural 

Auckland Mayoral Writers Grant awarded 

during the recent Auckland Writers Festival 

to Glen Eden resident Dr Scott Hamilton. 

Complimenting Link 

Since those early days, the Great South 

Road through Otahuhu has of course been 

complemented by the North Island Main 

Trunk Line, the Auckland section of which 

was built in the 1870s and the Southern 

Motorway, the first section of which was 

opened in the 1950s. 

Those transport links and easy access 

Another landmark in Otahuhu 

to flat land meant by the 1900s, Otahuhu 

was perceived as an ideal base for heavy 

industry such as freezing works, breweries 

and railway workshops. 

Otahuhu has always been seen as 

the gateway to South Auckland – many 

travelling on the Southern Motorway saw 

Tip Top Corner as the boundary between 

the two, and for many years Otahuhu was 

indeed the main town in South Auckland 

with many civic amenities as well as the 

main South Auckland police station and 

courthouse. 

The Otahuhu Public Hall was opened 

in 1865 and remained in use until it burnt 

down in 1943.Otahuhu was the site of New 

Zealand’s first supermarket. The Otahuhu 

Foodtown was opened in 1958. 

Borough Council 

For many years, Otahuhu had its own 

borough council. It was established in 1912 

and was a symbol of the town’s independent 


19 

spirit for 74 years – it even had its own 

traffic officers. 

In 1986, it merged with Mt Wellington to 

form Tamaki City, which three years later 

became part of an enlarged Auckland City. 

Today some of its civic independence 

has been restored with the formation of the 

Mangere Otahuhu Local Board as part of 

Auckland Council. 

Younger population 

Otahuhu today represents the diversity 

that is makes Auckland the special place 

it is. 

More than half of the residents in the 

local board area are of Pasifika descent, 

20% European, 17% Maori and 14% Asian. 

The population is younger than the 

Auckland average with higher than average 

numbers of people not in employment, 

education or training. 

We know more is required to tap the 

potential of this special part of Auckland, 

and we are using projects such as the 

Southern Initiative to tackle that challenge. 

Recreation Centre 

One project I am particularly proud of is 

the Otahuhu Recreation Centre. This project 

suffered setbacks and delays for decades, 

but work finally began on the $31 million 

project two years ago and the centre is due 

to open very soon. 

I was very proud to be there for the sod 

turning and I look forward to the official 

opening in the near future. 

Lastly, I want to take my hat off to the 

area’s local board by Chair Lydia Sosene 

and Councillors Arthur Anae and Alf 

Filipaina, for their love and advocacy for 

the area. 

Otahuhu and its people have a right to be 

proud of their past and their present. Towns 

like Otahuhu make Auckland a unique and 

wonderful City. 

Len Brown is Mayor of Auckland. 

The above article is exclusive to Indian 

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thepizzaexpress.co.nz


More for less makes this supermarket distinct 


Indian supermarkets are increasingly 

becoming the favourites of people 

of diverse ethnicity, responding to 

which these retail outlets offer an 

ever-widening range of products. 

They understand the significance of 

external marketing and point-of-sale 

display with sophistication. 

Price is the deciding factor today and 

almost all shoppers leaving a supermarket 

can recall exactly what they paid for 

individual items. 

Price-sensitive 

Today, the average customer is 

sensitive to price increases and has a keen 

eye for goods that are sold at low prices. 

A number of Indian supermarkets are 

on the path of expansion, establishing 

their presence in various parts of the 

country. 

Food 4 Less Supermarket is a prime 

example of continuous expansion. 

Its opening in Otahuhu nine years ago 

marked a turning point in shopping, not 

only for residents of the suburb but also 

for residents in other parts of Auckland 

and beyond. 

A 

New computerised injection 

machine installed at an Auckland 

clinic promises greater efficiency, 

better treatment and greater 

dental care. 

The Otahuhu Dental Care has recently 

acquired the Wand Computer Guided 

Anesthesia System manufactured by STA 

Inc that is used to give painless injections. 

Dr Rajeev Nagpal of the practice said that 

The Wand Computer Guided Anesthesia 

System has been approved by the Federal 

Drug Administration in US and that it can 

According to Director Nilesh Prakash, 

quality products backed by innovative 

and attractive display, low-prices, specials 

on several items from time to time and 

knowledgable and friendly staff were 

among the factors that have helped the 

enterprise grow from strength to strength. 

Daily celebration 

The supermarket today operates three 

major outlets, the other two located at 

New Lynn in West Auckland and Te Rapa 

Painless dental injection 


be used to give painless injections. 

Dr Rajeev has also acquired a soft tissue 

Laser BIOLASE (made in USA) to do Gum 

Treatment. Sensitive teeth are a common 

complaint, mainly in the winter. 

Sometimes this is a relatively easy 

problem to solve. 

Studies show that one in four people 

suffer from sensitive teeth; however, this 

is greater in the 25-45 age group and in 

women. 

The vulnerable 

People most likely to suffer from this 

marginal tooth sensitivity are those who 

The Butchery Section 

Road in Hamilton. 

“Every day is a day of celebration at 

these supermarkets, with fresh vegetables, 

fruits, meat, grocery and other items 

offered at the lowest possible prices. We 

understand that even when times are hard, 

there can be no cutting back on family 

budgets on food and other essential 

items. Our mission has always been to 

offer high quality goods at low prices and 

optimise customer satisfaction. Although 

over- enthusiastically brush their teeth, 

consume more than usual amounts of wine 

or citrus drinks, have had treatment for 

gum disease or who have special medical 

problems like bulimia. 

Apart from sensitive teeth, proper dental 

care is essential not only to maintain good 

dental health but also the general wellbeing. 

Studies have shown that dental care 

obtained through a qualified dentist 

improves the overall health of the 

individual. 

Since its establishment in 2001 (taken 

over from another firm of the same name 

competition has grown over the years, we 

have been fortunate to have a growing 

number of loyal customers. We believe in 

giving the best at the best possible price,” 

he said. 

As well as every-day low prices, Food 

4 Less also announces specials from time 

to time to help shoppers get more value 

for money. 

“We purchase the items placed on 

sale in large quantities from well known 

sources that guarantee quality and make 

them available at low prices to our 

customers. The savings that we make 

set up 82 years ago), Otahuhu Dental Care 

provides quality dentistry at competitive 

prices. 

Specialist services 

As well as educating patients on better 

daily oral hygiene to be followed, Otahuhu 

Dental Care provides a range of services 

including fillings, extractions, dentures, root 

canals, crown and bridge and bleaching. 

Says Dr Rajeev: “We attach great 

importance to ‘informed consent,’ so the 

patients are given all the options with the 

risks involved, enabling them to choose 

what suits them. We have run a number 

High quality and variety assured 

Variety makes every 

purchase sweet 


Auckland Indian 

Sweets & Snacks 

Limited was 

established in April 

1991 as a family business in a 

small location and since then 

hasgrown to occupy its own 

premises in Otahuhu with a 

large customer base. 

The Company also has 

one store in Mt Roskill and 

continues to expand. 

The company deals only 

with respected and approved 

organisations such as Fonterra 

for dairy products, Meadow 

Fresh for fresh milk,and 

Weston Milling for flours. 

Auckland Indian Sweets 

& Snacks is a major supplier 


20 

in bulk purchases are passed on to our 

customers,”Nilesh said. 

The butchery 

His brother and director Romit Prakash 

said the supermarket has been catering to 

a cross-section of the society. 

“It is not just the members of the Indian 

community who benefit from the low 

prices that are offered but also people 

from other ethnic groups,”he said. 

“Our Halal butcher counter has also 

become popular, since those keen on 

Halal are assured of its genuineness,” 

he said. 

of specials on dental treatment for the past 

five years. 

“These help our patients to avoid 

expensive dental treatment. Patients are 

booked with 45-minute appointments so as 

not to give them a ‘rushed feeling,” he said, 

He listens to patients’ problems before 

presenting the treatment options. 

Dr Rajeevsaid that bad breath was 

a common factor in most patients, 

taking away the confidence of effective 

communication. 

He advised people to visit their dentist 

or periodontist regularly. 

OTAHUHU 

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Contact: Team Ram 

Office Landline: 09 215 2277 , 

Office Mob: 021 944 170 

Email: otahuhu@ljh.co.nz 

Website: www.ljhooker.co.nz 

We Give FREE HOME APPRAISALS” 

(Approx Market value of your home) 

to big hotel chains 

and caters for 

special function of 

large, medium and 

small enterprises 

and to individual 

and groups who 

organise weddings, 

birthdays and 

festivals. 

