Indian Newslink August 1, 2016 Digital Edition

BUSINESSLINK 

The English Fortnightly (Since November 1999) 

Issue 351 | August 1, 2016 | Free 

Promoting 

values adds 

to good 

governance 

Strategic 

policies ensure 

economic 

growth 

PAGE 02 PAGE 03 

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Sir Anand and Lady Susan Satyanand and Graeme Wheeler with special guests at the Lecture 

Self-discipline keeps everyone under check 

Uma Venkatram 

Guests at the Sixth Annual 

Indian Newslink Sir 

Anand Satyanand 

Lecture had a unique 

opportunity to understand the 

working of the Reserve Bank of 

New Zealand on Monday, July 25, 

2016. 

Governor Graeme Wheeler explained 

the policies and procedures 

which form the founding 

ideals of New Zealand’s Central 

Bank and provided an insight 

into the various mechanisms 

employed to keep inflation under 

control and foster economic 

growth. 

New Zealand is regarded for 

its transparency and disclosure 

regime, and is currently 

ranked fourth in the Corruption 

Perception Index (CPI) with acknowledgement 

in the banking 

and financial sector worldwide. 

Core Principles 

In a dynamic world of constant 

challenges such as the US 

sub-prime market collapse, global 

financial crisis and build-up 

of credit risk in Chinese market, 

RBNZ has adopted sound governance 

and institutional measures 

to stabilise and steer the New 

Zealand economy. Its regulatory 

SAME DAYCREDIT 

TO ANYINDIAN BANKACCOUNT 

*Conditions Apply 

HEAD OFFICEAND BRANCH: 

632 Dominion Road 

MANUREWA: 

19/185 Great South Road 

framework is guided by transparency, 

accountability and corporate 

responsibility. 

We heard that the Bank has 

used foresight to implement 

banking and financial regulations 

in the face of externalities and information 

asymmetry. 

Its policy is based on solid anchors 

of self-discipline, market 

discipline and regulatory framework. 

The Bank considers that 

not every market failure needs a 

regulatory response. 

Managing Risks 

Self-discipline comprises, 

amongst others, internal risk 

management, Board composition, 

diversity, minimum number, participation, 

rotation and calibre of 

senior management. 

Market discipline entails credit-rating 

and various disclosure 

and reporting requirements, 

whilst the last anchor – regulatory 

framework – covers the role of 

RBNZ as a regulator and encompasses 

issues such as risk appetite 

and levels of capital and liquidity. 

The Bank guides the New 

Zealand financial system using 

appropriate tools for issues 

such as raising bank capital, bank 

management, financial stability, 

insurance reforms and liquidity 

measures. 

AUCKLAND CBD: 

32, Queen Street 

PAPATOETOE: 

302, Great South Road 

AVONDALE : 

195, NewWindsor Road 

WELLINGTON: 

233-237 Lambton Quay 

The Bank is guided by international 

committees in the finance 

and insurance sectors. 

It follows overseas developments 

closely and keeps a constant 

watch on the local economy, 

learning from past failures such 

as the collapse of the 50 finance 

companies in the past years. 

Wide-ranging issues 

The Lecture was followed by a 

lively Question and Answer session 

which covered a number of 

economic and financial developments 

in New Zealand, such as 

prices and macro-prudential policy 

on Loan to Value Ratios, to 

the Indian economy and not to 

mention Bhutan’s Gross National 

Happiness Index. 

Professor Sekhar 

Bandyopadhyay was the Master 

of Ceremonies and Business 

Journalist Rod Oram was the 

Summation Speaker. 

BNZ was the Title Sponsor 

of this Lecture with Barfoot & 

Thompson, Relianz Travel and 

Radio Tarana as other sponsors. 

Uma Venkatram is a professionally 

qualified Chartered Accountant 

and a Member of the Chartered 

Accountants Australia New 

Zealand (CA ANZ).Reports and 

analyses are among her passions. 

Governor 

Reserve Bank of New ZealAnd 

Graeme 

Wheeler 

SPEAKING AT 

sixth Annual 

INDIAN NEWSLINK 

Sir Anand Satyanand Lecture 

at Pullman Hotel 

Auckland 

ON Monday, July 25, 2016 

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AUGUST 1, 2016 

02 HOMELINK 

Promoting values adds to good governance 

Sir Anand Satyanand 

July 2016 seems to me to 

be a very suitable time for 

you, Graeme Wheeler, as 

Governor of the Reserve 

Bank to be the lecture deliverer. 

The Bank sits, as those who 

have followed contemporary 

events will know, at the junction 

between business and government 

with three statutory roles, 

first to manage monetary policy 

to maintain price stability, 

secondly to promote the maintenance 

of a sound and efficient 

financial system, and thirdly to 

meet the currency needs of the 

public. 

Touching on the last item 

for a moment, it is amazing 

to think, as we recognise easily 

and use regularly the wellknown 

Kiwi banknotes, with Sir 

Ed Hillary and Kate Shepherd 

and Sir Apirana Ngata (and occasionally 

at least for those of 

us in Wellington, the 100 dollar 

note with Lord Rutherford on 

them), that they have been with 

us since 1934 when the Reserve 

Bank began operations. 

Before then, any Bank 

could and did issue their own 

banknotes. 

High Value System 

Touching on the second item, 

New Zealand can claim a sound 

financial system that commands 

high value and which is regulated 

by the Reserve Bank. To start 

up and operate a Bank or an 

Sir Anand Satyanand 

Insurance company, for example, 

requires compliance with 

strict oversight that is provided 

by the Reserve Bank. 

The third element of the 

Reserve Bank’s remit has been 

much in public attention in recent 

times – namely the management 

of monetary policy 

– interest rates, loan to value ratios 

and so forth. 

Clean Reputation 

In the article I wrote for the 

Indian Newslink earlier this 

month, I made mention of our 

country having developed, 

over time, an internationally 

respected reputation for accountability 

and transparency 

of institutions which has ensured, 

for example, a prominent 

and positive placement on 

the Corruption Perception Index 

of Transparency International, 

which has been published since 

1993. 

I wrote, that for a relatively 

small country, comprising 

268,000 square kilometres 

and housing 4.6 million people 

with a small economy, and 

a GDP generating $240 billion, 

has required continued activity 

by a number of players. An 

Important contributor in that 

regard is our Reserve Bank. 

What our Lecturer, commentator 

and others will all say, will 

be both interesting and challenging, 

I have little doubt. 

The proper focus for this year’s 

Lecture is on another aspect related 

to good governance in our 

country. The values we consider 

important in life are not any 

birth right. They are grounded 

in the values of those who have 

preceded us, formed and shaped 

through education and through 

interactions with peers, colleagues 

and role models. 

A Section of the audience at the Lecture 

I hope that my curtain raising 

has made anticipation of 

Graeme Wheeler’s address 

something that will remain 

memorable. 

In conclusion, adopting the 

risk of repeating something 

I said at last year’s Lecture, I 

am one who has long admired 

Sir Anand Satyanand is former Governor 

General of New Zealand (August 2006 to 

August 2011) in whose name we conduct 

the Indian Newslink Sir Anand Satyanand 

Lecture every year. He is currently Chairman 

of the Commonwealth Foundation, London. 

The above is an edited version of his address 

at the Sixth Annual Indian Newslink Sir Anand 

Satyanand Lecture held on Monday, July 25, 

2016 at Pullman Hotel Auckland. For full text, 

the phrase of Robert Louis 

Stevenson which is becoming a 

byword for this occasion: “Every 

heart that has beat strongly and 

cheerfully has left a hopeful impulse 

behind it in the world, 

and bettered the tradition of 

mankind.” 

please visit www.indiannewslink.co.nz 

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor 

Graeme Wheeler was the Guest Speaker with 

Victoria University (Wellington) Professor 

Sekhar Bandyopadhyay as Master of 

Ceremonies and Business Journalist Rod Oram 

as the Summation Speaker. Reports and pictures 

on this formal, Black Tie event appears 

elsewhere in this issue and in our next 

(August 15, 2016) issue. 

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HOMELINK 

03 

Strategic policies ensure economic growth 

Uma Venkatram 

The Sixth Annual Indian Newslink 

Sir Anand Satyanand Lecture held 

at The Pullman Hotel Auckland on 

Monday, July 25, 2016 was attended by 

dignitaries, businesspersons, politicians, 

economists, bankers, lawyers, accountants, 

media personnel and people from 

other walks of life in New Zealand. 

The programme started with cocktails 

and networking followed by a threecourse 

Black Tie Dinner. 

The highlight of the event was the 

Lecture which touched upon the governance 

and regulatory practices in the finance 

and banking industry and the role 

played and measures taken by the country’s 

Central Bank to steer and control the 

economy in the right direction. 

Regulatory framework 

The main speaker of the evening was 

Graeme Wheeler, Governor of Reserve 

Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) who outlined 

the regulatory framework and policy 

oversight of the Bank’s operations. 

He then elaborated on the principles of 

sound governance which underpin the 

regulatory reforms the Bank implements 

from time to time. 

Earlier, Jacob Mannothra, Managing 

Director of Indian Newslink welcomed the 

guests and spoke about the growing significance 

of the Annual Lecture Series in the 

country’s business calendar and the relevance 

of this year’s Topic, which he hoped 

will cover the challenges faced by the New 

Zealand economy in the global context. 

In his speech, former Governor General 

Sir Anand Satyanand, on whose name the 

prestigious lecture series has been institutionalised, 

traced the growth of the annual 

event over the years and how important 

it is for the Reserve Bank to play a pivotal 

role in keeping the financial system safe in 

a changing world. 

Some Reflections 

Rounding up the event was Rod Oram, 

Business Journalist. He reflected upon the 

alternate tenets of policing and strategic 

policy formulation – the dual adaptation 

and inventive roles exercised by RBNZ. 

He likened the Reserve Bank to the 

sheep dog in the farming sector and how 

the bank continues to perform its job, 

non-deterred by unsought criticisms and 

media remarks. He also spoke about the 

unique characteristics of the Auckland 

quandary posed by immigration and 

housing supply constraints. 

With Maori, Pacific and Pakeha roots, 

the situation is now compounded with its 

complexity of ethnic diversity, absence of 

competition, scarce intellectual ideas and 

a lack of viable resources to challenge ourselves 

and arrive at effective and sound 

solutions to tackle the various problems 

facing the regional economy, he said. 

Professor Sekhar Bandyopadhyay of 

Victoria University, Wellington was the 

Master of Ceremonies. 

BNZ was the Title Sponsor of this 

Lecture with Barfoot & Thompson, 

Relianz Travel and Radio Tarana as other 

sponsors. 

Uma Venkatram is a professionally 

qualified Chartered Accountant and 

a Member of the Chartered Accountants 

Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ). 

Reports and analyses are among her 

passions. 

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04 HOMELINK-auckland mayoralty 

Doing nothing will cost more and that’s not Auckland 

Auckland is growing because 

this is a great 

city to live. 

In fact, over 50% of 

New Zealand’s total growth is 

happening here. 

What that means is an extra 

800 people a week or more than 

40, 000 people a year are coming 

to Auckland. 

With growth at this level but 

without the extra infrastructure 

needed to meet the demands of 

growth, we risk undermining 

some of the basic things about 

Auckland that make us want to 

live here. 

Rapid growth has, for example, 

far exceeded the ability of 

our transport system to cope. 

Our roads and motorways become 

daily more congested and 

the economic costs and frustration 

over grid-locked roads are 

soaring. 

You do not have to be a rocket 

scientist to know that if new car 

numbers coming into the city 

are rising by 800 a week, things 

are just going to get worse. 

Housing problems 

Likewise, with housing. Each 

year, on current population 

growth we need 13,000 extra 

homes. Last year, we consented 

9000 new homes but managed 

to build only 6500. That shortfall 

is the main explanation for 

house prices going up by $3000 

a week, rents soaring and more 

and more people unable to find 

a home at all. 

One solution is to ease back 

on the rate of growth until 

we have the infrastructure in 

place that we need to cope with 

it. The government, however, 

has refused to intervene to 

slow record levels of net migration 

growth despite the Reserve 

Bank of New Zealand and others 

pointing out that in the 

short term, it is important to 

do so. 

Transferring growth 

We could also try to divert 

more of the growth in New 

Zealand’s population to other 

areas. However, I cannot think 

Actions, not statistics ensure community safety 

Mark Thomas 

Phil Goff 

Almost 50% of Asian 

and Indian families in 

Auckland do not feel 

safe walking alone in 

their neighbourhoods at night. 

This was the worrying finding 

of the latest Families Report 

produced by the Social Policy 

Evaluation and Research Unit. 

Yet, Mayor Len Brown’s 

‘Auckland Plan’ has the goal 

of improving community safety 

and the feeling of being safe. 

The Plan has a target to reduce 

the rate of total criminal offences 

per 10,000 population from 939 

in 2010 to 800 in 2040. 

Interestingly, this 30-year target 

was actually achieved by 2014 

and it improved again by 2015 – 

despite half of Auckland Asian/ 

Indian families feeling unsafe. 

Wrong measures 

This shows that the current 

Auckland Plan is not measuring 

the right things and that is 

something I will change if you 

elect me as Mayor of Auckland 

this October. 

Interestingly, despite this 

progress in reduced criminal offending 

– my mayoral opponent 

Labour MP Phil Goff regularly 

criticises the government and 

the Police for what he thinks is 

a lack of their commitment to 

fighting crime. 

I was disappointed to read his 

recent criticism of the Police. I 

think the New Zealand Police do 

a very difficult job well. Like all 

large organisations, there are 

always times when things do 

not go as they should but just 

criticising is not effective. 

We need to work more effectively 

together and that has been my 

approach as an elected member 

of Auckland Council. 

Town Centres speak 

Also, I am not campaigning to be 

of any example of regional development 

that is successful in 

doing this. Job growth, particularly 

for skilled work, is happening 

here in Auckland. 

There is not much use sending 

people to areas where there are 

no jobs for them. 

What we really need therefore 

is to find the resources to 

provide the infrastructure the 

Infrastructure 

bonds provide 

a long term, 

low interest 

and a secure 

investment 

city needs and to get on with the 

job of building it. 

Auckland has limited access 

to those resources. Rate increases 

can’t do it. A one per cent increase 

in rates provides only 

$14 million and just one new infrastructure 

project, the City 

Rail Link, is estimated to cost 

Minister of Police, I want to be 

Mayor of Auckland. 

So I recently held a meeting on 

crime and security with town 

centre managers from south 

Auckland to discuss what they 

need the next Mayor to fix. 

Town centres are an important 

part of the Auckland’s 

neighbourhoods. 

We have 50 of them across 

Auckland that fund themselves 

via an Auckland Council targeted 

rate policy – but there are many 

other informal associations. 

In my current Auckland 

Council role as a local board 

Deputy Chair, I have served on 

the board of my local central 

Auckland business association 

and worked closely with several 

others over the last six years. 

Town centres, often working 

closely with residents; associations 

or neighbourhood groups, 

can play a vital role in improving 

community safety. 

There are a range of tools 

over $2.5 billion! 

Further, Auckland has practically 

borrowed to the limits 

imposed by rating agencies 

and government. Even though 

borrowing is justified to pay 

for long term capital assets, 

Auckland doesn’t have the 

means to keep borrowing. What 

it comes down to then, is the 

willingness of central government 

to provide the capital and 

Auckland to raise funds to service 

the debt. 

Infrastructure bonds 

Infrastructure bonds provide 

a long term, low interest and a 

secure investment. 

They are used by many countries. 

They seem to be the best 

way to invest in critical infrastructure. 

Central government 

can raise capital more cheaply 

than anyone else. Its proposed 

Infrastructure Fund of $1 billion 

to be on-lent to high growth 

cities at no interest is a good 

idea. However, even if all of that 

went to Auckland it would meet 

only one twentieth of what we 

need in just the next 10 years 

alone. 

As Mayor, I will be pushing 

for this fund to be increased to a 

realistic level. 

Auckland is having to pay 

for needs generated by having 

more than half of the country’s 

growth. The government gains 

from that growth more GST and 

more income tax. As Auckland 

is meeting the costs generated 

by growth, it needs to get its 

fair share of the income growth 

generated back from central 

government. Aucklanders will 

need to pay our share as well. 

Some form of user pays road tax 

is probably the best way to do 

that. 

What I know is that doing 

nothing is the worst of all 

options. 

Road congestion alone is costing 

us up to $3 billion a year 

in lost productivity and other 

costs, and we get nothing back 

from that. It is wasted money. 

If we do nothing, we undermine 

the very things that make 

this city a good place to live. We 

need bold solutions, and cooperation 

between central and local 

government and the private sector 

to deliver them. 

Phil Goff is a candidate for 

Auckland Mayoralty. 

available which council can support 

– but what was clear from 

my meeting is that the Council 

is not making it easy enough for 

town centres to always access 

the support they need. 

These tools include such things 

as CCTV monitoring systems and 

volunteer community patrols as 

well as targeted street lighting 

and alarm systems. Crime prevention 

through environmental 

design or CPTED is another key 

approach council uses when assessing 

how to improve safety 

in a location, or when planning 

new public works. 

Neighbourhood Watch 

A number of local boards 

also work closely with 

Neighbourhood Watch and 

my board regularly holds 

these briefing and information 

sessions. 

I have also attended meetings 

of the City Centre Taskforce 

on Alcohol and Safety which 

Councillor George Wood convenes. 

This combines police, 

local board and councillors, residents, 

business association reps 

and other key local stakeholders 

to keep an eye on trouble spots 

and coordinate new activity. This 

Taskforce approach can be valuable 

and I will establish this in 

other areas in Auckland. 

