Indian Newslink Digital Edition June 1, 2015 Edition

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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. Indian Newslink June 1, 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 Open the door to Professional quality aluminium joinery NEW HOME JOINERY ◙ ADDITIONS ◙ RENOVATIONS CONSERVATORIES ◙ BALUSTRADE ◙ CUSTOM DESIGNS ◙ SHOP FRONTS NEW HOME JOINERY ◙ ADDITIONS ◙ RENOVATIONS CONSERVATORIES ◙ BALUSTRADE ◙ CUSTOM DESIGNS ◙ SHOP FRONTS
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, Indian Newslink June 1, 2015 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
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