indian weekender 11 september 2015

The Pulse of Kiwi-Indians Auckland Christchurch Wellington Hamilton Palmerston North Hastings Invercargill

11 September, 2015 Vol. 7 Issue 25 | www.iwk.co.nzNew Zealands first Kiwi-Indian weekly newspaper

MIGRANT

EXPOUNDERSTANDING THE AUCKLAND HOUSING CRISIS AND WHATS NEW WITH THE OCR.SHOULD WE BE HEADING SOUTH?

11 September 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Red Black Orange

2 CONTENTS

SPORTS Khel Ratna awarded to Sania Mirza

TECHMATE iPhone 6s, 6s Plus and iPad Pro are here

BOLLYWOOD Bollywood pays tribute to Aadesh Shrivastava

NEW ZEALAND All about the ANZ Migrant Expo 2015

OPINION/EDITORIAL The Story of Rama at Auckland Art Gallery

INDIA ABROAD Jhumpa Lahiri to receive National Humanities medal from Obama

Pg 28Pg 26

Pg 21

Pg 22

Pg 17Pg 8

www.iwk.co.nz | 11 September 2015

Red Black Orange

3COVER STORY

Home sweet homea dream in a bubble or not?New tax ruleIs the government asking investors to go south? How is the new cash rate going to effect the house prices?Kumar SureSh

Even as we continue our coverage on the housing issues in Auckland, the government continues to stamp on the land speculators and investment of foreigners in Aucklands real estate. A new draft is ready to be implemented, which imposes an additional tax (Residential Land Withholding TaxRLWT) on people indulging themselves in the housine market in Auckland.

In our discussions with the specialist, we understood that the draft, in all probability, will be implemented from October. The draft comes down heavily

on the sale of houses, which are to be sold within two years of its purchase. The new set of rules impose additional tax of 33% on the profit margins of the sale and makes it mandatory for foreign investors to hold a New Zealand bank account (in other words, a valid IRD number) in order to purchase a property

in New Zealand.

Summary of new RLWT rule

Lower of 33% of the gain on the sale or 10% of the actual sale of property to be paid as tax if the property is sold within two years of purchase.

Offshore investors to compulsorily have IRD number and an NZ bank account.

All the property settlement of the property that occurs on or aftertOctober 1, 2015, to come under the new rule.

Every foreign investor to be subjected to the Bright-line test.

Even if the sale of property is after two years of its purchase, one has to prove that he/she has resided in the property for two years in order to escape RLWT rule.

Renting the property before the sale will also not exempt the person from the new tax rule unless he/she has resided in the property for two years at least.

Only people exempted from this rule are those who have gained property by inheritance or through legal separation of couples.

There is another addition to the whole system called a bright-line-test. This test is basically a supplement to the- intention tes- in the current rule for sale of land. It is to discourage individuals,

whose sole intention for the purchase of real estate property is to gain capital by selling it again. The rule also takes notice of the facts of whether or not a person has lived in the house or property during those two years. It is interesting that it doesnt take into account that the place has been rented out or has been used by a close family member.

The new draft applies only te residential properties and noy to commercial properties. The rule will also be likely to apply to vacant land, which has dwelling on it or is being considered to have a dwelling on it. The land intended for commercial use will not be covered under this rule for now.

So what does this mean to a normal home buyer? Although the call for reducing foreign investment into the real estate market has been longstanding, the government has always downplayed the issue. It would be

2A Margan Ave, New Lynn (Corner of Margan Ave & Ti-tirangi Road) Auckland

Navdeep Singh Mob: 021 114 4522, Ph: (09) 827 5858Email: [email protected]

Open 7 Days7.30am - 6.30pm

New Lynn FreshSpecials from

Fri 11 Sep to Sun 13 Sep*

99Ceach

$4.99 per Kg

Many more specials

in store!

* conditions apply

Best Quality fresh veggies and fruits available at low prices

GREENSEEDLESSGRAPES

FUJI APPLES

LETTUCE

ROUNDBEANS

WHITEBUTTON MUSHROOMS

NZ LARGEEGGPLANT

$7.99per Kg

$1.99Each

$1.99per bag

79Cper Kg


Red Black Orange

4 COVER STORYinteresting to see how the market reacts to the new rules.

This move by the government can be seen as clamp down on the real estate property speculators who are considered to be the reason for the rocketing prices of the property in Auckland. Here on, one needs to prove his intentions to the government before buying a residential property.

One bank official, who wishes to remain anonymous, spoke to Indian Weekender and shared an insiders view about how the demand for buying property has cooled down in recent times in Auckland because of the new rules by the government. The official said, Because of the new rules on lending and taxing, we have seen a tremendous growth in the real estate sales outside Auckland. Our bank has seen almost a twofold increase in real estate business in terms of lending in last two months in places such as Hamilton and Rotorua. On the other hand, the market has cooled down a lot in Auckland.

We continue from last week, our interview of Phil Twyford, the spokesperson for housing from Labour party on the housing issue in Auckland.

IWK: So according to you this Auckland real estate market is only a short-term driving force for GDP and not a long-term solution?

PT: Yes. As I said, real estate speculation doesnt generate any exports. We need to be building firms and businesses to come out with products and services that can be sold overseas. .

IWK: Recently there was data that Labour party came out about the investment from China in Aucklands real estate market. How big is the impact on the current situation in the market?

PT: Now I think there should be greater clarity on the data that we released. It was a sales data from a private real estate agency. What it showed was thae 40% of the sales wers made to people from Chinese descent. That is all it showed. It is not possible from that data to know if they were citizens or non-residents. We simply made the inference that because Aucklands Chinese origin population is only%nine per cent, we believe the 40% sales to Chinese descent

in this case study suggested significant presence of offshore buyers in the market and we still stand by that argument.

