INL 15 Jan 2019 Digital Edition

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Immigration New Zealand prepares for high-end technology
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
Immigration New Zealand
(INZ) is hoping to improve its
border control responsibility
and facilitate the travel of ‘genuine
passengers’ with ‘Electronic
Travel Authority’ (ETA) expected
to go online this year.
National Manager (Border
Operations) Stephanie Greathead
said that the new technology will
allow INZ to assess and update
more information about ‘Visa
Waiver’ travellers coming to New
Zealand by air and sea.
“The new ETA technology and
processes will mean more efficient
and accurate identification of
passengers of interest. The ETA
security and facilitation measures
will better assist INZ to manage
risk and facilitate the legitimate
passenger,” he said in the ‘Year
at the Border (2017-2018) Report’
released over the weekend.
Formidable Challenges
Mr Greathead said that the
ongoing challenge is to strike a
more effective balance in managing
the increasing demand on
New Zealand’s border protection
services, while ensuring that bona
fide travellers enjoy their stay in
New Zealand.
The Report said that crossing a
modern border envisaged more
than just asimple act of presenting
a passport and stepping across
a line on the ground.
Crossing New Zealand’s border
is a process that begins before a
traveller arrives at the airport at
their point of origin. New Zealand’s
border is more than its vast
coastline of 14,000 kms or a fabled
line at each of its international
airports, it said.
Last year, more
than 4500
passengers
were
prevented
entry
“The New Zealand Government
has implemented processes,
networks and technology that mean
the border extends globally to every
passenger’s point of origin before
they travel.”
Growing numbers
Mr Greathead said that during
the 2017-2018 financial year, INZ
managed the entry of more than 6.8
million travellers into New Zealand.
“INZ has seen a steady increase in
the number of people travelling to
and from New Zealand, both by air
and by sea. The increasing volume
means that we have had to enhance
our ability to understand and prevent
the risks this may present, while
ensuring that genuine travellers still
have as close to a seamless border
experience as possible,” he said.
Passengers of Interest
According to him, between
July 2017 and June 2018, INZ made
4579 decisions to either prevent
a passenger from boarding their
flight to New Zealand or to refuse
an arriving traveller entry to New
Zealand.
Future advances in screening
technology will mean that New
Zealand will be able to more
easily identify and interact with
passengers of interest working with
its M5 partners (Australia, United
Kingdom, United States of America,
Canada and New Zealand constitute
the ‘Migration Five or M5 Forum’)
Partners.
Anti-Money Laundering Law extends to Real Estate Agents
Venkat Raman
Real Estate Agents in New
Zealand must comply
with the provisions of
Anti-Money Laundering
(AML) and Counter-Financing of
Terrorism (CFT) Act and follow a
more stringent regime of code of
conduct and discipline.
The AML/CFT (Definitions)
Amendment Regulations 2018
came into force on January 1,
2019, which, among other things,
provide definition of acustomer
(client) and the timing of customer
due diligence.
The Act coverage
The Statute however applied only
to Real Estate Agents who come
under the definition of “designated
non-financial business or
profession,” in so far as they carry
out “covered activities,” including
real estate agency work and/or
managing client funds, accounts,
securities or other assets.
Supervised by the Department of
Internal Affairs, Real Estate Agents
are now expected to know their
relevant risks, how to apply the Act
to their business and comply with
the legal requirements.
Justice Ministry clarifies
A Justice Ministry notification said
that Real Estate Agents are at risk
of being exploited by criminals to
launder money.
“They are among several
professions whose members may
be affected by changes to the AML/
CFT Act. Real Estate Agents must
comply with the Act if they (a)
represent a client who is selling or
buying real estate and (b) accept a
deposit in cash of $10,000 or more
from someone who is buying real
estate. Criminals often use real
estate to convert the money they
make from illegal activities into
legitimate assets,” it said.
The notification said that
introducing AML/CFT measures
will deter criminals from using the
services of Real Estate Agents and
help detect them if they do.
“Importantly, it will also strengthen
the overall AML/CFT system.
For example, a real estate agent
may detect ‘red flags’ that might
not be picked up by banks or other
financial service providers who
interact with the same customers.
That is because Real Estate Agents
may have more information about
the people or funds involved in a
particular transaction.”
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ateamofLicensed Immigration Adviser /Ex-Immigration Officer.
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02
JANUARY 15, 2019
Homelink
Our friends make it to the Queen’s Honours List
Staff Reporter
Three friends of
Indian Newslink
have been featured
on the Queen’s New
Year Honours List. They
are fellow journalist Fran
O’Sullivan (Business Editor
of the New Zealand Herald)
who becomes an Officer
of the New Zealand Order
of Merit (ONZM), Virinder
Aggarwal, Founding Member
of the Asian Network
Inc and Bhikhu Bhana of
the New Zealand Indian
Central Association (NZICA),
SERVICES
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who will receive each a
Queen’s Service Medal
(QSM) respectively for their
services to the Asian and
Indian communities.
Ruxmani Kasanji of Wellington
is being admitted as
Member of the New Zealand
Order of Merit (MNZM) for
her services to the Indian
community.
Fran O’Sullivan
Ms Fran O’Sullivan is
a leading journalist and
commentator who has been
instrumental in creating
significant platforms to
advance New Zealand’s
Mortgage Brokers Insurance Brokers Accountants Property Managers
Professional Financial Solutions provides the best advice on all financial matters
Rohit Takyar
M: 021 172 8962
Ram Vashist
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BRANCH OFFICE
Level 1/203 Great South Road
Manurewa
Auckland
www.professionalfinancial.co.nz | Email: info@pfsl.co.nz
key international trade and
business relationships.
Ms O’Sullivan championed
a business-led strategy
to leverage New Zealand’s
hosting of APEC in 1999 and
was a founding Director of
Kaushal Patel
M: 021 075 4900
Alpana Gupta
M: 021 159 3453
A disclosure statement as required under Securities Act 1988 is freely available on request
PROFESSIONAL
FINANCIAL
SOLUTIONS GROUP
Professional Financial Solutions Ltd.
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the New Zealand APEC CEO
Summit board. She has participated
in all New Zealand
partnership forums with
the United States, China and
Australia. She was a founding
director and Vice-President
in the formation of the
United States New Zealand
Council and is Chair of the
Advisory Board.
Ruxmani Kasanji
Ruxmani Kasanji became
the first Headmistress of the
Wellington Indian Association
(WIA) Gujarati Language
School for Children
in 1969, managing a staff of
nine voluntary teachers.
She taught Gujarati on a
weekly basis between 1958
and 1973 with an annual
roll of around 175 to 200
students aged five to 13
years. She played a key role
in the establishment of the
Indian Women’s Committee,
known as Mahila Samaj, at
the WIA. This Committee
focused on women’s welfare
and fundraising and she was
Secretary from 1971 until
1988. She was made a Life
Member of WIA in 1994, one
of only two women in the
WIA’s history to receive this
recognition. She has been a
member of the Indian Senior
Citizens Group since 2015.
She helped establish Yoga in
Daily Life Society in Wellington
in 1993 and served on
the Board from 1996 to 2010.
She was President in the
mid-1990s and Vice President
from 2012 to 2015.
Bhikhu Bhana
Bhikhu Bhana has been
involved with the New
Zealand Indian Central
Association for more than 40
years and has been President
since 2016, having held other
offices previously within the
organisation.
Mr Bhana has been a
member of the Pukekohe
Indian Association for 25
years and has held the roles
of Secretary and President.
As President he played a key
role in revitalising the organisation
and helped instigate
events with other Indian
groups in the region. He has
organised a Diwali Festival
event at the Pukekohe Arts
and Cultural Centre.
Mr Bhana was instrumental
in the NZICA sponsorship
of the Sports Segment of
the Fifth Annual Indian
Newslink Indian Sports &
Community Awards 2018
held at Alexandra Park on
October 8, 2018.
Virinder Aggarwal
Virinder Aggarwal was
a founding member of The
Asian Network Inc in 2002,
served on the Executive
Committee, and has been
Chairperson for six years.
The Asian Network
provides a platform to
assist Asian communities
in Auckland by identifying
and responding to the
needs to these communities
through information sharing,
training opportunities, and
submissions to central and
local government. Under
Mr Aggarwal’s leadership
the Network co-hosted two
International Asian Health
Conferences in collaboration
with the University of
Auckland’s Centre for Asian
Health Research and Evaluation
and established an
annual Asian Forum focusing
on health and wellbeing.
He has edited the Network’s
monthly newsletter and been
on the Editorial Advisory
Board for the Migrant News
bimonthly newspaper.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
National List MPbasedd in
Manukau East
Contact
A
P
F
E
1/131Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland
09 278 9302
09 278 2143
bakshi.mp@parliament.govt.nz
facebook.com/bakshiks
@bakshiks
bakshi.co.nz
Funded by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi MP, 1/131 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe.

JANUARY 15, 2019
Homelink
Law firm secures gets post-study work visa for woman
Ruth Hill (RNZ)
Awoman who was
denied a post-study
work visa has won
a reprieve from
Immigration New Zealand
(INZ) after a leading law
firm took up her case.
Shyamal Patel, who
has a Master’s degree in
International Studies from
the Institute of Pacific United
(IPU) in Palmerston North,
was baffled when INZ
rejected her bid to stay in
the country.
She received “the best
Christmas present” ever
with the news that she and
her husband Jignesh can
stay in New Zealand.
Unmatched job offer
Earlier this year, she
was offered the role of
Office Manager at Alamir
Bakery in Wellington - a food
company that supplies more
than 300 supermarkets and
restaurants nationwide.
It also has international
trade links, importing raw
ingredients and equipment
from places such as Lebanon,
Jordan and the United
States.
However, things were
looking bleak in November
when her application for a
post-study visa was rejected.
At the time of the original
decision, INZ said that they
Shyamal and Jignesh Patel: Reprieve as law
firm helps following RNZ story.
had reviewed Mrs Patel’s
application four times and
that the job offer and the
qualification did not match
closely enough.
Mrs Patel had already
booked her ticket back to
India for November 23, 2018.
Chapman Tripp contacts
After her story ran on RNZ
however, she was contacted
by a lawyer from the firm
Chapman Tripp, who offered
to take up her case for free.
“I was pretty worried
about my financial position,
but they did it pro bono,
which was amazing. They
found some “missing
pieces” in her file. And they
explained it to Immigration,
and here I am today,” she
said.
“We got the news on
December 24, 2018, a great
Christmas present. The
amount of people who have
given me support, it’s just
marvellous.”
Bakery offer open
Mrs Patel said that her job
offer with Alamir Bakery
was still open and her
husband was now looking
for work in Wellington, so
that they could be together.
Lawyer Daniel Kalderimis,
who oversaw the case, said
that when he first heard
Mrs Patel’s story on RNZ, he
suspected “something had
gone wrong.”
He phoned her at work
and offered his assistance.
A “cursory glance” at the
paperwork revealed a couple
of holes, which would
make a basis for a judicial
review, Mr Kalderimis said.
Hasty decision
He said closer analysis
suggested to him that INZ
had been hasty in deciding
her degree did not match
the job she was doing.
Mr Kalderimis said it also
appeared that officials had
“not fully appreciated” the
complexities of her job,
with 22 staff to manage and
the business doing several
million dollars turnover.
Mrs Patel’s lawyers quickly
sought permission for her
and her husband to stay in
New Zealand pending the
proceeding, which came
through shortly before their
flight was due to leave.
Then they applied for
leave to bring a judicial
review.
Under the Immigration
Act, this must be done
within 28 days and it had
been more than seven
months since the decision.
“It’s obviously difficult
for people without significant
means to launch high
court proceedings,” Mr
Kalderimis said.
Two-Year Visa granted
In the end, they did not
need to convince a Judge
because the Crown was
persuaded of their arguments
and agreed to grant
two-year work visas if they
discontinued the judicial
review proceedings.
“It was the right
outcome for Shyamal and
Jignesh and my team did a
fine job of showing that,”
Mr Kalderimis said.
He said that there was
“an element of good
fortune” when it came to
visa applications, with lots
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03
of people applying and
“only limited resources to
review.”
Immigration NZ have
been contacted for
comment.
Ruth Hill is a Reporter
at Radio New Zealand.
Indian Newslink has
published the above
story and picture under
a Special Arrangement
with www.rnz.co.nz
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04
JANUARY 15, 2019
Homelink
GOPIO to induct National MP Bakshi into Honour Roll
Staff Reporter
The Global Organisation
of People of Indian
Origin (GOPIO), an
international body
representing the Indian
Diaspora, has announced
that it will induct National
Party Member of Parliament
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi into its
‘Honour Roll’ later this month.
A GOPIO notification said
that he will be among two
other dignitaries to receive
this honour, including Maharashtra
Minister Raj KPurohit
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(Picture of Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi from file)
and South Africa Member
of Parliament Aumsensing
(Omie) Singh.
They will be honoured at
the Valedictory Session of
GOPIO General Meet in at the
Varanasi Taj Hotel in Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh, India on January
20, 2019, the evening before the
commencement of the official
biennial ‘Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas, on January 21, 2019 in
the City.