The Company 

aims to provide 

its customers with quality 

products, backed by excellent 

service. Our sweets have been 

all over the world through 

customers taking it for their 

family and friends. 

The Company also markets 

nuggets, sausages, frozen 

vegetables, Pooja items and 

licensed Real Estate 

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licensed Real Estate 

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Idols, Fiji CDs and DVDs and 

musical instruments. 

RSDJ &Video 

With 20 years of experience 

in Video Photography and as 

DJ, the team at RS DJ& Video 

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only in various parts of New 

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Home of yesteryears has stood the test of time, but 

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opportunity for the NEW OWNER with NEW IDEAS 

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21 

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PH: (09) 270 8902


Providing Quality and 

Affordable Dental Care 

Pegasus Dental is a Family Orientated Dental 

Care based in Otahuhu, South Auckland. 

We are devoted to restoring and enhancing 

the natural beauty of your smile using 

conservative, cost effective modern dental 

procedures resulting in beautiful, long lasting 

and pain free smiles. We are committed 

to treating your whole family and creating a 

culture of prevention rather than cure. 

Pegasus Dental is established by Dr Raj 

Thathiah[BSc(Hons)BDS(Wits)}. 

Dr Thathiah qualified in South Africa from 

the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg 

in 1995, and has been in Private 

Practice in Richards Bay; South Africa since 

then. He emigrated to New Zealand with 

his family in 2012 and established Pegasus 

Dental in 2013. 

Education & Prevention 

At Pegasus Dental, we believe that preventative 

care and education are the keys to 

optimal dental health. We strive to provide 

“dental health care” vs. “disease care”. 

That’s why we focus on thorough exams – 

checking the overall health of your teeth and 

gums, performing oral cancer exams, and 

taking x-rays when necessary. 

We stress the importance of routine cleanings, 

flossing, sealants, and fluoride which 

are all helpful in preventing dental disease. 

Not only are we focused on the beauty 

of your smile, we’re also concerned about 

your health. Health issues can lead to dental 

problems and vice versa. Our focus is on 

teaching you to understand your body, and 

how your oral health can be an indicator of a 

more serious underlying health issue. 

Dr Raj Thathiah 

Pegasus Dental offer a personal, family 

friendly dental Service 

Our full dental services includes: ACC 

dental treatment, Free treatment for children 

(18 and below), 

Free WINZ quotes 

Free Denture Consultation, All cosmetic 

and General Dental needs, Pain relief,- 

Root canal treatment 

and Orthodontics 


Quality Pizzas 

become irresistible 

Pizzas are among the 

most favoured foods in 

New Zealand but you 

would not know the 

‘real’ quality, until you have 

tasted these at the recently 

opened Pizza Express in 

Otahuhu. 

The company’s store in Mt 

Roskill (207A Stoddard Road) 

has been tickling the taste 

buds of residents in Central 

Auckland for more than a year. 

Customers say that this store 

proves the dictum that pizzas 

can be made to taste better and 

healthier. 

From the day its operations 

commenced, Pizza Express has 

been a source of satisfaction 

and endearment to a growing 

number of customers. 

Its owner says that everything 

at the store conforms to the 

standards of Halal (certified 

by FIANZ), public hygiene 

and rigid standards of the 

Auckland Council, the Food 

Safety Authority and other 

government agencies and 

departments. 

As well as making pizzas 

to meet varied tastes, Pizza 

Express offers gluten free and 

dairy free items, especially 

for those who insist on such 

products. 

“We use only Halal 

Dead Indian man 

identified 


Auckland Police have 

identified the body 

found on Mission Bay 

beach last month as that 

of 21-year-old Manjeet Singh, an 

international student from India. 

A passer-by found his body on the 

morning of May 13 and the cause 

of his death and other circumstances 

are under investigation. 

According to available 

information, he was last seen alive 

previous night at McDonald’s 

Restaurant in Britomart, about seven 

kms away from the incident. 

Police inquiries into how Mr 

Singh came to be in the water are 

continuing and officers will be 

examining CCTV footage, bank and 

phone records to try and establish 

his movements and who he was 

with in the city on days preceding 

the incident. 

Good student 

Mr Singh, a student of 

International College of Auckland, 

was due to complete a Diploma 

course in Business this month. 

Student Services Advisor Linda 

Chang said that Mr Singh was an 

exemplary student at the college. 

“He was a hard worker and he 

regularly turned up to his classes. He 

did good assignments and he had a 

few friends in his classes,” she said. 

22 

ingredients and prime quality 

Halal lamb and beef in our 

Pizzas. We are always ready 

to cater to parties, weddings, 

meetings and special social 

occasions and meetings,” the 

owner said. 

More than conforming to 

government regulations,the 

owner’s passion is to justify 

customer confidence. He 

aims to lift the quality of the 

products to greater heights of 

Pizza Express and offer a wider 

range of pizzas. 

Pizza Express is open on 

all days of the week including 

public holidays. 

Manjit Singh 

Anyone with information about 

Mr Singh should contact Detective 

Sergeant James Robson at Glen 

Innes CIB.


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COMMUNITYLINK 

Lester Silver 


Murugan and other Deities await you in Mangere 

Venkat Raman 

Lord Murugan (or Karthik as he is known 

in North India) and other Deities at the 

build a home 

newly opened 

that is 

Thiru 

your own 

Subramaniyar 

Aalayam are becoming ‘increasingly 

ncept busy’ and as design hundreds to of construction devotees visit the and Temple occupation 

Auckland. 

Complex in South 

As reported in our May 15, 2015 issue, 

everything hundreds of people under witnessed one roofthe ‘Maha 

Kumbabishegam,’at the Temple owned and 

managed by the New Zealand Temple Society, 

located at 56, Tidal Road in Mangere on May 

3, 2015. 

Prana Prathistha FROM CONCEPT AND DESIGN TO CONSTRUCTION AND 

The most significant event that marked 

the opening of OCCUPATION the Temple EVERYTHING included UNDER ONE ‘Prana ROOF 

Prathistha,’ a ceremony to install the presiding 

design a home that is your own 

from concept to design to construction, 

everything under one roof 

your dream home can be classic or modern. quality comes with 

expert advice and cost-effective solutions. we work with the best in 

the industry to ensure your benefit & comfort. talk to us today and 

we will design your dream house. 

• new house • additions & alterations to existing house 

• cost effective solutions 

s p a c e 

designers 

contact: vivek anturkar, architectural designers 

mob: 021 687 162 

s p a c e designers ltd 

ph: (09) 5772171 • fax: (09) 5772172 

64 edgewater drive, pakuranga, manuaku 2010 

email: spacedesigners@xtra.co.nz 

The Deities at Thiru Subramaniam Aalayam Mangere, Auckland 

and other Deities with piety and private loan.The total project cost, including all Dr Krishnamurthi, Subramani Goundar, Vai 

concentration. It was a ritual works, is expected to be about $750,000. Ravindan, Dr Varadarajan,Veerasamy Naidu, 

of consecration in which the Mr Krishnamoorthy said that donations made the late Venugopalan and Yogesh Raja,” he said. 

consciousness or the power of the to the New Zealand Hindu Temple Society are The community is however aware of that it is 

Deity was brought into the image, exempt from Tax (CC46402). 

Mr Krishnamoorthy who turned several stones to 

“awakening the icon in a Temple.” Donations can be credited to the account of the construct the Temple, giving his time and effort. 

