Filipino News 171

23 

YEARS 

in print 

& 

online! 

Issue 171: PISTANG PILIPINO 2023 

TE WAKA PIRIPINO MANENE 

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filipinonews.nz, trabaho.nz, filipinoheroes.nz | E: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | M: 027 495 8477 | Facebook: www.filipinonews.nz 

A Slam Dunk Revival Post COVID 

ROTORUA - In a display 

of Filipino culture, 

community spirit and 

sportsmanship, Pistang 

Pilipino 2023 took centre 

stage in Rotorua making a 

remarkable comeback post 

Covid. The event, which 

attracted a significant 

number of visitors, 

marked the revival of a 

beloved 

tradition that had been 

put on hold for two years. 

The two-year hiatus due 

to COVID fuelled the 

resurgence of attendees, 

whose eagerness to 

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 

pg 7 

Police have unveiled a new addition 

to their fleet of vehicles – a 

colourful, multicultural car that 

speaks 75 languages. 

partake in this year’s 

celebration of Filipino 

culture was at a high, 

explained Jun Valencia, 

Chairman of the 

Federation 

of Filipino Associations, 

Societies, and Clubs in 

New Zealand Inc. "This is 

definitely because we 

stopped for 

Pistang Pilipino 2023 

two years, and last year’s 

event was in Palmerston 

North. But now we can 

see that people came 

because they missed this 

and now it's growing.” 

pg 3 

pg 13 

SERBISYO: 

MOTHER’S 

QUEST TO 

TACKLE 

ECZEMA 

KIWIS IN OZ 

CAN GAIN 

CITIZENSHIP 

pg 04 

pg 08 

ELEKSYON: 

SURGE IN 

YOUTH 

VOTERS? 

ILONGGOS 

THRILLING 

HALLOWEEN 

BASH 

pg 02 

FILIPINO NEWS 

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filipinonews@xtra.co.nz 

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FILIPINO HEROES 

filipinoheroes.nz 


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MIGRANT NEWS 

migrantnews.nz 

migrantnews@xtra.co.nz 

FB: Migrant News NZ 

Ethnic Media. Filipino Hero Awards. Multicultural Events.

BUHAY 

NZ 

02 ISSUE 171 | REUNION 2023 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.migrantnews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News 

www.filipinoheroes.nz : Over a 120 Filipino Kiwi Heroes have been recognised over the years by Filipino News NZ. 

Kalagkalag 2023 

‘Kalagkalag 2023’ demonstrated that Halloween isn't just about spookiness; 

it's also about coming together for a hauntingly good time. 

Ilonggos ‘Spooktacular’ Halloween Bash 

Auckland came alive on 

October 28, 2023, with a 

spooktacular event that 

brought together music, 

food, and Halloween festivities. 

It was Kalagkalag 

2023 – a night of chills, 

thrills, and sheer Halloween 

fun. 

Parnell Community 

Centre's venue was transformed 

into a Halloween 

haven, where everyone wore 

their eeriest costumes, 

unleashing their inner monsters. 

The evening started with a 

warm welcome from Rey 

Cadiz, the Chairman, of the 

Ilonggo Integrated Association 

Inc. NZ, setting the 

stage for a night filled with 

live music and anticipation. 

‘Mind Band’ rocked the 

crowd with their tunes, setting 

the mood for a magical 

night. 

Food was served to delight 

taste buds while the live 

band kept the rhythm alive, 

ensuring no one missed a 

beat. 

Then came the moment of 

truth – the raffle draw. 

Excitement filled the air as 

participants competed for 

fantastic prizes, adding an 

extra layer of suspense. 

The Halloween costume 

contest was a scream, with 

participants going out to 

showcase their creative and 

spine-tingling costumes. 

Prizes went to the most creative 

outfits, both scary and 

imaginative. 

Dancing and live music 

took over, with everyone 

grooving on the dance floor 

until late. 

