The Indian Weekender|03 July 2026

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Friday, JULY 3, 2026 • Volume 17 / Issue 26

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From a kernel of an idea to the heartbeat of a community

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HALL OF FAME

From a kernel of an idea to the

heartbeat of a community

FROM PAGE 1

BY DEV NADKARNI

Founding Editor, The Indian

Weekender

In 2008, the idea was modest

enough that it barely qualified

as a plan. There was no

business model to speak of,

no office, no team – just a

conviction that New Zealand’s

Indian community, then growing

faster than almost anyone

had anticipated, deserved a

publication that took it seriously.

A platform that covered its

achievements, amplified its voice,

and reflected the remarkable

complexity of a diaspora that

had come to this country from

every corner of the subcontinent,

carrying every conceivable

professional background, cultural

tradition, and ambition.

The early years were equal

parts struggle and adventure

– sometimes in the same

week. There were editions that

came together through sheer

will, advertisers who had to be

convinced that this community

was worth reaching, and readers

who weren’t yet sure they

needed us. Looking back, I think

the uncertainty kept us sharp.

It meant we never took the

community’s trust for granted,

because we knew, in those early

days, just how easily it could have

gone the other way.

What we got right, from the

beginning, was staying close

to the community itself. The

Indian Weekender was never a

publication about India. It was

always a publication about

Indians in New Zealand –their

businesses, their children, their

cricket teams, their festivals,

their political engagement, their

grief, their celebration. When

the community showed up for

something, we showed up too.

That principle has not changed in

nearly two decades.

The shift to digital was one

of the more consequential

decisions we made, and we made

it earlier than most. While the

broader media industry was still

debating whether online was a

threat or an opportunity, we were

building our digital presence

with the same seriousness we

brought to print. Today, the Indian

Weekender reaches its audience

across multiple platforms –and

that reach, built steadily over

years, is what allows us to serve

the community in ways a singleformat

publication never could.

The Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame

stands out, for me, as the initiative

I am proudest of. The idea was

straightforward: New Zealand’s

Indian community had produced

extraordinary achievers across

business, sport, science, arts,

and public life, and almost none

of them had ever been formally

recognised as a collective. The

Hall of Fame changed that.

Every year, watching inductees

receive recognition that was long

overdue –watching their families

in the audience– confirmed that

some things matter far beyond

circulation numbers or click

rates. The Hall of Fame belongs

to the community. We just built

the room.

Sport, culture, and community

events have always been the

Indian Weekender’s lifeblood.

We have covered cricket with

the same attention we bring to

politics. We have reported on

Diwali and Holi not as colour

pieces for an outside audience,

but as genuine coverage of

occasions that matter deeply

to the people living them.

We have championed Indian

New Zealanders in sport at

every level –local, national,

and international– because

representation in those pages

matters, and because these

stories deserve to be told well.

None of this would exist without

the advertisers and institutions

who backed us when backing us

was an act of faith rather than

an obvious commercial decision.

They saw what we were trying

to build before the evidence was

fully in. Their support, sustained

across years and across

economic cycles, made the

Weekender possible. I am grateful

to every single one of them.

And above all, the community.

Readers who wrote in, turned

up, subscribed, shared, argued

with us, corrected us, and kept

coming back. Organisations that

partnered with us. Leaders who

trusted us with their stories.

Newcomers who found in our

pages something that helped

them feel, a little sooner, that they

belonged here.

That is the community the

Indian Weekender has had the

privilege of serving. Here is

to many more years of doing

exactly that.

Dev Nadkarni is the founding

editor of the Indian Weekender.

Read online www.iwk.co.nz

HALL OF FAME

Friday, July 3, 2026 3

Una Jagose KC

The Indian Weekender Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame

The most influential careers are often those that change

expectations as much as they change institutions.

IWK BUREAU

When Una Jagose KC was appointed

New Zealand’s first female

Solicitor-General in 2016, she made

history. It was one of those appointments

that marked not just a personal achievement,

but a milestone for the legal profession itself.

For many New Zealanders, particularly

those from migrant communities, her

appointment demonstrated that the highest

offices of public service are open to talent,

integrity and hard work.

Her story begins much earlier and much

further away.

Una is the daughter of Rustom Jamshed

Jagose, a Parsi from Mumbai, and Anne

Jagose from Galway in Ireland. After marrying

in London and spending time in India, her

parents chose New Zealand as the place

to build their future. Like many immigrant

families, they arrived with hopes that the

next generation would enjoy opportunities

unavailable elsewhere.

Those hopes were realised.

Raised in the Waikato, Una excelled

academically before studying law at the

University of Otago and Victoria University of

Wellington. She entered public service in the

early 1990s and steadily built a reputation as

one of New Zealand’s most respected legal

minds.

Over the next three decades she advised

successive governments, appeared

before courts at every level, represented

the Crown in some of the country’s most

Speaking at a ceremonial Court hearing

important constitutional and public law

cases, and contributed to the education

of future public sector leaders. Her work

demanded not only legal excellence but also

judgement, independence and an unwavering

commitment to the rule of law.

As Solicitor-General, Una led the Crown Law

Office through a period that included complex

constitutional questions, the Christchurch

mosque attacks, the Covid-19 pandemic

and several landmark legal challenges.

Throughout, she earned widespread respect

for her calm leadership, intellectual rigour

and professionalism.

Yet her journey also reflects something

larger than individual achievement.

It speaks to the contribution that

generations of Indian New Zealanders have

made to the country’s public life, often

through quiet service rather than public

acclaim. It is a reminder that diversity

strengthens institutions and that excellence

First woman Solicitor-General 2016-2026

knows no cultural boundaries.

The Indian Weekender Kiwi Indian

Hall of Fame honours individuals whose

achievements have enriched New Zealand

while inspiring the community they represent.

Few embody those ideals more completely

than Una Jagose KC. Her career stands as

a testament to the values of public service,

integrity and excellence, and to the enduring

promise that New Zealand offers to those

who are prepared to serve it with distinction.

Appearing in the Supreme Court

Jagose Family 1971

Solicitor-General outside

the Supreme Court 2025

Victoria University of Wellington Distinguished Alumni Award 2023

Welcome as incoming Solicitor-General 2016 - with family

Winner, Women of Influence Award 2020

Rustom and Anne's wedding 1956


HALL OF FAME

Simon Bridges

Friend of India

IWK BUREAU

Relationships between nations are often

measured in trade figures, diplomatic visits and signed

agreements. Yet the strongest relationships are built by people who understand the

value of trust, conversation and long-term commitment. Simon Bridges has been one of those people.

Throughout his career in public life

and business, Bridges has been a

consistent advocate for a closer

relationship between New Zealand and India.

Long before India became a central feature

of New Zealand’s economic conversation,

he recognised the importance of engaging

with one of the world’s fastest-growing

economies and one of New Zealand’s most

significant diaspora communities.

His own journey to national prominence

was impressive. A lawyer by profession, he

entered Parliament in 2008 and went on to

hold several senior ministerial portfolios,

including Energy and Resources, Transport

and Economic Development. In 2018, he

became Leader of the National Party and

Leader of the Opposition, one of the highest

offices in New Zealand politics.

Alongside those responsibilities, Bridges

built a genuine relationship with the

Indian community. He became a familiar

presence at cultural celebrations, business

forums and community events, engaging

with people not simply during election

campaigns but throughout the year. That

consistency earned respect across political

and community circles.

Following his departure from Parliament,

Bridges brought the same energy to the

business world as Chief Executive of the

Auckland Business Chamber. Under his

Simon Bridges in his Parliamentary offices with His

Excellency Muktesh K. Pardeshi

leadership, the Chamber has strengthened

its engagement with India through trade

missions, business delegations and

partnerships designed to expand commercial

opportunities between the two countries.

His approach has always reflected a

broader understanding that international

relationships are strengthened not only

by governments but also by businesses,

educational institutions and communities

With Trade Minister Todd McClay and Minister Piyush Goyal

working together.

As India assumes an increasingly

important place in the global economy,

New Zealand’s relationship with the country

continues to grow in importance. Simon

Bridges has been among those helping

ensure that relationship develops with

purpose, respect and mutual benefit.

The Indian Weekender Friend of India Award

recognises individuals whose contribution

has strengthened the bonds between India,

New Zealand and the Kiwi Indian community.

Simon Bridges has demonstrated that

friendship between nations is built through

sustained engagement, practical action and

a willingness to invest in relationships over

time. His contribution has helped bring two

countries and two peoples closer together,

creating opportunities that will endure well

into the future.

On the way to India on PM Luxon’s delegation

with Auckland Business Chamber board

members Rakesh Nauhria and Priti Ambani

In New Delhi with Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar

With the Indian community while MP for Tauranga

Simon Bridges with PM Luxon and

Trade Minister McClay

With Her Excellency Neeta

Bhushan

At an INZBC event with Her Excellency

Neeta Bushan and Bhav Dhillon

Simon Bridges on one of his

regular Indian radio show chats In New Delhi Simon Bridges and his family on his last day at Parliament

In India at a community project


HALL OF FAME


Suresh (Stan) Balar

Kiwi Indian Business Leader of the Year

The businesses that matter most are those that continue to make a

difference long after their founders have stepped aside.

IWK BUREAU

The success of Service Foods can be

traced to the vision of one man who

arrived in New Zealand with little

more than determination, an entrepreneurial

spirit and an unwavering belief in hard work.

When Suresh Balar, known equally well

as Stan Balar, and his wife Vicki settled in

Christchurch in 1983, they began with a

small grocery store. Like countless migrant

families, they were building a new life from

the ground up. What distinguished Stan

was not simply his willingness to work hard,

but his ability to recognise opportunities

and steadily build a business around trust,

reliability and long-term relationships.

Over four decades, that modest

enterprise evolved into Service Foods, one

of New Zealand’s largest family-owned

foodservice distribution companies. The

business today supplies thousands of

customers across the country and has

become a respected name throughout the

hospitality and foodservice sector.