‘Maha Kumbabishegam’ Society at ASB (12-3077-0531305-00) and email Blessed Community 

synergises the Divine Powers of the sent to ilango@merc.co.nz for an official receipt. He said that as a community, weare truly 

Deities and is performed in some “Devotees can also donate a fixed amount blessed by the Divine Grace to have a beautiful 

Temples once in 12 years or after every week, fortnight or month into the Society’s Hindu Temple built in Auckland. 

major construction or renovation bank account. As well as guaranteeing that all “We can complete the Pilgrimage of a lifetime 

jobs. 

donations will be used for the Temple Project. simply through one visit to our temple. Most of 

These observances were replete We will acknowledge all donors (unless they the popular Deities from India have been installed 

with many rituals, which have wish to remain anonymous) on our website. We and properly consecrated according to the Agama 

religious, from concept social, and domestic design to construction and and propose to inscribe the names of major donors Shastras. 

personal implications. 

occupation. Everything under one roof ($5001 and above) in the Temple,” he said. “You will feel the divine presence in the 

Finance needed 

Significant Decade 

Temple site. Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam will 

While Your the ideal inauguration home can be classic of or the modern. The primary activity began in 1996 with become a focal point of many individuals of our 

Temple gratified Just as you had Temple always wanted Society it to be. incorporation of the New Zealand Hindu community as it will serve the religious, spiritual, 

President Ilango Quality comes Krishnamoorthy, 

with expertise and Temple Society and initiation of ‘Satguru educational, cultural, social and charitable needs 

his fellow cost-effective Trustees, solutions. volunteers 

We work with the Sivaya Subramuniyaswami,’162nd Preceptor of the society and experience the Hindu Culture 

and others, industry for the your challenge benefit and comfort. now Talk to of Nandinatha Sampradaya’s Kailasa Parampara. and Heritage in Auckland,” Mr Krishnamoorthy 

is to become us today and financially we will help achieve selfsufficient, 

• new pay-off houses • cost-effective the loans solutions and over the years. Among them are Thiru Subramaniam Aalayam Open all days 

your goal “Many have contributed to its progress said. 

pursue the next phase of growth MrKrishnamoorthyacknowledged 69 Tidal Road, Mangere 10 am to 1 pm 

• additions & alterations to existing house 

and construction. 

the support and contributions of a Auckland 2022 

6 pm to 9 pm 

The current phase, estimated to growing number of people from the Contact 

Aarathi at 11 am and 7 pm 

have cost $675,000, comprised a community, with special reference Phone: Ilango Krishnamoorthy Harish Venkatasubramaniam (Priest) 

bank loan of $110,000, with the to A Mahasivam, Gopalan 021-739879 022-3914538 

balance raised as interest-free Iyengar, Jeevan Siva Thambiah, 

24 


contact vivek anturkar 


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Miss World aspirant advocates education 

COMMUNITYLINK 

Fiscal Policy aims to reduce child hardship 

Chandan Ohiri 

The centrepiece of Budget 

2015 is a package 

aimed at reducing child 

‘hardship.’ 

Worth $790 million over four 

years, the package has $25 per 

week increases in bothbenefits and 

student allowances for families 

with children, a modest increase 

in Working for Families for low 

income families, and an increase 

in the Childcare Assistance rate 

for low income families. 

The package comes with new 

obligations attached; based on the 

government’s belief that getting 

beneficiary parents into work 

is the best way to reduce child 

hardship. 

Most sole parents and partners 

of beneficiaries must be available 

for work when the childturns three, 

rather than five as at present,and 

all beneficiaries with part-time 

work obligations will be expected 

to work 20 hours per week rather 

than the current 15 hours. 

Beneficiaries receiving Sole 

Parent support will now have to 

reapply for their benefit every 

year. 

There are new measures to 

tackle child support debt and 

encourage parents to pay what 

they owe for their children. Some 

or all of the penalty debt will be 

forgiven in certain circumstances 

(such as where liable parents 

are meeting current payment 

requirements). 

For home buyers and investors 

On the demand side, a suite of 

tax measures announced ahead of 

the Budget requires all buyers and 

sellers of property other than the 

family home to provide an IRD 

number. 

This imposes identity 

requirements on non-resident 

buyers and introduces a new 

‘brightline’ test that will typically 

see investment property taxed for 

capital gain if on-sold within two 

years. A withholding tax on nonresidential 

investors is also being 

considered for introduction in 

mid-2016. 

On the supply side, Budget 

2015 includes $52 million to 

facilitate housing development 

on Crown-owned land in 

Auckland,$35million to support 

the Social Housing Reform 

Programme, and $48million 

targeted at improving Maori 

housing outcomes. 

The Crown has also previously 

announced that the Tamaki 

Redevelopment Company will 

build around 7500 new houses in 

East Auckland. 

For Travellers 

There is a new Border Clearance 

Levy of around $16 for arriving 

passengers, and $6 fordeparting 

passengers, to fund passengerrelated 

biosecurity and customs 

activities. 

For Business 

The Budget provides for 

reductions in ACC levies worth 

$375million in 2016, and 

additional $120 million in 2017. 

It also envisages an increase of 

$80million over fouryears to R&D 

growth grants. Private Research 

Institutes will receive $25 million 

over three years to fund their 

research programmes. 

KiwiSaver incentive goes 

The Budget seeks to remove the 

‘kick-start’ incentive payment of 

$1000 under KiwiSaver Scheme, 

although there is no change to 

the annual government subsidy 

or employer contribution rules. 

These changes do not affect 

existing KiwiSaver holders 

and, with 2.5 million New 

Zealanders already signed up, the 

Government’s assessment is that 

removal of the kick-start payment 

will not substantially change the 

uptake rate. 

Social services 

Finance Minister Bill English 

has announced an increase of 

$1.7 billion over four years for 

public health services, particularly 

targeting elective surgery, 

palliative care, orthopaedic 

conditions and bowel cancer 

screening. He has also increased 

about $50million to develop 

Whanau Ora. The Budget provides 

$8.5 million for intensive case 

management of beneficiaries, 

as a part of the government’s 

‘Investment Approach’ to social 

spending. 

For students 

Early Childhood,Primary and 

Secondary Education will receive 

$63million over four years for 

special education, a 1% boost to 

school operating grants, and 300 

extra Trades Academies places. 

This would be a part of the new 

spending of $443million. 

Tertiary Education will receive 

$112million of funding, targeting 

tuition at degree level;and raising 

the profile of engineering growth 

in Maori and Pasifika trades 

training among other measures. 

Mr English has allocated $100 

million capital for rebuilding 

science facilities within the 

Lincoln Hub Redevelopment 

Programme in Christchurch. 

Infrastructure Allotments 

The government will spend 

an additional $108 million over 

four years to support progress in 

developing the Anchor Projects. 

KiwiRail will get additional 

capital of about $200 million per 

year over the next two years, while 

regional highways will receive 

$97 million. Budget 2015 has also 

allotted $52 million to replace the 

Waitangi Wharf on the Chatham 

Islands, $40 million for urban 

cycle ways and$40million capital 

investment in Te Papa’s buildings. 

Chandan Ohri is IT Advisory 

& Consultancy Partner and 

India Market Leader at KPMG 

based in Auckland. KPMG New 

Zealand is the Sponsor of the 

‘Best Accountant’ Category 

of the Indian Newslink Indian 

Business Awards 2015. 


Volunteer 

expo opens 

job doors 

Trish Fleetwood 

25 

Volunteering is now seen by many employers 

as an essential component of an employee’s 

CV, and Massey University students got an 

opportunity recently to see howthey can 

make a difference at the annual Volunteer Expo. 

The Volunteer Expo was held on the Massey 

University campuses in Auckland and Manawatū on 

May 13, offering the chance for students and members 

of the community to chat with over 20 not-for-profit 

organisations to find out the best fit for their skills. 

Red Cross at the Expo 

Employers’ concern 

Volunteering is becoming important to employers. 

Employers have told us that one of the factors they 

look for on a CV is whether the potential candidate 

has volunteered their time and given back to the 

community. 

We have found that some of our students start 

volunteering and discover wonderful ways to add 

value to the organisations that employ them. 

Volunteering also enables people to develop 

networks, enhance self-esteem and gain insights into 

a range of career paths. 

We were delighted to host the Volunteer Expo at 

Massey University. 

The Red Cross was just one of the organisations at 

the Volunteer Expo on the Auckland and Manawatū 

campuses. 

Trish Fleetwood is Career Development Consultant 

at the Massey Univeristy Auckland Campus 

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COMMUNITYLINK 

World to commemorate Yoga Day 

Wellington based 

Indian High 

Commission 

will lead New 

Zealanders in celebrating 

‘International Day of Yoga’ 

on June 21, 2015. 

The programme, 

scheduled to be held at 

9 am at the Wellington 

Indian Association located 

at 48 Kemp Street in 

Kilbirnie, will witness live 

demonstration by yoga 

teachers representing a 

number of organisation. 

More than 170 countries 

across the Continents will 

conduct similar programmes 

on that day, designated by 

the UN General Assembly 

following a resolution 

adopted on December 11, 

2014. The move followed the 

suggestion made by India’s 

Prime Minister Narendra 

Modi during his address at 

the Assembly on September 

27, 2014, his first since 

assuming office on May 26, 

2014. 

India’s invaluable Gift 

He said that Yoga is an 

invaluable gift of India’s 

ancient tradition. 

“It embodies unity of 

mind and body; thought 

and action; restraint and 

fulfilment; harmony between 

man and nature; a holistic 

approach to health and wellbeing. 

