The Indian Weekender - 10 December 2021

10DECEMBER2021 • VOL 13 ISSUE 40
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The Indian Weekender Friday, December 10, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 3
No clear communication about India
removal from ‘very high-risk’ list
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH
On November 24, Covid-19 Response
Minister Chris Hipkins announced
that the ‘very high-risk’ classification
for Indonesia, Fiji, India, Pakistan, and Brazil
would be removed in early December.
The news was welcomed by Kiwi Indians
who were waiting for this announcement.
That’s because due to India being a very highrisk
country, only New Zealand citizens and
their immediate families could travel to NZ
from India.
And all others, including NZ residents and
permanent residents, had to spend 14 days in
a ‘green zone’ country before traveling to NZ.
But according to the announcement, residents
would not have to spend a fortnight in a green
zone country before travelling to New Zealand.
It did bring relief to many who want to travel
from India or travel from New Zealand to India
and then come back to NZ.
On April 23 this year, the NZ government
announced the introduction of a new category
of a “very high-risk country” - including India,
Brazil, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea - to
further bolster the country’s defence against
Covid-19. It came into effect at 11.59 pm on
April 28. On August 11, Indonesia and Fiji
were added to the list.
However, no clear communication was
given by the Minister on November 24 about
when India, along with other countries, will be
removed from the list. Minister Hipkins only
confirmed that Indonesia, Fiji, India, Pakistan,
and Brazil would be removed from high-risk
designation from early December.
When Indian Weekender contacted Chris
Hipkins’ office to find out, we were informed
via email that India is no longer in the very
high-risk country list “since November 29”.
According to the list published on https://
covid19.govt.nz/, Brazil, Fiji, India, Indonesia,
and Pakistan are no longer designated as very
high risk.
Interestingly when Indian Weekender
contacted travel agents to find out whether they
had received official communication from the
government about removing India from the list,
they said they had no official communication.
Mukesh Mann of Mann Travels said, “As
a travel agent, we haven’t got any formal
communication from the government that India
is no longer very high risk and that since when
it was removed from the list. This government
clearly lacks the art of communicating clearly
and due to that most of the confusion arises. I
am sure the general public who want to travel to
India will still not 100 percent know that India
has already been removed.”
Another travel agent Navdeep Kataria of
Indo Kiwi Travel Limited, also feels that it
would be great if the information related to
travel changes could be directly provided to
travel agents to inform their customers better.
“In the Covid times that we live in and the
emergence of new variants, travel situation
across the globe is changing rapidly. Therefore,
it is sometimes difficult to keep up with the
travel restrictions changing globally.
"
I believe the NZ government
should create a login for
travel agents on the MIQ
website where travel agents
can register, and then they
can be given up-to-date
information in their emails.
This will help us to provide the
most accurate information to
our clients and will save the
confusion that arises when no
clear communication is given.”
“I believe the NZ government should create
a login for travel agents on the MIQ website
where travel agents can register, and then they
can be given up-to-date information in their
emails. This will help us to provide the most
accurate information to our clients and will
save the confusion that arises when no clear
communication is given,” he said.

4 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, December 10, 2021
The Indian Weekender
Minister’s speech on NZ’s trade
priorities fails to mention India
SANDEEP SINGH
The fact that India failed to
find a single mention in
the Trade Minister Damien
O’Connor’s speech on Wednesday,
December 9, at Auckland Trade and
Economic Policy School (ATEPS)
organised by Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, and Trade (MFAT) has once
again confirmed a growing and
worrying concern among some key
stakeholders that India remains a low
priority for this government.
The Minister was outlining
NZ’s trade policy and priorities at
Auckland Trade and Economic Policy
School (ATEPS), an event hosted by
the University of Auckland’s Public
Policy Institute since 2019 with the
support of MFAT.
The annual event brings together
local and international experts
to mull upon some of the most
pressing questions related to the
future trajectories of the general
trade environment in the region and
extended neighbourhood.
NZ’s trade strategy with
India appears to be
different than Australia
Contrary to this, NZ’s transtasman
neighbour Australia is marching
ahead with a recalibrated approach
on reviving and keeping talks on Free
Trade Agreement with India afloat
with a likelihood of signing of an
early harvest trade agreement before
the end of the year – an agreement
that would grant Australian wines
market access in India.
Notably, early harvest agreements
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a former Australian prime minister)
Tony Abbot, had recently spoken
with India’s Commerce Minister
Piyush Goyal and confirmed the
development that an early harvest
agreement was on the cards by the
“
Based on the
discussions that I’ve
had last night with
minister Goyal and with
senior members of his
team, I am confident,
(and) they are confident
that we can do a very
good early harvest deal
which is larger rather
than smaller by the end
of the year, or at the
very least, very early
in the new year,” said
Tony Abott.
end of the year or early next year.
This was after Minister Goyal
and Australia’s Trade Minister Dan
Teehan had in October officially
launched negotiations for a free
trade agreement (FTA) between the
two countries, aimed at concluding
an early harvest agreement by the
end of 2021 and a Comprehensive
Economic Cooperation Agreement
by 2022.
Speaking about the impending
conclusion of the FTA talks with
India, Abott said, “Based on the
discussions that I’ve had last night
with minister Goyal and with senior
members of his team, I am confident,
(and) they are confident that we can
do a very good early harvest deal
Jay Changlani, Treasurer India New
Zealand Business Council (INZBC)
Dr Rahul Sen, Senior lecturer of
Economics at Auckland University
of Technology and Fellow of the New
Zealand India Research Institute (NZIRI)
which is larger rather than smaller
by the end of the year, or at the very
least, very early in the new year.”
To this recalibrated approach of
Australia in cracking an FTA with
India, NZ seems to have completely
lost appetite of working toward the
elusive FTA with India, as evident in
the absolute omission of India in the
Trade Minister’s speech as one of the
key trade priorities in the near future.
It is important to recall that the
trajectory of talks around a possible
Free Trade Agreement with India
for both NZ and Australia have been
roughly the same with a similar time
frame of initiation of talks (NZ in
April 2010 and Australia in May
2011) and reaching a stalemate
around similar time frame (NZ in
February 2015 and Australia in
September 2015).
Both transtasman neighbours
have pinned their hopes of
achieving the goal of the Free Trade
Agreement with India through
other ongoing multilateral regional
negotiations, particularly the
Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership (RCEP).
Notably, India had chosen to
walk away from the negotiations on
RCEP in November 2019 to protect
vulnerable sections of its economy as
well as not getting desired reciprocal
quid-pro market access in China; NZ
seems to have permanently buried
the idea and hope of re-engaging
directly with India on a FTA between
the two countries.
In fact NZ government, it seems,
has allowed the Covid pandemic to
play a dampener in both the political
and bureaucratic bonhomie between
the two countries, but even the
bilateral trade figures have fallen,
largely in services exports (as closed
NZ borders have restricted travel and
inward export revenue).
Australia on the other hand,
completely un-deviated from the
current Covid pandemic, have reinitiated
negotiations with India for
a possible FTA when in June 2020,
as part of the Joint Statement on a
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
between India and Australia,
Prime Ministers Scott Morrison
and Narendra Modi decided to reengage
on a bilateral Comprehensive
Economic
Cooperation
Agreement (CECA).
Since then, trade negotiators
from both sides have been trying
to innovate and address each
other’s concerns, such as Australia
conceding favourably to India’s
growing concern of “enhancing
mobility for its professionals”
to win back market access to
“Australian wines.”
If reports are to be believed, an
FTA between India and Australia
could be on the horizon by early next
year, whereas the NZ government
seems to have forgotten India from
its immediate or long-term trade and
strategic priorities.
What do key stakeholders
say about NZ’s snub to
trade relations with India?
Dr Rahul Sen, Senior lecturer of
Economics at Auckland University
of Technology and Fellow of the
New Zealand India Research
Institute (NZIRI) in Wellington said,
“While it is understandable that NZ’s
future trade policy priorities would
focus on its current and prospective
FTA partners that include EU and
the UK, the complete non-mention
of India is concerning, in my view
from the perspective of NZ’s long
term economic strategy of recovering
from the pandemic.”
Jay Changlani, Treasurer India
New Zealand Business Council
(INZBC) – the Auckland based trade
body engaged in advancing bilateral
trade relations between the two
countries for the past three decades
expressed concern that NZ might
“miss the bus” if Australia marches
ahead and inks an FTA with India
early next year.
“It is time for New Zealand to
step up and re-engage with India
on negotiations around FTA,”
Changlani said. NZ needs to learn
from Australia on how to revive and
move fast on talks of Free Trade
Agreement with India.

