The Indian Weekender Friday, 23 October 2020

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4 NEW ZEALAND Friday, October 23, 2020 The Indian Weekender ELECTION OF FIR electorate MP ma SANDEEP SINGH FOR RNZ rising political aspirations then the Kiwi-Indian community has been left poorer after this Like the rest of the nation, the Kiwi- election. Indian community is left stunned by For at least the last three terms, the Kiwithe dramatic electoral verdict that many Indian community sent three co-ethnic MPs in experts believe may have the potential to alter the Parliament, via different political parties. the future trajectory of New Zealand politics. In 2017 the National Party had two Kiwi- In the absence of any scientific poll or survey, Indian MPs, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr there is always a challenge of accurately Parmjeet Parmar, both based in Auckland, assessing how the voting patterns within the while the Labour Party had one Kiwi-Indian community would have changed, if at all, MP, Priyanca Radhakrishnan. during this election. In 2014, along with the two National MPs, However, many in the community would New Zealand First was able to bring a Kiwihave voted to reward Prime Minister Jacinda Indian MP into Parliament, perhaps setting an Ardern’s stellar leadership in managing expectation within the community that three Covid-19 and keeping New Zealand safe - at might be the new normal when it comes to least for now. having representation. that has been instrumental in swinging many than dramatic. Immigration woes, particularly The majority of the Kiwi-Indian voters This election has only returned two Kiwiundecided voters one way or the other. those emanating from an absence of political would not fall into the category of the so-called Indian MPs - Radhakrishnan and the first-time The personal popularity of Sir John Key decisiveness and clarity on the policy, and “tactical voters” who, according to recent Labour MP from Hamilton West, Dr Gaurav was instrumental in swinging the community’s operational bungles, directly impact on the commentators, are pointing out that some chose Sharma. votes towards the National Party away from real lives and futures of people within ethnic to shift their votes tactically to the Labour Party, Bakshi, who was the first India-born MP the Labour Party, and it seems Ardern has migrant communities and can often influence to deny the Green Party a stronger position in of the NZ Parliament, along with Parmar, decisively swung back those undecided voters votes of others within the community. the new government. who were both List MPs, are not returning to within the Kiwi-Indian community towards In that regard, the latest election results The Kiwi-Indian community clearly were not Parliament post-election. Labour in this election. also have another stunning, if not dramatic, facing any such dilemma, and their relationship Given the community has faced some significance for the Kiwi-Indian community. Another stunning outcome is the election with the Green Party remains - despite some of the first-ever electorate Kiwi-Indian MP in pressing issues in the last term - particularly Mixed bag of results for Kiwigrowing interest in green politics in recent Parliament - an outcome for which apparently the immigration mess, where there was a years - at best supremely indifferent. Indian community many within the community have been secretly noticeable outrage because of a perceived Traditionally, it has always been the If the number of total co-ethnic MPs in hoping for many years. Sharma stormed home sense of systemic bias on partnership visa popularity and the charisma of party leaders Parliament was any measure of a community’s on election night in Hamilton West. woes and Indian marriages - this is nothing less Aged 60-74? Don’t forget about bowel screening. You can do it at home and it may save your life. Chartered Accountants We provide the right solutions at very reasonable price! Accounting and Taxes • End of year Accounts • Income Tax & GST Returns • Book–keeping & Financial Accounts • Small Business / Rental Property Accounts • LTC & Trust Accounts • Tax Advisory • Business Valuations Due Diligence • MYOB & Xero Software Accounting FREE PHONE 0800 924 432 TO FIND OUT MORE GO TO www.timetoscreen.nz Bowel Screening is free for those aged 60 to 74 years who live in the Waitematā DHB area and are eligible for publicly funded health care. Call me for a FREE Consultation Mobile: 021 129 0810 Office Ph: 09 263 00 00 Free Ph: 0800 82 55 99 Mukesh Arora FCCA (UK) CA (NZ) Macro Accounting & Tax Advisors Limited 116B, Cavendish Drive, Manukau, Auckland 2104, New Zealand Email: mukesh@macroaccounting.co.nz Website: www.macroaccounting.co.nz