It is not about exercise 

but to discover the sense of 

oneness with yourself, the 

world and the nature. By 

changing our lifestyle and 

creating consciousness, it 

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a strong advocate of daily Yoga 

can help us deal with climate 

change. Let us work towards 

adopting an International 

Yoga Day,” he said. 

In suggesting June 21, 

which is the Summer 

Solstice, as the International 

Day of Yoga,Mr Modi had 

said that the date is the 

longest day of the year in 

the Northern Hemisphere 

and has special significance 

in many parts of the world. 

Spiritual Connection 

From the perspective of 

Yoga, the Summer Solstice 

marks the transition to 

Dakshinayana. 

The first full moon after 

Summer Solstice is known 

as Guru Poornima. 

According to Sadhguru 

Jaggi Vasudev, in the Yogic 

lore, the first transmission 

of Yoga by Shiva, the first 

Guru, is said to have begun 

on this day. 

Dakshinayana is also 

considered a time when there 

is natural support for those 

pursuing spiritual practices. 

There is no date available 

to fix that First Day but it 

is believed that Yoga dates 

back at least 6000 years 

when Rishis and Gurus 

practiced and taught Yoga as 

the best way of transforming 

the human body and mind 

into a state of wellbeing and 

bliss. 

Rare Insights 

India’s High 

Commissioner to New 

Zealand Ravi Thapar said 

that the forthcoming event 

will provide insights into 

Yoga. 

“The programme will also 

emphasise the relevance of 

Yoga in managing stress 

and optimising physical and 

mental fitness for addressing 

the compelling professional 

and personal routine which 

modern life entails,” he said. 

For registration and other 

details, please visit www. 

hicomind.org.nz/yoga. 

Prior to the 2014 UN 

resolution declaring June 

21 as International Day of 

Yoga, formal and informal 

groups of yoga teachers and 

enthusiasts celebrated World 

Yoga Day on other days in 

support of various causes. 

Sri Ravi Shankar 

In December 2011, 

international humanitarian 

and meditation and yoga 

Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar 

and other Yoga Gurus, 

supported the cause from 

the delegation of the Yoga 

Portuguese Confederation 

and together calledon the 

UN to declare June 21 as 

International Yoga Day. 

“It is very difficult for 

any philosophy, religion or 

culture to survive without 

state patronage. Yoga has 

existed so far almost like 

an orphan. Now, official 

recognition by the UN would 

further spread the benefit of 

yoga to the entire world,” Mr 

Ravi Shankar said. 

The Art of Living 

Foundation Centres in New 

Zealand will join their global 

counterparts in marking June 

21 as the ‘International Yoga 

Day.’ 

As we prepared this 

Report, New Zealand 

Indian Central Association, 

Auckland Indian Association 

and others have announced 

similar initiatives. 

Editor’s Note: If an 

organisation or group with 

which you are connected 

is organising a similar 

programme, please email 

editor@indiannewslink. 

co.nz on or before June 

8, 2015 so that we could 

promote it in our next 

(June 15, 2015) issue 

Auckland Regional 

Migrant Services 

( A R M S ) 

launched its third 

Hub for migrant and former 

refuge women, aiming to 

support them to integrate 

into the mainstream New 

Zealand and become partners 

in progress. 

Called ‘WISE,’ an 

acronym for ‘Women, 

Inspired, Strong, Empowered 

and Enterprising,’ held its 

first meeting at the Wise Women’s 

Hub at Orakei Community Centre in 

Auckland on May 27. 

Safe Place 

ARMS Chief Executive Dr Mary 

Dawson said that the Hub will be 

a safe space where women can 

socialise, learn new skills, become 

connected to relevant services, and 

ultimately develop small enterprises. 

She said that the Hub has been 

financed through a grant from 

Settling In Fund (Office of Ethnic 

Communities) and support from staff 

at the Refugees Education for Adults 

and Families programme at Selwyn 

College and the Orakei Community 

Centre (Auckland Council). 

Joint Initiative 

The WISE Collective is a joint 

community project between ARMS 

and Auckland Refugee Community 

Coalition (ARCC), she said and added 

that Project Worker, Nanmyat Htwe 

will oversee the Orakei Hub. 

“The WISE Women Hubs support 

refugee-background women to use 

their talents and interests. Since 

coming together for social time, 

trainings, craft and catering activities, 


WISE women within 

ARMS reach 

A new hub for women in Auckland 

26 

many of them have become less 

isolated, more involved in their 

communities, and feel more confident 

in talking with people,” Dr Dawson 

said. 

The WISE Collective has hub 

meetings in Henderson and Mt 

Roskill. 

Useful Courses 

It also runs ethnic food catering 

service and food stalls, cooking 

classes, Zumba dance classes, craft 

sessions, sale of Heritage blankets, 

bags and brooches, and upskilling 

courses like Be Your Own Boss and 

Food Safety trainings. 

ARCC General Manager Abann 

Yor said,“We understand the 

challenges that new settlers women 

from refugee backgrounds face 

when settling in Auckland.The 

challenges can be English language 

barriers, social isolation and a lack 

of opportunity to network and be 

part of social engagements. It can be 

very tough. This new Hub will give 

women the opportunity to network 

and to understand Kiwi culture and 

integrate into society in Auckland 

and give women positive direction 

in different areas.” 

jeffery.nathan@aon.com

COMMUNITYLINK 


27 

Indians pay homage to World War heroes Community Patrol 

Raj Bedi 

More than 40 Indian 

families and their 

friends got together on 

May 1 to pay homage 

to their forefathers, relatives and 

friends who participated in World 

Wars I and II, fighting on behalf of 

New Zealand, which was then a part 

of the British entity. 

National MP Kanwaljit Singh 

Bakshi, Former Otara-Papatoetoe 

Local Board Chairman John 

McCracken and members of the 

Papatoetoe Historical Society were 

among those present at the event 

held at Youthline, located at St 

George’s Street in Papatoetoe. 

They shared their knowledge 

of the two World Wars and the 

experience of their grandparents 

and great grandparents. A display 

of medals and memorabilia helped 

many to understand and appreciate 

the bravery of our predecessors 

during one of the most critical and 

dangerous stages that the world went 

through in the 20th Century. 

About 4000 Sikh soldiers of 

British India participated in the 

Gallipoli operations in 1915; 

Families and friends at the gathering on May 1, 2015 

about 800 of them were killed and 

many more were injured along 

with soldiers from other countries 

including New Zealand and 

Australia. 

Rajinder Bedi is Community 

Educator at the Papatoetoe 

Historical Society, a Community 

Leader, a Marriage Celebrant 

and Secretary of the Sri Dasmesh 

Darbar Gurdwara located at 

Kolmar Road, near Hunters 

Corner in Papatoetoe. Email: 

raj.1442@yahoo.co.nz 

Retired officials write 

Indian Newslink carried a report 

on the commemorate service held on 

April 25, 2004 in its May 1, 2004 

issue. 

Writing in our May 1, 2012 

issue, Carl Gomes and Col Ravee 

Sharawat had said that the Indian 

Army (then called the British Indian 

Army) contributed a number of 

divisions and independent brigades 

to the European Front in West, 

Mediterranean and the Middle East 

theatres of war. 

Carl James served the Indian 

Navy from 1967 and following 

retirement in 1990, was employed 

in Merchant Navy. He lives in 

Auckland. Ravee Sahrawat served 

the Indian Army from 1964, served 

in the First Regiment of the Brigade 

of the Guards and retired as Colonel. 

He lives in Wellington 

Gallipoli veterans 

“A million Indian troops served 

overseas, of whom 62,000 died 

and 67,000 were wounded. These 

included 1926 soldiers killed and 

3863 wounded at Gallipoli, while 

fighting for the Australian-New 

Zealand Division, as a part of 

Australia New Zealand Army Corps 

(ANZAC).Tens of thousands of 

New Zealanders observe ANZAC 

Day on April 25 with reverence at 

home and far across the oceans at 

Gallipoli in Turkey. 

Multinational body 

“Despite being synonymous 

with Australia and New Zealand, 

ANZAC was a multinational 

body. In addition to the 

many British officers in the 

corps and division staffs, it 

contained elements of the 

Indian Expeditionary Force 

G, which was primarily 29 

Infantry Brigade, comprising 

two Punjabi battalions, 

King George’s Own (KGO) 

Ferozepore Sikhs and I/5 GR 

with mountain batteries. 

“The present incarnation of 

69 Punjabis (The First Battalion 

of the Brigade of Guards) is the 

senior most infantry battalion of the 

National MP K S Bakshi speaking to Commander Dhindsa, watched by John McCracken 

(left) and Jenny Clark, Papatoetoe Historical Society Secretary (standing). 