Growth, however, tells only part of the story.

Those who have worked with Stan speak

as readily about his integrity as they do about

his commercial success. His leadership

Stan Balar with then employee Donna Swift in 2001 Balars Wholesale Supplies Ltd. founded in 1994

was defined by consistency, humility

and a genuine commitment to building

relationships with customers, suppliers and

staff. Those values became embedded in the

culture of Service Foods and remain central

to its success today.

The company has also become an example

of successful succession planning. Having

stepped back from day-to-day operations,

Stan has watched with pride as his sons,

Aneil and Nikul Balar, continue to expand

the business while preserving the principles

established by their parents.

Outside the boardroom, Stan has

maintained a lifelong commitment to

philanthropy. Guided by family traditions

of giving, he has supported educational,

healthcare and community initiatives in

both India and New Zealand, believing that

business success carries a responsibility to

contribute to society.

His story mirrors that of many migrants

who arrived with ambition and resilience,

yet few have transformed those qualities

into a business that has had such a lasting

impact on New Zealand’s economy and

food industry.

The Indian Weekender Businessperson

of the Year Award recognises leadership,

enterprise and enduring achievement.

Stan Balar’s journey stands as a reminder

that the strongest businesses are built not

only on commercial success, but also on

values that continue to inspire long after the

founder steps away.

Stan Balar sets up scholarships for aspiring

Christchurch hospitality professionals Service Foods named in the Deloitte Fast 50 in 2009 Service Foods expands into new space in Auckland Acquired Polar Foods in 2009

Built for purpose, Mangere HQ opened by

Grant Robertson in 2019

Balar family planning for North Island

expansion in 2009

Three generations of Balars officially opening

Service Foods Auckland in 2019

Service Foods exhibits at

The Fine Food Show in 2014

Stan's son Aneil receiving

Deloitte's Best Managed

Companies award in 2024

Stan Balar and family at the Auckland building

groundbreaking ceremony

Stan Balar and sons, and Service Foods COO at

Wellington Site groundbreaking ceremony

Stan Balar is a Trustee and Donor

for charity group Sardardham in

Surat and other major cities

Specially designed Wellington facility officially opened in

2023 by Nicola Willis and three generations of Balars Stan Balar and son Aneil at Kombee, a significant

IT investment

Stan Balar is a trustee and donor for

a Youth Hostel in Surat providing

lodging for 700 students

Specially designed Wellington facility officially

opened in 2023 by Nicola Willis and three

generations of Balars

Saleyards Road, Auckland site

construction 2010


HALL OF FAME

Prayas Cultural Group of NZ

Kiwi Indian Arts, Culture and Heritage Award

Theatre has always been more than entertainment. It

preserves memory, challenges assumptions and creates space for

communities to see themselves reflected on stage.

IWK BUREAU

For more than two decades, Prayas

Cultural Group of New Zealand

has done exactly that for New

Zealand’s South Asian community while

inviting audiences from every

background to share in those

stories.

Founded in 2005, Prayas was

New Zealand’s first dedicated

South Asian theatre company.

At a time when opportunities

for South Asian voices on the

mainstream stage were limited,

the company created a platform

for writers, directors and

performers to tell stories that

reflected the realities, humour,

struggles and aspirations of migrant life.

Its productions have ranged from

adaptations of literary classics and historical

dramas to contemporary works exploring

identity, family, belonging and cultural

change. By presenting many of these

productions in English, Prayas ensured they

reached audiences well beyond the South

Asian community, helping build greater

understanding across cultures.

Over the years, the company

has become a launching pad

for performers who have gone

on to successful careers in

theatre, television and film. Just

as importantly, it has nurtured

countless newcomers who

discovered confidence, creativity

and community through the

performing arts.

Behind every production

lies the work of volunteers,

directors, technicians, writers and

performers committed to creating theatre of

a consistently high standard. Their collective

efforts have established Prayas as one of

New Zealand’s most respected multicultural

Dara/Prayas Theatre NZ

arts organisations.

The company’s influence extends beyond

the stage. It has encouraged conversations

around migration, identity and belonging

while demonstrating that stories rooted in

one culture can resonate universally.

In an increasingly diverse New Zealand,

organisations such as Prayas play an

important role in enriching the country’s

cultural landscape. They remind audiences

that diversity is not simply something to

celebrate occasionally, but something that

strengthens the nation’s artistic life every day.

The Indian Weekender Arts and Culture

Award recognises those who preserve,

promote and celebrate Indian culture while

contributing to New Zealand’s creative

community.

For more than twenty years, Prayas Theatre

has done exactly that, leaving a legacy that

extends far beyond the applause that follows

each performance.

Dara/Prayas Theatre NZ

Aurat/Prayas Theatre NZ

Celebrating 20 years of Prayas in 2025

Love n Stuff Music Band/Prayas Theatre NZ

Prayas Theatre

NZ

Swabhoomi-Borrowed Earth/Prayas Theatre NZ

Kingdom of Cards/Prayas Theatre NZ

Prayas Theatre NZ

The Prayas Band

Yatra/Prayas Theatre NZ

Dhaba on Devon Avenue/Prayas Theatre NZ


HALL OF FAME


Dawoodi Bohras of New Zealand

Kiwi Indian Community Organisation of the Year

The richest communities are those whose impact

reaches well beyond their own members.

IWK BUREAU

The Dawoodi Bohra community of New

Zealand has quietly demonstrated

that principle for many years.

Guided by values of service, education,

compassion and civic responsibility, the

community has built a reputation for

contributing well beyond its own membership.

While maintaining a rich cultural and

spiritual heritage, it has consistently sought

opportunities to strengthen the wider New

Zealand community through volunteerism,

charitable initiatives and public service.

One recent example came through its

participation in environmental conservation

work in West Auckland, where community

members joined local volunteers in restoring

native bush and protecting biodiversity.

It reflected a philosophy that caring for

the environment is part of caring for the

community itself.

That commitment to service is evident

across many aspects of community life.

Whether supporting charitable causes,

World Clean up Day

Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser

encouraging youth leadership, participating in

interfaith dialogue or assisting families in need,

the Dawoodi Bohras have demonstrated that

meaningful citizenship is built through practical

action rather than public recognition.

Education also occupies a central place

within the community. Young people are

encouraged to pursue academic excellence

while remaining grounded in values of humility,

respect and service. This emphasis has helped

successive generations contribute confidently

to New Zealand society while maintaining a

strong sense of cultural identity.

The Dawoodi Bohra community has also

become an example of successful integration.

Its members have embraced New Zealand

as home while enriching the country’s

multicultural landscape through enterprise,

philanthropy and civic participation.

In an increasingly diverse nation,

communities that build bridges rather than

barriers play an important role in strengthening

social cohesion. The Dawoodi Bohras have

consistently demonstrated that cultural identity

and active citizenship are complementary

rather than competing values.

The Indian Weekender Community

Organisation of the Year Award recognises

organisations whose contribution has made

New Zealand a stronger, more inclusive society.

The Dawoodi Bohra community has

earned that recognition through years of quiet

service, generous leadership and an enduring

commitment to giving back. It is a legacy that

continues to benefit not only its own members,

but the wider community they proudly call home.

Matuku Link planting

Interfaith engagement, Auckland Heritage Day

Auckland interfaith event

Ramadan interfaith event COVID Super Saturday vaccination drive Relay for Life fundraiser

All night relay for Life, Cancer fundraiser

Matuku Link planting


HALL OF FAME

The story behind the stories

The most enduring journalism does more than report events –it

strengthens the bonds between people, cultures and nations.

IWK BUREAU

Journalism has taken Indian

Weekender Founding

Editor Dev Nadkarni across

continents, industries and cultures.

Along the way, he has informed,

educated and entertained millions of

readers, while helping strengthen the

ties between India, New Zealand and

the Pacific.

A gold medallist in journalism,

Dev began his career in India before

becoming a well-known editorial

cartoonist and writer. His work

appeared in leading newspapers and

magazines, but it was through the

iconic Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle

publications that he reached perhaps

his widest and most enduring

audience. As a writer and editor, he

helped create stories and characters

that became part of the childhood of

two generations of Indian readers,

blending humour, imagination and

Four

decades

later, children

are still growing

up with Dev’s

stories.

values

in a way

that has stood the test of

time. His career has been marked

by an uncommon versatility. He

has worked as a reporter, editor,

cartoonist, academic, publisher and

communications strategist, always

driven by a belief that journalism

should connect people rather than

divide them.

That belief travelled with him to

the Pacific, where he became Head

of the Journalism Programme at the

University of the South Pacific in Fiji.

There he helped educate and mentor

journalists from across the Pacific

Islands, many of whom have gone

on to become editors, broadcasters,

government communicators and

media leaders in their own countries

and global organisations.

His own journalism has appeared

in publications across India, New

Zealand, Australia, the Pacific and

Europe. Throughout his career he

has covered subjects as varied

as politics, business, international

Pulling an April Fools’ joke on former Prime

Minister Sir John Key.

relations, culture and community

affairs, bringing the same curiosity

and clarity to each.

For the Kiwi Indian community,

however, Dev’s greatest contribution

has been through his leadership at

The Indian Weekender. As Founding

Editor, he helped build it into New

Zealand’s leading Indian publication

With PM Christopher Luxon at the Hall of

Fame in 2024.

Some of the enduring characters Dev created or helped shape, and wrote, that continue to delight

readers today.

and an influential voice for one

of the country’s fastest-growing

communities. Under his editorial

direction, the publication championed

the aspirations, achievements and

concerns of Kiwi Indians while

encouraging greater understanding

between communities.

His editorials consistently argued

that New

Zealand’s diversity

should be recognised as

one of its greatest strengths, and

that the Indian diaspora had an

important role to play in the country’s

economic, cultural and civic life. At

the same time, he worked tirelessly

to strengthen connections between

New Zealand, India and the wider

Pacific, using journalism as a bridge

between nations and peoples.