IWK: But have you taken into account the number of people from China moving in as long-term residents in New Zealand? Dont you think it is natural for them to buy houses the phase of life they are in?

PT: If you take Indian population, for example, the number of people coming from India is similar to the number of people coming from China and yet the number of propertiey purchased by people from Indi, is about the same as the proportion of Indians living in Auckland. And I dont believe there is a more credible alternative explanation that explains the very large gap between%nine and 40%.

It would be impossible to know if those purchases were made by the residents or not unless the

government provides transparent data on this. We have been calling out for a publicly searchable register for foreign property ownership. This has been the policy of the governments of Australia, UK, etc. The government here doesnt want to collect the data and doesnt want people to know about it. So in the absence of that data, we felt it was necessary for us to have a debate on the issue and that is why raised this issue.

IWK: But isnt this a global phenomenon? Chinese have been investing heavily in many countries such as US, and Canadc. How different is the Chinese investment in NZ compared to other countries

PT: As the Chinese government reforms the economy, it has started to free up the restriction on the movement of capital. There is a big literature on this issue about a very large volume of the private investments from people from China, moving offshore and being invested in assets especially in the Pacific Rim area. Real estate is considered to be a highly desirable category. It is predicted that several trillions of dollars are leaving China for offshore investment for the next five years or so. It is expected that 15 billion dollars are invested in New Zealands real estate market.

So this is certainly something that is happening around the world which is why Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, etc. are all

limiting offshore investment in real estate.

That is actually the same reason why in China, non-residents are not allowed to invest in residential properties in cities such as Hong Kong and Beijing. This is a global phenomenon, which will not go away,s so we have to be able to talk about this publicly. China is a very important part of the new reality of New Zealand as a source of market, investment and migrants and these things are not going to change. We have to manage them right to get best results for New Zealand. Allowing unrestricted money from China or any other place in the world to our tiny little real estate market will have disastrous consequences for people wanting to buy affordable houses.

IWK: Now there seems to be some lending restrictions for housing loans from October. Do you think it is right move or do you think it will be a burden on tha common man because this might also increase the rent for people living in Auckland?

PT: Yes. No doubt that loan to value (LTV) restrictions implemented by the reserve bank will make more difficult for first-time buyers and it will make it even difficult for the multiple property owners, as they will have to pay higher deposits. The thing is that the reserve bank is forced into this position.

This is because the national


Red Black Orange

5COVER STORY

Dairy With Lotto in Central Auckland with AccommodationWeekly Sales $15,500 Approx Asking $139,000 + Stock Ref 44797 (UNCONDITIONAL)

Dairy with 3 Bedroom Accommodation in East Auckland Asking $195,000 + Stock Ref 44838

Dairy with Lotto in Central Auckland Weekly Sales $15,500 (incl Lotto) Asking $149,000 + Stock Ref 44951

Dairy/Takeaway with 3 Bedroom Accommodation in Pukekohe Weekly Sales $7,000 Approx Asking $85,000 + Stock Ref 44634

Dairy In Manukau Weekly Sales $7,000 Approx Asking $45,000 + Stock Ref 44867 (SOLD)

Dairy In Prime Location in Double Grammar School Zone Weekly Sales $6,000 Approx Asking $45,000 + Stock Ref 45000 (UNCONDITIONAL)

Dairy and Grocery Store in South Auckland Weekly Sales $8,000 Approx Asking $59,000 + Stock Ref 44990

Dairy with 3 Bedroom Accommodation in North Shore Weekly Sales $8,000 Approx Asking $85,000 + Stock Ref 44999 (SOLD)

Dairy in Auckland Weekly Sales $9,000 Approx Asking $40,000 + Stock Ref 45048

Dairy & Fruit & Vege Shop in West Auckland Weekly Sales $8,000 Approx Asking $59,000 + Stock Ref 45026

Fruit & Vege Shop in North Shore Weekly Sales $7,000 Approx Asking $59,000 + Stock Ref 45001

Freehold Option Available Dairy with Accommodation in Hawkes Bay Weekly Sales $40,000 Approx Asking $490,000 + Stock 45049 Freehold Option Available

Dairy in Hamilton Weekly Sales $14,000 Approx Asking $195,000 + Stock Ref 45025

Dairy and Lotto with 3 Bedroom Accommodation in Hamilton Weekly Sales $32,000 Approx. Lotto Sales $5,500 Approx. Asking $450,000 + Stock Ref 45120

Dairy in Whanganui, Same Vendor for past 9 years Weekly Sales $12,000 Approx Asking $160,000 + Stock Ref 44929 (UNDER CONTRACT)

Dairy in Auckland Weekly Sales $14,000 Approx Asking $149,000 + Stock Ref 45077

Dairy in East Auckland Weekly Sales $9,000 Approx Asking $99,000 + Stock Ref 45087

Dairy in Auckland Cheap Rent $173 per Week Weekly Sales $7,500 Approx Asking $80,000 + Stock Ref 45075

Fruit & Vege In West Auckland Weekly Sales $17,000 Approx Asking $180,000 + Stock Ref 44467

Fruit & Vege In Auckland Weekly Sales $20,000 Approx Asking $150,000 + Stock 44835

Subway Franchise in Auckland CBD Asking Price $180,000 + Stock Ref 44741(UNDER CONTRACT)

Subway Franchise in Auckland Asking $250,000 + Stock Ref 45092

Subway Franchise in Auckland Asking $280,000 + Stock Ref 45091

Habitual Fix Franchise for Sale in Auckland Asking $110,000 + Stock Ref 45006

Franchise 5 Days Caf in Auckland CBD Weekly Sales $12,000 Approx Asking $159,000 + Stock 4495