The Indian Weekender Friday, December 10, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 5
Parties differ on what to do with MIQ
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, no
New Zealander would have heard of
MIQ or the Managed Isolation and
Quarantine system.
It was on April 9, 2020, that New Zealand’s
MIQ started at a few hotels after NZ closed its
borders to all but citizens and residents. Over
time, in line with NZ’s elimination strategy, the
MIQ system evolved into the frontline defence
in the fight against Covid-19.
And with anyone travelling to NZ having
to go through 14 days at a MIQ facility
along with the number of Covid tests before
they could safely come to the community,
NZ’s MIQ arrangements were some of the
tightest in the world.
However, over time and with the world
acknowledging that Covid-19 and its new
variants are here to stay, the need for MIQ has
started being questioned and there have been
voices asking to dismantle the MIQ
The government has recently announced that
fully vaccinated Kiwi travellers returning from
all countries will no longer be required to stay
in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ)
from February 14.
Also, NZ citizens and residents returning
from Australia will get to bypass MIQ even
earlier, starting from January 17 and then from
April 30, NZ will start to reopen to all fully
vaccinated foreign nationals
However, the new Omicron variant could
change that.
The government’s Covid-19 Response
Ministry spokesperson has recently said,
“We’ve signalled that we were going to remove
border restrictions in January/February. Of
course, the worst-case scenario is that we
Chris Bishop Dr Elizabeth Kerekere David Seymour
may have to revisit that. Still very early days
yet, still too soon to be making those kinds of
predictions.”
The Omicron variant was first reported by
South African health officials on November 24​.
But it might have been detected in Europe days
before South Africa raised the alarm.
Indian Weekender spoke to leading
political parties to know whether they would
support MIQ in the event of a new Omicron
variant or would they still want to dismantle
it completely with a permanent move to selfisolation
and negative pre-travel Covid test.
Interestingly, all the political parties had a
different take on the same.
Chris Bishop, National Party’s
COVID-19 Response spokesperson
National’s view is we should be removing
“
Tight border restrictions
have been a crucial part of
protecting people in Aotearoa
New Zealand, but as the
pandemic continues, we need
a fairer way to manage the
risks posed by international
travel.
the requirement for fully vaccinated people to
enter MIQ when they enter NZ (if they have a
negative pre-departure test).
We will continue to need quarantine rooms
for people who are unvaccinated and who test
positive on arrival or in the community.
David Seymour, ACT Party leader
We should keep MIQ for another two weeks
until Omicron details become known, then
make it for high risk and unvaccinated only,
and we should close borders selectively when
new variants emerge.
Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, Green Party
COVID-19 Response spokesperson
“Tight border restrictions have been a crucial
part of protecting people in Aotearoa New
Zealand, but as the pandemic continues, we
need a fairer way to manage the risks posed by
international travel.
“We need to maintain capacity for managed
isolation in the event that new variants coming
to Aotearoa make home isolation unsafe.
“Independent of our border response, we
need a specific work programme to reunite split
families and bring migrants stuck offshore."
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6 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, December 10, 2021
The Indian Weekender
Pop-up childcare centres at
women’s cricket world cup venues
PRITI GARUDE-KASTURE
It has just become easier for parents and
caregivers with young children to attend
any of the 31 ICC Women’s Cricket World
Cup 2022 matches, thanks to a partnership
between the International Cricket Council and
PORSE, New Zealand’s largest home-based
childcare provider.
Every host stadium during the four-week
tournament will have a PORSE pop-up
childcare service available to look after the kids
while their parents and caregivers watch eight
nations battle it out for World Cup glory.
For PORSE and Rainbow Corner childcare
centres owner Rrahul Dosshi, the sponsorship
deal represents two of his passions: cricket and
encouraging more children and families into
sport, and a natural collaboration.
“The benefits of being active are well
documented. We are committed at our childcare
centres and in our in-home services, to
encourage our tamariki to be engaged in sport,”
says Dosshi.
“While we primarily focus on education, at
the same time all our childcare centres have
playgrounds. So, sports is very ingrained in our
offerings to the community,” he adds.
“One of the things we observed was as
a community, not just in New Zealand, but
globally as well, there is a big push required to
promote women’s sports.
"So this was a perfect blend for both entities, the
ICC World Cup and also PORSE to get into this
beautiful joint venture where we can help bring
our moms and the kids to the stadiums during the
games,” he said.
New Zealand is host of the international
tournament, the pinnacle event for
women’s cricket.
Thirty-one matches will be played in March
and April 2022, the first global women’s cricket
event to be played since the ICC Women’s T20
World Cup 2020 in Australia.
Eight of the world’s best cricket nations
will go head-to-head in six host cities:
Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington,
Christchurch and Dunedin, in front of a global
audience the ICC has estimated will be more
than 1.2 billion people.
Dosshi says that with pop-up childcare
available at every game, more families will
be able to enjoy the occasion, able to relax
knowing their young children will be well
looked after and entertained.
The childcare service is also a
first for the ICC.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2022 CEO Andrea
"
Knowing there’s free
and quality supervised
childcare means more
families can get along to
the cricket together – we
can’t wait to welcome
them and showcase the
world’s best women
cricketers playing in our
backyard.”
Nelson said, “The partnership with PORSE is
key to helping achieve our goal of inspiring the
next generation.
"Knowing there’s free and quality supervised
childcare means more families can get along to
the cricket together – we can’t wait to welcome
them and showcase the world’s best women
cricketers playing in our backyard.”
The pop-up centres will provide a safe, fully
supervised space, filled with toys and games.
The under 5s will be looked after by registered
PORSE educators while their caregivers relax
and enjoy the cricket.
PORSE is also a sponsor of the Auckland
Blues rugby team.
“It all started with the Blues, so definitely
take my hat off to the Blues for actually going
that extra mile as well,” said Dosshi.
“We did that for the entire season last year
with the Auckland Blues and will continue for
this season as well.
"The response was great and it became
a wonderful experience for us wherein we
thought let’s start pushing our boundaries
and look at doing this at a much,
much bigger event.”
“Because at the end of the day, these games
are family events, we want people who are
there to enjoy the sport, enjoy the game, enjoy
the place where a child is exposed to a World
Cup event, which is fantastic,” he adds.
He says that the response from the community
has been quite overwhelming.
“People have been highly supportive since it’s
first of its kind initiative. No one else has done
this globally before for a major tournament like
this one. So yes, it’s very encouraging, glad to
have that support,” he adds.
In a further commitment to international
cricket, Rrahul and wife Bhavini are ICC
Champions, across the country, helping spread
the word about the tournament.
“We are privileged to be able to offer this
initiative, one that supports our commitment to
cricket, to New Zealand and to our tamariki’s
wellbeing,” says Dosshi.
‘Pacific’s heart is in Fiji’ – New NZ envoy
DEV NADKARNI
Charlotte Darlow leaves for Fiji next
week to begin her duties as New
Zealand’s new High Commissioner
there. Darlow’s appointment was announced
in October by NZ Foreign Affairs
Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
Darlow succeeds Jonathan Curr, who held
the position in Fiji since February 2018 and
was formally farewelled recently by Fiji Prime
Minister Frank Bainimarama.
Until recently Divisional Manager of
the Pacific Regional Division at the NZ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(NZ-MFAT), Darlow has been involved in
Pacific Island regional affairs and processes,
including with the Fiji-headquartered Pacific
Islands Forum Secretariat.
A career diplomat, Darlow has held senior
roles focused on climate change, environment,
and international security, and has been
posted to Geneva to represent NZ at the
United Nations.
Following the ministerial announcement
in October Curr had tweeted: “Delighted
that Charlotte Darlow will be the next NZ
High Commissioner to Fiji. Such a senior &
experienced appointment demonstrates the
importance of the NZ-Fiji relationship, and the
high priority that Aotearoa & MFATNZ places
on the Pacific.”
Indian Weekender caught up with Darlow a
few weeks ago to talk about the new role in Fiji.
Having worked in the Pacific Islands region
over several years, Darlow recognises Fiji’s
importance in the region.
“The Pacific’s heart is in Fiji,” Darlow said,
adding that over the years, Fiji had grown to be
a true regional leader in several matters that are
important to the Pacific region collectively.
“The Pacific region has never been more
important and relevant than now,” Darlow
said, referring to Fiji’s geopolitically strategic
importance in the Indo-Pacific region, which
has been the focus of distant global superpowers
in recent years.
"
The Pacific region has never
been more important and
relevant than now,” Darlow said,
referring to Fiji’s geopolitically
strategic importance in the
Indo-Pacific region, which has
been the focus of distant global
superpowers in recent years.
Though Fiji has cautiously opened its
international borders and has begun accepting
tourists from Australia this month, travel
between New Zealand and Fiji remains
suspended and as yet there is no date for
resumption –estimates vary from six to nine
months. Bilateral relations had an important
role to play in the post-pandemic normalisation
and rebuilding of people-to-people and trade
relationships, Darlow said.
While the pandemic will continue to cast
its shadow on the region for some time to
come before eventually going away, Climate
Change will be the big issue going forward,
Darlow said.
Fiji was well placed in meeting
challenges and had taken a leadership role
in the region and the world in global climate
forums, she added.
With such important and complex issues as
geopolitical security, the pandemic and climate
change at play in Fiji and the region, “learning
will be in both directions,” Darlow said, looking
forward to the new assignment.
Actions toward addressing many of these
issues was urgent and needed to be planned
and sustained, while at the same time designing
and helping implement economic and social
development activities, Darlow said.
New Zealand and Fiji always have had
strong trade ties and one of Darlow’s priorities
would be to further strengthen trade and
investment. Fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture,
food processing and manufacturing were
sectors with opportunities for New Zealand
investments, she said.
Darlow also emphasised developing
indigenous linkages in business and trade.
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The Indian Weekender Friday, December 10, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 7
Ethnic food grocer
‘gutted’ after not
being allowed to
cross Auckland
border
SANDEEP SINGH
This is yet another story of how the
lockdown and the accompanying
border closure of Auckland have
had a detrimental impact on many small
businesses.
A Kiwi-Indian first-time importer,
Mahendra Jade, says he is “gutted” to see
how the MBIE authorities’ rejection of
his travel exception to cross the Auckland
border and sell the date-sensitive products
timely has nearly sounded the death-knell
on his new venture.
“It is not my fault that the government
imposed lockdown before my first
shipment arrived onshore, causing
serious disruption to pre-sales, marketing,
and sales processes to sell those products,
some of them new to market, to local
retailers and then leaving my business
completely unsupported during that
period,” Jade said.
"
This move required
months of planning and
high capital investment which
I largely raised by borrowing
to put in an order for my first
consignment worth of $33,000
in February-March this year."
Jade had ventured into import-export
business earlier this year in February – long
before another unexpected Covid lockdown –
borrowing heavily to invest in this new venture.
The shipment had arrived in Auckland on
October 18, and MPI had cleared the partial
shipment on November 16, with the remaining
shipment not cleared till December 4 when the
Indian Weekender spoke with Jade on this story.
“I am a small business owner based in
Cambridge for the last many years but have
recently moved to Auckland to start a new
import-export business bringing packed and
processed ethnic food items from overseas and
selling to local retailers all over NZ.
“This move required months of planning and
high capital investment which I largely raised
by borrowing to put in an order for my first
consignment worth of $33,000 in February-
March this year,” Jade said.
MBIE declines travel exception to cross
Auckland border to sell goods
“Although as a first-time importer, I was
anticipating some disruption before the
consignment could eventually arrive at the
Auckland port, I was not expecting to be
stopped from crossing the Auckland border
and sell those products to retailers outside of
Auckland, especially when ethnic grocery and
supermarkets are deemed as essential services
and allowed to operate even under the Alert
Level 4.”
The decline comment received by Jade that
the Indian Weekender has seen says, “Your
request has been reviewed and subsequently
declined. Unfortunately, your travel does not
meet the criteria of the category, which only
permits food delivery services for bakeries,
uncooked food suppliers, alcohol suppliers.”
“I find this completely bizarre, unfair, and
unhelpful,” Jade said.
The government’s website (www.covid19.
govt.nz) classifies a special section for
permitted business travel across the Auckland
boundary where businesses or services listed in
Item 1 of Schedule 5 of the Covid-19 Public
Health Response (Alert Level Requirements)
Order (No 12) 2021 are allowed to cross
Auckland borders.
It provides a list of businesses and services
for which anyone can go to or carry out work
(regardless of whether in the alert level 3 area
and, if necessary, stay in no more than one place
as temporary accommodation) – and includes
“supermarkets” and “dairies.”
Jade is frustrated about this discrepancy
in the rules mentioned on the government’s
website and the ruling received on his travel
exception application.
“I believe MBIE officials have wrongly
considered my request under a different
category of ‘Food delivery services for
bakeries, uncooked food suppliers, alcohol
suppliers’ (1.11) instead of considering under
‘supermarket’ (1.1) or ‘dairy’ (1.2).
Notably, ethnic supermarkets were also
deemed as essential services during the last
lockdown March-April 2020 that were allowed
to operate under Alert level 4 lockdown, with
a guarantee of open supply lines across the
country, like for other supermarkets to ensure
supply of culturally appropriate food for the
communities.
New business left unsupported without
Resurgence Support Payment
To add further misery, Jade’s new and
struggling business that started in February-
March (on a borrowed capital) was left
unsupported without Resurgence Support
Payment – a one-off cash payment scheme
– by the government to support businesses
experiencing a decline in revenue due to change
in Alert Levels.
“This is not an ideal start for my new
business venture and have escalated huge costs
Authorised by Michael Wood MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
for no fault of mine and am left completely
unsupported for doing business,” a frustrated
Jade moaned.
A query has been sent to the MBIE office at
the time of writing this story and a response is
awaited at the time of publishing.
We have
moved!
I’m delighted to be
opening my new electorate
office right in the heart of
Mt Roskill.
The new office is at 973 Dominion Rd, right
in the middle of the Mt Roskill town centre. It
is conveniently located on the Dominion Rd
bus route and there is plentiful car parking
behind the shops. The office is fully refurbished
so there is a comfortable environment for
constituents and plenty of space for meetings with individuals and groups.
Being accessible to local constituents is really important to me, so I’m really pleased to be
opening the new office from Thursday 16 December. For assistance with any constituency
issues just call 09 624 2278 or email the office Michael.Wood@parliament.govt.nz to make
an appointment.
Michael Wood
MP for Mt Roskill
Mount Roskill office
09 624 2278
michael.wood@parliament.govt.nz
973 Dominion Rd, Mount Roskill, Auckland
/mwoodnz
@michaelwoodnz
/michaelwoodnz