Beyond journalism, his

communications work has supported

governments, international

organisations, universities and

businesses across the Indo-Pacific,

helping foster dialogue, partnerships

and regional cooperation.

Across a career spanning

decades, Dev has demonstrated

that journalism is far more than

the reporting of events. At its best,

it builds understanding, preserves

culture, inspires future generations

and strengthens the communities

it serves. The Indian Weekender

recognises his contribution with a

certificate of appreciation at the Hall

of Fame Awards 2026.

A heartfelt thank you to our partners

for standing with us and supporting our work


NEW ZEALAND

IWK BUREAU

An upcoming community

event focused on public

safety will be held in Glen

Innes as part of National candidate

Mahesh Muralidhar’s Tāmaki

campaign, with fundraising efforts

aimed at strengthening local

community patrols.

The event will take place on

Sunday, 5 July, at 7pm at Everybody

Eats, a venue that Muralidhar says

reflects the community-focused

nature of the initiative. The social

enterprise is known for creating

meals from surplus food and serving

the local community.

Muralidhar, National’s candidate

for Tāmaki in the 2026 General

Election, is a volunteer with the

Eastern Bays Community Patrol and

says public safety remains a major

concern among residents.

While overall crime has fallen,

Muralidhar said, “residents are still

concerned following two recent

stabbings on public transport and

ongoing antisocial behaviour”.

Glen Innes is a key part of the

Tāmaki electorate and an important

transport hub, making safety

improvements significant for the

wider community, he told The Indian

Weekender.

Through door knocking across the

electorate, Muralidhar said he has

consistently heard that public safety

remains one of the community’s

biggest concerns.

“As part of my campaign in Tāmaki,

we’ve raised $15,000 to support the

IWK BUREAU

Five people have been arrested after

authorities seized more than 1.38 million

illegal cigarettes during a major operation

targeting an alleged illicit tobacco network

across the North Island.

According to a report by 1News, the sixmonth

investigation, known as Operation

Clarify, culminated in 21 coordinated raids

at eight retail outlets and six residential

properties in Rotorua, Waikato and Auckland.

Customs led the operation with assistance

from New Zealand Police and Health New

Zealand.

During the raids, officials confiscated

an estimated 1.378 million cigarettes,

representing more than $2 million in unpaid

tobacco excise. Authorities also seized

around $170,000 in cash. Most of the

cigarettes are believed to have originated

from Asia, as reported by 1News.

The majority of the targeted businesses

were dairies, while one premises was

described by investigators as a "pop-up"

outlet selling illegal tobacco products.

Officers also uncovered seven storage

locations where contraband tobacco had

allegedly been stockpiled.

Five people have been charged with

possession or custody of uncustomed

goods, as well as the sale and distribution of

uncustomed goods.

Investigators said they had uncovered

evidence suggesting the network was

planning to expand by recruiting additional

retailers.

Safety focus drives Muralidhar's

Tāmaki campaign

revival and growth of community

patrols in the area,” he said.

The fundraiser will be attended

by Mark Mitchell, along with

representatives from Community

Patrol New Zealand, volunteers

from the Eastern Bays and Ellerslie

Community Patrols, local community

leaders and supporters.

The funds will help strengthen

the Eastern Bays and Ellerslie

patrols while also supporting

efforts to re-establish the Glen

Five held after 1.38 million illegal

cigarettes seized in raids

Customs Assistant Comptroller for

Intelligence and Investigations Terry

Brown said there was “potentially a gang

association” among those arrested, but it

was "too early to say", as quoted by 1News.

He added that Customs would seek

the maximum prison sentence for those

convicted.

The investigation began after an

anonymous CrimeStoppers tip-off in late

2025.

Brown said Health New Zealand played a

key role in identifying the alleged network.

“Operational support from Police has

enabled us to act on multiple search warrants

yesterday and earlier today involving raids

on nearly two dozen locations, as well as

assisting with related arrests,” he said,

1News has quoted.

New Zealand's Director of Public Health,

Dr Corina Grey, warned that illegal tobacco

posed a serious public health concern.

“Our priority is protecting New Zealanders’

health. Illicit tobacco undermines that,

which is why agencies are working together

to respond in a more coordinated way,” as

quoted by 1News.

Authorities said organised criminal groups

involved in the illegal tobacco trade were

harming communities, legitimate businesses

and taxpayers.

Police Superintendent Sunny Patel said:

“We know that illicit tobacco networks, such

as those identified in Operation Clarify, are

in it to profit from their illegal activity and

create harm across communities,” 1News

has quoted.

Innes Community Patrol.

Muralidhar, chief executive of

Phase One Ventures, was selected

by local party members as National’s

candidate for Tāmaki in the 2026

General Election.

A startup entrepreneur and

mentor, Muralidhar previously

contested the Auckland Central

electorate for National in 2023

but was unsuccessful. Since then,

he has continued engaging with

the Tāmaki community, eventually

07

Strawberry Mousse Log

$47

leading to his nomination.

“I am really excited," Muralidhar

told The Indian Weekender in an

earlier interview in February this year.

"My wife Praveena and I live in

this community. I am a member of

the local community patrol. I mentor

at the local schools. And I love this

country,” Muralidhar told The Indian

Weekender earlier this year.

“When the Trade Minister [Piyush

Goyal] came [to New Zealand], he

talked about ‘Karma Bhoomi’ and

*offer valid from 01/07/2026 - 31/07/2026

I feel a deep sense of duty to give

back to this country that gave me so

much,” he added, looking ahead to

the upcoming elections.

“The Tāmaki electorate is a critical

electorate to the National Party. Our

focus is economic growth,” he said.

Outlining his priorities for the

electorate, Muralidhar highlighted

crime prevention, housing

intensification, representation in

Parliament and addressing the cost

of living as key areas of focus, in an

interview earlier this year.

Born in Kerala, India, Muralidhar

has lived and worked internationally.

He studied in Singapore and New

Zealand and worked in Japan

and Australia before returning to

Auckland, which he now calls home.

He was also part of the founding

team of Canva. After returning to

New Zealand from Australia in 2020,

he began offering free guidance

from his Parnell home to aspiring

entrepreneurs looking to build

startups.

Looking ahead to the election

campaign, Muralidhar said, “This

wonderful community should

know that there is a National Party

candidate who is fighting for them,

and who is making sure that they are

extremely well represented.”

Tiramisu Mousse

$68

Five projects that show the power of local

board plans in West and South Auckland

From major community hubs and

destination playgrounds to safer

streets, restored environments and

better local facilities, some of West and

South Auckland’s most important projects

started with people having their say.

Every three years, local boards work

with their communities to create Local

Board Plans that guide local priorities

and investment. Those plans help shape

decisions on parks, community spaces,

transport links, environmental action and

programmes that support local people.

Here are five projects that show what

can happen when local communities help

set the direction.

1. Tōia: everything the

community needs, close to home

In Ōtāhuhu, Tōia has become one of South

Auckland’s standout community assets.

Delivered through an investment of

around $30.9 million, the multifunctional

precinct brings together a library, aquatic

centre, playground, community services,

garden, volleyball court and public spaces.

Used by thousands of people every week,

Tōia reflects the area’s identity through

art, culture and storytelling while giving

locals a place to learn, stay active, access

support and connect.

2. Hayman Park: an awardwinning

destination playground

Hayman Park / Manu-kau Noa Iho has

transformed into a major destination for

families in Ōtara-Papatoetoe.

The award-winning playground includes

New Zealand’s tallest play tower, flying

foxes, a pump track, skate and basketball

areas, and inclusive play spaces for all

ages. Alongside the playground, a restored

wetland is helping clean stormwater,

support biodiversity and reconnect people

with nature.

3. Te Whau Pathway: connecting

people and nature

After more than a decade in the making, Te

Whau Pathway is changing the way people

move through west Auckland.

A key section opened in 2026, linking

the Northwestern Cycleway to Horowai

/ Roberts Field in Te Atatū South, while

another section from Wingate Street to

Rata Street is underway. Once complete,

the pathway will help connect communities,

schools, parks and neighbourhoods to

the Whau River, creating safer options

for walking, cycling and enjoying the

environment.

4. David Lange Park: a space the

community can be proud of

With more than $2 million invested, David

Lange Park has become a destination for

Māngere families.

The park includes a destination

playground, sports courts, skate facilities,

outdoor fitness equipment, basketball and

volleyball courts, large play structures,

youth spaces and plenty of parking. It

is a strong example of local investment

creating high-quality spaces that support

play, recreation and community pride.

5. Koroī / Clayburn Reserve: play

for a growing community

In Glen Eden, what was once an empty

reserve is now a popular place for local

tamariki and whānau.

The Koroī / Clayburn Reserve

Playground opened in 2025 following a

$686,598 investment from the Waitākere

Ranges Local Board. It includes a

treehouse play module, accessible

carousel, climbing structures, swings,

slides, a learn-to-ride track, dancing

snake and basketball half-court, giving

a growing community a much-needed

place to play and connect.

Have your say on what comes next

These projects are just some of the ways

local board plans are helping shape West

and South Auckland.

From 23 June to 23 July, Aucklanders

can have their say on draft Local Board

Plans that will guide local priorities and

investment for the next three years.

Whether it’s parks, community facilities,

transport connections, environmental

projects, local events or programmes that

support whānau, your feedback will help

shape what comes next.

What’s important where you live? Visit

akhaveyoursay.nz/localboardplans and

have your say.

The journey of the

Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame

For 12 editions, the Indian Weekender Kiwi Indian

Hall of Fame has celebrated the remarkable

individuals whose contributions have helped

shape New Zealand’s Indian community and the wider

society. Since its launch in 2013, the Hall of Fame has

recognised leaders across politics, law, healthcare,

business, community service, journalism, and public life,

honouring those whose work, dedication and leadership

have created a lasting impact.

As the 2026 edition continues this tradition, it is a

timely moment to reflect on the inspiring journeys of past

inductees who have helped build the foundation of the

Kiwi Indian story.

