Migrant News Vol 15 No 3, 2022

www.migrantnews.nz
YOUR FREE
COPY
Vol 3
2022
Mob: 027 495 8477 I email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz I 32nd Anniversary I Facebook page: www.migrantnews.nz I Print & Online Edition
1. Straight
to residence
2. Work to
residence
3. Highly
paid -
'twice the
median
wage’
Govt opens
three new
residence
pathways
pg 7
Local Body Elections
WHO, WHAT, WHY
AND WHERE ...
Migrant non-voting costing
pg 2 pg 4
pg 4 pg 4
“Healthy democracy depends on New
Zealanders voting this October in the
2022 local authority elections. It also
depends on a range of people standing
for election to represent the diversity of
Aotearoa.”
AUCKLAND – You can
tell that the elections for
local government are
just around the corner,
because of the multitude
of billboards lining
the streets emblazoned
with the close-up
images of the candidates
who are vying to
become the next mayor,
local councillor or local
board member.
And every three years
during this election
period, Auckland
Council takes great
pains to drum home
this message to its citizens:
‘If you care about
your city, then it’s
important to vote and
them seats on councils
have your say on who
will represent your
community and shape
decisions for Tamaki
Makaurau.’
In the case of migrant
voters, Auckland
Council’s message may
be falling on deaf ears,
reveals Paul Young - a
Howick ward councillor
and the first and
only Asian councillor in
the super city’s governing
body.
Paul Young (right) is an
independent candidate
who is campaigning for
re-election to the Howick
ward as well as for a seat
on the council.
Photo supplied.
FLYING SOLO:
Paul Young - a Howick
ward councillor and
the first and only Asian
councillor in the super
city’s governing body.
Photo supplied.
pg 3
Ethnic ministry marks
momentous milestone
“The Ministry
has had a successful
first year and
this is just the
beginning. There
is a lot more to do.
This Government
wants to create a
more cohesive Aotearoa
New Zealand
where everyone
feels safe, valued,
heard and
can participate
fully,” says Priyanca
Radhakrish
-nan, the Minister
for Diversity, Inclusion
and Ethnic
Communities.
“The work of the
Ministry will help
take us there.”
Minister Priyanca
Radhakrishnan
at launch event getting
feedback from
community leaders
pg 5
pg 10
Bigger isn’t always better in
the social media space pg 04
Indian students still find NZ an
‘attractive destination’ pg 10
Asian New Zealanders facing
challenges in accessing health
services: Doctors pg 11
When do I need to get tested. pg 12
Covid 19: Joyful reunions with
loved ones overseas pg 13
• IT IS NOW ILLEGAL TO IGNORE ‘DO NOT KNOCK’ STICKERS pg 6 • EXPLAINER: LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS pg 4 •

P a g e 0 2 w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz
In a few months, New
Zealanders will head back
to the polls to vote. Every
three years, on the second
Saturday of October, New
Zealand holds local elections.
Kiwis get the chance
to vote for many different
things: City and district
councils, mayors, community
and licensing trusts.
That is a lot of choices for
a young person voting for
the first time.
These elections elect
many different roles that
help run our local communities.
With such an important
job, why did only 42.2
percent of eligible voters in
the 2019 local election
vote?
When it comes to our
general elections, New
Zealanders are eager to
vote. In the last general
election in 2020, there was
an 82.2 percent turnout of
eligible voters - a 40 percent
difference compared to
the last local election!
This lack of engagement
is even more concerning
when you look at the statistics
of young people voting.
According to a 2016 Local
Government New Zealand
report, young people
aged 18-24 years old were
only about half as likely to
vote in a local election as
MP for Tukituki, Anna Lorck
pictured with her Youth MP
Keelan Heesterman.
Photo: Georgia May-
Gilbertson.
By Gryffin Powell *
youthpressgallery
@parliament.govt.nz
LOCAL ELECTIONS
2022:
somebody over 65 years of
age.
For many young New
Zealanders, this upcoming
local election will be the
first time they can vote.
With turnout low for the
youngest eligible voters,
there must be reasons why
young people aren't voting.
“Young people aren't
aware of the many impacts
Local Government has on
their daily life,” said Youth
MP for Mount Albert,
William Bell-Purchas.
“Information about Local
Government is inaccessible
to young people, and there
is a lack of education on
Local Government in
schooling. As a result of
this, many young people
don't see the significance of
their vote.”
New reasons to care
The issues in our communities
have changed since
the last local election. The
Covid-19 pandemic had not
started and inflation was
not at the scale seen today.
As well as this, the effects
of climate change and the
housing crisis have become
more noticeable.
Many councils are also
facing a debate over intensifying
their cities to allow
denser housing to be built.
Many youth are concerned
with whether there will be
enough housing for them to
live in the future. Other
groups have raised concerns
about the potential
demolition of heritage
buildings, and increased
noise and pollution due to
denser housing.
“Intensification will be a
very important issue. As
New Zealand cities grow,
we have to ensure that the
services councils provide
are delivered equitably to
all communities, are sustainable
and designed with
people in mind,” Bell-
Purchas said.
All these problems seem
very overwhelming to
many young people but in
October, they have the
chance to help select representatives
to act on these
local problems.
Youth MP for Tukituki,
Why youth should care
Keelan Heesterman identified
the most important
issues in the upcoming
local election.
A sign points towards a polling place on Manners Street in
central Wellington Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
"Three Waters, despite
being a central government
reform, will affect the role
of councils around New
Zealand. Putting water
infrastructure management
on the table will create a big
talking point. Other issues
will be around housing, and
what candidates’ views are
on intensification and
building up.”
“For young people, I suspect
many will be
approaching these issues
through a lens of how
they’ll be affected, primarily
in the long term," he
added.
The issues Aotearoa faces
on both a national and local
level have changed in the
past few years.
In October, when many
youth can go to the polls for
the first time, they have a
chance to have a say in how
their community runs. With
low voter turnout, and a
lack of information for
youth about local elections,
it remains essential to get
rangatahi out to have their
say.
* Gryffin Powell is a member
of the Youth Press Gallery
which takes the role of
independent media reporting
on Youth MPs and Youth
Parliament 2022.
This story was originally
published on RNZ and is
republished with permission.
“We need to
make our
votes count”.
BY SUNIL KAUSHAL
My wife Cherie and I have lived
in Henderson Massey for 23 years,
raising our four Kiwi-Indian kids.
I am standing as an independent
candidate for the Henderson-
Massey Local Board.
I migrated from India in 1995
and attended Faith Bible College.
After completing my Diploma in
Leadership, I was an Assistant
Pastor at a local church in
Auckland.
During that time, I ran a Bible
course for at risk youth, helping
them to gain confidence in their
God given abilities and talents. It is
great to see many of them helping
others after all these years.
Later I joined ANZ Bank as the
Head of India in their Migrant
Banking and helped develop the
Funds Transfer Scheme helping
many migrants to provide
Immigration NZ with proof of
funds.
Being a migrant, I know the
struggles we all have to go
through to restart our lives
in this beautiful paradise.
And I want to ensure that
as a local board member I
can provide a greater
voice around the table for
migrants.
We contribute more
than $60 billion to the NZ
economy.
Henderson-Massey has
nearly 31% of our whole
migrant population. We
need to make our votes
count.
Talking to locals and
business owners, I know
that safety is a key concern.
I will ensure that
more funding is allocated to local
safety initiatives.
I am campaigning to protect our
green spaces, including planting
more trees, cleaning up shared
spaces and stopping the sell-off of
our parks.
We urgently need to prepare for
more people in our area, which
means upgrading Waitakere
Hospital and building new community
facilities like a swimming
pool complex in Massey.
My career is in management and
finance and my passion is serving
the community. I have been
involved with local organisations
for many years, including Sport
Waitakere, the Community
Organisation Grants Scheme, the
Waitakere Indian Association
and as a Community Board
Member.
