Filipino News 172

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YEARS
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&
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Issue 172: FIESTA PILIPINAS 2024
TE WAKA PIRIPINO MANENE
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FIESTA PILIPINAS
fiestapilipinas.nz
filipinonews@
xtra.co.nz
FB: nzfiesta
FILIPINO HEROES
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xtra.co.nz
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filipinonews.nz, trabaho.nz, filipinoheroes.nz | E: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | M: 027 495 8477 | Facebook: www.filipinonews.nz
Fiesta Pilipinas has come full circle
By Ricky Matthew
AUCKLAND - The distance
between New
Zealand and the
Philippines is nearly
8000km, but what separates
Filipinos from their
homeland is more than
just a 16-hour flight or a
900-hour jeepney ride.
Filipino migrants in New
Zealand find themselves
so far from their homeland
that it can be difficult to
find a space to immerse
themselves and their
children in the Filipino
culture.
The longing to connect
with cultural roots shines
a light on the importance
of community events to
help keep a patriotic
spirit burning.
“An event commemorating
the Philippine
Independence Day can
help reignite patriotism,”
says Sheila Mariano the
publisher of Filipino News.
“There are few big events
like the one we organise
annually because we are
so far away from home,”
she explains.
Sheila refers to the
grand annual Fiesta
Pilipinas, an event that
has changed its structure
over the course of 24
years.
This Auckland megaevent
began as a cultural
festival and trade show
held at the Auckland
Showgrounds but has morphed
into something much
bigger.
“The cultural festival
and trade show has progressed
over the years. It
has become a Philippine
Independence Day event
held annually. Later,
the Filipino Kiwi
Hero Awards
and the first
ever Filipino
cultural
pageant
featuring
both males
and females
were incorporated
into the
event as well,”
explains Mel
Fernandez from Filipino
News.
“The event was very big
pre-COVID but during the
COVID period we downsized
into a ‘barrio fiesta’
feel. Then in 2022 it
became a formal sit-down
dinner event. This year,
however, due to a revival
o f
demand
for
events,
we are
bringing
back a
lot of
different
aspects
like the
Hero
Awards
and up to 4 cultural
pageants. The Filipino Kiwi
Music Awards will also
make an appearance.
“Our awards recognize
Filipinos who have gone
above and beyond - from
outstanding community
leaders and migrant advocates,
to business achievers,
sports heroes and
there is a special focus on
the praiseworthy achievements
of our youth.
“With so many talented
Filipino chefs in New
Zealand, our Chef of the
Year Award is one of our
most coveted awards.
pg 2

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02 ISSUE 172 | FIESTA PILIPINAS | www.filipinonews.nz | 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.
Fiesta Pilipinas has come full circle.
continued from pg 1 Leo Fernandez, a NZ
munity and culture focused, their culture and reinstate
By Ricky Matthew
Masterchef runner-up and
and Mel says that this their sense of pride.
We’ve had the likes of celebrated vegan chef rise of the Filipino population
year’s event will not stray For the youth, it is an
A n g e l
Apun; who
is pioneering
over the last few years,
as Mel explains. “When we
launched Fiesta Pilipinas,
away.
“One of our objectives is
to provide a space where
ideal opportunity to
learn about their culture
and participate in
plant there were around 20,000 Filipinos can appreciate the traditions of their
b a s e d
Filipino
Filipinos in New
Zealand. Now the
parents and grandparents.
food, who number exceeds
“On the 8th of
have been 100,000 to 120,
June at Auckland
honoured in 000. That’s why
Showgrounds will be
the past, the scale of our
our Fiesta Pilipinas
and this Fiesta this year has
Independence Day
year our to match the size
Commemoration.
awardee
does not fall
of the population.
Responding to the
This FREE event
with lots of parking
short of need for expansion,
will run between
excellence.”
we have gone
10am and 4pm, with
T h e back to where it all
special events and
growing began at the
entertainment running
demand for Auckland Showgrounds.”
at different
Filipino
events can Past iterations of
times of the day.
Look out for a huge
be put down the event have
display of Filipino
to the rapid always been com-
food, Filipino businesses,
community groups,
information stalls and cultural
displays.”
www.fiestapilipinas.nz
Many are called but few are chosen.
By Ricky Matthew
In a foreign land that
scarcely echoes the familiarity
of home, Filipino
migrants often find themselves
navigating a delicate
balance between assimilation
and preserving cultural
identity. Yet, through the
veins of every Filipino-Kiwi
runs a spirit of patriotism
and cultural pride that is
undeniable.
Over the last decade, the
Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards
has recognised countless
Filipinos for their contributions
to the community or
success in their respective
fields.
Adjusting to a wildly different
culture and having to
fight to survive and thrive in
a new country are common
experiences that every
Filipino migrant faces. The
awards are a chance for
community to recognise and
celebrate the successes of
their fellow Filipinos that
have fought and come out on
top.
“Pinoys love what they do
and love their hosts and fellow
migrants, manifesting it
in their daily deeds,” says
Kiwi Hero Award recipient
and blogger, Noel Bautista.
“Having dedicated themselves
to their second home,
Pinoys likewise dedicate
themselves to their jobs and
communities. Just as importantly,
Pinoys show how
grateful they are to be adopted
members of the New
Zealand community by giving
the latter their fullest
measures of effort, respect
and cooperation.”
Business achievers,
migrant advocates, doctors
and nurses, outstanding
youth, community leaders,
X-factor musicians, international
athletes, chefs and
many others are among the
prestigious group that have
walked across the same
stage to accept their Hero
Award. These Heroes share
the determination to overachieve
that migrant communities
have always been
known for.
In 2014, the first ever
Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards
Some of the 2024 Filipino-Kiwi Heroes: Jade-Ceres Munoz, Katharina Weischede,
Ding Capunitan, Louie Bretana, Seth Boy and Alfred Dela Pena. www.filipinoheroes.nz
was held at Auckland
Showgrounds in Auckland.
Since then, the community
has crowned 150 Filipino-
Kiwi Heroes that have flourished
in the new homeland
of New Zealand.
This year, a decade on, the
awards are returning to
where it all began. On the
8th of June 2024, the 7th
Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards
will be celebrating Filipinos
that have gone beyond the
ordinary at the Auckland
Showgrounds.