2013: Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi

The inaugural Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame inductee in

2013 was Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, a pioneering figure

in New Zealand’s political landscape.

Bakshi made history as the first Member of

Parliament of Indian origin and the first Sikh elected to

the New Zealand Parliament, representing a significant

milestone in New Zealand’s multicultural journey.

His entry into Parliament marked an important

moment of representation for the Indian and Sikh

communities, opening doors for greater participation

in the country’s political sphere.

2014: Dr Ajit Swaran Singh

In 2014, Dr Ajit Swaran Singh was inducted into the Kiwi

Indian Hall of Fame in recognition of his judicial service

and contribution to community-focused initiatives. Born

in Labasa, Fiji, into a family with agricultural roots, Singh

moved to New Zealand and pursued legal studies at

Victoria University of Wellington. He built his legal career

across Fiji and New Zealand before being appointed to the

District Court bench. Beyond his judicial responsibilities,

Singh has been associated with initiatives focused on

community engagement, education, youth development

and addressing family violence.

2015: Kantilal Naranji Patel

Kantilal Naranji Patel is a 2015 inductee of the Kiwi

Indian Hall of Fame. Patel is a New Zealand healthcare

leader known for his long-standing contribution to primary

healthcare services and community wellbeing. He is

associated with Nirvana Health Group, a primary healthcare

provider operating across multiple clinics in New Zealand,

particularly serving diverse and multicultural communities.

Patel has been recognised for his services to the

community, including being awarded the Queen’s Service

Medal (QSM), in acknowledgment of his contribution to

health and public service in New Zealand.

His work has focused on improving access to

primary healthcare, particularly for migrant and ethnic

communities, and strengthening community-based

health delivery models.

2016: Dr CS Benjamin

The 2016 inductee, Dr Chellaraj Satyasdas Benjamin, is

recognised for his decades of contribution to healthcare

in New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Born in Tamil Nadu, India, Dr Benjamin has spent more

than three decades in medicine, specialising in oncology

at Auckland Hospital, where he has treated thousands

of cancer patients throughout his career. Alongside

his medical service in New Zealand, Dr Benjamin has

also contributed to improving healthcare access and

outcomes across the South Pacific region.

2017: Sukhi Turner

Sukhi Turner, the first Indian-born woman elected Mayor of

Dunedin, was inducted into the Kiwi Indian Hall

of Fame for her achievements in public life.

Turner served as Mayor of Dunedin from

1995 to 2004, becoming a significant figure in

New Zealand local government. Born in India in

1952 into a Sikh family, Turner moved through

different parts of India during her early years

before settling in New Zealand. She later married

former New Zealand international cricketer

Glenn Turner and made Dunedin her home.

Her political career began with her election

to the Dunedin City Council in 1992. Three

years later, she successfully contested the

mayoralty, defeating the sitting mayor and

going on to win subsequent terms.

2018: Dr Sharad Paul

Dr Sharad Paul, inducted in 2018, is a New

Zealand-based doctor, author and social

entrepreneur known for his contributions to

medicine, writing and community initiatives.

Born in Chennai, India, Dr Paul trained in

medicine before moving to New Zealand in

1991. He has become widely recognised

for his work in skin cancer medicine and for

promoting awareness and prevention.

His contributions have been acknowledged

through several honours, including the New

Zealand Medical Association Chair’s Award in

2012. He was also a finalist for New Zealander

of the Year in the same year. Beyond medicine,

Dr Paul has contributed to education and

public engagement. He founded Baci Lounge

in Newmarket, Auckland — a café and

bookstore initiative that supported literacy

programmes in low-decile schools.

2019: Sir Anand Satyanand

Sir Anand Satyanand, inducted into the

Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame in 2019, has had a

distinguished career spanning law, justice

and public service. Born in Auckland in 1944

to a Fiji Indian family, Sir Anand studied at

Sacred Heart College before completing

a Bachelor of Laws at the University of

Auckland in 1970. After working in law, he

was appointed a District Court Judge in 1982,

serving in Palmerston North and Auckland.

He also contributed to judicial education

and served on bodies including the Prison

Board and National Parole Board. In 1995,

he became Parliamentary Ombudsman,

serving two terms before being appointed

Governor-General of New Zealand from

2006 to 2011.

Following his term as Governor-General,

Sir Anand continued contributing to public

life, including serving as Chair of the Royal

Commission into Historical Abuse in State

Care and Faith-based Institutions and as

Chancellor of the University of Waikato.

2021: Roshan Nauhria

Roshan Nauhria, inducted in 2021, is a New

Zealand industrialist and philanthropist

whose journey reflects entrepreneurship

and community contribution. He migrated

from India to New Zealand in 1972 with

his wife and later established the Nauhria

Group of Companies, which operates across

construction, precast, reinforced steel and

related industries.

Nauhria has also contributed to strengthening

economic connections between New Zealand

and India, including participating in a business

delegation with former Prime Minister John Key

in 2011. His community involvement includes

supporting cultural and religious institutions,

including the establishment of the Balmoral

Temple in Auckland and support for gurdwaras

in Hamilton, Otahuhu and Papatoetoe, as well

as his association with the ISKCON Temple in

Riverhead.

2022: Hon Priyanca

Radhakrishnan

Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, the first Kiwi

Indian woman to serve as a Minister in the

New Zealand Government, was inducted into

the Hall of Fame in 2022. Born in Chennai,

India, to a family with roots in Kerala, Priyanca

spent her early years in Singapore before

moving to New Zealand as an international

student.

Her leadership journey began at Massey

University, where she was elected International

Students’ Officer, gaining early experience

in representation and advocacy. Entering

politics through the Labour Party, Priyanca

has focused on issues including migrant

rights, fair working conditions, support for

vulnerable communities, and improving

access to education, healthcare and economic

opportunities.

2023: Dr Gurunathan

Krishnasamy

Dr Gurunathan Krishnasamy, inducted in

2023, is a former politician, journalist and

two-term Mayor of the Kāpiti Coast District.

Born in Malaysia in 1952, Dr Gurunathan

arrived in Wellington in 1974 and built a

life in New Zealand through determination,

activism and public service. During his early

years, he worked multiple jobs while studying

and became involved in student politics and

activism. He co-founded The New Times

Monthly and became the first non-Māori

member of Ngā Tamatoa, a Māori activist

organisation.

He was also involved in the anti-apartheid

movement during the 1981 Springbok Tour

before later working as a journalist in Malaysia

and returning to New Zealand in 1995.

2024: Ella Kumar

Ella Kumar was inducted into the Kiwi

Indian Hall of Fame in 2024 for her years

of service in local government, community

leadership and public service. She became

the first woman of Indian descent elected

Chair of a local board in New Zealand and

was the first Kiwi Indian woman elected to a

local board in 2010.

Ella has represented the Auckland

community through the Puketāpapa Local

Board, where she has played a leadership role

for several years.

A third-generation Kiwi Indian, Ella was born

and raised in New Zealand, with her family’s

history in Aotearoa dating back to the 1920s.

14 NEW ZEALAND

Friday, July 3, 2026 Read online www.iwk.co.nz

IWK BUREAU

Building safer Manawatū through

stronger community connections

Photo: Supplied

People from across the

Manawatū district gathered

at the Feilding Fire Station

on Saturday for the “Stronger

Together – Ethnic Communities

Safety Forum”, an event focused on

strengthening community safety

through volunteering, collaboration

and participation in community

patrols. The forum was organised by

Bhartiya Samaj Lower North Island in

partnership with Community Patrols

of New Zealand (CPNZ) and New

Zealand Police.

The event brought together

representatives from Māori, Fijian,

Indian and South-East Asian

communities, alongside local

government representatives,

community organisations and safety

groups. The forum highlighted the

importance of building safer and

more connected communities by

encouraging greater involvement

from ethnic communities in local

community patrols and other

volunteer initiatives. Community

Patrols of New Zealand Chair Chris

Lawton said community safety could

not be achieved by police alone and

required strong partnerships across

the community.

“Community means responsibility.

We all have a role to play in creating

safer communities. Community

patrols are about people stepping

up, working together and supporting

police through visibility, reassurance

and prevention,” Lawton said.

Lawton emphasised the longstanding

partnership between

Community Patrols of New Zealand

and police, describing community

patrol volunteers as the “eyes and

ears” of their communities.

He said more than 5,000

volunteers across New Zealand

contribute thousands of hours each

year helping prevent crime, support

vulnerable people and provide

reassurance to residents.

He also encouraged people from

diverse backgrounds to consider

becoming community patrol

volunteers.

“We want our patrols to reflect the

communities they serve. Forums like

this are about building awareness,

creating connections and showing

people how they can get involved.”

Manawatū District Council’s

Welcoming Communities Chair

Rishi Sharma said safety was a

shared responsibility that transcends

culture, ethnicity and background.

Councillor Rob Duindam said,

“Every person deserves to live free

from harm, victimisation and fear.

Creating safe communities requires

everyone working together - families,

schools, community groups,

councils, volunteers and police.”

Drawing on his policing

background, Duindam highlighted the

importance of trust, representation

and meaningful engagement with

diverse communities.

“Police are the people and people

are the police. That principle remains

as relevant today as it was 200 years

ago. Community safety cannot

rest solely with law enforcement,”

Duindam said.

Representatives from New

Zealand Police, including Central

District Māori, Pacific and Ethnic

Services staff, also addressed the

forum.

Inspector Clifford Brown spoke

about the importance of diversity

within the police workforce and the

role strong community partnerships

play in achieving safer communities.

“Our communities are becoming

increasingly diverse, and it's

important that our police service

reflects that diversity. Greater

representation helps build

trust, confidence and stronger

engagement with the communities

we serve,” Brown said.

He outlined the wide range of

career pathways available within

New Zealand Police and encouraged

people from ethnic communities to

consider policing as a career.

Throughout the forum, local

community patrol volunteers shared

their experiences and explained how

even a single four-hour shift each

month could make a meaningful

contribution to community safety.