8 NEW ZEALAND
Kiwis should not
‘set and forget’ their
insurance policies:
Consumer NZ
Friday, December 10, 2021
The Indian Weekender
PRITI GARUDE-KASTURE
A
price comparison survey of
home and contents insurance
by Consumer NZ found that
if people don’t shop around, they
may end up paying hundreds of
dollars more on policies.
Consumer NZ, an independent,
non-profit organisation that covers
a wide range of activities relating
to consumer protection and
information, found a difference
of more than $2000 between the
cheapest and most expensive policies
for a standard-sized house.
The survey data collected across
eight insurers in five main centres
of Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington,
Christchurch and Dunedin found that
cost for house and contents insurance
premiums have risen 5.6 percent in
the 12 months to September.
This is on the back of increases of
more than 150 percent over the past
10 years. The areas with the biggest
rise are Wellington, followed closely
by Christchurch.
Consumer NZ Head of
Communications and Campaigns,
Gemma Rasmussen said,
“Wellington and Christchurch faced
the biggest price hikes in the past
year. Wellington median prices
increased 16 percent for our standard
house and 18 percent for our large
dwelling. In Christchurch, median
prices increased 8.5 percent for our
standard house and 17 percent for
our large house.”
Price hikes can be attributed to
the rising value of housing, but the
biggest factor is the shift by insurers
to full risk-based pricing for natural
disasters. It meant that those living
in Wellington, Christchurch or
anywhere in New Zealand with a
higher chance of earthquakes, will be
charged more for insurance.
Almost all insurers changed to
sum-insured policies after the 2011
Canterbury earthquakes. These
policies make the owner responsible
for calculating the costs to rebuild
their home and insuring it for this
amount. The sum insured is the
maximum an insurer pays if a home
is damaged or destroyed.
Insurers were now factoring
climate risks, such as flooding and
coastal erosion, into their calculations
for premiums.
According to Lloyds researchers,
New Zealand has ranked as the
world’s second-riskiest country for
natural disaster behind Bangladesh,
because of its flood risk.
Consumer NZ says the Earthquake
Commission (EQC) levy, which is
paid with the insurance premium, can
also contribute to price increases. The
levy covers the EQC’s residential
building pay-out, which is what the
commission contributes to claims
when a natural disaster strikes.
In September, EQC Minister David
Clark announced that from October
next year the EQC cap on pay-outs
will be doubled from $150,000 to
$300,000 plus GST.
This will add an extra $207 a year
to homeowners’ premiums. The levy
amount paid by each homeowner will
depend on their sum insured, but
will be a maximum of $552.
The current levy amount
is $345.
Clark said he expects
insurers to lower
their premiums as the
government is taking
on more of the risk.
If that doesn’t happen,
the government might
investigate.
Consumer NZ thinks a review
of the insurance industry to ensure
its competitive and working for
homeowners is well overdue.
Sumita Paul, Certified Financial
Planner, Athena Wealth said that
going forward, general insurance
companies are likely to have a
more specific risk-based approach
to property insurance. She said, “In
New Zealand, the impact of climate
change will be reflected in the
general insurance premiums due to
the unprecedented floods we saw this
year.”
Tower earlier this year warned that
it would lift premiums for owners
of flood-prone homes. Will we see
others follow?
Paul said, “Yes, I think we will.
"People
get disillusioned,
and cancel their
policies after two or three
years because they think they
haven’t made a claim for many
years, so why do we need it
now? This type of thought
is not guided by proper
advice."
The companies
that can cushion
the effect of increasing
reinsurance costs have a high
capital reserve and can afford to
pay out claims without relying on a
reinsurer.”
Rasmussen says that home and
content insurance premiums are
likely to continue to rise. She said,
“We’d recommend New Zealanders
don’t ‘set and forget’ because there
are large savings to be made if you
shop around.”
Paul concurs and encourages
consumers to always shop around
for your car, house and contents
insurance. She add, “Unlike your
health and life insurance, there is no
medical or pre-existing conditions
that you need to protect in.”
She suggests shopping around for
a good policy every few years.
She adds, “Negotiate your
premium discount with your
existing provider. It is better for
your insurance company to retain an
existing client than look for a new
one. So, companies will be open to
giving you any promotional deals
they have for new clients even if you
are not one. But you must ask.”
Oliver Pereira, Insurance
Specialist at OPM Insurance Services
recommends people to seek good
advice, and properly plan out their
insurance policies.
He said, “People get disillusioned,
and cancel their policies after two or
three years because they think they
haven’t made a claim for many years,
so why do we need it now? This type
of thought is not guided by proper
advice.”
He suggests rather than cancelling
their policies, people should do their
own due diligence and research while
engaging a good insurance advisor.
It’s FluBot season – stay safe, Android users
AVINASH SEN
Android users need to be extra
careful, because FluBot is out
and about and ready to steal your
personal information.
FluBot is a family of malware that contacts
users via SMS. Once it infects a phone, it
gains access to the user’s contact lists, reads
messages, steals personal information like
credit card details and passwords as they are
typed, installs other apps and sends out spam
texts to other users from the infected phone.
This is not the first time that FluBot has
been out there. It started in Spain in late
2020, but became really active in Finland
around mid-2021, sending texts to potential
victims in native Finnish. Since August
of this year, it has spread to the United
Kingdom, Hungary, Poland, Norway, Italy,
Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden,
Finland, and Japan. Unfortunately, now even
Australia and New Zealand are involved.
How it infects your phone
It starts as a seemingly harmless text,
saying you have received a parcel, you have
a voicemail, or you have a message from your
mobile provider, etc. You are then asked to click
on a link which will direct you to a website where
you will be asked to follow the instructions
shown and install a third party app, which is
actually
FluBot.
So basically, FluBot tricks you into
downloading and installing itself on your
phone. What’s worse, it’s adapting. In the recent
resurgence of FluBot, the wording of the text
messages has changed, making them harder
to identify, and authorities such as CertNZ
have warned users that the wordings may
change again.
One of the new types of messages it is
sending is actually a warning against itself,
like stating that your phone is infected and you
should follow their instructions to download the
latest android security update to protect your
phone. Once again, it is simply FluBot tricking
you into downloading and installing itself.
It should be noted that Apple users can
also receive these messages, but will most
likely not be affected by the Malware.
However, they are still warned to be careful.
What happens once a phone is infected
Once infected by FluBot, the malware sends
out text messages to all the contacts it has
received from infected device, continuing the
cycle. Once the message is sent, that phone
is blocked so the recipient can’t respond
and arouse suspicion. It also then sends
your personal information to the malignant
actor who released it in the first place.
What to look out for
Be wary of any suspicious texts you may
receive, especially if you are an android
user. Avoid following links sent to you
via suspicious texts and avoid installing
third party apps from outside sources.
What to do if you are infected
If you suspect that your device is infected, the
best thing to do is to reset your phone to factory
settings. This will get rid of the Malware.
Prevention is the best way
Practice installing apps and security updates
only from Play Store and other reputable
sources. Also practice backing up your data
regularly. Then, if you do get infected, you
restore your phone with the back-up. However,
be careful to use a backup from before you
suspect your phone was infected; otherwise you
might just reinfect your phone.
You will also need to change the passwords
of all your online accounts as they will most
likely be compromised.
Contact your bank if you are concerned
that your accounts may be compromised
and/or accessed by an unauthorized person.
Some more important information
It isn’t just texts you should be wary of.
Certain websites are also unknowingly hosting
the FluBot Malware. When you visit such sites,
you may get a pop-up advising you to click it
and follow the instructions to install the latest
security update or another supposedly “useful”
third party software.
Avoid clicking on them and do not follow
their instructions. The good news is that your
phone is not infected with FluBot by receiving
these texts or visiting infected websites.
Kiwi users may also report any incident to
CertNZ and forward any new suspicious texts
to 7726. Stay safe out there. Keep yourself
informed so you can enjoy your tech experience
without fear or worry.

The Indian Weekender Friday, December 10, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 9
Don’t panic but prepare for
likely spread of Omicron: WHO
IWK BUREAU/ UN NEWS
As scientists continue to investigate the
Omicron Covid-19 variant, the UN
World Health Organization (WHO)
on Friday urged countries not to panic but to
prepare for its likely spread.
Heralding South Africa’s and Botswana’s
decision to report the appearance of the
Omicron coronavirus mutation last month,
the UN health agency repeated that it will
take another two weeks before more is known
about how transmissible and how dangerous it
actually is.
Speaking in Geneva, WHO spokesperson
Christian Lindmeier stressed that data
suggesting that Omicron was highly
transmissible was only preliminary.
Unnecessary travel bans
He also repeated WHO advice against
blanket travel bans, except for countries whose
health systems were unable to withstand a surge
in infections.
“It is much more preferred to prepare
your country, your health system to possibly
incoming cases because we can be pretty sure
that this Omicron variant will spread around,”
he said.
The Delta mutation – declared a variant of
concern this summer – is now “predominant”,
Mr. Lindmeier added, “with over 90 percent
all around the world. This is how this virus
behaves and we will not most likely be able to
keep it out of individual countries.”
The WHO official also cautioned against
knee-jerk reactions to reports that Omicron had
continued to spread.
“Let’s not get deterred right now, let us
first get as much information as possible to
make the correct risk assessment based on the
information that we will have and then let’s
move on,” he said.
“Let’s not get completely worried or
confused by individual information which are
all individually important, but which need to be
brought together in order to assess together.”
Surge team for South Africa spike
The development comes as WHO said that
it was sending a technical surge team to South
Africa’s Gauteng province to monitor Omicron
and help with contract tracing, amid a spike in
coronavirus reinfections.
For the seven days leading to 30 November,
South Africa reported a 311 per cent increase in
new cases, compared with the previous seven
days, WHO said on Thursday.
Cases in Gauteng province, where
Johannesburg is located, have increased by 375
per cent week on week. Hospital admissions
there rose 4.2 per cent in the past seven days
from the previous week. And COVID-19-
related deaths in the province jumped 28.6 per
cent from the previous seven days.
Announcing the surge team deployment,
Dr Salam Gueye, WHO Regional Emergency
Director for Africa, noted that just 102
million Africans in Africa – 7.5 per cent of
the continental population – are now fully
vaccinated and that more than 80 per cent of
the population has not received even a single
dose. “This is a dangerously wide gap,” he said.
In a statement, WHO said that South Africa
is reportedly seeing more patients contracting
Covid-19 after having already been infected, in
a way it did not with previous variants, citing
a microbiologist from the country’s National
Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Working with African governments to
accelerate studies and bolster the response to
the new variant, the World Health Organization
(WHO) is urging countries to sequence between
75 and 150 samples weekly.
Detection ‘bought the world time’
“The detection and timely reporting of the
new variant by Botswana and South Africa has
bought the world time,” said Dr Matshidiso
Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
“We have a window of opportunity but
must act quickly and ramp up detection and
prevention measures. Countries must adjust
their Covid-19 response and stop a surge in
cases from sweeping across Africa and possibly
overwhelming already-stretched health
facilities.”
NZ MPs wore orange in a world-first in support
of Campaign Against Gender-based Violence
IWK BUREAU
Members of Parliament — in what
the UN are calling a world-first —
wore the colour orange to support
the global campaign 16 Days of Activism
against Gender-based Violence on Wednesday
(December 8).
In New Zealand, the 16 Days campaign is
hosted by UN Women Aotearoa. It aims to raise
awareness and prompt action, using the colour
orange to represent a brighter future, free from
violence against women and girls. This will be
the 30th year of the annual campaign.
“Orange-themed events are facilitating
discussions and increasing awareness of
gender-based violence.
It’s fantastic to see our MPs wear orange
and get involved in this important campaign,
using their platforms to raise awareness of this
insidious violence, bringing it to the surface for
us to grapple with as a nation,“ said Tara Singh,
President of UN Women Aotearoa NZ.
MPs supporting the campaign include Jan
Logie, Jan Tinetti, Brooke van Velden, and
Nicola Grigg.
Gender-based violence is one of New
Zealand’s most persistent violations of human
rights. It’s a sobering reality that women and
girls continue to experience violence in their
homes, workplaces, and in public.
Women make up a majority of the victims
of violent crime in New Zealand, with 1 in
3 women experiencing physical or sexual
violence at the hands of their partners during
their lifetime.
"We’re also following the impact of
COVID-19 lockdowns during which rates of
violence have surged — during NZ’s recent
lockdown we saw eight family violence
homicides in seven weeks.
The 16 Days began on 25 November, the
International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women, and will end on 10
December, Human Rights Day.
There’s been a raft of support — from the
Houses of Parliament to several regional
monuments lighting up the colour orange.
Businesses across the nation have been hosting
‘orange morning teas’ and UN Women have
hosted a webinar focused on gendered violence.
Building awareness is even more important
as we approach Christmas and New Year — a
time when family violence typically peaks.
UN Women Aotearoa NZ urge MPs who are
wearing orange today to follow their act of
solidarity with concrete action.
New Zealand needs more leaders working to
bring about inclusive, comprehensive and longterm
strategies, programmes and resources to
prevent and eliminate gender-based violence.
If you require any assistance
I and my office are always happy
and ready to provide advice
and support.
Please get in touch on 09 520 0538 or at
MPLee@parliament.govt.nz to make an
appointment
Melissa Lee
National List MP based in Auckland
MPLee@parliament.govt.nz
melissalee.co.nz
mpmelissalee
Authorised by Melissa Lee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