The final raffle draw winners 

were revealed at the 

stroke close to midnight. It 

was a nail-biting moment, 

with attendees hoping to 

hear their names called. The 

Best Costume Winners were 

honoured for their incredible 

outfits. 

The night ended with a 

disco party, with everyone 

By Reynand Dumala-on, Public Relations Officer, IIA Inc.NZ 

dancing their hearts out until 

midnight. 

‘Kalagkalag 2023’ was a 

night to remember, creating 

cherished memories of an 

unforgettable evening. 

Thanks to all participants 

and sponsors for making this 

night a resounding success. 

This event showcased the 

strength of community and 

togetherness in Auckland. 

The Ilonggo Integrated 

Association, Inc. NZ (IAA 

Inc. NZ), a thriving community 

group and a registered 

organisation in New 

Zealand, aims to help people 

coming from Western 

Visayas or Region VI in the 

Philippines settle down and 

start a new life in their new 

adopted country. 

This region comprises six 

provinces of Aklan, Antique, 

Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and 

Negros Occidental. 

For more info on upcoming 

events or getting 

involved with the Association, 

visit their official 

Facebook page https://www. 

facebook.com/PAGUGY- 

ONKASIMANWA or 

contact them at info.iiainz@ 

gmail.com or call 021- 

08919613. 

C hristmas a t Malacañang P a l a c e 

CENTERPIECE. 

(left) A close look at the giant 

Christmas tree inside the 

Malacañang Palace in Manila that lit 

up during the switch-on ceremony 

led by President Ferdinand R. 

Marcos Jr. 

The entries of state universities 

nationwide for the lantern-making 

contest adorn the tree. 

LOCAL DELIGHTS. 

(right) Filipino snacks were served to 

guests and officials at the traditional 

Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 

Malacañang Palace in Manila on 

November 25, 2023. 

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the event, followed 

by gift-giving for children, both at the Kalayaan 

Grounds. 

(PNA photos by Joan Bondoc)

ISSUE 171 | REUNION 2023 | www.filipinoheroes.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | 03 BUHAY 


NZ 

A Slam Dunk Revival Post COVID 

Pistang Pilipino 2023 

ROTORUA - In a display 

of Filipino culture, 

community spirit and 

sportsmanship, Pistang 

Pilipino 2023 took centre 

stage in Rotorua, making 

a remarkable comeback 

post Covid. The event, 

which attracted a significant 

number of visitors, 

marked the revival of a 

beloved tradition that 

had been put on hold for 

two years. 

The attendance at 

Pistang Pilipino 2023 was 

a matter of speculation, 

but one thing was certain 

– it drew a considerable 

crowd. Jun Valencia, 

Chairman of the 

Federation of Filipino 

Associations, Societies 

and Clubs in New 

Zealand Inc. (FFASC- 

NZI), reflected on the 

event's size, saying: 

"Some reports say 5,000; 

some say more than 

5,000. That’s from all 

over New Zealand. If I 

base it on the number of 

sports participants, we 

had quite a few from 

Christchurch and many 

from Auckland, so I'd say 

between 5,000 and 

10,000." 

The two-year hiatus 

due to COVID fuelled the 

resurgence of attendees, 

whose eagerness to partake 

in this year’s celebration 

of Filipino culture 

was at a high, as Jun 

explained. "This is definitely 

because we stopped 

for two years, and last 

year’s event was in 

Palmerston North. But 

now we can see that people 

came because they 

missed this and now it's 

growing.” 

A myriad of sporting 

competitions, including 

basketball, volleyball, 

table tennis and billiards, 

were featured at this 

year’s function. These 

competitions were accompanied 

by cultural activities, 

exhibitions and of 

course, Filipino food. 

The event also served as 

a reminder of the growing 

Filipino community in 

New Zealand. “In the latest 

census we were about 

to be a mothership 

in 

partnership 

with the 

Philippine 

Embassy." 

The Federation's 

vision 

extends 

beyond annual 

meetings to 

address the 

community's 

needs and 

concerns 

proactively. 

