Filipino News Issue 170

Issue 170: ELEKSYON 2023
TE WAKA PIRIPINO MANENE
Print. Web. Tablet. Mobile. FB. YouTube.
23
YEARS
in print
&
online!
Pick up a
F R E E
copy or
read
online.
filipinonews.nz, trabaho.nz, filipinoheroes.nz | E: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | M: 027 495 8477 | Facebook: www.filipinonews.nz
National will lead the next government
From winning a singleparty
majority in 2020,
Labour’s vote has virtually
halved in 2023.
Pre-election polls
appear to have underestimated
support for
National, which on the
provisional results can
form a government with
ACT and won’t need NZ
First, despite those same
polls pointing to a threeway
split.
While the Greens and
Te Pati Maori both saw
big gains, taking crucial
electorate seats, it has
been at the expense of
Labour.
Special votes are yet to
be counted, and Te Pati
Maori winning so many
electorate seats will
cause an “overhang”,
increasing the size of
parliament and requiring
a larger majority to govern.
There will also be a by
election in the Port
Waikato electorate on
November 25, which
National is expected to
win.
SAY ‘HELLO’ TO THE POLICE CAR
THAT SPEAKS 75 LANGUAGES
In a move towards inclusivity and
strengthening community bonds
between police and ethnic communities,
Nga Pirihimana NZ Police
pg 5
have unveiled a new addition to
their fleet of vehicles – a colourful,
multicultural car that speaks 75
languages.
pg 3
pg 09
SERBISYO:
GRASSROOTS
CONTACTS
BOOSTS
BUSINESS
KIWIS IN OZ
CAN GAIN
CITIZENSHIP
pg 07
pg 02
SURGE IN
YOUTH
VOTERS?
NENE
CHICKEN
CONCERT
BLAZES IN
AUCKLAND
pg 06
FILIPINO NEWS
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Ethnic Media. Filipino Hero Awards. Multicultural Events.

02 ISSUE 170 ELEKSYON | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.migrantnews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News
MIGRANT NEWS - www.migrantnews.nz : New Zealand’s first Migrant community newspaper. Published since 1991. Print. Online. Social Media. FB: Migrant News
By Ricky Matthew
AUCKLAND – In theory,
increasing voter
turnout among young people
can significantly
impact elections. When
they show up at the polls in
large numbers, they can
influence the outcome,
especially in close races.
Did more young people
register and turn out to
vote this year? Such
detailed information may
only come to hand after
about two weeks. For now
we can only speculate
based on data from the
previous elections.
There was a big increase
in the number of young
people turning out to vote
at the 2020 General
Election. “An age breakdown
released on
www.elections.nz shows
the biggest gains in turnout
in the younger age
groups,” says Chief
Electoral Officer Alicia
Wright.
“The younger people are
when they start voting, the
more likely they are to be
voters for life, which is
important if we are to continue
to have high participation
rates in future elections.”
For the 18 to 24-year-old
age group: 43,293 more
voted in the 2020 election.
Since 2014, the turnout of
enrolled voters in this age
group has increased
15.3%.
Was the youth vote pivotal in
the outcome of this election?
"It's important that we get to the voting booth so that
important issues like climate change and lowering costs
for students, especially public transport, are represented in parliament." - Aditya Mehra.
With the 2023 New
Zealand elections coming
to a close, two first-time
voters shared their stories,
emphasizing the importance
of youth engagement
in the political process.
Miguel Hernandez (not his
real name) and Aditya
Mehra, both students pursuing
their dreams in
Auckland, are examples of
young citizens eager to
make their voices heard.
Born and raised in New
Zealand, 18-year-old
Miguel Hernandez, a
Bachelor of Commerce
student at the University of
Auckland, excitedly cast
his first-ever vote this year.
Enrique's parents are
migrants from two different
Southeast Asian countries,
making him a unique
blend of cultures and perspectives.
His motivation to vote
was fuelled by a desire to
have a say in the country's
direction and a keen interest
in understanding the
differences between left
and right-wing policies.
The 7th Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards 2024, Auckland
The nationwide search is on for Filipino-Kiwis who are outstanding in their fields of endeavour and also
have a passion for community service. If you would like to nominate an individual, group or organization
please contact Filipino News NZ at email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz or text: 027 495 8477
7TH FILIPINO-KIWI HERO AWARDS 2024
"I wanted to vote
because I want to have my
say on the direction of the
country," said Miguel. "It
was also interesting to
learn about the differences
between left and rightwing
policies and which
side aligns with my
beliefs."
Miguel believes that
more youth should actively
participate in the political
process, asserting that
their sizeable demographic
presence can significantly
influence government policies.
"I think young people
should vote because we are
a large section of society,
and by voting, we can
ensure that the government
forms a shape that
better reflects our key
interests."
Despite his busy schedule
as a university student,
Miguel managed to make it
to the voting booth on the
last day. “I voted at
Henderson High School on
election day, with
only a few hours
left, because I am busy
with uni throughout the
week.”
Aditya Mehra, a 19-
year-old engineering student
at AUT, hails from a
family of Indian migrants
who have called New
Zealand home for over two
decades.
Aditya's first-time voting
experience was driven by a
passion for addressing critical
issues such as climate
change and lowering costs
for students, particularly
in public transport.
"It's important that we
get to the voting booth so
that important issues like
climate change and lowering
costs for students, especially
public transport, are
represented
in parliament,"
Aditya
emphasized.
Yet, the
challenge of
making an
informed voting decision
frequently acts as a significant
obstacle for young
voters. Addressing these
common concerns of many
young voters about the
complexity of the political
landscape, Aditya offered
valuable advice. "I think a
lot of young people are hesitant
to vote because it is
hard to figure out who to
vote for, but there are
many resources online like
the Vote Compass quiz that
help you learn about different
parties and which
one speaks to your values,"
he said, encouraging his
peers to explore accessible
tools to make informed
decisions.