The town centre managers do 

not always feel well supported 

by council and that is something 

I can change. 

Rather than criticise the government 

for what it is doing, I 

know from my experience and 

what those at the coal face tell 

me that there is more the next 

Mayor of Auckland can do to 

help people feel safer. 

Providing greater access to 

some of these tangible tools will 

be at the heart of my approach. 

Mark Thomas is a candidate 

for the Auckland Mayoralty.


HOMELINK-auckland mayoralty 

05 

The problem in Auckland is its Council 

Vic Crone 

Many people tell 

me that they are 

sick of Auckland 

Council’s ‘can’t 

do’ attitude. 

Whether putting in a sliding 

door, holding a sausage 

sizzle, setting up tables outside 

a cafe, or building a new 

home - everything gets far 

more difficult and expensive 

once Council is involved. 

The balance between 

Council’s job on the one 

hand to regulate, and on 

the other to enable, is out of 

whack. 

Overboard! 

There is a fine balance 

between the two and unfortunately 

we are going 

overboard with regulation. 

We have definitely got a 

problem when Council dictates 

the colour that people 

need to paint their walls or 

what locks they should use. 

The Super City was supposed 

to provide a more efficient 

and more connected 

way of managing Auckland. 

Sadly, these excessive processes 

and lack of communication 

are stifling progress, stopping 

us moving forward as a city. 

Take the recently publicised 

stories of Coco’s 

Cantina and Dominos for example. 

They faced a lack of 

coordination between departments, 

bad communication, 

slow response rates 

and expensive charges. Both 

businesses have lost huge 

amounts of time, energy and 

money being given the runaround 

by Council. Where 

these businesses persevered, 

many give up. 

Shake Up! 

An incredible shakeup 

is required to reorient 

the Council, so that it puts 

Aucklanders at the heart of 

decision-making. 

That’s why I resigned my 

job as Managing Director 

of Xero to campaign to be 

Auckland’s Mayor. In my experience, 

it is clear that a lot 

can be done to cut Council’s 

bureaucracy and streamline 

the way it deals with people. 

Throughout my career, 

I have built a strong reputation 

as a change agent, 

not just in business but also 

through my work with central 

and local governments. 

This includes big culture 

change programmes to make 

organisations more efficient 

and responsive to the needs 

of their users. 

I would like to lead a 

Council that is truly connected 

to the communities 

it is meant to serve. For me, 

that means it not only understands 

the needs and 

pressures Aucklanders face 

every day, but it responds in 

an agile and timely manner. 

Clean Up! 

As Mayor, I would like 

to set a clear direction for 

CCOs to work together in 

a seamless way. This will 

be supported by strong accountability. 

There is a lot 

we can do to clean up the 

consenting process and I will 

take a magnifying glass to it 

to find the big holdups and 

get progress. 

I would like to get more 

services and interactions online 

faster so it is easier to 

deal with Council. 

Finally, I think it is time 

we had a proper go at giving 

staff on the frontline more 

power to use their common 

sense and make timely dayto-day 

decisions. 

These are only a few examples 

of what we can do to 

help get Auckland Council 

back on track and working 

for Aucklanders. 

It would not be easy but 

change certainly starts at 

the top with strong, experienced 

and determined leadership. 

Let’s get this show on 

the road. 

Vic Crone is a candidate 

for Auckland Mayorality 

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06 HOMELINK 

Labour renews its electoral fight in South Auckland 

Staff Reporter 

info@indiannewslink.co.nz 

A 

former lawmaker 

is recalling 

his co-commandants 

and troops 

to renew the electoral battle 

for membership to the 

Otara-Papatoetoe Local 

Board. 

Dr Ashraf Choudhary, 

New Zealand first 

South Asian Member of 

Parliament and his three 

mates – former Veteran 

Parliamentarian (and 

Assistant Speaker of the 

House) Ross Robertson, 

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has some great ideas 

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Papatoetoe community,” 

he said. 

“The Papatoetoe community 

is very diverse, 

and our team reflects that, 

with each of us bringing 

different experiences, 

abilities and perspectives. 

We are fortunate to have 

an experienced team and 

I believe that as a team 

we are best placed to represent 

a wide range of 

community interests,” he 

said. 

Dr Choudhary said that 

working towards better 

services for families, 

the elderly, disabled, and 

young people, strengthening 

community safety, and 

the retention and sound 

financial management of 

our community assets, are 

among the policies promoted 

by the Labour candidates 

in the ensuing 

election. 

“I encourage all those 

eligible to vote to urgently 

enrol, if not already done 

so, for voting in the forthcoming 

local body elections 

starting middle of 

September to October 8, 

2016. Those on electoral 

role will receive their ballot 

papers at their registered 

addresses for postal 

voting,” he said. 

At press time on July 31, 

Dr Chaudhry and his colleagues 

were launching 

their election campaign. 

Shaun Khanna 

m. 0297 709 767 

e. shaunk@abcbusiness.co.nz 

www.abcbusiness.co.nz 09 2157491 

ignitingminds 

Hei WhakahihikoHinengaro


Half-hearted measures 

destruct the Kiwi dream 

HOMELINK 

07 

David Shearer 

Last weekend, hundreds of young 

Kiwis, couples and families, 

queued at Open Homes around 

New Zealand, hoping to buy a 

house. 

Some of them would have been saving 

for a decade or more – but rising house 

prices have them going backwards. 

It is a scenario that is being played out 

every week – young couples up against a 

dog-eat-dog property market where, unless 

you are already on the ladder, or 

have generous parents with very deep 

pockets, the home ownership dream will 

continue to be just that – a dream. 

Government fails 

And still the National Government 

would not admit that there is a housing 

crisis. 

The government has failed to rein in 

soaring prices, failed to stop speculators 

buying and selling homes for massive 

profits, failed to provide temporary accommodation 

for increasing numbers of 

Kiwis locked out of even the rental market, 

and failed to provide anywhere near 

affordable homes for a new generation of 

first-home buyers. 

Remember (Prime Minister) John Key’s 

solution for young families struggling to 

get onto the property market? He said to 

look on ‘Trade Me.’ 

Remember (Social Development 

Minister) Paula Bennett’s solution to moving 

people out of cars and into temporary 

homes – she called them ‘Flying Squads.’ 

Affordable Housing 

Labour, on the other hand, has a comprehensive 

plan to tackle the problem 

by setting up an Affordable Housing 

Authority. 

Its mandate will be to work with the 

sector to build more affordable homes 

and undertake major green-fields and revitalisation 

programmes, as well as cracking 

down on speculators. 

We will also end National’s state house 

sell-off and stop using Housing NZ as a 

cash cow, instead refocusing it on what 

it does best – housing people who need 

homes. 

The $118 million dividend the 

Government has demanded of Housing 

New Zealand will be reinvested into 

building more homes and updating existing 

ones. 

People camping out in cars or in 

friends’ and relatives’ garages will be 

helped into temporary accommodation 

through extra funding to emergency 

housing providers. 

Ineffective plans 

The government does not have a comprehensive 

plan – it is just a collection 

of grudging half-measures that it hopes 

might make a difference, but which have 

failed to make an impact. 

Their flagship supply initiative, 

Auckland’s special housing areas, have 

delivered only 1000 homes in three years, 

when 13,000 are needed. 

Labour’s ‘KiwiBuild Policy’ will see 

100,000 high quality affordable homes 

built over 10 years. Standalone houses in 

Auckland will cost $500,000 to $600,000, 

with apartments and townhouses under 

$500,000. 

They will range from $300,000 to 

$500,000 outside of Auckland. 

Latest figures from Statistics NZ show 

the Government’s been missing in action 

on housing. In the past year, the number 

of new families who own their own home 

grew by just 5700 while the number 

of renters increased by twice as much: 

13,500 households. 

Head in the sand 

That, along with the daily stories of people 

not being able to afford to rent, of 

young couples – and their parents and 

grandparents – resigned to kissing the 

Kiwi dream of owning a home goodbye, 

of speculators making tens of thousands 

a month by buying and flipping property, 

paint a damning picture. 

National is still trying to insist there is 

no housing crisis. 

We are saying that there is and we have 

got some bold ideas to address it. 

David Shearer is an elected Member of 

Parliament from Mt Albert in Auckland 

and Labour Party’s spokesman 

for Foreign Affairs. 

Law firm gets Rainbow tick 

Supplied Content 

Following a six-month audit process, 

New Zealand’s premier commercial 

law firm, Russell McVeagh, 

has been awarded Rainbow Tick 

Certification. 

The Rainbow Tick Programme is a continual 

quality improvement programme 

designed to help an organisation ensure 

it is a safe and welcoming workplace for 

employees of diverse gender identity and 

sexual orientation and demonstrates a 

business is an inclusive organisation for 

people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, 

transgender, Takatapui and intersex. 

Great Message 

Russell McVeagh CEO Gary McDiarmid 

said, “It sends a great message to our staff 

and our clients that we embrace diversity. 

We place great importance on diversity 

and inclusiveness in our workplace 

although by going through this process, it 

has become clear that we still have a way 

to go on our journey. 

“We are committed to building upon 

this achievement and continuing to work 

on making our environment a welcoming 

place for all of our employees to feel comfortable 

enough bringing their authentic 

selves to work,” he said. 

Becoming certified involved an audit 

of relevant documents and the use 

of two focus groups which were carried 

out in the first part of 2016 and then 

assessed against current international 

best practice in this field. The focus 

groups included one with a self-selected 

group of Rainbow employees and the 

other with a group of staff from the general 

population and from a range of departments, 

with staff from both Auckland 

and Wellington offices taking part in this 

process. 

The firm’s HR director Lesley Elvidge 

said that creating a workplace where people 

feel free to bring their whole selves is 

a key factor in being able to attract and 

retain the best talent at the firm. 

“While the areas of gender balance 

and ethnicity have been the focus of our 

Diversity Project to date, it was important 

to us to extend ours to include LGBTTI diversity. 

We have learnt so much through 

the process of becoming certified and are 

grateful for the support and guidance of 

The Rainbow Tick organisation. We are 

looking forward to continuing to develop 

our relationship with the LGBTTI community,” 

she said. 

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08 


Donna Nicolof 

Over the past few years, investors 

have enjoyed a period 

of historically low 

volatility in financial markets, 

coupled with strong investment 

returns. 

That said, over the past year, 

there have been a number of 

events that have caused increased 

BUSINESSLINK 

KiwiSaver must focus on long-term benefits 

JennySALESA 

MP forManukau East 

market uncertainty, heightened 

volatility and falling share prices. 

During these periods, many New 

Zealanders have nervously monitored 

the value of their investment 

portfolio or KiwiSaver fund. 

While it may be unsettling to 

know that the value of your investments 

is falling, it is important to 

remember that short-term market 

volatility has always been a normal 

part of investment. 

Slowdown fears 

Since the start of 2016, on separate 

occasions, financial markets 

Electorate Office 

7FultonCres, Otara 

09 274 9231 or 278 9972 

jenny. .salesa@parliament.govt.nz 

Papatoetoe 

YouthLine Building, 

145 St 

George Street,Papatoetoe 

Friday 

mornings 9.30am to 12pm 

Otahuhu 

Otahuhu Town Hall, 

10-12 high street,Otahuhu 

Monday morning 9am to 12pm 

Authorised by JennySalesa 

Parliament Buildings,Wellington 

space 

have been spooked by fears of a 

slowdown in the Chinese economy, 

uncertainty about the future 

path of US interest rates, plunging 

oil prices, terrorist attacks, and, of 

course, the unexpected decision 

of UK voters to exit the European 

Union (known as Brexit). 

Financial market participants 

tend to react negatively to such 

events, moving money from 

higher risk investments, such as 

shares, to safer investments, such 

as government bonds. 

While these events have been 

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uncomfortable in the short-term, 

investors who maintain their investment 

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as the markets recover, 

while those who change their investment 

approach tend to lock in 

the losses. 

We believe that the recent periods 

of volatility in markets do 

not have the hallmarks of another 

Global Financial Crisis (GFC). For 

instance, the global banking system 

is in a much stronger position 

now than it was before the GFC, 

with many having built up large 

reserves to help them ride out periods 

of volatility like this. 

Increasing volatility 

What these periods of increased 

volatility means for investors and 

KiwiSaver members is that, from 

time to time, they may expect to 

see sharp changes in the value of 

their investments. 

KiwiSaver funds that invest 

mainly in ‘higher-risk’ growth investments, 

such as shares, will 

be more susceptible to uncertain 

events than those that invest 

mainly in ‘lower-risk’ income assets, 

such as bonds and cash. 

KiwiSaver funds are well-diversified 

and are professionally managed 

by investment managers 

who have been selected following 

a thorough due diligence process. 

We offer a range of funds that 

allows investors to select their level 

of risk. 

Each of these funds invests 

across a range of different asset 

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Focused approach 

The message I like to stress during 

periods of market volatility 

and significant falls is to stay focused 

on the long-term benefits of 

KiwiSaver and your long term savings 

plan. Take a deep breath, do 

not panic and keep your eyes on 

the horizon. 

Yes, there has been increased 

volatility and uncertainty in many 

markets globally, but it’s important 

to remember that markets typically 

go through these short-term 

cycles and it is critical that we 

don’t overreact during the down 

periods. 

This article is solely for information 

purposes and is not personalised 

financial advice. We 

recommend that you seek advice 

specific to your circumstances from 

a financial adviser before making 

any financial decision. None of BNZ 

Investment Services Limited, Bank 

of New Zealand or any other person 

accept any liability for any loss or 

damage arising out of the use of, or 

reliance on, any information in the 

above article. 

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Fiji’s Russian arms deal a wake-up call 


New Zealand and 

Australian defence 

forces need to rebuild 

ties with Fiji in the 

wake of a Russian arms deal 

with Fiji that highlights a shift in 

traditional security dynamics in 

the region, according to a new 

Report. 

Titled ‘Principled Engagement: 

Rebuilding Defence Ties with 

Fiji,’ it is co-authored by Massey 

University’s Dr Anna Powles and 

Senior Strategic and Security 

Analyst Jose Sousa-Santos, from 

STRATCON. 

Security Orthodoxy 

The recently published report 

for Australia’s Lowy Institute for 

International Policy argues that 

“Russia’s sale of arms to Fiji underlines 

how the security orthodoxy 

in the Pacific Islands 

region is changing. Unless 

Australia and New Zealand 

adapt to these changing strategic 

circumstances they will lose 

influence in the region to external 

players.” 

Dr Powles, an expert on international 

relations based at the 

Massey University Centre for 

Defence and Security Studies 

based in Wellington, said that 

the Report is in part a response 

to Russia’s announcement in 

January this year that it would 

be sending military equipment 

and supplies to Fiji to support 

Fiji’s peacekeeping operations 

on the Golan Heights, bordering 

Syria and Israel. 

The arms deal, the authors 

said, is a result of Fiji seeking 

new strategic partners in the aftermath 

of New Zealand and 

Australian-led sanctions imposed 

after the 2006 military 

coup in Fiji. 

Beyond soft approach 

While relations between the 

three Pacific nations have been 

normalised since 2014, New 

Zealand and Australian governments 

need to raise engagement 

with Fiji beyond a primarily 

“soft approach” through disaster 

relief assistance – although this 

is important too – the Report 

said. 

Dr Powles and Mr Sousa- 

Santos recommend the creation 

of a regional peacekeeping centre 

of excellence jointly developed 

by New Zealand, Australia 

and Fiji, and a Pacific disaster 

response and coordination unit 

to formalise collaborative ties. 

Humanitarian assistance 

Humanitarian aid to Fiji 

and other Pacific Island nations 

in the aftermath of the severe 

tropical cyclone Winston 

in February this year – the 

strongest ever recorded in the 

southern hemisphere – was an 

opportunity to re-engage with 

Fiji. 

“It was also a timely reminder 

that geography and proximity 

do matter. Russia’s modest 

assistance in this instance was 

overshadowed by the massive 

support provided by Australia 

and New Zealand,” the authors 

said. 

In its background to the developments 

with the arms deal 

Disaster relief to Fiji after severe tropical cycle Winston this year reinforced ties between Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. 

with Russia, the Report said 

Fiji’s foreign policy underwent a 

major change when it was suspended 

from the Pacific Islands 

Forum and the Commonwealth 

in 2009. 

Strategy review 

These have since been lifted 

as a result of its 2014 elections, 

viewed as a ‘first step on the 

road back to democracy.’ 

However, Fiji has sought a 

new set of strategic partners 

and alliances – including BRICS 

(Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, China 

and South Africa) – in redefining 

its place and role in the Pacific. 

It is the context of this shift 

in Fijian foreign policy that 

Russia’s donation of AK-47 assault 

rifles, rocket-propelled 

grenades, and trucks worth 

an estimated US$ 12.5 million 

needs to be viewed, Dr Powles 

and Mr Sousa-Santos said. 

“Fiji’s enhanced ties with 

Russia reflect a military culture 

and leadership born out of Fiji’s 

period of isolation under sanctions. 

The same can also be said 

of Fiji’s military cooperation 

with China and, to a lesser degree, 

India and Malaysia. What 

is less clear is what has driven 

the deal from the Russian side.” 

Strategic Competition 

However, strategic competition 

among superpowers (China, 

Russia, the United States) is not 

new to the Pacific, the authors 

said. 