The 2024 award categories
are sports, community
hero, youth, professional
and civic engagement, business
excellence and creative
arts. “Ever since 2014,
Filipino News NZ have
sought to recognise Filipino
Kiwis individuals that the
newspaper’s editors have
determined have made significant
contributions on
many levels. As journalists,
we are at the forefront of
breaking news, so we are
privy to the achievements of
our kababayan,” says Mel
Fernandez, Director of
Filipino News.
“We undertake in depth
research and interview
potential candidates, their
mentors and their supporters
to produce profile articles
about them that are published
in our newspapers to
garner feedback from our
readers and the general public.
“Our rigorous selection
process seems to have
worked well, as in one case
we have received 100 letters
of support for an awardee
from those they have interacted
with in a positive fashion.
If no negative feedback
is received on the way, the
candidate progresses to the
next stage of the process.
These members names are
published as potential
awardees and shared to a
cross section of community
leaders and the embassy to
elicit more feedback,” articulates
Mel.
As with every year, the
awards come with a unique
twist. “Over the years, the
concept for the awards has
evolved to keep the interest
going. This year we are
bringing a ‘barrio fiesta
feel’ but at a large scale.
Cultural theatre, multiple
high-voltage fashion shows
and for the first time we are
dedicating an entire segment
to the Filipino Kiwi Music
Awards where our music
award recipients, past and
present, will be performing,”
Mel explains.
The 2024 Filipino-Kiwi
Hero Awards is FREE to
celebrate at the Auckland
Showground on 8th June.
More updates can
be found at:
www.filipinoheroes.nz
and
www.fiestapilipinas.nz

ISSUE 172 | S E R B I S Y O | www.filipinoheroes.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | 03
www.filipinoheroes.nz : Over a 120 Filipino Kiwi Heroes have been recognised over the years by Filipino News NZ.
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NZ
Globe-trotting chef’s culinary odyssey
- from dishwasher to head chef.
By Ricky Matthew
AUCKLAND – In the
bustling heart of
Auckland CBD a new
culinary gem named
Ma’nhu Kitchen has
quickly transformed into
a central hub for AUT students,
offering a delectable
fusion of Filipinoinspired
dishes alongside
mainstream favourites.
Chef Freddie Jr.
Casinas, the culinary
maestro behind this venture,
shares insights into
his diverse culinary journey
that traverses the
globe – all the way from
his native country the
Philippines to Dubai and
finally landing in New
Zealand - and the unique
offerings that set his
eatery, The Ma’nhu
Kitchen, apart.
Chef Freddie, who
honed his skills over 15
years in Dubai as an international
chef, climbed up
the ranks from dishwasher
to head chef. His culinary
journey continued as
of the stall,
who were
a l s o
Filipinos.
“We got to
know them
and they said
they run a
food stall in
AUT,” said
Freddie.
“We ended
up taking
over the
stall. We
spoke to
Chef Freddie Jr. Casinas AUT and
told them
he ventured into New
Zealand in 2019, sponsored
by an esteemed
establishment in Mission
Bay and then going on to
work at an airline catering
company.
Now at the helm of
our business plans. They
thought they could trust
us with the stall and here
we are.”
Ma’nhu Kitchen, with
its name originating from
the Hebrew word for
manna, is located within
Ma’nhu Kitchen, his venture
the AUT Campus in
into owning an Auckland CBD and is
eatery, Chef Freddie open from 9 to 5, Monday
blends his international
expertise with a touch of
to Friday. They offer
mainstream classics with
Filipino flair.
Freddie’s own unique
Chef Freddie took over flair.
from the previous owners One of their best sellers
is the beef satay with
cheese sauce. It comes
with rice, egg and bacon.
Other popular offerings
are the Wagyu beef burger
with onion rings, mac n
cheese “with heaps of
mozzarella”, nibbles, the
chicken sandwich and
interestingly, ‘Embutido’.
Embutido is a Filipino
pork meatloaf. It typically
consists of ground pork, a
mixture of diced vegetables
and raisins. Chef
Freddie slices the
Embutido into rounds
and serves it with rice and
an egg.
Rice and egg are a pattern
across many of Chef
Freddie’s dishes, likely
deriving from ‘silog', the
combination of Sinangag
(garlic fried rice) and Itlog
(egg) that can be found in
dishes like ‘Tapsilog',
(beef) ‘Tocilog’ (pork) and
‘Longsilog’ (pork sausage).
All of which are
combinations of meat,
rice and egg.
Silog is known for its
hearty and satisfying
quality, which is why it is
traditionally eaten in the
Philippines for breakfast,
but is served throughout
the day at The Ma’nhu
Kitchen.
The dessert menu is
once again a mix of
Filipino classics like
Brazo de Mercedes and
Chessy Ensymada as well
as the Nutella crepes, a
mainstream favourite.
One of the challenges
Chef Freddie highlights is
competing against the
long-standing stalls within
the AUT Campus. “The
two stalls beside us have
been here for eight years
and twelve years. So it is
difficult to persuade their
loyal customers.”
Chef Freddie marched
on despite the setbacks,
proudly stating: “It was
difficult at the start
because of the competition,
but after a
month the sales
tripled and people
began trying
out Ma’nhu
Kitchen.”
Freddie further explained
that “when the food is
good, they’ll come back
again. That’s why we didn’t
have many sales in the
first few weeks, because
they didn’t know our
business and our food yet.
That’s the challenge for a
new business.
“Running a business
inside a university setting
means that you will have
off seasons, like the
semester breaks, for
which we have to plan
ahead for to cover our
costs when sales are not at
peak level.”
As AUT students
indulge in the Filipinoinspired
offerings at The
Ma’nhu Kitchen, it’s clear
that Chef Freddie’s vision
of creating a vibrant,
inclusive hub for both
local and Filipino palates
is well on its way to
becoming a reality.
F I E S T A P I L I P I N A S
Chef Freddie will be at
Fiesta Pilipinas on 8th June
2024 at the Auckland
Showgrounds.

BUHAY
NZ
04 ISSUE 172 | FIESTA PILIPINAS | 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.
CHRISTCHURCH - In
the heart of Christchurch
a celebration of Philippine
culture takes place every
year. The brainchild of
Delia Richards, Philippines
Day has become a
cornerstone of cultural
exchange, fostering connections
between the
Filipino community and
the rest of the diverse
population of Christchurch.