Stopping by Albany Mall
on the way home from
AUT, Aditya's commitment
to casting his first
vote was evident as he
chose to vote on the first
day of the election.
The stories of Miguel
Hernandez and Aditya
Mehra highlight the enthusiasm
and passion of New
Zealand's first-time voters
in shaping their nation's
future.
Their experiences underscore
the importance of
political engagement
among the youth and serve
as a reminder that every
vote counts, ensuring the
government represents the
diverse voices of the
nation's young citizens.
As New Zealand looks
ahead to the future, young
voters will continue to play
a vital role in defining the
direction of their country.

ISSUE 170 ELEKSYON | www.migrantnews.nz | email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News 03
MIGRANT NEWS - Immigration News, Settlement Support ... New Zealand’s first Migrant community newspaper. Published since 1991. Print. Online. Social Media.
By Paul Spoonley
From winning a singleparty
majority in 2020,
Labour’s vote has virtually
halved in 2023. Pre-election
polls appear to have underestimated
support for
National, which on the provisional
results can form a
government with ACT and
won’t need NZ First, despite
those same polls pointing to
a three-way split.
While the Greens and Te
Pati Maori both saw big
gains, taking crucial electorate
seats, it has been at the
expense of Labour. Special
votes are yet to be counted,
and Te Pati Maori winning
so many electorate seats will
cause an “overhang”,
increasing the size of parliament
and requiring a larger
majority to govern.
There will also be a byelection
in the Port Waikato
electorate on November 25,
It’s National on the
night as NZ turns right.
The party vote remained at
2.5% – consistent with 2020.
One of the biggest upsets
was 21-year-old Hana-
Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke’s win
over Labour stalwart Nanaia
Mahuta in the Hauraki-
Waikato electorate. Mahuta
has represented the electorate
since 2008 and has
been in parliament since
1996.
This was a must-win race
for Mahuta, the current foreign
affairs minister, after
she announced she would
not be running on the
Labour party list.
Labour won all seven
Maori seats in 2017 and six
in 2020.
Advance voting
In 2017, 1.24 million
In 2020, this rose to 1.97
million people – an extremely
high early vote figure
attributable to the impact of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, more than 1.3
million New Zealanders cast
advance votes before election
day – higher than 2017
but significantly lower than
2020.
The comeback kid
photo credit
National Party
facebook page
After a dismal showing at
the 2020 election, NZ First’s
Winston Peters has yet again
shown himself to be the
comeback kid of New
Zealand politics. Peters and
his party have provisionally
gained nearly 6.5% of the
vote, giving them eight seats
in parliament.
On the current numbers,
the National Party will not
need NZ First to help form
the government. But the
result is still a massive
reversal of fortune for
Peters, who failed to meet
the 5% threshold or win an
electorate seat in 2020.
The heart of Wellington
goes Green
Urban electorates in
Wellington have resoundingly
shifted left, with wins
for the Green Party’s
Tamatha Paul in Wellington
Central and Julie Anne
Genter in Rangotai. Chlöe
Swarbrick has retained her
seat in Auckland Central.
The Wellington electorates
had previously been
Labour strongholds. But the
decision by Grant Robertson
to compete as a list-only MP
opened Wellington Central
to Paul, currently a city
councillor.
Genter takes the seat from
outgoing Labour MP Paul
Eagle.
Both Wellington electorates
have also seen sizeable
chunks of the party vote
– 30% in Rongotai and
almost 36% in Wellington
Central – go to the Greens.
- The Conversation
which National is expected
to win. So the picture may
change between now and
November 3 when the official
result is revealed. But on
tonight’s count, the left bloc
is out of power and the right
is back.
A dejected Chris Hipkins
concedes Labour cannot
form a government on the
night’s numbers. Getty
Images
Big shift in the Maori
electorates
Te Pati Maori has performed
better than expected
in the Maori electorates –
taking down some titans of
the Labour Party and winning
four of the seven seats.
votes were cast before election
day, more than the previous
two elections combined.
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04 ISSUE 170 ELEKSYON | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.migrantnews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News
MIGRANT NEWS - www.migrantnews.nz : New Zealand’s first Migrant community newspaper. Published since 1991. Print. Online. Social Media. FB: Migrant News
Women’s Soccer World Cup Fever
By Ricky Matthew
AUCKLAND - As the
world prepared for one of
the largest international
sporting events, the FIFA
Women’s World Cup, the
passion and enthusiasm of
fans from different ethnic
communities was impossible
to miss.
For many supporters, the
tournament, which was held
in Australia and New
Zealand from July to August
this year, was not just a
showcase of athletic
prowess, but a celebration of
their heritage and culture.
From colourful displays of
national flags to boisterous
chants, fans rallied for their
respective teams, proudly
showcasing their cultural
identities.
The addition of eight new
spots to the group stage of
the cup led to an array of
debut teams and further
pushed the theme of cultural
diversity and richness, making
it truly the ‘World’ Cup.
The teams making their
debut were the Philippines,
Haiti, Morocco, Panama,
Portugal, the Republic of
Ireland, Vietnam and
Zambia.
Migrant News spoke to
‘FIFA Community Champions’,
representing several
of the debut teams as well as
long standing national
teams.
Making their FIFA
Women's World Cup debut
in 2023, the Philippines
have long been active in the
Southeast Asian women's
footballing scene - winners
of the 2022 AFF Women's
Championship.
Seresa Lopez, a Philippines
representative, said:
“It’s so inspiring to see fellow
women be at the forefront
of sports, especially in
the Philippines, considering
that our men’s team hasn’t
made it to the World Cup
Ethnic communities provide
passionate team support
yet.”
