Fono: 'It's our families, our people, our responsibility'
Fono: 'It's our families, our people, our responsibility'

The South Island inaugural Fono for Pacific community leaders provided an opportunity for leaders to gather and share how various governmental agencies can better respond to the needs of most vulnerable Pacific children, youth and families. By April 1, next year, the Ministry of Vulnerable Children will be in place focussing on five sore services – prevention, intensive intervention, care support services, transition support and a youth justice service aimed at preventing re-offending. The forum provided an opportunity for community leaders to engage with decision-makers to help them understand what works best for Pacific children. The Fono's theme was “Connect and Act”.

Read More
MulticulturalismGauravComment
End violence against women
End violence against women

This Friday, November 25, was White Ribbon Day, a UN-recognised international day urging all to eliminate violence against women. It all came about through a men’s movement in Canada drawing attention to the issue in 1991 that led to the UN designating a world day to call on global efforts to tackle the issue of gender-based violence.

Read More
A better NZGauravComment
A passionate advocate
A passionate advocate

"I am a competent confident New Zealand-born Kiwi woman. Yet, I too stayed in a violent relationship for six years. Thus, I can feel what all domestic violence victims feel. I also understand why some women choose to stay in a violent relationship. First - is the feeling of guilt. That somehow women start believing it's their fault. Second - is the shame of explaining to everyone why they put up with such abuse. Third - is after a while women loose confidence and their sense of individuality. Fourth – is hope. Hope that things will change. Hope that the man will realise his mistake. That's why organisations such as Shakti do such an amazing job. This is a cross-party issue and I believe the Justice Minister Amy Adams is doing a good job handling it."

Read More
A better NZGauravComment
In conversation with Immigration Minister, Michael Woodhouse
In conversation with Immigration Minister, Michael Woodhouse

Immigration policy is demand driven, skill based and humanitarian; Tackling unconscious bias by NZ employers is a broad issue for the Government; Deportation of Indian students has some element of victimisation but they have to take responsibility for the information they provided; Migrants need to come out against exploitation; We are not giving up on young New Zealanders; South Island immigration policy details will be announced soon

Read More
TVGauravComment
Show: 'Smile Couch' popular at Ashburton A and P Show
Show: 'Smile Couch' popular at Ashburton A and P Show

Dozens of people took a seat on a blue ‘Smile Couch’ at the Ashburton A&P Show last month to find out more about the Ashburton District Council’s Start with a Smile campaign. The campaign, which launched in September, aims to make Mid Canterbury feel like home for the many newcomers who are choosing to live and work in the district.

Read More
A better NZGauravComment
Details on South Island immigration policy soon: Craig Foss
Details on South Island immigration policy soon: Craig Foss

Following up on Prime Minister John Key's announcement made mid last year of granting skilled migrants and entrepreneurs more points towards residency if they agree to live in the regions, the Government will be announcing the policy details early next year. Minister of Small Businesses, Craig Foss, who is also the Associate Minister for Immigration informed this while attending the Small Business Roadshow organised by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, on November 7, in Christchurch.

Read More
RadioGauravComment
Kaiapoi: Pasifika Community Night
Kaiapoi: Pasifika Community Night

In October, a Pasifika Community Night was observed at the Kaiapoi Library to welcome the Pasifika people to the Waimakariri district. A meal was shared, people got to know each other, and detailed information was given on the health and community services available in the community.

Read More
MulticulturalismGauravComment
Speak Your Truth 2.0; Don’t Dream It’s Over
Speak Your Truth 2.0; Don’t Dream It’s Over

No Limits director and Ara Institute of Canterbury Pasifika Liaison Sela Faletolu-Fasi (inset with mic), performing with young Pasifika performers at the YMCA theatre in Christchurch on November 4. The show which has been performed by the team since last four years is known to leave audiences in tears when the reality of challenges Pacifika youth face hits home. After the show, former mayor Garry Moore complimented the young performers saying, "I have never contemplated suicide in my life. So to see what all our youth face while tackling the hardships of life is an eye-opener." Councillor Glenn Livingstone added, "We hear you. Now is the time all of us - the decision makers - sit together to find a solution to this problem."  

Read More
A better NZGauravComment
Community: Vigil held in Christchurch for Brisbane driver

On Friday, November 4, an intimate gathering of friends and family mourning the loss of Manmeet Alisher – a 29-year-old Indian bus driver living in Brisbane who was brutally murdered – was held outside Victoria Square in Christchurch. Manmeet was driving a local city council bus when he burnt to death after being doused in inflammable liquid and set alight by a passenger on the bus. Anthony O’Donohue has been charged with murder, arson and 11 other counts of attempted murder relating to the tragic incident. So far, authorities have ruled out terrorism or racial hate as being motives behind the attack.

Read More
Ethnic communities, NewsnewzzitComment
Meditation: Songs of the Soul mesmerises Christchurch
Meditation: Songs of the Soul mesmerises Christchurch

Not many know him in India. Reason being he left the country in his early thirties and made New York his permanent home. But Sri Chinmoy's influence can be gauged by the fact that in 1970, at the request of U Thant, the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, he founded a “non-denominational programme at the United Nations in New York which offers meditations for world harmony, interfaith programmes and cultural activities for UN delegates, staff members and special guests”. The programme runs till date. Among his other talents, Sri Chinmoy was a prolific music composer, with his compositions crossing the 22,000 mark. In total, he organised over 770 musical concerts worldwide to promote peace and harmony among the human race.

Read More
News, Music and DanceGauravComment
Festivals: Timaru, Ashburton and corporate celebrations
Festivals: Timaru, Ashburton and corporate celebrations

With over 450 people from across the Timaru's multicultural communities attending, the South Island saw it's last Diwali celebration in South Canterbury's small town on November 12. Organised by the South Canterbury Indian Cultural Society, it was the fifth such celebration in the town, which has seen huge influx on Indian migrants recently, mainly in the agri sector.

Read More
MulticulturalismGauravComment
NZ Police rocks Chch Diwali: The Garden City lights up on the occasion
NZ Police rocks Chch Diwali: The Garden City lights up on the occasion

Inspector Hirone Waretini describing the experience, "It was certainly an amazing experience and the crowd reaction blew us away. It was difficult getting people together at the same time due to rosters and other work commitments. Once we arrived at the venue to run through the dance moves, we’d all forgotten everything and there were plenty of nerves about that. However, one thing about Cops is that we don’t like to lose, so we knuckled down for the next couple of hours and really tried to nail the routine. The few moments before going up on stage were the worst. Afterwards however it was relief, elation and disbelief that we’d actually – only just, maybe – pulled it off. We thought it was a tremendous chance for us to do something different and show the Indian Community that we really wanted to connect to them.”

Read More
Diversity and InclusionGauravComment
PM will announce something big on police numbers: Judith Collins, Minister of Police
PM will announce something big on police numbers: Judith Collins, Minister of Police

She was in Christchurch recently to attend an open forum organised by Nicky Wagner, MP for Christchurch Central, to address the issue of recent spike in aggravated robberies targeting dairies and liquor stores. Natu Rama, President of the city-based Indian Cultural and Social Club, who led a delegation of Indian shop-keepers at the workshop, was present at the forum along members from Community Patrols and the top brass of Canterbury Police. This included Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price, Acting Inspector Paul Reeves, Detective Inspector Tony Hill and Acting Superintendent Peter Cooper.

Read More
A better NZGauravComment