Delia is the founder of
Philippine Culture and
Migrant Services, has
been involved in the
Filipino community for
decades and continues to
promote Philippine cul-
“Normally, when
you have cultural
shows, the usual
thing is to sit
down and listen
to what is happening.
That’s
been done year in
and year out. But
this year we wanted
everyone to participate
and to interact,”
Delia
explains.
“This year is the
first time we
urged people to
participate in all
the activities and
one way to do this
was to dress up in
Festive fun at a Filipino
‘karnabal’ with dance, theatre,
games and street food.
By Ricky Matthew
Esteemed Christchurch
community leader,
Delia Richards(above),
is praised for a decade
of dedicated service.
She has been
nomimated to recieve
the ‘Community Leader
of the Year’ Hero
Award for 2024.
ture to Filipino youth and
the wider community.
"The organisation was
set up in 1996 and this
Philippines Day event was
initiated in the early 20s,”
says Delia. “We are a nonprofit
organisation with
volunteers, so we are trying
our best with what we
have."
Over the years the festival
has grown into a massive
celebration, drawing
attendees from all corners
of Christchurch. The
event’s long history gives
it a sense of richness, however,
this blessing can also
be a curse.
“Every year is a challenge
for us. We always
have to think of something
new. We can’t just
repeat what we did last
year and every year
before,” Delia explains.
To solve this problem
Delia Richards comes up
with a different theme
every year. This year the
theme is ‘Karnabal sa
Christchurch'.
The Philippines Day
event featured dance performances,
theatre and, of
course,
hearty
Filipino
food. But
the importance
of the
event goes
beyond the
entertainment.
“This
event is
informative
and educational.
Via
the event
we can
teach our kids
our history and traditions
so they are passed on to
the next generation.
“For the adults this year
was about reminding us
how we enjoyed the carnival
back in the
Philippines. This was a
chance for Filipinos to
come together as one.
Although we are in
Christchurch now, we can
still retain our cultural
identity through these
events.
“And this is not something
that is going to be
strange for non-Filipinos,
because it is essentially a
fun event. They saw some
of the games that remind
us Filipinos of home.
Also, as we are in our
integration phase, we
incorporated some of the
non Filipino games that
are popular in Christchurch
and New
Zealand.”
The carnival concept
addresses the need for
interaction in the learning
process.
Richards aims to educate
Filipinos and locals
about the culture through
this unique approach.
your cultural wear,” says
Delia.
Usually held at Victoria
Square, the event has now
moved to a bigger location
due to the growing number
of attendees.
The event was held on
Sunday 25th February at
Ray Blank Park.
“This event is leading
up to the
2 0 2 5
Filipino
reunion.”
Editor: Delia Richards
has been nominated for
the Filipino News
‘Community Leader of
the Year 2024’ award.
www.filipinoheroes.nz
2024
The Filipino-Kiwi Hero
Awards is organised
exclusively by
Filipino News NZ.
For more information and
sponsorship enquries
please contact us at:
filipinonews@xtra.co.nz
mob: 027 495 8477
History of the Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards.
The inspiration for the Filipino-Kiwi Heroes hall of fame comes from a similar
honours roll in the Philippines conferred by the Philippine Inquirer Newspaper.
For a more detailed list of award winners over the years please visit the official
website: www.filipinoheroes.nz, www.fiestapilipinas.nz
We welcome nominations for the next Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards.
email: filipinonews @xtra.co.nz

By Ricky Matthew
AUCKLAND – In the
Asian culinary space
where tradition often takes
centre stage, 'Manila Eats',
a renowned Filipino food
truck, is adding a touch of
Kiwi innovation to serve
up a quirky twist on traditional
Filipino classics.
With a remarkable fiveyear
journey under its belt,
Manila Eats has been on a
mission to transform the
Filipino food landscape in
Auckland.
In an exclusive interview,
Marc Edrada, the
visionary behind 'Manila
Eats', provides insights
into the food truck's
unique approach and the
cultural narrative it is
weaving.
What distinguishes
Manila Eats is its unconventional
approach to
Filipino cuisine.
It focuses on upmarket
and mainstream venues
and deliberately avoids
traditional Filipino staples
like rice and noodles.
"We target a mainstream
audience. That's
why I don't have rice,
instead we have rolls and
nachos," Marc explains.
You’ll often see their
vibrant and colourful food
truck on display at select
ISSUE 172 | S E R B I S Y O | www.filipinoheroes.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | 05
www.filipinoheroes.nz : Over a 120 Filipino Kiwi Heroes have been recognised over the years by Filipino News NZ.
Serving up innovative twists
on Filipino classics.
a diverse
audience,
primarily
composed of
“Euro-pean
and multicultural
locals”.
For Marc
Edrada,
Manila Eats
isn't just
about introd
u c i n g
Filipino cuisine,
it's
about making
it more
accessible to
a mainstream
(above:) Marc Edrada - the visionary behind 'Manila Eats.'
audi-
ence.
events and locations such
as Goodside Smales Farm,
the Auckland Food Show,
Silo Park and ‘The Food
emblematic of the creative
fusion of Filipino and
mainstream flavours and
have resonated well with
"Our mission
is to present Filipino
food in a palatable and
acceptable way to the
mainstream," he explains.
Truck Collective’ events. the locals in Auckland, "You're experiencing
The heart of Manila Eats
lies in its innovative menu,
featuring dishes like 'Black
Adobo Rolls' and 'Vegan
Bicol Express Nachos'.
highlighting the power of
culinary innovation as a
bridge between cultures.
When discussing their
client base, Marc clarified
Filipino food, but it's just
presented in a different
way."
Marc shared his culinary
journey, which began in
These creations are that Manila Eats caters to the Philippines. "My mom
From ‘Sisig Nachos’
to ‘Black Adobo Rolls’
and my grandma always
used to cook Filipino dishes,"
he reminisces.
“I also studied cooking
before I came to New
Zealand.”
With an inventive
approach to Filipino classics,
Manila Eats continues
to infuse Auckland's dining
scene with its unique
flavours.