I want Henderson Massey to
thrive. Vote Sunil Kaushal –
vocal for local.
Please visit my website https://
www.sunilkaushal.nz/ or follow
me on Facebook - https://www.
facebook.com /sunilkaushalnz and
Instagram - https://www. instagram.com/
sunilkaushalnz/
- Supplied content

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P a g e 0 3
MIGRANT NON-VOTING COSTING
THEM SEATS 0N COUNCILS
LOCAL ELECTIONS
2022:
AUCKLAND – You can
tell that the elections for
local government are just
around the corner,
because of the multitude
of billboards lining the
streets emblazoned with
the close-up images of the
candidates who are vying
to become the next mayor,
local councillor or local
board member.
And every three years
during this election period,
Auckland Council
takes great pains to drum
home this message to its
citizens: ‘If you care
about your city, then it’s
important to vote and
have your say on who will
represent your community
and shape decisions for
Tamaki Makaurau.’
In the case of migrant
voters, Auckland Council’s
message may be
falling on deaf ears,
reveals Paul Young - a
Howick ward councillor
and the first and only
Asian councillor in the
super city’s governing
body.
Young is an independent
candidate who is campaigning
for re-election to
the Howick ward as well
as for a seat on the council.
“I am standing on a
ticket alongside Bo Burns
and our campaign slogan
is ‘Moving forwards, not
backwards’.”
Young migrated to this
FLYING SOLO: Paul Young - a Howick ward councillor and the first and only Asian
councillor in the super city’s governing body. Photos supplied.
country from Taiwan in
1989 to study marketing
in Auckland.
“I used to run a photo
studio and a marketing
and events company in
Auckland that brought
world famous pianist
Richard Clayderman to
New Zealand and
Australia, as well as many
famous Asian pop stars.”
Over the years, through
his businesses and his
work in the community,
he has developed high visibility
in the Howick area.
Consequently, when he
decided to get involved in
local politics he was phenomenally
successful.
Young believes that
non-voting amongst
migrants is a perennial
problem. This is borne
out in a major study of
the country’s electoral
LIONS IN COUNCIL? Paul Young envisions a time,
in the not too distant future, when migrant communities
come together and become a representational force in New
Zealand politics.
laws back in 2015 which
revealed that migrants
and ethnic minorities are
disproportionately represented
in the growing
number of New Zealanders
who could vote, but
who simply choose not to.
‘If new migrants continue
not to vote, then this
will have adverse impacts
on social cohesion and
New Zealand’s democratic
legitimacy,’ the report
states. ‘This is especially
the case as superdiversity
grows in New Zealand
and, with it, linguistic
diversity. 160 languages
are now spoken in this
country.’
Titled ‘Superdiversity,
Democracy and Electoral
Laws', the study was conducted
by public law specialist
and Chair of the
Superdiversity Centre for
Law, Policy and Business
Mai Chen.
‘Over time, if new
migrants continue not to
vote, there is a risk that
the existing underrepresentation
of New Zealand’s
superdiverse population
in central and local
government will increase,
despite their numerical
increase as a proportion
of the population.’
Council statistics in
2018 revealed that Asian
Aucklanders were the
fastest growing ethnic
group, comprising 28.2%
of the super city’s population;
by now it would be
more than 30% percent.
Based on these figures,
Young reckons that there
should be at least six or
seven Asians representing
their ethnic group on the
20-strong Auckland
Council. “After all, we
Asians have a better
understanding of the concerns
of
our people
and can be
a strong
voice for
By MEL FERNANDEZ
their interests on the
council.”
“As a migrant you need
to vote,” exhorts Young.
“Non-voters could play
a pivotal role in the
election if they were to
use their votes,” he
explains.
There are roughly
260,000 Chinese residents
and over 600,000
migrants in Auckland,
which translates into a
staggering number of
potential votes in the elections.
“For example, in the
2019 local election in
Auckland, of the 1 million
votes, more than 300,000
votes could have been
Asian votes and they
could have influenced the
outcome of the election.”
Young is quite upbeat
about the participation of
migrants in local politics
and believes that it is only
a matter of time before
the tide turns.
In the interim he says
that he will, “continue to
work with community
leaders to motivate
migrants to move forward
in a positive way”.
He envisions a time, in
the not too distant future,
when migrant communities
come together and
become a representational
force in New Zealand
politics.
The council elections
are being held on October
8. Voting will open on 16
September 2022 and close
at midday on 8 October
2022.
For more information
or to enrol to vote go
online to: www.voteauckland.co.nz
SHOWTIME: Over the years, through
his businesses (running a photo studio
and a marketing and events company in
Auckland that brought world famous
artists to New Zealand and Australia, as
well as many famous Asian pop stars)
and his work in the community, he has
developed high visibility in the Howick
area.
Keep up-to-the-minute with Migrant News now !
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That:
• EMBRACES ALL the different cultures in Aotearoa
• DOES NOT SUPPORT take-for-granted ongoing
annual property rates increases and new target
rates without any added value to the community
• PROVIDES ADEQUATE infrastructure for our
mokopuna and future generations
Email: voteforraymondtan@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/voteraymondtan/home
https://policy.nz/2022/kaipatiki-local-board/candidates/raymond-tan
LOCAL ELECTIONS 2022 EXPLAINER:
Making Aotearoa the most active
and inclusive local democracy
The next local Government
elections are on
Saturday 8 October 2022
and behind the scenes an
organization called Local
Government New Zealand
(LGNZ) has been
working tirelessly to make
Aotearoa ‘the most active
and inclusive local democracy
in the world.’
To achieve this lofty
goal LGNZ is endeavouring
to get more Kiwis and
communities to be represented
and vote. They
recently embarked on a
national conversation
about diversity and a
place for everyone and is
supporting candidates as
they stand and improving
voter turn-out in local
authority elections.
“A healthy democracy
depends on New Zealanders
voting this October
in the 2022 local authority
Micro-influencers are
sealing the deal on social
media, selling everything
from fashion to food, often
with more success than those
with a million plus followers,
says University of
Auckland associate professor
of marketing Dr Yuri
Seo.
Dr Seo says that contrary
to what some companies
think, micro-influencers are
typically more persuasive
than mega-influencers.
The marketing expert says
micro-influencers, those
with 10,000 to 100,000 followers,
are more effective
than mega-influencers at
elections. It also depends
on a range of people
standing for election to
represent the diversity of
Aotearoa.
“It’s a time of immense
uncertainty, but also
opportunity - so we’re
also encouraging Kiwis to
get out there and vote on
the issues that are important
to them, their
whanau, communities and
businesses both locally
and nationally, as we look
towards a resilient and
innovative future.”
encouraging their followers
to buy products if they are
associated with fun, pleasure,
and excitement, such as
premium hotels, restaurants,
perfumes, or high-end electronics.
So why are micro-influencers
much more successful
in this arena?
Seo and his fellow
researchers found that people
perceive micro-influencers
as more intimate and
One of their tools
employed by LGNZ is a
dedicated website - votelocal.co.nz
- where you can
learn a lot about this
year's local elections.
Who can vote?
Anyone who is currently
enrolled, can vote in
local elections where they
live and have a say on the
people who will make
decisions on what happens
in your region over
the next three years.
If you are registered to
vote in Parliamentary
elections (a Parliamentary
elector), you are
automatically enrolled as
a residential elector to
vote in local authority
elections. The address
where you are registered
as a Parliamentary elector
will be in the council district
for the local authority
elections.
You will receive a voting
Bigger isn’t always better
in the social media sphere
authentic, and these positive
perceptions can rub off on
the products they promote.
“Consumer psychology
has previously taught us that
this rub-off effect usually
occurs only when people
think about fun and pleasurable
things and that it doesn’t
occur when people think
about practical and serious
(utilitarian) things such as
basic kitchen appliances,
motels, or financial services.”
Despite this, Seo’s behavioural
experiments, which
included over 700 social
media users, found that
micro-influencers perform
just as well as mega-influencers
when promoting such
utilitarian products and
experiences.