But in order to adapt to geopolitical 

changes in the Pacific, 

New Zealand and Australia need 

to “understand that there is a 

new confidence in the Pacific region 

and a stronger determination 

by the people of the region 

to determine their own futures,” 

they said


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Real Estate & Mortgage finance 

Quarterly Auckland 

rental update 

Rents continue to increase by 

approximately 5% year-on-year 

with the average weekly rent for a 

3-bedroom Auckland home now $514 

Suburb pricing trends continue 

but Mt Albert, Parnell and 

Sandringham break the mold with 

11+% year-on-year increases 

Reminder for winter 

maintenance and comfort 

measures ahead of prespring 

upswing 

Higher Auckland house 

prices are not flowing 

through directly into 

the rental market, with 

the city’s average weekly rents 

continuing to follow a more 

tempered trend of year-on-year 

increases of around 5%. 

The average weekly rent 

for a three bedroom home in 

Auckland during the April to 

June quarter was $514, up less 

than 1% on last quarter and 4.8% 

on the same quarter in 2015. 

“Three bedroom rentals make 

up around 40% of our managed 

properties, making them a good 

measure of the market,” says 

Barfoot & Thompson Director 

Kiri Barfoot. “Other property 

categories generally follow the 

same trend, albeit at lower or 

higher price points depending 

on the number of bedrooms.” 

One bedroom properties averaged 

$335 per week (up 5% from 

$319 in the April to June quarter 

2015), and two bedrooms $428 

(up 6.2% from $403), while 4 

bedroom homes brought in $648 

(up 4.2% from $622) and 5+ bedroom 

homes averaged $801 (up 

4.8% from $764). 

Suburb trends 

Pricing trends continued 

across the suburbs as well, with 

the Central Auckland apartment 

market remaining the most expensive 

for smaller properties of 

one, two or three bedrooms, and 

the Eastern suburbs maintaining 

position as the most expensive 

for four or more bedrooms. 

“Outside the city apartment 

market, it continued to be a story 

of two halves for Auckland’s 

North and South this quarter 

too,” says Ms Barfoot. 

South Auckland rental properties 

saw the greatest percentage 

increase year-on-year for 

the quarter of 6.8%, while North 

Shore rental prices experienced 

the least percentage increase 

(not including Central 

Auckland), only rising 3.7 %.” 

Rental hot spots 

Looking more closely at rental 

data from the first two quarters 

of this year compared to the last 

two quarters of 2015 (January to 

June 2016 and July to December 

2015), three suburbs broke the 

mold with three bedroom rental 

averages increasing 11% or 

more. These were Mt Albert 

up 14.7%, Parnell up 11.7% and 

Sandringham up 11.6%. 

“These areas are centrally located 

but still offer the benefits 

of suburban living, making 

them popular choices. 

“These areas are fast becoming 

popular as the ‘new central 

suburbs’, the next Ponsonby 

and Grey Lynns if you will, and 

our data suggests continued future 

growth particularly for Mt 

Albert and Sandringham.” 

Winter maintenance and comforts 

Ms Barfoot says the company 

anticipates a pre-spring upswing 

in rental activity during 

the coming quarter, when they 

typically see a slight increase in 

new letting. 

“While not as pronounced as 

summer spikes, we often find a 

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“In addition to meeting some 

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things that help keep tenants 

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11 

MELBOURNE 

WORLD’S MOST 

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12 VIEWLINK 

Demand remains incessant to spiralling prices 

The English Fortnightly (Since November 1999) 

Issue 351 | August 1, 2016 

Vulnerability of migrant 

workers hits new low 

Labour Party Policy Council Member Priyanca 

Radhakrishnan has a point. 

An increasing number of migrant workers subsist under 

despicable working and living conditions, which is 

no less or more than slavery. 

Short of being physically beaten, their life, if reports are to 

be believed, is on the brink of collapse, belying the fairness for 

which New Zealand is renowned the world over. 

Priyanca’s article, ‘Exploitation of migrant workers tantamount 

to slavery’ under Businesslink is a must read. 

Exploitation of migrant workers and international students 

is nothing new in countries, which depend on migration for its 

economic progress. Britain, America, Canada, Australia and New 

Zealand have laws that prescribe minimum wages, working and 

living conditions and rights of migrants on work permits. 

Silent sufferers 

Yet, they suffer in silence a variety of atrocities- working long 

hours, accepting less pay, often by cash, allowing their employers 

to evade tax and even immigration laws. 

They suffer in silence to avoid loss of jobs, and worse, 

deportation. 

A large number of them come from India and most of them 

are exploited by employers of Indian origin. 

We not only need good laws but also their effective 

enforcement. 

We need laws that are responsible but humane. 

It is a pity that many migrant workers falling a prey to exploitation 

do not have their papers in order. In essence, they arrive 

here on visit visas, hoping that their employers or agents 

would regularise and legalise their stay. 

Robust process 

There is no argument against a smart, quick and efficient immigration 

regime, and strengthened border controls. There 

cannot be any cry against tightened curbs on hiring of illegal 

workers, requiring most businesses to verify employees against 

an electronic database of those allowed to work. 

But there is a need for a regime that is tough on erring employers 

- those exploiting the helpless situation of migrant 

workers and international students. 

Such a regime would also educate foreigners on their rights 

and the ways and means of redressing their grievances. 

Abuse elsewhere 

Though questionable, New Zealand could seek little comfort 

in hearing that the condition of migrant workers under reference 

here is far better in this country than it is in nations which 

depend on foreign workers to fill most job vacancies. 

An Economist leader said that Sweden and Norway, where 

migrants can use public services, claim welfare benefits and 

bring in dependents, admit relatively few purely economic 

migrants. 

“This trade-off is visible even within the European Union, 

where the recent accession of 12 relatively poor eastern 

European countries has sparked a debate about migrants’ rights 

to welfare,” it said. 

About two years ago, David Cameron, Britain’s former Prime 

Minister, clashed with his Oxford contemporary Radek Sikorski, 

Poland’s Foreign Minister. 

Mr Cameron wanted to exclude recently arrived European immigrants 

from welfare and public housing. 

“If Britain gets our taxpayers, shouldn’t it also pay their benefits?” 

Mr Sikorski asked. 

Britain’s exit from the European Union is likely to change the 

equation. 

Bilateral Agreements 

Elsewhere the movement of people is increasingly regulated 

by bilateral agreements and diplomacy. 

David McKenzie, a Lead Economist of the Development 

Research Group at the World Bank said that since a diaspora 

can help poor countries develop, sending states must try to protect 

the rights of migrant workers without making them such a 

burden as to be unwelcome. 

Receiving countries weigh their national interests, real or 

perceived, against international obligation calculations vary 

from country to country. 

Back to the home turf, New Zealand should have a better system 

of immigration, screening of migrant workers, and more 

importantly, a stringent legal system that does not fail to punish 

those exploiting migrant workers. 

No one should be allowed to live or work here illegally. On the 

same count, no one should be allowed to misuse and exploit migrant 

workers and international students. 

Indian Newslink is published by Indian Newslink Limited from its offices located at Level 

1, Number 166, Harris Road, East Tamaki, Auckland 2013 and printed at Horton Media 

Limited, Auckland. All material appearing here and on our web editions are the copyright 

of Indian Newslink and reproduction in full or part in any medium is prohibited. Indian 

Newslink and its management and staff do not accept any responsibility for the claims 

made in advertisements. 

Managing Director & Publisher: Jacob Mannothra 

Editor & General Manager: Venkat Raman; 

Production Manager: Mahes Perera; Graphic Designer: Shine Kumar 

Phone: (09) 5336377 Email: info@indiannewslink.co.nz 

Websites: www.indiannewslink.co.nz; www.inliba.com; www.inlisa.com 

Nathan Saminathan 

Since October 2013, the 

Loan-to-Value (LVR) 

Restriction has been in 

place but there is no respite 

on rise in property prices. 

There are reasons why we are 

in this situation. 

When the global financial crisis 

hit in 2007, most the builders 

went broke or became decimated. 

Since then, we are building 

few thousand houses annually, 

whereas demand, which was 

about 10,000 ten years ago has 

registered a sharp rise. 

One may recall that a number 

finance companies went bust. 

They were funding builders 

on short-term basis. When some 

builders went into liquidation, 

some finance companies folded 

up due to poor cash flow. New 

Zealand suffered low level of construction 

activities for about four 

years. 

Earthquake recovery 

Christchurch earthquakes created 

building activities. 

The government relaxed its immigration 

policy to boost economic 

activities. There was a 

huge increase in the number migrants, 

peaking to 68,000 during 

the year ending December 2015. 

Migrant numbers have been 

steadily rising since 2011. This 

created more demand for houses 

against a heavy shortage of houses, 

especially in Auckland. At the 

same time, we suffered paucity 

of skilled workers in the building 

industry. 

Consent for new houses to 

meet the ever-growing demand 

for houses has not been forthcoming. 

The restrictions posed by 

the Resource Management Act in 

obtaining building consents and 

the reluctance of the Auckland 

Council in releasing more land 

compounded the problem. 

Joint efforts help 

It is heartening to note that the 

Council, Reserve Bank of New 

Zealand (RBNZ) and the Central 

government are now working to 

solve the problem. 

Although the Council continues 

to restrict fresh land for house 

construction until appropriate 

infrastructure is in place, its 

‘Unitary Plan’ will see more houses 

built within restricted areas. 

RBNZ took its own action 

through LVR to restrict investors 

from buying houses. 

Contempt of Court appeal fails 


In a recent judgement, the 

High Court declined an application 

by the liquidators 

of AK Group 2006 Limited 

(in liquidation) for holding 

Director Satwant Singh in contempt 

of Court. 

The application had been filed 

by the liquidators following a 

non-compliance of the orders of 

the High Court passed last year 

directing the respondents to produce 

records of the companies 

In the course of hearing the 

proceedings against four respondents, 

the Counsel for 

Satwant singh raised an issue 

However, this did not help in 

preventing rise in house prices. 

The earlier restriction of 

30% equity was easily overcome 

with the increase in value of the 

houses. 

There is now 40% deposit requirement 

in place targeting investors 

and foreign buyers. The 

new regulation, which came into 

force in October 2015, will make 

sale of property within two years 

taxable. 

The requirement of foreign 

buyers to obtain IRD numbers 

has not helped to restrict demand 

on property. 

Figures released last fortnight 

show that the number of building 

consents issued was 13,000 units. 

This will go a long way to alleviate 

housing shortage. To meet the 

current demand, we need 40,000 

new dwellings. 

The government is willing 

to fund up to $1 billion for 

infrastructure. 

Cause for concern 

I am really concerned that ordinary 

New Zealanders cannot 

afford to buy a decent house for 

less than $500,000. 

I do not think this is right. I believe 

that the ultimate responsibility 

rests with the Central 

Government. 

Currently, only 66% of New 

that the consent orders passed 

in July 2015 were without instructions 

and knowledge of his 

client. 

The Court agreed that this issue 

required determination and 

therefore the application against 

Satwant Singh was adjourned 

to another date, while two other 

directors were held in contempt 

of Court orders and directed to 

pay penalties. 

Before the hearing of the matter 

against Satwant Singh, the 

liquidator filed another memorandum 

seeking to introduce 

two affidavits of other respondents 

into evidence. 

Zealanders own homes, down 

from 75% a few years ago. I will 

not be surprised if the gulf between 

those in their homes and 

those in rented properties widens, 

triggered by inaction of the 

government. 

There are three areas in which 

the government, the Auckland 

Council and RBNZ can help to alleviate 

the situation. 

Further action 

The government should reduce 

the number of migrants until 

we have the resources including 

appropriate infrastructure are 

available. 

The Council should fast tract 

the process of issuing building 

consents and the Unitary Plan. 

RBNZ should help in converting 

the shortage into surplus by 

restraining further cuts in interest 

rates. We need a cooling 

period. 

Providing more houses to meet 

the growing demand is easily 

said than done. 

But I remain confident. 

I know that patience always 

has its rewards. 

Nathan Saminathan is an Authorised 

Financial Adviser and 

Director, Mortgage Masters 

based in Auckland. He is also 

featured in our Real Estate & 

Mortgage Special in this issue. 

Editor’s Note: In the 20 years to 2011, total housing and consumer loan debt increased 

around six-fold in dollar terms. As a ratio of household disposable income, the percentage 

at June 2011 of 147% is about two and a half times that of 58% at March 1991. 

Through the mid-2000s, household debt grew strongly, at an average annual rate of 

over 14% in the five years to June 2007. The rate of growth slowed sharply from 2007, 

averaging well under 4% per annum in the four years to June 2011. This deceleration 

in the rate of growth of household debt arrested the growth in the debt to income 

ratio from 2007. Falling interest rates have been the main driver of falling interest 

servicing as a percentage of disposable income from 2008 (Source: Reserve Bank of 

New Zealand). 

Gurbrinder Aulakh, the 

Counsel for respondent Satwant 

Singh, opposed the introduction 

of this new evidence stating it to 

be pre-mature and irrelevant to 

the proceedings. 

At the hearing held on July 

21, 2016, the Court heard from 

the counsel for the liquidators, 

and Mr Aulakh for respondent 

Satwant Singh and from the 

counsel who was alleged to have 

no instructions. 

Following this, Justice Heath 

held that Satwant Singh was not 

in contempt of the Court orders 

and the application of the liquidators 

thus fails.



Leading Mortgage firm builds corporate structure 

Venkat Raman 

venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz 

13 

Owner-operated and family-owned 

companies often 

stop shy of expansion 

for fear of losing control 

but the step-by-step approach of 

a market leader in mortgage and 

insurance brokerage is becoming 

a source of inspiration and perhaps 

investor attention. It is also 

becoming a model in the finance 

sector. 

Auckland based Global 

Financial Services Limited (GFSL) 

is on the threshold of lateral expansion, 

capitalising on its phenomenal 

growth. 

The value of mortgage finance 

arranged by the Company during 

the past financial year alone 

was an impressive $831 million. 

As mentioned in our April 1, 2016 

issue, accounting for 115 bank 

holidays during the year, the total 

amount arranged as mortgage 

loans works out to $3.4 million 

per day, a feat that would certainly 

be a record in New Zealand. 

Corporate Elevator 

If success is hard to achieve, it 

is harder to sustain it and promote 

succession planning. 

GFSL Managing Director Ajay 

Kumar realises that the only way 

up is through the corporate elevator, 

with human, capital and material 

resources to ensure safety 

and growth. He has established a 

professional team of advisors including 

Darrin Franks, an insurance 

veteran (who was earlier 

Growth has no limits for Ajay Kumar 

Distribution & Marketing Head 

at AIA New Zealand) and Mike 

Skilling, a banking veteran (Bank 

of New Zealand). 

“With the total value of mortgage 

loans organised with banks 

through our company valued 

at more than $4 billion and insurance 

premium of $2.5 billion 

since our establishment in March 

1999, we are now ready for the 

next stage of development,” he 

told this reporter during an interview 

as his firm marked its 

17th anniversary two months ago 

(Indian Newslink, May 15, 2016). 

Awards galore 

GFSL and Mr Kumar continue 

to win a number of Awards every 

year, the first of which perhaps 

occurred at the Indian Newslink 

Indian Business Awards 2009 

at which he received the Best 

Marketing Excellence Award 

ASB General Manager (Business Banking & Retail Specialist 

Services) Ian Boyce presenting the Number One Broker 

Award for New Money Advanced Award’ to Ajay Kumar on 

October 19, 2015 

sponsored by TV 3 in the presence 

of the then Governor 

General Sir Anand Satyanand 

and Prime Minister John Key. 

The winning streak has continued 

since then and the Company 

and its Master have won 30 

Awards from this publication, 

ANZ, ASB and Westpac. 

The latest in the line-up was 

the ‘Mortgage Advisor of the 

Year Award 2016’ presented at 

the annual conference of the 

Professional Advisors Association 

and Institute of Financial 

Advisors Conference held in 

Auckland on July 28 and 29, 2016. 

“Each of the companies behind 

the Awards won by GFS is known 

for high levels of integrity and 

honesty. We are therefore proud 

of having won the Awards given 

by them. We are of course always 

conscious of the fact that these 

were made possible only by our 

customers. They are of course the 

real judges of our quality of performance 

and standard of service,” 

Mr Kumar said. 

Abetting factors 

Like many businesses that 

sprout their wings later and become 

national phenomena or 

global players, GFS began 17 

years ago in the garage of its 

owner Ajay Kumar. 

Mr Kumar had three unshakable 

factors that helped him to 

establish growth: Experience 

(more than 25 years as a banker 

in India), honesty and self-confidence. 

Each of these qualities 

quickly multiplied to include integrity, 

transparency, accountability, 

community and social 

responsibility and the ability to 

form and lead a team of professionals 

and motivate them with 

Ajay Kumar receives the ‘Best Financial Advisor (Mortgage & 

Insurance) Award from BNZ Director Mai Chen, watched by AIA 

New Zealand Chief Executive Natalie Cameron at the Indian 

Newslink Indian Business Awards on November 23, 2015 

the opportunity to grow with 

him. 

Fast-track formula 

From its own unique ‘Loan 

Liquidation Formula’ which enables 

customers with the propensity 

to pay off their mortgage 

loans faster and specialist and 

sharp approach to insurance of 

all kinds, GFS has been an institution 

with a difference. It would 

follow principles, no matter who 

remain the principal. 

As Mr Kumar said, “In 2015, 

GFS established a management 

team to guide and take decisions 

for the company. We have already 

seen how it has changed 

the trajectory of the company to 

providing even better service to 

customers and improving the 

quality of operations to the best 

international standards.”