“I’m not sure if you’ve
met a Filipino before, but we
may be small and short, but
we have a massive energy
inside of us. We are very
loud people and as a community
I promise you we
will bring the noise. We may
not have a chant like the
Argentinians, but we will be
screaming all the way
through the game.”
Team Philippines played
Switzerland on 21 July, and
went head-to-head with NZ
on 25 July and played
against Norway on 30 July.
Featured in this World
Cup were four African teams
- Zambia, South Africa,
Nigeria and Morocco.
Zambia and Morocco which
were making their debut at
the World Cup.
Evelyn, an African supporter,
expressed her excitement
by saying: “We are
very excited, because this is
the first time in New
Zealand that we are hearing
the names of our African
countries mentioned in a
story that isn't about starvation
and war.
Zambia, South Africa,
Nigeria, and Morocco have
qualified for into this tournament.
It is beyond belief.”
After surprisingly emerging
as Africa’s sole representative
in women’s football at
the Tokyo Olympics, the
Zambian ‘Copper Queens’
have defied the odds once
again to book their place at
the World Cup 2023. This is
the first time the nation will
be represented
at the FIFA
Women’s World
Cup.
D i a n a
Simumpande
works with
‘Zambians in
Aotearoa’. “I
work with an organization
called Zambians in
Aotearoa,” she said. “It is all
about empowering Zambian
communities in New
Zealand. We want to make
sure that Zambian voices are
represented on the world
stage.”
She further spoke on community
engagement in
Auckland, saying: “The
Zambian team is being hosted
in Hamilton. However,
they do have a game in
Auckland. We are going to
be having a welcome celebration
event at Morningside
Tavern to have a place for
the Zambian community to
celebrate in Auckland.”
The Zambians played
Japan on 22 July, vs Spain
on 26 July, and went headto-head
with Costa Rica on
31 July.
Winners in 2011 and runners-up
in 2015, Japan has
solidified its place in
women’s football history.
They are also the two-time
Asian champions and have
won a silver at the 2012
Olympics in London.
The president of the
Japanese Society of
Auckland, Keiko Kano,
shared: “Our team is very
good. They won the World
Cup in 2011. It was right
after the Great East Japan
Earthquake, and they gave
us great hope. We are probably
going to watch the
matches live. They don’t
have any matches in
Auckland, but one is in
Wellington and one is in
Dunedin. We hope that they
are going to make it to the
tournament stage.”
The Japanese played
against Zambia on 22 July,
Costa Rica on 26 July, and
played Spain on 31 July.
Winners of the FIFA
Men’s World Cup,
Argentina, made their
fourth appearance in the
Women’s World Cup this
year. ‘La Albiceleste’, a
nickname referring to their
white and sky-blue coloured
jerseys, is still looking for its
first win in a major international
tournament, but
proved their team spirit in
their performances against
Japan and England at the
2019 FIFA Women’s World
Cup.
An Argentine Supporter,
Ignacio, said: “You will hear
a lot of our crowd singing all
the time. “Vamos, Vamos
Argentina!” for 90 minutes
or more than that. If
Argentina do not win, we
will be happy if one of our
South American brothers
make it. Go Brazil, go
Colombia, go Argentina, go
South America.”
Saione Greer, a representative
of the Latin American
community, rated the Latin
teams very highly. “We are
football crazy.
“I’m originally from
Tonga, but I’m here representing
the Latino community.
Brazil, Colombia,
Argentina, and Costa Rica
are playing in this World
Cup.”
He also spoke about the
community engagement in
Auckland, saying: “We are
waiting to see what will happen
with regards to fan
zones around the city.
Hopefully we will be able to
have a Latin party as part of
the celebrations around the
beginning of the tournaments.”

ISSUE 170 ELEKSYON | www.migrantnews.nz | email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News 05
MIGRANT NEWS - Immigration News, Settlement Support ... New Zealand’s first Migrant community newspaper. Published since 1991. Print. Online. Social Media.
The Police Car that
speaks 75 languages
The 230 ethnic communities in New
Zealand that speak over 170 languages
reveal the need for such a tool that is
catered towards diverse communities.
The significance of the community car
goes beyond its linguistic aesthetic. For
Ethnic Services staff in Auckland, the
multilingual SUV will serve as the community
engagement vehicle to connect
with community members that have a
first language other than English.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster
proudly introduced the car at the Ethnic
Focus Forum held at the Counties
The Ioniq will be deployed at
various community events in
Auckland. It made an
appearance at the Police Social
Cohesion Meeting held on 12
September at Mt Eden War
Memorial Hall.
an appearance at the Police Social
Cohesion Meeting held on 12 September
at Mt Eden War Memorial Hall. At the
meeting, Jessica Phuang, the NZ Police
Ethnic Response Manager, revealed to the
community leaders that the concept for an
ethnic services team community car came
from one of her team’s members. She was
delighted with the idea and approval was
sought to acquire a car for both community
engagement and police recruitment.
The use
of a
AUCKLAND - In a move towards inclusivity
and strengthening community
bonds between police and ethnic communities,
Nga Pirihimana NZ Police have
unveiled a new addition to their fleet of
vehicles – a colourful, multicultural car
that speaks 75 languages.
The latest edition to the police diversity
fleet, this fully electric Hyundai Ioniq 5
SUV has been embellished with the word
‘hello’ in 75 different languages that are
spoken by ethnic communities across New
By Ricky Matthew, Migrant News
Zealand. The languages on the car include
Afrikaans, Bengali, Danish, Greek, Hindi,
Italian, Mandarin, Niuean, Tagalog,
Tongan, Vietnamese and Zulu, as well as
English and Te Reo.
This comes after the introduction of the
Pirihimana (MÇori), Va'a (Pasifika) and
Rainbow (Pride) vehicles, which were
integrated into the diversity fleet over the
past few years.
Manukau Police Station recently.