“Big is not always good
when it comes to social
media influencer marketing.
In fact, across all the tests
document in the mail so
that you can vote by post.
In New Zealand, all
local body elections are
held by postal vote. That
means you need to fill in
your voting form and post
it back before midday 8
October.
Check with your local
council electoral officer to
see if they have locations
where you can hand in
your voting forms.
Who are the candidates?
Candidates were announced
on 17 August
2022. You will be able to
find information on candidates
on your Council
website. You can also use
Policy.nz to compare
information supplied by
Candidates.
To make sure your vote
counts, people are urged
to post their papers well
before Vote Day.
LGNZ research has
shown that some of the
main reasons people give
for not voting are they
forgot, ran out of time or
were too busy.
Editor: Information for this
article was sourced from the
LGNZ and ‘Vote Local’ websites.
we conducted,
microinfluencers
either
c o m -
pletely
outperformed
mega-influencers or were at
least as persuasive.”
As such, says Seo, businesses
keen to market their
offerings online via influencers
must consider the
type of product they’re trying
to sell.
“If your product is one
that generates experimentation,
enthusiasm, satisfaction
and pleasure, or is
described in this way, businesses
should consider
working with a larger number
of micro-influencers
rather than a smaller number
of mega-influencers.”
Meanwhile, Seo says that
working with mega-influencers
could still be the easiest
option if a company is
simply looking to grow marketplace
awareness.
“However, if you want to
grow sales, improve perceptions
of your product, or
build brand relationships –
micro-influencers are more
effective.”

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P a g e 0 5
Ethnic ministry marks
momentous milestone
By Mel Fernandez
WELLINGTON – For
some time now ethnic communities,
who make up
nearly 20 percent of the
population, have been lobbying
for the establishment
of a Ministry for
Ethnic Communities that
could influence government
policy and improve
the wellbeing outcomes for
their communities.
Eventually, in December
2020 the government
committed to set up a ministry
as a response to the
recommendations of the
Royal Commission of
Inquiry into the terrorist
attack on a Christchurch
masjidain on 15 March
2019.
On 1st July last year the
ministry was up and running.
At a launch event for
community leaders in
Auckland Migrant News
spoke with guests about
their expectations of the
ministry.
Taz Mukorombindo,
Chair, NZ Business
Association (above): “I
think it is a momentous
occasion and one of the
world firsts as an ethnic
ministry, which is great.
“I have always advocated
business, business, business,
business. Yes, people
need jobs and a lot of
migrants are in business
and if we don’t put that on
• Promoting the value of diversity and
improving the inclusion of ethnic
communities in wider society
• Ensuring government services are
accessible for ethnic communities
• Improving economic outcomes for
ethnic communities, including
addressing barriers to employment
• Connecting and empowering ethnic
community group
the agenda it will leave a
big gap in the strategy and
values and mission of the
ministry. I can understand
that it might not be something
that the ministry
might see, but I see that
policy, advocacy, funding
and training are all
doables.”
Fairiah (above): “I think
that the launch of the
Ministry for Ethnic
Communities is is a timely
thing, because there are a
lot of us here in New
Zealand now and so far
we’ve not been fully represented.
So this gives the
government an opportunity
to hear our collective
voices.”
Satya Dutt, President
and Trustee, Hindi
Language and Culture
Trust of NZ: “It is important
to have this ministry
as we have over 200 languages
and 160 different
cultures here.
“So it is very important
to have a ministry that
looks at the interests of all
these organizations and
communities in order to
get connected with them.”
“The creation of the
Ministry means that ethnic
communities finally have a
Chief Executive whose sole
focus is representing their
concerns and aspirations
at the top tables of the public
service. This brings the
voices of these diverse
communities and their
lived experiences to the
fore of decision-making
processes,” says the
Minister for Diversity,
Inclusion and Ethnic
Communities Priyanca
Radhakrishnan.
“Led by Chief Executive
Mervin Singham, the
Ministry has focused on
areas that ethnic communities
told us were important.
These include
employment, government
services that are
responsive to the
needs of ethnic
communities,
financial support
for community
initiatives
and the response
to COVID-19.
“The Ministry
established a
Graduate
Programme that
has placed
skilled graduates
from ethnic communities
in policy roles across government
agencies. This has
provided them with a
meaningful first employment
opportunity and
enhanced diversity in policy
making and in the
design of government services.
“I am committed to
improving ethnic representation
on public sector
boards. The Ministry’s
Nominations Service maintains
a database of qualified,
ethnically diverse
people who are seeking an
appointment to a public
sector board.
“The Ministry is now
working with other partners
such as the Super
Diversity Institute and
Leadership NZ to expand
this pool of ethnic nominees
and to help us create a
sustainable pipeline of
diverse governance candidates
for appointment to
state sector boards.
“Following a substantial
increase in funding, in the
year to date, the Ethnic
Communities Development
Fund has disbursed
$4.2 million in support of
310 community projects
and initiatives that helped
celebrate different cultures
and strengthened social
cohesion.
“The Ministry’s work to
support the government’s
Minister for Diversity,
Inclusion and Ethnic
Communities Priyanca
Radhakrishnan
getting feedback from
community leaders.
(left): Oscar Batucan and Sheila Mariano - Filipino community leaders.
(right:) Guests at launch of Ministry for Ethnic Communities in Auckland.
response to COVID-19
included working with the
Ministry of Health to
implement a vaccine rollout
for and led by ethnic
communities. This included
supporting communities
with translated material,
running a series of community
hui and commissioning
a media campaign
in ten languages. In addition,
the Ministry administered
$4 million in funding
for community initiatives
to support efforts to
increase vaccination within
their communities.
“The Ministry has had a
successful first year and
this is just the beginning.
There is a lot more to do.
This Government wants to
create a more cohesive
Aotearoa New Zealand
where everyone feels safe,
valued, heard and can participate
fully,” says
Priyanca Radhakrishnan.
“The work of the
Ministry will help take us
there.”
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www.trabaho.nz
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Francisco Hernandez
Leah Baterbonia
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Community News, Photos
and Feedback to:
migrantnews@xtra.co.nz
text: 027 495 8477
the editorial matter or advertisements
appearing in the above mentioned publications
and related websites.
Migrant News Ltd. T: 027 495 8477
migrantnews@xtra.co.nz
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We are proud to be the media partner
to the following high profile migrant
community and business groups :
• The Filipino Society Inc (Auckland)
• The Filipino Society Inc (Auckland)
• Southland Filipino Society Inc
(Invercargill)
• Igorotak NZ (Palmerston North)
• Mina De Oro (Mindorenos in NZ)
• Alpha Phi Omega (Auckland)
• Pinoy Adventurers NZ (Auckland)
• NZ Business Association (Auckland)
We are interested in networking with Migrant
Community Groups so that we can publicise
their events and activities in Migrant News.
We welcome short reports with photos about
events happening throughout New Zealand from
community groups and freelance contributors.
Kindly forwards details well in advance to meet
our publication deadlines.
Text, email: migrantnews @xtra.co.nz,
mob: 027 495 8477

P a g e 0 6 w e b s i t e : w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I TWITTER : www.twittercom/migrantnews
Thousands of extra workers to
be allowed into New Zealand
The government will
allow some sectors to pay
skilled migrant workers
less than the new median
wage requirements in a
bid to address workplace
shortages across the country.
It is also doubling the
Working Holiday Scheme
cap for 2022/23 and
extending holiday makers'
visas.
Announcing the
changes, Immigration
Minister Michael Wood
said they were aimed at
providing immediate
relief to those businesses
hardest-hit by the global
worker shortage.
"We have listened to the
concerns of these sectors,
and worked with them to
take practicable steps to
unlock additional labour,"
he said.
"We know these measures
will help fill skills
gaps, as businesses work
towards more productive
and resilient ways of operating."