As Marc's vision evolves,
the food truck aims to
make Filipino culture
more accessible to a broader
audience, celebrating
the fusion of flavours and
cultures that define the
heart of 'Manila Eats'.
Manila Eats is propelling
Filipino cuisine into the
spotlight, one innovative
twist at a time. As Marc
aptly puts it. "Filipino food
is not mainstream, not yet.
But we are growing and
hopefully soon
we will see the
cuisine grow
too.”
BACKSTORY
- The rapid
increase of
BUHAY
NZ
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 break into
the Filipino and mainstream
markets via community
events like the trail
blazing Fiesta Pilipinas
www.fiestapilipinas.nz
(previously Halo Halo NZ
www.halohalo.nz)
other Filipino events.
and
Phone (09) 2768-333 Email: taiwah@taiwah.co.nz 11B Saleyards Road, Otahuhu, Auckland
Same-Day Delivery Service
Our vehicle fleet travels around Auckland every day.
Orders placed before 10am will arrive at your doorstep on the same day.
Auckland delivery area coverage:
North to Orewa, South to Pukekohe and West to Kumeu.
After-Sales Service:
You are welcome to call us on our
customer hotline:
Toll free 0800 222 668.
Our Distribution Channels
Hotels, Restaurants, Fast Food Chains,
Bakeries, Lunch Bars, Retail Shops,
Wholesale Butchers, Food Manufacturers,
Night Market Stalls, Food Trucks.

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06 ISSUE 172 | FIESTA PILIPINAS | 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.
Strategies to keep Kiwi-Filipino
children in touch with their heritage
By Ricky Matthew
WELLINGTON - In a
multicultural society like
New Zealand, maintaining a
strong connection to one's
cultural heritage can be a
challenge, particularly for
mixed-race individuals.
In this short survey we
found that this holds true for
Filipino immigrants seeking
to instil a sense of identity
and appreciation for their
Filipino roots in their children.
With a focus on food and
reading, Filipino parents are
finding creative ways to
keep their culturally assimilated
and mixed-raced
Filipino children in touch
with their vibrant culture.
Billie Carani Jakobsson,
a Filipino immigrant and
devoted mother, recognizes
the importance of fostering
cultural appreciation in her
children.
Having migrated to New
Zealand in 1987, Jakobsson
understands the complexities
of nurturing dual heritage
in her mixed-race
Filipino children. "For us, it
is really so good to see that
the dynamics of the Filipino
community have changed
over the years," she affirms.
"We want our children to
appreciate both cultures as
they go forward."
One approach embraced
by Jakobsson and other
Filipino parents is the introduction
of Filipino cuisine
into their children's daily
meals.
"Filipino cuisine is
ingrained in them. Purely
because I want them to know
that their lives are actually
made up of two cultures,"
explains Jakobsson.
By incorporating Filipino
dishes into her children’s
diets, she hopes to cultivate
an appreciation for the
flavours and traditions that
define their Filipino heritage.
She says that “starting
them at a young age allows
them more time to explore
the different dishes and pick
out what they like”.
In addition to food, another
significant avenue for preserving
Filipino culture is
through literature. Donna
Filipino mothers - Billie Jakobsson (left)
and Donna Dacuno fostering cultural
appreciation in their children
Dacuno, owner of Matatas
Bookstore, seeks to provide
resources and foster language
teaching among
Filipino children in New
Zealand.
“We have established this
bookstore to give resources
to parents, friends and
homecare providers to allow
them to facilitate the teaching
of Tagalog, English and
the regional languages as
well,” she elaborates.
She further states that:
"For us, it's about providing
resources to their kids to
learn their own
languages."
Understanding
that many Filipino
immigrants in
New Zealand are
non-Tagalog
speakers, the
bookstore aims to
bridge the language
gap and
enable mixed-race
or culturally
assimilated
Filipino children
to connect with
their linguistic
heritage.
By engaging children
through visually appealing
picture books, Matatas
Bookstore facilitates language
acquisition while
incorporating stories that are
relatable to their dual cultural
backgrounds.
Dacuno emphasizes the
importance of creating relatable
materials for mixedrace
Filipino children.
"Books from the Philippines
are no longer relatable here
in New Zealand. The
Philippines is so far away
and it's almost 'mystical'
already. That is what we
want to change," she asserts.
By integrating stories from
the homeland with narratives
that resonate in their
new homeland, Matatas
Bookstore aims to make
Filipino literature more
accessible and engaging for
mixed-race Filipino children.
Navigating the challenges
of raising mixed-race
Filipino children in New
Zealand, parents and community
initiatives are dedicated
to nurturing their children's
connection to Filipino
culture. By introducing
Filipino cuisine and providing
culturally relevant literature,
these strategies aim to
instil a sense of pride, identity
and appreciation for the
vibrant Filipino heritage in
the younger generation.
As the Filipino community
continues to flourish in
New Zealand, these strategies
serve as valuable tools
for keeping mixed-race
Filipino children firmly connected
to their cultural roots
from a young age, while also
embracing the diverse Kiwi
society in the place that they
call home.

ISSUE 172 | MAGANDANG BALITA | 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
The Beauty Queen
redefining modern
pageantry
By Ricky Matthew
CHRISTCURCH –
Beauty pageants have
evolved significantly in
recent years, transitioning
from a narrow focus on
physical appearance to
encompass broader values
such as community service
and social impact. This
shift reflects a growing
awareness of societal issues
like body dysmorphia and
mental health.
One beauty queen,
Hillary Harris from
Christchurch with Kiwi/
European, Maori and
Filipino heritage, has been
involved in beauty pageants
from a young age
and is now making a
Photo credit:
Allan Macala
return to the
stage. However,
her passion goes
beyond showing
of her appearance.
She is
redefining
pageantry and
beauty as a
force for positive
change in
the world.
Hillary participates
in community
and
charity focused
events to feed
her hunger for
giving back. “I
enjoy pageants
because of the
community side
of it and giving
back and I gain
some personal
confidence in
myself as well,”
says Hillary.
“I’m a huge
foodie and animal
lover. I love
helping others. I
love to give back
to the community
and try to
take part and donate to
multiple charity organisations.
“Since a young age, my
mum really instilled in me
the value of being part of
the Filipino community.
So, I used to do the local
Filipino pageants like
Little Miss Philippines.”