10 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, December 10, 2021
The Indian Weekender
Spirit of Cricket tournament’s
24th edition begins
DEV NADKARNI
The twenty-fourth edition
of the ‘Spirit of Cricket
Tournament’ hosted
by Auckland-based Migrant
Community Cricket Club got off to
a great start on 5 December at the
Auckland Domain.
The Domain buzzed with activity
as the tournament kicked off with
four fixtures on the morning of
December 5.
The tournament sponsored and
supported by Relianz Forex has been
a staple event for all the migrant
communities since 1997-1998.
As the tournament kicked off,
A television crew was at hand
covering the start of this popular
tournament and interviewing players
and attendees.
The crew was also after sound bites
about Black Caps spinner, Mumbai
born Ajaz Patel’s spectacular success
with his ten-wicket haul – only the
third time it was ever done in world
test cricket.
Despite the Black Caps’ impending
defeat in the Mumbai Test, the spirit
was celebratory because of fellow
Indian Patel’s near-unbelievable feat.
Migrant Community Cricket Club
President Prashant Belwalkar said
he was proud that the tournament
boasted a cross section of the
Indian diaspora and also included
players from the larger South-Asian
subcontinent.
This 24-year-old tournament is
unique in many ways in terms of its
format, the special rules surrounding
it and especially for a point system
that Belwalkar terms “path breaking”.
This year the tournament has
added batting and bowling bonuses
to make it more competitive.
The expanded format of the
tournament this year features 13
teams including the past winner AIS
United, runners up Deccan Acers,
and past winners City Boyz and
Mighty Blues as well.
These are joined by the regulars
like TUFXI, Telugu Tigers, ATA
Spearheads, ATA Tamil Thunders,
Auckland Falcons who have
rebranded themselves. And the
newcomers Link2Lions, Defenders,
SuperTUF, Telangana Titans.
Overall, a very competitive
tournament which was scheduled to
start on 14 November but got pushed
back by several weeks because of
pandemic restrictions, finally starting
off under the traffic light system on
December 5.
“Auckland Community Cricket
sees this a major tournament in the
calendar which has been supported
by Cricket Express and specially this
year by the Waitakere Cricket Club,”
Belwalkar said.
WCC chair Wesley Samuel was
present at the inauguration and has
extended his club’s support and
premises for the organisers to take
advantage of.
Cricketer Suhas Shanbhogue said
this tournament “has its own charm
and is a motivation for the young and
not-so-young to roll their arm and
take that big swing.”
He described it as a real community
get together.
Giri Giridharan of Relianz Group
emphasised the need of team spirit
and the continued support that his
organisation has been providing to
this summer-long tournament for
over a decade.
“I am keen to see the silver jubilee
next year,” he said.
Prominent Tamil community
member Vai Ravindran, a
longstanding supporter of the
tournament, was present as well.
Watch out for the updates as
the tournament progresses. Indian
Weekender will bring the weekly
result updates as well.
Indian Weekender encourages
the cricket loving Kiwi Indian
community to attend the fixtures
over the coming weeks and months
at the Domain on Sunday mornings
at 9am.
Where: Auckland Domain –
Grandstand area
When: Sunday mornings – 9 am.
Mini-MIQ: What happens if you test positive for Covid-19 while on holiday
RADIO NEW ZEALAND
Locations of mini-MIQs around the
country are being kept under wraps
as health authorities in the provinces
prepare for a deluge of visitors over summer.
At the behest of district health boards, some
accommodation providers are sectioning off
rooms or units for potential Covid-19 cases to
isolate.
These mini-MIQs are being set up in places
that don’t have them already in case people who
live there, or are visiting, can’t isolate at home.
Napier is up front about where cases in its
area will isolate.
Kennedy Park Resort park has 10 rooms for
isolation, fenced off from paying guests, for
those who catch Covid-19 while on a summer
holiday. The swimming pool and jumping
pillow at the holiday park will be off limits to
anyone isolating with Covid-19.
Those isolating will not be allowed to leave
their room or the dedicated outside space,
and security will be in place, Hawke’s Bay
DHB said. The holiday park’s owner is Napier
City Council, and chief executive Stephanie
Rotorangi said it would be safety first.
“The rooms that are set aside for self isolating
people are well removed from the rest of the
facility and you can imagine that they are also
fenced off and there are a lot of procedures in
place to ensure people can be safe.”
Other DHBs are also getting ready to isolate
Covid cases. None would divulge locations.
Mid-Central has secured accommodation
in Palmerston North, with other facilities in
Tararua and Horowhenua, but addresses were
not being released to protect the privacy of
people who may need to use them.
Rotorangi said if there was a surge in demand,
people could be sent to MIQ hotels in Rotorua.
“What would happen in the regions like
Hawke’s Bay if there was a great demand is that
A
uckland
Community
Cricket sees this a
major tournament in
the calendar which
has been supported
by Cricket Express
and specially this
year by the Waitakere
Cricket Club,
we would also have to rely on Rotorua and the
managed isolation facilities there.”
So what are the rules for those who want to
return home if they test positive for Covid-19
while on holiday?
They will be able to return home to isolate
if they or a family member were driving and
it was not an overnight trip, the Ministry of
Health said.
They would not be allowed to use public
transport, fly, or travel between the North and
South islands.
Epidemiologist Michael Baker said mini-
MIQs are unlikely to be as strict as city hotels
dedicated to isolating cases.
“We do have this virus now circulating
particularly in Auckland. It’s a different
scenario from when we were operating the
elimination approach where we could only
tolerate minimal risk of any infection escaping
from an MIQ facility. Now I think there will
be some changes in the level of precautions
applied in these facilities.”
He said everyone who was travelling this
summer needed to understand what happens if
one of their travel-bubble tested positive.
As well as holidaymakers, motel and hotel
operators are getting to grips with living with
Covid-19.
Hotel Council Aotearoa strategic director
James Doolan said the sector had good
protocols in place and also needed the business
of both government and private customers.
“Good on people getting whatever work they
can at the moment because there is not a lot of
business around for them to do.
“The industry players are between a rock and
a hard place. domestic tourism is not enough to
sustain the entire tourism industry.”
Those heading away this summer are advised
to pack spare masks and their own hand
sanitiser.

The Indian Weekender Friday, December 10, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 11
India wary of private cryptocurrency
AVINASH SEN
Do you remember when crypto currencies
like bitcoin first came into the market?
Many investors were unwilling to put
any of their money into it, because they weren’t
sure whether it would be lucrative or not.
Today, the market is filled with crypto
currencies, and many of them, such as bitcoin,
are doing very well for themselves.
As a result, most investors are now grabbing
as much crypto as they can, as fast as possible.
However, it seems that the Indian government
is still not convinced about this digital money.
On 23 November, the Indian government
said that it would be considering a bill – called
the Cryptocurrency & Regulation of Official
Digital Currency Bill 2021 – that could possibly
ban the trading of most private crypto currencies
during the winter session of Parliament.
The bill was said to also lay the groundwork
for the use of an official digital currency that
would be issued by the Reserve bank of India
in December.
This bill had appeared previously on the
Parliament’s agenda, but did not lead to a
government vote on legislation regarding
digital assets.
Three years ago, the Reserve Bank of India
had put a blanket ban on crypto, but this ban
was overturned by India’s supreme court in
March 2020.
Afterwards, reports from various outlets
and statements from officials said that the
government was looking into different ways to
regulate these types of digital assets.
Moving back to the recent past, a week after
the introduction of the bill, a cabinet note was
distributed to the Indian government stating
that cryptocurrencies wouldn’t be banned, but
instead they would be regulated. To that effect,
the bill proposes that all forms of crypto must
be registered as an asset, like gold.
These will be known as “Cryptoassets”
and will be regulated by
the Securities and Exchange
Board of India (SEBI).
The bill maintains that
crypto will not be accepted
as payment or legal tender
in the country, and foreign
private cryptocurrency holders
would need to declare their crypto
at customs and exchange their assets to
"From
a banking
ban in 2018 to listing
the Cryptocurrency and
Regulation of Official Digital
Currency Bill, 2021 in the
Parliament’s winter session,
our nation has come a long
way in these three
years!"
local Indian cryptocurrency.
In other words, crypto is to be looked on as
investment, not currency. Investors will not be
allowed to hold these in private currency or
foreign exchange.
Furthermore, penalties would
be imposed on anyone found
violating these. Violators risk
facing up to one and a half
years in jail and fines in the
range of Rs. 5 crores to Rs.
20 crores.
Why are officials so wary
of Crypto?
According to the Reserve bank
of India, crypto can create a serious
threat to the country’s financial stability,
interest rates and national productivity.
The rupee is not easily convertible, and
allows currency regulators to maintain control
over who has access to India’s markets. Crypto
on the other hand, is designed to be anonymous
and easily tradable.
This automatically prevents regulatory
authorities from any control or scrutiny, or even the
ability to levy tax on transactions that use crypto.
This can create the possibility of unscrupulous
and unlawful transactions, and may lead to
using crypto to launder money.
The possibility of financing terrorism has
been brought up as well.
Speaking on the use of cryptocurrencies,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “It is
important that all democratic nations work
together on this and ensure it does not end up
in wrong hands.”
Meanwhile, some local investors disagree
with the government’s decision on crypto and
the bill. Goan crypto investor, Vidur Chhabra,
told Aljazeera that the officials and banks are,
“at least 10 years behind.”
But others like WazirX founder and CEO,
Nischal Shetty, see the bill as progress. Said
Shetty, “From a banking ban in 2018 to listing
the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official
Digital Currency Bill, 2021 in the Parliament’s
winter session, our nation has come a long way
in these three years!”
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has
said that although crypto is officially banned as
legal tender, “We want to make sure there is a
window available for all kinds of experiments
which will have to take place in the crypto
world,”.
Auckland Indian Association Inc.

Editorial
Why does India
remain invisible in
NZ’s worldview?
In international politics, experts argue, nation-states are primarily driven by national
interests, often keeping aside any ‘perceived’ or ‘real’ differences, ideological
or otherwise. Or even turning their back on long-held societal beliefs, views, and
ideological positions, on both friends and foes alike, in pursuit of core national interests.
New Zealand’s dramatic success in becoming the first developed country of the globalwest
signing of the historic Free Trade Agreement with China way back in 2008 would
easily come as a glaring example of the former, while Australia’s recent turnaround and
cancellation of $90 billion contract for buying submarines from France and giving the
contract to the United States, to purchase nuclear-powered submarine, will be classic
examples of the how nation-states pursue their respective national interests.
So, can New Zealand’s policymakers put a hand on their heart and say they are pursuing
the country’s national interests diligently in nurturing relationships with India at different
levels?
The recent non-mention of India as an important immediate trade and strategic priority
in a speech delivered by Minister of Trade Damien O’Connor at Auckland Trade and
Economic Policy School (ATEPS) organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(MFAT) is just another example that this relationship is not getting the nurturing and
attention it richly deserves.
Even earlier, India was allowed to languish in New Zealand’s “Very High-Risk category”
that restricted inward travel to prevent any possible leak of Covid in the community far
more than needed.
At one point, the daily number of Covid infections rising in New Zealand was more
than the numbers coming daily in New Delhi – one of the ports from where considerable
inward travel emanates from India, leading questions on the merit of India’s categorisation
as a very high-risk category.
Indeed, subsequently, when threats of new Covid variant Omicron became apparent,
India went ahead and put NZ on a high-risk country list, albeit only requiring a seven-day
quarantine on arrival and a self-paid RT-PCR test.
This is when a quarter of a million strong and vibrant Indian diaspora lives in New
Zealand, with strong linkages with India requiring the need for unhindered travel, despite
a global pandemic.
Talking about connectivity – the collective need and urge for a direct flight between the
two countries has never been as high as in the middle of a global pandemic where direct
flights between two destinations are considered as least risky, preventing any potential
spread of Covid infection.
A quick review of many pressing issues affecting the Kiwi-Indian community and the
overall bilateral relationship between the two countries, such as delays and rejections of
partnership visas, decline in service exports amidst Covid disruption, education export,
among others, reveals that not enough political capital is being invested by New Zealand
in nurturing, much less strengthening, the relationship with India.
This comes against the backdrop of the latest news that India ranks as the fourth most
powerful country in Asia, with the significant economic, military, and cultural capabilities,
that if harnessed efficiently, will create win-win outcomes for New Zealand.
India’s economy has grown at a record pace in the second quarter of this year despite
grappling with a devastating second wave of Covid-19, and the country is slowly clawing
back from the losses of 2020 and actively hunting for new FTAs in 2021 with countries
like the UK, EU, Australia, and Canada.
Sadly, New Zealand is missing from the scene.
Especially when our transtasman neighbour Australia has re-invented its approach in
negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with India and is now on the cusp of cracking a deal
early next year.
This cannot happen unless some systemic apathy towards India has crept within New
Zealand’s foreign trade policy thinking.
However, remaining oblivious to a rising India is not in the best interests of New
Zealand, especially when New Zealand must plan a long-term economic recovery after
the current Covid-mayhem and huge debt.
Thought of the week
"A positive atmosphere nurtures a
positive attitude, which is required
to take positive action."
- Richard M. DeVos
10 December - 16 December 2021
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu
On-and-off
rain and
drizzle
22°
15°
On-and-off
rain and
drizzle
19°
13°
This week in New Zealand’s history
Indian Weekender : Volume 13 Issue 40
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Printed at Horton Media, Auckland
Clouds
and
sun
19°
14°
10 December 1908
Rutherford wins Nobel Prize
Clouds
and
sun
20°
14°
Clouds
and
showers
20°
14°
Copyright 2020. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
A few
morning
showers
21°
15°
A few
morning
showers
26°
17°
Ernest Rutherford’s discoveries about the nature of atoms shaped modern science and
paved the way for nuclear physics. Albert Einstein called him a ‘second Newton’ who had
‘tunnelled into the very material of God’.
10 December 1918
Anzac troops kill Arab civilians at Surafend
Relations between the Anzac Mounted Division and Palestinian Arabs reached a new low
early on 10 December 1918, when Trooper Leslie Lowry was shot dead after disturbing a
thief in his tent. That night a large group of New Zealanders and Australians exacted vigilante
justice, burning the nearby Arab village of Sarafand al-Amar (Surafend) to the ground and
killing around 40 of its male inhabitants.
10 December 1962
Maurice Wilkins wins Nobel Prize
New Zealand-born Maurice Wilkins and his colleagues James Watson and Francis Crick
shared the prize for their investigation of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),
the genetic molecule found in all organisms. Watson used X-rays to show the shape of the
double helix.
10 December 1999
Georgina Beyer becomes first transgender woman elected
to Parliament
Georgina Beyer (Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Porou) won the
Wairarapa electorate for Labour in 1999 by a margin of 3033 votes. Beyer became the
world’s first transgender member of parliament when she was sworn in on 10 December 1999.
11 December 1931
Statute of Westminster enacted
The British Parliament passed the Statute of Westminster, granting complete autonomy to its
six Dominions. Australia and New Zealand held back from adopting this status, but in 1947
New Zealand became the last of the Dominions to do so.
13 December 1642
First recorded European sighting of New Zealand
Towards noon the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sighted ‘a large land, uplifted high’. His
vessel was probably off Punakaiki, so this may have been the peaks of the Paparoa Range.