Indian Army, proudly displaying 

Gallipoli as one of its 31 Battle 

Honours along with Heles and 

Krithia from the same sector. The 

other infantry battalions, still on 

Order of Battle (ORBAT) of the 

Indian Army also cherish their 

battle honours earned in the Gallipoli 

Sector of Dardanelles. Keeping the 

sensitivity of 33% Muslim troops 

of two Punjabi battalions to fight 

Khalifa’s Company of religionist 

troops, these battalion were 

withdrawn and sent to France, to 

be replaced by ¼ GR, 1/6 GR and 

2/10 GR.” 

launched in Mount 

Roskill 

Mount Roskill will have a Community Patrol for the 

first time following its launch on May 13, 2015. 

I attended the event at St Giles Presbyterian 

Church. 

It is great to see such a strong sense of caring for the safety of 

people in this community with the launch of the Mount Roskill 

Community Patrol. I congratulate them and thank them for the 

work they will be doing helping keep our 

neighbourhoods safe. 

A Community Patrol is made up of 

volunteers who act as eyes and ears 

for police, helping to create a safer 

environment to live.They do good work to 

help the community and will be a valued 

addition to Mount Roskill. 

Safer New Zealand 

National has worked hard to help our Police build a safer New 

Zealand; we now have the lowest crime rate since 1978. 

Our Police have focused on prevention first, and we have given 

them better resources to do the job so that they can spend less 

time behind a desk and more time out in their neighbourhoods. 

Dr Parmjeet Parmar (second from right) with (from left) Taki Tuhaka, 

Merril Bourne and Glenn Cleaver at the Community Patrol launch. 

Together with this new community patrol,I am sure that all 

our families will feel very secure in their homes and workplaces, 

as they should. 

Community Patrols of New Zealand was formed in 2001 to 

promote and foster a collaborative working relationship with 

Police and to provide resources, support and guidance to local 

community patrol groups. 

Dr Parmjeet Parmar is a Member of Parliament on National List. 

The Holy Month 

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Special Feature June 15, 2015 

HELPING FAMILIES GET AHEAD 

Ramadan, the Holy Month in the Islamic Calendar is expected to 

commence on or about June 18, 2015. Muslims in New Zealand, 

like their counterparts all over the world, will observe a month of 

abstinence, participate in daily prayers at Islamic Centres and 

Mosques and promote community and social welfare. 

Lectures, special programmes and other religious events will be 

held during this month. 

Indian Newslink will publish a Special Report in its June 15, 2015 to 

commemorate the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan. 

Booking deadline June 8 and material by June 10, 2015 

KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI 

NATIONAL LIST MP 

RT HON JOHN KEY 

PRIME MINISTER 

DR PARMJEET PARMAR 

NATIONAL LIST MP 

Kanwaljit’s email: bakshi.mp@parliament.govt.nz 

Parmjeet’s email: parmjeet.parmar@parliament.govt.nz 

HON SAM LOTU IIGA 

MINISTER FOR ETHNIC 

COMMUNITIES 

09 5336377 • Mob: 021 753699 

Funded by the Parliamentary Service & 

authorised by John Key MP, Executive Wing, 

Parliament, Molesworth St, Wellington 

www.national.org.nz

COMMUNITYLINK 

Water of Life comes with Divine blessing 

Carey Kinsolving 

Proverb 10:11 says,“Like a 

fountain of water, the words 

of a good person give life.” 

“I think this Proverb means 

that you are always walking with a big 

pot of water over yourhead. Jesus will 

pour that big 

pot on your 

head when 

you are ready. 

That special 

water is called 

Living Water,” 

eight-year-old 

Tori said. 

I can 

guarantee 

that Tori’s interpretation will not be 

found in any Bible commentary, but 

it provides food for thought or, in this 

case, water for a bath. 

The word ‘baptise’ comes from 

the idea of immersing one thing into 

another so that thetwo are identified 

with each other. 

Divine Union 

Anyone who drinks the Living 

Water believes in Jesus as Saviour and 

isplacedimmediately into Union with 

An ardent Hindi teacher has appealed to 

the Indian government and the World 

Hindi Secretariat (WHS) to establish 

a Regional Hindi Secretariat in Fiji. 

Wellington Hindi School Coordinator Sunita 

Narayan said that the suggested body, called, 

‘Pacific Hindi Centre’ (‘Prashantiye Hindu 

Kendra) should be based in Suva. 

She has prepared a detailed presentation 

Jesus Christ, The Saviour 

Christ. This dry baptism is called “the 

washing of regeneration and renewing 

of the Holy Spirit”(Titus 3:5). 

If the words of the good person 

contain the Living Water of the 

gospel, Tori’s water potscontain 

symbolic application. 

However, Hanah (6), offers another 

interpretation, “Whenever somebody 

setting out the aims and objectives of the 

Centre, to enable Pacific nations to engage in 

Hindi language initiatives and develop their 

proficiency. 

International Language 

“Hindi is available to anyone who wants to 

learn it to enjoy a fully integrated social, cultural, 

spiritual and economic life in the Pacific, raising 

the status of Hindi to an international language. 

The Centre will deliver on a number of strategic 

goals aligned with those of the WHS,” she said. 

wants to ridemy bike, I can say Ok.” 

Try looking at requests as 

opportunities instead of intrusions. Be 

grateful that someonethought enough 

of you to ask for something. 

Happy Words 

Six-year-old Kelsey feels happy 

whenever her parents say kind words 

to her. 

Like yeast that makes dough rise, 

parents’ encouraging words leaven 

their children’s livesto develop 

character assets that lead to success. 

Just a few words at the right time 

can make the difference between 

success and failure.Like little flowers, 

children yearn to bask in the sunshine 

of life-giving words from loving 

parents. 

According to Morgan (8), you can 

trust people who are always nice to 

you, and always tell you the truth. 

“It is like water, very cold water, 

and you know it will be good to drink. 

But if someone does not tell the truth, 

then you cannot trust him. It is like 

water that you know is hot, and it will 

not be good to drink.” 

Hot Water 

Talking to liars is like drinking hot 

water on a hot day. 

It is refreshing to talk to someone 

who always tells the truth, but talking 

to a liar isexhausting. It takes a lot of 

work to figure out if you are being 

deceived. Skilled attorneys charge 

high fees to prove that someone is 

lying. 

“To live, you must have water. You 

would die without water. If you do not 

have encouraging words in your life, 

or someone to build you up, you will 

probably die of loneliness,”Chelsie 

said. 

After Jesus had fasted for 40 days, 

Satan tempted him to turn stones into 

bread. 

Jesus resisted by quoting 

Scripture:“Man shall not live by bread 

alone, but by every wordthat proceeds 

from the mouth of God”(Matthew 4:4; 

Deuteronomy 8:3). 

God’s Words 

Have you ever considered speaking 

the Word of God to someone for 

encouragement? 

Make sure you speak it to yourself 

first. 

If your life does not reflect 

the spiritual reality to which the 

Scriptures point, quoting Bible verses 

to others may sound hollow. 

Teacher advocates Hindi Centre in Fiji 


Sunita Narayan 

Supporting Pacific nations to develop projects 

and programmes that encourage and help Hindi 

literacy and lifelong learning are among the 

prime objectives of the Centre. 

“It would encourage the use of Hindi as 

the medium of communication in daily life 

and promote teaching and learning of Hindi 

at primary, secondary and tertiary levels and 

in community based Hindi schools. We also 

propose the establishment of a Resource 

Sri Lankan community 

bereaved 


The Sri Lankan community in Auckland 

is mourning the death Thambiah 

Yogeswaran, on May 13, 2015, following 

illness. 

The end came a day before his 63rd birthday. 

Community workers Nadesan Nanthakumar 

said that Mr Yogeswaran had to undergo heart 

surgery. 

“But unfortunately, after fighting courageously 

for five days in the Intensive Care Unit, he finally 

surrendered to God,” he said. 

Mr Yogeswaran is survived by his wife 

Gowri, daughter Dhushiyanthi,sons Mauranand 

Senthuran,son-in-law Kamaleswaran and 

daughters-in-law Vijiyashankary and Sharmila. 

He was cremated at the Purewa Cemetery in 

Meadowbank on May 17. 

“Mr Yogeswaran was born in Sarasalai, 

Chavakachcheri on May 14, 1952 to Kanthar 

Thambyah and Kathirasi Sinnathamby. He was 

third in a family of seven. He joined the Sri 

Lankan Telecommunication in 1978 and retired 

as a Telecommunication Engineer in 1999.He 

married Gowri, a teacher by profession in 1978,” 

Mr Nanthakumar said. 