Among the past recipients
of this Honour were former
Prime Minister the later Inder
Gujral, Dr LMSinghvi and
Lord Bhikhu Parekh,
About Kanwaljit
Singh Bakshi
The GOPIO notification
described Mr Bakshi as
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‘Indian Origin Member of New
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his fourth term as a List
Parliamentarian for the New
Zealand National Party.’
“Currently serving as a
Shared ownership option to new homebuyers
Supplied Content
The continuous hunt
for new ways to help
New Zealanders get
into their first home
has prompted BNZ to support
an exciting new shared
ownership option for first time
home buyers.
“It’s a commercial take on
the Bank of Mum and Dad for
new home owners.”
Shared ownership will
give eligible customers who
are saving for a deposit the
opportunity to get into their
first home faster.
“Some New Zealanders are
lucky enough to have mums
and dads topping up their
savings, so they can get the
deposit to buy a house,” Chief
Customer Officer (Consumer
and Wealth) Paul Carter said.
“Not everyone has family to
call on in this way and that’s
where shared ownership could
help,” he said.
Commercial Model
BNZ has been supporting a
commercial shared ownership
spokesperson for Internal
Affairs and Justice portfolios
for the New Zealand National
Party, he also served as Chairperson
of Parliamentary Law
and Order Select Committee.
His prior assignments included
Paul Carter (Picture Supplied)
model that teams potential
home owners up with a trusted
industry partner. Together
they build the funds required
to purchase the house with the
help of BNZ and the third party
takes an equity share in the
property.
Shared ownership includes
fees and other terms and conditions
and is explained more
in the video on BNZ website so
that customers can get a better
sense of whether it’s an option
that might suit them.
Twyford ticks
Housing Minister Phil
Twyford agreed that shared
ownership schemes can
play a role in getting more,
hardworking New Zealanders
numerous Parliamentary
Committees. In 2015, he was
conferred ‘Pravasi Bharatiya
Samman Award’ by the Indian
Government. Mr Bakshi has
been supporting GOPIO
chapters in New Zealand.”
into their own homes.
“We are looking at a similar
scheme for low income earners
so it’s great to see BNZ looking
at a progressive home ownership
model like this.”
Mr Carter said that BNZ is
passionate about getting more
New Zealanders into homes.
“This means a commitment
to providing a broad range of
options to give New Zealanders
more opportunities to explore
as they take the first step onto
the property ladder. Shared
ownership is another way that
BNZ can help customers get
into their first home,” he said.
Modest launch
Shared ownership will
launch with a pilot targeted at
potential customers looking
to buy qualifying new build
houses in Auckland.
“While we are launching
small, we and our partner will
be looking to make shared
ownership available to more
first home buyers wherever
they are in New Zealand after
the launch next year,” Mr
Carter said.
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JANUARY 15, 2019
Junior Hospital doctors to strike today
Katie Scotcher
RNZ Wellington
Homelink
05
Junior hospital doctors
will strike in two weeks
in a bid to get better
employment protection.
They will walk off the job
for 48 hours from today
(January 15, 2019).
The Resident Doctors’
Association said that they
wanted a renewed collective
employment agreement as
theirs expired nearly a year
ago.
Outstanding issues
Association President Dr
Courtney Brown said that
after a year of bargaining
with District Health Boards
(DHBs), significant claw backs
to their terms and conditions
remained on the table.
Junior Doctors say that they
want a fair deal (Image
from RDA Video)
Doctors move between
DHBs and hence, without a
collective agreement, they
were at the mercy of different
arrangements, Dr Brown
said.
National secretary Deborah
Powell said that there are a
number of issues in the proposed
agreement that would
impact where and how junior
doctors work.
“The employers want
the right to send us to any
hospital or any DHB in the
country. Currently we move
Dr Ralston D’Souza (from RDA Video)
around a lot, but it is by
agreement - they want to take
that agreement provision out
of the collective.
Families affected
“The impact on that to
residents as far as their
personal lives are concerned,
their families is huge,” Dr
Powell said.
It is unlikely that the
strike will be called off and a
settlement will be reached in
time, Dr Powell said.
“The employers have been
incredibly bullish at the
table... no one else in health is
facing claw backs, everyone
else is getting improvement
in terms and conditions at
the moment, so they have
really singled out the resident
doctors in this dispute,” Dr
Powell said.
All DHBs, excluding West
Coast District Health Board,
will be affected by the strike.
DHBs disappointed
DHB spokesperson Peter
Bramley said the boards are
disappointed some trainee
doctors had chosen to strike
instead of helping to address
issues of staffing numbers,
work hours and fatigue.
“The action is regrettable as
DHBs have made a good offer
that builds on past negotiations
to deal with stress and
fatigue,” Dr Bramley said.
He said that a new system
for organising work was
agreed in the last RMO
(Resident Medical Officers)
pay talks - it has been implemented
in more than half of
all applicable rosters.
It has addressed some RMO
concerns about work hours,
but other issues have been
identified, he said.
“We are not interested
in clawing back conditions
as suggested but rather are
looking for options that allow
greater local flexibility in
work patterns that support
better training and improved
clinical care,” Dr Bramley said.
Contingency planning to
ensure emergency and essential
services are available to
those who need them is well
underway, Dr Bramley added.
Katie Scotcher is a Reporter
at Radio New Zealand. Indian
Newslink has published
the above story under a
Special Agreement with
www.rnz.co.nz
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06
JANUARY 15, 2019
Education and Training Special
New entity to promote Hindi in New Zealand
Bhartiya Bhasha Evam Shodh Sansthan launched
Supplied Content
January 10 was an important date on the Indian
languages calendar.
It was on this day that the First World Hindi
Conference was held in Nagpur, Maharashtra in 1975.
The Conference was attended by 122 delegates from
30 countries.
Since then, January 10 is being observed every year as
the ‘Vishwa Hindi Divas,’ (World Hindi Day) as a means
to promote and spread Hindi around the world, using a
diverse range of activities. Hindi is amongst the 10
most powerful languages and
Enrol now for courses in February 2019
Learn English with us
in class / for work / at home
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COST*
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Dr Pushpa Wood Sunita Narayan (Pictures Supplied) Infographics from fluentin3months.com
third most spoken language
in the world today.
Language Leaders
To mark the occasion
this year in New Zealand,
two educators, Dr Pushpa
Bhardwaj-Wood and Sunita
Narayan (long term advocates
and supporters of Hindi language)
from Wellington took
a lead to set up the ‘Bharatiya
Bhasha Evam Shodh Sansthan’
(Indian Languages &
Research Foundation).
Both women were honoured
with the ‘Vishwa Hindi
Samman Award’ last year.
Foundation Terms
The purpose of the Foundation
is to advise, develop and
evaluate a strategic approach
for building capability and
capacity of Indian languages
providers in New Zealand.
The Foundation invites
nominations/expressions of
interest from Indian language
educators and researchers
who are keen to be part of
an advisory team for the
Foundation.
All existing Indian language
and culture schools in New
Zealand will have an opportunity
to become associates of
the Foundation.
Strengthening Indian
Languages
Dr Wood said that the main
ethos of the Foundation will
be to encourage, support
and promote collaboration
in strengthening Indian languages
and culture through
quality resources, training
and ongoing professional
development.
“We wanted to have
a snapshot of capability
and capacity within New
Zealand when it comes to
Hindi teaching. We have been
discussing the Survey and
its findings with the Indian
High Commissioner Sanjiv
Kohli and we are grateful
for his ongoing support and
guidance. He has been very
helpful in promoting this
piece of work,” she said.
Online Survey
During the second half
of 2018, Dr Wood and Ms
Narayan carried out an
Online Survey to understand
the capability and capacity
of Hindi teaching in New
Zealand. Based on the
findings of this Survey, the
priority initiative of this
Foundation will be to create
capability and capacity of
Hindi teachers first followed
by other Indian languages.
It is envisaged that as the
interest grows about other
Indian languages, further
initiatives will be introduced
in the coming years.
Coordinated Approach
Hindi is now the 4th highly
spoken language in Aotearoa
New Zealand and therefore a
more strategic, coordinated
approach is required.
“We have known for a
while that we need to improve
the quality of teaching
and learning resources and
this is our attempt to bring all
the thinking together. It is our
vision to develop an inclusive
model that works for all
languages, in all contexts and
locations. We have garnered
enough support from Indian
educators and institutions to
support our capacity building
efforts in Aotearoa” Ms
Narayan said.
Further information
can be obtained from Dr
Pushpa Bhardwaj-Wood on
021- 755813. Email: Pushpa.
Wood@gmail.com; Sunita
Narayan on 022-6427652.
Email: sunita.d.narayan@
gmail.com)
-With Reporting by Dr
Pushpa Wood

JANUARY 15, 2019
Consensus imperative for civic education
Education and Training Special
07
John Hall
Transparency
International New
Zealand (TINZ) recently
commented
on the National Certificate of
Educational Achievement (NCEA)
Review conducted as part of the
national Education Conversation
| Korero Matauranga.
TINZ advocated an important
attribute of any transparent and
accountable society is that its citizens
have the literacy to actively
participate in routine social and
democratic activities.
Divergent understandings
However, amajor obstacle is
the lack of sufficient common
platforms for public discourse.
This could lead to different civic
and political conversations
developing within different
communities.
There is a risk that this might
eventually be reflected in legislation
leading to a divergence in
different communities’ understanding
of the law.
The lack of asufficient consensus
on the definition and standards
of civic literacy may have
led to the confusion concerning
what constitutes basic civic
literacy.
Uncertainty over values
On the one hand, uncertainty
about what values lie behind
our institutions could lead teachers
to focus on only the most mechanical
of civic processes (such
as voting). This leads to risks,
leaving students without an understanding
of the rationale for
these processes.
On the other hand, leaving the
scope of civics too broad may
allow teachers to focus solely
on issues of interest to them,
at the expense of explaining the
processes.
Without a common approach
across socio-economic demographics
to the teaching of civics,
there is a risk that students’ literacy
with social systems may correlate
with decile backgrounds.
The International Civic and
Education System failing Maori says academic
RNZ, Hamilton
Citizenship Study (ICCS) study of
2008 identified adisparity in civics
knowledge between students
from European or Asian ethnic
groups and those from Maori or
Pasifika backgrounds.
There are serious repercussions
for society if demographic
or geographic communities
are developing diverging understandings
of society itself.
The case for robust civil
literacy
A robust civics education
needs to be of benefit to the individual,
the community and society
in general.
An important outcome is that
an informed and engaged polity
is one where robust integrity systems
can develop that are strong
antidotes for corruption.
TINZ, therefore, supports the
broadening of the literacy requirements
to include compulsory
civics literacy standards.
We hope that the Education
Ministry recognises civic literacy
as the process whereby citizens
can name, analyse, and take effective
action on a social or political
issue.
John Hall is Director of
the Wellington-based
Transparency International
New Zealand (TINZ) Director
(Civic & Human Rights), Open
Government Partnership
and Auckland Events. The
above article appeared in
the December 2018 issue of
Transparency Times.
Police job tops Careers List in 2018
Sourced Content
New Zealand’s education
system is failing Māori
students by continuing
to marginalise their
culture, Waikato University
Professor Mere Berryman, a
2017 New Zealander of the Year
finalist, has said.
“The Treaty of Waitangi
promised both Māori and non-
Māori equal shares of all the
benefits that the colonial government
was going to provide,
yet what we’ve found that education
has provided is a very
western perspective that is
about one history rather than
both our histories,” she said.
‘(The teachers) ask the
Chinese girl about her culture
and they try and tell me about
mine,’ Professor Berryman was
told by one Māori student.
One-sided disadvantage
This one-sided storytelling not
only disadvantages Māori New
Zealanders, she says.
“Māori have missed out because
their histories are not being
told authentically, but so too
have non-Māori because they
have not learnt about Māori histories
[alongside European colonial
history]. They have learnt
a particular version of those
events.”
Shocking revelation
Professor Berryman said that
she was shocked when a 2001
government report revealed
that the experience of many
Professor Mere Berryman (Photo Supplied to RNZ)
Māori students still had not improved
since she and her sib-
better on a daily basis, others
ers are changing lives for the
lings were in primary school, but need more support and education,
she says.
wasn’t surprised when a 2017 report
confirmed the depth and continuation
of the problem. that they were taught … and if
“Many teachers teach the way
“Racism is something that we they are not shown differently
they continue to perpetuate
are not good at talking about in
New Zealand, but we all need to a really top-down dominating
acknowledge its existence … Until way of seeing the world.”
we all work to understand [racism],
I don’t believe, as a society, Tauranga-based manager of
Mere Berryman is the
we will be able to move forward.” Waikato University’s Poutama
A majority better off
Pounamu Education Research
Professor Berryman said that and Development Centre. She
currently, about 70% of students previously worked as a teacher
and a leader within the
are served ‘exceptionally well’ by
the education system.