The Indian Weekender Friday, December 10, 2021 FIJI 13
2 Fijians test positive for Omicron variant
The two travellers are Fijian citizens
who had travelled back into Fiji from
Nigeria, arriving on Fiji Airways flight
FJ1392 from Hong Kong on November 25th –
the day the discovery of the Omicron variant
was announced internationally.
Public Advisory:
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services
announced last week that travellers who
had arrived from an African state and were
undergoing quarantine in a border quarantine
facility had tested positive for COVID-19.
Their samples had been sent to the
reference laboratory in Australia for urgent
genomic sequencing.
The results for the two travellers have been
received and are confirmed positive for the
Omicron variant.
The two travellers are Fijian citizens who
had travelled back into Fiji from Nigeria,
arriving on Fiji Airways flight FJ1392 from
Hong Kong on November 25th – the day
the discovery of the Omicron variant was
announced internationally.
Both travellers tested negative
for COVID-19 before departure from Fiji and
before they left Nigeria.
They entered a government-designated
border quarantine facility immediately upon
arrival into Fiji, tested positive while in
quarantine, currently have no symptoms, and
were fully vaccinated.
With the exception of four passengers, all
those on the flight were from non-travel partner
countries, and therefore entered a border
quarantine facility upon arrival to undergo the
full quarantine protocol of 10 days.
That has since been extended to 14 days.
The four passengers on the flight who
were from a travel partner country have
tested negative. The Fiji Airways crew and
accompanying passengers from FJ 1392 have
tested negative at least twice.
The indications are that we have averted
community transmission at this time, and
the measures we had put in place to prevent,
or at least delay, community transmission
through the importation of cases from red zone
countries have worked well so far. Our red
zone designated countries are countries that we
consider at high risk of proliferating variants.
These are countries with low
vaccination rates, poor testing data, and an
ongoing outbreak.
As we previously highlighted, the protocols
in place for the red zone countries were to
isolate for 5 days and test negative twice before
we approve their re-entry.
In Fiji, they undergo 14 days of strict
quarantine and testing in a governmentdesignated
border quarantine facility.
The evidence on Omicron variant’s impact
on the transmissibility of the virus, severity
of disease, and effect of prior immunity (from
vaccination or infection) is still in the very early
stages so conclusions cannot be made yet.
However, the preliminary evidence is that
this variant may be more transmissible than the
Delta variant; it may cause reinfection in people
who have been previously infected with another
variant; and it has been seen to infect people
who are fully vaccinated – although, so far, the
fully vaccinated cases have been generally mild
or with no symptoms.
Therefore, it must be re-emphasized that, if a
variant is transmissible enough, stringent border
and community measures will only delay the
inevitable entry and spread of current and future
variants of the COVID-19 virus, especially as
the Omicron variant is also spreading into some
of our travel partner countries.
Fiji’s hotel industry anticipates upward trend in visitor arrival
IWK BUREAU
Fiji’s tourism industry expects to hit
about 800,000 visitors annually by
2024, a relatively quick turnaround
from a devastating Covid-19 shutdown. There
are already fully booked flights over December
and January and operators are optimistic that
the upward trend will continue.
Tourism Fiji Chief Executive, Brent Hill said
the tourism industry is projecting a tourism
boom from the second quarter of 2022. “The
number in the middle of 2022 is 119,000 by July
and in the following year it is about 500,000
and the following year it’s about 800,000.”
However, Hill said they are being cautious
about mid-term targets. “The one thing I would
caution is to say that’s today. We will have
headwinds come our way, we might have new
variants, and markets may close off. There is a
lot of things that can still play a role.”
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association Chief
Executive, Fantasha Lockington said more
hotels are also expected to start opening up in
the next four months. The total visitor arrivals
stood at 894,389 in 2019.
Lockington has also received complaints
from locals that there are no more hotels and
resort rooms available at cheaper prices.
Lockington said some local’s claim they have
been forgotten now since the opening of the
border which is not true as the Love our Local
initiative continues.
In an interview with FijiLive, she said most
of the Love our Local special didn’t go until
December. “Now what they are complaining
about is there are no more hotel rooms. Firstly,
the locals will need to find a room and there are
no cheaper ones,” she said. “If you are going
to intercontinental then the only rooms that are
available are the expensive ones.
Many of the small resorts and hotels are
already booked out. “If you are planning to
spend the holidays with families and friends at
Mamanuca, I don’t think that you will be able to
find any availability at all. “The Love our Local
initiative will continue. Hotels and resorts when
they go on special there is a specific time frame
and they’ll always put a date,” Lockington said.
Lockington said specific hotels may have
allowed locals to book rooms at a special price
in December but there was a need for them to
pay at a specific time.
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NEW ZEALAND
Over a ton of colour to be used at
Krishna Holi 2021 event in Kumeu
The Indian Weekender Friday, February 12, 2021 11
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
T
he biggest Holi event in the country
on Sunday, February 14 at ISKCON
Temple in Kumeu will put over one
ton of colours for 10,000 visitors to play with
celebrating the annual Hindu festival.
Holi is one of the most popular and widely
celebrated festivals for the Indian community
after Diwali that is celebrated by the diaspora
and the adjoining communities across the globe.
The annual festival of colour falls on March
28-29 this year, and the religious element of the
festival signifies the triumph of good over evil.
It is observed a the end of winter and advent of
spring month (in the Indian subcontinent), and
spiritual part of the festival starts with Holika
Dahan (burning demon Holika) also known as
Chhoti Holi and the following day as Holi.
In its 9th year, Krishna Holi event at the
iconic Hare Krishna Temple in Kumeu, West
Auckland attracts thousands of people from all
walks of life, different ethnicities and faiths to
be a part of a colourful and joyous event.
Speaking with the Indian Weekender,
Krishna Chandra from the temple said they are
excited to see the festive season of Holi back
after a gloomy year of Covid-19 in the country.
“Holi at the Krishna Temple is one of the
most vibrant events in our calendar- we see
families dressed white clothing visi the temple
and then dance and drench in dry and wet
colours from noon till early evening,” Krishna
Chandra, secretary and spokesperson of Hare
Krishna Temple said.
The temple spread over 100 acres start the
free event at 11 a.m. and will have stalls that
distribute at least ten to 12 colours, and there
will also be watercolours for the visitors.
A giant LED screen is also installed on the
stage with a DJ and live music for the attendees
to dance and have fun.
“It’s a family-friendly- tobacco and alcoholfree
event. People of all ages can have fun as
there will be colour stalls, water stations, food
stalls, changing rooms, showering stations for
people drenched in colour,” Mr Chandra said.
He added tha the temple stocks colours to be sanitisers are in place for people, arrangements
used at the festival at least 2-3 years at a time. for children activities, so that everyone gets to
The temple will be used over a ton of colour at enjoy the even to its fullest.
the event both in its dry form and with water. “We have volunteers, security to usher
“We have given 200 kgs of colour to fire vehicles to park in the appropriate places,
brigade who will mix it in their water tank manage the oncoming and returning traffic,
and then splash it on the visitors at different and make sure visitors feel comfortable at the
intervals.
event,” Mr Chandra added.
“Since this year’s event coincides with The event organisers have appealed the
Valentine’s Day, we have kept valentine theme visitors to come in white dress as colours tend event like previous years will be high octane,
gifts and gift station too at the venue for the to exhibit its vibrancy on white clothing, get full of energy and good vibes,” Mr Chandra
public to celebrate the occasion there,” Mr spare clothing to change after playing with added.
Chandra added.
colour and food and water arrangements have ISKCON Temple is located on 1229
Mr Chandra says all arrangements in been made a the venue.
Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, Kumeu, West
terms of Covid QR Code scanning and hand “Hol is always a fun event and Krishna Holi Auckland, and the event starts at noon to 5 p.m.
Hare Krishna temple to host ‘Saatvik food festival’
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
T
he Hare Krishna Temple in Kumeu, West Auckland
is hosting its annual food festival event on Saturday,
February 13, for the community.
More than 3000 people are expected to attend the event
where they will be served saatvik vegetarian food, tour the
temple premises and have a relaxing family-fun day.
“Our Hare Krishna Food Festival is very popular amongs the
wider Kiwi community in Auckland, people from all faiths and
ethnicities come to the temple, take a tour of the place knowing
about the deities, the ISKCON establishment, its works for the
community and have snacks and food during the day,” Krishna
Chandra, secretary and spokesperson for Hare Krishna temple
told the Indian Weekender.
The event is said to be quiet, and exhibit a relaxing
environment where people get to meet new people, make
friends, experience the calmness being with nature, have
Saatvik (pure) vegetarian food and have good family day.
“This event is happening just one day before our most
popular Krishna Holi event which is will be loud, full of energy,
playfulness, music and dance,” Mr Chandra added.
The events will start at 2 p.m. and end at seven in the evening.
Besides the food festival, Krishna Temple organises lunch
event every Sunday at its premises where 300-400 people
come, chant mantras, meditate, spend some time with nature
and dine with the community members.
“It is a soothing atmosphere at the temple, chanting mantras
with the community, knowing more about the religion, what
can they do a the temple and how can they make a difference in
the community by serving others and the less privileged.
“There are also children’s activities
organised so that they engage themselves
and also have a good time at the temple,” Mr
Chandra said.