He migrated to New Zealand in 1998 with his 

family to provide a better education for children 

in a peaceful and safe environment. 


28 

According to twelve-year-old 

Kristin, a good person gives advice 

and encourages youwhen you are 

down. 

“They lift you up and give you life. 

You should always try to lift people 

up or give themlife just like water. 

Water gives plants life. A good person 

gives life when they encourageyou or 

gives water to you for life.” 

Think about this: Jesus promised a 

reward for a cup of cold water given 

in his name. 

Think about the reward for speaking 

encouraging words in his name. 

Carey Kinsolving is an Auckland 

based storywriter and the above 

is a part of ‘Kids Talk about God’ 

distributed by Creators Syndicate. 

To access free, online ‘Kids 

Color Me Bible’ books,‘Mission 

Explorers’ videos and all columns 

in a Bible Lesson Archive, visit 

www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. To 

read journey-of-faith feature stories 

written by Carey Kinsolving, visit 

www.faithprofiles.org; Copyright 

2014 Carey Kinsolving 

Centre with books, periodicals and multimedia 

facilities,” she said. 

The barriers 

Ms Narayan said that international students 

from India, who are the second largest group 

after Chinese, New Zealand could be a good 

‘home away from home,’ where they could 

immerse and share their talent with local Hindi 

speakers, enriching wider New Zealand. 

“There are a number of barriers to Hindi 

education and propagation in New Zealand 

and the Pacific. People speak less Hindi at 

home due to increased proficiency in English. 

Hindi learning is not included in schools and 

universities and community-based Hindi schools 

are struggling with lack of appropriate resources, 

including teachers and meeting increasing 

expectations by parents,” she said. 

Focus on the young 

Ms Narayan said that her proposal is based 

on the principle that the foundation lies in 

the young generation where we must focus 

now,while giving the opportunity to those who 

have missed learning and or mastering Hindi, 

and others to express,use, maintain and expand 

their current Hindi knowledge and skills. 

“The concept has been consulted with 

stakeholders to gain an endorsement of the 

approach. We are now seeking approval and 

the development of a model that will support 

the achievement of WHS’s vision, mission and 

strategic goals,” she said. 

Thambiah Yogeswaran

ENTERTAINMENTLINK 

Meet your favourite film stars in Auckland 


29 


Ravi Jadhav Priya Bapat Priyadarshan Jadhav Vaibhav Mangle 

Dorothy Winstone Centre at 

Auckland Grammar School, 

which has witnessed a number 

of national day festivities, 

cultural programmes, and graduation 

ceremonies, will transform itself into a 

theatre later this month. 

It would be a veritable venue for lovers 

of Marathi Cinema on Sunday, June 21, 

2015 at 3 pm as ‘TimePass2,’ a box office 

hit, is screened at the Centre. 

Tickets priced at $25 and $20 are 

available at a number of Indian retail 

outlets. They can also be booked on 

telephone 022-1098071 or 021-552299. 

Payment options include Cash, Credit 

Card and Paypal. 

For further information, please email 

rushali.entertainment@gmail.com 

‘TimePass 2’ is Rated PG and childcare 

is available at the venue in Auckland. 

Stars attraction 

Ravi Jadhav, Director of the film, 

Vaibhav Mangle who portrays the 

character of ‘Shakal,’ Priyadarshan 

Jadhav (Dagdu) and Priya Bapat (Praju) 

will be present at the screening and chat 

with the audience. 

Rushali Entertainment Limited 

and Global Gurus Limited are jointly 

organising the special screening and 

coordinating the visit of the artistes. 

Highest grosser 

Neha Mokashi, Director of Global 

Gurus said that the first version of 

‘TimePass,’ released in January 2014 

was one of the most successful films in 

Marathi film industry. 

“It was the first Marathi film to cross 

the Rs 30 Crores (about $6.47 million) 

mark. It set a benchmark for Marathi 

Cinema as the highest grosser. The 

film also marked a spectacular victory 

for Jadhav, who is a pride of our film 

industry,” she said. 

Ravi Jadhav 

She said that ‘Natarang,’ which was 

his debut film as director, won the 2009 

National Film Award for Best Feature 

Film in Marathi. 

“He has many other notable films to his 

credit, including ‘Balak Palak,’ produced 

by Ritesh Deshmukh and ‘Balgandharva,’ 

which won three national awards at the 

59th National Film Awards. He is known 

for promoting new film directors in 

Marathi Cinema by co-producing and 

presenting ‘Rege,’ (directed by debutant 

Abhijit Panse) and ‘Coffee Aani Barach 

Kahi’(by Prakash Kunte),” she said. 

Jadhav has the distinction of being 

one of the most creative directors in the 

Marathi film Industry. ‘Balak Palak’ 

received critical acclaims and was a major 

commercial success. 

He has directed ‘Tomorrow’s 

Decided,’a music video for Pentagram, an 

electro-rock band based in Mumbai and 

written lyrics for Saazani, a Marathi single 

by Shekhar Ravjiani, and has directed its 

music video. 

Several Awards 

Jadhav has won a number of Awards. 

These include the Rajat Kamal Award at 

the National Film Awards for ‘Natarang,’ 

as the Best Marathi Film (2010); National 

Film Awards and Film Festivals at Cannes 

and Venice- ‘Balgandharva’ (2011); Best 

Short Fiction Film at the 62nd National 

Film Awards Official Selection at IFFI 

(Indian Panorama) for ‘Mitrra’ (2014). 

His films have also been shown at 

the Chicago South Asian Film Festival; 

Iris Prize Festival (Cardiff, UK); Prague 

Bollywood Festival; Homochrom, 

Cologne, Germany; and Darpan Film 

Festival, Singapore. 

Priya Bapat 

The lead actress of TimePass 2 was a 

student of the Balmohan Vidyamandir 

School. 

Priya Bapat madeher Bollywood debut 

in Dr Jabbar Patel’s film ‘Dr Baba Saheb 

Ambedkar’ as young Ramabai. 

She did a cameo in the 2006 Bollywood 

box-office hit ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai.’ 

Priya plays a lead role in Marathi Stage 

drama ‘Nava Gadi Nava Rajya’ with her 

husband Umesh Kamat and sings for 

his music album, ‘Anandi and Anand 

Reunite.’ 

In 2009, She performed the role 

of Shashikala in Marathi film ‘Me 

Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy.’ 

Priya will be in Auckland in June 21 

for the screening of TimePass 2. 

He filmography includes Dr Babasaheb 

Ambedkar (2000), Munna Bhai MBBS 

(2003), Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006), 

Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy (2008), 

Andhali Koshimbir (2010), Kaksparsh 

(2013), Lokmanya (2014), TimePass 

(2014), Happy Journey (2014) and 

TimePass 2 (2015). 

She is also an artiste in a number of 

TV serials including ‘Shubham Karoti,’ 

‘Aamhi Travelkar’ that she hosts, 

‘Natak’and ‘Navaa Gadi Navaa Raajya.’ 

Priyadarshan Jadhav 

This Marathi actor is also a writer 

and director. A multitalented person, 

Priyadarshan Jadhav entered the Marathi 

film industry at a young age with the zeal 

to become a filmmaker. He made his 

acting debut ‘Vijay Aso’ (2012). 

As well as writing the screenplay for 

the prequel, Priyadarshan has written the 

story of ‘TimePass 2’ and acted in the film 

opposite Priya Bapat. 

His other film credits include ‘Chintoo 

2’(2013)as actor and ‘Hapus’(2010) as 

associate director. Portraying comic 

roles became his forte and he entertained 

the audience in films such as ‘Jay 

Maharashtra Dhaba Bhatinda’ (2012). 

Priyadarshan has also directed a few 

Marathi Plays including ‘Mr and Mrs’ 

and ‘Jago Mohan Pyare.’ He is known for 

his skits in ‘Fu Bai Fu,’a Marathi stand-up 

comedy TV show on Zee Marathi. His 

filmography included ‘Vijay Aso’ (2012), 

‘Chintoo2’ (2013) and ‘TimePass 2’ 

(2015). 

Vaibhav Mangle 

Vaibhav Mangle is a popular Marathi 

and Hindi film, television and stage actor, 

noted for his comic roles He is a winner 

of ‘Fu Bai Fu season 1.’ 

His films include ‘Harishchandrachi 

Factory,’ ‘Kaksparsh,’ ‘Shikshanachya 

Aaicha Gho,’ 

‘Navra Majha Navsacha,’ ‘Shahanpan 

Dega Deva,’ ‘Fakta Ladh Mhana,’ 

‘Shala,’‘Touring Talkies,’ ‘TimePass’ 

and ‘TimePass 2.’ 