14 


Ravi Mehta 

Ravi Mehta, 

Director of 

Professional 

Financial 

Solutions Limited (PFSL) 

described the market 

for mortgage finance as 

‘challenging,’ and that 

many of his company’s 

clients have benefited by 

expert guidance and professional advice. 

Mr Mehta said that his company provides 

services covering the financial needs of most 

people in the property market. 

“We get loans approved, negotiating the best 

possible price, structure or re-structure loans in the 

most tax-efficient and interest-efficient manner. 

We suggest appropriate insurance cover to protect 

the assets of our clients, including their incomeearning 

capacity,” he said. 

Mr Mehta said that increasing number of 

Rakesh Bansal 

Why you 

need a 

good 

mortgage 

adviser? 

With so many changes 

happening in banking 

sector around lending for 

property purchase, there 

has never been a better 

time to consult a good and experienced mortgage 

advisor than now. 

Some transactions, for example, loans for ‘New 

Build Properties’ can be complex and require 

guidance from a qualified Mortgage Adviser right 

through to the completion of construction and final 

drawdown. 

Thanks to decades of experience in banking 

of its Director Rakesh Bansal, Kiwi Mortgages 

prides itself in helping first home buyers, many 

of who had lost hope of owning a house. Kiwi 


Deep Bajaj, Nayan Bhatt, Gurudutt Satigrama 

It is incumbent on every mortgage and 

insurance broker to ensure compliance of 

the regulations in force, since integrity and 

discipline are vital to protect the safety of 

our financial system,” say Deep Bajaj and Nayan 

Bhatt, Mortgage & Insurance Specialists of 

Transparent Finance Limited (TFL) said. 

“We believe in being totally upfront and honest 

with our clientele. We put the interests of our 

clients first and deliver them the best service that 

the Industry offers,” Mr Bajaj said. 

“Honesty & Transparency in our dealings with 

both Client & the Provider is our ‘differential’ in 

this competitive Industry,” Mr Bhatt said. 

Services range 

Among the services provided by the company 

are Home Loans, Refinancing Home Loans, 

Restructuring Home Loans, Investment Property 

Loans, Life Insurance, Income Protection 

Insurance, Medical Insurance, Trauma Insurance 

and Total Disability Insurance. 

Nathan Saminathan 

Commercial 

bankers are 

the biggest 

competitors to 

mortgage brokers, since 

they negotiate rates if 

their customers have 

large deposits, Nathan 

Saminathan, Managing 

Director, Mortgage 

Masters Limited in Auckland said. 

“Banks offer favourable rates to customers with 

deposits of 20% or more. Of course, lenders are 

the biggest borrowers and need to pay attractive 

interest rates to keep their deposits. We therefore 

do not expect interest rates to remain low very 

long,” he said. 

Demand for homes 

He said that the market is also characterised 

by the unfortunate phenomenon of shortage of 

housing stock, leading to rise in prices. 

sales through auctions is another restraint, since 

potential buyers cannot make conditional offers. 

As well as being an authorised Financial 

Adviser with decades of experience in the field, he 

is proud of his team at PFSL. 

Bright prospects 

He believes that the financial services sector is 

poised for better times, with economic recovery 

here and abroad. Stating that New Zealand 

was among underinsured markets, he said that 

the potential was high to increase the value of 

premium written and the number of customers 

serviced. 

“The market has always been competitive, with 

high quality mortgage and insurance advisers and 

more have joined the sector in recent months. 

Mortgage brokers account for a third of the 

mortgages, the balance written by banks directly. 

There is therefore significant opportunity for us to 

increase the market share,” he said. 

Mortgages also helps property investors not only 

with their lending but also structure their loans 

in a way that best suits their cash flow to ensure 

faster debt reduction. 

“I encourage you to keep saving towards the 

deposit. You may still be able to receive help and 

get finance on your low deposit at reasonable 

rates,” Mr Bansal said. 

“Lenders may still consider lending on low 

deposit but will assess on case-by-case basis, 

depending on other strengths/merits of the 

application. Your good credit history, good 

account conduct, savings history and low debts 

position may get you across the line, despite a 

relatively low deposit,” he said. 

First homebuyers would be the worst hit as the 

new regulatory environment under which banks 

would be more stringent and with property prices 

skyrocketing, it would be difficult for many first 

homebuyers to accumulate the required deposit. 

“We can arrange loans from various banks and 

specialist lenders as also insurance from various 

insurance providers in the market. TFL provides 

perhaps the best customer support service in the 

industry. The most common problem that we face 

in our daily routine is managing the expectations 

of clients and providers and walking the fine 

line balancing the two,” Mortgage & Insurance 

Advisor Gurudutt Satigrama said. 

As well as looking at avenues to expand market 

presence and market share, TFL constantly 

reviews the performance of clients and provides 

prompt advice in loan servicing, restructuring 

finance with change in individual circumstances, 

regulatory changes and other developments of 

significance. 

Mr Satigrama said that many people, especially 

people of Indian origin are not only under-insured 

but also are not well apprised of the products and 

services available. 

Mortgage Masters justifies its name with 

services that are among the best in the industry. 

The Company boasts of three full-time brokers 

and a full-time office manager and loan writer. 

“We thoroughly enjoy our work and our 

motto is ‘Helping our clients to achieve financial 

freedom upon retirement.’ We have been in 

business in New Zealand for 28 years, providing 

financial services since 1988 and mortgage 

broking since 1997. Our comprehensive services 

include home and business loans, Kiwi Saver 

and lump-sum investment services and insurance 

services,” Mr Nathan said. 

“We believe that properties are still the best 

form of investment, although people must realise 

that the yield would accrue in the long-term and 

hence must be patient. It is better to deal with a 

qualified and experienced broker than directly 

with banks. Brokers are a fantastic source of 

sound financial advice,” Mr Nathan said. 

Mortgage Brokers Insurance Brokers Accountants Property Managers 

SERVICES 

Professional Financial Solutions provides the best advice on all financial matters 

- Home Loans, Business Loans 

- Property Management 

- Business & Commercial Insurance 

-Life/Trauma/Medical Insurance 

-Redundancy/Mortgage Protection Insurance 

-Rental Property Returns/LTC setup 

-Small Business Tax Returns 

-Information on Wills and Trusts 

HEAD OFFICE 

35 Morningside Drive, St. Lukes 

Mt. Albert, Auckland 

Ravi Mehta 

Authorised 

Financial Adviser 

BRANCH OFFICE 

Level 1/203 Great South Road 

Manurewa, Auckland 

Ph: 09 846 9934, Fax: 09-846 9936 

www.professionalfinancial.co.nz |Email: info@pfsl.co.nz 

Rohit Takyar 

Registered 

Financial Adviser 

Adisclosure statement as required under Securities Act 1988 is freely available on request 

PH: 0800 6307171 

PROFESSIONAL 

FINANCIAL 

SOLUTIONS GROUP 

Professional Financial Solutions Ltd. 

Aim Associates Ltd. 

Responsible business with lasting relationship in community 

Forall your home loan and insuranceneeds,talk to us... 

First home 

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Toll Free:0508332211M:021 030 8135 /099033 602 

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info@kiwimortgages.net.nz 

www.kiwimortgages.net.nz


Sara Hartigan 

Sara Hartigan is 

based in Auckland 

with LoanMarket. 

Her passion 

is to help every New 

Zealander get into their 

first home and start 

climbing the property 

ladder. 

Sara got the property 

bug very early. At just 22, she purchased her first 

home and at 25, she invested in her first rental 

property. 

Since then, she has been building her own 

property portfolio and loves helping clients do 

exactly the same. 

Sara’s passion for property is backed by four 

years of study in finance and accounting at 

Waikato University. 

She is a Registered Financial Adviser. She 


enjoys working with investors and property 

traders and loves getting people into their first 

home. Sara has taken some of her clients from 

owning one home to building a portfolio of over 

seven homes in just two years. 

Whether you are looking for a competitive 

interest rate on an existing mortgage or looking to 

get your first rental property, Sara can help you. 

She deals with all the major banking institutions 

and has built great relationships with them over 

the years. 

Sara’s clients consist of first home buyers, 

families, investors, property traders and property 

developers. Her services are free to her clients as 

her commission is paid by the lending institutions. 

Sara is an Elite Mortgage Broker with 

LoanMarket and is ranked number Nine in New 

Zealand. 

Sara Hartigan can be contacted on 027-4725244. 

Email: sara.hartigan@loanmarket.co.nz 

Fast, Friendly Efficient Service 

Ranked 9 th on the country for Loan Market 

15 

Specialising in 

•• First home buyers 

•• Self Employed 

•• Investment properties 

•• Refinancing and Restructuring 

We work with all the major banks in securing you the best lending solution. 

Our team has over 20 years of experience in the finance industry. 

Sara Hartigan 

12 Osterley Way 

Manukau 

0274725244 | sara.hartigan@loanmarket.co.nz 

Home affordability improves 


Massey University’s 

most recent Home 

Affordability Report, 

which surveyed 

the quarter to February 2016, 

showed an improvement in affordability 

nationally - with the 

index close to the level of the 

same quarter two years prior. 

Auckland’s median house 

value of $750,000 was a fall of 

$15,000, or 2%, when compared 

to the previous quarter but 

there had been an overall climb 

of $75,000 in the median house 

price, or 11% growth, in the 

year to February 2016. 

Interesting Index 

Dr Susan Flint-Hartle, Property 

Researcher and Senior Lecturer 

at Massey University School of 

Economics and Finance, said 

that the Index’s figures are 

interesting over more extended 

periods. 

“Our index produces a figure 

for a location; the higher the 

figure, the indication is the less 

affordable its properties are,” 

she said. 

“In February 2009 [just after 

the global financial crisis], our 

index figure for Auckland was 

almost 36 but in February this 

year the figure was slightly 

less – just under 34. It was hard 

to buy a property in 2009 

just after the GFC, but what 

is so surprising is that today, 

even when rising prices 

seem way out of hand, the 

index figure suggests that it is 

ever-so-slightly more affordable 

than it was then,” she added. 

Serious challenges 

Those buying a first home 

during the 1980s, for example, 

also faced affordability challenges, 

she said; prices were high, 

lending conditions were tight, 

and interest rates were through 

the roof. 

But while many home buyers 

have faced challenging conditions 

around housing affordability 

over the year, the drivers of 

those conditions have changed. 

Dr Flint-Hartle said that Auckland 

is now an international city, 

whereas in the 1980s it was not; 

New Zealand was an entirely 

different place. 

“Now the competition for 

properties is massive – you go to 

an auction and 20 other people 

want to buy the house you 

want. It is Murphy’s Law; there’s 

always someone with more cash 

than you,” she said. 

Westpac New Zealand’s chief 

product officer Shane Howell 

said that gathering enough funds 

for a deposit is the biggest obstacle 

first home buyers are facing - 

but there are options. 

“One is to look at building a 

home, rather than buying an existing 

property. Loan-to-Value 

Ratio restrictions can be lower 

for home builders and the level 

of assistance available through 

the KiwiSaver HomeStart grant 

programme can be higher


16 Wenceslaus anthony special 

Leadership in banking calls for impeccable credits 

Venkat Raman 


In pursuing its role as the 

Central Bank determining the 

country’s monetary policy, official 

cash rate, and ensuring 

that the financial system remains 

stable, the Reserve Bank of New 

Zealand follows a ‘Three-Pillar 

Approach,’ which has earned the 

admiration of its counterparts 

elsewhere. 

Trilogy of Discipline 

The trinity of factors that drive 

the approach of the Reserve Bank 

of New Zealand accounts for Self- 

Discipline, Market Discipline and 

Regulatory Discipline. 

These disciplines also cover the 

appointment of independent directors 

and Chairpersons of registered 

commercial banks in the 

country. RBNZ expects all banks 

operating in the country to ensure 

that their boards of directors 

are people of unimpeachable 

character and integrity and comply 

with rules in force. 

While the process of registering 

banks is rigid and rigorous, 

the approval of applications for 

appointment of directors and 

chairpersons of banks is equally 

tough. Thus, the appointment 

of Wenceslaus Anthony as the 

Chairman of Bank of Baroda (NZ) 

Limited was also subject to stringent 

scrutiny and hence reflects 

the calibre of the incumbent. The 

Bank’s first independent local 

Chairman Dr Rajen Prasad is also 

Wenceslaus Anthony (right) with P S Jayakumar, Managing Director & Chief Executive 

of Bank of Baroda in Mumbai 

known for his high level of integrity, 

honesty and experience in 

high public offices. 

RBNZ expects those in charge 

of commercial banks to safeguard 

not only depositors and 

other customers, but also ensure 

that their institution plays its 

part in keeping the financial system 

safe. 

Weathering crisis 

RBNZ believes that although 

New Zealand banks, including 

the ‘Big Four’ and their 

Australian parents, weathered 

the global financial crisis reasonably 

well in comparison to many 

of their foreign counterparts, 

they had become heavily dependent 

on international wholesale 

lending markets for their 

funding. 

And with a high proportion 

of that funding borrowed on a 

short term basis, the drying up of 

wholesale funding soon began to 

affect them. 

The Reserve Bank and government 

intervened swiftly with 

various measures to support system 

liquidity and confidence. 

Mr Anthony would have the 

unenviable task of steering the 

destiny of Bank of Baroda (NZ) 

Limited with the best risk management 

practices in place. 

New Growth Land 

S S Mundra, a former Bank of 

Baroda Chairman described New 

Zealand as a ‘Ring-fenced banking 

centre,’ saying that RBNZ follows 

the best banking practices, 

aimed at keeping the monetary 

system and the economy healthy. 

“We consider this country as 

‘New Growth Land’ for Bank of 

Baroda. We have come here to 

stay and hence we look for gradual 

and steady growth. I am happy 

that the bank has made good 

progress within a short span of 

three years,” he said speaking to 

guests at a dinner reception in 

Auckland on November 25, 2013 

(Indian Newslink, December 1, 

2013). 

With three branches, one 

each in Central Auckland, South 

Auckland and Wellington, 

Bank of Baroda New Zealand 

is well-positioned to serve its 

customers. 

Its major challenge is to develop 

products and services that suit 

the needs of New Zealanders. 

The Challenges 

Dr Anil Kumar Khandelwal, 

the then Chairman & Managing 

Director of Bank of Baroda told 

us during his visit in May 2007 

that the initial response to the establishment 

of a wholly-owned 

subsidiary in New Zealand was 

positive. 

“New Zealand has immense 

potential for Bank of Baroda and 

we look forward to not only serving 

the growing Indian community 

but also other ethnic groups 

and businesses,” he said (our issue 

dated March 15, 2007). 

The latest results of the Bank in 

New Zealand, published here in 

a table format justifies that confidence 

and anticipation. 

Indian Newslink welcomes the 

appointment of Mr Anthony to 

the important and strategic post 

in a growing financial institution 

and wishes him well. This publication 

also thanks the Bank’s 

Managing Director Prahlad 

Gupta and independent directors 

Ranjna Patel and Claude Oberto 

for responding to our invitation 

to comment on this appointment. 

Indian Newslink also thanks 

the officials of the Bank, advertisers 

and contributors to this 

Special Report.


Wenceslaus anthony special 

17 

The news of the appointment 

of Wenceslaus 

Anthony to the post of 

Chairman of Bank of Baroda 

What Directors say about their Chairman 

(New Zealand) Limited has 

been received with warmth and 

satisfaction by a cross-section 

of businesses and the Indian 

community. While a number of 

organisations and their people 

have expressed their appreciation 

through advertisements 

appearing in this Special Report, 

we sought the views of his 

colleagues on the Board of the 

Board. Here are their comments 

Prahlad Gupta 

Managing Director 

Wenceslaus 

Anthony 

has been appointed 

as 

the new Chairman on the 

Board of Bank of Baroda 

(New Zealand) Limited. Mr 

Anthony has over 30 years 

of rich experience in Project 

Management, international 

negotiations, international 

trading and recruitment. 

With his vast experience 

and knowledge, the Bank is 

poised to attain new heights 

under the chairmanship of 

Mr Anthony. 

Claude Oberto 

Independent Director 

The appointment of 

Wenceslaus Anthony 

to Chairman of 

the Board of Bank 

of Baroda reinforces the 

Banks commitment to New 

Zealand. 

By again appointing a New 

Zealander as Chairman, the 

Corporate Office in Mumbai 

has demonstrated its confidence 

in the country. 

Mr Anthony has served 

as an independent board 

member to Bank of Baroda 

for several years and has 

held various capacities such 

as Chairman of the Audit 

Committee. 

Given his long and strong 

relationship with the Bank, 

he is well versed in the Banks 

operational capacity and the 

regulatory and compliance 

requirements, which the 

Bank must operate within in 

New Zealand. 

There is no doubt that he 

will share his own vision for 

the strategic path of the bank 

and will lead and guide the 

Bank in that direction. 

Claude Oberto is an independent 

Director of Bank 

of Baroda New Zealand 

Limited. He is also Managing 

Director of NF Global Limited 

based in Auckland. 

Ranjna Patel 

Independent Director 

It is with great pleasure that I welcome 

Wenceslaus as Chairman of the 

Board. 

I have worked with him for the 

past three years and he will bring an 

invaluable commercial and political 

lens to the bank. With his international 

work and ties in the wider New Zealand 

Community, the bank will benefit for the 

next phase of its growth. 

His experience on the New Zealand 

India Research Institute and India New 

Zealand Business Council heading 

Government relations and his commercial 

acumen as Chairman and Managing 

Director of the WAML Group will be invaluable 

for the success of the Bank. 

