MIGRANT NEWS Sept 2023

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P a g e 0 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 T r a v e l G a l o r e : www.travelgalore.nz Sports hero nurtures a new wave of Kiwi table tennis athletes By Ricky Matthew AUCKLAND – In the world of sports there are certain individuals whose journeys go beyond the ordinary to make a lasting impact on the sporting landscape. A fine example of this is Kiwi-born Filipino, Alfred Dela Peña, 23 – a bona fide legend of his sport. For over a decade this young and vibrant talent has honed his skills in the fast-paced world of table tennis. Starting at the tender age of ten, he found his passion ignited within the walls of Waitemata Table Tennis Club. Fast forward to the present and he not only represents his club on the national stage, but also represents his country on the international stage. Alfred is no stranger to winning. He has proudly represented New Zealand at the highest level for several years, competing in prestigious events such as the World Junior Championships, <strong>2023</strong> ITTF World Championships Finals, ITTF World Senior Championships and in numerous domestic tournaments, including winning a gold medal at the North Island open. Alfred has moved up in the latest ITTF World Ranking List. At #95 he is the first Table Tennis New Zealand male player to ever make the top #100 in the world. Alfred exemplifies the unwavering commitment to excellence and the dedication needed to achieve remarkable success. However, his story goes beyond personal accomplishments. Alfred has been coaching and inspiring young table tennis talent in Auckland for the last few years and is a key figure in the Waitemata Table Tennis association. In an interview with Migrant News Alfred talked about his passion for table tennis and about raising a new generation of stars. “I have been playing table tennis for 13+ years now. It was my father that got me into table tennis. He plays casually. “I started playing around the age of ten for my club, Waitemata Table Tennis and later I represented my high school, Liston College. Now I am actually the facility manager at my club, I am on our club committee and I am the association’s head coach. “I have been playing at a national and international level. I’ve been to three World Junior Championships and I’ve been a representative of the men’s team for 4 or 5 years now. “At the moment I play mainly as an individual. But when it comes to team events, we do have a team that plays at national and international events.” In order to compete at such a high level, table tennis has become “a full-time job”. He reveals that “on average, I’d probably spend about two to three hours training each day”. Alfred Dela Pena - Filipino-Kiwi ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ Despite his achievements and training regimen, his passion goes beyond personal accomplishments. He is dedicated to inspiring young talent to help them reach the level that he has. “To give back to the community, I’m actually coaching a lot more than training now. I have junior coaching groups weekly, four times a week. And I’m also an individual coach. “I don’t think that there are many Filipinos getting into table tennis here. I found a few Filipinos in NZ who enjoy table tennis here. However, there are many more enthusiastic people who like to play table tennis in the Philippines. “When it comes to selection for national teams I think that Filipinos can fare better. “Compared to basketball, height is not such an important factor. It is speed, skill, hand-eye coordination and reflexes that really matter.” Having a key role in the table tennis community, Alfred has seen the number of players and opportunities grow in the recent years. “I know that table tennis is now growing in our community, which is good. I think that there’s a good opportunity for people out West to do well, given that we had a new stadium built and a player like me around who’s very keen to coach.” Alfred indicated that he sees himself continuing to focus on table tennis. “I do see myself continuing in the sport for many more years. I mean, at the moment, I’m still pretty young, so I think I still have a few more good years in me.” Keeping fit is the name of the game. “Well, apart from table tennis, I do like to play different sports as well. I enjoy going to the gym and playing basketball.”
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 5 By Ricky Matthew With the elections just around the corner, fresh immigration policies have been released by three political parties which look to enhance opportunities for parents and grandparents to visit Kiwi family members in New Zealand. PARENT VISA BOOST National’s plan is to introduce a ‘multiple-entry Parent Visa Boost’. The visa would allow parents and grandparents to stay with their family in New Zealand for five years, with the ability to renew it for a further five years. Those under the Parent Visa Boost would not be eligible for entitlements such as NZ Super. They would need health insurance and “must be sponsored by their children or grandchildren”. Erica Stanford, the National Party spokesperson for immigration, said "New Zealand needs to attract and retain skilled people, but other countries have more pro-parent visa options, making them more attractive options. “Allowing parents and grandparents to live with their migrant children can help skilled people integrate better into New Zealand, as relatives can help with childcare and offer stability and emotional support.” She added that the weakening of immigration settings by the Labour government has led to longer processing times and “has exploded” migrant exploitation. UNITE VISA ACT have provided a similar policy with a different name. The ACT ‘Unite Visa’ enables parents to visit for five years, but has added the requirement for it to be renewed every year. Political parties offer parent-friendy visas. Labour’s immigration spokesperson Andrew Little Ricardo Menéndez March, Greens immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford, National’s immigration spokesperson ACT party leader David Seymour stated: "If the country does not have processes at least as good as those in major competitor countries like Australia and Canada, then businesses will struggle to grow, social services will fail to deliver and a spiral will take hold." Uniquely, ACT’s policy charges a $3500 yearly fee, which would fund the visa holder’s healthcare costs. "We believe that migrants and their close family deserve to be together and to be able to support each other," added Seymour. SUPER VISA The latest to release immigration policies is the Labour Party, who have targeted their new policies at parents and grandparents of migrants living in New Zealand. The party promised to expand opportunities for migrant families through a 10- year multiple-entry parents and grandparents’ ‘Super Visa’. ACT party leader David Seymour This Super Visa enables relatives to make multiple visits of between 6 months and 5 years. Labour’s immigration spokesperson Andrew Little said: “This is about ensuring that migrants, who can often be isolated and without support structures, have the family around them when they need it.” New Zealand citizens must provide a guarantee of financial support to their parents and grandparents that hold a Super Visa. AMNESTY FOR OVERSTAYERS A one-off regularization programme for “well-settled overstayers” was also announced by Andrew Little. The programme is only eligible to overstayers who have been in New Zealand for 10 years or more. The party said that the policy would “make good on the dawn raids apology” to Pacific people, if elected. The Green Party also announced their immigration policies which challenge Labour’s ‘high bar’ for overstayer amnesty. "We are disappointed with the high bar Labour has set through the requirement for people to be in Aotearoa for 10 years to be eligible.” said Ricardo Menéndez March, the Green Party immigration spokesperson. “Migrants deserve to be treated with dignity and respect by our immigration system. But for many in our community, our immigration system has left them behind. They've fallen through the cracks, have been left vulnerable to exploitation, and have been denied the safety and security of a visa. The Greens will ensure that an amnesty for overstayers provides accessible residency pathways to everyone, not just those who’ve been here for more than 10 years.” The Green Party Pacific people’s spokesperson Teanau Tuiono added: “A broad amnesty for overstayers is the right thing to do to right the wrongs of an immigration system that has continued to fail our Pasifika and broader migrant communities.” Keep up-to-the-minute with Migrant News: migrantnews.nz Check us out on our print, online and social media channels. www.filipinoheroes.nz 7th Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards Filipino of the Year Community Heroes Business High Flyers Sporting Achievers Chef of the Year • Creative Arts Music Awards • Media Awards email nominations to: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz
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MIGRANT NEWS Sept 2023

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