“We hope this new community car,
which is a part of our diversity Police
fleet, showcases our dedication and commitment
to the diverse communities that
we serve,” Coster voiced.
He added that the vehicle will help
increase trust and confidence through
inclusion, consultation and recruitment. It
acknowledges our multicultural communities
that live here within our borders.
"This car symbolises our ongoing commitment
to inclusion, consultation and
recruitment by valuing diversity, which is
one of our core policing values as an
organisation.”
The Ioniq will be deployed at various
community events in Auckland. It made
Hyundai Ioniq
5 was no coincidence. The car is said to be
part of a larger fleet electrification project,
set to help police continue to reduce
carbon emissions.
Existing funding and resources were
used to make this new engagement vehicle
happen, with this car being repurposed
from the Waitemata District fleet.

06 ISSUE 170 ELEKSYON | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.migrantnews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News
MIGRANT NEWS - www.migrantnews.nz : New Zealand’s first Migrant community newspaper. Published since 1991. Print. Online. Social Media. FB: Migrant News
By Ricky Matthew
Auckland – It seems
that the public’s appetite
for K-pop music, K-dramas
and now K-fried
chicken has no limits. In
Auckland, the increasing
popularity of Korea’s
favourite fast-food dish -
the droolworthy Koreanstyle
fried chicken – has
led to the opening of
numerous restaurants
and takeaways to cater to
the demand.
The latest
entrant into
the market,
is a rapidly
growing
global food
chain from
South Korea – NeNne
Chicken (NeNe means
Yes, Yes in Korean). -
They reported that over
600 customers streamed
into their first store when
it opened its doors in
Lorne Street on 8th
September.
Announcing the
resounding success of the
launch, Marcus Teh, general
manager for NeNe
Chicken, said that the
company met its revenue
target for the week within
the first three days of
opening.
“In addition to those
wanting to purchase franchises,
the outlet was popular
with retail customers,
with an average transaction
value ofat $40 - which
was surprisingly high.”
“We were overwhelmed
with how excited Kiwis
were to try the food, and
we ended up having to
close an hour early on the
first two nights of trading
as we ran out of chicken,
potatoes and even flour.
We just did not expect it
to take off just as quickly
as it did, so have
now increased all
of our orders to
suppliers,” he
said.
Teh saidys that
he is thrilled with
the early success
of the brand in
New Zealand,
which is already
thriving in
Australia.
The New
Zealand menu
offers a delightful
array of Korean fried
chicken flavours, including
Original, Swicy (sweet
and spicy), Bulgogi,
Garlic, Snowing
Vegetable, Snowing
Cheese, and Freaking
Hot. Chairman Hyun
prompted this reporter to
try their Snowing Cheese
flavour, which is extra
special.
In addition to their
mouthwatering chicken,
the company offers its
own brand of lager, the
signature Kimchi Burger
and a variety of Korean
side dishes, such as Corn
Cheese, Tornado Potato,
and Black Rice.
At the media pre-launch
event on 7th September,
guests who were enjoying
the range of flavours on
the menu expressed their
enthusiasm for NeNe
Chicken's arrival in
Auckland. One Kiwi marketing
executive said: "I
love hot chicken, and
NeNe's 'Freaking Hot'
flavour is right up my
alley." Her colleague
added: "Fried chicken
and hot fries is a New
Zealand favourite, just
like KFC, and this is
probably the next big
thing."
Meanwhile Sabrina, a
Korean ‘Hanbok’
(Korean traditional dress)
importer, gave her take on
why Korean fried chicken
is so unique and popular.
“Korean fried chicken
came from America during
the war (Korean
War). But Koreans have
changed it completely.
Korean traditional food is
less greasy, so the fried
chicken had to be
changed to appeal
to the Koreans. My
favourite flavour is
soy, but I think that
the original flavour
and sweet and
spicy are the most
popular in Korea.”
Elaborating on
the Korean fried
chicken craze within
South Korea, she
added.: “Tthere
are more Korean
fried chicken stores
Auckland’s K-fried chicken craze
fires up demand, expansion plans
Next month, the chain is set to open its
inaugural store in the Philippines, revealed
Hyun Chul Ho, the Chairman of the parent
company in South Korea. Located in the Mall
of Asia, right across from the renowned
Filipino franchise Jollibee (who serve the
‘Chickenjoy’ fried chicken), this move
showcases their readiness to compete with
local industry giants.
Marcus Teh, NeNe Chicken
in Korea than there are
McDonald’s stores across
the entire world. That’s
amazing to think about
because Korea is not aso
big (country).” (A quick
google search reveals that
there are 50,000 fried
chicken restaurants in
Korea and 40,000
McDonalds in the world.)
NeNe Chicken has
ambitious plans to ignite
athe fried chicken frenzy
within New Zealand. The
Lorne Street store will be
followed up with locations
in Newmarket and Sylvia
Park. The company aims
to open 18 stores across
the country, including in
tourist areas like
Queenstown, in collaboration
with their partner, ST
Group.
However, a surge in
interest from potential
franchisees has meant
that the
nationw
i d e
roll-out
will be
brought
forward
two years to 2026.
The investment in the
brand footprint throughout
New Zealand will be
in excess of $15 million,
with 275 workers
employed and an annual
revenue of $75 million.
BACKSTORY:
ST Group holds the
exclusive franchise and
license rights to NeNe
Chicken, along with three
other internationally popular
food and beverage
brands, PappaRich, Gong
cha and
Ippudo, in
NZ.
N e N e
Chicken,
which was
established
in South Korea in 1999,
has quickly become a
global sensation. Its presence
extends to several
countries, including the
USA, Canada, United
Arab Emirates, Hong
Kong, Taiwan, Thailand,
Malaysia, Singapore,
Australia and Japan.
With over 1,100 restaurants
worldwide, including
40 in Australia, this
expansion into New
Zealand marks yet another
milestone for the
brand.