14 INDIA
Friday, December 10, 2021 The Indian Weekender
Chopper crash kills CDS Rawat, 12 others
Rawat, 63, the country’s most senior biggest military reforms since Independence.
Lidder and the CDS’s staff officer Lieutenant
military officer and longest serving The only survivor of the crash, Group Captain
Colonel Harjinder Singh, it is learnt. Fourteen
four-star general, had survived a Varun Singh, is under medical treatment at the
people, including the chopper’s crew, were on
chopper crash in February 2015 in Nagaland. Military Hospital in Wellington. Rawat, 63,
board the Russian-origin Mi-17V5, a modern
India’s first chief of defence staff (CDS) the country’s most senior military officer and
and reliable military helicopter that was being
General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Raje longest serving four-star general, had survived
flown by Wing Commander PS Chauhan, the
Singh Rawat, and 11 others were killed on a chopper crash in February 2015 in Nagaland.
commanding officer of 109 Helicopter Unit,
Wednesday when an Indian Air Force (IAF) “With deep regret, it has now been ascertained
and his co-pilot Squadron Leader K Singh.
Wreckage of the crashed IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, in
chopper crashed near Cooonor in Tamil Nadu that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat
The other two IAF personnel on board were
Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday.
in an air tragedy that shocked the three services and 11 other persons on board have died in
junior warrant officers Rana Pratap Das and
and came as a huge setback to the country’s the unfortunate accident,” IAF said. The dead include Rawat’s defence assistant Brigadier LS Pradeep A.
General Bipin Rawat loved sweets,
fauj and was wary of China
When as Army Chief General Rawat and his
men confronted the PLA at Doklam Plateau in
June 2017 at Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet trijunction,
he used to say when in doubt, one should pray. Today, we
pray for the fearless CDS.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat was
often politically incorrect, much to the chagrin of the
straightjacketed military and diplomatic establishment
on Raisina Hill — but he was the man that they decided
would lead India in the worst-case scenario.
Blunt, outspoken and with integrity of the highest
order, Rawat was not afraid of speaking his mind to either
politicians or the three service chiefs when it came to
military reform and the defence of the country. He was a
fighter and a nationalist to the core.
Wednesday’s accident, which took his life, was not the
first time Rawat was in a helicopter crash. On February
3, 2015, when he was III Corps Commander, he cheated
death when his Cheetah helicopter crashed at Dimapur.
Indeed, he took off to meet the Eastern Army
Commander in Arunachal Pradesh in the next available
helicopter before being medically grounded on account
of a spinal injury. He had his ankle mangled after a huge
stone hit him while on an operation against the Pakistanis
on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector in Kashmir
and had a wound medal — but he never claimed disability
allowance by lowering his medical category.
The General from Pauri Garhwal came to the notice
of the Narendra Modi government after he, as Dimapur
Corps Commander, supervised a strike against NSCN (K)
insurgents on and across the Indo-Myanmar border by
Special Forces in June 2015. Prior to that he performed
exceptionally as the 19 Division commander in the Uri
sector against the Pakistanis.
Gen. Rawat came into his own as a military commander
when he took on the Chinese PLA at Doklam Plateau on
the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet trijunction in June 2017.
Despite all odds, Rawat, with the full support of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor
Ajit Doval stopped the PLA from building a road to
the Jhampheri Ridge, which would have made India
vulnerable in the Siliguri corridor. History will record
the stubbornness and resolve of the Indian Army even as
Beijing issued daily verbal and physical military threats
to force them to back off.
Gen Rawat not only prepared his army for vertical
escalation but also had the confidence of his political
bosses, national security planners and intelligence chiefs.
Rawat, who had a huge sweet tooth, had the rare ability
to reach out across the ranks of not just the Indian Army,
but the two other services as well when he became India's
first CDS on January 1, 2020. He had very little time
for military pomp, show and regalia and was happiest
amongst his troops.
He was a leader of men and abhorred the paraphernalia
associated with army generals. He stopped playing golf
just to set an example to other officers.
When the Chinese PLA transgressed across the Ladakh
LAC in April 2020, the Modi government turned to Gen
Rawat and the present Army Chief Gen M N Naravane to
handle the show.
General Rawat along with the NSA and External
Affairs Minister formed the core group for diplomatically
and militarily tackling the aggressive PLA.
National security planners vividly remember that Gen
Rawat knew each and every hill feature and track on the
south bank of Pangong Tso and the Kailash Ranges during
the planning of the offensive on August 29-31, 2020. It
was ultimately this offensive on the south
bank that forced the PLA
to restore status quo
ante on the north
bank of the lake. He
was totally focused
on the Chinese activity
along the LAC
and knew that the real
threat to India came
from Beijing. And to that
extent he never took the
Chinese word on its face
value.
As a military administrator
in-charge
of military affairs,
PM Modi tasked Gen
Rawat to create theatre
commands and
modernize the army
with rationalization
of forces and equipment.
Where the incident took place
The Chief of Defence
Staff was on his way to
the Defence Services
Staff College in Wellington near
Coonoor.
Wellington in Tamil Nadu,
India
For the uninitiated, there is a
small military cantonment area in
the Southern state of India Tamil Nadu known as Wellington
Wellington is a town in The Nilgiris District in the Indian state of Tamil
Nadu, three kilometers to the north of Coonoor on the NH181. The town
includes a Wellington Bazaar, and the Wellington Cantonment. The Wellington
Cantonment is home to The Madras Regimental Centre (MRC) and The
Defence Services Staff College (DSSC). The Nilgiri Passenger train passes
through Wellington, which also has a railway station.
Gen Rawat's death: PM Modi, President,
Rajnath Singh, Rahul Gandhi mourn CDS
Following the untimely demise
of India's first and serving
Chief of Defence Staff
General Bipin Rawat, condolences
poured in from across the political
spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra
Guterres 'deeply saddened' by death of Gen
Rawat, veteran of UN peacekeeping operations
UN Secretary General
Antonio Guterres is "deeply
saddened" by the death of
Generl Bipin Rawat, India's Chief
of Defence Services and a veteran
of UN peacekeeping operations,
according to his Spokesperson
Stephane Dujarric.
"He served the United Nations
with distinction, and we fully
appreciated that work," Dujarric said
on Wednesday.
Guterres "expresses his heartfelt
condolences to the families and
the deceased to the people and
government of India", he said.
Rawat was the Kivu Brigade
Hailing General Bipin Rawat's
role in the transformation
of India's military, US
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said
that he had left an " indelible mark"
on defence ties between the two
countries.
"General Rawat left an indelible
mark on the course of the US-India
defense partnership and was at the
center of the Indian Armed Forces'
transformation into a more jointly
integrated warfighting organisation,"
Austin said in a condolence message
on Wednesday.
"I and the [Defense] Department
extend our deepest condolences to
the Rawat family, the Indian military,
and the people of India after the
tragic passing of Chief of Defense
Staff General Bipin Rawat in a
helicopter crash," he said.
Rawat, his wife and 11 others were
Modi, President of India Ram Nath
Kovind, Defence Minister Rajnath
Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah,
and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
were among those who remembered
the late soldier.
Commander in the peacekeeping
operation, United Nations
Organisation Mission in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
known by its French initials as
MONUSCO, during 2008-2009
when he had the rank of Lt General.
Gen Rawat transformed India's armed forces into
'integrated warfighting organisation': Austin
killed when their helicopter crashed
in the Nilgris on Wednesday.
"I had the privilege of meeting
with him earlier this year and viewed
him as a valued partner and friend of
the United States," Austin said.
Rawat had visited the US in
September and met with Austin,
Chairman of Chiefs of Defence
Staff General Mark Milley and other
officials and visted Joint Base Lewis-
McChord in Washington State.
After their meeting, Austin
tweeted, "We reaffirmed our
enduring commitment to a Free and
Open Indo-Pacific and discussed
ways to drive greater interoperability
between the US and Indian armed
forces."
The US Embassy in New Delhi
said that "Rawat spearheaded a
historic period of transformation in
the Indian military."

The Indian Weekender Friday, December 10, 2021
WORLD 15
Unicef launches largest ever singlenation
appeal for Afghanistan
The Unicef on Tuesday
launched the largest-ever
single-nation appeal for $2
billion to respond to the humanitarian
needs in Afghanistan.
"Unicef launched its largestever
single-country appeal today to
urgently respond to the humanitarian
needs of over 24 million people
in Afghanistan, half of whom are
children," the UN agency said.
The agency added that its appeal
will help to avert the imminent
collapse of health, nutrition, WASH
(Water, Sanitation and Hygiene),
education and other vital social
services for children and families,
reports Xinhua news agency.
Since the August 15 takeover
of Afghanistan by the Taliban and
the formation of the Taliban-led
caretaker government on September
7, the country's humanitarian
situation has worsened.
The statement said that "the
humanitarian situation continues to
deteriorate in Afghanistan, there are
alarming disruptions in health and
UN chief in
self-isolation
after contact
with Covidpositive
person
Secretary General Antonio
Guterres has been in selfisolation
after coming in
contact with someone who tested
positive for Covid-19, his deputy
spokesman Farhan Haq said.
"He has shown no symptoms and
has initially tested negative. Out
of an abundance of caution, he has
cancelled all his engagements and
he will work from home until he is
tested on Thursday, December 9,"
Haq wrote in a note to the UN press
corps on Tuesday.
The Secretary General was
originally scheduled to participate
in a high-level event for the UN
Central Emergency Response Fund
on Wednesday and was expected
to speak at Thursday's open debate
of the Security Council on security
in the context of terrorism and
climate change, Xinhua news agency
reported.
His scheduled attendance as a
guest of honor at an annual gala of the
UN Correspondents Association in
downtown Manhattan on Wednesday
night is also affected.
Guterres, 72, was among the first
New York residents to get vaccinated
with his first shot in late January
2021 and a second one later on. He
received a booster on November 26.
"
As families struggle
to put nutritious
food on the table
and health systems
are further strained,
millions of Afghan
children are at risk
of starvation and
death. Others struggle
to access water and
sanitation, are cut off
from their schools and
are at heightened risk
of violence.
Australian science
agency opens testing
facility for lunar rovers
Australia's national science agency has opened a
purpose-built facility to test technology before it
is sent to the Moon.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organisation (CSIRO) on Thursday opened the In-situ
Resource Utilisation (ISRU) Facility in Brisbane.
The facility provides a Moon-like environment to test
rovers and related equipment before it is sent into space,
Xinhua news agency reported.
"Our ability to simulate the lunar terrain at this scale
is an exciting advancement for the development of space
technology in Australia," CSIRO Space Programme
Director Kimberley Clayfield said in a media release.
"This facility is the latest example of our commitment
to stimulating innovation, supporting industry and solving
the greatest challenges through space science, technology
and exploration.
"We're looking forward to working with researchers
and businesses from across the space sector to test their
technology and systems for future space missions."
The ISRU Facility, which is located at CSIRO's
Queensland Center for Advanced Technologies, contains
a sealed dust area to simulate various types of Moon dust,
smaller pits for small-scale tests and a mission control
room to monitor rovers and payloads.
The Australian Space Agency (ASA) in October
nutrition services, a disastrous food
crisis, drought, outbreaks of measles,
acute watery diarrhea, polio and
other preventable diseases, as well as
the crippling onset of winter".
Alice Akunga, Uniced Afghanistan
Representative, was quoted in the
statement as saying that the current
humanitarian situation in Afghanistan
is dire especially for children.
Winter has already set in, without
additional funding the agency and
its partners will be unable to reach
the children and families that are in
urgent need, she said. "As families
struggle to put nutritious food on
the table and health systems are
further strained, millions of Afghan
children are at risk of starvation
and death. Others struggle to access
water and sanitation, are cut off from
their schools and are at heightened
risk of violence. As the desperation
of families and children increases,
Unicef is doing everything possible
to save and protect children." Akunga
added.
The Unicef estimates that one in
two Afghan children under five will
be acutely malnourished in 2022 due
to the food crisis and poor access
to water, sanitation and hygiene
services, according to the statement.
"Unicef is strongly urging donors
to support Afghanistan's children
through its humanitarian appeal,"
added Akunga. UN agencies,
aid group and a number of nongovernmental
organisations are
racing against the time to deliver lifesaving
aid and supplies to crisis-hit
Afghans ahead of winter.
Australian
central
bank flags
Omicron
uncertainty
The Reserve Bank of Australia
(RBA) said on Tuesday
that it would maintain
"accommodative monetary policy"
into December, flagging the new
threat of the Omicron Covid-19
variant to the economy.
During its monthly monetary
policy update on Tuesday,
RBA Governor Philip Lowe
acknowledged the Omicron variant,
which has begun to spread in the
state of New South Wales (NSW),
as a "new source of uncertainty" but
downplayed its potential to derail the
nation's economic recovery, reports
Xinhua news agency.
"The economy is expected to
return to its pre-Delta path in the first
half of 2022," said Lowe.
He pointed to increased wage
growth brought on by Australia's
recovering labour market as one of
many positive signs for the economic
rebound.
"This pick-up (in wage growth)
is expected to be only gradual,
although there is uncertainty about
the behaviour of wages as the
unemployment rate declines to
historically low levels."
"Household consumption is
rebounding strongly and the
outlook for business investment has
improved," said Lowe.
He cast some doubt on the
wavering of the Australian dollar
which he said had "depreciated and
is around its lows of the past year".
According to the RBA, the current
rate of inflation in Australia is 2.1 per
cent and is expected to reach 2.5 per
cent over 2023.
In previous instances, the RBA
had committed to not raising interest
rates above 0.1 per cent until inflation
is sustainably within the 2 to 3 per
cent range.
The announcement also confirmed
that the bank would not taper its
weekly purchases of A$4 billion of
government bonds until at least mid
February 2022.
Delete Joe Biden's $1tn infrastructure bill: Elon Musk
Taking on US President
Joe Biden, Tesla CEO
Elon Musk has said
that America does not need his
administration's ambitious $1 trillion
infrastructure bill, or any of the
government subsidies.
Speaking at the Wall Street
Journal's CEO summit late on
Monday, Musk said: "We've spent
so much money.. The federal budget
deficit is insane. I would say... can
the whole (infrastructure) bill. Don't
pass it, that's my recommendation.
"Just delete them all".
In November, Biden signed a
bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure
bill into law after months of delay
amid Democratic infighting over a
social spending package.
The bill includes $550 billion
in new spending on infrastructure
projects, such as roads, bridges,
passenger rails, drinking water and
wastewater systems.
The rest of the infrastructure
"
The challenge is the Moon
dust is powdery, sharp and
electrostatically charged so it
sticks to everything and has
the potential to damage the
technology sent to investigate it
signed a landmark deal with the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA) of the US to send an
Australian-built rover to the Moon for the first time as
early as 2026.
ISRU Project Leader Jonathon Ralston said
the new facility would be key to solving major
challenges for the rover.
"The challenge is the Moon dust is powdery, sharp and
electrostatically charged so it sticks to everything and has
the potential to damage the technology sent to investigate
it," he said.
"Our facility offers technology developers the
opportunity to test their equipment closer to home, in a
safe environment to find solutions to this dusty problem."
package involves previously
approved spending.
Musk further said that Tesla has
been selling its electric cars for more
than a year in the US without the
$7,500 federal tax credit, without
taking a demand hit.
He added that the US government
should not be giving out
subsidies to expand EV charging
infrastructure either.
"Do we need support for gas
stations? We don't. So there's no need
for this," Musk said.
Tesla currently operates more than
3,000 charging stations with around
30,000 connectors globally.
Musk's electric car company has
officially moved its headquarters
from Palo Alto, California,
to Austin, Texas.
Tesla will continue to operate its
electric vehicle factory in Fremont,
California, and increase production
there by 50 per cent.