This early involvement
instilled in her a sense of
belonging and commitment
to the Filipino community.
Hillary’s personal experiences
have fueled her
determination to help others.
“I lost my mother to
breast cancer when I was
12 so I try to help the
Breast Cancer Foundation.
I also support the
Endometriosis Foundation
and donate blood often,”
she says.
Her journey into
pageantry continued into
high school, where a spur
of the moment decision
turned into a lifelong passion.
“When I was in high
school, I watched a friend
do a pageant and they
asked me if I wanted to
join, and then I ended up
winning. The prize was a
free entry to join Miss
Universe. I always regretted
not continuing further
because I thought I was too
young,” says Hillary as she
reflects on her journey into
pageantry.
After a brief
hiatus, Hillary is
now returning to
competing in
pageants. “Now
I feel like it is a good time
to dive back into that sort
of thing,” she says confidently.
Her upcoming pageant is
the Miss Canterbury in
Christchurch. As a finalist
for this competition, she is
supporting a well-known
Kiwi mental health charity.
“The current charity we
are working with is ‘I Am
Hope’, which is a mental
health organisation to help
raise funds for young
adults around New
Zealand to get free counselling.”
To raise funds for her
cause, Hillary organises
fundraisers that have a
great turnout. “Recently I
had an event fundraiser
where more people turned
up than I expected.”
Hillary’s passion doesn’t
end with pageants and
fundraisers. “I want to
start my own charity eventually,”
she reveals. Her
dedication to making a
positive impact in the community
exemplifies the
potential of pageantry as a
platform for youth to create
real social change.

BUHAY
NZ
08 ISSUE 172 MAGANDANG BALITA | 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.
AUCKLAND - Just like
in the Philippines, Filipino
pageants in New Zealand are
becoming a source of pride
for Filipinos all around the
country. It is evident
that communities
are eager to get
involved in uplifting
contestants and
supporting them to
learn about their
cultural heritage.
“Beauty pageants
are like sporting
events for Filipinos,”
says Maricel
Weischede, proud
mother of the Miss
only expectation when she
joined was for her to have
fun, enjoy the moment, do
her best and embrace the
Filipino sentiment towards
KATHARINA WEISCHEDE has
been nominated for the Filipino-Kiwi
Hero Award for Youth Achievement
www.filipinoheroes.nz
the hem of her dress.
The ‘tapis’ wrapped
around her waist is a garment
meant to showcase the
region of the Philippines it
came from. The handwoven
fabric for the 'tapis' was
made from indigenous textiles
from the Mindanao
region.
Before it was replaced
with the Miss Philippines
crown, Katharina wore a
headpiece representing the
rays of the sun featured on
the Philippine flag, which
symbolises freedom and
independence.
The Mindanao fabric tapis
from Germany. She recorded
the music accompaniment
for the pageant winner’s performance.
A couple of days before
the pageant Dwayne Mallo,
also a Filipino-Kiwi fashion
designer, came on board to
give tips on how to walk and
pose on stage.
“It takes a village to raise
a queen,” says Maricel,
acknowledging the community
support that helped
Katharina, right from picking
the dress to refining her
performances and ultimately
in securing the title.
Now Katharina is on
“It takes a village to raise a Queen.”
Philippines NZ winner,
Katharina Weischede.
“Just like an athlete needs
a team of coaches and trainers,
Katharina had a team of
passionate supporters who
helped her win the crown
and get closer to her cultural
heritage.”
What was the motivation
for her to join the pageant?
“My mom and I started
watching beauty pageants
together when I did a
research project for school
about the significance of
beauty pageants when I was
in year 10,” admits
Katharina, a Year 12 student
at Auckland’s St. Cuthbert's
College.
“Even at a young age a lot
of my Filipino mates were
saying that I had what it
takes to be a beauty queen.
But my mom never encouraged
me or said that I was
born to do pageantry. It was
never like that.
“Then last year my Mom
told me about the Miss
Philippines NZ Pageant
and inspired me to join. But
it was more an impromptu
decision to participate in it.”
Maricel chips in: “My
beauty pageants.”
As the dazzling crown
graced Katharina’s head, it
wasn't just the radiance of
the tiara that illuminated the
moment; it was the culmination
of efforts from a diverse
village that helped raise this
queen.
Delia Richards a community
leader in Christchurch,
provided Philippine costumes
for Katharina to select
from and wear for the pageant.
Katharina’s Philippine
national costume, a ‘traje de
mestiza’ adorned with an
intricate handwoven badjao
pandan ‘tapis’, was a masterpiece
representing the
pageant winner’s rich cultural
heritage.
Auckland-based Filipino-
Kiwi fashion designer
Dennis Sayat repurposed
Katharina’s Princess Belle
gown into a Filipiniana
‘terno’ and paired it with a
headpiece and ‘tapis'.
The ‘traje de mestiza’
gown was customized by
Dennis Sayat. "The golden
yellow gown symbolizes
elegance and grace, reflecting
the vibrant spirit of the
Philippines," explains
Maricel. “Katharina was
born on Philippine
Independence Day and was
named after the sunshine.
The gown she chose to wear
was a rightful reflection of
Katharina’s personality, as
she always brings sunshine
and warmth whenever she is
around.”
Even at the last minute, a
couple of hours before the
final night, another fashion
designer, Pi of Paraluman,
came to the rescue to adjust
and the headpiece were provided
by Delia Richards,
who heads a Filipino
migrant group in
Christchurch.
Her hairstyling was done
by Belen Mitchell, who
magically transformed
Katharina in a matter of minutes.
Katharina’s rendition of
‘Kataka Taka', a popular
Filipino folk song, during
the Talent and Cultural
Night of the pageant was
facilitated by two talented
musical artists who provided
guidance.
The assistance of Ann
Jiminez De Guzman
proved to be a big help for
Katharina. This Filipino-
Kiwi music teacher, who has
a masters in music from
New Zealand, utilised her
expertise to give vocal
coaching to Katharina and
help refine her pronunciation
of Filipino words.
Susan Be
recently migrated
to New
Zealand as a
song writer and
recording artist
with a doctorate
another mission, this time in
the Philippines. “One of my
personal advocacies is to
work with street children
and orphans in the
Philippines,” she shares. “I
have been involved in this
area since I was five years
old.”