Despite 

challenges 

and obstacles 

like COVID, 

Jun Valencia's 

leadership 

remains 

focused on a 

united community. 

By Ricky Matthew 

He mentioned the 

importance of distancing 

the Filipino community 

from negative influences 

and added: "We don't 

want that negativity here. 

In the Philippines we are 

identified by region, but 

here we're just Filipinos. 

No region. That's how we 

we can unite the 100,000 

Filipinos." Jun's commitment 

to community unity 

and the elimination of 

negativity is evident in his 

vision for the future. 

With Pistang Pilipino 

set to be held in Auckland 

next year, hopes are high 

that record numbers of 

attendees will be 

achieved. "I expect Auckland 

to be double 

or triple the 

attendance next 

year," Jun 

expressed enthusiastically. 

As Pistang 

Pilipino continues 

to evolve and 

grow, the Filipino 

community in 

New Zealand can 

look forward to 

more vibrant celebrations, 

exciting 

sports competitions 

and cultural 

activities. 

The event's 

revival serves as a 

testament to the resilience 

and unity of the Filipino 

community, both locally 

and globally. 

Joeve Elan, 19, contestant No. 7, Miss Philippines-NZ 2023 

from Wellington who was born in Cebu. 

Photo credit: Migrant News 

100,000 and growing,” 

said Jun Valencia. "And 

of that number I think 

that 60% are from 

Auckland. All these 

Filipinos, new and old, 

are still looking for that 

one day when we can all 

get together." 

The Federation is 

evolving and aiming to 

become a central hub for 

the rapidly expanding 

Filipino community in 

New Zealand, noted Jun 

Valencia. "I'll try my best 

... I want the Federation

BUHAY 

NZ 



Serbisyo: Mother’s ‘skin-credible’ 

quest to tackle eczema 


HAMILTON - In a heartwarming 

journey that demonstrates motherly 

love and determination, Joanna Co, a 

Filipina mother based in Hamilton, 

has transformed a challenging diagnosis 

into a flourishing wellness products 

business. 

This is a story of hope, resilience 

and entrepreneurship, all sparked by 

a diagnosis of eczema. 

NaturaCoco NZ has been nominated for 

the Filipino Kiwi Hero Award 2024 for 

Outstanding Small Business 

It all began when Joanna's daughter, 

Ariana, was just one month old. She was 

diagnosed with eczema, a skin condition 

that would change the course of their 

lives. Joanna, a first-time mother, 

embarked on a quest to find a solution for 

her child's discomfort. She recounts: "I've 

been seeing GPs and dermatologists to 

help her, but nothing's actually working. 

It's not a long-term solution." 

Determined to alleviate her daughter's 

suffering, Joanna explored a wide array 

of products, both over the counter and 

internationally sourced. "I even asked my 

family in Canada and the US to find 

something that could help with eczema," 

she shares. But the solutions were temporary 

and often contained ingredients that 

weren't suitable for her child's sensitive 

skin. 

One day, a friend recommended a product 

made in the Philippines, a natural 

solution that was both effective and safe 

for Ariana's skin. "I used it right away 

and I was amazed at how well it worked," 

Joanna recalls. This pivotal moment ignited 

a spark in her and her husband, 

Martin. 

Joanna and Martin's entrepreneurial 

journey started when they decided to 

import the product to New Zealand and 

Australia. "We had a great opportunity to 

build a brand," Joanna excitedly expresses. 

The couple chose the name 'AJ and MJ 

Co Ltd' to honour their family's initials, 

with Joanna explaining. "A is for Ariana, 

who is my eldest. J is for Johan, who is my 

youngest. M is for Martin, my husband 

and J is for me. It's a meaningful name for 

us and we love it." 

Listening to their customers, who come 

from diverse backgrounds with varying 

needs, the couple expanded their product 

range. In addition to the initial moisturizing 

cream, NaturaCoco now offers sunscreen, 

body wash and a recently released 

lip balm. The products have received positive 

reviews from a broad customer base. 