He played the main role in the Marathi 

play ‘Ek Daav Bhatacha,’ and was a part 

of the famous Marathi play ‘Mukkam 

Post Bombilwadi.’

12TH EDITION 

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Music School prepares for 

Indian - Western combo 

Venkat Raman 

Auckland based 

Sargam School 

of Indian Music 

is organising 

a musical programme 

that will bring together 

the nuances of the East 

and the West in the true 

spirit of diversity and 

multiculturalism. 

The Programme, titled, 

‘Sangam Fusion: The 

Global Indian Project,’ 

will be held from 630 

pm on Saturday, July 25, 

2015 at Blockhouse Bay 

Community Centre located 

at 524 Blockhouse Bay 

Road in Auckland. 

Captivating Ensemble 

According to Basant 

Madhur, Director & 

Principal of the School, the 

forthcoming event will be a 

unique ensemble of Indian 

musical offering with a 

Western touch. 

“The Group blends 

the intricacies of Indian 

Classical music with 

the delicate plucking 

of Mandolin, delightful 

sounds of the Guitar, 

reverberation of the Tabla, 

ringing sound of the earthy 

Ghatam, groovy beat of the 

Dholak, and rocking tempo 

of the Acoustic Drums. 

“The mesmerising strokes 

of the Keyboard overlays 

the harmony, backed by 

vocal brilliance covering a 

range of genres.The band 

will focus on total team 

M: 021745030 P: 096276339 

offering, with every artiste 

playing a crucial part in the 

collaboration,retaining the 

liberty to be expressive in 

their respective instruments 

or on their vocal repertoire,” 

he said. 

Opera and Sufi 

Ravi Nyayapati, a 

participant in the show 

and a member of the 

Organising Committee said 

that a fine mixture of Indian 

and Western songs and 

instruments has universal 

appeal, the ears and the 

soul. 

“The ‘Sangam Fusion: 

The Global Indian Project’ 

will include Operatic 

and Sufi rendition, the 

first offering of its kind 

in Auckland. The aim 

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is to shift the paradigm 

of typical Bollywood 

concerts. This would truly 

be a transnational and 

transcultural event, with the 

artistes of our community 

reaching across to other 

cultures,” he said. 

As well as providing a 

musical cascade of Eastern 

and Western proportion, the 

Programme will feature a 

Kathak concert by Ratna 

Venkat. 

The Singers 

The singers include 

Akhila Puthigae, Ashish 

Ramakrishnan and Shirley 

Setia, while Basant Madhur 

(Tabla), Ravi Nyayapati 

(Dholak), Rushabh 

Trivedy (Piano), Saketh 

Vishnubhotla Saketh 

Mobile: 022 429 3549 

www.myprinter.co.nz 

(Ghatam, Mandolin and 

Guitar) and Swapnil Gomez 

(Drums)are among the 

instrumentalists. 

Mr Madhur said that 

mesmerising strokes of 

the Keyboard overlays the 

harmony, backed by the 

vocal brilliance of Ashish, 

a reality show winner, 

Shirley, the internet singing 

sensation, and Akhila, the 

singing child prodigy. 

FASTFIND BUSINESS DIRECTORY JUNE 2014 - 2015 


Akhila Puthigae Ashish Ramakrishnan Basant Madhur Ratna Venkat 

Ravi Nyayapati Rushabh Trivedy Saketh Vishnubhotla Swap Gomez 

Celebrity singer for 

Soni Samaj Mothers’ Day 


Celebrated singer, 

composer, actor and 

director Tarun Nandha 

was in Auckland to 

perform at the Mothers’ Day 

Celebrations organised by Soni 

Samaj New Zealand last week. 

More than 300 people attended 

the programme held at Freemans 

Bay Community Hall. 

We were at printers when 

the event was in progress and 

hence our next (June 15, 2015) 

issue will carry details and 

photographs. 

Born and raised in Fiji, Tarun 

has a natural flair for composing 

new tunes, writing lyrics, singing, 

acting and directing. A graduate 

in Dramatic Arts and a qualified 

accountant, he has worked with 

Hindi film industry music duo 

Kalyanji Anandji and sung 

with popular playback singers 

including Nitin Mukesh, Alka 

Yagnik and Sonali Vaypayee. 

About the Sonis 

Established in 1993, Soni 

Ritesh Raniga with his wife Anjana and their daughter Neeral 

and son Yash at Mothers’ Day festivities 2014. 

Samaj comprises predominantly 

Indo-Fijians, originally from the 

districts of Rajkot, Porbandar and 

Nausari in Gujarat, India. 

President Ritesh Raniga said 

that the Soni community accounts 

for no more than 50 families 

in New Zealand, involved in 

jewellery and related businesses, 

retailing and other commercial 

activities. The community also 

accounts for many professionals. 

“The Samaj organises its 

annual ‘Tirth Yatra,’ visiting 

temples in Auckland and 

Hamilton, with this year’s event 

likely to be held on Sunday, June 

21, 2015. We mark occasions 

such as Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ 

Day, Diwali and Christmas and 

undertake a number of projects 

to collect funds for charitable 

causes, some of which have 

included the New Zealand Red 

Cross and the Christchurch 

Earthquake Relief Fund,” he said. 

Mr Raniga said that the Samaj 

is currently considering ways and 

means of raising funds for the 

victims of the earthquakes that 

devastated Nepal. 

30 

“These, with a classic 

touch of Ratna Venkat 

performing Kathak (she is 

also a classical dancer who 

also specialises in Bharata 

Natyam, Kuchipudi) will 

add to the charm of the 

programme,” he said. 

Editor’s Note: Profiles 

of artistes with additional 

information will appear in 

an ensuing issue. 

Fundraiser 

for School 

sports 

court 

One of the most popular ways of 

raising funds in our community 

is by selling meal packs. 

AlMadinah School in Auckland 

is running this type of fundraiser just before 

the Holy Month of Ramadan, which is 

expected to commence on or about June 18. 

Money raised from their ‘Dinner Night’ 

will be used to provide an Astroturf multisports 

court for the girls at the State- 

Integrated Islamic School. 

Meal packs will be available for collection 

at the School located at 8 Westney Road, 

Mangere, Auckland on Sunday, June 14, 

2015 (afternoon). 

Tickets for the meal packs are on sale now 

at $30 each. 

Please call (09) 2755195 or email info@ 

al-madinah.school.nz for further information. 

The School has postponed its ‘Gala Day’ 

until Term 3 because of the continuing 

roadworks outside the school, which is 

making parking more difficult than usual. 

Source: Rocket Science, Newsletter of 

Mt Albert Islamic Centre, Auckland 

Read more 

online 

www.indiannewslink.co.nz 

Phone: 09 5336377

ENTERTAINMENTLINK 

A sliver for golden couple across the Shore 

Venkat Raman 

It is often said that the finest 

attribute of a human being is his 

or her ability to establish and 

sustain a family with mutual selfrespect, 

love and admiration. 

It is also said that of all the 

partnerships, listed or unlisted, the 

most challenging and fragile is that 

of Matrimony, for it takes only one 

heart to break. 

In a world that is characterised 

by guided missiles and misguided 

people, couples marking significant 

milestones as man and wife call for 

Hand-in-Hand, for ever- 

Lawrence & Erica Pereira 

celebrations- not in the quiet, or 

within the nucleus family, but in the 

wide and open society, for, seeing two 

people sporting indelible love for each 

other for a length of time, is inspiring. 

Spencer Sparkles 

The Little family- Lawrence & Erica with their 

children Reuben, Rebecca and Rachel 

That was how it was on Saturday, 

May 23, 2015 at Spencer on Byron 

at North Shore Auckland when 

Lawrence and Erica Pereira, two 

faithful friends of hundreds of people 

and soulful entities such as Indian 

Newslink repeated their vows 25 

times, to the delight and applause of 

about 200 people from a cross-section 

of economic fortunes. 

Among them were Indians, 

Europeans of British, Scottish, Irish 

and Maori descent, friends who stood 

by the couple at the best and worst of 

their times and three lovable children 

who had seen their parents trusting 

and loving with no expectations. 

The Formalities 

Richard Gee, a business mentor who 

had a positive influence on Lawrence, 

was the Master of Ceremonies at the 

event, which began with a priest of 

the neighbouring Parish blessing the 

couple. 

Wenceslaus Anthony, a longstanding 

friend of the couple (just 

as this writer), eulogised their 

mutual love and understanding as he 

proposed a toast. 