This January 2024, she is
travelling to the Philippines
to give aid to charitable
organisations such as the
‘He Cares Foundation',
‘Vision of Help International
Foundation', ‘Cribs
Foundation’ and ‘Scot
Foundation'.
To cap it all off, on
January 17th she was welcomed
by officials at the NZ
Embassy in Manila.
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By Ricky Matthew
AUCKLAND - In the
rapidly changing realm of
career progress, the importance
of networking has
reached unprecedented
heights.
For job seekers entering
the employment market
for the first time and for
highly qualified employees
who are keen to steer their
career path towards jobs
that exactly match their
skills - the magic bullet
may well be the secret art
of networking.
According to Mel
Fernandez, an employment
strategist and the
course leader of the
Advanced Career Planning
Workshop at www.trabaho.nz
“Networking
involves engaging with
individuals during career
workshops, community
events, or business meetings
with the purpose of
sharing information and
cultivating both professional
and social connections.
“Even volunteer work or
freelancing can be a stepping
stone to that dream
job,” he added. “Using this
strategy will help you find
jobs that are not advertised.”
For immigrants and
migrants, this practice
holds even greater value,
serving as a bridge
between their aspirations
and the opportunities in
their new homeland. The
Migrant Career Support
Trust (MCST), a trailblazing
initiative founded by
Gary Gupta in 2019, has
been championing career
The secret art of
effective networking
Monika Tylova, trainer
planning through its innovative
career workshops,
assisting hundreds of
migrants in their pursuit of
professional growth.
"We conduct group
workshops that focus on
both hard skills and soft
skills for job hunting.
These workshops cover
everything from crafting
impressive CVs and mastering
interview techniques,
to the often-overlooked
art of networking."
Monika Tylova, a trainer,
who talked about networking
at a MCST ‘Job
Search Boot Camp’ recently,
highlighted the role networking
played in her own
journey. "Networking is
the number one thing for
migrants to do in order to,
first of all, integrate into
the local community and
find local people who can
help them secure jobs,"
Tylova asserted.
"Talk to people in your
community, finding people
who have similar jobs to
yours. Talk to HR at
events. If you have an IT
background find out what
IT people do in New
Zealand and what the NZ
job market is looking for
and adapt to make yourself
employable in New
Zealand.
"It's not just about finding
employment, but also
about understanding the
culture and the people
you'll be working with.
This understanding enhances
your chances of
finding the right job."
Tylova's personal experience
attests to the effectiveness
of networking. "I
found my first job through
networking activity," she
shared. "It's how I discovered
the opportunities
available and connected
with professionals who
shared insights on adapting
my skills to the local
market."
Tylova used to work as a
police officer in Europe for
over 10 years. Over here
she is employed as a project
manager in a training
organization.
In an era where personal
connections and understanding
local dynamics
are vital for career progression,
initiatives like
MCST shine as beacons of
empowerment.
Through the resounding
success stories of migrants
who have transcended professional
barriers using
effective networking, the
narrative is clear.
Networking isn't just an
option; it's an indispensable
tool for carving out a
prosperous career path in
a new land.
BACKSTORY:
Garry Gupta, the driving
force behind MCST,
shared insights into the
journey of his organization.
"We started in 2019
and we have completed
four years this June," said
Gupta.
The trust
h e l p s
migrants
succeed in
m a i n -
stream
careers, helps mothers go
back into the workstream
and helps well qualified
professionals find work
that matches their skills.
“There is no other agency
that helps with career
paths and bridges this
gap,” noted Gupta.
Since its inception
MCST has made a substantial
impact says Gupta.
"Over the past 3-4 years,
we have supported around
500-600 people through
our workshops. We've seen
transformational changes
in individuals' lives as they
gain the skills and confidence
needed to excel in
the job market."
However, MCST doesn't
stop at group workshops
alone; the organisation
also caters to those who
prefer one-on-one support,
recognizing that group
dynamics might not suit
everyone.
"We also offer a 1-to-1
program called the Career
Clinic, where migrants can
work with certified career
counsellors to address
their individual concerns,”
explained Gupta. “This is
particularly important for
individuals who may be
hesitant to open up in a
group setting."
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ISSUE 172 TRABAHO | 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.
A call for collective action
to tackle the dark underbelly
of migrant exploitation
By Ricky Matthew
AUCKLAND – Another
day, another report about
widespread migrant exploitation
in Aotearoa.
“There seems to be no letup
in the number of horror
stories that workers, migrant
groups and trade union representatives
are bringing to
the attention of the Ministry
of Business, Innovation
and Employment, NZ
Immigration Service, Inland
Revenue Depart-ment
and media channels,” says
Mel Fernandez, a migrant
employment strategist.
“I believe that it is high
time we take collective
action to tackle the dark
underbelly of migrant
exploitation in Aotearoa,” he
exhorts.
Worker exploitation, often
synonymous with modern
slavery, involves “severe
exploitation making a person
unable to leave due to
threats, violence or deception,”
says Carl Knight,
Investigations Manager for
Immigration New Zealand.
“It includes forced labour,
debt bondage, forced marriage,
slavery and human
trafficking.” He adds that the
most prevalent form of
exploitation in New Zealand
revolves around forced
labour, particularly affecting
vulnerable individuals on
temporary visas such as visitor
or tourist visas.
At a recent presentation by
Carl Knight at the Police
Ethnic Forum, alarming
insights into the exploitation
faced by vulnerable migrant
communities came to light.
Knight underscores the
pressing need for improved
communication and collaboration
to protect these communities
from the scourge of
modern slavery, which has
imprisoned 40 million victims
worldwide.
"Exploitation, or modern
slavery, is the unfair advantage
taken of someone for
personal or financial gain,"
explains Knight, shedding
light on the dark underbelly
of immigration investigations.
These investigations often
uncover cases where vulnerable
migrants are paid meagre
amounts in cash while
their employers rake in significant
profits.
The extreme end of
exploitation, Knight emphasizes,
involves human trafficking,
specifically for sexual
exploitation. He notes
that the illicit practice is particularly
rampant in
Southeast Asia and China,
with perpetrators bringing
prostitutes into New Zealand
on tourist visas and taking
advantage of their temporary
migrant status.