Businesses that were
hiring skilled migrant
workers in a number of
key sectors would be
exempt, for a limited period,
from the new median
wage requirements.
Wood said this would
keep wage requirements
during a transition period
more in line with what
they were under the old
immigration settings.
"When we launched the
immigration rebalance we
heard from key sectors
they would need time to
transition to the new
rules," Wood said.
"We have worked
urgently alongside industry
to develop sector
agreements for the aged
care, seafood, meat processing,
construction and
snow and adventure
tourism industries that
will be put in place from
today."
Each of the agreements
also included expectations
for improvement, Wood
said, including the implementation
of workforce
transition plans and
industry transformation
plans.
"Performance against
these will be monitored
and feed into reviews and
decisions about future
access to migrants below
the median wage," Wood
said.
To address the shortage
of casual workers more
generally, the government
would temporarily
increase
access to the Working
Holiday Scheme
which it said would
allow 12,000 additional
working holiday
makers to come to the
country.
Those already here on
working holiday visas
expiring between 26
August of this year and 31
May 2023
would have
them extended by six
months.
And people who
previously held a
working holiday visa
but who missed out
on travelling to New
Zealand due to the
pandemic would also
be issued with new
visas from October,
allowing them to
enter New Zealand
by 31 January 2023
and remain in the
country for 12
months.
Covid-19 had
brough the world to a
Immigration Minister
Michael Wood (photo: Twitter)
"standstill", Wood said,
and that was particularly
being felt by the hospitality
and tourism sectors,
which traditionally relied
on international workers.
"Since our borders have
fully reopened we are seeing
the return of working
holiday makers with
approximately 4,000
already in-country and
over 21,000 have had their
application to work here
approved," he said.
"These changes will
have a positive impact on
the workforce, and will
make the most of the
increase in working holiday
makers we expect to
welcome during the peak
summer season."
Published with special
permission from RNZ.
It's now illegal to ignore 'Do Not Knock' stickers
Changes to the
Fair Trading
Act, which have
come into force,
mean door-todoor
traders who
ignore a ‘Do Not
Knock’ sticker
risk fines
of up to
$30,000.
In addition
to imposing
fines, the courts can also
order the cancellation or variation of
a sales agreement, as well as compensation
if an uninvited seller
ignores a sticker or a direction not to
enter a property.
“This is a great win for consumers,”
said Jon Duffy, Consumer
NZ Chief Executive.
“We have been calling for these
changes to the Fair Trading Act since
2014, when we first launched our
campaign. Since then, we have distributed
more than half a million
stickers to consumers to keep
unwanted sellers away,” he said.
“Over the years we have heard terrible
stories of pushy salespeople
hounding householders to buy products
they don’t want or need. In some
cases, people have even purchased products
just to get rid of the seller.
“We’ve also heard stories of sellers ignoring
the stickers, so it’s great ignoring a ‘Do
Not Knock’ sticker or instruction to stay
away will now have serious financial implications
for the trader on the doorstep.”
You don’t need a sticker to benefit from
these new consumer protections. If you tell a
seller to stay away from your house, they
must do as they’re told for two years. If they
don’t do as they’re told, or they ignore your
sticker, you can complain to the Commerce
Commission.
How to get a 'Do Not Knock' sticker
Consumer members can request a sticker
through the form on Consumer’s website.
If you’re not a Consumer member, you can
get a sticker from any Resene ColorShop or
store that sells Resene paints.
Alternatively, you can make your own
sign or download a printable version of the
sticker.

w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz
P a g e 0 7
The implementation of the
Government’s immigration
rebalance is progressing
well, with details released
recently on how highly
skilled migrants, including
those with roles on the
Green List, can apply to
gain residence once they
have arrived in New
Zealand, Michael Wood the
Minister of Immigration,
announced.
“The Government is
focused on helping to
Govt opens
three new
skilled
residence
pathways
address shortages
in highly
skilled areas and speeding
up our economic growth.
Key to this is having clear
pathways that migrants can
use to gain residency,”
Michael Wood said.
“From 5 September, skilled
workers in specified
occupations will be able to
apply for the Straight to
Residence pathway.
Skilled migrants on the
‘Work to Residence’ and
‘Highly Paid’ resident pathways
will be able to apply
from 29 September 2023,
once they have obtained 24
months of acceptable work
in New Zealand.
“The Green List covers
areas where New Zealand
has a skills shortage and
these pathways will incentivise
and attract high skilled
migrants to New Zealand, by
providing a new streamlined
process to achieve residency
for those globally hard to fill
roles.
This is the latest step in
delivering a rebalanced
immigration system that is
simple, has reduced categories,
and more online
accessibility.
“The Government is rebalancing
the immigration system
to support its plan for a
higher-productivity, higher
wage economy and these
pathways make it easier for
employers to hire and attract
migrants for specified high
skilled, hard-to-fill, and high
paying occupations.
“The new Straight to
Residence and Work to
Residence pathways are
available for specified occupations
on the Green List”
says Michael Wood.
“The new pathways will
have the same health, age,
and character requirements
as the Skilled Migrant
Category but will have a
different application process
and be more straightforward
to apply for with much faster
decision times. Immigration
New Zealand expects to
complete most applications
within 6 weeks where complete
information has been
provided.
“People working in Work
to Residence or Highly Paid
occupations can count their
two years from 29
September 2021.
1. Straight to
residence
2. Work to
residence
3. Highly paid
- 'twice the
median wage’
Straight to
residence pathway
will be available
from 5 September
2022.
Work to Residence
and Highly Paid
pathways will
available from 29
September 2023.
In general,
they will
also need to
be on an
Ac-credite
d
Employer
Work Visa,
although
provisions
have been made for people
who have already started
working in these roles on
other work visas before 4
July.
“Many skilled migrants in
New Zealand will already be
eligible for the 2021
Resident Visa but we are
backdating when work in
New Zealand can be counted
to ensure that the small number
of people who aren’t eligible
for the 2021 Resident
Visa can still
have some work
in New Zealand
recognised for
the new Work to
Residence and
Highly Paid
pathways.
“These new
pathways help
provide more
certainty and a
streamlined
path for those
we are looking
to attract.
These are not
the only pathway
to skilled
residence, and
they are intended
to complement
the Skilled
M i g r a n t
Category.
We are currently
reviewing
the category
to identify
which other skills New
Zealand wants to attract and
retain.
Details about the new settings
and when the category
will reopen will be
announced in the coming
months”, Michael Wood
said.
Elligibility Criteria:
For more details about this
residence pathway read the full
article at www.migrantnews.nz

09
FLASH BACK: Only some of the interviews with famous PH Artista (above) featured in Filipino News NZ over the years by Balitang Showbiz writers - Sheila Mariano, Thelina Nuval & Jude Bautista.
Angela Tin creates the impression that she is unstoppable in her quest to reach the pinnacle of her profession, whether in the Philippines or in New Zealand.
How to reignite your
showbiz career when
you migrate to NZ.
ANGELA TIN
• Artist of the Year
• Filipino-Kiwi
Songbird
• Brand
Ambassador
• Actress
• Model
• DJ
AUCKLAND - What
happens when you have
been working your way up
the showbiz ladder in the
Philippines and unexpectedly
have to uproot and
relocate overseas?
What will become of
your budding career in
these circumstances? Will
it come to a complete
stand-still or can you still
reboot it and start afresh?
Angela Tin (stage
name), 26, was faced with
this predicament when she
migrated to New Zealand
with her husband in May
last year.
Back in the Philippines
she was gaining popularity
as an all-around artist –
singer, songwriter, model,
actress, brand ambassador
and podcaster – who has
been performing since
2005.
She was born Angela
Tinimbang in Cavite. She
showed great interest and
talent in music from the
tender age of 4 and took
part in and won competitions
in schools in her
town. “When I turned 9 I
became a champion in
‘Biritan sa Imus’ - a prestigious
contest in our town
- and I guess from that
point my love for music
grew,” recalls Angela.