Ministry of Education, including
Te Kotahitanga, a research
“But 20% are doing a lot less
well with and many of them are and professional development
Māori.”
programme which helps teachers
and schools better support
The other 10%, which she believes
is a growing group, are impoverished
immigrant and Pakeha Indian Newslink has published
Māori student achievement.
students “often living in really the above Report, Picture
risky situations.”
and Video under a Special
While some New Zealand teach-
Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
The most popular career
last year was Police
Officer, according to the
most searched for jobs on
careers.govt.nz in 2018.
Tertiary Education Commission
Chief Executive Tim Fowler said
that searches for information
on jobs such as Police Officers,
Teachers, Nurses and GPs show
that people aspire to careers
where they can make a difference.
Buoyant Market
“Job trends from 2018 also
show unemployment is at its lowest
level in over ten years, falling
to 3.9% according to November
2018 figures released by Statistics
New Zealand. We are noticing a
buoyant job market with some
school leavers opting to enter the
workforce where they may have
traditionally gone straight into
Tertiary Education,” he said.
However there is still an important
role for Tertiary Education
and Training to help people build
their skills and give them more
career choices after their study,
Mr Fowler said.
The top 10 jobs searched for on
the careers.govt.nz site as at 10
December 2018 are Police Officer,
Registered Nurse, Psychologist,
Secondary School Teacher,
Accountant, Pilot, Primary School
Teacher, Surgeon, General Practitioner
and Veterinarian.
Following are the top 10 jobs
searched for in 2018 (as on De-
Tim Fowler (File Picture)
Constable Elyse Lewis and Mist on the heels
of a runner (Photo from Facebook)
cember 20, 2018) in three major
cities of New Zealand:
Auckland: Police Officer,
Registered Nurse, Psychologist,
Accountant, Secondary School
Teacher, General Practitioner,
Pilot, Surgeon, Primary School
Teacher, Veterinarian
Wellington: Psychologist,
Police Officer, Registered Nurse,
Accountant, Primary School
Teacher, Secondary School
Teacher, General Practitioner,
Surgeon, Pilot Veterinarian
Christchurch: Police Officer,
Nurse, Secondary School Teacher,
Psychologist, Pilot
Primary School Teacher, Veterinarian,
Accountant, Surgeon,
General Practitioner
Source: Tertiary Education
Commission
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08
JANUARY 15, 2019
Fijilink
ADB to invest US$280 million in major projects in Fiji
Venkat Raman
The Asian Development
Bank (ADB) will invest
about US$280 million
on major infrastructure
projects in Fiji during 2019-2010,
President Takehiko Nakao has said.
He was in Suva yesterday to
discuss matters relating to the 52nd
Annual General Meeting of ADB,
scheduled to be held in the Fijian
Capital from May 1 to May 5, 2019.
Fiji is the Current Governor
of the ADB Board with Attorney
General and Minister of Economy
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum representing
the country and Reserve Bank
of Fiji Governor Ariff Ali as the
Alternate Governor.
Project details
Following meetings with
Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe
Bainimarama, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum
and Mr Ali, ADB would assist Fiji’s
development plans with a loan to
expand sewerage infrastructure
in Suva and policy-based loans to
improve the business environment
and public sector management, Mr
Nakao said.
A Fijian Government notification
said that ADB has already started
preparation of a Nadi River Flood
Protection Project, which is
expected to be co-financed with the
Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA).
“The Project will protect Nadi
and surrounding areas, a vital hub
for logistics and tourism in the
Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama with Asian Development
Bank President Takehiko Nakao in Suva on Friday, January 12, 2019
region, from frequent flooding. ADB
will also continue to mobilise co-financing
from development partners,
such as the European Investment
Bank and the World Bank,” the
notification said.
Increasing commitment
ADB has committed US$593
million of assistance to Fiji since it
joined the Manila (Philippines) Bank
in 1970.
Since 2014, ADB has helped the
Fijian government mobilise large
financing packages for investments,
including concessional funds from
development partners such as the
Green Climate Fund.
Ongoing ADB projects include
the US$100 million Transport Infrastructure
Investment Sector Project,
US$42 million Fiji Urban Water
Supply and Wastewater Management
Investment Programme, US$15
million Sustained Private Sector-Led
Growth Reform Programme and
US$50 million Emergency Assistance
for Recovery from Tropical Cyclone
Winston.
Asian Development Bank President Takehiko Nakao with Reserve Bank of Fiji
Governor Ariff Ali at a Press Conference in Suva on Friday, January 12, 2019
(Pictures from Facebook)
The Annual Meeting
Fiji will be the first Pacific developing
member country to host the
Annual Meeting of ADB. The Meeting
is the largest gathering of the Bank
and a unique opportunity for ADB
Governors, government officials,
the private sector, and development
partners and experts to discuss
critical issues and challenges facing
Asia and the Pacific.
The theme of the 2019 Annual
Meeting is ‘Prosperity Through
Unity.’
Mr Nakao described the Annual
Meeting as ‘an excellent opportunity
to highlight the strength of the Fijian
economy and progress across the
wider Pacific region.’
“We will discuss, among others, the
development of sustainable tourism
and management of ocean health
which are important issues not only
for Fiji and other Pacific countries
but also for many Asian countries,”
he said.
Commendable Growth
Commending the impressive
growth of the Fijian economy along
with its sound fiscal management,
Mr Nakao said that the country
has achieved steady growth since
2010, longer than any period since it
gained independence in 1970.
The average annual growth during
2010-2018 is estimated at 3.1%, he
said.
“The Government has exercised
prudent macroeconomic management
in recent years. This has
attracted new investments and
created an environment in which
businesses can grow and generate
more jobs,” Mr Nakao said.
“ADB will continue working closely
with Fiji to support the country’s efforts
to achieve sustained, inclusive,
private sector-led growth that brings
benefits to the entire population,” he
added.
Partnership Priorities
Mr Bainimarama said that there
was ample scope for strengthening
Fiji’s partnership with ADB in the
ensuing years.
“Our priorities for that partnership
are clear; we will attract more
investment, boost our climate resilience,
continue to build confidence
in our economy by increasing
engagement with the private sector,
continue developing a world-class
civil service, and develop even greater
networks of infrastructure for
the benefit of Fijians everywhere.
We will achieve these through
accountability, transparency and
good governance,” he said.
Mr Bainimarama said that Fiji’s
choice of being the host of the 52nd
Annual Meeting of ADB is a proud
recognition “among many, of our
capacity to host major international
events and we look forward to
showcasing Fiji’s development
achievements at the meeting in
Denarau this May.”
ADB in the Pacific
ADB is building its presence
in 11 Pacific Island countries to
increase the impact of its growing
programme of assistance.
The expansion will involve the
conversion of four extended missions,
in Samoa, Solomon Islands,
Tonga and Vanuatu, into country
offices and the establishment of
seven new country offices in the
Cook Islands, the Federated States
of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall
Islands, Nauru, Palau, and Tuvalu.
ADB currently has resident
missions in Papua New Guinea and
Timor-Leste, a Pacific Liaison And
Coordination Office in Sydney and a
Pacific Sub-Regional Office in Fiji.
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AUCKLAND OFFICE
Level 1, 207 Broadway, Newmarket 1023, Auckland
Phone: +64 9 283 0157 Fax: +64 4 461 6019
Email: auckland@idesilegal.co.nz
Website: www.immigrationlawyersauckland.co.nz
WELLINGTON OFFICE
Unit 4, 18 Moorefield Road, PO Box 13208, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037
Phone: +64 4 461 6018 Fax: +64 4 461 6019
Email: admin@idesilegal.co.nz
DUNEDIN OFFICE
Level 1, 252 Cumberland Street, Dunedin Central 9016, Dunedin,
Phone: +64 3 926 9755 Fax: +64 4 461 6019
Email: dunedin@idesilegal.co.nz
12 Commercial Street, Namaka, Nadi

JANUARY 15, 2019
Stolen cars from New Zealand,
Australia seized in Fiji
Jyoti Pratibha
Fijilink
09
Stolen vehicles from
Australia and New
Zealand have been
seized at Lautoka
Wharf in a big car racket.
The Fiji Revenue and
Customs Service intercepted
the vehicles imported by
agents here to be resold.
FRCS Chief Executive
Officer Vishvanath Das
confirmed in astatement
that, “Over the past week,
two motor vehicles that
were reported stolen in New
Zealand were smuggled into
the country under the guise
of spare parts and furniture,
but were intercepted at
Lautoka Wharf by Custom
officers.”
A big racket
Interceptions of the same
nature were also made by
Customs officers in 2018 for
stolen vehicles imported
from Australia.
Mr Das said that the cars
were part of a big racket.
“Evidence is being
gathered in what is
beginning to look like a
highly connected network of
individuals working within
organisations with intent to
make money from proceeds
of criminal activity,” he said.
In one case, the criminals
Fiji Revenue and Customs Service CEO Vishvanath Das (Centre) with his colleagues
waited more than a year returned to Fiji to clear his
before shipping the vehicles consignment.
to Fiji.
“Border Security is serious
In the latest incident, business and a collaborative
investigations into the approach is being taken with
Vehicle Identification both local border agencies
Number (VIN) revealed that and international Customs
a Toyota Hilux which was Administrations globally to
registered as a rental car in crack down on illegal activities.
Under our Customs
New Zealand was reported
stolen on December 8, 2017, to Customs Cooperation
while the Nissan Navara arrangements intelligence
which was registered as sharing has intensified
a private vehicle in New and we no longer work in
Zealand was reported stolen isolation,” Mr Das said.
on December 4, 2018.
“While the Service is
Accused importer
committed to facilitate
“The accused importer is trade, rest assured that with
reported to be a frequent the processes, systems and
traveller and is known to partnerships in place at the
have travelled to New Zealand
between December 7 intercept illegal activities
Border we will detect and
and December 12, 2018 just and when we do offenders
a few days after the vehicles will face the full brunt of the
was reported stolen.
law,” he added.
“The shipment left Auckland
on December 20, 2018 Special Arrangement with
Reproduced under a
a week after the suspect the Fiji Sun.
Maungakiekie Office
Level 1, Crighton House, 100 Neilson Street, Onehunga
(entrance from Galway Street)
Open weekdays 9am-5pm
(09) 622-2660
Priyanca@parliament.govt.nz
Please call to make an appointment before coming into the office
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10
JANUARY 15, 2019
Businesslink
Ikea NZ launch details: there will be meatballs
Nikki Mandow (Newsroom
After an inordinate
amount of hype and
years of heart-stopping
“Is it coming? Is it not?,”
the world’s largest furniture and
home furnishings retailer, Ikea,
has held a press conference,
ostensibly to announce details
about the company’s arrival in
New Zealand.
Around 100 breathless
journalists, Ikea supporters and
Scandinavian dignitaries arrived
at the Cloud in Auckland to be
told: there will be meatballs.
But not much more.
Dream, no Plan
“Without being specific, it’s a
dream, but we don’t have a plan
yet,” said Jesper Brodin, President
and CEO of the Ingka Group,
which holds the franchise for Ikea
in New Zealand and other parts
of the world.
“We are at the start of the
process. It is too premature to be
specific,” said Market Potential
Development Manager Will
Edwards.
So, here’s what we know:
When: The first Ikea store in
New Zealand will be open “within
a few years” - more than two, less
than 10.
Where: The first “iconic” full-service
blue and yellow store will be
somewhere in Auckland. Precise
location still to be decided. Next
up: the South Island, though what
format that presence will take
Ikea’s Will Edwards and Jesper Brodin the press conference. (Photo: Nikki Mandow)
isn’t known. After that: heading
north again.
What: The full Monty - 7,000 Ikea
Home Furnishing and click-together
Kitchen products.
How big: Internationally, Ikea has
big stores - like, 25,000 square-metres
- and boutique ones (less than
1,000 sqm). Auckland will get the
full concept store, Edwards says,
though future ones in other cities
will probably be smaller.
How much will Ikea spend: There
has been speculation an Ikea
franchise licence costs around $35
million and the company would be
looking at around $90 million to
build a full-service store here.
Edwards says Ikea is close to
putting a price tag on the build, but
he is not giving anything away.
How many people does Ikea expect
to come through the doors?
Millions.
Will there be an online offering?
Yes. Digital Ikea in New Zealand is
planned to start on or around the
same date as Physical Ikea NZ.
Will stuff be as cheap as in
Australian stores? Maybe, maybe
not, but New Zealanders will get
“the very best prices.”
What will happen to existing
parallel importers? “We will have
a dialogue” Edwards says; which
appears to mean that they will be
nudged out once Ikea arrives.
Will there be a creche? No, but
there will likely be a play area. And
children can jump on the sofas.
Will there be meatballs? Definitely.
Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad
famously said, “It is hard to do
business on an empty stomach.”
There will be food.
Any other definites? Ikea was
founded in Sweden 76 years ago
and has 400 stores in 50 countries.
It has been in Australia for more
than 40 years.
Nikki Mandow is Business Editor
at Newsroom, New Zealand.
Indian Newslink has published
the above report and picture
under a Special Arrangement
Scammers ready to con
over automatic tax refunds
Sourced Content
Automatic tax refunds
are coming and scammers
are already at
work says a press
note from Inland Revenue
Department (IRD).
The Department recently sent
emails about automatic tax assessments
and other initiatives
in the biggest change to the tax
system in a generation.