The leadership and governance of the 

bank is being passed into capable hands, 

from the chairmanship Dr Rajen Prasad. 

About Dr Rajen Prasad 

Dr Rajen Prasad recently 

resigned as 

the Chairman of 

Bank of Baroda 

(New Zealand) Limited after 

the successful completion 

of seven years in 

that post. He was associated 

with the Bank since 

its inception. His rich experience, 

in-depth knowledge 

and valuable guidance 

helped the Bank to stabilise 

its operations and register 

satisfactory growth in business. 

During the recently 

held Board meeting of the 

Bank, the Board placed on 

record the valuable contributions 

made by Dr Prasad 

in the progress of the Bank. 

-Prahlad Gupta



Strategic partnerships open avenues for progress 

Venkat Raman 


Soon after his election 

as the Chair of India 

New Zealand Business 

Council (INZBC) in 

August 2009, we quoted him as 

saying (in our September 15, 

2009 issue) that the appointment 

came at a time when 

New Zealand and India are on 

the threshold of negotiations 

for a mutually rewarding Free 

Trade Agreement (FTA). 

Nine years later, that hope 

has receded and the two countries 

are farther than they 

were on that evasive pact. 

But the goals that Mr 

Anthony set for INZBC which 

was a dormant organisation at 

that time has been more than 

adequately achieved. 

Veritable platform 

“I would like our Council to 

focus on its core competencies, 

which are access to individual 

intellectual wealth which 

every member brings with 

them, lobbying and providing 

networks for business in both 

countries. I would encourage 

businesses to use the Council 

as a veritable platform and become 

members,” he said. 

Since then, the Organisation 

has earned the attention and 

esteem of the country’s leadership, 

government officials, 

chambers of commerce and 

businesses in New Zealand and 

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena greets Wenceslaus 

Anthony at the dinner hosted by him in honour of John Key 

in Colombo on February 25. 

India. Interacting with its counterpart 

based in New Delhi and 

Mumbai, the Council has been 

an efficient lobbyist to champion 

dialogue between businesses 

in either country and foster people-to-people 

contact. 

Reaching new horizons 

His four-and-half year regime 

enabled the Council to 

scale greater heights, engage 

with sectors that were hitherto 

unexplored, witnessed the increase 

of members and chapters 

(Auckland and Christchurch, in 

addition to an existing set up in 

Wellington). 

These activities have not gone 

unnoticed in the right quarters. 

The success of the premier 

business body was attributed 

at that time to Mr Anthony and 

the fact that he gained a place of 

distinction in the entourage of 

Prime Minister John Key during 

Wenceslaus and Susan Anthony with the late Pope 

John Paul II at the Vatican in 1996 

his first (and only official visit to 

date) to India in June 2011 was 

a testimony if there was a need 

for one. 

“I would do anything for the 

Council,” he says often and musters 

the support required from 

the hierarchy and members of 

the Organisation. 

Strengthening ties 

As a Columnist, he shares 

his thoughts and programmes 

with Indian Newslink readers. 

Writing in our July 1, 2016 issue, 

he said, “INZBC is the only 

credible, premier 27-year-old 

organisation that runs through 

a democratic process for promoting 

trade and business between 

India and New Zealand, 

with its core values of Integrity, 

Commitment and Transparency. 

“We will continue to advocate 

and work towards the direct 

flight between the two countries. 

We recently relaunched 

the Wellington and Christchurch 

Chapters and intend to establish 

a Waikato Chapter shortly,” 

he said. 

INZBC recently signed a 

Memorandum of Understanding 

(MoU) with the Haryana State 

Industrial & Infrastructure 

Development Corporation 

Limited. 

As the Council Chair, Mr 

Anthony forged alliances 

with business organisations 

in India including the 

Federation of Indian Chambers 

of Commerce & Industry 

(FICCI), Confederation of 

Indian Industry (CII), Punjab, 

Haryana and Delhi Chamber 

of Commerce & Industry 

and Associated Chambers of 

Commerce & Industry of India. 

These pacts enable New Zealand 

entities to penetrate into India 

Wenceslaus Anthony with Bhuwanchandra Joshi 

and provide a bridge for Indian 

Companies to reach their counterparts 

in New Zealand. 

Servant of Servants 

Mr Anthony is a respected 

member of the New Zealand 

society. 

He is a member of the Roman 

Catholic Church and considers 

himself as a ‘Servant of 

Servants,’ in the true Christian 

spirit. He is the Chairperson 

of the Divine Retreat Centre 

Movement in New Zealand 

and Advisor to the Vailankanni 

Committee to celebrate the feast 

of the Birthday of Mother Mary 

(on September 8) and Director 

of Conquest Club, which aims to 

shape the character and personality 

of young boys in the 8-14 

age group. 

Congratulations to Mr. Wenceslaus Anthony on his 

appointment as the Chairman of Bank of Baroda 

(NZ) Limited. We wish him success in this new role. 

~NCBTteam 

Newton College of Business and Technology (NCBT) is 

We have been one of the highest ranking education 

providers asjudged by NZQA based on the quality of 

our student welfare services are also second tonone. 

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Wenceslaus anthony special 

19 

A single source of energy and one-stop shop 

About the Bank 

Bank of Baroda (New 

Zealand) Ltd is a wholly 

owned subsidiary of Bank 

of Baroda, India’s International 

Bank. 

Bank of Baroda (New Zealand) 

Limited was incorporated on 

May 27, 2007. It became a 

Registered Bank on September 

1, 2009 under the Reserve Bank 

of New Zealand Act 1989. 

All liabilities of the Bank are 

guaranteed by its Parent Bank, 

namely Bank of Baroda. 


has its Corporate Office and first 

branch located at 114, Dominion 

Road, Mt Eden, Auckland. 

Global Network 


Ltd is the first Indian bank to 

foray into New Zealand. The 

Bank’s network in 25 countries 

will be advantageous to 

customers who have personal 

and corporate relations with 

these countries. Its leading 

personal remittance product, 

‘Rapidfunds2India’ has been 

very popular for its speed and 

ease. 

The Parent Bank 

Bank of Baroda has its corporate 

Head Quarters in Mumbai. 

The present day Bank of 

Baroda is the successor of the 

erstwhile ‘The Bank of Baroda 

Limited,’ founded in 1908 in a 

(then) small town of Baroda by 

the Late Maharaja of Baroda Sir 

Sayajirao Gaekwad III, a great 

visionary. 

From its humble beginnings, 

the Bank has grown over the 

years, to emerge as an Indian 

Financial Powerhouse. 

It has a network of over 3900 

branches in India across the 

length and breadth of the country. 

It has 93 overseas branches 

and foreign offices in 25 countries 

across five Continents, 

serving a Global customer base 

of over 39 million. 

The Mission Statement: 

To be a top ranking National 

Bank of International Standards 

committed to augmenting stake 

holders’ value through concern, 

care and competence. 

The Baroda Sun 

The Bank’s Logo is a unique 

representation of a universal 

symbol. It comprises dual ‘B’ 

letterforms that hold the rays 

of the rising sun. It is called the 

‘Baroda Sun.’ 

The Sun is an excellent representation 

of what the Bank 

stands for and is the single most 

Bank of Baroda Managing Director & CEO P S Jayakumar (second from right) with (from left) Chief Financial Officer V S Narang and Executive 

Directors Mayank Mehta and Bhuwanchandra Joshi at the Media Meet to announce financial results on May 13, 2016 in Mumbai 

powerful source of light and 

energy. 

Its far-reaching rays dispel 

darkness to illuminate 

everything they touch. 

Bank of Baroda seeks to be the 

source that will help all stakeholders 

realise their goals. To 

customers, the Bank seeks to be 

a one-stop, reliable partner who 

will help them address different 

financial needs. 

The Bank offers rewarding careers 

to employees and endeavours 

to deliver maximum return 

on investment to investors and 

business partners. 

The single colour, compelling 

Vermillion palette has been 

carefully chosen, for its distinctiveness 

as it stands for hope 

and energy. 

Celebrating Diversity 

The Bank also recognises that 

it is characterised by diversity. 

The network of branches 

across the globe spans geographical 

and cultural boundaries and 

rural-urban divides. 

The Bank’s customers come 

from a wide spectrum of industries 

and backgrounds. 

The Baroda Sun is a fitting 

face for the brand because it is a 

universal symbol of dynamism 

and optimism. 

The Bank’s Corporate brand 

identity is much more than a 

cosmetic change. 

It is a signal that we recognize 

and are prepared for new business 

paradigms in a globalised 

world. 

At the same time, we will always 

stay in touch with our heritage 

and enduring relationships 

on which the bank is founded. 

By adopting a symbol as simple 

and powerful as the Baroda 

Sun, we hope to communicate 

both. 

Felicitations to Mr Wenceslaus Anthony on his appointment as the Chairman of 

Bank of Baroda (NZ) Limited. We are proud to be associated with the Bank. 

We understand that business is about relationships 

At Corban Revell, we understand that business is about relationships and we are committed to providing high quality services 

and value to our clients. As a result, we enjoy long-term client relationships, working alongside our clients assisting them 

to achieve their business and personal goals. 

Our Services 

Our Partners 

With a staff of around 25, the Three Partners and 

their professional service teams offer a full range 

of legal services in the following areas 

• Commercial law 

• Property 

• Estate planning 

• Civil and commercial litigation 

• Immigration 

• Traffic Law 

• Maori land and services 

• Family and relationship property 

John Kahukiwa 

Partner 

Lawrence Ponniah 

Managing Partner 

Lisa Roberts 

Partner 

Ph. +64 9 837 0550 | Fax. +64 9 838 7187 

133a Central Park Drive, Henderson, Auckland 0650 

PO Box 21-180, Henderson, Auckland 0610 DX DP 92558 

email.info@corbanrevell.co.nz www.corbanrevell.co.nz 

Established in 1977, Corban Revell is now one of the largest law firms in Auckland outside the Auckland CBD



Bank of Baroda New Zealand over the decade 

Extracts from our Archives - Indian Newslink, May 15, 2007 - Breaking News Bank of Baroda plans New Zealand subsidiary 

Bank of Baroda (BOB), 

India’s third largest 

commercial bank 

is considering opening 

a subsidiary office in New 

Zealand, its chairman and managing 

director Dr Anil Kumar 

Khandelwal told Indian 

Newslink. 

“The proposed entity, perhaps 

called, ‘The Bank of Baroda (NZ) 

Ltd’ will be a fully-owned subsidiary 

of the Bank and would 

eventually offer comprehensive 

banking services,” he said during 

his visit to New Zealand last 

week. 

“I hope we can establish our 

presence here in 2007, which is 

our centenary year.” 

It would be a while before the 

bank establishes its physical 

presence in the country, since 

an application is yet to be filed 

with the Reserve Bank of New 

Zealand (RBNZ) after obtaining 

appropriate permission from 

the Reserve Bank of India. 

Indian Newslink, October 1, 

2009 

Bank of Baroda opens job 

opportunities 

The first branch of Bank of 

Baroda (BoB), expected to open 

shortly in Auckland, will create 

job opportunities for New 

Zealand citizens and permanent 

residents with requisite aptitude 

and experience, Chairman and 

Managing Director Mangalore 

Devadas Mallya said. 

“We envisage appointing up 

to 12 persons, of which perhaps 

four will be sent on deputation 

from India or other offices 

and branches operating overseas. 

The remaining will be recruited 

locally,” he told Indian 

Newslink during an interview 

from Mumbai last night. 

Indian Newslink, July 1, 2010 

Bank of Baroda commences 

business 

The first branch of Bank of 

Baroda has commenced ‘limited’ 

operations at its premises at 

114 Dominion Road in Mt Eden, 

close to the Central Business 

District of Auckland City. 

Satish Vermani, Managing 

Director of Bank of Baroda (NZ) 

Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary 

of Bank of Baroda, India, 

said the ‘soft opening’ on June 

25 has generated widespread 

interest among businesses and 

individuals. 

Indian Newslink, February 15, 

2011 

Bank of Baroda brings Indian 

flavour to New Zealand 

Bank of Baroda (BOB) brought 

the flavour of Indian banking 

to New Zealand with the official 

opening of its wholly owned 

subsidiary, Bank of Baroda (NZ) 

Limited and its first branch in 

Auckland on February 4, 2011. 

It was in fact ‘BOB Day,’ 

beginning in the morning 

with a formal ceremony 

held in the presence of 

India’s Minister of State for 

Finance Namo Narain Meena, 

BOB Chairman & Managing 

Director Mangalore Devadas 

Mallya, General Manager 

International Operations Vivek 

Hari Thatte, BOB NZ Managing 

Director Satish Vermani, local 

Directors Dr Rajen Prasad, 

Vijaya Vaidyanath and 200 other 

guests. 

The inaugural ceremony, held 

at the Bank’s impressive new 

offices at 114 Dominion Road 

in Mt Eden set the pace for 

the course of the Bank in this 

country. 

“Pubic response since our 

‘soft-opening’ in June 2010 has 

been enthusiastic and encouraging, 

giving us the confidence to 

look forward to a bright future. 

As we understand the local market 

conditions and the needs 

of our customers, we should 

be able to provide tailor-made 

products and services to the 

banking pubic in New Zealand,” 

Mr Mallya said at the inaugural 

ceremony, a media conference 

that followed and at a business 

lunch held at Stamford Plaza 

Hotel. 

Mr Meena inaugurating the first branch of Bank of Baroda NZ Limited on February 4, 

2011, watched by Mr Mallya (to his right), Mr Vermani and others. 

Messers Mallya and Vermani with Dr Rajen Prasad and Vijaya Vaidyanath, the first 

two independent Directors of Bank of Baroda (NZ) Limited on February 4, 2011. 

Trinity Certificate Course at International College of Auckland 

What is a Trinity Certificate course? 

The Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL) is 

a TESOL or TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate designed for those 

with little or no experience of teaching English. It equips candidates with the basic skills 

and hands-on experience needed to take up a first post as an ESOL teacher. It gives an 

introduction to the theory and practice of communicative English teaching and an insight 

into the challenges facing the learner and the role of the teacher. 

Who can do the course? 

Anyone over the age of 18, with a high proficiency in English at least to the equivalent of 

IELTS 7, and with evidence of qualifications achieved for entry to higher education. 

What is the difference between Trinity CertTESOL and CELTA? 

There is little difference between the two and both are equally recognised by reputable 

English language schools worldwide, with their mixture of theory and practice, making 

them more credible than most other TESOL/TEFL courses on offer. 

Why do a Trinity TESOL Cert Course? 

In the past, anyone who spoke English was able to find work teaching English in many 

countries. However, it needs to be remembered that being able to speak a language 

doesn’t make anyone an effective teacher of that language. As a result, 

many countries are now tightening their policies and are requiring 

teachers to be properly qualified. The CertTESOL is such a qualification. 

At the moment it is estimated that there are over 1 billion people 

learning English and these numbers are expected to grow, which will 

increase the demand for professional and highly-qualified teachers. 

The Trinity CertTESOL Course at ICA. 

The courses are of four-week duration and are run each month. They 

cover aspects of language teaching and learning theory as well as 

teaching practice with invaluable and constructive feedback from course 

tutors. Trainees are taught methodology, language awareness (phonology, 

grammar and lexis), and all aspects of effective teaching. They are 

also provided with opportunities to observe their peers and ICA’s 

qualified teachers. There is no final exam and assessment is based on 

50% assignment and 50% teaching practice. ICA’s course tutors are 

very experienced and very qualified in all aspects of teaching English. 

0064-9-3099558 

Level 5, 131 Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand. 

Fax 0064-9-3099568 | Email enrol@ica.ac.nz 

Congratulations to Mr Wenceslaus Anthony on his appointment as Chairman of Bank of Baroda (New Zealand) Limited. We wish him success.


BUSINESSLINK 

21 

Exploitation of migrant workers tantamount to slavery 

A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members - Mahatma Gandhi. 

Priyanca 

Radhakrishnan 

Restaurant workers paid 

less than $4 an hour; 

workers’ passports held 

by their employer and 

only returned when the media 

gets involved; migrant workers 

who work 70 hours a week but 

are paid only for 30 hours. 

Those were just some of the 

stories discussed at a seminar 

on Indian migrant worker 

exploitation at which I was a 

speaker. 

Organised by First Union 

and supported by the Union 

Network of Migrants (UNEMIG), 

the seminar was attended by 

about 30 union delegates of 

Indian origin. 

The delegates largely represented 

supermarket and bank 

workers. 

New Workers Association 

The newly formed Indian 

Migrant Worker’s Association 

(IMWA) was also formally 

launched that day. IMWA will 

work alongside UNEMIG to 

support and represent Indian 

migrant workers who find 

themselves victims of workplace 

exploitation. 

For some time now, I have 

strongly believed that migrant 

worker exploitation is much 

more common in New Zealand 

than many realise. 

I have spoken to and supported 

victims, met with researchers 

and read about migrant 

worker exploitation. 

The Masala Saga 

Like many, I have followed 

media reports about high profile 

exploitation cases like the 

Masala (Restaurant chain) saga. 

Masala workers were paid 

as little as $2 an hour and the 

17 companies that owned the 

Masala Restaurants chain, under-reported 

earnings to evade 

paying more than $7.4 million 

in tax. 

According to Immigration 

New Zealand (INZ), one victim 

worked 66 hours a week 

for three months at Masala 

Takapuna and was paid $3 an 

hour. 

In addition, the worker was 

also expected to clean the house 

of one of the offenders. 

It is difficult to determine the 

extent of migrant worker exploitation 

in New Zealand. 