NeNe Chicken's expansion
isn't stopping atin
New Zealand. Next
month, the chain is set to
open its inaugural store in
the Philippines, revealed
Hyun Chul Ho, the
Chairman of the parent
company in South Korea.
FILIPINO NEWS NZ
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Publisher:
Sheila Mariano
Managing Editor:
Mel Fernandez
Reporter:
Ricky Matthew
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• New Zealand Philippines Business Council

Auckland - As more and more migrants
make New Zealand their new home, they
often encounter challenges when it comes
to settling into a new environment. Among
these challenges is the desire to create a
comfortable and inviting living space,
which includes having a well-maintained
outdoor area.
At a time where costs are high and the
planet is warming, Saturnino Requiroso,
from Turf Man Landscaping, is offering a
natural grass alternative that is both easy
on the planet and the wallet.
Requiroso is part of a new wave of
Filipino entrepreneurs that are taking
their ideas to the New Zealand market. He
brings a wealth of landscaping experience
to New Zealand, having worked in the
industry for over six years in the
Philippines and several more internationally
in locations like Dubai.
Requiroso has embarked on his entrepreneurial
journey by carving out a niche
in the market with his artificial grass
installation business. However, this venture
is not his first foray into the industry;
he previously ran a similar enterprise in
the Philippines.
The benefits of artificial grass are clear,
as Requiroso explains: “People are turning
to artificial grass because of less maintenance
and electricity savings. People
don’t want to spend time watering and
mowing the lawn, so with artificial grass
you can save time. And, with artificial
grass, you spend money only one time,
ISSUE 170 | ELEKSYON | www.filipinoheroes.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | 07 BUHAY
www.filipinoheroes.nz : Over a 120 Filipino Kiwi Heroes have been recognised over the years by Filipino News NZ.
NZ
Serbisyo: Grassroots contacts boost
natural grass alternative business.
MASKRA FESTIVAL IS
BACK IN BACALOD
Saturnino Requiroso,
Turf Man Landscaping
then it lasts a long time. With natural
lawns you have a high water and electricity
bill.”
With less watering and mowing
required, homeowners can enjoy a beautiful
lawn without the hassle. Furthermore,
Requiroso says that his installations can
last up to 10 to 15 years, making one a
cost-effective and environmentally friendly
choice.
One unique
aspect of
Requiroso's
business is his
close connection
to and understanding
of the
Filipino community
in New
Zealand. "Most
of the people I
help are Filipino
houses with
nurses, because
they have no
time to mow the
lawn, no time to
water. They ask
for artificial
grass for their
lawns.”
These grassroot
ties to the
community are
what helps Turf
Man survive in
the competitive landscaping market in
New Zealand. “It is very hard, because
there is a lot of competition,” Requiroso
admits. “There are many landscaping
companies here. I'm small and I'm only
starting." However, he is persevering,
relying on word of mouth, social media
and the support of his fellow Filipinos to
build his business.
By Ricky Matthew, Migrant News
Reflecting on his journey, Requiroso
shared a comment about his passion for
landscaping: "I love landscaping and it's
always been the same whether I was in the
Philippines, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Saudi
Arabia. I've never changed my job. It's
what I do best."
His dedication to his craft is what he
hopes will propel him to the forefront of
the artificial grass scene in New Zealand,
making him a name to watch in the industry.
BACKSTORY: The rapid increase of
Filipino migrants settling in New Zealand,
a shade over 100,000 according to the
Philippine Embassy, has created a corresponding
increase in business opportunities
catering for this market.
Small business heavyweights who have
been honoured with the Business
Excellence Award at the annual Filipino-
Kiwi Hero Awards over the years have
included: Oscar and Mercy Catoto of Tres
Marias Trading, Edith Carpenter of
Planet Earth Travel, Jeths Lacson of
Epiphany Donuts, Lito Banal of Kiwi
Roofing and Marjorie Bennett of Boracay
Garden Restaurant.
A new generation of start-ups are getting
their opportunity to crack into the
Filipino and mainstream markets via
community events like the trail blazing
Halo Halo NZ (previously Fiesta
Filipinas) and other Filipino events.
Bacolod was recognized for Best Festival
Practices and Performances in the Aliw
Awards 2022 in December last year, with
the return of the Masskara after a two-year
hiatus due to the pandemic. (PNA)
The Food Festival that started it all in
Auckland is back - Halo Halo NZ!
To experience a Food Festival unlike any
other, check out details at our event website:
www.halohalo.nz
To participate as a vendor in the event
please text: 027 271 5948.

Abann's Inspiring Journey:
From Displacement to
Community Empowerment
Community advocate and
educator, Abann Yor
photo / supplied
The ARCC (Aotearoa
Resettled Community
Coalition) focuses on community
support services
and empowering new residents
and resettled communities
(forced migrant
experiences) in New
Zealand, providing access
to various services and initiatives
to help individuals
and groups integrate into
New Zealand society.
Community advocate
and educator, Abann Yor,
has been involved in community
work with ARCC
for over 18 years and in
From 9 October 2023,
there will be changes to the
Skilled Migrant Category
Resident Visa.
These changes will see a
simplified points system
coming into effect that sets a
clear skills threshold for residence
and offers several
ways for people to demonstrate
their skill level. Under
the new system, applicants
will need six points to be
granted residence.
Over the last month, we
have been confirming further
policy products and settings
that will be impacted
once the new Skilled
Migrant Category Resident
Visa comes into effect. With
a week to go before Skilled
Migrant Category Resident
Visa applications open, we
wanted to take the time to
remind you of everything
that is changing, and what
this means for you if you
wish to apply.
What is changing?