Franchise Caf for Sale in Auckland Weekly Sale $13,000 Approx. Asking $275,000 + Stock Ref 45127 (UNDER CONTRACT)

Liquor Shop for Sale in Auckland CBD Weekly Sales $14,000 Approx. Asking $130,000 + Stock Ref 45162

government has done nothing meaningful to address the problem. Reserve bank is worried about the housing bubble and the risk that it poses to the banking sector if the bubble bursts. You saw recently that the standard and poor international credit rating agenc, downgraded the credit ratings of the banks in New Zealand because of its concern about the risk of being exposed to the bubble. That is why reserve bank is making it more difficult by increasing the deposit required for the loan but to be honest, they are cornered. Reserve banks policy is the only move, which is having some impact on the market.

The Governor of the Reserve Bank has this week reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent.

M. Graeme Wheeler, Governor of the Reserve Bank in his statement, said, Global economic growth remains moderate, but the outlook has been revised down due mainly to weaker activity in the developing economies. Concerns about softer growth, particularly in China and East Asia, have led to elevated volatility in financial markets and renewed falls in commodity prices. The US economy continues to expand. Financial markets remain uncertain as to the timing and impact of an expected tightening in US monetary policy.

Domestically, the economy is adjusting to the sharp decline in export prices, and the consequent fall in the exchange rate. Activity has also slowed due to the plateauing of construction activity in Canterbury, and a weakening in business and consumer confidence. The economy is now growing at an annual rate of around tw2 per cent.

Several factors continue to support growth, including robust tourism, strong

net immigration, the large pipeline of construction activity in Auckland and other regions, and, importantly, the lower interest rates and the depreciation of the New Zealand dollar.

While the lower exchange rate supports the export and import-competing sectors, further depreciation is appropriate, given the sharpness of the decline in New Zealands export commodity prices.

House prices in Auckland continue to increase rapidly and are becoming more unsustainable. Residential construction is increasing in Auckland, but it will take some time to correct the imbalances in the housing market.

A reduction in the OCR is warranted by the softening in the economy and the need to keep future average CPI inflation near the 2 percent target midpoint. At this stage, some further easing in the OCR seems likely. This will depend on the emerging flow of economic data.

So is this an indication from the government asking investors to head out and away from Auckland? Are these new taxing and lending rules enough to stop the real estate prices from going up in Auckland? These are the questions that only time can answer. For the time being, though, the government perhaps hopes these measures will bring down foreign investment.

This is an ongoing discussion for the moment and it is going to be rather interesting to watch this space. Indian Weekender will keep its ears close to the pulse of the market. We are also keen to hear from first home buyers and buyers of investment property about their experience in this changing and exciting environment. Write to us on [email protected]

Ref: Reserve Bank of New Zealand Monetary Policy Statement


Red Black Orange

6 COVER STORY

Browns Bay Retail Opportunity 14 Clyde Road, Browns Bay, Auckland

1

2 3 Appeal to owner occupiers, investors and developers Potential to create smaller tenancies - add value Fee Simple title on approximately 764m of land Large format retail building of approximately 748m Road front profile onto Clyde Road

Excellent opportunity to occupy or invest in Browns Bay. A location which is tightly-held and properties of this nature are very sought-after. The property offers profile and exposure to high traffic flows daily and the benefit of being surrounded by two major supermarkets, major banks and a wide range of shops, restaurants and cafes.

Located minutes from the beach, a trendy area for retail business and apartment living. Currently zoned Business 2 under the Auckland Council District Plan, and zoned Town Centre under the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP).

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Property Details_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Land Area 764m (more or less) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Floor Area 748m (more or less) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Land Tenure Freehold _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tenancy Details_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________For Sale with vacant possession _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Auction (unless sold prior)11am, Wednesday 23rd September 2015Maritime Square, Ground Floor4 Viaduct Harbour AvenueAuckland, New Zealand

Ranjan UnkaM 021 711 755B 09 489 [email protected] Howe-Smith Realty Ltd, Bayleys, Licensed under the REA Act 2008

Brian CaldwellM 0274 815 505B 09 489 [email protected] Howe-Smith Realty Ltd, Bayleys, Licensed under the REA Act 2008

www.bayleys.co.nz/377997

Ram O PrasadMortgage Broker/ Insurance Adviser

www.connectfinance.co.nz

Mobile: 027 626 4117 Business: 09 626 4117

Email: [email protected] [email protected]

For the right advice on any of the following:

HOME LOANS BUSINESS LOANS REFINANCING and/or TOP-UP OF EXISTING FACILITIES REVIEW OF EXISTING FACILITIES INSURANCES

Ex Business Banking Manager of ANZ/ National Bank with 43 years of banking experience (25yrs in New Zealand and 18yrs overseas) Registered Financial Adviser Member of Financial Services Complaints Ltd

Call me for a FREE consultation

Want to own a home? Head SouthGaurav Sharma

Even though Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse recently gave the advice to head south to only those looking for a job, he might as well have said the same to Aucklanders looking to fulfil their Kiwi dream of owning a house. More so when recent real estate figures are showing that house prices have either plateaued or seen relatively modest gains in the South Island as compared to its northern counterpart (Auckland).