Forced labour, however,
remains the most significant
issue in New Zealand, as
industries like horticulture
and construction exploit the
shortage of labour.
Exploitative employers,
often from migrant communities
themselves, bring in
workers on temporary visas,
violating labour laws and
taking advantage of the
wage differentials between
New Zealand and vulnerable
countries in Southeast Asia
and the Pacific.
One of the most shocking
revelations from Knight's
presentation is the prevalence
of exploited migrants
paying exorbitant amounts
for the right to work in New
Zealand and then ending up
underpaid in horrible work
conditions.
“There are people paying
between $20,000 and
$50,000 for the opportunity
to come to New Zealand and
work.
They owe a big amount of
money when their annual
wages are only a few thousand
dollars, so they're
bonded to the debt. They
will do anything in New
Zealand to pay off the debt.”
Knight's investigations
included a case involving a
Samoan man exploiting vulnerable
Samoans over two
decades, showcasing the
depth of control that perpetrators
exert.
“The victims, often on
temporary visas,
were subjected to
slave-like conditions,
working in
horticulture without
pay.
“The exploitation
continued for
20 years. The victims
were afraid to
complain, because
they were not supposed
to be here.”
Among the significant
risk factors
that perpetrators
use to control
victims, those particularly
emphasised
by Knight
include, “language
barriers, isolation
and financial
bondage.
“On top of that, if you take
someone's passport, it's a
very personal thing. Often
exploiters will tell us they
were retaining it for safekeeping,
but it's to keep control.
It's probably the biggest
risk factor that we see."
“This exposé serves as a
says Mel
Fernandez,
who attended
the Police
E t h n i c
Forum.
“With the
awareness
raised through Knight's
insights, a collective effort is
call for community
leaders,
authorities
and the
public to be
vigilant and
proactive in
addressing
the exploitation
risks
faced by
New Zeal
a n d ' s
migrant communities,”
needed to
dismantle
the structures
of
exploitation
and create a
safer environment
for
Carl Knight, Investigations Manager,
Immigration NZ
those seeking a better life in
the country,” he adds.
Migrant News (www.migrantnews.nz) features the latest information about
immigration, settlement and employment.

12 ISSUE 172 TRABAHO | 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
Every person who chooses
to leave their home for
New Zealand’s shores
comes in pursuit of the
same dream, a dream of a
better life.
Migrants arrive in a foreign
environment that has
a different language and
culture, knowing that pursuing
this dream will
inevitably involve many
challenges. They work
hard, study diligently and
persevere, hoping that they
will receive fair treatment
for their contributions and
efforts.
How difficult can the
journey be?
Asian Family Services
(AFS) was established in
1998 to provide services to
people of Asian background
who are affected
by gambling harm, addiction
and mental health
issues.
AFS also offers gambling
prevention and harm minimisation
services under a
Ministry of Health contract
and operates a
national telephone service
(Asian Helpline) for Asian
individuals and families.
Our services are offered
in Auckland, Wellington
and Christchurch by qualified
counsellors, social
workers and public health
practitioners who speak
English, Cantonese, Mandarin,
Korean, Vietnamese,
Japanese, Hindi and
Thai.
Throughout the years
AFS has fostered strong
relationships with various
stakeholders and communities
and has gained the
trust of the Asian and
migrant communities.
The organisation has
witnessed a significant
increase in demand for
support services from the
Asian migrant population.
Notably, the number of
calls received by the Asian
Helpline has tripled, with a
remarkable surge in
inquiries from migrant
workers seeking assistance
due to unfair workplace
treatment.
In response to this growing
trend AFS has directed
their team to conduct an
investigation into the experiences
of migrant employees,
aiming to gain a deeper
understanding of their
unique challenges and
needs.
Four interviewees of
Asian descent have bravely
shared their stories,
describing the hardships
they encountered in pursuit
of their dreams.
Students working part-time
being exploited verbally,
abused by their bosses
New Zealand Asians bravely speak out
about their own experiences of exploitation.
Students exploited and
paid less than the minimum
wage while working
part-time
Interviewee A: “When I
was studying, I worked
part-time in a restaurant.
My boss told me the hourly
rate was $12 cash after tax.
At the time I had just
arrived in New Zealand
and didn’t know anything,
so I worked there for a
while. It wasn’t until later
that I discovered that was
not true.”
Constantly working
overtime without compensation
Interviewee C: “In my
first official job after graduation,
although the boss
paid me the minimum
wage and legally taxed me,
I was made to work overtime
non-stop. The longest
I ever overworked was one
time when I was supposed
to finish at 5 in the afternoon
but didn’t leave the
office until 11 at night.
When I asked my boss how
we calculated pay for overtime
he very confidently
told me that there wasn’t
any.”
“I’m a designer, but felt
like I was hired to do odd
jobs.”
Interviewee D: “The
position I applied for was
that of a designer, but the
boss asked me to do everything,
including working
reception at the front desk
and driving and delivering
goods. After delivering
some goods I applied to the
boss for a reimbursement
of gas expenses. The boss
said that I was “way too
lacking in team spirit” for
making such a fuss about a
little bit of money and said
that if I asked again, then I
would be fired.”
Demoralised and verbally
abused by the boss
Interviewee D: “Shortly
after I started working in
the company, the boss told
me that with my work ability
and poor English no
western company would
want me. He would try to
brainwash me and my colleagues
like this almost
every day. I had good
grades when I graduated,
but after working in that
company where my selfconfidence
was beaten
down by the boss every
day, I felt worthless.”
Conned into doing illegal
work
Interviewee C: “I came to
New Zealand from the
Philippines to study in
2013. At that time I was
introduced to a company
for work. There was no
interview, no contract and
no salary negotiation,
which I found very
strange.
“Later, I was taken to
the place of work by my
boss - a parking lot. The
boss told me to ask the people
who parked there if
they had filed a tax refund.
If they were interested, I
could give them the company
flyers, they would
give us some money and we
could help them. But the
boss told me “If you see the
security
guards
coming,
r u n
away.”
“ T h e
whole rest of that afternoon
the boss left me there
alone to familiarise myself
with the work. I was only
20 at the time so this was
terrifying to me and I felt
like the boss was trying to
get me to do something illegal.