The event also provided an

opportunity for participants to learn

more about volunteering, community

patrols and pathways into policing,

while strengthening connections

between community groups, local

authorities and safety organisations.

Organisers said the forum

was part of an ongoing effort to

strengthen collaboration between

ethnic communities, community

patrol groups and local authorities

throughout Manawatū.

By bringing people together to

share experiences, build relationships

and explore opportunities for service,

the forum reinforced the message

that stronger communities are built

when everyone works together.

IWK BUREAU

An Indian woman living in

New Zealand has shared a

heartwarming story of honesty and

kindness after a bus driver who

accidentally damaged her parked

car took full responsibility for the

incident, while a complete stranger

went a step further by leaving a

witness note.

The experience, shared by

Shreeya Gupte in a now-viral

Instagram video, has resonated

with thousands online and restored

her faith in humanity.

According to NDTV, Gupte had

parked her car near her university

in the morning before heading to

class. When she returned around

5 pm, she noticed a handwritten

note tucked beneath her car’s

windshield wiper.

At first, she feared the worst.

"Sorry, I hit your car.' That's

probably the last thing

you want to see on your

windshield," she said in the

video.

"I genuinely expected it to

be a hit-and-run case."

Instead, the note revealed

something entirely unexpected.

Bus Driver Took Full

Responsibility

According to NDTV, the note

explained that a bus driver had

accidentally hit her parked vehicle.

Rather than leaving the scene

without informing anyone, the driver

accepted complete responsibility

for the accident.

What started

as an ordinary

day turned into a

powerful lesson in

integrity for an Indian

woman living in

New Zealand.

After hitting her car, NZ bus driver

did something unexpected

The note included

the driver's name, phone

number, and instructions

asking her to contact the bus depot

regarding the damage caused to

her vehicle.

His honesty immediately stood

out, but the story did not end there.

A Stranger's Kindness

Made the Difference

According to NDTV, another act

of kindness unfolded after the

accident. A passerby who had

witnessed the incident decided not

to simply walk away.

Instead, the stranger searched

for a piece of cardboard and a

marker before writing a separate

note for Gupte.

The witness explained exactly

what had happened, confirmed that

the bus driver had left his contact

details, and even offered personal

witness information to ensure she

would not have to bear the repair

costs alone.

The unexpected gesture deeply

moved Gupte. "The story does not

end here," she said.

"Something happened that

completely restored my faith in

people. A complete stranger had

the time and patience to write me a

note explaining that the bus driver

had hit my car and left his details.

People are so, so, so kind."

A Day That Ended

Very Differently

Sharing the experience on

Instagram, Gupte reflected on how

her day had taken an unexpected

turn. According to NDTV, she wrote

in the caption accompanying the

viral video:

"I genuinely thought I was about

to have the worst day…Turns out,

this became one of the nicest

experiences I've had in New

Zealand." What initially appeared

to be a stressful situation instead

became a powerful reminder

of honesty, responsibility, and

kindness.

Social Media Applauds

the Gesture

The video quickly gained attention

across social media platforms,

with many viewers praising both

the bus driver and the stranger

for demonstrating integrity and

compassion.

According to NDTV, users

highlighted how simple acts

of honesty can leave a lasting

impression.

One user commented:

"NZ, a country where honesty

means a lot. That's why I love it."

Another wrote:

"This is exactly what the world

needs more of right now."

A third simply added:

"This is so sweet."

A Reminder That

Kindness Still Exists

According to NDTV, the viral incident

has become a reminder that even

small acts of responsibility and

empathy can have a profound

impact. The bus driver's decision

to accept responsibility, combined

with a stranger's willingness to

help someone they had never met,

transformed what could have been

a frustrating experience into an

uplifting story that has inspired

thousands of people online.

For Shreeya Gupte, the damaged

car became secondary to the lesson

she took away—that honesty and

kindness continue to exist, often

appearing when least expected.

From kitchen to energy: a small

habit helping Kiwi-Indian families

make a big difference

Respect for food is something many

Kiwi-Indian households grow up

with – use what you need, don’t

waste, and value what comes from the

earth. In Auckland, that mindset is helping

more families embrace the food scraps

collection service as part of everyday life.

For Jai Singh, who works with the

Aotearoa Sustainability Grid (ASG) and

was closely involved with South Asian

communities during the introduction of the

service, the work quickly became about

more than explaining another council bin.

“I believe in the Sanskrit saying: ‘The Earth

is my Mother and I am her son,’This work is

not just about a bin. It’s about confidence,

inclusion and belonging,” says Jai.

Learning something new,

in a new place

Moving to a new country comes with a long

list of things to learn:schools, transport,

housing, recycling, and food scraps.

“No one really sits down with new

migrant families and explains how waste

works here. People bring habits from

places where the system is completely

different.”

What he found was simple: most

families weren’t unwilling; the issue was

they hadn’t been shown how the system

could fit into their everyday lives.

“People want to do the right thing. They

just need information that feels clear and

practical.”

That observation is backed up on the

ground. When ASG community teams

visited households, the majority were open

to engaging with around 73% willing to have

a conversation, and many simply needing

clarity and reassurance to get started.

Connecting with values

that already exist

Across South Asian cultures, one idea is

widely shared: don’t waste food.

Khao piyo, magar zaya na karo—eat and

drink, but don’t waste.

That value translates naturally to

Auckland’s food scraps service. Collected

scraps are sent to an anaerobic digestion

plant, where they’re turned into renewable

energy and liquid fertiliser.

“When people hear that food can go back

and help create something useful again, it

makes sense straight away,” Jai says.

It’s a simple idea - what comes from the

earth can return to it.

“Food is not just a product. It carries

effort, blessings and care. Even when

it becomes scraps, we can still treat it

responsibly.”

When things click at home

Often, it only takes one practical insight to

change behaviour.

Jai remembers a family who already

composted and didn’t see the point of the

food scraps bin.

“But when we talked about meat and

bones, they realised it filled a gap their

compost couldn’t. Suddenly it became

useful.” This is a common pattern. Around

one in five South Asian households already

compost at home but may not realise

the food scraps bin can work alongside

it; especially for items compost systems

can’t easily manage.

In another home, a bad first experience—

smell, mess, broken liners—put the family

off completely.

“They thought it meant more work,” Jai

says. Instead of focusing on environmental

benefits, the conversation shifted to their

daily routine, that is, where the caddy

sat, how often it was emptied, and how

everyone in the house used it.

“Once they made a few small changes,

they saw that it actually made their main

rubbish bin cleaner.”

Introducing simple habits like

emptying the kitchen caddy regularly or

freezing scraps if needed make it easy

to stay on track.

A family decision, not an

individual one

In many South Asian households, change

doesn’t happen individually - it happens

together. Younger members may

understand the system quickly, but elders

often guide decisions.

“The person who knows isn’t always

the person who decides,” Jai says. In one

case, connecting the message to Annam

Brahma - food is sacred - helped bring the

whole household onboard.

“Once people see it as part of the ‘threebin

system’ of rubbish, recycling and food

scraps, it feels normal, not extra.”

Turning good intentions

into habits

For many households, it’s not about

willingness, it’s about building a simple

routine. “A lot of people say, ‘I’ll do it

tomorrow’,” Jai says.

Research by ASG showed that many

households point to simple challenges like

forgetting, keeping the bin clean, or getting

everyone in the home to use it consistently.

In some cases, it’s as simple as not putting

the bin out on time.

That’s why small prompts matter.

“Sometimes people just need a reminder

at the right moment.”

A simple neighbourhood reminder led to

a 16.6% increase in bins being put out after

ASG put up signage in the street before

collection day.

For many families, once the habit forms,

the benefits are immediate: less smell, less

waste, and a cleaner rubbish bin.

A small way to contribute

For many migrant families, this is about

more than waste, it’s also about feeling part

of the community.

Jai’s message to Kiwi-South-Asian

households is straightforward:

“Don’t see the food scraps bin as a

burden or just another rule. It’s a simple

habit that helps us respect food, reduce

waste, and care for Aotearoa.

“Food scraps are a resource from our

kitchen that can be used for energy and

fertiliser and help make more food.”

A simple step to get started

For anyone unsure about where to begin,

the advice is straightforward:

• Use your kitchen caddy for everyday

scraps

• Line it with Auckland Council pink bag

liners or paper if needed

• Empty it regularly into your food scraps

bin

• Put your bin out on collection day

“Start small and don’t stress about being

perfect,” Jai says. “Once it becomes a

habit, it’s easy.”

Auckland Councilaucklandcouncil.govt.

nz/foodscraps


LIFESTYLE

Effort Is Becoming the New Language of Love

Dr Mehak Jonjua

Journalist, Author & Media Mentor

X @janjuamehak

Love and connection are paradoxical

these days. Despite our ability to

connect quickly through technology

and how often we can connect, sincerity

has become almost impossible to achieve

for many. We are living in an age of

excess—too many options, platforms,

and possibilities—yet we face limited

resources when it comes to one of the

most important forms of currency: effort.

In this world of performative disconnection

and algorithmically derived love, Shalant

Dating emerged as a rebellion against

emotional deprivation by promoting visible

effort in adult relationships.

Shalant Dating rejects the increasingly

dominant nonchalant approach to dating.

Rather than rewarding delayed responses

from one another (e.g., a lack of caring),

Shalant Dating promotes visible acts

of caring through intentional activities,

remembering shared memories, sending

voice notes with emotion, and providing

an emotional boost while maintaining

ongoing communication. In short, Shalant

Dating gives dignity back to our intentions.

The evidence of change associated with

Pic Credit: Carly Rae Hobbins

Shalant Dating is not simply anecdotal;

it is also supported by statistics, with

many of these changes occurring

globally. According to Pew Research,

nearly 50% of adults aged 30 and under

reported finding dating significantly

more difficult than 10 years ago. They

cite mixed messages and uncertainty in

their dating experiences. Additionally,

Match Group’s annual research shows

over 70% of persons born between 1980-

2000 prefer emotional conversations and

effective communication over superficial

attraction(s).