“My family has always
been really supportive. My
brother and my sister-inlaw
at the time were also in
a band and they were a big
influence on my music
career. My parents gladly
paid for my costumes and
sent me to music school.
Fortunately, my husband is
also very supportive.”
Her first foray into show
business was at the age of
12 when she joined a girl
group called Four
Elements – sadly they disbanded
after a year.
“Pursuing my passion
after my studies, I signed
up with the prestigious
Viva Modelling Agency. I
was featured in TV commercials,
print ads and digital
ads such as Oppo,
Jollibee, Mega PH
Magazine, Potato Giant,
Greenwich, Wow Pilipinas,
Nivea and Sunsilk.”
Viva encouraged her to
explore acting as well. Her
movies include: Squad
Goals (2018), Sanggano,
(below:) A stint in New
Zealand Soap Opera -
Shortland Street.
(right:) At the Filipino
Music Awards (held in
conjunction with the Hero
Awards) Tin was named
– Filipino-Kiwi Songbird
and ‘Artist of the Year'.
(extreme right:) Lead
singer in a one-act play,
‘Multiversity’, presented
by AUT Performing Arts.
Sanggago’t Sanggwapo
(2019) and Hindi Tayo
Pwede (2020).
She was also in the teleseryes
Ipaglaban Mo:
Saltik (2019) and Sandugo
(2020).
Later Angela Tin scored
a recording deal with Viva
Records and Publishing
and they released her first
original single WLPMK
(Walang Label Pero
Mahal Kita) in 2019.
In the Philippines she
also ventured into hosting
an online show called ‘Go
Cavite’, which has millions
of followers.
Fast forward to May
2021 and a change of circumstances
when she landed
in New Zealand. On the
career front things have
been progressing at a comparatively
slower pace.
This is not unexpected
when you are getting a feel
By Mel Fernandez
“It was a big adjustment
for me, starting in a new
market from scratch,”
she admits. “Every
time I sing the crowd
is so receptive; they
enjoy my music.
“So I am really
pleased about that.
I just want to be
out there.”
for a whole new marketplace.
“My long-term plan is to
expand my social media
presence and influencing,”
shares Angela. “I am currently
a brand ambassador
for the Clear Skincare
Clinic in New Zealand. I
am also a commercial and
prints model.
“In May this year I was
the lead singer in a one-act
play, ‘Multiversity’, presented
by AUT Performing
Arts and soon after that I
won 2nd place in Golden
Voice NZ.
“I was also fortunate to
play a nurse/reporter on
Shortland Street and currently
I am a radio deejay
on Samut Sari.”
Another feather in her
cap was being chosen as
the New Zealand Representative
for the ‘International
Talent Quest’ to
be held in Las Vegas in
October this year.
“It was a big adjustment
for me, starting in a new
market from scratch,” she
admits. “Most of my audience
here are Filipinos.
Every time I sing the
crowd is so receptive; they
enjoy my music. So I am
really pleased about that. I
just want to be out there.”
Angela was one of the
guest artists at the 6th
Filipino-Kiwi Hero
Awards 2022 (www.
filipinoheroes.nz) in June
and as you would expect
she gave a show-stopping
performance. Even the former
Philippine Ambassador
to New Zealand,
Jesus Gary Domingo, was
sporting enough to join her
on stage to dance.
At the Filipino Music
Awards (which is held in
conjunction with the Hero
Awards) she earned the
following titles – Filipino-
Kiwi Songbird and
‘Artist of the Year'.
A songwriter, a recording
artist, a popular guest
artist, actress, model, DJ
and a Filipino-Kiwi Music
Award winner - Angela Tin
creates the impression that
she is unstoppable in her
quest to reach the pinnacle
of her profession, whether
in the Philippines or in
New Zealand.

P a g e 1 0
w e b s i t e : w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I TWITTER : www.twittercom/migrantnews
Positive signs Indian students still
find NZ an 'attractive destination'
By John Gerritsen, RNZ
Polytechnics are reporting
early signs that the critical
Indian market for international
students is starting to
bounce back.
Foreign enrolments all but
ceased at the start of the pandemic,
reopening fully only
at the start of this month.
Now tertiary institutions
and schools are trying to
recruit students and turn
thousands of applications
into enrolments, most of
them for next year.
Christchurch Educated
partnership manager Stefi
Porter said the city would
welcome 150 new foreign
school students this week
and 200 tertiary students
next week.
She said the region had
12,000 foreign students
before the pandemic and it
was not yet clear how many
it might have next year.
Porter said a lot depended
on how quickly schools and
other organisations could
restart their systems for
recruiting, enrolling and
supporting international students
but some Christchurch
Educated members were
getting a lot of applications.
"It's already possibly pre-
Covid levels. But it really
depends on the provider and
how they've been keeping
active in the market, whether
their target countries have
shifted, whether they were
able to provide programmes
that still have post-study
work rights which hugely
affect certain markets," she
said.
"The feedback we're getting
from agents is that
they're having a huge
amount of enquiries to come
back to all sorts of levels,
which is from primary
schools through to tertiary."
Unitec and Manukau
Institute of Technology
deputy chief executive,
Pasifika, partnerships and
support, Peseta Sam Lotu-
Iiga said some students were
eager to get to New Zealand.
"We had one student who
just received confirmation of
a visa and then basically
flew the next day to attend a
course this year rather than
waiting for first semester
next year so it's those sorts
of stories that we know people
are keen to come here
and study," he said.
Lotu-Iiga said the two
Auckland polytechnics had
received about 1800 applications
but regarded only
about 1000 of those as "live"
because many students
applied to several different
institutions or countries.
He said they expected to
enrol about 425 new fulltime
foreign students next year,
roughly half as many as in
pre-Covid-19 times.
Concern over Indian students
India was the number one
market for polytechnics in
recent years and there were
fears changes to work and
residence rights would deter
many students.
The international director
for Toi Ohomai, the
Bay of Plenty and Rotorua
polytechnic, Peter Richardson
said figures from all
16 polytechnics indicated it
was still a strong source of
students.
"India is still looking
about 50 percent-plus of our
market in terms of applications,
so it hasn't changed in
terms of the ratio, which we
thought it would," he said.
Richardson said China
was still the second biggest
source of applications for
polytechnics, but its share
had reduced - apparently due
to travel restrictions.
He said across all 16 polytechnics
that comprised the
national institute, Te
Pukenga, there were about
2500 fulltime foreign students
and they expected to
have 4500-5000 next year.
Waikato Institute of
Technology international
director Girish Nair visited
India last week.
He said agents who
recruited students were confident
there was still a lot of
interest in New Zealand.
"New Zealand is still a
very positive destination for
Indian students," he said.
Nair said changes to work
and residence rights would
affect enrolments, but immigration
rules were still
attractive for people who
wanted to enrol in postgraduate
courses.
"What we're seeing is a
shift from those graduate
enrolments into now more
postgraduate programmes."
But he said there could
eventually be growth in
undergraduate enrolments
too.
"They've always been
known as a postgraduate
market largely but with these
international schools setting
up their bases in India you're
seeing the students graduating
form those schools wanting
to go overseas to study.
So in the coming years you
are going to see more students
wanting to do the
degree-level overseas."
Nair said it would take a
couple of years to rebuild
enrolments to pre-Covid levels.
'Pent-up demand'
Arun Jacob has been
recruiting students from
India for New Zealand institutions
for 20 years.
He said there was a lot of
interest from prospective
students.
"There has been a lot of
pent-up demand over the last
two years and New Zealand
has always remained a very
attractive destination for
Indian students. We are
working 24/7 to try and keep
up with the demand," he
said.
Tighter immigration rules
would lead to fewer enrolments
by better students.
"What's happened with
these policy changes is it has
separated the grain from the
chaff," he said.
"After 20 years in the
industry I'm really glad to
see this."
Jacob said Indian students
appeared to be less focused
on which institution to study
at, and more on which
course would lead to work
and residence pathways.