“Later that day I went
back to my rental and
shared the experience with
my Kiwi flatmate who was
living with me. He told me
not to have anything to do
with them anymore and
said that it sounded really
dangerous.
“The next day I went
back to school and found
the person who introduced
me to the job to let them
know that I was quitting.
He told me “You should
really tell the boss and
resign formally, because
you’ve only just come to
New Zealand and no good
will come from offending
the boss.” I didn’t listen to
him and cut all communication
with the ‘boss’.
When I look back now, I’m
glad I did.”
Reflecting on their own
experiences during the
interviews, all the interviewees
expressed that having
been fully informed
regarding Employ-ment
rights and laws prior to
entering New Zealand
would have prevented people
from being treated
unfairly. The experience of
unfair treatment at work
doesn’t stop with the
financial health of the person,
this also affects the
physical and mental wellbeing
of the person, therefore,
it is also helpful for
New Migrants to receive
prior knowledge of different
health services that
they can access in a timely
manner.
Asian Family Services
are here to assist you if you
or someone you know has
experienced migrant
exploitation and needs
emotional or psychological
support, then call our
Asian Helpline on 0800 862
342 for help.
We can provide professional
and confidential
psychological support. Our
helpline is available in
Mandarin, Cantonese,
Korean, Japanese, Hindi,
Vietnamese, Thai and
English and is open
Monday to Friday 9am to
8pm.
Everyone working in
New Zealand deserves to
be treated fairly, irrespective
of their identity, ethnicity,
age, or gender. The
rights and support the
New Zealand government
provides are accessible to
all, ensuring equity for
everyone. To ensure fair
treatment, the first step is
to know your rights and be
informed of the available
support the New Zealand
government offers all
workers. This information
can be easily accessed at
www.employment.govt.nz,
where comprehensive
resources are available to
promote equity and to
ensure that all workers
receive the fair treatment
they deserve.
If you think that you are
being exploited, then you
can make a complaint by
contacting Employment
New Zealand on 0800 200
088, where they can provide
language assistance.
They are open Monday to
Friday, 8:00am to 5:30pm,
or access their website and
complete the online complaint
form at www.
reportmigrantexploitation.employment.govt.nz/

14 ISSUE 172 TRABAHO | 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’s no
secret that migrant exploitation
is rampant in New
Zealand, but according to a
union spokesperson, another
spanner was thrown into the
works by the National-led
government when it
announced the extension of
the 90-day trial period to
all employers.
Back in April 2011 all new
employees were subject to a
90-day trial period, which
was enshrined in the
Employment Relations Act
2000. This allowed an
employer to terminate an
employment relationship
within 90 days without reason
and without risk.
Later in 2017 the newly
appointed Labour, Greens
and NZ-First coalition government
amended the 90-
day trial provision in the
law. Under that government,
only small businesses with
fewer than 20 employees
were able to utilise the tool
called the ’90-day trial’ to
dismiss new employees
without reason.
However, under the new
National-led government,
starting from 23rd
December 2023, that tool is
now available to all employers,
regardless of size.
In an interview with
Migrant News, Dennis
Maga, the General Secretary
of the First Union, came out
strongly against the newly
introduced law. “We’re disappointed
that the priority of
this government is to change
all those employment relations
provisions that were
introduced by the previous
government. I don’t see the
benefit of bringing back the
90-day trial period.”
According to the unions,
the new law is likely to
change the dynamics
Will the 90-day trial
lead to further
migrant exploitation?
Dennis Maga of the First Union.
Photo credit: Aisha Ronquillo
between employers and
migrant employees, granting
employers more power.
“The 90-day trial period is
not a mechanism to make the
hiring of workers easier,”
observes Maga. “This only
makes it easier for businesses
to fire workers with
impunity. Additionally, this
trial period would disadvantage
migrant workers by
allowing bad employers to
exploit them, such as forcing
them to work long hours or
to perform work outside
their job description in
exchange for work visa
sponsorship, otherwise they
could be sent home.”
To answer the question of
if the 90-day trials will benefit
both employers and
employees, Migrant News
Simon Bridges
Auckland Chamber of
Commerce.
sought the view of Simon
Bridges, CEO of the
Auckland Chamber of
Commerce.
“Extending 90-day trial
periods to all employers will
allow employers to give people
a chance who might not
have otherwise stacked up
on paper. Given the considerable
investment of time
and resources in hiring, it’s
crucial for businesses to
ensure that they find the perfect
fit for their needs.
“It’s a pro-employment,
pro-business, pro-Kiwi policy
aimed at getting people
into jobs, growing businesses
and supporting our economy.”
The discussion moved to
why thwarting migrant
exploitation wasn’t higher
on the agenda of the new
government.
“Our Union is campaigning
for modern slavery legislation,
because the exploitation
starts in the country of
origin,” said a spokesperson
from Migrante Aotearoa.
“Some employers are fully
aware of how they can
exploit migrants once they
are in New Zealand. They
know that these markets
have cheap labour, so they
always threaten to deport
them or to cancel their sponsorship
of the employee's
visa.
“The system is being criticized
by different organisations.
If we can move away
from the sponsorship system,
then we can move to an
open work visa system like
what happened with the
Canterbury rebuild.
“What we’ve seen in our
Union is a significant
decrease of exploitation
amongst
Filipino
workers.
But there is
a significant
increase of
exploitation
of South Asians, particularly
from Bangladesh, India and
even Singapore. Migrants
who are recruited from these
countries by exploitative
employers are being housed
in unsatisfactory accomodation.”
The community group
‘Migrante Aotearoa’ seeks to
improve the rights and welfare
of Filipinos and other
migrants in New Zealand.
The group pays special
attention to changes in
employer-employee relations
and frequently holds
seminars to educate migrant
workers on their rights in the
workplace.
Forced labour is the dominant
form of migrant
exploitation in New
Zealand. Construction and
horticulture are among the
list of industries most
involved in such exploitation.
According to Carl
Knight, a representative of
Immigration New Zealand,
exploited migrants are
brought in from third world
countries, paying huge sums
of money for the opportunity
to work in New Zealand,
only to be bonded to the debt
and subject to slave-like
work conditions.
With forced labour and
migrant exploitation remaining
a significant issue in
New Zealand and with
employers violating labour
laws, time will tell whether
the new 90-day trial changes
will worsen the situation or
not.
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