The Indian Weekender, Friday 6 November 2020

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4 NEW ZEALAND Friday, November 6, 2020 The Indian Weekender MICHAEL WOOD’S elevation as cabinet Minister brings rejoice in Kiwi-Indian community SANDEEP SINGH The news of elevation of local Auckland MP Michael Wood as a cabinet minister in the new government has been received with much delight and rejoice within the Kiwi-Indian community. Undoubtedly, Wood who is MP for Mt Roskill – an area that holds the reputation of being the most ethnically diverse electorate of New Zealand with almost 40 per cent voters having been born overseas - is one of the great friends of the Kiwi-Indian community, along with other ethnic migrant minority communities. His connection, relative easy accessibility, along with a passion for supporting the members of the Kiwi- Indian community has made him immensely popular in a short span of time, not only within Auckland’s Indian community but also in rest of New Zealand. Wood was first elected to Parliament at the 2016 Mt Roskill by-election after it was vacated by former Labour MP Phil Goff who had nurtured the electorate for more than two decades by maintaining a personal connection with residents and their representative associations within the area. Since then Wood has not only filled into Goff’s shoes but also continued with his style of politics with an emphasis on personal rapport and connections with people, which has been generously rewarded by the voters in successive elections by sending him back to Parliament in 2017 & 2020 election. Many community leaders and representatives of major community organisations and associations have echoed similar sentiments with the Indian Weekender. Jeet Suchdev of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust told the Indian Weekender that he had known Wood for a number of years right from his days in Puketapapa local board and his hard work in connecting with people and growing in politics. “Over the years Wood has remained easily accessible and a great friend of our Trust at all times,” Suchdev said. “We deal with a number of cases related to people in distress which often requires urgent attention from the government and Wood has always ensured to remain connected,” Suchdev said. Narendra Bhana, President of Auckland Indian Association – one of the oldest Indian community organisations in New Zealand, said, “Michel Wood has been closely connected to vibrant and growing ethnic communities in New Zealand. He has been very supportive and more importantly a very good friend of the Auckland Indian Association Inc.” “We are happy for him to become a Minister of Transport and we wish him all the best for his journey ahead,” Bhana said. V a i Ravindran of Auckland Tamil Association – a Tamil community organisation which has recognised its special connection with Wood by honouring with a special title of “Tamil – Selvan” meaning “Son of Tamil” in 2018 also expressed rejoice on his elevation as a Cabinet Minister. “It is a great pride and honour for our “Tamil -Selvan” to be elevated as Cabinet Minister. We are confident that he will do well for the community and the entire country,” Ravindran said. Wood was re-elected to Parliament in 2017 and became Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities and became Chair of the Finance & Expenditure Select Committee. He became Senior Whip in mid-2019. There is an anticipation that his new portfolio of Minister of Transport will soar expectations within wider communities for quick and decisive action on Auckland’s public transport woes. Wood is a self-avowed champion of public transport (he and his family are an avid public transport user) and as local MP for Mt Roskill, which sits at the heart of the much-hyped and hugely anticipated light rail project, it is expected that the project might get off sooner than later. HAPPY DIWALI The Gateau House wishes you a Happy Diwali! May the lights bring you joy and prosperity and brighten your paths to a safe future! Mango Fresh Cream Gateau Call Now 274 7744 www.gateauhouse.com Queen St / Botany / Mt Eden / Newmarket / Henderson / Glenfield / Albany
The Indian Weekender Friday, November 6, 2020 NEW ZEALAND 5 Wellington Diwali Festival fireworks postponed to November 13 RIZWAN MOHAMMAD The Wellington Diwali fireworks display will light up the sky on Friday, November 13, after strong winds postponed the finale event (and alternate weather day) during the official Diwali festival event last weekend. The fireworks, sponsored by Kapura, have been rescheduled to go off at 9 p.m. along the waterfront in the vicinity of the Queen’s Wharf and Shed 6 area in Wellington – with the postponement (rain date) date of Sunday, November 15. Communities Action Trust of New Zealand (CATNZ) in support from Wellington City Council organised its annual festival of lights event, Diwali at TSB Arena on Sunday, October 25, during the Labour Day long weekend. The event witnessed over 16,000 attendance from all over Wellington region and scores of dance and music performances on the stage. One of the most iconic and popular events in the calendar of Wellingtonians, the Wellington Diwali Festival was held amid Alert Level 1 Covid restrictions this year and was perhaps the only two massive Diwali events in New Zealand. The other massive Diwali festival event was held in Christchurch on Saturday, October 24. Diwali festivals are held annually and known as the Festival of Lights; this ancient Hindu festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and the renewal of life. As per the Indian calendar, Puja Muhurat, the time for family prayers, is on Saturday, November 14. Your Trusted Financial Advisers Expert Advice for First Home Buyers Right advice and economical quote for all your insurance needs In Business Better rates and stress free loans Advice on best loan structures
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The Indian Weekender, Friday 6 November 2020

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