“Lawrence and Erica symbolise 

trust and confidence that are vital for 

the success of any partnership, more 

so in a family relationship. They have 


The Extended Pereira Family- His and Hers 

kept their faith in God and in their 

children as they faced life and its 

challenges,” he said. 

Keeping faith 

As many guests told this 

correspondent at the event, 

the outstanding aspect of their 

relationship has been faith. 

“Erica had faith in God; in 

Lawrence, in his ability, honesty 

and integrity, and most important in 

herself. It was this faith that carried 

them through a number of challenges 

in their professional lives,” they said. 

Lawrence and Eric are today 

successful entrepreneurs with 

investments in the right brands and 

businesses. 

The Three ‘Rs’ 

Their family, which includes the 

A Section of guests at the Silver Jubilee 

31 

three ‘Rs,’ their son Reuben and 

daughters Rebecca and Rachel are 

among the most closely knit with 

social and moral values that we know. 

As they said their prayers and later 

danced to the tunes of a specially 

arranged jazz band, one sentiment 

was apparent- that the 25th Wedding 

Anniversary was truly a blessed and 

sterling event. 

Their Wedding Day, and birthdays 

of Erica, Reuben and Rebecca,occur 

in close proximity, leading to a season 

of festivities in their home. Rachel,the 

youngest, born in February,feels more 

exclusive and “less crowded.” 

“Erica has been the greatest and 

best person in my life,” Lawrence 

said. 

Erica agreed 

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SPORTSLINK 

Indian pugilist hungry for a challenging bout 

Apurv Shukla 

Reigning World Boxing Federation 

Asia Pacific Heavy Weight 

Champion Rohit Singh added a 

feather to his cap when he was 

awarded a gold Medal, Trophy and Certificate 

of Excellence by the World Boxing Council 

State Assembly onMay 

17, 2015 in USA. 

He earned the honour 

for being the first Indian 

Heavyweight Boxing 

Champion of the 

World.This capped off a 

successful Kiwi summer 

for the boxer, where he 

beatMexican pugilist Ruben Rodriguez at 

Club Deportivo De Basquet Bol Veteranos, 

Guasave, and Sinaloa, Mexico on March 28, 

2015. 

It was a tough fight for Rohit against a 

strong opponent, who weighed 124 kgs. 

Mumbai Indians take the stumps off IPL 

Ravi Nyayapati 

The lucrative Indian Premier League 

(IPL) came to amuch-anticipated 

high-profile conclusion on May 

24,2015 with Mumbai Indians 

(MI)winning the 

Championship title 

beating contenders 

Chennai Super Kings 

(CSK) by 41 runs. 

MI amassed 202 for 5 

(Simmons 68, Rohit 50, 

Bravo 2-36). In reply, 

only Dwayne Smith managed to stand 

up to the MI bowling attack and CSK 

eventually finished on 161 for 8 (Smith 

57, McClenaghan 3-25, Harbhajan 2-34). 

MI and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) 

were possibly the two most famous 

franchisee teams, making it to the finals. 

In eight seasons so far, CSK have entered 

Rohit Singh with officials of the World 

Boxing Council at the Legends of 

Boxing Museum California, USA 

Rohit knocked him down in the fourth 

round in 1 minute 36 seconds. 

TKO win 

Speaking to Indian Newslink, Rohit 

described how Reuben went down from his 

left hook to the jaw and then he threwa right 

uppercut to his face.This made Reuben fly 

out of the ring, then the referee counted, and 

the boxer did not get up. 

Thus, Rohit won by T.K.O (Technical 

Knockout) and remained unbeaten in his 

stellar boxing career. 

the finals a remarkable six times. 

Royal Fellows 

In this edition of the IPL, CSK finished 

top of the pool again. They fumbled in the 

first qualifier against MI, only to recompose 

and eliminate Royal Challengers Bangalore 

(RCB)in a low-scoring second qualifier. 

CSK fans would feel heartbroken that 

after such dominance by team Yellow, 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men have not 

lifted the trophy since 2011. 

The CSK unit has been well-oiled and 

intelligent outfit since IPL inception, 

Rohit took active interest in the sport since 

he was seven years old in his hometown of 

Lautoka in Fiji. 

An accomplished judo, taekwondo and 

karate exponent,he also holds a ‘DanBlack 

Belt.’ Hard work has been the key to his 

success. 

Disciplined routine 

He follows a disciplined routine and trains 

up to seven hours a day honing his boxing 

skills and fitness levels. It has been a tough 

road to glory for Rohit. 

As an individual sport, boxing is 

demanding and its pursuers are under constant 

pressure to remain physically and mentally 

fit, perform well in the ring and keep their 

accounting books in black. 

Rohit idolises Mike Tyson, Lenox Lewis 

and pugilists of similar calibre. His gaol is 

to fight for World Boxing Council (WBC), 

World Boxing Association(WBA) and World 

Boxing Organisation (WBO). 

“These are expensive fights,held only in 

backed by a star-studded batting line-up, 

the most famous cricket captain around,and 

probably the most tactical cricket coach in 

Stephen Fleming. 

Their brand value tops US $100 

million, and their popularity worldwide 

keeps growing,inspired by the delightfully 

hilarious lungi dance video performed by 

their international stars to the tune of their 

theme song ‘Whistle Podu.’ 

Last Laugh 

However,MI had the last laugh as they 

overcame a sluggish start to the tournament 

to ultimately claim their second title in three 

years. 

After losing five of their first six matches, 

MI have had one of the most remarkable 

turnarounds of the tournament, making 

Ricky Ponting’s remarkable helm at cricket 

teams prove successful yet again. 

Ponting was appointed Head Coach this 

season and he stated his objective with the 

Rohit and his wife Ashwini with their 

children Krishneel, Neha and Nikhil 

America. It would cost each competitor at 

least $20,000. I hope to mobilise the resources 

to achieve my ambition,” Rohit said. 

Role Model 

Rohit is a role model for the Indian 

community in New Zealand. 

He has shown that sport in general and 

boxing in particular can be taken up as a 

career. 

A resident of South Auckland, he can play 

the role of an Ambassador for Healthy Living 

teamclearlythat he was there to win the IPL, 

not to qualify for the Champions League. 

It was Mission Accomplished. 

Ponting’s supportunit is also extravagant, 

yet strategically brilliant. 

They have Sachin Tendulkar and Anil 

Kumble as mentors,Jonty Rhodes as 

Fielding Coach, Shane Bond as Bowling 

Coach and John Wright as Talent Scout. 

This is completed by noted physiotherapists, 

nutritionists, masseurs and analysts. 

Mukesh Ambani’s business sense seems 

to have rubbed off in the right way for how 

the how team is managed. 

Star Performers 

A couple of MI players performed 

exceptionally well through the season. 

West Indian Lendl Simmons finished 

second only to Aussie David Warner in 

the batting department and Sri Lankan 

Lasith Malinga overcame his world cup 

disappointment to finish the Tournament on 


32 

and Eating for his adopted neighbourhood. 

He also does a lot of charity work in both 

New Zealand and Fiji. 

Endorsing the belief that men in the 

toughest of professionals are close to their 

families and long for their love, care, affection 

and most important of all encouragement, 

Rohit adores his young family comprising 

wife Ashwini, their sons Krishneel (18), 

Nikhil (5) and daughter Neha (12). 

We have seen the immense hype and 

hysteria generated by the recent fight between 

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in 

Las Vegas. 

This again points to the strong popular and 

commercial appeal of boxing. 

Rohit is keen to fight for the world title 

and in New Zealand, he has thrown an open 

challenge to famed boxer Joseph Parker. 

Indian Newslink wishes him the best in 

all his endeavours. 

24 wickets, marginally behind West Indian 

Dwayne Bravo. 

Kieran Pollard, another West Indian 

player, has had his best IPL to-date. 

Kiwi Mitch McClenaghan has been a 

great find and impressive – a good payback 

for they went hard out to secure him in 

the auction. 

Ponting has also been all praises for 

Rohit Sharma’ability to captain the side, 

especially as the tournament progressed. 

Things have certainly fallen in place 

for Mumbai Indians and the Ambanis 

would be relieved – the early editions of 

the tournament had been mediocre for MI. 

Shifting Focus 

Focus now shifts to international cricket, 

with India up for a Test series against 

neighbours Bangladesh. 

Harbhajan Singh makes a return to the 

test squad at the expense of Ravinder Jadeja 

who has been wayward in the last year. 

EXPRESS 

Former Documentation Officer of 

Immigration New Zealand 

alal

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