Overall, dating fatigue is increasing

worldwide. In the United States alone,

approximately 60 million persons active

utilize dating applications. Globally, there

are over 378 million persons that use

online dating services. Further, the value

of the global online dating industry is

projected to exceed USD 13 billion by 2030.

Despite increased means of connecting,

sociologists have provided no evidence

of increased emotional depth associated

with or resulting from electronic dating

methods. This may be due to what some

social scientists call 'choice overload.'

When there are so many options,

individuals are less motivated to commit

to a specific choice, resulting in greater

emotional expenditure. As such, one finds

oneself without a purpose for making a

substantial emotional contribution, since

one can choose from an unlimited number

of options on the same display screen.

This choice overload phenomenon

has created an overwhelming cultural

movement, both locally and globally, as

evidenced by the establishment of secure

attachment behavior—defined as clear

communication, emotion(s), and keeping

promises as evidence of being dedicated—

amongst younger generations throughout

major cities (e.g., New York City to Tokyo

or London to Mumbai). With cultural

changes, the image of the romantic ideal

has shifted from a notion of mystery to

one of two people mindful of each other.

Dissenters to the Shalant Dating

philosophy view physical effort as

unnecessary and possibly desperate.

Most criticism reflects a timeless social

construct that defines distance and

seemingly unemotional expression as

desirable in dating. In actuality, healthy

relationships require foundational

elements such as reciprocity, vulnerability,

and mutual investment. Therefore, physical

expressions arising from emotion-based

interactions foster passion and intimacy.

Consequently, it is clear that our culture

is undergoing a profound transition. Over

the past several years, we have collectively

detached ourselves from making

emotional displays and now realize that

showing affection is not possible without

providing physical attention. Moreover,

historically recognized, meaningful

actions, such as caring for one another and

expressing emotions, are now considered

"revolutionary" due to exposure to social

media. Shalant Dating creates a lens

through which to view the radical nature

of displaying effort at a time when most

appear unworthy of effort. Ultimately, the

most attractive aspect of romance may

be being physically near one another and

available to one another daily.

Deepika's

Kannada Debut

Made Her Reach

‘Om Shanti Om’

AGENCIES

Long before Deepika Padukone

established herself as one of India’s

biggest film stars and highest-paid

actresses, her journey began on the

badminton court. Filmmaker Indrajit

Lankesh, who introduced Deepika to the

silver screen with the 2006 Kannada film

“Aishwarya”, recently looked back on her

early years, recalling how a disciplined

state-level badminton player transformed

into a supermodel before making a

successful transition to cinema. He

also revealed how the film’s success

eventually caught the attention of Shah

Rukh Khan.

Lankesh reflected on Deepika’s

remarkable rise from sport to stardom

and expressed pride in everything she has

achieved over the years. “She’s not just a

superstar, she’s still the no. 1 actress, the

highest-paid actress in India now. I’m

proud to say that,” he said.

Lankesh shared that he had known

Deepika since her badminton days, thanks

to their shared connection with the sport.

As the daughter of legendary badminton

player Prakash Padukone, Deepika was

herself a talented athlete who represented

Karnataka at the state level. According to

the filmmaker, she displayed exceptional

focus and determination even as a young

player, qualities that would later define

her acting career.

“Of course, she had the charisma.

When I looked at her, I could feel that

her presence in itself was so engaging.

When I was a young boy, I used to play

badminton with her. She was an amazing

badminton player. She was playing for the

state. She was very focused,” he recalled.

While Prakash Padukone reportedly

hoped that his elder daughter would

pursue badminton professionally,

Deepika eventually chose a different path

by stepping into the world of modelling.

Lankesh admitted he was stunned when

he first saw her on the fashion circuit

after years of knowing her as an athlete.

GREEN

SPACES

OR PLAY

SPACES?

What’s important where you live?

Tell us by 23 July.

akhaveyoursay.nz/localboardplans

Local voices, local choices.

ARE YOU READY FOR

SOME EXTRA $$?

CHECK YOUR DETAILS AHEAD OF DIVIDEND ROLLOUT

In late September, Entrust will be making

a dividend payment to more than 372,000

households and businesses in central, east, and

south Auckland who have a power account.

To ensure the dividend is received without

delay, eligible power account holders within

the Entrust District should look out for

information from Entrust, out this week, and

check that their details are correct.

What do I need to do?

Look out for information from Entrust in

your letterbox or email inbox. Check the

payment details showing on the form or email.

If you need to fill in or update those details,

just follow the instructions and return the

information to Entrust by Friday 07 August

2026.

How do I update my payment details?

Payment updates can be made online at our

secure web page at www.entrustnz.co.nz

Instructions on how to use the secure web

page are in the form or email sent out by

Entrust. Or return the form by email or post

(postage free). Please send your form once

only.

What are my payment options?

When you receive your Entrust payment

preference form or email you can choose

whether you want the September dividend

payment credited to your bank account or

your power account.

What is the Entrust dividend?

Entrust (formerly called the Auckland Energy

Consumer Trust), is a private trust that

owns the majority of Vector on behalf of its

beneficiaries.

Entrust owns 75.1% of shares in Vector

which are held in trust for energy consumer

beneficiaries in central, east, and south

Auckland. These beneficiaries are paid a

dividend each year, usually in late September.

The Entrust dividend is New Zealand’s largest

dividend pay-out, with over $2.5 billion paid

out to Aucklanders since 1994.

What is the Entrust District?

The Entrust District includes central, east, and

south Auckland.

How do I know if I’ll get the dividend?

You need to meet three conditions to be

eligible for the Entrust dividend:

• being in the Entrust District on the roll date

AND

• paying Vector electricity lines charges as

part of your power bill AND

• being the person named on the power bill

For those who are not sure if they are eligible

for this payment, there is a map and list of

eligibility criteria along with FAQs at

www.entrustnz.co.nz

What is the 2026 roll date?

It is near the dividend payment date but for

security reasons the exact roll date is not

disclosed in advance.

When do I get my dividend?

The 2026 Entrust dividend will be paid in late

September to eligible Entrust beneficiaries.

How much is the dividend this year?

The dividend amount varies each year as

it is based on the annual profits generated

by Vector, of which Entrust is the majority

shareholder.

Last year, the dividend was $364.

What do I need to do right now?

Check your letterbox or email inbox for your

payment preference form and instructions to

access the secure web page.

Check the payment details showing on the

form or email. If you need to fill in or update

those details, just follow the instructions and

return the information to Entrust by Friday 07

August 2026.

If you are using the secure web page,

instructions are on the form or email. You’ll

need to have your ICP number handy. You can

find that on your power bill.

If you are using the form, fill it in and post or

email it back to Entrust. A freepost envelope is

included with all postal forms, or email forms

back to form@entrustdividend.co.nz

I have received my form or email and all

details are correct; do I need to send it

back?

No, Entrust only needs you to let us know if

you are filling in, updating or changing your

payment details. So, if it’s all good, you don’t

need to go to the secure web page or send the

form back.

I have received my form or email, and

the details are not correct. What action

should I take?

If your payment details are incorrect, or there

are no payment details on your form or on the

secure web page, then it is very important that

you update those payment details. Without

correct payment information we will not know

how to pay you at dividend time and will have

to send you another form at that time. That

will cause delays in getting the money to you.

If the details about your name or address

are incorrect you need to let your electricity

retailer know so they can update the customer

details they send us at dividend time.

For further information, head to

www.entrustnz.co.nz or

www.facebook.com/entrustnz


MIX & MATCH

Recipe

Potato curry cooked with onions, tomatoes and aromatic spices.

Aloo (potato) curry is a simple vegan dish enjoyed for breakfast with crispy fried pooris

(Indian bread). In many Indian homes, it is a favourite weekend breakfast and is also

served on special occasions.

PREPARATION TIME: 5 minutes | COOKING TIME: 20 minutes | SERVES: 4

• FOR THE POTATO CURRY:

• ½ kg - potatoes (Aloo)

• Pinch of asafoetida

• 2 tsp - cumin seeds

• 3-4 - green chillies

• 1 tbsp - ginger paste

• 1 tsp - red chilli powder

• ½ tsp - turmeric powder

• 1 tsp - garam masala

powder

• 4 - tomatoes, medium

ALOO POORI

by

Ruby Dhillon

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tsp - salt or according to

taste

• 250ml - water

• 3 tbsp - oil

• Fresh coriander leaves

• FOR THE POORI:

• 3 cups - wheat flour

• 2tsp - oil

• Water to knead the flour

as per required

• Oil for frying

METHOD

FOR THE POTATO CURRY:

Heat oil in a heavy-based saucepan over

medium flame.

Add the asafoetida and cumin seeds. Once the

cumin seeds begin to splutter, add the chopped

green chillies and stir for 2-3 minutes.

Add in the ginger paste and sauté for 2-3

minutes.

Reduce the flame to low, then add red chilli

powder, turmeric powder and garam masala

powder, stir with a splash of water to prevent

the spices from burning.

Add the chopped tomatoes and salt. Sauté over

medium flame until the tomatoes soften and

the oil begins to separate.

Add the peeled, washed and roughly chopped

potatoes to the onion mixture and mix

well. Pour in the water and stir until well

combined. Bring the curry to a boil over high

flame, then reduce the flame to medium-low.

Cover and cook for 6–8 minutes, or until the

potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally

(Add more or less water according to your

desired consistency, keeping in mind that the

curry should be slightly thick).

Transfer the Potato curry to a serving

bowl and garnish with freshly chopped

coriander.

FOR THE POORI:

Place the flour in a medium-sized bowl. Make

a well in the centre, add the oil, and rub it into

the flour with your fingertips until the mixture

resembles soft breadcrumbs.

Gradually add water and knead into a stiff,

smooth dough.

Divide the dough into equal portions, each

about the size of a tennis ball. Lightly rub

oil onto your palms, then roll each portion

between your palms to shape it into a smooth

ball. Place the dough ball on a flat work

surface and using a rolling pin, roll it out into

an even circle about 4–5 inches in diameter.