IRD Customer Segment Leader
Bernadette Newman warned
against the scam, which involves
an email.
Ensure authenticity
“The email asks you to complete
the steps below to release
money owed to you. There is a
link to fill in a form with advice
to ‘just fill it in and get your returns
in order now. When you
receive an e-mail like this, purporting
to come from IRD, don’t
click on it, but use your mouse
to hover the web address and
make sure that it is a real Inland
Revenue website,” she said.
Ms Newman said that during
the past few months, IRD
has dispatched more than two
million emails as part of its
‘Changing for you’ Campaign
and more will be sent soon.
If the proposed changes go
ahead, automatic tax refunds
can be issued to eligible customers
if IRD holds your up-to-date
bank account information. This
can be updated through myIR,
the secure online portal, which
is password protected.
“You will know that you are in
safe hands if you have been directed
to myIR where a valid
log-in is required. Unfortunately,
scammers and phishers will try
to take advantage of the volume
of email that we are sending and
try to access bank accounts and
steal people’s money,” she said.
It’s important to know what a
fraudulent e-mail looks like.
Inland Revenue will never (a)
email you with the amount of
your refund (only within myIR)
or send you an email, knock on
your door or phone you, promising
a tax refund (b) ask you to
pay money to release a tax refund
(c) send you an email with
a hyperlink to a webpage that
asks you to submit your personal
information (d) demand payments
through NZ Post or a gift
card.
If you receive a text scam
message or a fraudulent call,
please email phishing@ird.
govt.nz
https://www.ird.govt.nz/identity-security/scam/scam-alert.
html for more tips, how to confirm
or report a scam.
https://www.netsafe.org.nz/
scam-tips/ also has useful tips
on how to recognise a scam.
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Production.
Awards over the Years
Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards
1. Supreme Business of the Year 2016 (Winner)
2. Best EmployerofChoice2016 (Winner)
3. Business ExcellenceinCustomer Service2015 and 2016 (Winner)
4. Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Rahul Sirigiri, CEO)2013 and 2016 (Winner)
Westpac Auckland Business Awards (South)
1. ExcellenceinStrategy &Planning 2017 (Winner)
2. Employerofthe Year 2016 and 2017 (Finalist)
3. ExcellenceinCustomer ServiceDelivery(Finalist)
The Link2 Group was the Winner of the ‘Supreme Business of the Year’Award at the Ninth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards
2016. Chairman Indra Sirigiri (third from right) with Mansa Sirigiri, the then Prime Minister Sir John Key, BNZ Chairman Dough McKay, the
then Managing Director &Chief Executive Anthony Healy and Rahul and Jaya Sirigiri.
Jobopportunities!!
TheLink2 Group has multiple Casual,Full Time and Part-Time jobs
available for:
● General Warehousing (Pick-Packing,Labelling,Sorting,Rework)
● Forklift, Reach and Hoist Drivers
● Container Devanning
● Truck Drivers: Class 2and 4
Office Address: 47 Allens Road,EastTamaki, Auckland2013
Postal Address: POBox 217206,BotanyJunction, Auckland
Phone: (09) 2724700;Fax: (09)2724699; Mobile: 027-5460480
Email: office@link2services.com;Website: www.link2group.com

JANUARY 15, 2019
Helen Winkelmann next Chief Justice of New Zealand
Supplied Content
Judge of the Court of
Appeal, Justice Helen
Winkelmann has been
appointed Chief Justice of
New Zealand and a Judge of
the Supreme Court of New
Zealand, Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern announced
on December 17, 2018.
Ms Ardern said that
Justice Winkelmann will
take charge on March 13,
2019, on retirement of the
current Chief Justice Dame
Sian Elias.
‘Enormous Esteem’
“The consultation process
highlighted the enormous
esteem Justice Winkelmann
is held in by the legal
community. There was a
high degree of consensus
from all quarters for her
appointment. Her Honour
is recognised by her peers
and the profession for
her superior intellect,
her judicial instinct and
experience, coupled with
strong leadership, qualities
that I am sure will make an
outstanding Chief Justice,”
Ms Ardern said.
About Justice Helen
Winkelmann
Justice Winkelmann
graduated with an LLB and a
BA in History from Auckland
University in 1987 and began
work as a law clerk with
Auckland firm Nicholson
Gribbin (later Phillips Fox,
now DLA Piper).
Justice Winkelmann
(Picture Supplied
In 1988, at age 25, Justice
Winkelmann became the first
female partner and one of the
youngest partners ever in the
firm’s then 117- year history.
In 2001, Justice Winkelmann
left Phillips Fox to
join the independent Bar,
specialising in commercial
litigation, insolvency and
medico-legal.
She was appointed a High
Court Judge in 2004, Chief
High Court Judge in 2009 and
a Judge of the Court of Appeal
in 2015.
No Statutory Process
While judicial appointments
are made by the
Governor-General on the
recommendation of the
Attorney-General, the Senior
Courts Act provides that the
Prime Minister makes the
recommendation for appointment
of the Chief Justice.
There is no statutory
process for the appointment.
Consultation Rounds
The Solicitor-General
Una Jagose QC conducted a
consultation process to inform
the Prime Minister’s decision,
consulting the Chief Justice
Dame Sian Elias, retired senior
Court judges, the New Zealand
Law Society, the New Zealand
Bar Association and Te Hunga
Rōia Māori oAoteroa (the Māori
Law Society). That consultation
was to determine who was
thought to meet the criteria for
Chief Justice.
The Solicitor-General then
formed a panel comprising
Dame Silvia Cartwright, retired
High Court Judge and Former
Governor-General and Sir
Terence Arnold, retired Supreme
Court judge. That Panel
considered the consultation
feedback.
The Solicitor-General then
provided advice to the Prime
Minister to enable her to take a
decision to make a recommendation
to the Governor-General.
Tribute to Dame Sian Elias
In announcing this
appointment, Ms Ardern paid
tributes to the excellent service
rendered by Dame Sian as Chief
Justice.
“Dame Sian has played a significant
role in the development
of our laws and constitution
and has represented New
Zealand superbly on the international
stage,” she said.
“For many years, Justice
Winkelmann was a trustee of
the Starship Foundation and
Lynfield College Development
Trust,” she said.
Businesslink
New technology boost biosecurity at Auckland Airport
Supplied Content
The most sophisticated
X-ray technology available
to scrutinise the
bags of international
travellers for any unwanted
pests was unveiled on
December 18, 2018 at Auckland
Airport by Biosecurity
Minister Damien O’Connor.
He issued the following
Statement:
Our dynamic biosecurity
environment means we must
constantly adjust our scrutiny
and strengthen our border
security as threats emerge.
Three-dimension images
The million-dollar scanner
features three-dimensional
imaging (real-time tomography)
that will make it easier
for quarantine officers to
pinpoint risky items that have
been difficult to detect in the
past such as dried meat, goods
hidden behind laptops and
stink bugs.
Biosecurity New Zealand
is also developing software
with Australian counterparts
that will allow the scanner to
automatically recognise risky
items such as fruit that could
harbour fruit fly.
Sophisticated gamechanger
This is a game changer
for biosecurity. It is the most
sophisticated piece of X-ray
technology we could have in
place to support our officers
at Auckland Airport and provides
another useful tool in
our multi-layered biosecurity
system, sitting alongside 50
detector dog teams, arrival
Call to regulate bank surcharge
Aretailers’ group wants
the government to
regulate the amount
that banks can charge for
credit-card transactions.
Retailers in this country
are charged a surcharge
of between 2% and 3% of
the purchase value, when
a customer uses a credit or
Paywave card.
Retail New Zealand’s General
Manager Public Affairs Greg
Harford said this is threetimes
higher than what’s
charged in similar overseas
markets.
Surcharge added
He said that the surcharge is
added to the price of all goods,
so, those paying cash subsidise
credit-card fees.
“So that means that the customer
who’s paying cash for their groceries
is effectively subsidising the
11
cards, risk assessment and
public awareness campaigns.
The scanner will check bags
before passengers pick them
up and images will be sent
to quarantine ahead of any
searches, similar to how security
X-ray screening operates
at many major international
airports.
Ultimately, we want this
technology in place across
the passenger, mail and
cargo pathways as traveller
numbers and trade increases.
It is important that we all
do our bit for biosecurity as
we all benefit from acountry
relatively free of unwanted
pests and diseases and we all
suffer the consequences of an
incursion.
rewards programmes that
are operated, air points
credit cards for example,”
he said.
Mr Harford said that
Retail New Zealand will
talk to the government
about possible regulatory
solutions once it has
conducted some more
research on the issue.
Indian Newslink has
published the above Report
and Picture under a
Special Agreement with
www.rnz.co.nz
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12
JANUARY 15, 2019
Viewlink
New cars sales head for another record year
But used imports are on the way down
The English Fortnightly (Since November 1999)
ISSUE 407 | JANUARY15, 2019
Let us begin the New
Year on a positive note
The dawn of a New Year
always brings with it
fresh beginnings, punctuated
by new hope,
ideas, wishes and renewed
optimism. Although various
faiths have varied ‘New Year
Days’ over a 365-day period,
the world has come to accept
that January 1 is the start of a
new calendar, new phase in
life – everything in fact that
marks a new start.
Day of Celebration
January 1 is also a public
holiday in many parts of
the world making it a Day
of Celebration and as we in
Indian Newslink wish you,
your family, colleagues and
everyone around you the best
of everything in the New Year,
we hope for world peace and
greater economic and social
prosperity.
True, there are many things
that ail this world; poverty is
the worst demon that blocks a
significant number of people
everywhere from becoming
partners in human progress.
Millions subsist below the
poverty line, creating amajor
challenge to governments
across the hemispheres. But
we hope that there would be
collective global progress for, in
the 21st Century, what affects
one country has a rippling
effect everywhere else.
Wellbeing Approach in New
Zealand
There are signs that the New
Zealand economy will continue
to perform well, despite the
rhetoric of ‘loss of business
confidence’ orchestrated
mainly by the political adversaries
of the current coalition
government. Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern has done well,
winning international attention
with her ‘genuine politics.’ She
has brought along a new brand
of governance that is open and
honest – a brand that seems to
be working.
Year 2019 will see the furtherance
of the Government’s
‘Wellbeing Approach,’ with
Budget priorities spelling new
ways of working and of thinking
about how we measure our
success as a country and as a
Government.
Raising Living Standards
The priorities for Budget
2019 have been chosen using
the Treasury’s Living Standards
Framework (LSF), evidence
from sector-based experts
and the Government’s Science
Advisors, and collaboration
among public sector agencies
and Ministers. They are
focused on the outcomes New
Zealanders want to achieve
and all Ministers and agencies
will be collectively responsible
for delivering the priorities.
To begin to tackle the
challenges identified in
the Wellbeing Outlook, the
Government has identified
five Budget Priorities for
Budget 2019, which include
(1) Creating opportunities for
productive businesses, regions,
iwi and others to transition to a
sustainable and low-emissions
economy (2) Supporting a
thriving nation in the digital
age through innovation, social
and economic opportunities
(3) Lifting Māori and Pacific
incomes, skills and opportunities
(4) Reducing child poverty
and improving child wellbeing,
including addressing family
violence and (5) Supporting the
mental wellbeing for all New
Zealanders, with a special focus
on under 24-year-olds.
US-China Trade War
The global scene provides
a mixed bag of goodwill and
conflicts of interest.
The commerce sector is holding
its breath as the US-China
Trade war, the worst in
decades, continues unabated.
The Trump Administration
has imposed tariffs on Chinese
products valued at US$ 250
billion. Beijing has retaliated.
The US has also slapped
tariffs on steel imports from
Europe, Canada, Mexico and
many other countries.
As the Economist
mentioned, Donald Trump
intervened on national-security
grounds to scupper a US$ 117
billion bid from Broadcom, a
chipmaker with ties to South-
East Asia, for Qualcomm.
“It would have been the
biggest-ever tech merger.”
“In another dysfunctional
year at the White House,
Rex Tillerson was sacked as
Secretary of State, as was Jeff
Sessions as Attorney-General,
both after the President had
publicly undermined them.
The investigation by Robert
Mueller, the Special Counsel,
into Russian influence in
American elections rumbled
on, laying charges against some
of Mr Trump’s former aides.”
In Britain, Prime Minister
Theresa May is battling with
Brexit issues.
Despite these problems, we
hope that 2019 will usher in a
new era of prosperity.
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;
Financial Controller: Uma Venkatram CA;
Phone: (09) 5336377 Email: info@indiannewslink.co.nz
Websites: www.indiannewslink.co.nz; www.inliba.com; www.inlisa.com
Mark Jennings
New car sales are heading for
another record year while
used imports are declining.
Buying a car can be a
tricky thing. Unlike houses, they
rarely go up in value.
As soon as you drive them off the
showroom floor or out of adealer
yard, they start costing you money.
Real money.
Personal experience
Not too long ago I was in the
market for a car and faced the
common dilemma – do I buy a new
car and have peace of mind knowing
that no one has thrashed it or do I
go for a second hand car that costs
less because the previous owner has
already copped a big chunk of the
depreciation?