Not content with merely helping their 

own family, Joanna and Martin have also 

empowered individuals in the Philippines 

by providing job opportunities. "We have 

a full-time life here, so we hired admins 

from the Philippines to manage our social 

media and customer inquiries," Joanna 

says. It's a testament to their mission to 

help others. 

Joanna's story is an account of a mother's 

unwavering love and determination 

to find a solution for her child. She reflects 

on her journey. "I started this in 

November last year and now it's become a 

part of our lives. Our main goal is to help 

people who are in the same situation as we 

were. We understand how skin conditions 

can be stressful. This is why we started 

NaturaCoco.” 

The journey from a challenging diagnosis 

to entrepreneurship is not just a business 

success story; it's a heartwarming 

tale of a mother's love and resilience. 

NaturaCoco, born out of necessity and a 

mother's love, continues to make a positive 

impact in the lives of those facing skin 

conditions in New Zealand. 

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 

the opportunity to crack into the 

Filipino and mainstream markets via 

community events like the trail blazing 

Halo Halo NZ and other Filipino events. 

www.filipinoheroes.nz 

www.halohalo.nz 

The Filipino 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: 


To participate as a vendor in the event 

please text: 027 271 8948.

How Filipino First Home Buyers 

Can Own Their First Home Faster 

AUCKLAND - On the 

22nd of November the 

Filipino community came 

together to learn about 

what it takes to own your 

own home in Auckland, in 

an event hosted by Aera 

and the local community, 

with experts Maricel 

Weischede - Principal and 

Director from Lawspace, 

and Rex Yap - Financial 

Advisor and Motivational 

Speaker. 

The purpose of the 

event was to share knowledge 

and insights into the 

current hurdles migrants 

have to overcome to own 

their first home and for 

the guests to ask questions 

about what it takes 

to get there. 

In the daunting New 

Zealand housing market 

aspiring Filipino homeowners 

are confronted 

with increasingly arduous 

challenges. Whether it be 

skyrocketing property 

prices or outlandish interest 

rates, buying that first 

home has become an elusive 

dream for many. 

To many of the event 

attendees and migrants in 

general a home is not only 

viewed as a significant 

financial milestone, but it 

also satisfies the desire for 

stability and a sense of 

permanence in a new 

country. 

Homeownership provides 

a tangible and lasting 

connection to 

the community, 

fostering a feeling 

of belonging 

and security and 

reflecting the 

journey of building 

a new life in 

a foreign land. It 

provides a place 

to call one's own, 

where cultural 

traditions and 

personal identity 

can be nurtured 

and preserved. 

However, the 

numbers suggest 

that if house 

prices continue 

to grow by 6.4% 

annually in 

Auckland, by 2045 a 20% 

deposit will mean putting 

down $1m. 

According to Aera’s 

‘Time-To-Deposit’ report, 

it was revealed that median-income 

first home 

buyers who started saving 

today would never be able 

to save up a 20% deposit 

for an average valued 

house. That’s where Aera 

comes in. 

Though not a registered 

bank, by October 2023 

more than 2000 New 

Zealanders registered 

their interest with the 

banking alternative. The 

reason is, Aera enables 

individuals to enter the 

housing market with as 

little as a 2.5% deposit via 

Aera’s ‘Ownership 

Accelerator’. 

Central to Aera are 

their ‘Deposit Accelerators,’ 

which help to grow 

Filipino-Kiwi’s deposit 

funds. These services are 

free from account or 

transaction fees and offer 

The Filipino community came together on the 22nd of November 2023 to learn 

about what it takes to own your own home in Auckland. 

higher interest rates than 

many traditional savings 

accounts. Aera currently 

offers rates ranging 

between 5.50% and 

7.00%, depending on 

notice period length, with 

a minimum transaction 

size and investment 

mixes. 

This novel strategy not 

only accelerates the path 

to homeownership in a 

market with relentlessly 

ascending prices and 

interest rates, but it challenges 

the prevailing 

narrative that 

traditional savings 

alone are sufficient. 