Repeat the process with the remaining dough,

then cover the rolled pooris with a muslin cloth

to prevent them from drying out.

Heat oil in a deep frying pan over a medium

flame.

Carefully slide one poori into the hot oil. Gently

press the poori in a circular motion with a

slotted spoon until it puffs up. Turn it over and

fry the other side until evenly golden brown in

colour. (While frying the pooris, maintain the

oil at a steady temperature, as oil that is not

hot enough will cause the pooris to absorb

more oil.)

Transfer the fried poori to a plate lined with

kitchen paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Serve the pooris with potato curry.

RUBY’S TIP

Potato curry can also be prepared in a pressure cooker. Cook for 4 whistles over medium flame, then allow the

pressure to release naturally.

For the Poori: To check if the oil is at the right temperature for frying the pooris, drop a small pinch of

dough into the oil. If it stays at the bottom or rises very slowly that means the oil is not hot enough. If it

rises immediately and browns too quickly, the oil is too hot. The dough should rise steadily to the surface,

indicating the oil is ready for frying.

Notice to drivers

Pakuranga Plaza

open as usual

Temporary road closures

in Pakūranga Town Centre

until late 2026

Follow signs for entry and parking.

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scan the QR code.

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NIB0443_Kiwi_Indian_HallofFame_255x365mm_Flyer_v1.indd 1

25/05/2026 3:31 PM


SPARE A THOUGHT

Ravi Nanda

Youtube handle

@Ravinandatalks

LISTENING over REACTING

18th

episode of

the series

Have you ever noticed

something strange about

human conversations?Most

arguments don’t start because

people hate each other…They

start because someone feels

unseen, unheard, or ignored.We

live in a world that reacts instantly.

A message comes … we reply.A

comment hurts our ego…we start

attacking immediately. An opinion

differs… WE START DEFENDING.

On the other hand, Listening turns…

CONFLICT INTO CONNECTION.

Listening turns… anger into empathy.

Listening turns…strangers into allies.

Listening requires, patience.

Humility. Strength.Reacting is

instinct. Listening is wisdom. “Most

people do not listen with the intent to

understand; they listen with the intent

to reply."In a world filled with noise,

opinions, and instant reactions, true

listening has become a rare virtue.

We react before even understanding,

judge before knowing, and respond

before reflecting. Yet some of the

Abraham Lincoln Satya Nadella Mahatma Gandhi

greatest relationships, leaders, and

achievements in history were built

not on speaking, but on listening.

Listening is not merely hearing

words. It is giving someone the

dignity of being understood. It is

the art of pausing our own thoughts

long enough to enter another

person's world.The difference

between reacting and listening is

the difference between impulse

and wisdom.LISTENING separates

a meaningful Life from a reactive

one.Sharing 3 world class examples

from legends who proved to the

world as to…Why LISTENING HABIT

made their life so MEANINGFUL.

STORY 1: ABRAHAM

LINCOLN'S HABIT OF LISTENING

During the American Civil War, many

of President Abraham Lincoln's

advisers strongly disagreed with

one another. Meetings often

became heated and emotional. Yet

Lincoln had a remarkable habit—he

listened patiently to every viewpoint

before making a decision.Even

when people criticized him directly,

he rarely reacted immediately. He

absorbed their concerns, reflected

deeply, and then responded calmly.

This ability helped him unite a

divided nation during one of its

darkest periods.Lincoln understood

a timeless truth: people may forget

what decision you made, but they

never forget whether you listened to

them.

STORY 2: SATYA NADELLA —

THE CEO WHO TRANSFORMED

MICROSOFT THROUGH EMPATHIC

LISTENING

When Satya Nadella took over

Microsoft, the company was

struggling with internal competition

and a rigid culture. Instead of

reacting with strict rules or

aggressive reforms, he began

with one simple principle: listen to

understand.He encouraged teams

to listen to customers, to each other,

and to their own inner purpose. He

famously said, “Don’t be a knowit-all.

Be a learn-it-all.”Under his

leadership, Microsoft shifted from

ego to empathy, from reacting to

listening — and the company rose

to one of the most valuable in the

world.Nadella’s journey shows that

listening is not just a moral value — it

is a leadership superpower.

STORY 3: MAHATMA GANDHI

— THE LEADER WHO LISTENED

BEFORE HE LED

During the Champaran movement,

villagers rushed to Gandhi with

anger, complaints, and fear. Many

expected him to react, protest

instantly, or confront the British with

force. But Gandhi did something

unusual — he listened for days.

He sat with farmers, heard every

story, every pain, every injustice. He

didn’t interrupt. He didn’t react. He

absorbed.Only after listening deeply,

did he act. And that action became

one of the earliest victories of India’s

freedom struggle.Gandhi proved

that listening is not weakness — it

is the foundation of right action. He

often said, “In a gentle way, you can

shake the world.” Gentleness begins

with listening.

To sum up today’s topic my friend:

Life gives us two choices every day:

React instantly or listen deeply. One

leads to conflict, the other to clarity.

One creates distance, the other

builds connection. One is driven by

ego, the other by wisdom.When we

listen, we don’t just hear words we

hear fears, dreams, wounds, hopes.

And when we truly listen, we give the

greatest gift we can offer another

human being: the feeling of being

understood.

Dear reader,

For such type of inspiring

scripts, you can meet me at my

Youtube channel youtube.com@

ravinandatalks, where most of the

LIFE VALUES are shared

in inspiring short videos.


VIEW POINT


Vikrant Parmar

Editor, Writer & Media Mentor

X @vikrantparmar17

In an era where nearly 68%

of the global population—

over 5.5 billion people—uses

the internet, cyber security

has become indispensable.

From banking and healthcare

to education, transportation,

and government services,

modern civilization runs on

digital infrastructure. As this

digital dependence deepens, the

demand for cyber defenders—

professionals who protect

systems, networks, and data—

has surged dramatically. To

become a defender is to stand

at the frontline of the digital

battlefield.

Cybercrime is now among

the world’s fastest-growing

economic threats. According

to global industry estimates,

cybercrime is expected to cost

the world $10.5 trillion annually

by 2025, up from $3 trillion

in 2015—an increase of over

250% in just a decade. Studies

Building The Frontline Of Cyber Security

also suggest that a cyberattack

occurs every 39 seconds, while

businesses face ransomware

attacks approximately every

11 seconds. In 2024 alone,

thousands of organizations

across North America, Europe,

Asia, and Africa reported major

data breaches.

Real-world incidents reveal

the devastating scale of

these threats. The WannaCry

ransomware attack (2017)

affected over 200,000 computers

across 150 countries, disrupting

hospitals under the UK’s National

Health Service (NHS) and

causing losses estimated in

billions of dollars. The Colonial

Pipeline attack (2021) led to

fuel shortages across the United

States, proving that cyberattacks

can cripple critical infrastructure.

In Asia, banking and telecom

sectors have increasingly faced

phishing and identity-theft

campaigns targeting millions of

users.

Defensive cyber security

focuses on prevention,

detection, and rapid response.

Cyber defenders build secure

architectures, monitor networks,

identify vulnerabilities, and

investigate suspicious activity.

Organizations such as Microsoft

report blocking over 7,000

Pic Credit: Paris Bilal

password attacks per second,

while Google scans billions

of emails daily, filtering nearly

99.9% of phishing and malware

threats before they reach users.

A strong defender understands

the core principles of cyber

security: confidentiality, integrity,

and availability. This involves

deploying firewalls, encryption,

multi-factor authentication,

intrusion detection systems, and

secure cloud infrastructure. For

example, financial institutions

rely heavily on multi-factor

authentication (MFA), which can

block over 99% of automated

account compromise attempts.

Meanwhile, hospitals use

encryption to safeguard sensitive

patient records against data

theft.

The global cyber security

workforce gap remains alarming.

Reports estimate a shortage of

4–5 million cyber professionals

worldwide, making it one of the

most in-demand career fields.

Countries including India, the

United States, Singapore, and

Germany are heavily investing

in cyber education and talent

development.

Becoming a defender requires

technical skill, analytical

thinking, and continuous

learning. Through certifications,

simulations, ethical hacking labs,

and real-world training, aspiring

professionals can prepare for

this critical mission. In the digital

age, defenders are more than IT

experts—they are guardians of

trust, resilience, and security in

an interconnected world.

(The writer can be reached at

vikrant.webs@gmail.com)

Women Engineers On What Change Actually Looks Like

On representation, mentorship and building industries that reflect the world they serve

Dr Neeraj A Sharma

Honorary Consul General of the

Republic of Palau to India

X @Neerajpalau

Fewer than one in 10 working

engineers in the U.S. were

female in 1979. Decades later, due

to campaigns, scholarships, and

corporate pledges, women make

up about 16% of engineers. While

we have made progress since

1979, this represents only a minor

change in the overall number of

women engineers. The discipline

that shapes the infrastructure,

climate technology, artificial

intelligence, and healthcare of our

world remains overwhelmingly

male in its composition, culture, and

inherent assumptions. So it is no

longer a question of whether there

is a problem; the question now is

why proposed solutions change so

slowly. What do women engineers

believe must change?

For many years, supply was

the reason for women's low

participation in engineering fields,

due to a lack of girls pursuing STEM

fields and of women graduating

with technical degrees. However,

this common story is no longer easy

to rationalize. In several countries,

including the UAE, Algeria, and

Malaysia, more women are now

graduating in engineering than

men. Yet the number of women in

senior technical roles, leadership

roles, and on boards at many larger

engineering firms is another story

entirely. According to the World

Economic Forum's 2025 Gender

Gap Report, less than 20% of women

have senior roles in the technology

and infrastructure sectors.

Graduation and employment rates

are no longer correlated; there is a

leak in the pipeline.

That leak has a name: attrition.