16
FEATURES
Friday, December 10, 2021 The Indian Weekender
Healthy cooking every day
GUJARATI
recipes of
the week
Gujarati cuisine is one of the the oldest
culinary treasures of India and here we bring
you 13 of its best dishes to prepare at home
Gujarati Kadhi
Ingredients
• 2 Cups Sour yogurt
• 2 Tbsp Gram flour
• 4 Cups Water
• 1/4 tsp Asafoetida
• 1 Tbsp Salt
• 1 tsp Chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 2-3 Tbsp Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Oil
• 2 tsp Mustard seeds
• 8-10 Curry leaves
• 3-4 Whole red chillies
• 2 Tbsp Coriander leaves
Method
• Whisk the yoghurt till smooth,
Shrikhand
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 Cups dahi
• 1/4 cup sugar, powdered
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Method
• Place the dahi in a strainer lined with a
thin cloth, and leave to drain the extra
water. Takes about 1 hour, depending on
the richness of the dahi.
• Transfer the strained dahi into a mixing
bowl and add the sugar and half the
cardamom and mix well, till smooth.
• Transfer on to a serving bowl and garnish
with the rest of the cardamom powder.
• Leave to set in the refrigerator, chilling
for at least 2 hours and serve.
add gram flour to it, blending
well till batter becomes smooth
again.
• Add asafoetida, salt, chilli
powder, cinnamon powder,
sugar and water.
• Mix very well.
• In a heavy-based saucepan, heat
oil, add mustard seeds, curry
leaves and whole red chillies.
• When the seeds begin to splutter,
add the yoghurt mixture, increase
flame and bring to a boil.
• Lower flame and leave to simmer
for about 15-20 minutes.
• Serve Gujarati Kadhi hot,
garnished with coriander leaves.
Khandvi
Ingredients
• 60 gms besan (gram flour)
• 60 gms khatta dahi (sour
yogurt)
• 375 ml water
• 1/2 tsp ginger paste
• 1/2 tsp green chilli paste
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp heeng (asafoetida)
• 1/8 tsp haldi (turmeric)
For tempering
• 2 tsp oil
• 1/2 tsp sarson (mustard seeds)
• 2 sasirch (dried whole red
pepper)
• 4-5 Kadhi patta (curry leaves)
• 1 tbsp hara dhania (coriander
leaves) chopped fine
• 1/4 cup coconut, grated
Method
• Place flour in a deep, heavy
based pan (the pan should
be large, as there is a lot of
spurting while cooking).
• Add ginger-chilli paste, chilli
powder, salt, heeng and haldi,
and mix. Now add the yogurt,
Patra
Ingredients
• 5 Colacasia leaves
• For Batter:
• 150 Gram Gram flour
• 100 Gram Tamarind pulp
• 20 Gram Chilli powder
• 5 Gram Turmeric powder
• 2 Gram Asafoetida
• 2 Gram Cumin seeds, roasted
• 20 Gram Sugar
• 20 Ml Oil
• To taste Salt
For Tempering
• 30 Ml Oil
• 5 Gram Mustard seeds
• 10 Gram Sesame seeds
• 25 Gram Coriander seeds
• 75 Gram Coconut
Method
For the preparation
• Chop the coriander leaves.
• Grate the coconut.
• Cut off the thick veins and wash the
colacasia leaves.
• Mix the listed ingredients and make a
thick batter.
• Place a colacasia leaf on the table and
spread a thin layer of the batter on
top, place another leaf on top, repeat
applying the batter.
• Fold in the sides of the leaf, then roll
lengthwise into a tight roll
For cooking
• Steam the rolls for 30 minutes.
• Remove and cut them into 1 cm thick
slices.
• Arrange the slices on a platter.
• Heat the oil and add the mustard
seeds, when they crackle add sesame,
coriander leaves, and coconut.
• Pour this tempering on the sliced
patra. Serve warm.
a little at a time, so as to form
a smooth paste, without any
lumps, and then the water.
• Place the pan over high heat,
and bring to a boil, stirring all
the time (to avoid scorching).
• Keep cooking and stirring
till you reach a paste like
consistency, increasing or
decreasing the heat according
to your ability to avoid
scorching.
• It is cooked enough, when you
separate a portion of it from
the rest with a stirrer and you
can see the bottom of the pan,
which gets covered gradually
(if it gets covered immediately,
it is too thin).
• Another test is to spread a tsp
of the batter on to an ungreased
surface, when cool, it should
Lighter Takes
& Easy Tips
Steamed Dhokla
Ingredients
• 1 Cup gram flour (besan)
• 1 tbsp citric acid
• 1 tbsp sugar to taste salt
• A pinch of turmeric
• Water (to make batter)
• 1 tbsp fruit salt/ baking powder
(dissolved in water)
For the Tadka:
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2 tbsp mustard seeds
• 1 Dried red chilli
• 7-8 Curry leaves
Method
• In a bowl mix gram flour, citric
acid, salt, sugar and turmeric.
Add water and make it into a
smooth batter with medium thick
consistency.
• In a glass add the fruit salt or
baking powder. Add water to
it and pour this into the dhokla
mixture.
• Grease the steaming tin with 2
drops of oil and pour the mixture
into it. Steam for about 15-20
minutes or till cooked.
• In a pan, add oil, mustard seeds,
curry leaves and red chillies. Let
it splutter.
• Pour the tadka over the prepared
dhokla.
• Cut into pieces and serve.
Methi Ka Thepla
Ingredients
• 2 Cups Atta
• 2 Tbsp Oil
• 1 Tbsp Dried Methi
• 2 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Ginger and Green Chillies
(make paste)
• 1 tsp Garlic
• 2 tsp Coriander Powder
• 1 tsp Sugar
• To knead Yogurt
• As needed Water
Method
• Take all ingredients in a bowl.
Mix well.
• Knead the ingredients well with
yogurt and some water.
come off clean.
• With the help of a rubber
spatula spread the mixture onto
an ungreased surface, in as thin
a layer as possible and leave to
cool.
• Heat the oil in a small pan and
add the sarson, kadhi patta
and sabut lal mirch. Stir a few
times and then spread over the
layer. Sprinkle all but 1 tbsp of
the coriander and 1tbsp of the
coconut over it, and pick up the
lal mirch and keep aside.
• Cut this layer into strips roll
up each strip like a scroll, as
firmly as you can, without
breaking them.
• Arrange them on to a serving
dish. Garnish with the rest of
the coriander, coconut and
peppers. Serve.
• Make
t h i n paranthas
out of the dough.
• Cook the paranthas from both
sides, over high flame till greenish
brown.
• Serve hot.
Samosa
Ingredients
• 1/2 Kg
F l o u r
dough
For filling:
• 2 tsp Oil
• 1/2 Cup
Green peas
(grounded)
• 1/2 tsp
Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Lemon juice
• 1 tsp Coriander, chopped
• To taste Salt
Method
• Make thin roundels from the flour
dough using rolling pin and keep
aside.
Prepare the filling:
• Heat oil in a pan and saute green
peas.
• Add sugar, lemon juice, salt and
coriander. Cook for few minutes.
• Now fold the roundels in the
shape of a cone.
• Fill them with the green peas
filling and seal them with little
water.
Fry the samosa cones till they turn
colour and serve with chutney.