Aera’s Founder, 

Derek Handley, 

emphasizes the 

need for an alternative 

pathway to 

enter the New 

Zealand housing 

market. “New Zealand 

needs more 

innovation for first 

home buyers … 

Aera is making a 

combination of 

financial products 

available to aspiring 

first home buyers, 

so they can get 

into their first home 

faster. Higher rate savings 

products are also on 

their way in 2024,” 

explains Handley. 

“History has shown us 

that we can’t wait around 

for change to happen just 

because the housing market 

is taking a breather. 

We need new solutions 

that will work within a 

broken system,” Handley 

stresses. 

Ultimately, the dream 

of owning a home for 

Filipino migrants goes 

beyond just having a 

physical space; it encompasses 

the broader aspirations 

for stability, 

financial prosperity and a 

meaningful connection to 

the adopted country. 

With its innovative 

approach to home ownership 

Aera is making it 

possible for Filipinos to 

fulfill their home ownership 

dreams with much 

less hassle than ever 

before. 

If you would like to 

learn more about how to 

save for your first home 

deposit faster please scan 

the QR Code below to 

register your interest in 

the upcoming event on 

the 16th of December 

2023. 

Aspiring first homeowners 

can find more 

information at: https:// 

www.aera.nz/ 

- Advertorial Supplied.

BUHAY 

NZ 



B y R i c k y M a t t h e w scarcity of Filipino books impetus for 

Balancing her role as a and heritage can thrive in 

and a shortage of literary the birth of 

literary advocate with her the pages of books and in 

AUCKLAND - Jade resources in general. the Filipino 

full-time job, Munoz the experiencing of Batang 

Ceres-Munoz, a devoted Recognizing this deficiency, 

Children's 

embodies the idea that pas- 

Pinoy events. By actively 

advocate for preserving 

Munoz embarked on a Library. 

sionate individuals can engaging with these stories 

Filipino culture in New 

Zealand, has taken an 

innovative approach to 

make a significant impact 

on their community. 

The Filipino Children's 

and cultural celebrations 

they embark on a lifelong 

journey through the world 

enriching the lives of 

Library and Batang Pinoy of literature and their rich 

Filipino youth who are 

growing up far from their 

not only provide access to 

books, but also reignite the 

heritage. 

Filipino News, New 

ancestral homeland. 

joy of reading and cultural Zealand’s only Filipino 

Munoz, who leads the 

appreciation among Filipino 

community newspaper, 

‘Filipino Children's 

youth in New Zealand. recognizes Jade Munoz's 

Library’ and organizes 

Munoz acknowledges dedication to promoting 

children's events under the 

banner of ‘Batang Pinoy’, 

JADE CERES-MUNOZ has been nominated for 

the Filipino Kiwi Hero Award 2024 for 

that rekindling a love for 

reading takes time and 

Filipino culture through 

the power of reading and 

is nurturing the essence of 

Outstanding Community Leaders 

perseverance. Her commitment 

to reconnecting young 

Filipino heritage 

Not all superheroes wear capes 

minds to the joy of 

by encouraging a 

reading and the richness 

of their heritage 

love of reading 

among the 

through Batang 

younger generation. 

Pinoy events and the 

mission not only to fill the Munoz seized the opportutives 

within the communi- 

to nurturing cultural Filipino Children's 

Munoz's own journey as void for her own family, nity to digitize stories and ty, Munoz highlights the identity through literature Library. 

a literary enthusiast is 

deeply rooted in her family 

but for the Filipino community 

as a whole. 

make them accessible to 

children seeking Filipino 

eagerness with which people 

search for books and 

and cultural events is evident 

in her work with the 

She will be receiving a 

Filipino Kiwi Hero Award 

background. "I've always "My daughter is the one stories, but lacking access engage with cultural Filipino Children's for Outstanding Filipino 

been into literature who inspired me to sell to them. 

events. Yet, she notes a Library and Batang Pinoy. Community Leader 2024 

because I grew up with books," Munoz says, highlighting 

The Filipino Children's broader transformation in In the multicultural during the Philippine 

books and both my parents 

the pivotal role her Library and Munoz's progress. "People are look- 

landscape of New Zealand, Independence Day 

are writers," she reveals. family played in steering Batang Pinoy events have ing for books. However, Jade Munoz's literary crusade 

Celebrations in June 2024. 