An extensive study of female

engineers from five countries

showed that about 40% of women

left the profession within 10

years, not because they were

unsuccessful from a technical

perspective, but because they

could not tolerate unsatisfactory

workplace cultures and the costs

of doing so. Isolation, the absence

of visible female role models,

consistent underrepresentation in

projects, and what research calls

micro-aggression fatigue have

been identified as the principal

reasons behind this. In this view,

representation is about retention

rather than talent.

Mentorship in engineering has

become more developed than it

used to be. There are now formal

mentoring programs at almost all

large companies. However, most

of the women engineers who

leave those companies say these

women's programs did not help

Pic Credit: ThisisEngineering

them find work. The important

difference, which consistently

appears in the research and in the

experiences of women engineers in

these careers, is not between being

mentored and not being mentored,

but between being mentored and

being sponsored.

Sponsorship means an advocate

uses their credibility to help someone

advance in their job or career. Today,

sponsorship is not equally available

to everyone. Studies by Lean In and

McKinsey show that men are more

likely to be sponsored than women

at every stage of their careers, with

the disparity even greater in STEM

fields. This lack of sponsorship

creates significant barriers to

advancement, since most people

move only at a pace consistent

with their competency until

someone advocates for them and

accelerates their progress. Several

global engineering companies now

measure sponsorship relationships

alongside mentoring relationships

and hold executives accountable

for both to ensure equity across all

levels of employment. Early results

are surprising: companies that track

both relationships have improved

retention of female engineers

promoted to leadership roles

compared with companies that

leave these networks informal and

unregulated.

In Scandinavia, gender parity

in engineering is treated less as a

diversity initiative and more as an

economic imperative. Norway's

state oil company, Equinor, has

operated a structured genderbalance

program since 2008 and

now reports that 35% of its technical

leadership is female — more than

double the global industry average.

The mechanism is not quotas alone,

though Norway does maintain

board representation requirements.

It is the supporting infrastructure:

blind-reviewed promotions, shared

parental leave taken equally by

men and women, and active data

publication that holds departments

publicly accountable.

In India, where women represent

around 30% of engineering

graduates but fewer than 14%

of the engineering workforce, a

different set of interventions is

gaining traction. Organizations such

as NASSCOM and the Society of

Women Engineers India chapter

have moved beyond networking

events toward structured re-entry

programs for women who stepped

out of the workforce — often for

caregiving — and want to return.

Tata Consultancy Services' Second

Career Internship program, now

running across multiple technical

disciplines, has graduated

thousands of returning women

engineers into permanent roles. The

lesson is transferable: the profession

loses women at multiple points, and

rebuilding re-entry pathways matters

as much as preventing early exit.

The evidence increasingly points

to a clear conclusion: individual

solutions — a mentorship coffee,

a conference scholarship —

cannot compensate for structural

conditions that make engineering

inhospitable. The firms and countries

making the most measurable

progress share a common feature:

they treat the problem as a systems

problem, gather data rigorously, and

hold decision-makers accountable

for outcomes rather than intentions.

The women engineers who have

built careers in those environments

do not describe them as perfect.

They describe them as possible.


SPIRITUAL CORNER

In the

coming

week…

ARIES

(March 23–April 22)

TAURUS

(April 23–May 22)

This week brings strong momentum in career

and personal goals. You may finally receive

recognition for efforts that previously went

unnoticed. Financially, avoid impulsive spending,

especially midweek. In relationships, clear

communication will prevent misunderstandings.

Patience will be your greatest strength this week.

Work responsibilities may feel heavy, but steady

progress will bring rewards. Someone from the

past may reconnect unexpectedly. Financial

planning will help reduce stress. Prioritize sleep

and healthy routines to maintain balance.

Rhythm: The First Language

RAVI K DHAR

Reality does not first reveal itself

through concepts, doctrines, or

systems of thought. It reveals

itself through rhythm. Long before

human beings learn to think, they learn

to pulse, breathe, sleep, move, and

respond to recurring patterns. Life itself

is immersed in rhythm. The heartbeat,

the breath, the alternation of waking

and sleeping, the cycle of seasons, the

ebb and flow of the tides, the movement

of planets, the growth of forests, and

the unfolding of civilizations all testify

to a fundamental truth: coherence

manifests as rhythm.

If coherence is the intrinsic order

underlying reality, rhythm is its

temporal expression. Geometry may

be understood as coherence revealed

in space, but rhythm is coherence

experienced in time. Every coherent

process possesses rhythm; every

profound disruption of coherence

manifests itself as a disturbance of

rhythm.

Modern life increasingly confronts

us with this loss. Irregular sleep,

incessant stimulation, fragmented

attention, hurried relationships, and

the disappearance of natural cycles

have contributed to a condition of

pervasive dissonance. We have

become connected to everything

and synchronized with very little. The

consequence is not merely stress or

fatigue but a subtle estrangement from

our own deeper movement.

To discover coherence within oneself

is therefore, in an important sense, to

discover one's rhythm.

This rhythm is not merely biological.

It is existential. Each human being

embodies a unique cadence of

becoming, a particular manner in

which life seeks to articulate itself.

Some unfold through contemplation,

some through action, some through

relationship, some through creativity,

Of Coherence

and others through service. Each

possesses a characteristic tempo, a

distinctive mode of participation in the

larger unfolding of reality.

Perhaps what the wisdom traditions

called svabhāva and svadharma are, in

essence, recognitions of this intrinsic

rhythm. To live authentically is not to

imitate another's movement but to

discover and inhabit one's own.

This insight carries profound

implications for education. The task of

education is not simply the transmission

of information but the cultivation of

conditions in which individuals may

gradually discover, stabilize, and refine

their own rhythm of becoming. The

educator's responsibility is therefore not

to impose an external cadence but to

assist in the recognition of an inner one.

This is why reverence becomes

indispensable. Reverence is the

discipline of not violating the rhythms

through which coherence seeks

expression. To educate with reverence

is to listen deeply enough to perceive the

emerging rhythm within another life and

to protect it from premature interruption,

comparison, or appropriation.

Perhaps the deepest question we can

ask is not merely, "Who am I?" but rather,

"What is my rhythm?" For in discovering

our rhythm, we may discover the

unique possibility through which reality

itself seeks articulation in us. And in

inhabiting that rhythm faithfully, we

participate consciously in the great

yajña of becoming.

(The writer is a spiritual guide)

Ai generated images

GEMINI

(May 23–June 22)

CANCER

(June 23–July 22)

LEO

(July 23–August 22)

VIRGO

(August 23–September 22)

LIBRA

(September 23–October 22)

SCORPIO

(October 23–November 22)

SAGITTARIUS

(November 23–December 22)

CAPRICORN

(December 23–January 22)

AQUARIUS

(January 23–February 22)

PISCES

(February 23–March 22)

A socially active week lies ahead. Networking,

collaborations, and meaningful conversations

can open new opportunities. Be cautious about

overcommitting to too many tasks. Romance

looks promising, especially for singles. Trust your

instincts when making important decisions.

Emotional clarity arrives this week, helping you

resolve lingering concerns. Professional matters

demand focus, and leadership opportunities may

emerge. Family matters may require your attention.

Midweek is favorable for financial decisions. Selfcare

will help recharge your energy.

Your confidence shines brightly this week. It is a

favorable time for presentations, interviews, or

creative projects. Recognition may come from

unexpected places. Avoid ego clashes in close

relationships. Travel or short trips may bring

refreshing experiences.

This week encourages organization and planning.

You may feel motivated to complete unfinished

tasks. Financially, budgeting will prove beneficial.

Emotional honesty strengthens relationships.

Avoid overthinking minor issues and focus on

what truly matters.

Balance becomes essential this week. Work and

personal life may compete for your attention,

requiring thoughtful choices. Partnerships—

professional or romantic—show improvement

through honest dialogue. A pleasant surprise near

the weekend lifts your mood.

Transformation is a major theme this week.

You may feel ready to release habits or

situations that no longer serve you. Career

growth is possible through strategic planning.

Avoid unnecessary conflicts. Trust the process

and remain patient.

Adventure and curiosity guide your week. New

learning opportunities or travel plans may

emerge. Financial caution is advised, especially

with large purchases. Love life feels lighter

and more exciting. Keep an open mind toward

unexpected changes.

Hard work begins to show visible results.

Professional discipline will help you overcome

challenges. Family responsibilities may

increase temporarily. Financial stability

improves through careful planning. Make time

for rest to avoid burnout.

Innovation and creativity flow strongly this week.

Your ideas may attract positive attention in work

or academics. Friendships become meaningful

sources of support. Avoid delaying important

conversations. Weekend energy favors reflection

and planning.

Intuition becomes your superpower this week.

Emotional sensitivity helps you understand

people and situations deeply. Career

opportunities may arise through unexpected

channels. Avoid self-doubt. Creative pursuits and

spiritual practices will bring peace and clarity.

Business

is tough.

We’re

here to

help.

Simon Bridges

CEO, Auckland Business Chamber

Join now

Making it easier for you to do business

Visit www.aucklandchamber.co.nz

F O R T H E Y E A R E N D I N G 3 1 M A R C H 2 0 2 6

TOP 10 SALESPEOPLE

Proven Performance. Local Expertise.

Combining experience, dedication, and deep

market insight, our Top 10 Salespeople

consistently achieve outstanding results

across South Auckland.

OTAHUHU

BRANCH

2026

1 2 3

Tejinder Singh Donald Gupta Lovepreet Singh Gill

4 5

Gurjeet Sekhon

B R A N C H M A N A G E R

027 282 9448

Mohammad Khalid

Chetan Kanjarbhat

6 7

8

Babu George

S A L E S M A N A G E R

021 185 1369

Sumit Bhalla

Nikhil Sharma

Sarath Jose

9 10

Mandeep Ghuman

Brijesh Patel

Deepika Gautam

H E A D O F P R O P E R T Y

M A N A G E M E N T

027 403 7151

b a r f o o t . c o . n z / o t a h u h u

(09) 276 4044 | 519 Great South Road, Otahuhu 1062

The Indian Weekender|03 July 2026

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