However, there is significant 

anecdotal evidence and some 

research showing that it exists 

and can be quite severe. 

Exploited workers 

Of course, it is not an issue 

that affects Indian migrants 

alone. 

A 2015 report by the Ministry 

of Business, Innovation and 

Employment found that some 

migrants – largely from the 

Philippines – are being exploited 

in the Canterbury construction 

industry. Many did 

not even have employment 

contracts. 

Migrants most vulnerable to 

exploitation are those who are 

in debt, do not speak English 

well and come from countries 

where employment standards 

are not high. 

Depressing debts 

A 2016 University of Auckland 

study on temporary migration 

in the City of Sails found that 

debt is a significant issue for 

temporary migrants. 

The study had a sample size 

of nearly 900 people who were 

international students, working 

holidaymakers and work visa 

holders. 

Debt was specified as an issue 

for 40% of Indian and Filipino 

temporary migrants. 

According to the study, one 

in five temporary migrants reported 

that they were being 

paid below the minimum wage 

or were working and were paid 

less than the number of hours 

worked. 

The study also showed that 

debt is an issue for many international 

students and that they 

rely on employment for sustenance. 

Debt patterns are important 

because temporary 

migrants with significant debt 

levels are particularly vulnerable 

to exploitation. 

Humane approach 

The study called for a ‘more 

humane and less revenue-centred 

approach’ to migration to 

address these emerging issues. 

That is exactly what we need. As 

a nation, if we open our doors 

to migrants we must make sure 

that we treat them well. 

I came to New Zealand as an 

international student many 

years ago, and it was one of 

the best decisions I’ve ever 

made. Many international students 

get a high quality tertiary 

education in New Zealand 

and some stay on and contribute 

greatly economically and 

socially. However, for many 

international students their experience 

includes high levels of 

debt back home and workplace 

exploitation. 

Export Education 

Export education contributes 

$2.8 billion to New Zealand’s 

economy. While that is significant, 

economic gain should 

never stand in the way of government 

action to protect human 

rights. 

Migrant worker exploitation 

is a gross breach of human 

rights and has been likened to 

slavery by many victims. It undermines 

businesses that are 

operating legitimately, traps its 

victims in a cycle of fear and 

poverty and must be stopped. 

The government has a significant 

role to play in ending 

workplace exploitation. 

As Indian New Zealanders, we 

can also do our bit to help by 

educating new migrants of their 

rights and speaking up against 

laws that erode worker’s rights. 

As the great granddaughter of 

a union organiser and as a union 

member who has benefitted 

greatly, I strongly encourage union 

membership. 

Let us do our bit to support 

those who tirelessly fight for 

worker’s rights and work hard 

to end exploitation. 

For membership and further 

information, please contact 

UNEMIG on 0800-863477; Email: 

unemig@firstunion.org.nz 

DEFINITION OF SUCCESS! 

CATEGORIES 

1. Business Excellence in Retail Trade 

2. Business Excellence in Innovation 

3. Business Excellence in Marketing 

4. Business Excellence in Customer Service 

5. Best EmployerofChoice (New) 

6. Best Small Business 

7. Best Medium SizedBusiness 

8. Best LargeBusiness 

9. Business Excellence in International Business with India* 

10. Best Accountant of the Year 

11. Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year 

12. Best Businesswoman of the Year 

13. Best Financial Advisor (Mortgage) of the Year 

14. Best Financial Advisor (Insurance) of the Year 

Supreme Business of the Year Award 

(All entries will be enteredfor this category) 

*This categoryisopen to all businesses registered in NewZealand,importing or exporting aproductor 

servicefromand to India or engaged in enrolling international students from India. 

Calling forEntries and Nominations to the Ninth Annual 

Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2016 

Forthe first time sincethe launch of the Awards in 2008, companies and individuals cannominate 

anycompanyorindividualcarrying on as registered businesses in NewZealand. 

Nomination forms areincorporated in the entryprocess this year. 

Enteruptoany three of the above firstnine categories.Entries to all the categories canalso be by nomination 

(See websitefor details). Download Entryformsfromwww.inliba.com or writetoeditor@indiannewslink.co.nz. 

Completed entries must be sentonorbeforeWednesday, August 31, 2016 to iba2016@ignitionpartner.com. 

Winners will be presentedwith their Awards at aGala BlackTieDinneronMonday, November 28, 2016 at 

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

CALLING FOR ENTRIES &NOMINATIONS 

Conditions of Entry: 

Entries and Nominations must be in electronic formatsentbyemail.Those sentbypost,fax or other means will not be accepted. 

Thedecision of the judges would be final and no correspondencewill be entertained in this connection. 

Themanagementand staff of Indian Newslink and the supporting and sponsoring organisations arenot eligible to enterthe Awards. 

FREE WORKSHOPS 

Please attend our FreeWorkshops on‘How to file agood entry’as follows: 

a) Tuesday, May3,2016 at 4pm: BNZ Partners,Level 1, 86 Highbrook Drive, EastTamaki 

b) Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 4pm: BNZ Partners,Level 1, 86 HighbrookDrive, EastTamaki 

c) Thursday, July7,2016 at 4pm: Level8,DeloitteCentre, 80 Queen Street,Auckland City 

(Workshop inTheBoardRoom, Level7;please reportatReception at Level8) 

To Register please email editor@indiannewslink.co.nz 

Indian Newslink 

POBox 82338 Highland Park,Manukau 2143 

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

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


22 COMMUNITYLINK 

Nights before Nine Nights bring fountain of youth 

‘Ratri Before Navaratri’ raises expectations higher 

Dr Kamlesh Patel 

The last weekend of the 

month will see Mahatma 

Gandhi Centre light up 

the colour and celebration 

of Navaratri. 

Organised by Atmiya Youth 

Group (AYG), the young wing of 

Yogi Divine Society (NZ) Inc, the 

two-night event, scheduled to be 

held on August 26 and August 

27, 2016, promises to be better, 

brighter and more vivacious than 

its predecessors. 

AYG was established in 2010 in 

New Zealand pursuing the core 

principle of ‘Atmiyata’ (Spiritual 

Harmony), a spiritual message of 

His Divine Holiness Pragat Guru 

Hariprasad Swami Ji Maharaj. 

Atmiyata has proved itself as 

a strong solution to overcome 

social and inner evils such as 

stubbornness, anger, jealousy, addiction 

and greed. 

Concerted Mission 

Modern youth are burdened 

by the pressures of a competitive 

society and are constantly struggling 

to attain solutions that seem 

to be out of reach. 

Swami Ji Maharaj has begun a 

concerted mission to unlock the 

inner strength, energy and talents 

of the youth by giving them 

Dance, music and fun at ‘Ratri Before Navratri’ 

unconditional love and care 

and channelising them towards 

a life of righteous conduct and 

spirituality. 

AYG inspires confidence, faith 

and discipline among the younger 

members of the society, aiming 

to give them the strength to rise 

above their inherent weaknesses. 

With a robust membership 

of more than 350 young people, 

AYG organises weekly youth forums, 

monthly youth seminars, 

youth camps, sports camps, blood 

donation camps and other community 

support camps at which 

the youth learn discipline, devotion 

and valuable life morals. 

These camps have resulted in 

the growth of a young community 

that lives a life free of addictions, 

respects their parents and 

achieves the utmost success in 

their personal and career goals. 

Cultural Festival 

AYG organises ‘Ratri Before 

Navaratri’ (RBN) every year to 

support the noble cause of youth 

development. It is a traditional 

Indian folk dance festival that is 

now massively popular all over 

the world. 

The Festival is an opportunity 

to embrace Indian culture 

through contemporary spheres 

of traditional music and dance, 

while enjoying delightful Indian 

cuisine. 

The highlight of the event 

would be the performance of 

Achal Mehta and Kaushik Mistry 

of the ‘Rishabh Group,’ the duo 

known throughout the world for 

its energetic music. 

RBN events have mesmerised 

everyone with unforgettable and 

overwhelming performances for 

the past three years. 

All funds generated from this 

event will go to support the youth 

nurturing the activities of AYG. 

For more information, purchase 

of tickets online and sponsorship, 

please contact Kiran 

Vaghela on 022-0158346 or visit 

www.ratribeforenavratri.co.nz 

Dr Kamlesh Patel is Senior 

Youth Coordinator of Yogi 

Divine Society. He is a Process 

Engineer at a commercial firm 

in Auckland. 

HDH Pragat Guru Hariprasad Swami Ji Maharaj 

Blood Donation is a regular activity of the Atmiya Youth Group 

Atmiya Youth Group works and prays for universal well-being 

#RBN2016 

PRESENTS 

$10 

anight/person 

Children under 

age12free! 


MAHATMAGANDHI CENTRE 

145 NEWNORTH RD 

AUCKLAND 

7.00pm to Midnight 

FRI -SAT 

26 th &27 th 

August 2016 

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:- 

KIRAN VAGHELA : 022015 8346 

KAUSHAL PARMAR : 021373 536 

To buy tickets online,please visit: 

INDIAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION 

48 KEMP ST.KILBIRNIE 

WELLINGTON 

7.00pm to Midnight 

FRI -SAT 

2 nd &3 rd 

Septemeber 2016 

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:- 

HEMANT RAMA : 027 243 5620 

RITESH KAPADIA : 021 105 2857 


In Association with: 

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COMMUNITYLINK 

23 

Durdamya 

Munibhargav 

Music lovers in Fiji have 

been experiencing the 

divine music of Pandit 

Sanjeev Abhyankar the 

past week and New Zealanders 

would have a rare opportunity 

over the coming two weekends. 

Fiji based Sahyadri Specialty 

Pacific Hospital Limited (SSPHL) 

has organised the programme 

in four locations in Fiji to create 

medical awareness and in New 

Zealand for enhancing entertainment 

value. 

The event has been sponsored 

by Indian Council of Cultural 

Relations (ICCR), Government of 

India, Indian High Commission 

in Fiji, Fiji’s Ministry of Health 

& Medical Service, Ministry of 

Women, Children & Poverty 

Alleviation and Ministry of Local 

Government. 

The programme in New Zealand 

is managed and organised by 

Aprameya Limited and Migrant 

Heritage Charitable Trust INC 

(Regd), Auckland. 

Pandit Sanjeev is being accompanied 

by Omkar Dalvi (Dholak), 

Apurva Dravid (Drums), Milind 

Kulkarni (Harmonium), Rohit 

Mozumdar (Tabla) and Hemant 

Uttekar (Sound). 

Free Medical Service 

SSPHL Fiji conducted free 

Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar 

Omkar Dalvi 

Apurva Dravid 

screening of people with the 

help of specialised doctors from 

Deoyani Multispecialty Hospitals, 

Kothrud, Pune, India. 

Dr Shrirang Limaye, a leading 

orthopaedic surgeon and 

Chief Executive of Deoyani 

Multispecialty Hospital and I were 

instrumental in conducting free 

Milind Kulkarni 

Rohit Mozumdar 

Hemant Uttekar 

screening in Cardiology, Advance 

Orthopaedic and Oncology in government 

hospitals at six different 

locations in Fiji. 

The Indian Classical Musical programme 

is being performed at 

Labasa, Suva, Ba and Lautoka. 

I coordinated with ICCR India, 

Indian High Commission Suva Fiji 

Rare musical treat for New Zealanders 

to make the programme successful. 

I also coordinated with Indian 

High Commission in Wellington for 

bringing the event to New Zealand 

to promote Indian Classical Music. 

The artistes will be performing 

in Auckland, Hamilton and 

Wellington. 

Free Music Concert 

The Editor of this newspaper 

was in Fiji with New Zealand 

Prime Minister John Key on June 

9 and 10, 2016, during which he 

discussed with me about the programme 

of Pandit Sanjeev for New 

Zealand. Print and Electronic media 

has assisted for making this 

event successfully. 

The event is open to the public 

and entry is free. 

Child prodigy 

Pandit Sanjeev, a Commerce 

graduate, is a maestro from 

Mewati Gharana. An artiste of international 

acclaim in Hindustani 

Classical and Devotional Music, he 

is a source of inspiration for the 

younger generation. 

In a career spanning more than 

25 years, he has assumed the 

mantle of a role model of dedication, 

hard work, patience and 

perseverance. 

Born in 1969, he started learning 

Hindustani Classical Music 

from the tender age of eight. 

He has been groomed by his 

mother Dr Shobha Abhyankar, 

Pandit Pimpalkhare and 

Padmavibhushan Pandit Jasraj. 

He made his public debut in 

Mumbai when he was 11 years old. 

Glorious globetrotter 

Since then, he has travelled extensively 

all over India, performing 

at all prestigious conferences 

and art circles, several times. He 

has the distinction of performing 

in more 200 cities all over the 

world. 

He has spread the fragrance of 

Indian Classical music in Africa, 

Australia, Canada, Europe, the 

Middle East and the United States 

of America. 

Pandit Sanjeev’s award winning 

performance in ‘Godmother’ 

and his impassioned rendition of 

Marathi Abhangs, Bhavgeets and 

Bhajans in Sanskrit and Hindi reflect 

his versatility. 

By adding his own classical compositions, 

he has contributed to the 

already existing vast repertoire 

of Mewati Gharana compositions 

(Bandishes). 

Pandit Sanjeev has performed 

in well-known conferences 

such as Sawai Gandharva 

Sangeet Samaroh, Swar Jhankar 

Festival, Swar Bhaskar Mahotsav, 

Vasantotsav, Surel Sabha, Pune 

Festival, Baba Harvallabh Samaroh 

(Jalandhar), Pracheen Kala Kendra, 

Chandigarh, ITC Sammelan, 

Doverlane Music Conference, 

Uttarpara Sangeet Chakra, Indo 

Oxidental Festival in Kolkata and 

others. 

Durdamya Munibhargav is a 

senior executive at Sahyadri 

Specialty Pacific Hospital 

Limited, Fiji.


24 COMMUNITYLINK 

Church Administrator calls it a day 

Divine Retreat Centre 


Departing from one of 

the busiest offices in 

Auckland would have 

been a tough call of the 

man himself but the thought 

of not seeing Kerry Coleman as 

General Manager at the Catholic 

Diocese of Auckland which included 

the Office of the Bishop 

was even more emotional of 

others as the hard-working 

man decided to pursue other 

interests. 

For Wenceslaus Anthony 

and this writer, both founder-members 

of the Mother 

Teresa Interfaith Committee, 

it spelt a more emotional farewell 

at St John Vianney Church 

in Hillsborough on June 26, 2016 

for his engagement with us was 

divine. 

Exponent of Faith 

In more than one sense, Mr 

Coleman was an exponent of the 

Catholic and Human faith, for 

everything that he thought and 

did was a representation of honesty, 

integrity and devotion and 

dignity. 

In his role, Mr Coleman was 

responsible for the wellbeing 

of a number of Catholic 

schools and the Church, which 

in essence brought in the man 

a unique blend of domestic, cultural, 

social, community and re- 

Kerry Coleman 

ligious values. 

Thus, for a small gathering 

of his friends and colleagues 

at St John Vianney Church, it 

was time to pay tributes to the 

well-meaning man in the presence 

of his wife Margaret. 

As Chairman of the Divine 

Retreat Centre (DRC) of New 

Zealand and Chairman of 

the Mother Teresa Interfaith 

Committee, Mr Anthony has had 

occasions to work closely with 

Mr Coleman over the past several 

years. 

Great Honour 

“He has been a great supporter 

and a great friend. He had 

a huge responsibility in dealing 

with finances of the Catholic 

Diocese and worked very closely 

with the Bishop of Auckland. Mr 

Coleman was instrumental in 

the DRC NZ Movement becoming 

an Apostolate of the Diocese 

of Auckland,” Mr Anthony said. 

The Reporter described working 

with Mr Coleman as a ‘great 

honour.’ 

“What a Grace, and what a 

Wenceslaus Anthony and Lyndsay Freer at the Felicitation 

privilege it has been to work 

with you because you not only 

brought dignity, but also faith, 

the goodness of everything 

that comes with someone like 

Mother Teresa. My only prayer 

is that you should continue to 

be healthy and happy. With humility, 

commitment and faith 

in God, you have been involved 

in education- one of the noblest 

professions that one can pursue 

in life.” 

Bible Song 

Catholic Church Media 

Manager Dame Lyndsay Freer 

paid tributes Mr Coleman and 

rendered a song from the Bible. 

Father Bernie Thomas, Parish 

Priest at St Peter’s Church, 

Waiheke Island and Tertiary 

Student Chaplin outlined the 

services of Mr Coleman to the 

Ministry and tertiary students. 

Replying to the felicitations, 

Mr Coleman said that he was 

pleased with the opportunity 

to serve the Catholic Diocese of 

Auckland and praised the work 

done by DRC New Zealand.


COMMUNITYLINK 25 

GOPIO Executive Council appoints New Zealander 

Venkat Raman 


The election of a New 

Zealander to a top position 

in the Executive 

Council of the US-based 

Global Organisation of People 

of Indian Origin (GOPIO) will 

be a major boost to the Indian 

Diaspora in New Zealand. 

Suman Kapoor, Founder- 

President Waikato GOPIO, was 

elected unopposed to the post 

of International Coordinator for 

Oceania, giving her the jurisdiction 

to coordinate with GOPIO 

Chapters in 14 countries including 

New Zealand, Australia and 

Fiji. 

She would be required to 

work in unison with the leaders 

of the national and regional 

chapters of GOPIO and promote 

the concept of unity, understanding 

and common purpose 

among the Indian Diaspora. 