Come 9 October, applicants
who wish to apply for
the Skilled Migrant
Category Resident Visa will
08 ISSUE 170 ELEKSYON | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.migrantnews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News
MIGRANT NEWS - www.migrantnews.nz : New Zealand’s first Migrant community newspaper. Published since 1991. Print. Online. Social Media. FB: Migrant News
By Ricky Matthew
2014 he was made its Chief
Executive Officer (CEO).
Born in Sudan, Abann's
journey began at the age of
13 when he became displaced
within his own
country because of the
Sudan civil war. Seeking
refuge, Abann and his family
moved to Syria, before
eventually settling in New
Zealand in September
2005 with a permanent resident
visa.
Reflecting on his arrival,
Abann described the support
he received, saying:
"When I arrived here, the
services helped me to settle
in. One of them is AUT -
they give English language
assistance. Health screening
was at the Mangere
Resettlement centre, as
well as an introduction to
the social welfare system
and emergency services
(fire, police and ambulance)."
Upon his relocation to
Auckland Abann faced the
challenges of settling into a
need to meet one of the following:
Occupational registration
(where an occupation has a
regulated registration,
licensing, or certification
scheme in NZ and full registration
requires at least 2
years of formal training or
experience)
A Bachelor’s degree or
higher level qualification, or
A skilled job earning at
least 1.5 x median wage in
New Zealand
If applicants do not gain
enough points through one
of these skill pathways, they
will need to gain additional
points through having
skilled work experience in
New Zealand.
All applicants will need a
skilled job offer in New
Zealand, and most applicants
will be required to
spend time working in New
Zealand before becoming
eligible for residence.
Under the new settings,
there will be no cap on the
number of people who can
gain residence if they meet
the skills threshold. This,
new country as a migrant.
Accessing social welfare
systems and pursuing education
became significant
hurdles.
Recounting his early
experiences, he said that
the challenges at the time
were accessing the social
welfare system and a pathway
to education. “Those
are the kind of services
that have been a challenge."
Despite the obstacles,
Abann took ownership of
his journey, stating: "I've
been able to take ownership
and responsibility to
pursue a pathway to
employment and education."
To overcome these challenges
Abann enrolled for
numerous qualifications in
order to pursue professional
development, including
an Employment Skills
English program at the
Manukau Institute of
Technology. "What that
program offers you is a
chance to study English
while you are looking for a
along with simpler settings,
means applicants can expect
faster decision times (where
complete information is provided
to Immigration New
Zealand).
Employers can continue to
bring skilled workers to New
Zealand on a temporary
work visa, such as the
Accredited Employer Work
Visa, or employ migrants on
other work visas such as the
Working Holiday Visa, even
if they do not meet the residence
criteria.
In addition to the above
changes, we have also
recently confirmed further
changes to other policy settings
that are impacted with
the Skilled Migrant
Category Resident Visa
opening on 9 October 2023.
An overview of these
changes is outlined in the
next section.
Changes to interim visas
and variations of conditions
A new interim visa for
Skilled Migrant Category
Resident Visa resident visa
applications will be implemented
on 9 October 2023.
job."
Sadly, Abann encountered
difficulties in securing
employment due to
biases in the job market.
He candidly expressed: "I
found out that my name,
being a foreigner, my
appearance and my colour
became a problem for me
to secure a job."
Undeterred, Abann persevered
and landed his
first job at a factory, followed
by a position at a
supply centre. His determination
to support his family
and contribute to the
community fuelled his
desire to create positive
change.
"When I was studying I
This is an additional offering
to visa holders on the path to
residence, removing the
requirement for Skilled
Migrant Category Resident
Visa resident visa applicants
to renew their temporary
visa while they are awaiting
the outcome of their application.
These changes also
apply to dependents and
partners of Skilled Migrant
Category Resident Visa
applicants.
Applicants who transfer
onto a Skilled Migrant
Category Interim Visa will
also receive multiple entry
travel conditions, allowing
them to leave New Zealand
and return on the same interim
visa while it is valid.
There will also be a pathway
to allow Skilled
Migrant Category Interim
Visa holders to vary some
conditions of their interim
visa conditions. These
changes have been made to
provide more certainty for
applicants and will allow
them to vary the conditions
of their interim visa if their
circumstances change.
The team at ARCC (Aotearoa Resettled Community Coalition).
Abann Yor on the extreme right. Photo supplied.
Eligibility for Skilled
Migrant Category Interim
Visa variation of conditions
(VOCs) will be based on the
conditions of the interim
visa held and the situation of
the applicants. This means
that not all people with the
same interim visa conditions
will have the same VOC
pathway. The cost to vary
the conditions of a visa is
$210.
Changes to the List of
Qualifications Exempt from
Assessment
Changes to the List of
Qualifications Exempt from
Assessment (LQEA) were
made ahead of the Skilled
Migrant Category Resident
Visa opening, as well as the
Work to Residence (WtR)
category opening. The
update was part of a wider
review of the LQEA to
ensure it is fit for purpose for
use with the new Skilled
Migrant Category Resident
Visa.
The review is being carried
out in phases, and
includes:
a review of the existing
identified certain needs
within the community. If
I'm someone who knows
English and there is a challenge
for me, what about
my community members
who don't have the advantage
of English?" This
realization led him to
become actively involved
in the South Sudanese
community, where he
served as a chairperson
and initiated numerous
projects.
Abann's
commitment
to community
welfare
eventually
led him to
the Aotearoa
Resettle-ment
Community Coali-tion
(ARCC). Starting as a representative
for the South
Sudanese community, he
later assumed roles such as
youth coordinator, vice
chair and eventually CEO.
Under Abann's able
leadership his organization
has achieved significant
progress in enhancing the
well-being of new residents
and resettled communities.
Skilled Migrant Category to open on 9 October 2023
list
removal of qualifications
which do not meet the
requirements of the new
Skilled Migrant Category
Resident Visa
compiling quality assured,
approved, accredited and
relevant qualifications that
meet the requirements, and
the addition of ‘qualification
type’ to all qualifications
on the list.