Prices

The latest monthly Quotable Value (QV) Price Index released on August 5 shows that while prices across the Auckland region are up 18.8% annually, it is only 3.1% in Christchurch. In fact, lower south in Invercargill, the change has been negative 0.1%. 12 month change (in %) average value (in NZ$)Auckland 18.8 855,672Nelson 3.3 414,989Christchurch 3.1 475,322Queenstown Lakes 6.0 717,021Dunedin 2.8 298,928Invercargill -0.1 207,367Courtesy: QV

Analysing the trend, QV noted that Wellington (only 1.6% annual change in prices) and regions further south of it, show little evidence of an increase in activity or values.

In Wellington, values have been flat for most of 2015 after dipping slightly following the Loan-to-value ratio (LVR)

speed limits. Christchurch values also remain flat and the market activity, while seasonally strong like the rest of New Zealand, has not picked up in recent weeks in response to the impending rule changes from October. In Dunedin, values have picked up in the last three months by 2.5% after being flat for a long time, said Jonno Ingerson, Director of Research, CoreLogic NZ Ltd, while writing for QV.

Affordability

Another important insight on housing prices is provided by the just released interest.co.nz Home Loan Affordability Series reports for first-time and standard home buyers. %age of the medium take-home pay to service mortgage of a medium-priced home purchased in July 2015New Zealand 40.3Auckland 63.4Nelson 37Christchurch 39.3Queenstown Lakes 61.2Dunedin 27.9Invercargill 19.3Courtesy: interest.co.nz

Based on our standard household profile, it now takes 40.3% of the median take-home pay to service a mortgage of a median priced home purchased in July 2015. Though it has slightly dropped from 41.1% a year ago, median-priced housing is still not affordable for families in New Zealand, even when both adults work. The profile we use for a standard buyer household is one adult male working

full-time, one adult female working 50%, and one child aged 5 years, wrote the report authors.

Notably, for Auckland (63.4%) this percentage is considerably higher than the national average (40.3%). While for Dunedin it is just 27.9%.

Sales Volume

As regards to sales volume, data provided by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) indicate that volumes were stronger in Auckland than in the rest of the country. So while it was 36.3% annual increase in seasonally adjusted sales volume in Auckland, the same figure was only 6.3% in Canterbury, meaning not many properties are changing hands there indicating over-supply. Seasonally adjusted sales volume increase compared to July 2014 (in %)New Zealand 34.9Auckland 36.3Wellington 11Canterbury 6.3Dunedin 9

A point aptly explained by REINZs regional director for Canterbury/Westland regions, Jim Davis, who said, The market appears to be reverting more towards its pre-quake pattern with winter months seeing a decrease in listings, pending a rise in new listings in the spring. New subdivisions are largely complete meaning that new supply from these new builds is falling away to more long-run levels.

Auctions

A final indication of the change in housing prices can be to see how many dwellings were sold via auctions in the region, as these invariably drive the prices up.

Here too, Auckland leaves the South Island far behind.

Of all the auction sales in the country in the month of July, 74% happened in Auckland. Waikato/Bay of Plenty accounted for 13%, Canterbury/Westland for 8% and all other regions combined accounted for the remaining 5%.

Measures

All the above clearly demonstrates that while Auckland may be in the midst of a housing bubble aided by speculative investment buying, properties in South Island are relatively easy to aspire for.

Even the government realised this, and changed the immigration rule recently to give more points towards residency to skilled migrants (up from 10 to 30) and entrepreneurs (double from 20 to 40) who set up a business or accept a job offer outside Auckland. A move, which Prime Minister John Key hopes, will serve the dual purpose of giving the much needed economic impetus to Regions as well as ease the demand pressure that new immigrants put on Aucklands housing stock.


Red Black Orange

7NEW ZEALAND

132E Cavendish Drive, Manukau City | PH: (09) 263 0145 | M: 022 043 1589 | E: [email protected]

7B Douglas Alexander Parade, Albany | PH: (09) 263 0145 | M: 027 787 4736 | E: [email protected]

*Disc

ount

app

lies

on s

elec

ted

Tile

s.

D I S C O U N T80%

U P T O

We help you find the sweetest mortgage deal for your first home and then for your investment property.

Venu021 030 [email protected]

Nimish027 524 7877

[email protected]

Abhishek027 530 9399

[email protected]

Mortgage Services Home Loans Investment property loans Renovation & construction Refinancing Fasttrack Repayment Plan (restructure) Top ups & consolidation of debts Commercial Property Loans Business Loans

Risk Insurances Life, Trauma TPD, Income Protection Mortgage Repayment Redundancy New to Business & Business Continuity Covers Key Person Cover Medical / Health

Farea027 534 9394

[email protected]

GFSs customer focus lauded once againGFS has thanked its customers for supporting them through their 16-year journey.

It is with the driving force of customers that GFS has been selected as a finalist for Excellence in Customer Service at Westpac Auckland Business Awards (South) on August 20.

The awards, one of the most prestigious business excellence awards in Auckland, are delivered by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).

Finalists are chosen from across all industries and not just financial advisersso its a big recognition for the GFS team. While presenting the finalists for the award, Michael Barnett, Chief Executive of the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said, This award recognises a business that succeeds through showing consistent dedication to superlative service, demonstrates its commitment to customers through its policy and staff training.

GFS says that it has always put customers first. Once again, customer service has been

independently verified and acknowledged to be amongst the best by an independent panel judges.

Ajay Kumar, Director of GFS says, I would like to thank all our customers and well-wishers for motivating the team. We got this award because at GFS we keep the customers best interests first. To our knowledge, there is no other mortgage adviser in the country who has won so many awards and I thank our customers from the bottom of my heart for this achievement.

GFS focuses on reducing interest cost for the customers during the lifetime of the loans and not just at arranging the mortgage. It is known for assisting customer at the time of claimeven when they did not buy insurance from them.