The Indian Weekender Friday, December 10, 2021
WORLD 17
FreeDailyCrosswords.com
CROSSWORD NO: 94
ACROSS------------,
I) "_ like old times"
6) "Fear of Fifty" author Jong
11) Endorsing
14) Like draft beer
15) Union group
16) "Anytown, _"
17) Hold grudges
19) Blazing
20) French wine classification
21) Australian with three toes
22) Doctor's due
23) Pathetically inept person
27) Cardinal
29) Japanese tie
30) Focal device
32) One-eighth of a piece of
eight
33) Faux_ (blunder)
34) Moved stealthily
36) Latin music type
39) Chancellor von Bismarck
41) Three-tone chord
FOUR SICK DAYS
14
17
2 3 4 5
43) Holier-than-thou
44) Jockey's controls
46) Like brains and ears
48) Alter _
49) The moon in Paris
51) Double negative?
52) One of the Bobbsey Twins
53) Some wrestling holds
56) Prejudice
58) Historic time
59) Alternative to NC, once
60) Cleo's killer
61) Butter unit
62) Reason for many surgeries
68) Brunched
69) Disease of cereals
70) Establish as law
71) _ Altos, Calif.
72) Does a casino job
73) Disney duck
Berns
1st February
DOWN
I) Weep
2) Memphis-to-Nashville dir.
3) Heathrow airport listing (Abbr.)
4) Chagall and Antony
5) DNA shapes
6) Architectural annex
7) Propel a boat
8) More frigid and slippery
9) Less agitated
10) Hints at (with "to")
11) Feeling of satisfaction
12) Basket weaver's material
13) Appraised
18) Giving off light
23) Deep sleep
24) Diminish in intensity
25) Some purified liquids
26) Small projecting ridge
28) Cotswold cries
31) Descendant or heir
35) Skewered fare
37) Common sweetener
38) Opposite of ecstasy
40) Unwelcome obligation
42) Rejection of a request
45) Emulated a bull
47) Iditarod vehicle
50) Curtain call
53) Country in the Himalayas
54) A Muse
55) _ different tune (changed one's
mind)
57) State one's views
63) Costa del _
64) "_ a deal!"
65) Shooter's marble
66) Bar rocks
67) Where bacon is stored?
ANSWERS CROSSWORD NO: 94
FreeDailyCrosswords.com
ACROSS------------,
I) "_ like old times"
6) "Fear of Fifty" author Jong
11) Endorsing
14) Like draft beer
15) Union group
16) "Anytown, _"
17) Hold grudges
19) Blazing
20) French wine classification
21) Australian with three toes
22) Doctor's due
23) Pathetically inept person
27) Cardinal
29) Japanese tie
30) Focal device
32) One-eighth of a piece of
eight
33) Faux_ (blunder)
34) Moved stealthily
36) Latin music type
39) Chancellor von Bismarck
41) Three-tone chord
FOUR SICK DAYS
1
s
2 E 3E M
s
s
1
b N T A p
1 l
1
il E A R I
t: R u
1 L L
43) Holier-than-thou
44) Jockey's controls
46) Like brains and ears
48) Alter _
49) The moon in Paris
51) Double negative?
52) One of the Bobbsey Twins
53) Some wrestling holds
56) Prejudice
58) Historic time
59) Alternative to NC, once
60) Cleo's killer
61) Butter unit
62) Reason for many surgeries
68) Brunched
69) Disease of cereals
70) Establish as law
71) _ Altos, Calif.
72) Does a casino job
73) Disney duck
7R 8 1 gc 1 A
0 C A L
w I L L I
2 1: M u E
2 R E D
1 i I R
2!, 2 2
b C k
2b B I N 35 3k E A L
,, A s u C 3k A L 35
3b T
E
I A 4b
0 B E 4b
4s
HITORI NO: 94
S N 0 N
511 I
A
T
E
D
L I 6 T 66 1 6 7S
7
ENAC T
1
bEWEY
1st February
DOWN
I) Weep
2) Memphis-to-Nashville dir.
3) Heathrow airport listing (Abbr.)
4) Chagall and Antony
5) DNA shapes
6) Architectural annex
7) Propel a boat
8) More frigid and slippery
9) Less agitated
10) Hints at (with "to")
11) Feeling of satisfaction
12) Basket weaver's material
13) Appraised
18) Giving off light
23) Deep sleep
24) Diminish in intensity
25) Some purified liquids
26) Small projecting ridge
28) Cotswold cries
31) Descendant or heir
35) Skewered fare
37) Common sweetener
38) Opposite of ecstasy
40) Unwelcome obligation
42) Rejection of a request
45) Emulated a bull
47) Iditarod vehicle
50) Curtain call
53) Country in the Himalayas
54) A Muse
55) _ different tune (changed one's
mind)
57) State one's views
63) Costa del _
64) "_ a deal!"
65) Shooter's marble
66) Bar rocks
67) Where bacon is stored?
Eliminate numbers until there are no duplicates in any row or
column. Eliminate numbers by marking them in Black. You are
not allowed to have two Black squares touching horizontally or
vertically (diagonally is ok). Any White square can be reached
from any other (i.e. they are connected).
SUDOKU SOLUSIONS AND ANSWERS NO: 94
65 66 67
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which planet has the most moons?
Saturn
2. What part of a plant conducts
photosynthesis? Leaf
3. How many elements are in the periodic
table? 118
4. Where is the smallest bone in the
human body located? Ear
5. How many hearts does an octopus
have?3
6. Who discovered penicillin? Alexander
Fleming
7. Queen Elizabeth II is the longest
reigning monarch of the UK, followed
by Queen Victoria – but who is third?
George III
8. Which two houses were involved in the
War of the Roses? York, Lancaster
9. Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced,
beheaded, survived – who was Henry
VIII’s last wife? Catherine Parr
10. Which year did the European Union
first introduce the Euro as currency?
1999
11. What is the capital of Bulgaria? Sofia
12. What is the capital of New Zealand?
Wellington
13. Beirut is the capital of which country?
Lebanon
14. What is the capital of Canada? Ottawa
15. Hanoi is the capital of which country?
Vietnam
16. What is the capital of Argentina?
Buenos Aries
17. The capital of Iceland is? Reykjavik
18. Slovakia’s capital is? Bratislava
19. What’s the capital of Belgium?
Brussels
20. What is the capital of Brazil? Brasilia
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18 ENTERTAINMENT
Friday, December 10, 2021 The Indian Weekender
Most popular movies on Netflix right now
All American
On the Verge Learn letters, numbers, animal sounds, and
more with J.J. in this musical series that
brings fun times with nursery rhymes for the
whole family!
The Circle
approaching, and what began as a robbery will
turn into a war. Part 5 of the iconic series will be
released in two volumes, on September 3 and
December 3 2021
Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror
When a star high school football player
from South Central is recruited to play
for Beverly Hills High School, two separate
worlds collide.
Octonauts: Above and Beyond
The Octonauts expand their exploration
beyond the sea — and onto land!
Sharkdog
10 year old Max and his best friend Sharkdog
- half shark, half dog, all appetite. Blissfully
unaware of his own strength, stealth and
general sharkiness, Sharkdog often leaves a
trail of chaos in his wake.
ON THE VERGE (12x30’) written by the
heartwarming words of Julie Delpy (2
DAY IN PARIS, BEFORE SUNRISE) brings
us a comedy set in the crazy world of LA. We
dive into the lives of four women that are ON
THE VERGE.
Manifest
commercial airliner suddenly reappears
A after being missing for five years. As those
aboard reintegrate into society, they experience
guiding voices and visions of events yet to
occur, and soon a deeper mystery unfolds.
Cocomelon
cast of eight new contestants enter The
A Circle, where they flirt, befriend, piss off,
and compete in challenges against each other
on a unique social media platform to earn the
ultimate cash prize as top influencer. With
$100k on the line, will they be able to earn clout
and figure out who is real and who is a catfish?
Money Heist
The gang has been shut in the Bank of Spain
for over 100 hours. They have managed
to rescue Lisbon, but their darkest moment is
upon them after losing one of their own. The
Professor has been captured by Sierra and, for
the first time, doesn’t have an escape plan. Just
when it seems like nothing else could go wrong,
an enemy comes on the scene that is much
more powerful than any they’ve faced: the
army. The end of the greatest heist in history is
Must-watch movies on Disney Plus
Captain America: The First Avenger
chance to rejoin humanity presents itself in the
person of the charming Jane (Minnie Driver).
The stakes still feel worthwhile--which family
will Tarzan go with--while also using some of
the most stunning animation of the era.
Mrs. Doubtfire
Based on a true story, the film follows three
Black female mathematicians who were integral
to solving problems at NASA that paved the
way for the U.S.’s space race dominance.
Cruella
The September 11, 2001 attacks changed
the world in ways that have taken decades
to understand. Twenty years later, following
the longest war in American history and
Afghanistan once again in Taliban control,
TURNING POINT: 9/11 AND THE WAR
ON TERROR answers the questions: Who
attacked the U.S. and why? What breakdowns
in intelligence allowed it to happen? How
did decisions at the highest levels of three
administrations in the war on terror bring us to
this moment?
Clickbait
Nick Brewer (Adrian Grenier) is a loving
father, husband, and brother, who one day
suddenly and mysteriously disappears. A video
appears on the internet of the badly beaten
Nick holding a card that says "I abuse women.
At 5 million views, I die". Is this a threat or
confession? Or both?
Casarosa’s childhood, the movie takes place
in 1950s-60s Italian Riviera where a young sea
monster named Luca (Jacob Tremblay) gets
his wish to meet humans when he goes to the
surface, only to discover he transforms into a
human boy when out of the water.
We Bought a Zoo
While many Marvel fans will swear
by Captain America: The Winter
Soldier, I'd counter that The First Avenger is not
only the superior Captain America movie, but
also the best Marvel movie. If you're looking to
make a movie about superheroes, then maybe
it's a good idea to understand heroism and in
no Marvel movie is that better encapsulated
than The First Avenger.
Tarzan
Look no further than Mrs. Doubtfire for proof
of Robin Williams’ range as a performer.
This 1993 family film lets Williams showcase
his tremendous impressions and knack for
character creation, while also allowing him to
show a softer dramatic side.
Hidden Figures
Cruella is certainly one of the stronger
Disney live-action remakes so far, largely
because it delights in doing its own thing
versus trying to feel too much like its animated
predecessor. The film is an origin story for
Cruella de Vil set in 1980s London, as Emma
Stone plays an orphaned small-time crook with
a passion for fashion who gets a dream gig
working for renowned designer the Baroness
(Emma Thompson).
Filmmaker Cameron Crowe is known for
making some of the best films of all time,
from Almost Famous to Jerry Maguire, but
running through all of his work is an earnestness
that shines through.
Isle of Dogs
Luca
If you haven't seen what largely qualifies the
end of Disney's second Golden Age, the film
is absolutely worth a re-watch. The film follows
the traditional story of Tarzan (Tony Goldwyn)-
-a man raised by apes who is then torn when the
If you’re looking for an inspirational movie
to watch with the whole family, Hidden
Figures is both entertaining and enlightening.
The 2021 Pixar film Luca is a sweet, summery
delight. Inspired by director Enrico
T
hanks to Disney’s acquisition of 20th
Century Fox, Wes Anderson’s two stopmotion
animated movies (distributed by Fox
Searchlight) are streaming on Disney+.

The Indian Weekender Friday, December 10, 2021
FEATURES 19
FASHION AND BEAUTY
Nail Art
FOZIA YUSUF
As we hit Red traffic light
System first thing, I looked
at was my Nails and it
was screaming excuse me I need
attention! In celebration of this
moment, I booked my appointment
with my Nail Artist Bonnie.
Pro nail artist Bonnie from Bon
again become a routine part of life.
As I was getting my nails done, I
asked Bonnie what the new trends
are and the colours our kiwi’s are
opting for this season.
Here are the biggest 2021 nail
trends to watch out for, according
to the experts who know.
Kiss press-on nails are a favourite.
We’d go with styles that already have
a little bit of flair that you can add
small details to. Glam Fantasy Nail
in Parasol Gel Fantasy in Be Jelly,
and imPress nails in Ten Different
Muted
Tones
As Bonnie points out, celebrities
have been leaning toward bright
colours with muted undertones —
she lists sage, melon, and buttery
yellow as examples— in recent
months.
“Celebrities turn towards these
colours for red carpets, cover
looks, and everyday wear because
they complete any look without a
dazzling statement. They are also
calming colours that have a feelgood
mood.”
Here are a few polishes that
cuticle area.
"This allows the clients to extend
the time between their appointments
and save money as the frequency of
the salon visit can extend from every
two to three weeks to about every
four to five weeks.”
Graphics
minimal and graphic designs are in
the nail-art forecast for 2021. That’s
also caused by a lack of access to
professional manicures.
“People are looking for ways
to exhibit themselves exquisitely
and creatively while choosing
for self-care at the same time.
“Painting your nails is one way to
do that and minimal nail art is very
beginner-friendly.”
Subtle curves and angled lines
are some of the ways to do simple
graphics at home.
And all you need is a few key nail
colours. “Black and white with a
splash of colour are for a more laidback
vibe.
Some favourites are Jinsoon’s
Absolute Black and Sally Hansen’s
Well, Well, Well will have you
covered on basics. From there, all
you need is some random dots or
splotches in a pastel shade like Zoya
Nail Lacquer in Abby.
Nail & Spa New Zealand break
down their predictions for the
trends and designs that are bound to
be big this season.
The year 2020 and 2021 has
been trying and interesting for the
beauty world, but it was especially
so for our nails.
Thanks to the COVID (delta), we
saw closure and timid re-openings
of nail salons, an increase in eczema
due to preventative handwashing,
a call to end nail-biting in fear of
contracting the coronavirus, and
a revolution of at-home manicure
techniques like press-on nails — all
in less than one year.
Speaking to Bonnie - nail artists
and manicurists aren’t sure what to
predict of the future, but they are
confident about one thing: DIY nail
trends are going to remain popular,
even as professional manicures once
Looks are a few of our favourites.
Nostalgia
Nostalgia has also been in demand
for obvious reasons; As a nail, artists
describe that’s not changing up in
2021, either.
“This is why there’s been a
trend of a retro revival through
manicures that give a nod to the
‘60s and ‘70s aesthetics,” she says.
“This is expressed through rustic
shades paired with pastel brights
and graphic, swirly patterns that are
therapeutic to execute.”
Some examples of shades OPI’s
Alpaca My Bags, Coral-ing Your
Spirit Animal, You’ve Got That
Glas-Glow, and Suzi Talks with
Her Hands — together, they create
a soothing combination of beige,
muted teal, and bright orange.
You don’t need a particular tool
to pull this off, by the way, -tipped
nail brush, you can use the brush
that comes in your polish of choice
and simply tilt it to the side while
painting your design.
have the specific muted quality
she’s talking about: MiniLuxe Pure
Polish in Little Miss Sunshine, Esse
Quick-Dry Nail Polish in Strong at
1 Percent, and Deborah Lippmann’s
Gel Lab Pro Polish in Afternoon
Delight.
Negative Space
For the foreseeable future in 2022,
manicures probably aren’t going
to be as accessible as we shift to
freedom for vaccine pass users -as
they were before the pandemic.
Anyone who does go in for
manicures should choose their
designs wisely — enter nail art that
uses negative space.
“For those who are going to the
salon for services, the negative
space nail art trend is very popular
because the grow-out is less
noticeable over time.
“A negative space nail art design
allows for a pitch-and-toss effect of
the natural nail, usually around the
Masking
wearing a face-covering in public
is going to be a permanent part of our
lives, throughout (and probably after)
2021. “Due to the pandemic, I think
we are showing more characteristics
in our appearance due to wearing
face Masks and working remotely
from home.
Now, part of our style is more
assimilated into our nails and eye
makeup.
Matching manicures and masks
are totally in right now.
Although no one can predict what
2022 will be like, with these expertapproved
manicure ideas, we can at
least rest well with the knowledge
that at least our nails will be amazing.

4 2 2 429m2
57A Sabulite Road, Kelston
First home buyers
or investors
Rare opportunity on the market. Recently fully refurbished.
This fantastic well maintained solid brick and tile home ticks all the boxes. The
layout is practical and the space is generous. The living area is open plan to the
kitchen, and this property will win your heart. Lovely single -level brick and tile home
would make the perfect starter or a fabulous investment. Solid and low
maintenance. Comfortable and modern open plan kitchen, dining and living area.
Double internal access garaging and off-street parking. Garden with front &
backyard. Located between Henderson and New Lynn. It's an affordable option and
smart investment.
AUCTION Tuesday 21 Dec 2:30 p.m. Via Zoom
(Unless Sold Prior)
Open Home As Advertised or
By Appointment
027 604 6140
rutul.jani@harcourts.co.nz
YOUR
OUR EXPERIENCE
At Harcourts, managing your investment is our
experience. We believe that us managing your
property will provide you peace of mind and save
you time to focus on your own business.
Established on the foundations of a strong client -
first culture, our commitment to managing your
property like its our own, provides you with
specialist guidance and good tenants, which
makes owning a rental property more rewarding.
Find where you belong.
Call one of our Property Manager for a friendly
chat.
Vishal Agarwal
Property Manager
027 355 0833
Michael Huang
Property Manager
021 101 8069
Call today for a friendly chat on
027 577 3747
VK Verma
09 621 1033
mtroskill.rentals@harcourts.co.nz
2 White Swan Road Mt Roskill