The first phase of the
review was implemented on
29 September and includes
the following 7 countries:
Hong Kong
Ireland
Malaysia
Philippines
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States of America
Further phases of the
review will see more countries
and qualification types
added to the list.
- NZ Immigration Service

Immigration Matters:
ISSUE 170 | ELEKSYON | www.filipinoheroes.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | 09
www.filipinoheroes.nz : Over a 120 Filipino Kiwi Heroes have been recognised over the years by Filipino News NZ.
By Ricky Matthew
Citizenship pathway
opens for Kiwis
living in Australia
SYDNEY – There are
many reasons for thinking
of making the move to
Australia – better climate,
better pay, tax breaks, the
affordability of living and
housing. But a thorny issue
for Kiwis living in
Australian has been the
lack of a direct pathway to
citizenship even after living
across the ditch for
years, paying taxes there
and for all intents and purposes
being no different
from other migrants to the
country.
Now Australia’s historic
decision to provide a new
direct pathway to citizenship
for New Zealanders
living in Australia will
bring the two countries
closer together, says Prime
Minister Chris Hipkins.
Australian Prime
Minister Albanese made
the announcement this
morning, in the 50th
anniversary year of the
trans-Tasman travel
arrangement, which allows
each country’s people to
live and work in the other
country.
“This is the biggest
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migrantnews.nz
Check us out on our print, online
and social media channels.
improvement in the rights
of New Zealanders living
in Australia in a generation
and restores most of
the rights Kiwis had in
Australia before they were
revoked in 2001,” Chris
Hipkins said.
“Successive New
Zealand Prime Ministers
have advocated for this
change for two decades.
It’s pleasing that the close
relationship between leaders
of two like-minded governments
was instrumental
in reaching this outcome.
photo credit /
“Today’s announcement
brings our nations closer
together. It underscores
the strength and breadth
of the bonds between our
countries ahead of my visit
this weekend.
“These changes will
make a real and meaningful
difference to the lives of
many New Zealanders and
their children by giving
those who decide to take
up Australian citizenship
similar rights to
Australians living in New
Zealand.
“Kiwis taking up
Australian citizenship will
still retain their New
Zealand citizenship. These
dual citizens are not lost to
New Zealand – but draw
us closer together.”
“It will apply to Kiwis on
temporary, special category,
visas who have arrived
since 2001 and lived in
Australia for four years
and meet the standard criteria
for citizenship including
character checks and
intention to reside in
Australia.
“Children born in
Australia
since 1
July 2022
to a New
Zealand
parent living
there
will also automatically be
entitled to citizenship. This
will make critical services
available to them.
“Most of us know someone
who’s moved across
the Tasman. They work
hard, pay taxes and
deserve a fair go. These
changes deliver that and
reverse erosions that have
taken place over 20 years.”
Boracay expects
over 2M tourist
arrivals this year
By Perla Lena, PNA
ILOILO CITY – Boracay Island has
already hit the 1-million mark in tourist
arrivals in the first semester of 2023 and is
optimistic that it can exceed the 1.8 million
target for this year.
“We meet the one million mark and we
are not expecting that much because the target
was 1.8 million. If this will be the trend,
we will exceed two million at the end of the
year,” said Mayor Frolibar Bautista in an
interview on Sunday at the sidelines of the
Central Philippines Tourism Expo held in
Iloilo City.
Data showed that from January to June
17, the island recorded 1,040,847 arrivals
consisting of 199,098 foreign visitors;
816,426 local tourists and 25,323 overseas
Filipino workers.
For the same period last year, around
850,047 guests visited the island.
Bautista attributed the high arrivals to
their hosting of meetings, incentives, conferences
and exhibits (MICE).
He said that from the 20 percent share of
foreign tourists, they expect it to increase to
30 percent once visitors from South Korea
and China start coming in next month.
For more travel news please check out:
www.travelgalore.nz

FILIPINO-KIWI BUSINESS DIRECTORY Mob: 027 495 8477 : filipinonews@xtra.co.nz
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(the online food & events website)
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ISSUE 170 ELEKSYON | www.migrantnews.nz | email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News 11
MIGRANT NEWS - Immigration News, Settlement Support ... New Zealand’s first Migrant community newspaper. Published since 1991. Print. Online. Social Media.
Do job fairs work for migrants?
By Ricky Matthew
AUCKLAND – “A job
expo can be a happening
event for migrant jobseekers,
because it is a platform
to meet face-to-face with
several prospective
employers on one day and
at one venue,” said an
employment strategist.
“Basically, by attending an
expo you can override the
very tedious and time-consuming
task of randomly
contacting one employer
after another for months
on end,” he added.
This is the advice from
Mel Fernandez, who conducts
a Career Planning
Masterclass for highly
skilled migrants and is the
founder of the long-running
Migrant Expos that
were held in Auckland,
Hamilton, Wellington and
Christchurch.
These expos featured
dedicated booths for
recruitment consultants
and employers from different
industries such as hospitality,
retail, construction
and various trades to conduct
on-the-spot interviews
with jobseekers.
They also included wraparound
services provided
by NGOs and government
agencies.
“Of late there have been
countless job expos being
organised, because post-
Covid employers in many
sectors are experiencing
critical staff shortages,”
elaborated Fernandez.
“What is the attraction
of job expos, you may ask.
Well, for new migrants,
finding a first job offer at
one of these expos will
jumpstart their career -
they not only acquire the
elusive 'New Zealand experience',
but also acquire
the means to have a comfortable
life in their new
country.”
“In any case, job expos
can often provide a chance
for migrants to network
with potential employers,
recruiters and other job
seekers.
“It is also a golden
opportunity to gather valuable
information about the
job market and industry
trends.”