This profound connection her towards this path of literary 

become lifelines for they don't always use 

and cultural initia- 

with storytelling and literature 

served as the catalyst advocacy. Her aspi- 

rations led her to import 

Filipinos in New Zealand 

seeking culturally resonant 

books to teach their children," 

Munoz observes. 

tives serve 

as beacons 

for her unique mission. Filipino books to New literary resources and "This is reintroducing of hope, 

When Munoz and her 

family moved to New 

Zealand, they encountered 

a stark challenge: the 

Zealand while she worked 

with the embassy. 

The onset of the COVID- 

19 pandemic provided the 

looking to engage children 

in cultural experiences. 

When asked about the 

reception of these initia- 

them to the concept that 

reading is such a good 

experience for kids to grow 

up with." 

reminding 

Filipino 

youth that 

their culture 

Schools told to ramp up efforts 

to stop racist bullying 

By John Gerritsen, 

RNZ Reporter 

The Education Review Office 

(ERO) says schools must do more 

to stop racist bullying of children 

from ethnic communities. 

A report the office published on 

recently said one in five children 

from ethnic backgrounds reported 

racist bullying and nearly a third 

said their school did not take the 

problem seriously. 

More than half reported seeing 

people being mean to others 

because of their ethnicity or culture 

and one in five had read 

racist messages, the report, 

Education For All Our 

Children: Embracing Diverse 

Ethnicities, said. 

Nearly one in five learners said 

they had to hide their ethnic identity 

at least once or twice a month, 

and a third felt lonely at school 

every week or day. 

"Too many learners from ethnic 

communities experience racist 

bullying and racial biases," the 

report said. 

"And when they raise concerns 

they are not always acted on. We 

must do better. Every school 

needs to be able to prevent and 

tackle racism." 

The report said the education 

system could set firmer expectations 

for tackling racism, set up a 

system for monitoring it, and give 

students stronger avenues to complain 

when it was not dealt with. 

It could also consider teaching 

more languages in schools, 

changing the way religions were 

taught, and helping ethnic communities 

set up their own schools 

or special units within schools. 

The report included comments 

from students. 

"I see so many teachers and 

staff at my school be racist and 

don't care about you because 

you're a different race - I hate 

when it happens, and it irritates 

me a lot. I feel like shouting and 

screaming every time something 

like that happens," said a pupil. 

"I still feel kind of weird taking 

Indian food to school as you have 

to eat it with your hands. One of 

my friends - she is Indian too - got 

bullied so badly for her food that 

she became 

a loner. And 

she tried to 

bring sandwiches 

to 

school even 

though she 

didn't like 

them, but it 

was too 

late," said 

another. 

One student 

said he 

did not 

report schoolmates for saying 

"mean things" because he did not 

want to get them in trouble. 

Another described girls from 

different ethnic communities sitting 

together at break times and 

"Kiwi" girls opting not to join 

them. 

The report said about 16 percent 

of school pupils were from 

ethnic communities, most of them 

born in New Zealand, and within 

20 years they would account for 

nearly 30 percent - most of them 

from Asian communities. 

In Auckland, 43 percent of 

school children would 

come from Asian backgrounds 

by 2043. 

SCHOOL ZONE: One in five children from ethnic backgrounds 

reported racist bullying. Photo: RNZ/ Nick Monro 

The report said 80 percent students 

from ethnic communities 

believed their teachers treated 

them fairly, but more than one in 

four said their ethnicity influenced 

the courses teachers recommended 

for them. 

"Stereotyping of what particular 

ethnic groups should aspire to 

is very limiting and doesn't enable 

students to reach their aspirations," 

a community youth leader 

told ERO. 