GFS helps customers not just get a mortgage but also advises them on how to pay it faster and save thousands of dollars in interest cost over the entire life of the mortgage.

One of the GFS customers shares his experience, Our sincere thanks to the team for all the work done to approve the home loan until finish. We greatly appreciate your professionalism and advice.


Red Black Orange

8 NEW ZEALAND

ANZ Migrant Expo: where communities meet businessesrizwan mohammad

ANZ Migrant Expo 2015 was held at Queens Wharf on Saturday, September 5. The event is held every year for assisting migrants to help settle down in the country. The Expo in its third year, showcased more than 100 businesses, which had set up their stalls and had more than 10,000 visitors for the day.

The expo was inaugurated by Minister of Ethnic Communities, Minister of Corrections and National MP, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and GM and Retail & Business Banking of ANZ Bank, Andrew Webster. National List MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar and Dr Jian Yang were among the dignitaries present at the event.

The popularity of the Migrant Expo has grown in the last three years with the number of exhibitors and people attending the event increasing every year. GM of ANZ bank, Andrew Webster said,ANZ has a dedicated staff that looks after the needs of the migrants in this country for setting up businesses, their banking needs, buying properties,

in short settling down in this beautiful country. The expo has been instrumental in bringing different Asian communities together under one roof. It has

also enabled in identifying one anothers financial needs and tap into future business opportunities between the Asian companies within New Zealand.

I think its a great platform for both old and new migrants to come together and connect with different communities and business here. I actually commend ANZ for organising such a huge event and I think its a great opportunity for all of us here, added National List MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar.

MP Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said, Business is a platform where people can show creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation, and I think those are the areas where the migrant communities contribute to the social and cultural and political fabric of Aoteora New Zealand.

Seminars on topics ranging from family trust in Mandarin to information on businesses and new tax laws were given by speakers from ANZ and other experts from the industry. The rules and regulations for starting business were discussed in length to make easier for people wanting to set up their own businesses. Seminars on the Forex services provided by ANZ bank to the businesses and the new taxing rule for the property garnered big audiences. The expo housed

stalls from Southren Institute of technology, Ray White and Bayleys, NZCT Investments Ltd, Lil Champs Child care centre, Chamber of Commerce, Inland Revenue Department, Milan Event Organisers, IT service providers, Huawei Techonologies, New Zealand Indian Central Association, South Africa NZ Live Radio, etc.

Media partner for the event Indian weekender had a stall near the entrance and had regular inflow of visitors throughout the

day. We were humbled by the response and thank our readers for their encouragement and support received at the event.

I think its a great platform for both old and new migrants as well to come together and connect with different communities and business here.

National List MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar (left) and Minister of Ethnic Communities, Minister of Corrections and National MP, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga (right). Team Indian Weekender with the dignitaries (below).


Red Black Orange

9NEW ZEALAND

Indian Spice Store Weekly Sales more than $25,000, Accounts available, PROFITS 100k per year$269,000 + stock ($150,000)

CafNewly developing Area, Weekly Sales $14,000, Combination Lifestyle and IncomeAsking : $500,000+stock

Cafe next busy shopping area, Weekly Sales 4,000Asking: 60,000+stock (negotiable)

5 Days Expresso Bar Auckland CentralAsking: 120,000+stock

Licensed Caf Weekly Sales 10,000, Accounts availableAsking : 250,000 + stock

Popular Licensed Caf, Weekly 13,000, Ample foot trafficAsking : $240,000 + stock.Franchised Restaurant, South Auckland,

Motivated OwnerAsking: $138,262 + stock

Lunchbar/BakeryLunchbar, weekly sales $2,700, Rent inc GST is $1,391 p.mAsking: 39,000 + stock. Bakery Caf, Prime Location North Shore, Motivated VendorAsking : 95,000 + stock 5 days lunchbar, Weekly Sales 5,000, Easy to runAsking : 165,000 + stock South Auckland Oppurtunity, Cheap Rent, Weekly Sale 7,000, 5 Days Lunchbar, Timing - 6am to 3pmAsking : $198,000+stock. TakeawaySouth Auckland Well known Takeaway, Cheap Rent, Weekly Sales $8,250Asking : 139,000+stockMexican Takeaway

Rent $1,552.50 p.mAsking : 60,000 (negotiable)

Indian Takeaway, Auckland Central, Sales $6,000, Unique ConceptAsking : 129,000 + stock Indian Takeaway, Queen Street, Weekly $4,000Asking : $65,000 + stock

Rodney District Takeaway, Sales Growing as summer kicks in, Weekly $4,000 currrentlyCheap Rent, Motivated Vendor.Asking :59,000 + stock Indian Spice Store Weekly Sales more than $25,000, Accounts available, PROFITS more than 100k$269,000 + stock Indian takeaway in Food Court, Weekly Sales 7,000Asking : $95,000 + stockFranchised Fish and Chip Takeaway,

Weekly $7,000Asking $169,000 + stock RestaurantLicensed Restaurant, Prime Location, Weekly $18,000, Full support and trainingAsking : $530,000 + stock

Fabulous setup Pizza and Italian Restaurant, Huge Potential, Weekly 5,500Asking: $135,000 + stock

Auckland Central, Licensed Restaurant, Weekly $10,000Asking : 210,000 + stock.

Call now Preeti at 0210 224 3202

Operation Oregano continues to mystify policerizwan mohammad

The mystery behind the death of 68-year-old Mr Tametame Wiremu continues as police hunt for clues on the streets of Auckland.

According to initial reports, Mr Wiremu fell unconscious on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at a fast food store on High Street around early noon and was taken in an ambulance to the hospital in South Auckland. The man died the next week. The doctors reported serious head injuries and internal bleeding to be the cause of his death.