The Ministry of Social
Development (MSD) regularly
organizes job expos at
various service centres
across Auckland. While
some of these expos are
publicized directly with
clients, others are promoted
through the employment
Facebook page, ‘Job
Connect – Work and
Income'.
These job expos are open
not only to MSD clients,
but also to all job seekers
in the region.
“We have been running
these for several years and
MANILA – The Philippines
clinched for the first
time the title of Asia's Best
Cruise Destination 2023 at
the World Cruise Awards in
Dubai, United Arab
Emirates.
Tourism Secretary Christina
Garcia Frasco said the
award is a "big win for
Philippine tourism as it
reflects a resounding global
preference for our island
destinations".
"The Philippines’ recognition
as Asia’s Best Cruise
Destination complements
and reaffirms our status as a
must-visit destination for
cruise enthusiasts.
This prestigious award is
not only a testament to the
Philippines' allure as a cruise
destination but also a validation
of the collective dedication
of the tourism industry
and the Department of
Tourism," Frasco said.
"We are grateful that the
country's potential to offer
(above) New Lynn Community Link.
(right) Anneka Taylor Mitchell,
Placemakers
they are part of our longstanding
role of supporting
our clients and other job
seekers into employment,”
said Mark Goldsmith,
MSD Regional Commissioner
Auckland Central/
East.
“Job seekers can expect
to find support when
applying for jobs featured
at the job fairs,” explained
Mr Goldsmith. “Where job
seekers want to apply for
jobs, if they are clients of
ours then there are a range
of supports that we may be
able to offer in terms of
help with their CV, mockinterviews
and courses
that help build their confidence
and skills for work.”
Goldsmith further commented
about the support
offered for Migrant workers.
“Generally, when new
migrants have come to
New Zealand on work
exceptional cruise experiences
is now acknowledged
on a global scale."
Other countries that vied
for the award include India,
Japan, Singapore, South
Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan,
Thailand and Vietnam.
As of Oct. 16, the
Philippines is projected to
have 128 ports of call or
cruise calls in 2023 across
33 destinations across the
country.
These cruise ships are
visas, they have already
organised work as part of
the conditions of their visa
or have family members
who have sponsored them.
“However, we are currently
working with MBIE
to help a group of
Auckland migrants find
the type of employment
they came here for. They
came to New Zealand as
part of the accredited
employer programme, but
are now without employment.
“Through the Jobs and
Skills Hubs we have been
providing ongoing support
to help them find alternative
employment,”
Goldsmith added. “We are
running a series of workshops
where they can discuss
their skills and experience
and match with
employment opportunities.
“If a new migrant needs
PH NAMED ASIA’S BEST CRUISE DESTINATION
expected to bring in more
than 101,000 passengers and
some 50,000 in estimated
crew, according to a news
release Monday.
Among the arriving cruise
ships include the Seaborne
Encore, Silver Shadow,
MSC Poesia, Queen
Elizabeth, Norwegian Jewel,
Coral Adventure, MS Seven
Seas Explorer, MS Star
Breeze, Silver Whisper,
Oceania Cruises, Aidabella
and the Blue Dream Cruise
assistance finding work,
but is not a client of ours,
we would advise them to go
into their nearest Work
and Income office and talk
to our employment team
for further assistance.
“We also assist with
employment for refugees
who are part of the quota
programme. We contract
Red Cross to provide the
‘Pathways to Employment’
programme to help
those with a refugee background
prepare for and
achieve sustainable
employment. Assistance
includes access to appropriate
skills training courses
and work brokerage
services to help match
refugees to jobs.”
One employer
present at an MSD
job fair held recently
in New Lynn was
McDonald's. “We
have open positions for
crew members; that
includes McCafé staffers,”
said the company’s representative
at the event. “We
point attendees to our website,
where they can apply
for jobs.
“At the job fairs like
today, we meet jobseekers
of all ages. But typically it
is teenagers to mid-30s
who apply to us. They initially
work on the front
line, but we do offer opportunities
for advancement.
“This is an entry level
job, in the sense that you
don't need experience, you
can come in and you learn
on the job. University students
find that
which has
made its
maiden voyage to the
Philippines this month.
McDonald's offer a great
deal of flexibility when it
comes to their schedules.”
Another employer present
was Placemakers, represented
by Anneka
Taylor-Mitchell, the company’s
Talent Acquisition
Business Partner. “So,
we're here today to find
some good job seekers who
are keen on getting a job.
We have a range of roles
that we recruit for from
more entry level customer
service roles all the way up
to sales leaders.
“At the moment there
are definitely more candidates
than there were last
year. Also, there are less
vacancies than there used
to be.
“Today we had a 16-
year-old applicant, but also
people who are close to
retirement age. The average
is probably around
mid-20s to 30s.”
There are still MSD job
fairs to look out for during
August. They will be held
in Takapuna, Albany and
Waitakere.
Upcoming Job Fairs:
5 October - Takapuna
Community Link, 519
Lake Road, Takapuna.
19 October - Albany
Community Link, 44
Corinthian Drive, Albany.
26 October - Waitakere
Community Link, 36-44
Sel Peacock Drive,
Henderson.
Job seekers who are
interested should contact
MSD and register to
attend.
By Ma Teresa
Montemayor, PNA

BUHAY
NZ
12 ISSUE 170 | ELEKSYON | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | MOB: 027 495 8477
www.filipinoheroes.nz : Over a 120 Filipino Kiwi Heroes have been recognised over the years by Filipino News NZ.
Simple, Stylish, Brand New
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23 John Gray Street,
Papakura
3 Bed, 2 Bath,
1 Lounge,
1 Garage
Land area:
167 square metres
OPEN HOME
Saturday 23rd Sep &
Sunday 24th Sep
1:00pm - 1:30pm.
Request a viewing:
Lawrence Yuan
021 038 5588
email:
l.yuan@barfoot.co.nz
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