Part of me wanted to show support
for one of Newsroom’s foundation
partners and buy a new Holden, but
the car (unlike many New Zealanders
I didn’t want a SUV or a Ute) most
suited to my requirements, an Astra,
didn’t quite seem right.
The Astra is a fine car and, as
Holden kept hammering away in its
marketing, it won European car of
the year in 2016.
But cars need to please on a variety
of levels, (many of them subjective)
and the Astra’s styling and driving
position didn’t quite do it for me.
I ended up buying a three-year-old
Volkswagen Golf Highline with
relatively low mileage. So far, things
have gone well. It drives nicely and
has all the technology I need.
Case for a new car
However, a full service recently set
me back nearly $500 and it made me
think again about the case for buying
a new car.
A new Holden comes with threeyear-free
servicing and so do other
brands like Mazda, Kia etc.
Andrew Collett, the boss of the big
Holden dealership, Davies Motors
in Manukau, says free servicing is a
major incentive for new car buyers.
“It is a really big deal. If you are
doing moderate mileage like most
people you are fully covered and it
can save you a heck of a lot of money,
up to $3,000 in some cases.”
Collet also points out that most new
cars these days come with at least
a three-year guarantee and usually
roadside assistance for a similar
period.
But don’t you pay a hefty price for
that peace of mind?
Prices remain steady
Well, not as you once did, according
to Collett.
“The price of new cars haven’t
moved much in recent years and
they are comparatively a lot more
affordable than they used to be years
ago.
“I remember in the 90’s a fourwheel
drive Ute cost about $40,000.
These days, you can get a new UTE
for about $45,000 and of course you
get a lot more for your money.”
Statistics show that sales of new
cars have been steadily rising since
2009 and registrations hit a record
monthly high in October 2018 with
16,670 new vehicles. Total new car
sales are likely to end the year close
to 110,000.
Part of the rise has been due to
New Zealand’s on-going tourism
boom, which is driving demand for
rental cars.
Used cars purchase falls
On the other hand, sales of used
imports have declined month-tomonth
for most of the year.
According to Collett, “safety” has
become amajor factor in the minds
of buyers weighing up whether to
buy a new or second-hand car.
“It is really big in people’s minds
and we get asked a lot about them
(safety features) in the showroom.
It is not just about ABS brakes like it
once was, now buyers are interested
in features like lane keep assist (it
steers the car back into the lane if it
detects that you are drifting).
“The safety technology goes in
leaps and bounds year by year and
the thing now is that much of it is in
entry level cars not just the premium
models. You can now buy new cars
in the mid $20,000 range to the mid
$30,000s that are very well-equipped
and you didn’t used to be able to do
that.”
The better fuel efficiency of new
cars now that petrol prices are rising
again is also influencing buyers.
“It is the second most important
thing after safety,” says Collett.
But what about the depreciation?
Selling is losing
Collett gives a speedy but self-evident
response: “You only lose when
you sell.”
He quickly adds that the new car
market is very competitive and dealers
will always “meet the market.”
In other words, buyers can
limit the amount they lose by driving
down the price when they buy.
“I don’t believe in this no haggle
buying policy of companies like Toyota.
We are always happy to engage
with the customer. Negotiating a
better price has been part of the car
business forever and ever. That is
why they call us dealers.”
If you don’t want to haggle or don’t
back your skillset then Collett says
you should decide exactly what car
you want and then wait until there is
an ‘offering’ in the market.
“Holden, for example, will nearly
always have an offering in the market
and so do other brands.”
Complex finance deals
He agrees that finance deals make
things more complicated.
“There are a lot of low interest
rate offerings in the market and
rates through a new car dealer are
now very competitive compared to
other lenders, but buyers have to
realise there is no such thing as a free
lunch.”
Asked to put the case for buying a
second-hand car Collett is hesitant,
saying the gap between the price of
new and used cars “is not really that
great these days”.
He also finds it hard to recommend
cars that are more than three years
old, especially Japanese imports.
When pushed, he conceded that
ex-rentals can be good buys.
“When the rental fleets are being
turned over and there are quite large
numbers of them on the market the
buyer can get good value but you
have to keep a look out from week to
week.”
Mark Jennings is the Co-Founder
and Co-Editor of Newsroom, New
Zealand’s high-quality, independent
media organisation. Indian Newslink
has published the above Report and
Picture under a Special Agreement
with Newsroom. Holden is a foundation
supporter of Newsroom.
Visa Variation for stranded Chinese workers
RNZ, Wellington
The government will try to help
a group of up to 30 Chinese
construction workers who have
been left without work and a
place to live.
In December, RNZ reported the
group’s concerns about Peter Li, who
they said they paid tens of thousands of
dollars for work visas.
The Issues
The men were given contracts with
a labour hire company, National
Personnel Limited (NPL).
They were promised steady work,
but the men said that had not
happened and on Monday the group
was trespassed from their temporary
accommodation.
Police were called when they tried to
retrieve their belongings the next day.
Restrictive Visas
The workers are restricted from working
for any company other than NPL
because of the type of visa they hold.
Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway
said that Immigration New
Zealand (INZ) was working with the
men and the Unite union to see what
help it could offer.
“The sorts of things that they will be
looking into is, can there be a variation
to their visas that allows them to pick
up work (with other employers). I
believe that a number of employers
have come forward and offered the
opportunity to work, and that’s what
these workers are looking for. They
just want to be able to work, earn some
money, and take care of themselves
whilst they are in New Zealand,” he
said.
Mr Lees-Galloway said the workers’
welfare was a priority.
Police said that no one had been
arrested over the trespass, but they
were still investigating whether any
offences were committed.
Community help
Meanwhile, Chen Genxiang, a worker,
said that a Chinese community group
had provided accommodation for
about 18 of the men.
“Two women from the community
group came yesterday,” she said
through a translator.
“They’re also Chinese. They gave us
some food. We felt reassured. They
told us that they will help us to make
contact with the Chinese consulate
here and get back the money we paid
in China.”
INZ said that the options available to
the workers would depend on their
personal circumstances.
An Immigration New Zealand investigation
into Mr Li is ongoing.
Indian Newslink has published the
above Report and Picture under a
Special Agreement with www.rnz.
co.nz

JANUARY 15, 2019
Businesslink
13
LONDON
NEW DELHI
New Delhi NZ$
1,310
Kochi NZ$
1,415
Mumbai NZ$
1,437
Hyderabad NZ$
1,456
Chennai NZ$
1,413
Bengaluru NZ$
1,421
Kolkata NZ$
1,444
Ahmedabad NZ$
1,458
*Fares shown are priced per person (inclusive of all taxes - correct as at 18 December 2018), for return travel from Auckland and are subject to availability and flight restrictions at the time of booking, for sale until 31 January 2019. A credit card service fee of 1.7% of the
total amount, capped at NZD70, applies per ticket when using a Singapore Airlines accepted credit card. Singapore Airlines reserves the right to alter or extend this offer without notice. Advertised Economy Class fares to India are for travel commencing on or between
18/02/2019 to 09/04/2019, 22/04/2019 to 20/06/2019, 16/07/2019 to 20/09/2019 and 07/10/2019 to 30/11/2019. Blackout periods, inbound restrictions and maximum stay restrictions apply. For full terms and conditions, ticket change, refund policy and to book, please
refer to singaporeair.com. US$1 standard seat selection applies per flight and is available on all flights booked on singaporeair.com by 20 January 2019. Standard charges for changes to seat selection, or standard seat selection will apply after 20 January 2019.

14
JANUARY 15, 2019
Businesslink
Sudima performs a hat-trick in environmental excellence
Rotorua Hotel becomes the third to get carboNZero Certificate
New Zealand hotel
chain Sudima Hotels
has received carboNZero
Certification
for its Rotorua property.
The Certificate, made
effective from October 19,
2018, makes it the third hotel
in New Zealand, after Sudima
Auckland Airport and Sudima
Christchurch. To date, Sudima
is the only brand to receive
the Certificate among hotels in
New Zealand.
Sudima Hotels Founder
and Chief Executive Sudesh
Jhunjhnuwala said that the
aim is to make all new hotels of
the chain to be built to qualify
for the Certification.
The Group is currently developing
three new properties,
one each in Auckland CBD,
Christchurch and Kaikoura.
Responsible Management
“Our strategic approach to
our place in the environment
encompasses responsible management
practices, sustainable
and innovative buildings, and
agreements with sustainably
focused suppliers. It encourages
us to buy local and hold
all our procurement under
the same thought process.
We believe that achieving
carboNZero Certification is
central to this strategy, not only
because of its demonstrable
environmental
value but also because
of its benefit to guests,”
he said.
According to Mr Jhunjhnuwala,
people are
increasingly choosing
products and services
that demonstrate a
responsible approach to
the environment.
It is critical,
from sustainability
and competitive
standpoint, that
hospitality providers
show leadership
in registering and
reducing emissions,
he said.
A challenge to
hotels
“Many of our
guests come from
overseas to see New
Zealand’s famously
beautiful natural
environment, and
they expect to see hotels
doing their part
to protect it. As the
first, and currently
only hotel group with
carboNZero-certified
properties, we want
to challenge others in
our sector to follow
our lead,” he said.
Dr Ann Smith,
Chief Executive of Enviro-Mark
Solutions
which issues the Certificate,
said that the
process of achieving
carboNZero certification
is rigorous.
“Applicants first
measure all the activities
in their business
that create carbon
emissions in line
with international
measurement standards,
which are then
audited by an independent
third party.
Organisations must
then set reduction
targets and develop
projects to reduce
emission levels from
the most significant
emission sources in
their business and
offset their carbon
DIY does not always work in house sales
Kevin Lampen Smith
Selling a property is easy,
right? All you need to do is
stick a ‘For Sale’ sign out in
the front, put a few photos
online and hold a couple of open
homes. Job done!
Why wouldn’t you do it yourself?
Drop in private sales
The fact that private sales made
up just 10% of all residential
property sales in New Zealand in
the year to July (down from 13%
in 2017 and 17% in 2014) might
be a clue that it is not as simple
and straightforward as you might
think.
Research by the industry membership
organisation Real Estate
Institute of New Zealand (REINZ)
found that the median price for
properties sold by real estate
agents was 10.9% higher than
private sales.
Property transactions are big
financial deals and they can get
complicated very quickly.
Selling a home, which is likely to
be your biggest asset as well as
being a physical and emotional
roof over your head, is not like
selling aused car or flogging your
unwanted Christmas presents on
TradeMe.
Some advantages
If you decide to sell your property
privately, you will absolutely save
on the commission that you would
otherwise pay a real estate.
Your target is to get at least close
to what an agent would get for
your house. You pay commission
to an agent for them to get the
best price and that extra value is
what they will tell you pays your
commission for you, along with
less hassle on DIY basis.
You know your property better
than anyone, so you are in a good
position to ‘sell’ its features. You
will have complete control over
the process because you will be
dealing directly with potential
buyers. You get to decide every step
of the process, including choosing
the method of sale and setting the
price.
Legal obligations
However, with complete power
comes complete responsibility.
When you are selling a property,
you have a legal obligation to share
all the relevant information about
it, such as any issues with the
boundary or title, any unconsented
building work or alterations,
any known weathertightness
issues and whether there are any
proposed developments that could
have an impact on a buyer’s access,
views or enjoyment.
If you fail to do this, you could be
in breach of your agreement with
the buyer. This could put the sale
in jeopardy, or the buyer could
seek compensation and take you to
court.
Private sellers will need sharp
marketing and negotiation skills, as
well as the ability to be objective.
What you think of the property
and what it is worth will not
necessarily be shared by potential
buyers.
Challenge of increasing supply
It is easy to sell a property when
there are a few houses for sale
and many buyers, but the market
is not as buoyant now in parts of
the country as it was a year ago.
Your expectations of price and ease
of sale are aligned with market
conditions. These are things that
real estate agents think about day
in and day out.
Expert advice
If you are still keen to DIY it, make
sure you’ve got some good advice
from the experts.
It can be very useful to get an
independent assessment of what
your property is worth, so you can
work out the price you’ll be willing
to accept.
You can research online (for free)
or pay for a registered valuation.
We strongly recommend that you
use a lawyer or conveyancer to
handle all the legal documentation,
including the sale and purchase
agreement.
You may also want to consider
help when it comes to preparing
the property for viewings, whether
that means engaging a home
staging company who will make it
look pretty, or a trusted friend to
run any open homes.
Your decision finally
Ultimately, there is no reason why
you cannot sell your own property
if you think you have got the time,
skills and energy.
You must be ready to juggle a
lot of things at once, including
marketing and negotiation, on top
of your usual responsibilities.
Whatever you do, make sure you
go into the process with your eyes
open.
For independent guidance and
information on buying or selling,
check out settled.govt.nz.
Kevin Lampen-Smith is Chief Executive
of the Wellington-based
Real Estate Authority.
emissions through purchasing
carbon credits,” she said.
Optimising efficiencies
Dr Smith said that as a carboNZero-Certified
Organisation,
Sudima Hotels has selected
credits from a variety of credible
local and overseas projects that
contribute to projects such as
native forest regeneration and
wind farming.