Editor: Published with special
permission from RNZ.

w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz
P a g e 1 1
Experts are concerned
New Zealand's second
largest and fastest growing
ethnic group is falling
through the cracks of the
health system.
Asian Kiwis have the lowest
cervical and breast
screening rates and are
falling behind in engagement
with primary healthcare.
According to the National
Cervical Screening data,
screening rates for Asian
women averaged 61 percent
over the past 15 years - the
lowest among all major ethnic
groups and far below the
national target of 80 percent.
Data from the Public
Health Association (PHA-
NZ) shows breast screening
rates in 2020 for Asian
women was 58 percent,
compared to 73 percent for
European, 66 percent for
Maori and 74 percent for
Pacific women.
PHANZ data shows as of
July 2022, Asian New
Zealanders' enrolment with
Asian New Zealanders face 'challenges'
in accessing health services - Doctors
By LUCY XIA, RNZ
GPs is 84 percent, one percent
higher than Maori.
East Auckland GP Dr
Carlos Lam said Asians
have been neglected by the
health system for a long
time.
"The perception of Asian
people being well off and
not having any health issues
really needs to change," he
said.
Dr Lam said there is a lack
of culturally and linguistically
appropriate resources
to help Asian Kiwis access
health services.
He said many Asian
migrants come from countries
with no primary health
system, and would have
challenges engaging with
health services in New
Zealand.
East Auckland resident
Dr Renee Liang is a paediatrician and a senior research fellow
at the University of Auckland's School of Population Health.
Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Linda Liu moved to
Auckland 14 years ago, but
has only been alerted to get
smear tests around her pregnancies.
For the eight years
between her second and
third child, the 42-year-old
did not have a smear.
"I thought only people
giving birth will be called to
take the test. When I first
came to New Zealand, no
one told me this."
Liu said there is little
awareness of the need for
regular smears among her
friends, and that she would
have liked to receive more
information.
Health researcher and paediatrician
Dr Renee Liang
is calling for more research
and funding into the diverse
health needs among the
Asian community.
"Some of the research
questions being asked in
these broad surveys of New
Zealand health, important as
they are, may not adequately
capture the experience of the
various Asian communities.
"And historically, Asian
health research has been
underfunded, therefore that's
followed through into no
policy, because there's no
information to inform the
policy."
Dr Liang said advocates
have been sounding the
alarm on the lack of an Asian
health policy for decades.
Dr Lifeng Zhou from
PHANZ is calling for a
national Asian health policy
to be created under the new
Te Whatu Ora Health New
Zealand structure.
Dr Zhou said the low rates
for sexual health screening
and primary health enrolment
for Asian Kiwis are
worrying and need to be
addressed in the current
health reforms.
He said the lack of a
national policy has led to
Asian data not being included
in health reporting, and in
turn led to a lack of understanding
of unmet health
needs of the diverse group.
Dr Zhou said he also
wants to see Asian representation
in national and regional
leadership within Te
Whatu Ora.
Currently, no Asians have
been appointed to Health
New Zealand's 51 leadership
and interim leadership positions
across the country.
- Published with special
permission from RNZ
Operations Manager Grace
Ryu (extreme left) leads a
team with heart at Asian
Health Services.
When you’re alone,
unwell and don’t speak
English, it can create real
anxiety and leave you
feeling like there is no
support available. The
Asian Health Services
team, which is part of Te
Whatu Ora – Waitemata,
helps to ensure that people
receive the health support
they need in a range
of languages.
Operations Manager
Grace Ryu began volunteering
at AHS in 2004,
and her own experience
as a new migrant helped
her to understand what
others might be going
through.
“We started with a
small team, with lots of
volunteers at North
asianhealthservices.co.nz
Serving the Asian community
“from their hearts”
Shore and Waitakere
Hospital,” she said.
“I found it delightful
and was very proud to be
a volunteer. I learnt so
much and making many
friends from different
backgrounds really enriched
my life.”
Asian Health Services
provides a range of support
for migrants and
former refugees who have
cultural and language
barriers, including
patient support, mental
health services and 24/7
interpreting services that
cover up to 90 languages.
Arriving in New
Zealand as a young
migrant, Ryu is all too
aware of the struggle and
isolation one can experience
when moving to a
new place.
“It can be a very stressful
time, settling in a new
country. All migrants
have a tough time,” she
said.
“Later, when I was a
single mother, my colleagues
at Asian Health
Services, the Maori
Health team and the
Pacific Health team next
to me at the hospital were
so supportive.
“They became my New
Zealand family and Asian
Health Services became
my second home.”
The support she
received motivated her to
provide better services for
her fellow Asian community
across Auckland and
she has now been working
with Asian Health
Services for over 17 years.
Her aim is simple: to
work towards more equitable
healthcare for
Asians of all backgrounds.
“We work really hard
and in such a supportive
environment. It’s really
great to see all the
progress we’ve made to
support Asian health and
wellbeing,” she said,
reflecting on her tenure.
“We were – and still are
– the only Asian-specific
health support service in
the entire country.”
The pandemic saw her
team busier than ever, as
the community began
coming to them with a
plethora of issues, from
welfare needs to support
for booking vaccinations
and setting up vaccine
passes.
One story out of the
many that Ryu remembers,
is a single mother
who had tested positive
for COVID-19 and was
home with a newborn
baby.
“She rang us crying
saying that she had nothing.
She had no food, no
RAT kits, no medicine.
She didn’t even have nappies
or formula. She was
really in a difficult situation
as a new mum.”
Although a little out of
their usual remit, her
team worked quickly
across the health agency
and reached out to a
pharmacy and community
connectors to help the
new mum out.
While Asian Health
Services operates out of
Auckland, the team started
receiving calls from
across the country including
from Palmerston
North, Christchurch,
Wellington and Dunedin.
Her team soon realised
that they needed to create
a national helpline so
everyone could access
their services without
having to pay calling
rates.
Ryu said that she feels
lucky and proud to have
such a hardworking team.
“Some days we don’t
have enough staff to do it
all. But to them it’s more
than their job and they do
it from their hearts.
“Our reward is in people’s
feedback. When they
say ‘you genuinely helped
me/my mother/my father’,
that’s our recognition.”
If you or someone you
know needs health information
and support or
guidance, Asian Health
Services is available
Monday – Friday 8:30am
-5pm and Saturday and
Sunday 9:30am-2pm on
0800 88 88 30.
Editor: You can find a
range of articles on
Settlement Support at:
www.migrantnews.nz

P a g e 1 2 w e b s i t e : w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I TWITTER : www.twittercom/migrantnews
When do I need to get tested?
When do I need to get
tested?
• You only need to get tested
if you have symptoms or
you live with someone who
has tested positive for
COVID-19.
• If you’re a close contact
outside the household (e.g.
from work), you should
monitor yourself for symptoms.
You don’t need to get
tested or isolate unless you
develop symptoms.
Where do I get a rapid
antigen test (RAT)? And
how do I do a RAT?
People who have symptoms
of COVID-19 or live
with someone who has tested
positive for the virus can
get RAT tests from either a
nearby community testing
centre, or order them online
at https://requestrats.
covid19.health.nz/ and then
pick them up from a nearby
collection site.
If you’re not comfortable
doing a RAT at home by
yourself, you can get a
supervised RAT from your
general practice or urgent
care clinic. You can contact
your general practice to
arrange this.
There are currently 11 different
brands of RAT tests
available in New Zealand, so
you will need to follow the
instructions on the packet
you receive.
How do I RAT test my
young child?
1. Take it easy and slow.
Don’t rush. Explain the
process to the child.
2. Begin by blowing their
nose – young children find it
hard to blow their own nose.
3. Rest their head on a
chair with a headrest or pillow
on a couch. For younger
children, sit them on your
lap with their head resting in
your elbow fold.
4. Aim down and back
rather than up high to reduce
pain and increase test accuracy.
