A new online resource - Workplace Policy Builder - will enable small businesses to create health and wellbeing policies quickly and easily, through the www.business.govt.nz website. It is part of a suite of free online tools from business.govt.nz that help making running a small business easier for business owners and managers.
Read MoreThe success of Filipino-Kiwi youth in New Zealand is striking. In my first year here, I had the privilege of addressing the outstanding graduates of Marcellin College in Auckland. We hit the “Grand Slam” so to speak – the Dux, Head Boy and Head Girl were all Kiwipinos. So, I awarded them trophies in recognition of their wonderful achievements.
Read MoreA man who liquidated his company after being penalised nearly $430,000 for exploiting workers, has been made personally liable for the nearly $120,000 that’s still outstanding. The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has ‘joined’ Jujhar Singh to his previous company Binde Enterprises Ltd, following a Labour Inspectorate investigation which uncovered nearly $210,000 in wages owed to 75 migrants working on a vegetable farm in the Bombay Hills.
Read MoreKiwi-Pakistanis all across the country came together last week to celebrate the country’s Independence Day, which falls on August 14, every year. The celebrations kicked off in Auckland on August 19, with the Pakistan Association of New Zealand (PANZ), organising a day-long event at the King’s College in Otahuhu. There were cultural stalls showcasing Pakistani culture, and few cultural performances including the bhangra.
Read MoreThe Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities and MP for Mt Roskill Michael Wood has come out in support of the Deputy Prime Minister's recent remarks on multiculturalism saying, “I have heard Mr Peters recently talking about forging a New Zealand identity. A unique Kiwi identity, if you will.”
Read MoreThe Minister for Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa has once again thrown light on the need for diversity in New Zealand’s public sector boards. She was speaking at the launch event of this newspaper held at Auckland University of Technology on August 9.
Read MoreSince our launch on August 1, we have received numerous messages from across the country. Mostly congratulatory, but with one concern. As one reader very graciously wrote, “Congratulations and I wish your endeavour every and sustained success!”. “But do note”, the reader goes on to add, “New Zealander’s of UK decent are [also] a cultural group in New Zealand! Your (Kiwi) representation of cultural groups – does not include this very sizeable and influential group at all levels in society.
Read MoreCultural Connections is currently running “Migrant Entrepreneurs in New Zealand” research, an initiative led by Auckland Regional Migrant Services (ARMS) in partnership with Auckland Council, and Immigration New Zealand. The purpose of this research is to help us better understand how migrants start their businesses and the challenges that they face. Migrants are defined as those who are born overseas but currently living in NZ.
Read MoreTe reo Māori remains a crucial cultural asset for Māori and is protected under the Treaty of Waitangi. And Te Puni Kōkiri is playing a leading role in the government’s efforts to support the revitalisation of the Māori language. This is the first time the Crown and Māori, represented by Te Mātāwai, have entered into an active, planned partnership for revitalisation.
Read MoreEver since the country started marking the Māori Language Week in 1975, the cultural and historical argument to preserve the language has held its ground. It's time to introduce the economic element into it as well.
Read MoreThey are supported by the WISE Project, which is run under a unique partnership between the Auckland Resettled Community Coalition and the Auckland Regional Migrant Services Charitable Trust. The project supports refugee background women to develop the necessary knowledge, skills, confidence and resources to start-up or contribute to activities for generating income for their families.
Read MorePeople think that any building can be turned into Airbnb. However, it is not like that if architects and planners opinions are anything to go by. The plan and design have to be exquisite to prevent complaints from neighbours, comply with the regulations, and maximise the space and number of guests.
Read MoreThe biennial Viva Eclectika Intercultural Music and Dance performance is presented by New Zealand Asia Association (NZAA) Incorporated. With the Late Right Reverend Sir Paul Reeves as its Patron, the association has been presenting the event for over 10 years now. In recognition of NZAA’s outstanding contribution to diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand, it was presented by the New Zealand Diversity Action Award in 2014, by the then Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae. This year the event was held on July 28, in Auckland.
Read MoreThe Mayor made this observation at the formal launch event of fifth India NZ Business Council (INZBC) Summit, which will be held on September 28, in Auckland, and will focus on aviation, tourism and technology. Addressing the gathering in the capital on August 7, the mayor while commenting on the need for Wellington to increase international linkage, noted, “ Singapore Airlines has done this through a link to Wellington via Melbourne but more would be better.
Read MoreThe 350-odd audience who attended the Midwinter Talent Show organised by the Christchurch-based Indian Social and Cultural Club on August 4, were treated to some amazing performances, including 18 different song and dance sequences. Whether it was a song by a five year young performer, or one of the energetic group dance performances, or a classical dance - the audience were thoroughly entertained, and kept engaged throughout the show.
Read MoreSo you know that wasting food is bad for the environment and is costing you money, but you may be wondering how you actually reduce your food waste. Making a few small changes to how you shop, store and cook your food can make a huge difference and will reduce how much food you waste, and save you money at the same time. (content courtesy: www.lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz)
Read MoreWhangarei migrants Vinkal Gaur and Astrid Kelly found that volunteering helped them successfully find paid work. International Northtec student Vinkal Guar came to New Zealand in 2017 to study a degree in sport. He wanted to build networks and applied for advertised jobs but found the lack of response frustrating. “I applied for jobs,” he says, “but I never heard back.”
Read MoreFire and Emergency New Zealand is hailing a spike in the number of women applying to become firefighters. “With 12 days to go till the current round of recruitment closes, 75 women have completed applications to enter our recruitment pool,” said Fire and Emergency Recruitment Manager Rochelle Martin adding, "That’s the highest number we’ve ever had, but we’d like to see even more women putting their names forward. Presently only 4 percent of firefighters are female.
Read MoreThe Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) has enlisted the support and advice of Auckland Emergency Management as it develops a new national public education strategy for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, which is due to be released early next year. The ministry is also providing funding support to a joint project by the Christchurch City Council and Plains FM 96.9 – a community access radio station based there - to develop foreign language emergency messaging for radio.
Read MoreAs India celebrated its 72nd independence day this month, the country also debated whether Britain owes reparations to world's largest democracy for its almost 200 years of colonial rule that ended on August 15, 1947. Actually the debate (re)started with former minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor dismantling the myth of Britishers being “benevolent colonial masters” at an Oxford Union (UK) debate few years back.
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