“For Sudima Lake Rotorua, 323
Luoyang LFG Project in China
credits have chosen to offset its
remaining carbon emissions. The
carboNZero Programme helps
companies to identify opportunities
to maximise efficiencies in
their businesses, to review their
supply chain and initiate more
environmentally responsible
practices. Most carboNZero-certified
organisations are also
able to identify opportunities to
reduce their costs, partly through
becoming more energy-efficient,”
she said.
Annual Audit
Dr Smith said that as the only
hotel chain in New Zealand to
achieve this Certification, Sudima
Hotels is a leader with an ongoing
commitment to reduce its impact
on the environment. Sudima
Hotels is now in a process of
continual improvement, and
an annual audit is required to
maintain certification.
Apay gap of 21% for Pacific
women working in the public
service is alarming and needs
to be addressed urgently, says Equal
Employment Opportunities Commissioner
Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina
Sumeo.
Dr Sumeo was commenting on the
findings in the State Services Commission’s
Our People: Public Service
Workforce Data 2018 Report.
She issued the following Statement:
The pay gap for Pacific women is
alarming at 21%. Pacific women
continue to receive the lowest
increases in pay. It is also disturbing
that the report makes no mention
of a strategy in the Public Service to
address this with urgency,” she said.
Unacceptable situation
It is simply unacceptable that the
Public Service has done little to
address this issue since 2008. This
is ultimately about improving the
quality of life and opportunities for
Pacific women, many of whom are
living in hardship or poverty.
The trend in the Public Service
ethnic pay gaps indicate that not only
are Māori, Pacific and Asian ethnicities
the lowest paid but are still
under-represented in the top three
tiers of Public Service management.
Effective Policies needed
We need the State Services Commission
to work on effective policies.
As the EEO Commissioner, I would
personally welcome the opportunity
to discuss targeted actions to see
these appalling gaps close.
The Human Rights Commission
supports the section on Rainbow
communities in the report for the
first time. However, there is aneed
for the Public Service to be truly
inclusive in the collection of data
and information across the entire
spectrum of Aotearoa’s sex, gender,
and sexuality diverse communities.
The Public Service must provide an
environment where people feel safe
to bring their whole selves to the
workplace.
Other Honours
Among the other honours
and citations that Sudima
Hotels has received include the
‘Environment Tourism Award’ at
the New Zealand Tourism Awards
2017, the ‘Silver Stevie Award’ in
August 2018 (second place in the
‘Corporate Social Responsibility
Programme of the Year in Asia,
Australia and New Zealand,’ and
‘Bronze and Gold Rating’ by Be.
Accessible.
“I would love to see a carbon
emissions register in New Zealand.
We have the ability to establish
benchmarks in New Zealand
and can keep our industry and
businesses in general accountable
for their emissions reduction, Mr
Jhunjhnuwala said.
Community Initiatives
Sudima Christchurch Airport
was the first hotel in the City to install
electric car charging stations,
followed by similar facilities at
Sudima Auckland Airport Hotel.
Since 2013, the Group has been
offering a tertiary scholarship for
young Maori of Ngati Whakaue
descent. Every weekday, Sudima
Hotels serve breakfast to hungry
school children at the Kawaha
Point Primary School in Rotorua
and provides breakfast for
Rotorua’s homeless population
through Love Soup Rotorua.
Pacific women paid lowest in NZ Public Service
Supplied Content
Supporting the disabled
We would also like to see more
meaningful data about disabled
people in the public sector workforce.
We cannot know how well the public
sector reflects the communities it
serves if some people are not counted.
The Public Service must provide accessible
and inclusive environments
so that all employees, in particular the
Rainbow community and disabled
people, feel safe to be included in data
and information gathering.
Narrowing gap
The Human Rights Commission is
encouraged by the overall decrease
in the gender pay gap although by a
slight margin, but this is only one of
the gaps we need to address.
We cannot be satisfied with aslight
improvement in pay between men
and women when the ethnic pay gap,
which impacts New Zealand’s diverse
community, is still on the rise. How
can you solve one problem without
having policies to resolve the overall
issue?
The Human Rights Commission is
encouraged by the State Services Commission’s
transparency in releasing
this annual report to track inequalities
within the Public Service.
Pleasing progress
We are pleased to see great progress
in the number of women in senior
leadership roles, also reflected in a
recent announcement that 50% of
Public Service CEO’s are women.
For the top three tiers of decision
makers in the Public Service, we
would strongly welcome data on
diversity and respective pay gaps, to
fully enable transparency in tracking
workplace inequalities.
Source: Human Rights Commission

JANUARY 15, 2019
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16
JANUARY 15, 2019
Communitylink
A Renewed Sense of Exuberance for the New Year
Sadhguru (Isha Foundation)
The most beautiful thing
about time is that whether
you do something or
nothing, whether you are joyful
or miserable, it passes by.
No matter who you are or how
you are, it passes at the same
speed for everyone.
It is just that our experience of
time varies depending upon how
intensely we live or how slack we
are.
If you are very slack with life, it
looks like time is passing by very
slowly.
If you are very intense, time
just flies by.
But in reality, time is happening
to all of us at the same pace.
Life is Space
If you look at life in its full
depth and dimension, life is a
certain amount of space.
If you look at life in a linear
fashion, life is a certain amount
of time.
If you look at life from your
psychological perspective, life is a
certain number of problems.
Every day I meet all sorts of
people – thousands of them.
The variety of problems they
have is unbelievable. Birth is a
problem, death is a problem, and
in between there are a series of
problems.
Now, a New Year has arrived.
This is a choice that you must
make: are you going to invest
your thought, emotion and
energy towards making up
problems or creating solutions?
This does not mean you have to
take a resolution to stop creating
problems.
Keeping Accounts
There is no need to make any
resolutions. You make a resolution
because you want to do
something that you are not naturally
inclined towards. But the
simple thing is, are you naturally
inclined to be joyful or miserable?
Think about when you were a
child – you were joyful. Someone
had to make you unhappy. The
natural inclination of life is for
pleasantness and exuberance.
So, how joyful shall you be in
the coming year?
Just keep accounts.
Many people who are in
business think that they should
keep accounts only for the sake
of the Income Tax. No, you keep
accounts because otherwise
you do not know whether you
are making a profit or a loss. To
know whether you are moving
forward or backwards, you need
an account book.
So, why don’t you keep an
account book? Just check at the
end of the day, “Am I a little more
joyful today than yesterday?”
If you had done this since you
were five years of age, you would
have been ecstatic by now.
Every day, every month, just
keep accounts, “Am I becoming
more joyful or less joyful?”
All about Joy
There are only two things to
keep track of – how joyful you are
and how much joy you give to
people around you. You can keep
accounts of this.
People are keeping accounts of
their money, as if they are going
to carry it with them forever.
But the real wealth of life is how
joyful you are, how wonderful
and profound your experience of
life is.
Joy is not a goal by itself, but it
is a necessary ambiance for life. If
you do not set this one ambiance,
then whatever you have will go
waste.
More than a goal
You may have health, but that
will go waste because there are
more people on this planet who
are healthy and miserable than
unhealthy and miserable.
This is our time on this planet.
What are we going to do? Are we
going to make this into an exuberant,
joyful, wonderful planet, or
are we going to make this into a
miserable, horrible one? We are
free to do this either way – the
choice is yours.
Ranked among the Fifty Most
Influential People in India,
Sadhguru is a Yogi, Mystic,
Visionary and Best-Selling Author.
He was conferred, ‘Padma
Vibhushan,’ the second highest
civilian honour by the Indian
Government in 2017.
Isha Foundation New
Zealand conducts Isha Inner
Engineering and Hatha yoga
Programmes. It also offers free
Isha Kriya and Isha Upa yoga
practices for the General public
regularly. For more information,
please call 022-4637811 or
visit www.ishayoga.nz
Global Finance donates toys to underprivileged children
Venkat Raman
Leading Mortgage and
Insurance Broker Global
Finance donated toys to
underprivileged children,
enabling them to enjoy Christmas
along with the rest of the communities.
The Company’s Managing
Director Ajay Kumar presented
the toys at Humm FM 106.2
Radio Station during its ‘Xmas
for Kids 55-Hour Radiothon 2018’
Programme last week.
The Auckland based Radio
Station conducts the Programme
every year to help thousands
of poor children celebrate
Christmas.
“This is a part of our social and
community responsibility. We
work with and for communities
and we believe that it is our duty
to help poorer sections of the society.
Christmas is a joyous occasion
Global Finance Managing Director Ajay Kumar with
Humm FM RJ Sandy
(Picture Supplied)
and Global Finance is happy to
participate in the drive to enable
underprivileged children to enjoy
the festive season. Christmas is
an occasion for all and no one,
especially children should be left
out,” he told Indian Newslink.
The Salvation Army Connection
Three Radio Presenters
(Vijay, Dev and Sandy) hosted the
Programme for 55 hours, taking
turns from 6 am on Thursday,
December 6 to 1 pm on Friday,
with the patronage of the Indian
community and the Salvation
Army.
They collected toys during the
Programme, which are being
distributed to struggling families
at the Social Service Centre of
the Salvation Army in Royal Oak,
Auckland.
It was the fourth consecutive
year of the service for Humm
106.2 FM.
Growing donations
Station Director Roshila Prasad
described the Radiothon as ‘The
Humm FM way to help listeners
join the Christmas Spirit of
Giving.’
“Listeners have been quick
to support, with the number of
donations growing every year.
More than 4000 brand new toys
were given last year. I think
giving is part of being human.
No one wants to see others miss
out at Christmas and we are very
proud of the community, they are
so generous,” she said.
Ms Prasad that the Programme
also brought together businesses,
families and people in the community
to bring Christmas gifts to
Humm 106.2 FM Station, located
at 16 Taylors Road, Morningside,
Auckland City.
“We also welcome them to join
us on Air,” Ms Prasad said.
“We have people donating all
the time. We have a lot of parents
who come and do this with their
children, because they want to
teach them to be generous, to be
thankful for what you have, and
share with those less fortunate.”
Sharing Christmas Joy
Salvation Army Royal Oak
Director Rod Ellis said that the
Centre gives away about 2000 toy
hampers to families and other
social agencies at Christmas.
“Sharing gifts is an emotional
time, as families receive the
joy of a Christmas they thought
might not come and the hope that
others are supporting them at a
difficult time. Sometimes people
break down in tears. Most of
them give you a hug. We do what
we can each year, but there are a
lot of families we will not be able
to help without the generosity of
Humm FM,” he said.
Sindhis celebrate Cultural Day, honour ancient Civilisation
Supplied Content
Members of the
Sindhi community
in Auckland marked
their Culture Day on
Saturday, December 15, 2018.
The event was organised by
the ‘All Sindhi Association of New
Zealand’ (ASAN) at Aotea Square
on Queen Street.
Manoj Rathi of the Association
said that the ‘Sindh Cultural Day’
is being observed since 2009, “to
protect the oldest ‘Sindhi Ajrak’
and ‘Sindhi TOPI’ industry.”
“The event is celebrated in
December in all countries where
Sindhi live,” he said.
About the Sindhi Tradition
According to historic records,
the Sindh and Indus Valley
Civilisation flourished about 4500
Excavated ruins of Mohenjo-daro, Sindh province, Pakistan (Picture from Wikipedia)
years ago in the vast river plains
of what are now Pakistan and
North Western India. Stated to be
one of the world’s oldest urban
civilisations (3300–1300 BCE), it
spread across the Indus River
basin East, West, North and South
over 500,000 square miles, making
it the largest known ancient
civilisation, encompassing five
million people.
The Colonies
The colonies are in the Punjab,
Sindh and Baluchistan areas
Dholavira in Gujarat (India), one of the largest cities of Indus Valley Civilisation
of current Pakistan, Rajasthan,
Haryana and Gujarat belt of India
and North Eastern Afghanistan,
corresponding to the ‘Harappan
Civilization.’
The geography of the Indus
Valley put the civilisations that
arose there in a highly similar
situation to those in Egypt and
Peru, with rich agricultural lands
surrounded by highlands, desert
and ocean.

JANUARY 15, 2019
Communitylink
Auckland women glorify sartorial elegance of the Saree
A unique meeting of ‘Saree Speak’ becomes a Traffic Stopper in Remuera
17
Saree Speak Sakhis Meet organisers Bindu Handa
and Bavani CT Suresh
Sasi Indiran, host of the ‘Saree Speak Sakhis’ at here Sahana Restaurant on Remuera
Road, Auckland
The Traffic Stoppers on Remuera Road, Auckland
Saree anecdotes were amusing
Saree Draping Contest Group 1: Kanchana Mala Reddy,
Urvashi Shinde in Bengal Athpourey drape, Manasi Chivate,
Madhuri Yamine
Supplied, Edited Content
Of all the dress materials
worn by women in the
world, the Indian Saree is
unique in that it is the only
garment that could be worn by any
person, anytime, anywhere.
It also remains the only garment
that would conform to any cultural,
age or income group in India and
the rest of the world; and worn to
preserve the traditional values of
a religion or society or reflect the
modern trend of exhibitionism and
glamour.