5. Afterwards, congratulate
your child on a job well
done. Older children will be
able to graduate to doing it
themselves.
Note: RATs are not recommended
for children under 2
years old.
How do I record my
RAT test result?
You will need to record
your result at mycovid
record.nz or call 0800 222
478.
Currently, only people
above the age of 12 can
report through My Covid
Record, while parents and
caregivers are asked to
report young children's positive
results by calling 0800
222 478.
If you get your RAT test
done by your GP or at an
urgent care clinic, they will
record your result for you.
It’s important to record your
result so that the health team
can assess whether you
might need additional support.
What if I don’t want to
do a RAT at home?
If you don’t feel comfortable
doing a RAT by yourself
at home, you can also
contact your GP or nearest
urgent care clinic to arrange
a supervised RAT test
instead. It’s best to call
ahead rather than walk in.
They will record the result
Dr Gary Wu, who is a
vaccinating Auckland GP at
The Doctors New Lynn has
contributed to responding to
the following questions,
alongside the Northern
Region Health Coordination
Centre (NRHCC) which is
running Auckland’s
vaccination programme.
for you.
What do I do if I or
someone in my household
tests positive for COVID-
19?
• If someone in your
household tests positive for
COVID-19, the entire
household will need to isolate
at home.
• Most people who get
COVID-19 will be able to
safely isolate and recover at
home with help from friends
and whanau.
• If you start to feel worse,
please stay at home and call
your GP or Healthline on
0800 358 5453. All GP and
urgent care clinic appointments
for COVID-19 are
free.
• If you or a family member
becomes very unwell,
like having difficulty breathing
or chest pains, call 111
immediately. The ambulance
will be free.
If you live by yourself,
arrange for a family member
or friend to call to check in
on you each day.
How can I best prepare
my family/household for
one or more of us to get
COVID-19?
• If it’s been at least three
months since you had your
second dose, consider getting
your booster as soon as
possible. Being vaccinated,
including having your booster
dose, is the most important
thing you can do to help
increase your protection
from Omicron.
• If you have children aged
5 to 11-years-old, you can
help keep them safe and protect
your family by getting
them immunised now
against COVID-19. Just turn
up at a drive-through vaccination
centre or walk-in to
get your vaccinations.
• Make a plan to prepare
for home isolation in case
you or someone in your
household has to isolate, this
includes:
• Think about who might
be able to help with any caring
if you’re not available –
for example caring for elderly
relatives.
• Try to have extra food in
the house.
• Medical supplies – e.g.
masks, paracetamol, ibuprofen,
throat lozenges, nasal
spray, cough medicine, ice
pack, a thermometer, prescription
medicine.
• Cleaning supplies – e.g.
disinfectant, bleach, rubbish
bags.
• Hygiene supplies – e.g.
hand sanitiser, gloves, toilet
paper, tampons or pads, nappies,
tissues.
• Things you enjoy doing
– e.g. books, crosswords,
games, devices, movies.
• Reach out to others in the
community to offer your
support, particularly people
who are elderly or living
alone. You might be able to
help out by dropping off groceries
outside their door or
calling them each to check
in.
For more on how to prepare,
visit Unite against
Covid19 - prepare and stay
safe.
Why is getting a booster
so important with Omicron?
If you are vaccinated and
boosted you are likely to
only have a mild illness and
recover in a few days, and
some people will have no
symptoms at all.
While two doses provide
some degree of protection
against severe disease from
Omicron, a booster is likely
to offer greater protection
against transmitting
COVID-19 to others and
reduce the chance of more
serious infections. It also
means reducing hospitalisations
and putting less pressure
on our health system.
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• Nostalgia for Homecooked food drives expansion
• Boodle Fight: All hands on deck kababayan!
• Modern twist to traditional Filipino cuisine
• Why not feature your restaurant at halohalo.nz?

w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz
P a g e 1 3
‘Joyful reunions with
loved ones overseas’
There’s excitement
brewing in the richly
diverse community that a
North Shore pharmacy
looks after, with overseas
travel plans really starting
to take off.
Unichem Browns Bay
has, since it first joined
the city-wide vaccine rollout
in August last year,
had the unique interests of
its many ethnic groups top
of mind.
Supported by the
Albany Vaccination
Centre run by Waitemata
District Health Board and
Asian Health Services, the
pharmacy held a series of
special vaccination events
for its Korean, Filipino,
Myanmar and Chinese
communities back in
September.
Hundreds took up the
opportunities to get vaccinated
with their first and
later their second dose of
the COVID-19 vaccine. To
date, the pharmacy has
successfully delivered
more than 36,000 doses,
the third highest vaccination
rate of all pharmacies
in Auckland.
Pharmacist, and lead
cheerleader for her community,
Christina Shin,
says the current Omicron
outbreak has been
tougher than expected but
thankfully her wonderful
team hadn’t been hit too
badly.
“We’ve been very lucky
and only had one staff
member who came down
with COVID-19.”
At the peak, she says
they were very busy supporting
isolating families
with up to 10 deliveries of
medicines per day. Now,
she says, it’s around five
or six a day.
With case numbers
dropping off, Ms Chin
says many of her patients
are embracing the now
very real prospect of finally
reuniting with their
families overseas.
Her team has been really
busy carrying out predeparture
testing for people.
“People have waited a
long time for this. Lots of
people … for example our
regular customers, who
are quite elderly, haven’t
had a chance to see their
grandchildren for two or
three years who are in
Australia and Fiji and
elsewhere.
“It’s great to hear that
they can do it now.”
Ms Chin too cannot wait
for her own trip back
home to Korea later this
week.
“I’m going for four
weeks. I haven’t been
back in about three years.
“My grandparents are
there and my mum is
there at the moment.
“I’m taking my little
boy with me… really looking
forward to it!”
But caring for her community
is still a priority
for Ms Shin, who’s now
also focussing on increasing
flu vaccination rates.
There’s been good
uptake so far with
demand for the vaccine
streaming in, she says.
“We’re doing about 50 a
day at the moment.”
She says her elderly
patients have been telling
her they are worried
about coming down with
the flu and the potential
for other outbreaks with
the borders having reopened.
Ms Shin is also concerned
about the flu
impacting her team this
winter in particular. She’s
glad everyone is making
getting that vaccine a priority.
Flu vaccines are free for
the following people;
those aged 65 and over,
Maori and Pacific aged 55
and over, pregnant people,
those with underlying
health issues, including
asthma, diabetes and
heart conditions, and children
aged under 4 with
pre-existing illnesses.
Lately, Mr Wee
says, their focus
has been on
delivering booster
doses and flu
vaccinations.
“We have been
really busy. And
also busy catching
up with a backlog
of people needing
help, a lot of
patients who have
put off their health
checks because of
COVID-19.
‘Taking over a
new practice
mid-lockdown
both a crisis and
opportunity’
Mid-lockdown late last
year, a young multi-lingual
doctor working in rural
south Auckland snapped
up the chance to take over
an east Auckland practice
from two retiring GPs.
Luke Wee, with his wife
and one-year-old baby in
tow, started running
Meadowbank Medical
Centre in November.
“It did seem a bit crazy
at the time. A lot of people
were trying to get out of
working in the middle of
the pandemic. A lot of people
were burnt out and facing
a lot of different stresses
for their personal
health.
“I saw it as both a crisis
and an opportunity.”
Almost immediately, the
practice opened up to
walk-ins for testing,
extending the invitation to
non-enrolled patients, and
in mid-January this year,
started vaccinating.
More recently, the centre
has also joined a small
number of sites across the
city in offering the
Novavax vaccine.
“We have found it
rewarding to offer an
alternative. I think there’s
a sense of relief that there’s
an alternative for those
who are not keen on the
Pfizer vaccine and there’s
also a degree of openness
to the vaccine that we
haven’t seen previously.
“People who had been
waiting, people who had
been previously sceptical,
are now more open to the
vaccine.”