The report said learners from 

ethnic communities, especially 

Asian children, achieved well at 

school, but some groups had bigger 

gender gaps and often wanted 

higher expectations from their 

teachers. 

"Education is not 

currently always 

reflecting what 

whanau from ethnic 

communities want. 

Four in 10 whanau 

from ethnic communities, 

and nearly 

a third of learners, 

do not feel schoolwork 

is challenging 

enough," the report 

said. 

It said almost 

two-thirds of families 

wanted their 

school to support 

their mother tongue. 

The report said students from 

MELAA backgrounds (Middle 

Eastern, Latin American, African) 

reported much lower wellbeing 

than other students. 

It said every school needed to 

be able to respond to increased 

diversity and tackle racism. 

The report was informed by 

survey results from 1250 families, 

558 students, and 263 teachers. 

- Published with special permission 

from RNZ.

ISSUE 171 REUNION 2023 | www.migrantnews.nz | email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News 07 

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. 

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 (Maori), 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 

T h e 

use of a 

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.

08 ISSUE 171 REUNION 2023 | 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 


AUCKLAND – In theory, 

increasing voter 

turnout amongst 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 will 

only come to hand later. 

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 

in the 2020 General 

Election. “An age breakdown 

released on 

www.elections.nz shows 

the biggest gains in turnout 

in the younger age 

groups,” said 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.” 

In the 18 to 24-year-old 

age group: 43,293 more 

people voted in the 2020 

election than in the previous 

election. Since 2014, 

the turnout of enrolled voters 

in this age group has 

increased by 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. 

Miguel'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 

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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 

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"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 that 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 

public transport costs. 

"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 

costs, are represented 

in 

parliament," 

Adi-tya 

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 

that 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 

for shaping their nation's 

future. 

Their experiences underscore 

the importance of 

political engagement 

among youth and serve as 

a reminder that every vote 

counts, ensuring that the 

government represents the 

diverse voices of the 

nation's 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. 

To enter text: 027 495 

8477 



(the online food & events 

website) 

www.travelgalore.nz 

The online Asian travel, food 

& events website.



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, 

which National is expected 

It’s National on the 

night as NZ turns right. 

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 

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. 

The party vote remained at 

votes were cast before election 

day, more than the previous 

two elections combined. 

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and social media channels. 

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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 – NeNe 

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 of $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 as quickly as it 

did so have now 

increased all of 

our orders to suppliers,” 

he said. 

Teh said 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: “There are 

more Korean fried 

chicken stores in 

Korea than there 

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 

are McDonald’s stores 

across the entire world. 

That’s amazing to think 

about because Korea is 

not a 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 a 

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. 

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Do job fairs work for migrants? 


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 

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 

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 

visas, they have already 

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 

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 

assistance finding work, 

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 

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 Mc- 

Donald's offer a great deal 

of flexibility 

when it 

comes to 

their schedules.” 

Another 

employer 

present was 

PH NAMED ASIA’S BEST CRUISE DESTINATION 

which has 

made its 

maiden voyage to the 

Philippines this month. 

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

Immigration Matters: 

ISSUE 171 | REUNION 2023 | www.filipinoheroes.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | 13 



Citizenship pathway 

opens for Kiwis 

living in Australia 

photo credit / Rew Shearer 

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 

recently, 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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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. 

“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



Women’s Soccer World Cup Fever 


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 

(photos clockwise from top left:) 

1. Supporters of the African teams. 

2. Seresa Lopez, a Philippines representative. 

3. The president of the Japanese Society of 

Auckland, Keiko Kano (right). 

4. The Filipino Community Ambassadors. 

be represented 

at the FIFA 

Women’s World Cup. 

Diana 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. 

“They didn’t have any 

matches in Auckland, but 

one was in Wellington and 

another in Dunedin.” 

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.”

ISSUE 171 | REUNION 2023 | www.filipinoheroes.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | 15 


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Filipino News 171

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