The police have been investigating since, and have been questioning the residents and business owners on Lorne and High Street in the CBD. The investigation is seeking any credible information on the activities of the deceased on and before the day of the incident.

On Tuesday, September 8, a patrol of 20 policemen and community patrollers set on High Street and Lorne Street to speak to the residents and business owners in the area as well as members of the public to find out if anyone witnessed an altercation between Mr Wiremu and an Asian man on the footpath outside Maddison Caf, 20 Lorne Street, in the CBD at about 9:30am on Tuesday, May 12.

We are speaking to businesses and residents in the area if they have witnessed anything unusual on or before the day of incident. Also, it is important that we get credible information, because one thing is for sure that Mr Wiremu died of serious

head injuries, which can only result from an assault, said Detective Amaninder Sandhu, Criminal Investigation Branch, New Zealand.

The police suspect that Mr Wiremu had an altercation on the day of his collapse outside Maddison Caf, 20 Lorne Street in the CBD and asking people if they witnessed the same.

Korean and Mandarin speaking police were a part of the patrol on Tuesday morning. Anyone having any information with respect to the case is requested to contact Detective Sergeant Mark Franich on 021 191 2685 or [email protected]. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and refer to Operation Oregano.

Better rates and stress free loans, Advice on best loan structures

Suman SharmaMortgage Adviser

Phone: 09 266 9890Mobile: 022 044 [email protected]

Call in for right advice and economical quote for all your insurance needs

Suresh Sharma (Ex NZ/UK Bank Manager)Insurance AdviserPhone: 09 625 3800Mobile: 021 82 [email protected]

Home Loans Business Loans Commercial Loans Refinance/Restructures

Life & Health Insurance Trauma & TPD Income & Mortgage Proctection Business Insurance Plans


Red Black Orange

10 NEW ZEALAND

$120k for young peoples project

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye has announced that a further $120,000 is available to young entrepreneurs under the Opportunities for Young People fund.

This funding will go to young people to support projects theyve developed that are aimed at creating social or environmental change, says Ms Kaye.

Opportunities for Young People funding comes from the $2 million Youth Enterprise Fund. This fund was launched in December last year to support organisations offering hands-on opportunities for young people to help them develop entrepreneurial skills. Through the many young people I meet, its clear theyre coming up with fantastic ideas for projects themselves, which are well worth supporting in their own right.

We recognised this in May this year, when we announced $79,000 of funding direct to young people under the Opportunities for Young People Fund.

That funding went to young people working on great projects, from online Mandarin lessons to a local intranet network to enhance learning opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

Im pleased to announce this further funding, which coincides with the start of the Festival for the Future in Auckland.

This event draws together young people from around the Pacific to explore 21st century challenges, and develop ideas and skills to tackle these challenges through creativity, innovation and social enterprise.

The festival is organised by Guy Ryan, 2015 Young New Zealander of the Year. Previous recipients of Opportunities for Young People funding and Youth Awards will also be attending.

NZ to take 750 more Syrian refugeesThe government this week has announced that New Zealand will welcome 750 Syrian refugees over the next two and a half years in response to the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Of the 750 places, 600 will be by way of a special emergency intake above New Zealands annual refugee quota of 750, and 150 places will be offered within the quota.

Like most New Zealanders, the government is very concerned at the humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Syria and Europe that has visibly worsened in recent times, Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse says.

Thats why we will dedicate 150 places for Syrians within the existing 2015/16 annual quota of 750. On top of that well take in another 100 Syrians in this financial year, and a further 500 over the next two financial years (2016/17 and 2017/18).

The cost of the additional places is estimated at $48.8 million over two and a half years. This is on top of the $58 million the government already spends annually on resettling refugees.

This commitment will be in addition to any decisions that may come out of the standard three-year review of the refugee quota which will take place in 2016 as planned.

Woodhouse says that an immediate intake of any more than the announced extra 100 this year could put unreasonable strains on services, affecting the quality of resettlement outcomes for all refugees in New Zealand

Prime Minster John Key says, As the situation has worsened, New Zealanders have become more concerned. The government shares their concern.

The decision is an appropriate response. Its important that were able to back our offer with support to help people settle here. What these refugees need most is to feel welcome and safe in communities that are willing to help them start their new life.

New Zealand is already making a contribution to the region. Weve settled 121 Syrians since 2011 and contributed $15.5

million in aid for those affected by the conflict in Syria and Iraq.

There is also a role for the wider community to play in helping these refugees to settle here and New Zealanders who want to help, can volunteer with resettlement programmes via the Red Cross and others, says Key.

The government will continue to monitor the situation in Syria closely and review the possibility of further assistance during the 2016 quota review.

The process:

The process for the 600 additional places will be the same as any intake under the current quota.

The UNHCR carries out its own screening process and does not refer high risk or complex cases for resettlement.

In addition to this, all cases submitted for consideration undergo robust assessments as part of INZs decision-making process. That includes on and off-shore screening and assessment that focuses on credibility, risk and settlement to ensure that the person is not a security risk or character of concern to New Zealand. INZ will undertake an initial mission to Lebanon in October and another in December for the current year. The first 100 selected for resettlement will arrive in New Zealand in three groups, anticipated to be January, March and May 2016.

Services provided:

Quota refugees are given permanent residence on arrival in New Zealand and spend their first six weeks at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre. While there, they complete a reception programme to support living and working in New Zealand and English language.

A number of government agencies and NGOs are involved in the settlement of quota refugees, including the Ministries of Health, Education and Social Development, Work and Income, Housing New Zealand, the Tertiary Education Commission, NZQA, Careers New Zealand, NZ Police, the Office of Ethnic Affairs, DIA and NZ Red Cross.

