Posts in News
Nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alert on November 25, 2018

The nationwide test is a necessary part of making sure the Emergency Mobile Alert system works well. The nationwide test is sent to cell towers all over New Zealand and we expect approximately three million phones are capable of receiving the alert. Last year we received thousands of feedback submissions from people which helped us evaluate and improve the Emergency Mobile Alert system. The nationwide test will be held on the evening of 25 November 2018 from 6 pm to 7 pm. 

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Pacific Language Weeks 2018

"The Ministry for Pacific Peoples works closely with Pacific communities to maintain and promote heritage languages. Part of this work is the Ministry’s support for Pacific Language Weeks, which have grown significantly since Samoan Language Week was first celebrated in 2007.”

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Cabinet reshuffle: Know your government

Prime Minister Bill English on April 24 announced the appointment of Gerry Brownlee as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nathan Guy as Minister of Civil Defence, Nikki Kaye as Minister of Education and Mark Mitchell as Minister of Defence. In other changes Simon Bridges has been appointed Leader of the House and Nicky Wagner has been made Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration. Tim Macindoe, National’s senior whip since the 2014 election, and Scott Simpson, have been appointed ministers outside cabinet.

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National Family Violence Summit in June

A national summit on family violence will be hosted by Justice Minister Amy Adams and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley in Wellington on June 7. The Summit will support the work already underway as part of the Government’s family violence reforms, which includes the introduction of the Family and Whānau Violence Legislation Bill to overhaul the Domestic Violence Act and strengthen family violence laws. Family violence is a significant and complex issue in New Zealand, with Police responding to an incident every five minutes, and costing the country over $4 billion per year, noted the ministers while annoucing the summit.

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New Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki launched

Minister for Children Anne Tolley officially launched the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki, on March 31. “This is the start of a four to five year major transformation programme to build a more child-centred care and protection system, focusing on harm and trauma prevention and early intervention, rather than crisis management. The Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki will also be a single point of accountability for children and young people where it will be easier for them to raise concerns or complaints. Children and young people will also have access to a new independent advocacy service, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai," noted Anne Tolley.

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Muhammad Yunus – the Nobel Peace Prize winner from Bangladesh, coming to Christchurch on April 9

In a build up to the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) 2017, scheduled to be held in Christchurch between September 27-29, Noble laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus will be in the City on April 9. The Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, banker, economist, civil society and global thought leader, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for founding the Grameen Bank and pioneering the concepts of micro-credit and micro-finance, will be addressing and interacting with audiences during the event. It’s an initiative of SingularityU Christchurch Chapter in collaboration with Ākina Foundation, Ministry of Awesome, Ohu, XCHC, Te Pūtahi and Christchurch City Council; and will be held at Charles Luney Auditorium from 4.3pm.

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A true champion: Memea Bubsy Eleitino Ma'aelopa-Siania

(1946 - 2017) : Passes away peacefully at the age of 70 in Christchurch Hospital. Worked at the Niu Economic & Enterprise Development Trust (NEED Trust), which provides programmes and facilities to cater for the welfare of Pacific peoples and others where appropriate, in New Zealand. Was awarded MNZM (Member of the Said Order) at Queen's Birthday Honours, 2010.

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'We can utterly refute this allegation'

In response to our last issue's story about a four-month-old girl being removed by Child, Youth and Family from the custody of her Indian parents, where they had alleged that their daughter is not receiving proper care; The Migrant Times has received the following reply from the mother of the foster parents who took the child under their care. Meanwhile, the child was returned to her Indian parents by Child, Youth and Family on March 9.  

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Korea is in turbulence

Democratic practice has been largely withdrawn by untested leaders in Korea. However, the impeachment will benefit the expat Koreans as well as people in the Korean peninsula much greater in the future than ever. Through the 1945 liberation, the 1950 Korean War, and the 1961 military coup d'état, Korea has never been able to take away the vested interests of the pro-Japanese regime. Korea’s democracy seemed to be developed off and on owing to the ruling of the opposition democratic forces, but again this impeached Park and the ruling party’s allegiance sparked the public’s desire to reset the Republic of Korea in all aspects including democracy, culture, economy and education.

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Filipino food experience at Learn from What You Eat programme

The culture and cuisines of Filipino food were explained late last month at a project "Learn from What You Eat" gathering at Hagley Community College. As for previous culture and food session, the funding from The Tindall Foundation has enabled the migrants and newcomers families as well as the local residents to understand the NZ's diverse culture and people from different background through the traditional ethnic dish.