The Indian Weekender Friday, October 23, 2020 NEW ZEALAND 5 ST KIWI-INDIAN rks a milestone A small segment of the Kiwi-Indian community have become disillusioned with the system of list MPs in recent times, saying the system did not allow the community to hold their co-ethnic MPs to account. Most within the community might not necessarily share this pessimism. It is unclear if that is because of their enhanced awareness of the political process within an immigrant-based multicultural country, or pure indifference. Political experts firmly believe that New Zealand’s MMP system (which allows list MPs in Parliament based on party vote share) is best suited to bring forward the views of minorities, including the ethnic migrant minority community, in mainstream politics. To what extent the success of electorate MP Dr Sharma will transform the mutual relations of “accountability and responsibility” between the Kiwi-Indian community and their respective co-ethnic MPs remains to be seen. For now, this is indeed a step forward in terms of the community’s overall engagement and integration within every level of political decision-making in this country. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi LOST to Jenny Salesa Panmure-Ōtāhuhu WINNING CANDIDATE: SALESA, Jenny: 16,784 2nd CANDIDATE: BAKSHI, Kanwaljit Singh: 3,243 Auckland Diwali festival to light up region IWK BUREAU Auckland Diwali Festival to take place from 27 October to 14 November and the programme is now live. More than 100 activities and experiences taking place at numerous local venues across the region. The Auckland Diwali Festival is set to light up communities across Auckland from 27 October to 14 November, with more than 100 activities and experiences taking place at numerous local venues across the region. Seven venues – from Warkworth to Papatoetoe – will have fuller programming featuring a mix of cooking, dance and music workshops, panel discussions, film nights, and activations from sponsors. A further 20 community venues regionwide will host local workshops and events, facilitated by Auckland Council Community Venues. The full line-up of free, familyfriendly events and experiences at each venue can be viewed at https://www.aucklandnz.com/ auckland-diwali-festival/festival-programmes Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said he was looking forward to Diwali, one of Auckland’s most popular cultural festivals. “The Diwali Festival is much loved by Aucklanders and important to our diverse communities,” he said. “While COVID-19 precautions mean that this year the festival won’t feature the traditional gathering in Aotea Square, the more than 100 events across the region will provide ample opportunity to celebrate the Festival of Lights with friends and family, while ensuring that everyone stays safe.” The Auckland Diwali Festival is delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED) in collaboration with Gaurav Sharma WON against Tim Macindoe Hamilton West WINNING CANDIDATE: SHARMA, Gaurav: 16,950 2nd CANDIDATE: MACINDOE, Tim: 12,525 Auckland Council, with founding partner Asia New Zealand Foundation and major partner Harcourts. ATEED Head of Major Events Richard Clarke says this year’s festival provide more ways for Aucklanders to enjoy this age-old Indian celebration. “While this year’s festival will be different, it offers exciting new ways to enjoy Diwali Festival and showcase Auckland’s vibrant Indian communities. This year the programme is much more focused on sharing knowledge through cooking, dance and craft workshops and engaging in important discussions, as well as simply enjoying films, dance and music,” says Clarke. Highlights of the programme include a spice market, art and light installations, competitions, Dr Parmjeet Parmar LOST to Michael Wood Mt Roskill WINNING CANDIDATE: WOOD, Michael Philip: 17,356 2nd CANDIDATE: PARMAR, Parmjeet: 7,842 a special Evening of Classical Indian Music, and a Radio Tarana Bollywood Dance Competition online. Auckland’s landmarks will also be lighting up in celebration of Diwali, including a rangoli-inspired show by Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Seven much-loved films will be played across key venues including Bride and the Prejudice, Lion, Yesterday, and Life of Pi, presented by ASB. Three free-entry panel discussions will explore women empowerment (Ellen Melville Centre, 30 October), modern day arranged marriages (Te Oro, Glen Innes, 31 October), and being comfortable being Indian (Auckland War Memorial Museum, 8 November). Shining a light on traditional arts and crafts will also be a key aspect of the daytime Priyanca Radhakrishnan LOST to Denise Lee Maungakiekie WINNING CANDIDATE: LEE, Denise: 13,013 2nd CANDIDATE: RADHAKRISHNAN, Priyanca: 12,433 programming, with workshops on making diya lamps, colouring rangoli, DIY henna, classical music, Bollywood and belly dance as well as more contemporary Bollyrobix classes. Free cooking classes and opportunities to enjoy chai tea and Diwali sweets will also be on the menu. In early September it was announced the festival would change this year from the usual format of a two-day event held in central Auckland. This decision was made following consultation between ATEED and the Diwali Advisory Group, which is comprised of representatives from Auckland’s Indian communities. ATEED and the Advisory Group agreed that it was best to deliver a festival that could meet the guidelines of Alert Level 2 or higher, if required.
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