The saree is tailored as costume
by performers of Indian classical
dances, including Bharata Natyam
and Kuchipudi. Such costumes can
be worn generally by the person
for whom they are specifically
made.
Special Day for Special Women
January 5, 2019 was a Special
Day for 24 women in Auckland,
Aotearoa.
The day dawned a little more
beautiful, a little sunnier, a little
breezier, as if the heavens were
smiling in anticipation of an
unfolding meeting. The quiet, leafy
suburb of Remuera too appeared
unaware of Sasi Indiran bustling
about at ‘Sahana,’ her Restaurant,
to cater to this exotic meet.
Saree Draping Contest Group 2: Kirithika Kiki, Neelam
Sajwan Rawat in a Gujarati drape, Kishori Telang, Charul
Shah, Varu Iyer, Melanie Jeyakumar
The women assembled at 2
pm, draped in exotic sarees from
the diverse regions of the Indian
subcontinent, beautiful in their
timeless elegance and simplicity.
And what a coming together it
was! Some of them did not know
each other, but were united in their
love for the simple, yet stunning
stretch of material, the Saree.
Among them were Anusha
Suresh, Bavani Suresh, Bhargavi
Kotte, Bindu Handa, Charul
Shah, Jyoti Raj, Kanchana Mala
Reddy, Kanika Diesh, Kirithika Kiki,
Kishori Telang, Madhuri Yamineni,
Manasi Chivate, Meena Kalyanpur
Basrur, Melanie Jeyakumar,
Mumtaj Agarbattiwala, Neelam
Sajwan Rawat, Ravika Java, Santhriga
Kannan, Sasi Indiran, Sneha
Indiran, Urvashi Shinde, Varu Iyer,
Vasu Moses and Vindhya Suresh.
Facebook Friends
The women are members of a
Facebook Group ‘Saree Speak,’
launched by Vini Tandon Keni of
Goa in Western India with a simple
but empowering vision.
Ms Keni said that she started the
Group mainly to inspire herself
to wear sarees regularly, thereby
setting an example for others,
transcending barriers of religion,
politics, race, caste, creed.
The ‘Saree Speak’ members are
fondly referred to as ‘Saree Sakhis.’
The afternoon get together,
called, ‘Auckland New Zealand
Saree Speak Meet,’ was initiated by
Bavani Suresh, who, after scrolling
down the ‘Saree Speak Page’ (on
Facebook) and noting the many
meets occurring worldwide, decided
to post a question to women in
Auckland for a ‘Saree Speak Meet’
during the Christmas/New Year
break.
It triggered a wave of response,
leading to the special gathering.
Bavani liaised with Bindu Handa,
another member, and together
they met with ‘Saree Speak Sakhi’
venue owner Sasi Indiran. The rest
was easy.
Anecdotes galore
The Meeting began with Registration
and a Photo Shoot in front of
the ‘Saree Speak’ logo. The women
were then ushered to their tables,
identified by different sarees.
Bavani initiated the event with a
welcome speech, then went on to
some hilarious icebreakers – two
truths and one lie : some ladies
professed to have two husbands
and had co-piloted airplanes

18
JANUARY 15, 2019
Entertainmentlink
Indian, Sri Lankan talent on show at Sydney Festival
Venkat Raman
Indian and Sri Lankan
artistes and an Indo-New
Zealand production are
among the highlights of the
Sydney Festival scheduled to
be held at various locations in
Paramatta from January 7 to
January 27, 2018.
Venues, tickets and times
vary between events and hence
readers are advised to visit the
official Sydney Festival website
www.sydneyfestival.org.au
Mallakhamb India
The Indian segment will feature
‘Mallakhamb,’ a traditional
Indian sport that combines
Gymnastics and Yoga.
Five artistes bring back
the ancient sport that tests
the calibre and endurance of
performers.
‘Mallar Khambam’ in Tamil,
‘Malla Khamba’ in Kannada
and ‘Malla Khamb’ in Marathi
depicts a wrestler (‘Mallar’
of ‘Malla’) on a ‘Khambam,’
‘Khamba’ or ‘Khamb’ (Pole) performing
various feats including
Yogic postures, gymnastics and
various poses.
This sport was performed in
streets until the 1960s drawing
children, pedestrians and others
as a form of free amusement.
‘Malla Khamb’ was originally
developed from a training
practice into a form of art.
This performance is a rare
opportunity to see the form’s
top artistes bring their unique
practice from Mumbai, in a
masterful show by Australian
director Benjamin Knapton with
a live soundtrack performed by
Mumbai-based musician Donn
Bhatt.
‘Malla Khamb’ is both physically
brutal and tender, spiritual
‘Bridge of Dreams’- Sandy Evans and Bobby Singh (Photo
by Karen Steains)
Bringing back 'Mallakhamb' (Photo by Benjamin Knapton)
and irreverent, astounding and
human; it is about the artistes
that present it, their bodies and
how they connect with the world
around them.
Bridge of Dreams
India’s rich musical palette will
meet top Australian Jazz talent in
‘Bridge of Dreams,’ a collaboration
that would bring to the Sydney
Festival Hindustani Singer Shubha
Mudgal, Jazz Saxophonist Sandy
Evans, Tabla Maestro Aneesh
‘Counting and Cracking’ (Photo by Daniel Boud and Malith Hegoda)
Pradhan and his disciple Bobby
Singh; and Classical Harmonium
Player Sudhir Nayak.
They will be accompanied by
17-piece Jazz Super-Collective
Sirens Big Band, with Sydney’s
leading female and trans musicians.
A World Premier, ‘Bridges of
Dreams’ boasts of music composed
by Shubha Mudgal, Aneesh
Pradhan and Sandy Evans,
recorded in Mumbai and Sydney.
This is a Project of ideas
between world-class collaborators
working in complex, ever-evolving
genres. ‘Bridge of Dreams’
spans everything from improvisational
Jazz to Hindustani,
Classical, Bollywood and Indipop.
Counting and Cracking
‘Counting and Cracking’ is an
Australian Play that will be staged
at the Sydney Town Hall, with Sri
Lankan meal served.
Written by S Shakthidharan,
a popular Australian storyteller
with Sri Lankan Heritage and
Ancestry, ‘Counting and Cracking’
narrates the story of Radha and
her son Siddhartha who prepare
to settle down in Sydney’s western
suburbs.
They receive a phone call from
Colombo which bring back their
past life.
Shanghai Mimi (Photo Credit: Yang Xiaohuo)
Sixteen actors play four generations
of a family, in a story about
Australia as a land of refuge;
Sri Lanka’s efforts to remain
united; and reconciliation within
families, across countries, across
generations.
It is a timely illustration of
the ways in which Australia
transforms those who come here
and is itself transformed, that
ultimately reveals not how much
separates us, but what we all have
in common.
About the Sydney Festival 2019
The annual cultural celebration
Sydney Festival returns to
transform the City from January 9
to January 27, 2019, delivering the
highest quality art and big ideas.
It would feature 18 World Premieres,
five Australian Premieres
and eight Australian exclusives
along with a variety of new
Australian co-commissions.
Theatre Shows
Roslyn Packer Theatre will be
the home of two international
hit theatre shows, namely,
‘Beware of Pity,’ a Complicité
and Schaubühne Berlin Theatre
collaboration, directed by
internationally renowned Simon
McBurney coming exclusively to
Sydney Festival, and ‘HOME,’ a
magical meditation on safety and
Ram-A-Thon planned in aid of Friends of Fiji Health
10 kilometres of Walk on February 3, 2019
Thakur Ranjit Singh
shelter by award-winning theatre
performer, director and absurdist
Geoff Sobelle.
Life-affirming Celebration
Audience interaction will build
throughout ‘HOME,’ to culminate
in a giant wine-swilling life-affirming
celebration.
The ‘Festival Garden’ and
world-famous Magic Mirrors
‘Spiegeltent’ return to Hyde Park
in January to feature Pigalle, a
new festival commission.
It is set in a Parisian nightclub,
Pigalle is a carousel of music,
muscles and abandon from
the makers of Velvet, starring
Marcia Hines, Iota and Bangarra’s
Waangenga Blanco.
Throughout the Festival, the
tent also showcases a diverse musical
line-up including Orquesta
Akokán, a 13-piece mambo band
direct from Cuba; South African
neo-soul singer and queer icon
with charisma to burn Nakhane;
American art-pop composer
Julia Holter; the Godfather of
Ethio-Jazz Mulatu Astatke, backed
by the eight-piece Black Jesus
Experience; acoustic desert-blues
trio Les Filles de Illighadad; and
sparkling stars of the cabaret
world Paul Capsis, Camille O’Sullivan
and Le Gateau Chocolat.
What started four
years ago as a
prop to raise funds
for completing
Shri Ram Mandir in the West
Auckland suburb of Henderson
has grown to become an annual
fundraiser for needy organisations.
First, we helped Starship Children’s
Hospital with a collection
of more than $10,000. Second,
we raised about $16,000 for St
John’s Ambulance.
The next Walkathon, which
has been named, ‘Ram-A –Thon’
to reflect its initiative from
Shri Ram Mandir, will be held
on Sunday, February 3, 2019,
with a target to far surpass past
collections. This will be to help
people needing urgent medical
attention in Fiji. Funds collected
will go to ‘Friends of Fiji Health,’
which organises volunteer
doctors to help people in Fiji.
Walk with a difference
Unlike past walks which was
day-long, walking through built
up area and roads, we have
reduced this walk to just 10 kms.
And we have shifted closer to
home in West Auckland.
It commences at Shri Ram
Mandir at 830 am (assembly at 8
File Photo of ‘Ram-a-Thon’ held on December 11, 2016, showing National List MP Kanwaljit
Singh Bakshi addressing the walkers at Winter Garden, Auckland Domain.
am) at 11 Brick Street, proceed to
Sturges Road Train Station, wind
down to Vintage Drive (off Sturges)
and join the picturesque cemented
walkway of Henderson through
beautiful forests, vines, and Oratia
Stream, between Central Park
Drive and Henderson Valley Road.
The major break will be at 359
Henderson Valley Road Ashram.
Family Fun Day
The main difference this year
is the addition of a Family Fun
Day. The Walk will terminate at
Henderson Park, where a day full
of activities has been planned from
11 am. These will include Women’s
Volleyball and Penalty Kicks, Men’s
7-A-Side Soccer & Tug o’ War, Senior
Citizens’ Lawn Bowling & Ball
and Bucket, Children’s Marble &
Spoon, Sack Race, Relay and other
non-competitive programmes for
all age groups.
For Soccer fans from Fiji, the
attraction will be Division and
Competition according to ten districts
as follows: Rakiraki, Tavua,
Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Nadroga, Suva,
Nasinu, Rewa and Labasa.
Message of Spirituality
The most important message is
to religious organisations to follow
in the helping spirit of Shri Ram
Mandir.
Managing Trustee Pravin Kumar
said that this type of walkathon
has multi-pronged objectives.
“We have advised from the outset
that the priority of this Charity
Walk is not fundraising. While that
is one of the aims, it is one on low
Phil Twyford (now Housing, Urban Development and Transport) with (from left) Thakur Ranjit
Singh, Waitakere Indian Association President Mahendra Sharma, Henderson-Massey Local
Board Chairman Shane Henderson and Pravin Kumar at McCormick Park in Te Atatu South on
December 11, 2016. (Pictures supplied by Thakur Ranjit Singh)
priority,” he said.
Multiple Objectives
Mr Pravin said that the Walk has
multiple objectives. They are (a) To
engage with the wider community,
including children, youth, elders,
women and people from all walks
to life – enhancing diversity, teamwork,
networking and promoting
multiculturalism (b) To create
awareness of well-being, healthy
living, walking, exercising and
keeping fit (c) Raise funds for
worthy charitable causes and help
inculcate the concept of helping
others who are less fortunate
than us (d) Work collaboratively
with other likeminded charitable,
community and religious organisations
and (e) Get corporate and
commercial businesses on board
as sponsors
The Walkathon encourages
other religious organisations to
widen their focus from religious
to spiritual wellbeing of the
community.
Further information can be
obtained from Event Director Mahendra
Sharma on 027-6613242.
Email: family_sharma@hotmail.
com
For further details can also be
obtained from Shri Ram Mandir
Facebook Page or from Pundit
Markand Bhatt on (09) 8364647 at
the Mandir.
Thakur Ranjit Singh is a Member
of the ‘Ram-A-Thon’ Organising
Committee. He is a Media
Commentator and runs his blog,
‘Fiji Pundit.’

JANUARY 15, 2019
Model of the Fortnight
Entertainmentlink
19
Mahesh Bindra, Rais Alvi and Dr Yousuf Hayat
Rais Alvi, Mahesh Bindra, Dr Yousuf Hayat and Farrukh Gul Kaisrani
Mahesh Bindra, Rais Alvi, Dr Yousuf Hayat and Tauqir Khan
Adnan Mirza, Farah H Alvi and Rais Alvi (Pictures Supplied)
Visiting bard inspires lovers of Mushaira and Ghazals
Farah Rais Alvi
An evening with Professor
Rais Alvi was held on
December 21, 2018, at
the residence of Adnan
Mirza (and this Reporter) in
North Shore, Auckland with the
cooperation of Bazm e Adab and
Indian Newslink.