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Exploitation: Auckland car-wash pays $35,151 to migrant employees

A car washing business, called Car-Fe Limited, in Auckland has paid $35,151 in arrears to 97 employees following a Labour Inspectorate investigation which found multiple breaches of employment law. The company's sole director, according to the Companies Office, is former All Blacks star Matthew Ridge. The investigation revealed that Car-Fe Limited underpaid holiday pay, failed to keep proper wage, time and holiday records, or provide employment agreements

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Grateful: Thank you for the rebuild: Streets, Durham St Methodist community Ministry, to migrant construction workers

To acknowledge the monumental effort migrant construction workers have put in to rebuild the Garden City after the 2011 Earthquake, several community organisations have come together to say “thank you” to them on March 26. The initiative is the brainchild of Rob Ferguson, Chaplain in the city, Durham St Methodist Church, who leads its community ministry called Streets.

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Remembrance: Memorial service for Japan's 2011 tragedy at Chch's World Peace Bell

On March 11, Christchurch observed a memorial service at the Botanic Gardens World Peace Bell to commemorate the Tohoku area earthquake and tsunami, which hit the regions six years ago on March 11, 2011. Notably, Christchurch sister city in Japan - Kurashiki, also observes a memorial service for the February 22 Christchurch earthquake. Speakers at the event included Cuty's Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Japanese Society President Kazzy Matsuzaki and David Bolam-Smith, member of the New Zealand chapter of World Peace Bell Association. Everyone present rang the World Peace Bell to offer their prayers for world peace.

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Honour: Wall of Remembrance for Police dogs unveiled

Police on March 15 unveiled a new Wall of Remembrance at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre commemorating the 24 police dogs who have been killed on duty since 1972. The 6m long x 2m high rock and panelled wall was unveiled by Deputy Commissioner: District Operations Viv Rickard and Minister of Statistics and Associate Justice Minister the Hon Mark Mitchell who is a former dog handler.

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'We want our four-month-old daughter back and some time to look for other options', says Indian couple whose child was removed by Child, Youth and Family on February 20

The couple presently in Christchurch, who recently lost an appeal seeking refugee status in the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, is alleging that their daughter is continuously sick while in care of Child, Youth and Family, and no proper medication is being given to her. “The Social Worker in-charge also has no idea about the child's health,” said the woman. “Ever since our child was removed, we have not being advised by anyone from Child, Youth and Family on the next course of action. We are in complete dark about what is going on. And being migrants and new to this country, we don't know how things work here,” she added. Meanwhile, CYF denies the allegations. Also, when contacted the Indian High Commission in Wellington confirmed that they have advised CYF that the child should be returned to her parents.

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The $6 million Community Resilience Partnership Fund launched, targeted at Canterbury’s wellbeing

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has launched the $6 millionCommunity Resilience Partnership Fund to support the grassroots community projects underway around Christchurch which are helping community wellbeing, resilience, and psychosocial recovery following the earthquakes. "The Government has partnered with Christchurch City Council to each invest $1 million a year for the next three years into the Fund. This initiative was signalled in Budget 2016 and targeted grants are now available," said the Minister. Grants may be one-off, multi-year or graduated investments over three years, with the level of funding decided on a case-by-case basis.

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Singaporean doctor dies in Hagley Park

Dr Husaini Abdul Hafiz, a 50-year-old doctor, who had immigrated to New Zealand from Singapore about nine years ago, collapsed and died in Hagley Park while on his way to work on February 13. A founding trustee of the Canterbury Muslim Community Trust (CMCT), Dr Husaini's death is not being treated as suspicious by the New Zealand Police and had been referred to the coroner. "Husaini will be greatly missed by the wider Muslim community of Christchurch for his leadership, enthusiasm and wise council," said CMCY in a social media post. 

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Fiji community lose a dedicated nurse

The Canterbury Police, after completing scene examination of a shed fire on Tankerville Road in the Christchurch suburb of Hoon Hay have confirmed that the person found deceased in the incident that took place on February 9, 2017, was a 51-year-old woman named Savita Devi Naidu. Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Worner informed that the matter has now been referred to the Coroner. “There are no suspicious circumstances and Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the death,” he added.

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Two Indians stabbed during Domino's Bishopdale aggravated robbery

At approximately 10:10pm on February 13, Police received a report of an aggravated robbery at the Domino’s on Harewood Road, Bishopdale. Acting Detective Sergeant Simon Keith informed, "Two men who were heavily disguised have entered the store carrying a firearm and a knife. The two staff members working were threatened by these men and despite following the requests of the offenders, both were stabbed. One received serious but non-life-threatening wounds to the stomach and was transported to Christchurch Hospital, the other was treated at the scene. The offenders fled the store with an undisclosed sum of money."

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Labour: Chch's Bahn Thai Restaurant to pay 25k for three categories of breaches of minimum code requirements

These include penalty for failure to provide written employment agreements, failure to keep holiday and leave records and failure to keep wage and time records. "The respondent is to pay a penalty to the Crown in the sum of $25,000 in respect of three categories of breaches of minimum code requirements, plus $71.56 to the Labour Inspectorate as reimbursement of its Authority lodgement fee," said David Appleton, member of the Employment Relations Authority, in his judgement dated December 16, 2016.

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