Increased uptake of free GP visits for under 13sHealth Minister Jonathan Coleman says 98 per cent of general practices across the country are now offering free GP visits for

children aged under 13.Two months after the launch

of free GP visits for under 13s, its fantastic to see such high uptake in the scheme, which now covers

99 per cent of children under 13, says Dr Coleman.

As on September 1, 2015, just 19 general practices out of 1,012 have chosen not to provide free GP visits for under 13s.

Five of those practices have indicated they will be opting in from 1 October.

The majority of the practices, which have chosen not to opt

in are based in the Auckland region. More practices may choose to opt in at a later stage.

More than 400,000 children will benefit from the scheme being expanded, taking the total number of children who are benefitting from free GP visits and prescriptions to more than 750,000. The government is committed to supporting families

in giving their children the best possible start in life.

Removing the cost barrier is making a real difference to thousands of families.

On 1 July, all New Zealand children aged under 13 became eligible to access free visits with their enrolled general practice and after-hours services, as well as free prescriptions.


Red Black Orange

11NEW ZEALAND

0800 QT 4 SITwww.sit.ac.nz *Direct material costs apply

SIT programmes are NZQA approved and recognised worldwide.

SIT Queenstown Campus Sports Programme

Certificate in Sports Training and Development (Level 3)5 October to 18 December

Classes are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 6-9pm plus a self-directed gym session in the students own time.

NO tuition feesNO material costsNO admin charges

Limited placesENROL NOW!

This offer is valid in 2015 only

This FREE FEES Campaign applies to all New Zealand citizens, New Zealand residents/permanent residents and Australian citizens residing in New Zealand.

FREE FEES @ SIT


Red Black Orange

12 NEW ZEALAND

David ShearerLabour MP

Taking a positive view

I t doesnt seem like a day goes by when there isnt a discussion about whats happening in the economy, locally or globally.

There is a lot of volatility in financial markets around the world and theres no doubt the recent drop in international dairy prices will hurt farmers incomes and that in turn will have an effect on other businesses around the country.

But if we take a step back, its important to keep a few things in mind.

The first is that, as with all New Zealands main exports, dairy prices are cyclical. They

go up and they go down. Dairy prices will recover over time and the longer-term outlook for the industry is strong. Its also important we dont talk our economy down, and keep things in perspective.

We have an economy that is far more productive, more efficient, and more globally connected than ever before. We have been out-performing the OECD in recent years and a period of more moderate growth is only to be expected as our economy adjusts to the dairy industrys income shock.

As Asian countries continue to grow and get wealthier they will want more high-quality, safe, and nutritious foods such as our dairy products.

The government is helping to prepare New Zealand to take advantage of these opportunities, for example, through negotiating much better access to markets in Asia and the Pacific through the TPP trade agreement.

Also, while dairy is down at the moment, prices for other exports are up. Beef prices for New Zealand farmers, for example, have risen to record highs.

Horticulture has had a very good year with total earnings topping $7.5 billion for the first time. Kiwifruit in particular has bounced back strongly from PSA, now with more than $1 billion in exports.

Tourism is going great guns. Record numbers of tourists are coming to New Zealand, theyre staying for longer, and spending more than ever before. Visitor spending reached more than $8 billion over the last year, which is up more than 20 per cent on the previous year.

So while dairy is an important industry for New Zealand there are a lot more strings in the countrys bow.

New Zealand has a flexible, responsive economy. This has allowed the Kiwi dollar to fall around 25 per cent against the US, compared to a year ago. This drop in the

exchange rate helps offset the fall in dairy prices, and means all exporters get better returns for the goods and services they sell overseas.

Interest rate cuts will also be a shot in the arm for the economy.

Economists are still forecasting growth of around 2 to 2.5 per cent a year, which is good, solid, and sustainable. This growth will build on the good economic performance New Zealand has experienced over the past few years.

Hundreds of thousands of new jobs have been created. Wages have been rising faster than inflation. Households are saving a bit more and paying down debt, which gives them a greater sense of security.

And New Zealanders are staying home or returning in significant numbers because opportunities are better here than elsewhere.

So we can be optimistic and confident about New Zealands future.

Kanwaljit BakshiNational List MP

Barry CoatesGreen Party

We need to help refugees

Media reports of millions of Syrian refugees fleeing their war torn country have shocked people around the world. The human stories of children traumatised and families broken apart as they undertake dangerous journeys to safety have been touching. Brutal conflict in the Middle East has increased the number of people fleeing their homes to more than 15 million people. The

international community needs to respond. All countries can offer a safe haven. Lebanon has taken 1.1 million refugees in a country of 4.4 million. Germany is offering to take 800,000 refugees from Syria. By contrast, New Zealand takes a UN quota of 750 refugees. United Nations figures show we are 90th in the world in the total number of refugees we host per person. Even worse, if it is ranked by relative wealth, New Zealand is 116th in the world. We can do far better. The Green Party is calling for a substantial increase in the annual refugee quota, not just a one-time increase, and has tabled a Bill in Parliament that is supported by all political parties except National.

For years, the Prime Minister has ignored the calls for more refugee places,

and has paid far more attention to helping wealthy migrants. Settlement budgets for refugees have been squeezed, the services have been disrupted by reorganisations, and even the small annual quota of 750 has often not been filled.

Now, in the face of public outrage, the Prime Minister has agreed for a small annual increase of 200 refugees from Syria for the next three years. But it is not enough to step up to New Zealands international responsibilities and does not raise the refugee quota on an ongoing basis.