Mr Wee speaks English,
Mandarin, Cantonese,
Malay, French and Te reo
Maori with varying fluency.
Some of his staff are
also bilingual. Serving his
multicultural community
is especially important to
him.
“I’m Asian by origin but
it doesn’t limit me to my
own community. I think as
modern day clinicians, we
really have to think hard
about what’s our role in
society. And I think one of
our roles is a connector of
people.
“And we are quite privileged
to cut across all sectors
of society. The ability
to communicate and speak
the language of the people
we are trying to serve
makes our work more
rewarding.”
Mr Wee says a recent
example of this springs to
mind.
“An Algerian family
came in who only spoke
Arabic and French, and
were all unwell with
COVID-19.
“They couldn’t find any
health services that were
able to communicate well
with them.
“I was privileged to be
able to speak to them and
help.”
Lately, Mr Wee says,
their focus has been on
delivering booster doses
and flu vaccinations.
“We have been really
busy. And also busy catching
up with a backlog of
people needing help, a lot
of patients who have put
off their health checks
because of COVID-19.
“We are also actively
recruiting for new clinicians,
trying to train new
doctors, getting medical
students in next month, as
well as looking at overseas
recruitment.”
FLU VACCINE
You can get your free
flu vaccination from
your GP or healthcare
provider, with many
pharmacies also offering
it to people aged
13 and over.
Flu vaccines are free for
the following people; those
aged 65 and over, Maori
and Pacific aged 55 and
over, pregnant people,
those with underlying
health issues, including
asthma, diabetes and heart
conditions, and children
aged under 4 with preexisting
illnesses.

P a g e 1 4
w e b s i t e : w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I TWITTER : www.twittercom/migrantnews
Do children receive a
smaller dose of the vaccine
than adults?
Yes. The child doses of the
Pfizer vaccine are smaller
than the ones used for people
over the age of 12 – a
child’s dose is one third of
the adult dose.
And how far apart do
they receive their two
doses?
Currently the recommendation
in New Zealand is
that the first and second
doses are given 8 weeks
apart. The interval can be
shortened to a minimum of
21 days if needed, for example
if your child is starting
significant immunosuppression
treatment.
How safe is the vaccine
for my child?
For children aged 5 to 11,
clinical trial results showed
the Pfizer vaccine was
90.7% effective against getting
COVID-19 symptoms,
and no participants developed
severe COVID-19.
In the United States, more
than 8 million doses were
administered in the 5 to 11
age group from November
to December 2021. The
national public health
agency, Centres for Disease
Control and Prevention,
reports serious adverse reactions
were rarely reported. It
says parents and caregivers
of children in this age group
should be advised that local
and systemic reactions are
expected after receiving the
Pfizer vaccine but are more
common after the second
dose.
What if my child has
food allergies?
The vaccine has no
increased risk for those
tamariki with food, gelatin
or latex allergy as these are
not contained within the
Pfizer vaccine.
When and where can 5-
11’s be vaccinated?
From 17 January, parents
or caregivers can take their 5
Your questions
about Covid-19
vaccine answered
With eight years’ experience at
Counties Manukau Health and previous
international experience in Canada,
Dr Hari Talreja cares for patients with
kidney disease and renal transplantation
– which puts them at a higher risk
of developing complications from
Covid-19.
He has been a strong advocate for his
patients to get vaccinated and is now
to 11 year olds to their GP or
pharmacy to be immunised
against COVID-19. Or, they
can walk in at any vaccination
centre listed. https://
immunisation.northernregion.health.nz/gettingvaccinated/
where-toget-vaccinated/
A number of our
community partners
are continuing to set
up pop-up vaccination
clinics and events at
churches, sports clubs
and in school communities.
If you want to book for
more than 1 child or you are
unable to book online, call
the COVID Vaccination
Healthline on 0800 28 29
26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a
week) and we will make the
booking for you and answer
any questions. Interpreters
are available.
How will the consent
process work? And can
parents be assured its
robust nation-wide?
Children in this age group
must have a parent, caregiver
or legal guardian accompany
them to their appointment
and provide verbal
consent for them to be vaccinated.
At the appointment,
both the adult and child can
ask as many questions as
they like.
What are
the side effects for this age
group?
Side effects of immunisation
in children are similar to
those seen in adults. These
side effects are generally
mild and should only last 1
or 2 days.
The most common side
effects are:
• a sore arm from the
injection – you can put a
cold cloth or ice pack on it to
feel better
• a headache
• feeling tired
• feeling feverish or
sweaty
• nausea (feeling like you
encouraging Auckland parents and
caregivers to immunise their children
aged 5 to 11, who are eligible from
January 17, against COVID-19.
He has responded to questions below
with the support of the Northern
Region Health Co-ordination Centre
(NRHCC), which is running Auckland’s
vaccination programme.
need to vomit)
• aching muscles.
Why is it important that
I vaccinate my child?
Immunising 5 to 11-
year-old tamariki
helps protect them
from getting
unwell from
COVID-19. The
COVID-19 virus
can be unpredictable.
While
COVID-19 generally
has milder
effects in children,
with symptoms being
similar to a cold, some
children become severely ill
and require hospitalisation.
Tamariki can also have rare
complications such as
Multisystem Inflammatory
Syndrome (MIS-C) that may
require intensive care.
Tamariki can also suffer
long term effects (known as
long COVID), even after
mild cases of COVID-19.
Will certain ethnic
groups be prioritised for
the paediatric vaccine rollout?
We have enough doses of
the paediatric vaccination to
ensure all tamariki can be
vaccinated. Our priority is
to ensure an equitable delivery
model. Maori and
Pacific people have and will
continue to be prioritised in
the roll-out, as they’re more
likely to get seriously ill
from COVID-19. We continue
to work with iwi, DHBs,
local providers, communities
and the Ministry of
Education to reach all children
in our community.
Some clinics may also offer
other childhood immunisations.
Are specially trained
vaccinators needed?
Yes, updated training has
been provided for paediatric
group due to some differences
in the drawing up and
administration of this vaccine.
What do you say to vaccine
hesitant parents? How
safe is the vaccine for 5-
11s?
The Pfizer vaccine is
proven to be highly effective
in young people after two
doses are administered. That
means if they do develop
COVID-19, they’re far less
likely to fall seriously ill and
less likely to transmit the
virus to others – including
whÇnau and friends who
may be more at risk from
COVID-19.
Will children
be required
to
have a My
Vaccine Pass
to access
non-essential
services?
Children
will not need
a My Vaccine
Pass and children
under 12
can’t get a My
Vaccine Pass.
There is no
requirement
(vaccine mandate)
for
tamariki to be
immunised. It
is completely
up to the parents
or caregivers
to decide if they want
their children immunised.
Could this age group
have AstraZeneca instead
of Pfizer?
Medsafe has approved the
child version of the Pfizer
vaccine for children aged 5-
11 years old.
The AstraZeneca vaccine
is approved only for adults
aged 18 and older.
Will this age group need
boosters?
Children aged 5-11are not
eligible for booster doses.
Medsafe has provisionally
approved a booster dose of
the Pfizer vaccine for adults
aged 18 and older.
A number of our community partners
are continuing to set up pop-up
vaccination clinics and events at
churches, sports clubs and in school
communities.
Pictured a vaccination centre at
Unichem Pharmacy, Browns Bay.
7th Filipino-Kiwi
Hero Awards
2023
www.filipinoheroes.nz
• Filipino-Kiwi Hero of the Year
• Filipino Frontline Heroes
• Pinoy Sports Champion
• Community Group of the Year
• Migrant Rights Advocate
• Filipino Music Awards
• And more ...
Over 150 Heroes have
been honoured over
the years.
To nominate a worthy
achiever for the 2023
Hero Awards
please email details to:
filipinonews@xtra.co.nz

pg 15
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P a g e 1 6 w e b s i t e : w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I TWITTER : www.twittercom/migrantnews