The Global Council 

Niraj Baxi of Silicon Valley, 

USA was elected to the post of 

President at the elections held 

in March this year. Among 

his colleagues in the GOPIO 

International Executive Council 

are Noel Lal (Sydney, Australia), 

Executive Vice President; Ram 

Gadhavi (New Jersey, USA), 

Vice President; Dr Rajeev 

Mehta (USA), Dr Pradip Sewoke 

(France), Suman Kapoor (New 

Zealand) and Rajidre Tiwari 

(The Netherlands) International 

Coordinators. GOPIO Chairman 

GOPIO International Executives from top left clockwise, Niraj Baxi, Noel Lal, Ram Gadhavi, 

Dr Rajeev Mehta, Dr Pradip Sewoke, Suman Kapoor, Rajendre Tiwari, Inder Singh. 

Inder Singh, who supervised the 

election process, will continue 

in that position. 

Sunny Kulathakal (now a resident 

in Bahrain, USA and India), 

who this reporter has known 

since 1980 during their days in 

Dubai and Bahrain told us last 

week that he has been appointed 

to the newly-created post of 

‘Global Ambassador.’ We hope 

that his post is well-defined and 

he would be a messenger of 

goodwill across the world for 

and of GOPIO. 

Proud achievements 

It can be proud of its achievements, 

the most significant of 

which was to have in place the 

‘Overseas Indian Citizen’ status 

for eligible Indians (which now 

includes those on the ‘Person of 

Indian Origin’ status) and the 

organisation of the ‘Bharatiya 

Pravasi Divas’ in India since 

2003 (which has now become a 

biannual feature). 

There appears to be renewed 

interest on GOPIO from people 

outside America, if the recent 

elections to the Executive 

Council of the global body is an 

indication. 

The election, held for the first 

time through an electronic voting 

system, accounted for 208 

delegates (out of 223) from 21 

countries to cast votes. 

Renewed hope 

GOPIO is the only organisation 

of its type in the world to 

connect the Indian Diaspora 

providing a common platform 

for Indians from anywhere in 

the world to work together on 

issues that affect the entire humanity 

in general and Indians 

in particular. 

GOPIO NZ Members in Auckland in 2009 

GOPIO Members in Auckland in 2013 

However, as this reporter understands, 

its structure and 

processes have not been clear, 

leading to confusion and differences 

in approach. 

The progress GOPIO’s National 

Chapters should continue without 

restraints. 

Indian Newslink has been in 

dialogue with a few concerned 

persons at the International 

Executive Council and the New 

Zealand Chapter President 

Alkesh Sharma and his team, all 

of who, arguably, have a passion 

for the Organisation and have 

over the years, added value. 

As this reporter has observed, 

absence of dialogue between individuals 

who perceive issues 

differently, has been the main 

cause for discontent and disharmony 

both of which are not 

incurable. There is a general 

consensus that GOPIO has work 

to do and that there could be 

better outcomes if energies can 

be properly channelled through 

common goals and objectives. 

There is now renewed hope 

that the officials of the GOPIO 

chapters in New Zealand would 

work together for the common 

good reinstating the core 

principles and objectives of 

the Organisation when it was 

formed in 1999 in America. 

Open Day Event 

Gandhi Nivas cordially invites you to 

Open Day event on 19th August 

from 10 am to 3 pm. 

We will be having a talk every hour 

starting at 

10:30 am on the hour. 

Venue: 40 Station Road, Otahuhu 

ALL WELCOME!! 

Please RSVP to Sucharita Verma 

Phone: 09 280 4064 

Email: info@sahaayta.org.nz


26 ARTLINK-Ratna Venkat 

Philanthropy brings out the inner beauty in humans 

Model of the Fortnight 

are an 

integral part of 

this world and 

“Animals 

hence should be 

loved and protected, not killed 

or eaten,” says Sonya Pink, our 

Model of the Fortnight. 

If Indian Newslink readers 

know this young woman who 

is now making waves in the 

Indian film industry as Shristy 

Gupta, they need to be praised 

for their memory. Featured in 

this column in our March 1, 

2014 issue, Sonya was born in 

Mumbai but raised in different 

parts of the world. An IT 

graduate, her dream was to become 

a professional in information 

technology, although 

her inclination was also towards 

the field of medicine. 

Show Business calls 

The world of fashion and 

modelling beckoned her with 

the promise of fame. 

Her first meeting with success 

was when she won at a 

pageant in Auckland. 

She returned to Mumbai, 

hoping to get married and 

have children. 

But destiny had different designs 

for her. 

Her charm, outgoing personality 

and vivacity placed her 

under the spotlight, drenching 

her in popularity followed 

by constant invitations to the 

stage. 

“I believe that the only 

Mantra to success is ‘Never 

quit, no matter what.’ I am a 

vegetarian by choice, I don’t 

like killing animals for food or 

fun. I like to eat the products of 

trees and plants,” she said. 

Eradicating poverty 

Sonya is keen to become a 

philanthropist and help the 

needy in India. 

“I want everyone to be educated 

and be freed from poverty,” 

she said. 

She loves New Zealand and 

hopes to return in not too distant 

a future. 

“I believe in Karma. I also 

believe in speaking my mind. 

I believe in the saying, “Do 

good and good things will happen 

to you,” she said and added, 

“My heart-felt gratitude to 

photographers Dave Bradley, 

Bhikhu Bhula and Hitesh 

Kanuria.” 

-Venkat Raman 

Editor’s Note: If you wish to be featured as our Model of the 

Fortnight, please write to editor@indiannewslink.co.nz 

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ARTLINK-Ratna Venkat 

Like good friends, Trees shed love and pleasantness 

Ashok Kochhar 

kochhara55@gmail.com 

There are various kinds 

of creative heads and 

everyone thinks as per 

their own wisdom. Few 

are responsible towards existence 

and the balance between 

one’s being and Nature (or 

Purush & Prakriti). 

When I am with Nature and 

taking pictures, I try to understand 

the deep relationship 

of every living organism with 

the ultimate called ‘Prakriti’ 

(Nature). 

I have been taking pictures all 

around India and other places, 

and now in New Zealand. 

In my recent encounter with 

Trees, I found a unique expression. 

They have a major source 

to communicate with vibrations 

and energy to the outer world 

through a vast medium of the 

sky. 

Overwhelming Magic 

It is truly magical and overwhelming 

to sit under a tree 

and watch the branches reaching 

out to the skies, as if a child 

is looking up to a grown up and 

telling a fascinating story. The 

branches are always moving, 

ever so restless like the energy 

of a child and the sky too seems 

to be listening with a wise stability 

and calmness. 

It may sound weird, but now 

we know that trees have strong 

signals of communication between 

them. Science proved it 

early 20th century. 

Whenever I am taking picture 

of trees, I feel their energy 

intensely. 

Not only that, my understanding 

is that they provide permission 

of when to take picture. I 

would like to state an example. 

For the past few months, I have 

been planning to photograph 

Red Woods at Rotorua and even 

after four attempts, I could not 

shoot the space. 

All the time I was fully 

equipped to take pictures but 

something just did not allow me 

to proceed with my profession. 

My understanding to this episode 

is that energies are not favorable 

to take pictures. 

Anyway, that is more of a philosophical 

approach. 

I invite you to look at my collection 

of these wonder-filled 

living legends who are there 

as our lifeline to support us 

unconditionally. 

Ashok Kochhar, as we have 

come to understand, has transcended 

the prowess of a photographer 

to that of a philosopher. 

He is a lover of Nature 

and Nature must be treating 

him as its great friend. 

27 

Is this what is called, ‘A Family Tree?’ 

Forest Wealth renews itself to offer more 

The Tree of Life 

An illuminating dialogue with the Sky 

Trees are a part of our world


28 ARTLINK-Ratna Venkat 

Plant some veggies into your planned diet 

More and more people 

are being drawn into 

vegetarianism these days. 

Some do it for religious 

reasons, health reasons, to 

preserve the Earth’s natural 

resources, while others 

purely for ethical reasons 

as they are opposed 

to 

killing and eating animals. 

One thing for sure is that 

there is an abundance of 

research today on the 

benefits of a plant diet. 

Many of the widely 

common health issues 

are linked to intake 

of meat, especially 

processed meat. With 

my family, I try and sneak 

in vegetarian meals to try 

and cut down on the intake 

of meat. 

Apart from a repertoire of 

Indian vegetarian recipes, which is 

well received if it is not a daily affair, 

the family also enjoys a variety of 

Malaysian vegetarian food. 

For this issue, I have three 

Malaysian vegetarian recipes which 

are easy and yet spicy and delicious 

which you ought to try out for a 

change. 

Mee Hoon is a noodle made from 

rice which closely resembles rice 

vermicelli. Use whatever vegetables 

you fancy with this noodle and you 

can easily whip up a nutritious, onedish 

meal. 

Sambal is a piquant sauce which 

is a staple side dish just like pickles 

and chutneys in Indian meals. Omit 

the use of the ingredient called 

‘belachan,’ which is fermented 

shrimp paste and it can be turned 

into a delicious vegetarian sauce. So, 

try making Tofu Sambal tossed in 

this tasty spicy sauce. 

Lastly, Mushroom Rendang – a 

popular dry aromatic curry usually 

made with chicken or beef and 

eaten with coconut rice called ‘Nasi 

Lemak’. 

Vegetarian Fried Mee Hoon 

Ingredients 

1. 1 packet thin rice noodles 

(Mee Hoon) – soak in hot 

water for five minutes until 

soft and then drain 

2. 1 cup of shredded carrot 

3. 1 cup of bean sprouts 

4. 1 cup of sliced mushrooms 

5. 1 cup of sliced Choy Sum or 

Bak Choy (Chinese mustard 

greens) 

6. 1 cup of sliced pan fried 

tofu 

7. 1 cup of chopped spring onions 

(or coriander leaves) 

8. 1 large onion – sliced 

9. 2 -3 cloves of garlic – 

chopped fine 

10. 1-2 tbsp of chilli paste 

(dried chilli soaked and 

ground to a paste) 

11. 2 to 3 tbsp of light soya 

sauce 

12. 2 to 3 tbsp of cooking oil 

13. Salt to taste 

14. Dash of Chinese Sesame 

Oil 

METHOD 

• Heat a wok with some vegetable oil 

• Saute the sliced onions until brown 

• Add in the garlic and saute for a minute before 

adding the chilli paste 

• Fry until the oil separates from the mixture 

• Add in the sliced carrots and mushrooms and 

stir for a minute or two as it doesn’t take long to 

cook trough 

• Add in the softened noodles and mix well 

• Add soy sauce and continue to mix well 

• Add the sliced greens such as Choy Sum and 

mix for another minute until the greens wilt 

• Taste and add salt and pepper if needed 

• Add a dash of sesame oil and toss the noodles 

before adding the sliced tofu, sprouts and 

spring onions and mix well 

• Take it off the flame at once as the sprouts, tofu 

and spring onions do not need to cook 

• Serve warm 

Mushroom Rendang 

Ingredients 

1. 500g of fresh mushrooms – gently wiped and halved 

2. 1 large onion - peeled 

3. 6 cloves of garlic - peeled 

4. 1 two-inch piece ginger or galangal - peeled 

5. 1 stalk of lemon grass – bruised and sliced 

6. 3 or 4 kaffir lime leaves - sliced 

7. 6 fresh red chillies – sliced 

8. 1 one-inch piece of fresh yellow turmeric – peeled 

9. 1 tbsp coriander powder 

METHOD 

10. 1 tbsp cumin powder 

11. 1 tbsp fennel powder 

12. ½ cup of dry roasted dessicated coconut 

– pounded or ground fine 

13. 1 cup of thick coconut milk 

14. 1 tbsp of gula melaka (palm sugar) 

15. Salt to taste 

16. Oil 

1. Blend the onion, garlic, ginger, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, turmeric and chillies into a 

fine dry paste. 

2. Heat a wok with some oil and fry the blended paste. 

3. Wait until the oil separates from the mixture before adding the coriander powder, cumin 

powder and fennel powder. 

4. Mix well and fry until the oil separates from the mixture again. 

5. Add in the mushrooms and stir well before adding the coconut milk. 

6. Simmer until the gravy is thick. The mushrooms don’t take long to cook. 

7. Add salt to taste and the palm sugar. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. 

8. Add the roasted dessicated coconut and mix well. 

9. It should by now be a thick dry curry. 

10. Remove from flame, garnish with kaffir lime leaves and sliced red chillies and serve with 

plain or coconut rice. 

Tofu Sambal 

Ingredients 

1. 500g tofu (hard type) – cube and pan fry until golden 

2. 1 large onion – chopped into a fine paste 

3. 3 or 4 cloves garlic – chopped into a fine paste 

4. 3 or 4 tbsp of chilli paste – dried chillies soaked and ground to 

a paste 

5. 1 stalk of lemon grass – bruised 

6. 2 kaffir lime leaves – sliced 

7. 1 tsp of turmeric powder 

8. 2 or 3 tbsp of tamarind juice 

9. 1 tbsp of gula melaka (palm sugar) 

10. 1 tsp of salt 

11. Oil 

method 

• Heat some oil in a wok and fry the onion and garlic paste 

until brown and the oil separates from the mixture 

• Add in the chilli paste, turmeric powder and lemon grass 

and kaffir lime leaves. 

• Fry until the oil separates from the mixture 

• Add the salt, tamarind juice and sugar. Taste and adjust seasoning 

to your liking 

• Add in the pan fried tofu and mix well in thick sauce 

• Serve as an accompaniment to rice or noodles 

*Instead of tofu, you could use pan-fried/grilled eggplant or 

hard boiled eggs in the sambal sauce 

Disclaimers: Geetha Nair and Indian Newslink absolve themselves of any responsibility relating to the ingredients, cooking methods and other matters relating to ‘Geet’s Kitchen’ column. Some ingredients may 

not be available and may cause allergy in some people. Caution must therefore be exercised and Geetha Nair and Indian Newslink will not be responsible to any health issues in this connection. Please consult 

your General Practitioner, Nutritionist or such others you may be consulting in connection with your dietary requirements.


ENTERTAINMENTLINK 

29 

New Zealanders bow to ‘endangered instrument’ 

Ratna Venkat performing Kathak to the tunes of Sangeet, Basant and Akhil 

Shama Lal keeps up the beat with Chinmaya Dunster 

Melody on strings with Sargam Madhur, Tiara Kelly and Debraj Kaur 

A Correspondent 

Sangeet Mishra, a musician 

maestro of the ancient 

Indian stringed-instrument 

‘Sarangi,’ gave New 

Zealanders a unique opportunity 

to witness and hear one of the 

rarest instruments practiced in 

modern times. 

Originally from Banaras (or 

Varanasi) and now based in 

Mumbai, Sangeet presented two 

programmes in Auckland last 

month organised by Acharya 

Ajay Tiwari in association with 

Sanskrit Yoga & Jyotish Trust. 

Lively start 

The first programme, titled 

‘Banaarasi Ka Rang, Sangeet 

Ke Sang,’ held on Friday, 

July 8 at India Gate Hall in 

Papatoetoe, was a showcase of 

‘Sangeet’ (meaning music in 

Sanskrit) that featured not only 

Hindustani instruments, vocals 

Radio Tarana is organising 

‘Festival of India’ 

on August 20, 2016 at 

Vodafone Events Centre 

in Manukau. 

The event, beginning at 

midday, will celebrate 70th 

Independence Day of India and 

afford Hindi film enthusiasts 

and fans an opportunity to meet 

Tusshar Kapoor, a popular actor 

and son of ‘Ever-Green Hero’ 

Jeetendra 

The Festival of India will culminate 

in the evening with a 

grand fireworks display. 

Free for All 

Free and open to people of all 

ethnic groups, this event is being 

designed to showcase the rich 

cultural heritage of India and the 

struggles freedom fighters went 

through to gain independence 

for the country. 

Like yesteryears, the forthcoming 

Festival will include entertainment, 

cultural shows and 

other events, while a number of 

stalls dealing in food, arts and 

crafts and other items will be an 

added attraction. 

Radio Tarana Managing 

Director Robert Khan said that 

and dance, but also the visitor’s 

prowess as a soloist, vocalist 

and accompanist. 

Sangeet began by explaining 

the nuances of Sarangi progressing 

on to his solo in ‘Raag Puriya 

Dhanashri’ set to ‘Tin Taal’ (16 

beat time cycle), accompanied 

by Basant Madhur on Tabla. 

Kathak Performance 

Later, Ratna Venkat added 

colour to the show by presenting 

a Kathak dance recital. She 

explained the relationship between 

Kathak and Sarangi in 

ancient India before performing 

a number of technical and 

expressional pieces, and ending 

with her intricate display of 

footwork and a Jugalbandi (musical 

question and answer) between 

her and Sangeet. She 

was accompanied by Akhilesh 

Madhur on Tabla and Basant 

Madhur on recitation while 

Sangeet supported her by playing 

the ‘Tin Taal’ time cycle on 

Sarangi. 

Tribute to Lord Rama 

The audience was then transported 

to the spiritual city 

of Banaras and the simplicity 

of village life when Sangeet 

sang two well-known pieces – 

a Khayal called ‘Sumiran Karo 

Mann, Ram Naam Ko’ in praise 

of Lord Rama, and a ‘Mirzapur 

Khajari,’ a folk song unique to 

Banaras. 

The programme ended with 

Sangeet’s rendition of ‘Raag 

Bhairavi.’ 

‘Sur Taal’ 

The second programme titled 

‘Sur Taal,’ was an evening of 

Indian Classical music staged by 

Sangeet Mishra, Basant Madhur 

and his students from Sargam 

School of Indian Music on 

Saturday, July 9 at Blockhouse 

Bay Community Centre. 