Called, ‘Ek Sham Rais Alvi Ke
Naam’ (‘An Evening in the name
of Rais Alvi’), it was an event to
remember.
Celebrated Poet and author
Professor Rais Alvi is an
Games, cultural programmes and
networking make up a busy programme
at a newly formed organisation
in Auckland.
The Programme, called, ‘Tamilar
Thiruvizha’ (Tamilians Festival) will be
held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Mt
Roskill War Memorial Hall, located at 13,
May Road, Mt Roskill.
The new body, called, ‘Tamil Association
of New Zealand Inc’ (TANZI) will be officially
launched at the event.
Sports and Culture
Association President Sowndra
(Sowndar) Rajan Palanisamy said that the
Progamme will commence with outdoor
activities at 2 pm.
“These will include Kabaddi, Kolam
(Rangoli) and fun games for all ages, up to
4 pm. Our cultural progamme will commence
inside the auditorium at 5 pm. This
will comprise Fancy Dress Parade by children,
music and dance by Nivetha and her
team, Rhythmic Thunder School, Bharati
and the Moksha Team, Chennai City
Gangzta (Academy of Dance) and Yalini.
The Programme will include traditional
Tamil food and games” he said.
Tickets and Contacts
Tickets priced at $10 per adult and $5
per child are available. Further information
can be obtained from Aaron Samuel
Joseph on 021-02588847; Pradeep Ravi on
021-442147; Tamil Maran on 021-1609800;
Guhan Gunasekaran on 021-740818.
About TANZI
Sowndar described ‘TANZI’ as a group
of people who have come together to help
Tamil people from all over the world and
in particular from Tamil Nadu to settle
eminent poet, writer, and author
of a number of books on Japanese
literature and Poetry.
The evening, with invited
guests, witnessed an amazing
Mushaira and a wonderful musical
performance by the artistes,
in the presence of literary and
political maestros.
They included former Member
of Parliament and Chief Guest
Mahesh Bindra, Tauqir Khan
(known to Indian Newslink
readers as ‘Payami’), Roopa
Suchdev and other leaders of the
New Association plans celebration
for Tamilians in Auckland
Half-day event starts at 2 pm on January 26, 2019
Venkat Raman
community.
Mr Mirza (and this Reporter)
welcomed the gathering with
floral tributes to Guests of
Honour, followed a Guftugu
(Conversation) Session with
Professor Alvi.
This session was hosted by Dr
Yousuf Hayat.
The Q&A Session on the life and
works of Professor Mohammad
Rais Alvi was interesting and
informative.
Soulful Music
The evening proceeded with
down smoothly in New Zealand.
“TANZI has been informally serving
Tamil-speaking people for the past two
years through ‘Jallikattu,’ a WhatsApp
group with has more than 450 members.
We have helped a good number of new
immigrants in finding jobs, meet and assist
on arrival, accommodation, buying
and selling vehicles, advice on education,
career and legal matters and other issues,”
he said.
He said that TANZI’s informal service
has been very well received and appreciated,
encouraging its establishment as a
registered, not-for-profit organisation.
“We look forward to the active support
and collaboration of all New Zealanders
to be enable us render service and expand
the scope further to reach the community
at large,” he said.
Sowndar said that the Association
hopes to make an impact with its ‘Tamilar
Thiruvizha’ on January 26, 2019.
Sowndra Rajan Palanisamy can be
reached on 021-1804908.
Part Time workers wanted
For Niche Media in Auckland, New Zealand
We are looking for part time staff to help with
handing out brochures at the following regions;
Tauranga: January 26 to January 28, 2019 from
3 pm to 5 pm: 4ea Staff (for each day)
Hamilton: January 31, 2019 from 3 pm to 5 pm:
10ea Staff
Wellington: January 3 and February 6, 2019:
10ea Staff (for each day)
Auckland: February 8, 2019: 7 pm to 9 pm:
16 Staff
If you would like to earn a few dollars and enjoy
a day out at Cricket, please contact; Admin@
NicheMedia.co.nz for more information.
Happy Cricket Season!
the musical performance of
Auckland’s famous Nisar Mirza’s
ghazals and songs. Distinct
flavours were added by Arif and
Joseph with their unique style of
late Mohammed Rafi and Kishore
Kumar.
Past and Contemporary Poetry
The Mushaira began with
Ghazals by Master of Ceremonies
Dr Yousuf Hayat.
Among the participants were
Payami, Rehana Yousuf, Waqar
Qureshi from Whakatane, Hanan
Khan, Irfan and Atta ur Rehman
Qureshi from Melbourne.
The final touches were given
by Professor Alvi who presented
his Haiku and Ghazals which
were highly appreciated by the
audience.
Mr Bindra lauded the efforts
of Mr Mirza this Reporter for
organising a great literary and
musical evening.
Among the highlights of ‘Ek
Sham Rais Alvi Ke Naam’ was the
high tea served the Mirza family
including Adnan, this Reporter,
Hassan, Nisaa and Nusha.

20
JANUARY 15, 2019
Sportslink
Kohli in great form, Australians continue their dirty tricks
Debutant steers Blackcaps to victory over Sri Lanka
Clay Wilson
Vijay Nyayapati
Love or hate him, Virat
Kohli is a player who is
unbelievably passionate
about his Sport, an
epitome of hard work, and adores
playing for his country.
He has not only triggered the
wave of a new multi-generational
fan-following, but is smashing his
way through all sorts of records.
Smashing Records
The Tendulkar Fan Club would
be watching in awe at what Kohli
has been able to achieve. A simple
but unbelievable statistic is that
he is averaging 87 Runs in One-
Day Internationals (ODI) since the
last World Cup four years back.
Although the series victory was
in Tests, and the ODI is a different
format, it is the momentum that
Kohli and India have captured.
The Test Series
By winning the Border-Gavaskar
Test series in
Australia after 71 years of trying,
India has shown to world where
the sport’s true domination
lies. And, more importantly,
the manner in which they have
done it under Kohli’s direction
has earned them respect from
across the globe, including many
Australian supporters.
The series has brought focus
on ethics and professionalism,
exemplified by its flamboyant
leader Kohli.
Langer’s outburst
Following hurls of abuses by
Australian coach Justin Langer,
the Australian media went on a
Virat Kohli, aWorld-Class Cricketer (Picture Courtesy: The Pioneer)
character assassination of Kohli.
Langer found Kohli’s fist pumps
and celebratory roars at the fall
of a wicket rather too aggressive
and somewhat sickening. He
was quoted as saying “Australians
would be the worst blokes in
the world if they celebrated like
Kohli.”
Someone ought to remind
Langer of the facts and how his
own team have gone about their
business.
Annoying Australians
Perhaps the most annoying
aspect of any Australian cricket
team to-date has been their
excessive sledging and physical
aggressiveness on field.
Past Incidents have seen Glenn
McGrath spitting on players,
Shane Warne shoving players
and taking diuretics for extra
strength, Mark Waugh implicated
in bookie scandals and
Brett Lee hurling beamers in his
so-called ‘brain fade’ moments.
A recent video that has gone
viral shows the very same
Langer discretely disturbing the
bails in a Test match, and his
team then appealing for a “hit
wicket” dismissal. Surely, these
would be even “worse blokes”
who could not stomach the
opponent doing well.
Bordering on ethics
To the outside world, Australia
have consistently bordered on
ethics when it came to their
cricket team. More often than
not, they have gotten away, until
the very recent ball tampering
issue involving then Captain
Steve Smith.
Cheating India
Smith and the team management
were also caught cheating
on their last India tour. Smith
looked up to Lehman, sitting
in the veranda with television
replays at his disposal, on
Bancroft caught on Camera. Picture source: Twitter through CricTraker
whether they should use the
Decision Review System (DRS) or
not. At first Smith and Lehman
denied, then Smith said he had
a ‘brain fade’ moment. The issue
was supressed.
Ball-tampering issue
Months later, the ball tampering
issue came up. After initial denial,
they only confessed after video
evidence against them was way
too overwhelming.
To think that the claim of then
coach Darren Lehman of knowing
nothing of the plot involving
Smith, David Warner and Cameron
Bancroft makes one ponder
on how naïve he thinks the public
are.
Cricket Australia
Lehman was not exactly a
model cricketer in his time, and
hugely infamous for his consistent
racist rants. Much like now, the
Australian media backed him
outright. It is only after overseas
media scrutiny that he admitted to
having ‘brain fade’ moments and
statements to the effect, “that is
not who I really am.”
The reality is that Cricket Australia
(CA) had backed their team
in all instances of wrong doings.
The culture got to such a point,
team members had been in denial
of any wrong-doings.
Targeting Opposition
As if that were not enough, they
would target opposition teams of
being cheats and not playing in
the “spirit of the game.”
By their own admission, CA
and the associated management
structures, had nurtured a culture
of “win by all means.” CA has
now initiated a change in this
approach.
The trouble is, some in their
camp are still in denial for all that
has happened. What they need
is a radically different approach
to their attitude and play the
sport clean and win back public
support.
The big question remains - could
Kohli’s team have achieved this
feat with cheats Warner and Smith
still in the side? No one knows,
and frankly, no one should really
care. The fact is Australia fielded
their best eleven – and they were
beaten, comprehensively.
Agreat innings from
Doug Bracewell
and debutant Scott
Kuggeleijn helped
New Zealand recover
from a poor start to win their
one-off T20 match against Sri
Lanka.
The Black Caps were 35-run
victors at Eden Park, Auckland
on Friday, January 11, 2019,
breaking a six-game losing streak
in the shortest format.
Winless tour for Lankans
The result ensured a winless
tour for Sri Lanka, with the hosts
winning the two-test series and
securing a 3-0 clean-sweep in the
one-day internationals.
Earlier in the night, it had
looked as though the visitors
may finish their trip with aconsolation
win after all.
Sri Lanka, who won the toss
and chose to bowl first, reduced
New Zealand to 55-5 at the halfway
point of their innings before
Bracewell and Kuggeleijn turned
things around.
Only called into the side after
an injury to fellow all-rounder
Jimmy Neesham, Bracewell
clubbed 44 off 26.
Kuggeleijn, making his T20 international
debut after a pair of
ODIs in Ireland last year, hit 35
off 15.
Hopes fade with Perera
Sri Lanka’s chase started well,
Doug Bracewell in action for the Black Caps. Photo: Photosport
but the removal of the dangerous
Thisara Perera as he approached
50 was the beginning
of the end for his team’s hopes.
From 118-4 and ahead of the
required run rate, the visitors
were all out for 144 in the 17th
over.
Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl
first was almost certainly based
on Eden Park’s reputation as a
favourable place to chase, rather
than form with the ball.
But having conceded 1054
runs to lose the one-dayers 3-0,
the most ever in a three-match
ODI series, the visiting bowlers
had reason to smile in the early
stages of the contest.
Hosts struggle at start
Martin Guptill (one run), Tim
Seifert (two) and Henry Nicholls
(four) were all dismissed cheaply
as the Black Caps struggled to
adjust to what appeared asomewhat
sticky surface.
Colin Munro threatened a
counter-attack but, when he followed
for 16 off seven, the hosts
were in strife at 27-4.
After a 28-run partnership
between Ross Taylor, whose
33 played a valuable role settling
the situation, and the returning
Mitchell Santner, it was
Bracewell who initiated New
Zealand’s fightback.
Sodhi strikes
The Central Districts player
signalled his intentions with a
big straight six to finish the 12th
over and hit five more maximums
before his departure.
That show of power was infectious
for Kuggeleijn, who
launched four sixes of his own,
New Zealand leg spin bowler Ish Sodhi appeals successfully for a LBW decision to dismiss Dasun
Shanaka (Pictures by Photosport as published by RNZ)
the last of which came from the
last ball of the innings.
Thanks largely to Bracewell
and Kuggeleijn, who combined
for 41 runs in just 16 balls, the
Black Caps thumped 124 runs in
their final 10 overs.
While they had lost three wickets,
brisk innings from Kusal
Perera (23 off 12) and Niroshan
Dickwella (18 off 10) helped Sri
Lanka race to 61 for three after
the six-over powerplay.
Thisara Perera, who had terrorised
the New Zealand bowlers
with brutal innings of 140 and 80
in the final two ODIs, continued
that momentum.
And as he took his side past
100, the big left-hander looked
like he might finally be rewarded
with a victory.
But a double strike from fast
bowler Lockie Ferguson in the
13th over, including removing
Perera for 43 off 24 balls, swung
the match back in the Black
Caps’ favour.
From there spin duo Ish Sodhi
and Mitchell Santner swept up
the tail, to ensure New Zealand
would greet India on a winning
note.
Ferguson finished the pick of
the Black Caps’ bowlers with
3-21 from his three overs, while
Sodhi recovered from some early
punishment to take 3-30 off
3.5.
Clay Wilson is Sports Reporter
at Radio New Zealand. Indian
Newslink has published the
above Report and Pictures under
a Special Agreement with
www.rnz.co.nz