The show began with a 

Saraswathi Vandana, followed 

by an Instrumental recital 

in ‘Raag Kafi’ featuring Sitar, 

Violin and Tabla. 

The Tabla recital, set to ‘Tin 

Taal,’ displayed the various elements 

of Tabla-playing such 

as ‘Peshkar,’ ‘Kaydas,’ ‘Rela,’ 

‘Tukdas,’ ‘Paran’ and ‘Laggi.’ 

Deepak Madhur accompanied 

the students on Harmonium. 

‘Auckland Mehfil’ 

The first half also featured 

Auckland-based Sarod player 

Chinmaya Dunster, in which 

he rendered ‘Raag Bairagi,’ set 

to ‘Tin Taal,’ accompanied by 

Shama Lal on Tabla. 

Born and raised in the United 

Kingdom, Chinmaya spent many 

years in India learning and mastering 

the Sarod. 

He is known for his ‘Auckland 

Mehfil’ concerts that he conducts 

regularly, spreading and 

promoting Indian fine arts to 

Tusshar Kapoor adds colour to Festival of India 

A Free, Radio Tarana event in Manukau 

Apurva Shukla 

Tusshar Kapoor due on August 20, 2016 

Govinda with (from left) Salmeen Khan, Aman Mahajan, Prakashni and Robert Khan in 

Auckland on August 16, 2015 

Tens of thousands of people greeted Suniel Shetty on September 20, 2015 

song and dance sequences 

culled from Hindi films will be 

performed by the students of a 

local dance school. 

“These performances, including 

folk dances such as 

the Bhangra, will be dedicated 

to Tusshar. Who knows, he 

may even join in the music and 

dance numbers of ‘Golmaal’ and 

‘Dirty Picture.’ The presence of 

‘Bombay Magic’ live band will 

enhance entertainment value,” 

he said. 

Patriot undertone 

The past years have included 

songs, dances and skits with 

a patriotic undertone as a highlight 

of this event. Audiences 

have been treated to a high 

standard of performances; especially 

by children who exemplify 

the wonderful local talent in 

Auckland. This event presents a 

good platform for these talented 

individuals and groups to showcase 

their ability to a large number 

of people. 

Radio Tarana has made 

‘Festival of India’ more exciting 

by bringing Hindi film stars 

to be a part of these celebrations. 

Govinda arrived on our 

shores, and added glamour to 

Independence Day celebrations 

held at Logan Campbell Centre 

on August 16, 2015. 

Suniel Shetty was the star attraction 

at a similar Festival 

held on September 20, 2015 

at Vodafone Events Centre, 

Manukau. 

About Tusshar 

Thirty-Nine-Year Old 

Tusshar, is the youngest child of 

the Jeetendra family. 

His sister Ekta is producer and 

director of the Indian Television 

industry. Her ‘Balaji Films’ has 

given a number of successful 

soap operas on Hindi television 

channels. 

Tusshar is an alumnus of the 

Bombay Scottish School and 

University of Michigan. He assisted 

filmmaker David Dhawan 

before making his debut in the 

romantic hit, ‘Mujhe Kucch 

Kehna Hai’ (2001). Co-starring 

Kareena Kapoor, this Satish 

the wider community. 

Sangeet Mishra presented the 

second half of the concert. 

Beginning with an Alaap in 

‘Raag Vachhaspati,’ he rendered 

the first composition in slow 

speed set to ‘Ek Taal’ (12 beat cycle), 

which he developed into 

medium and fast speed on ‘Tin 

Taal.’ 

Akhilesh Madhur and Basant 

Madhur accompanied him on 

Tabla. 

The Programme ended with 

‘Raag Bhairavi’ set to Dadra Taal 

(six beat cycle), accompanied by 

Prashant Kumar and Shama Lal 

on Tabla. 

Sangeet Mishra’s visit to New 

Zealand and the spread of his 

music from the little-known 

Sarangi has no doubt won him 

praise and new fans in this part 

of the world. We look forward 

to his visit again in the near 

future. 

Kaushik directed musical gave 

Tusshar a good launch pad in 

Hindi cinema. 

He won a Filmfare trophy for 

convincing portrayal of the boynext-door 

trying to find his way 

through life. 

Subsequent years showed 

Tusshar as a versatile actor convincingly 

juggling between different 

genres of cinema. 

His most popular on-screen 

character has been the dumb 

‘Lucky’ in the Golmaal series. 

Next year Diwali should see the 

fourth instalment of this crazy 

comic ride release in cinemas. 

His other successes include 

the adult comedy series, ‘Kya 

Kool Hain Hum’ and the gritty 

thrillers ‘Khakee’ and ‘Shootout 

at Wadala.’ 

Community Commitment 

Radio Tarana Managing 

Director Robert Khan said that 

the Festival is a part of the radio 

station’s commitment to serve 

the community. 

“Our events are always free 

for all New Zealanders and this 

Festival is our way of celebrating 

the cultural and culinary diversity 

of India. We are putting 

together a packed programme 

of fashion, cultural items, Hindi 

film music and dance, stalls selling 

food and many other items 

of interest and use and much 

more. We are confident that 

‘Festival of India 2016’ will have 

enhanced value with the presence 

of Tusshar Kapoor,” he 

said.


30 ENTERTAINMENTLINK 

Jog your memory for a three-hour run of classics! 

Hemant Thaker Joscel Alexander Joseph Alexander Peter Paul Rezwan Ashraf Shivan Padayachi Arif Ziya 

Arpita Chanda Dharmesh Patel Jayashree Sitaraman Jyoti Rajesh Hemant Shirsat Shyamal Raval Vibha Trivedi 

Venkat Raman 

editor@indiannewslink.co.nz 

An Auckland based 

Indian businessman, 

known for his love of 

Indian film music continuously 

advises us to promote 

local talent. 

“The Indian community in 

New Zealand has immense talent; 

we have our own singers, 

instrumentalists and other performing 

artistes. I do not understand 

the need to invite so called 

celebrities and waste money. I 

have always supported events 

that showcase our talented citizens 

including youngsters,” he 

said. 

Indian Newslink believes in 

promoting local talent. 

Local experts 

‘Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya,’ that 

would go on stage at Dorothy 

Winstone Centre of Auckland 

Girls Grammar School, 16 Howe 

Street, on August 13, 2016 would 

be one such. 

Organised by ‘Swaranjali,’ a 

musical group that comprises, 

among others, Dharmesh Patel, 

Shyamal Raval and Hemant 

Thaker (all of who are accomplished 

musicians), the event 

will feature singers Arif Ziya, 

Arpita Chanda, Dharmesh Patel, 

Jayashree, Sitaraman, Jyoti 

Rajesh, Hemant Shirsat, Nishtha 

Raval, Shyamal Raval and Vibha 

Trivedi. 

Musical journey 

Mr Raval, a music aficionado, 

has been thinking for a while to 

stage a programme that would 

rekindle the memories of people 

and take them and the following 

generations along a memory 

lane, offering soothing and lilting 

songs that are not usually rendered 

in musical events today. 

He has a team of talented musicians 

and singers to bring 

beautiful compositions to life, 

compelling you to call for an 

encore. 

Mr Thaker, New Zealand’s key 

Keyboard man will be on the instrument, 

apart from being the 

Music Coordinator. His sound 

knowledge of the key songs 

would be an added advantage 

while travelling down the memory 

lane. 

Among the other accompanying 

instrumentalists are Joscel 

Alexander (Drums), Joseph 

Alexander (Electronic Drums 

and Octopad), Peter Paul (Tabla 

and Dholak), Rezwan Ashraf 

(Lead & Rhythm Guitar) and 

Shivan Padayachi (Bass Guitar). 

The Singers 

Leading the group of singers 

are organisers Shyamal Raval 

and Dharmesh Patel, both of 

who are passionate singers with 

several shows to their credit. 

While sharing their passion for 

quality music and promoting local 

artistic talent, they differ in 

their style of rendition, to bring 

variety to their performances. 

Arif Ziya, adept at songs rendered 

by the late Mohammed 

Rafi; Arpita Chanda, a trained 

singer; Hemant Shirsat, known 

for his proficiency in old numbers; 

Jayashree Sitaraman, a 

classical music composer and 

singer with playback experience 

in Malayalam films; Jyoti Rajesh, 

a ‘sponstaneous singer;’ Nishtha 

Raval, a chip of the old block; 

and Vibha Trivedi, a quality performer 

and teacher among the 

singers. 

You can hope to listen to scores 

of songs, including such great 

compositions as ‘Kaise Rahu 

Chup’ (from the film ‘Inteqam,’ 

1969), ‘Main Tenu Samajhawan 

Ki’ (‘Virsa,’ 2010), ‘Mutthu Kodi 

Ka Varigala’ (‘Do Phool,’ a film 

released 1967, from the original 

Tamil hit ‘Anubhavi Raja 

Anubhavi’ released in 1967), 

Nazar Na Lag Jaaye (‘Night in 

London’ 1967); ‘Yaad Kiya Dilne 

Kahan’ (‘Patita’) and ‘Zindagi 

Khwab Hai’ (‘Jagte Raho,’ 1956).


ENTERTAINMENTLINK 

31 

MISS 

INDIANZ 

Saturday, 

September 17, 2016 

at 730 pm 

Aotea Centre, Auckland 

Tickets from August 1, 2016 

www.aucklandlive.com 

Now in its 14th year 

Kiwi Indian identity inspires mainstream media 

Dharmesh Parikh 

Mansi Patel 

A 

Macleans College Year 

13 student, Mansi Patel 

belongs to a traditional 

Gujarati family and believes 

that Miss Indianz would accord 

her the right opportunity 

to showcase her pure Indian 

culture. 

Mansi is in the process of completing 

her Cambridge qualifications 

and hopes to graduate in 

the medical field. 

It is a matter of gratification 

that the annual Miss Indianz 

extravaganza has been attracting 

the attention of the 

mainstream media, which in 

turn has been evincing the interest 

of the wider audience 

throughout New Zealand. 

From the country’s largest 

newspaper and biggest television 

channels and regional media 

to community newspapers, 

our performers and participants 

are a source of admiration, love 

and respect. 

Radio Tarana and Indian 

Newslink have been our media 

partners from the time I conceived 

the project and began 

preparations. That was in 2001. 

A year later, my dream became 

a colourful reality. 

Social Media exposure 

While more than 15,000 people 

have witnessed Miss Indianz 

since its inception 14 years ago, 

“I am also interested in voluntary 

work and community service,” 

she said. 

“Miss Indianz will boost my 

confidence and allow me to 

try something I have never experienced 

in my life. I believe 

in the famous saying, ‘What is 

easy will not be worth it; what 

is worth will not be easy.’ I look 

forward to this great event,” 

Mansi said. 

the cultural event now has a 

combined following of more 

than 10,000 on the social media 

platform. Almost 350 young 

women have so far taken part 

in the show, many of them pursuing 

successful careers in modelling, 

acting, and various other 

forms of show business and art. 

Miss Indianz has become a 

symbolic event of Kiwi-Indians. 

I have seen contestants from 

a wide range of ethnic backgrounds 

participating in this 

event year after year. Besides 

gaining useful presentation and 

Kashni Thakur 

industry related skills, the contestants 

noticeably gain more 

self-confidence. 

This is the longest running 

Bollywood and multicultural 

event in New Zealand. 

Building relationships 

I continue my quest to stage 

better events which provide an 

opportunity for us to connect to 

our roots whilst building stronger 

relationships within our 

communities. 

You can witness beauty, 

brains, smartness, elegance and 

humour at our annual event 

which will be held on Saturday, 

September 17, 2016 at 730 pm 

at Aotea Centre in Auckland’s 

Central Business District. 

Tickets will be available from 

August 1, 2016 from www.aucklandlive.com 

For further details, please visit 

www.rhythmhouse.co.nz or 

call Dharmesh Parikh on 021- 

2727454; Email: events@rhythmhouse.co.nz 

Here are the profiles of the 

next set of three Miss Indianz 

contestants – part of a journey 

that we began in our April 

15, 2016. This is therefore our 

Eighth Instalment. 

We will profile more Indianz 2016 

participants in our next issue. 

A 

Bachelor’s degree with Honours in 

Marketing and a postgraduate diploma 

in Human Resource have brought 

Kashni Thakur closer to the community and 

she has been under the spotlight for a while 

now. 

As well as presenting a number of events, 

she won the ‘Miss Talented’ Title and the top 

prize in Dance and Debate competitions at the 

University. 

“I want people to know me through Miss 

Indianz as a unique personality who carries 

Indian history on her shoulders and is happily 

spreading her wings into Kiwi culture. Best 

of both the worlds! I am a giver in terms of 

love, support and friendship and hence this is 

a great platform to reach out to more girls like 

me,” she said. 

Kashni is keen to be a guiding light for young 

women in raising their self-esteem and confidence, 

which she believes would in turn make 

her a confident and happy person. 

“In addition, Miss Indianz will present opportunities 

to establish contact with people in the 

entertainment industry and further my passion 

in modelling, acting and dancing,” she said. 

Yukta Panda 

Acting, modelling and 

dancing are also areas of 

interest for Yukta Panda, 

a 16-year-old girl from Kolkata. 

And like most other participants, 

she believes that Miss 

Indianz will be the vehicle to 

transport to the world that she 

longs to call her own. 

A student of Mt Albert 

Grammar School (Year 12), 

Yukta takes her student life seriously, 

the proof of which is 

the ‘Scholar Badge’ that she 

has been consistently bringing 

home over the years. 

“I am keen to combine my 

Kiwi-Indian culture and my passion 

for fashion. I want to express 

my true personality to the 

world and develop the experience 

and skills that I need to 

pursue my hobby,” Yukta said.


32 SporTSLINK 

Aucklander begins his winning streak in Europe 

The following report appeared on the 

Super Cup NI website: 

Ray Baxter SupercupNI.com 

A striker cannot be restrained- Arzan Todywalla at Super Cup NI on July 26 

Venkat Raman 


A 

younger member of the 

Indian community from 

Auckland is beginning to 

gain applaud from soccer 

enthusiasts and attention from selectors 

with his splendid performance 

on the field and dignified 

behaviour with officials, coaches, 

peers and fans. 

Arzan Todywalla on top of the NZ line-up 

at Super Cup NI 2016 

Sixteen-year-old Arzan 

Todywalla scored a hat-trick on 

Tuesday, July 26, 2016 enabling 

his Junior MS Select New Zealand 

win 3-1 against Columbia’s Alset 

Ballymoney Riada Stadium in 

County North Antrim, North 

Ireland. 

Arzan was declared ‘Star Player’ 

and awarded ‘Player of the Day’ title 

in recognition of the three amaz- 

Arzan goes aggressive at Super Cup NI 

on July 26 

ing goals that he scored, gaining 

victory for the New Zealand team. 

The Super Cup NI (formerly The 

Milk Cup) Tournament was held in 

Northern Ireland from July 24 to 

29, 2016. 

Prior to his Europe tour, Arzan 

won the Golden Boot for scoring 

a staggering 17 goals in six games 

at the National Youth FUTSAL 

Championship 2016. 

The global appeal of 

this competition was 

on show once again as 

Colombians Alset clashed with 

MS Select (MSS) from New 

Zealand, at Ballymoney Riada 

Stadium. 

Both teams had suffered defeat 

in their opening game, but 

with Alset having shipped 0 

goals in their opening match, it 

was intriguing to see how they 

would recover. 

Somewhat surprisingly, their 

start was as bright as their orange 

strip as they should have 

been 1-0 nil up within 20 seconds 

of the kick off. 

Alset in trouble 

A great run down the right 

wing by Juan Sebastian Pena 

as he tore through the MSS defence, 

only to shoot straight 

at the keeper, however the 

ball rebounded to the feet of 

Zambrano who smashed the 

rebound off the cross bar. 

The pressure continued, and 

Pena was instrumental in 

everything Alset produced, as 

they had a number of good 

early chances. The sound 

of the vuvuzelas, from the 

Colombian fans, penetrating 

the skies around Ballymoney. 

MSS were obviously rattled 

by the strong start from their 

opponents, but they slowly 

gained a foothold in the game. 

As the first half reached at 

midway point, they had started 

to gain the upper hand in the 

possession stakes. However, 

some poor timing of the runs 

from their strikers, resulted in 

a number of offside decisions 

going against them. 

The attack mode 

It was only a matter of 

time before MSS would create 

some good chances and 

they had three in quick succession, 

two of which fell to Arzan 

Todywalla who was proving 

to be a real threat to the 

Alset defence. It was actually a 

Todywalla shot which indirectly 

led to the first goal for MSS, 

although the Alset reserve 

keeper will want to forget it. 

Todywalla had shot wide, leading 

to a goal kick, but the keeper 

miskicked, only succeeding 

in giving the ball straight back 

to the MSS attack. 

The second half start as the 

first ended, with MSS on top, 

alongside Todywalla you also 

had Oscar Browne up front 

who put in an absolutely fantastic 

shift throughout the 

match. He chased every ball 

and gave the Colombian defenders 

no time and space. He 

had a couple of early chances 

in the second half but could 

not find the net. 

Celebrate Indian culture and witness 

the cultural extravaganza of 

Indian Food, Fashion, Entertainment. 

Live band by ‘Bombay Magic’ and 

special item by this years 

Tarana Idol finalists 

Photo opportunity with Tussar 

For more info contact (09) 303 2286 or www.tarana.co.nz

Indian Newslink August 1, 2016 Digital Edition

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