This continues a pattern on child poverty, overseas aid, climate change, violence against women and other issues, as well as refugees. This governments priorities are to help big business and to do as little as

possible to help people in need. Then when public gets upset on a social issue, the Prime Minister announces a small measure that wont fix the problem, and gives assurances to the public.

The Green Party offers a different approach. Our policies prioritise a fair and safe society, with respect for nature and support for a smart economy that is able to support good living standards for all. We should invite more refugees, ensure they have enough support to recover from the trauma they have experienced, and help them contribute to building a tolerant and inclusive New Zealand society.

Barry Coates is on the Green Party list just outside Parliament. He is the former Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand. www.greens.org.nz

Addressing the Syrian refugee crisis

When the body of Aylan Kurdi washed ashore in Greece, his picture touched the hearts of families around the world.

The Syrian refugee crisis was already a growing concern, but the body of a three-year-old child face down on the beach personalised the human suffering and brought it into our homes. We can all imagine the heartbreak if that little boy was our child or grandchild, or our little brother.

Back home, Aylan has become a symbol of New Zealands failure to play its part as a wealthy and compassionate nation. For nearly 30 years, New Zealand has taken up

to 750 refugees annually and this number has not kept pace with our population growth.

As the problems in Syria have developed into the worst refugee crisis since World War Two, other developed nations

have shown their mettle as honourable international citizens.

Germany will take 800,000 refugees this year. German families are even welcoming them into their homes. Australia will take, per capita, around four times more than us.

Meanwhile John Key has dithered waiting on the polling results to see if it was popular or notrather than just getting on and doing the right thing.

In New Zealand, our refugee quota is completely separate to our policy on the numbers of migrants we accept. Taking refugees is part of the humanitarian responsibility we have as a developed nation. Lets remember our recent past when New Zealand responded to refugee crises with compassion and honour.

In 1999 under a National government we accepted more than 400 Kosovar refugees. I was in Kosovo at the time and saw how desperate those people were.

In 2001 under a Labour government we accepted more than 200 refugees from the Tampa when Australia refused. Those refugees have gone on to become passionate

Kiwis, well-educated and contributing to our society.

Thats what happens with refugees they usually end up giving so much more to our country than they ever took.

In his refusal to increase New Zealands permanent refugee quota, John Key is out of step with the public and his Prime Ministerial predecessors. Fortunately Kiwis have a social conscience. If it wasnt for that our government would still be turning its back on Syrian refugees.

Good on Kiwis for pushing this government to do the right thing.

CORRIGENDUM

In Volume 7, Issue 24, of the Indian Weekender (page 12, Success with health targets means families benefitting from quality care), we have erroneously identified Dr Parmjeet Parmars designation as Labour MP instead of National List MP. We apologise for the error.


Red Black Orange

13NEW ZEALAND

*Fees subject to change (local taxes and service charges may apply). Western Union also makes money from currency exchange. Subject to terms and conditions of service. Funds may be delayed or services unavailable based on certain conditions, including amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory and foreign exchange issues, required receiver action(s), identification requirements, Agent locations hours, difference in time zones or selection of delayed options. Additional restrictions may apply. See Western Union Send Form and Terms and Conditions for details. Western Union transaction limits do apply.

moving money for better

PLUS

NO RECEIVERS FEE*

SENDING MONEY TO A BANK ACCOUNT FROM $10*

VISIT YOUR LOCAL POSTSHOP TODAY

71

UNDE

R CON

TRAC

T

7th W

EEK

+

AUCK

LAND

GRAM

MAR Z

ONE

QUEEN STREET

WWW.QUEENSSQUARE.CO.NZ

ONSITE DISPLAY SUITE OPEN DAILY 11am - 6pm

438 QUEEN STREETAUCKLAND CBD

Priced from

$398,000*

ADVERTISE HERE.

Call 021-150 7950

Beware of unlicensed immigration agentsAnother immigration scam is targeting the Indian immigrants these days where unlicensed immigration agents are issuing a fake work visa to their clients.

Jagjeet Singh Sidhu of Immigration Matters says, We have been informed time to time about the fake visas issued by the unlicensed agents in India. It is sad to see someone had to pay a large amount to get a work visa for New Zealand. It is with a great shame that authorities have a very little control over those dodgy agents.

In the recent scam, agents take a hefty amount of money from the client and in return issue a fake visa stamp on their passport, which according to Immigration New Zealand is invalid.

One such attempt of the scammers have recently been foiled by Immigration Matters.

In this case of work visa, a heavy amount deal was going to happen. It was just in time when we were asked to find out the validity of the visa. We contacted the Immigration New Zealand and were informed this is not a valid visa, says Sidhu. This is an example for all of us to

be responsible for our actions. Not to be duped by so-called dodgy agents. This is not the first time we have come across such kind of incidence. We like all of you to be aware and be alert from those agents who are asking a large amount of money to get a work or visitor visa to New Zealand.

Sidhu suggests everyone to be aware and not to take services from unlicensed immigration agents. He has asked to check the license of immigration advisers at www.iaa.govt.nz.

For more information, contact Immigration Matters at 137 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe. Contact no. 093920079.

Copy of a fake work visa

NRIs urged to register for voting iwK Bureau

India boasts of being the worlds largest democracy with 1.27 billion population. Conducting the elections in a country that large is a challenging and complicated process for the sheer scale, size, diversity and complexity. Equally challenging is to reach out and create awareness not only among 835 million people that can vote in India but also over 12 million NRIs out of 28 million Indians living overseas. The overseas Indian population are now participating actively in Indias growth and development.

It is therefore timely that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is examining the feasibility of extending voting rights to overseas electors through E-postal ballot or proxy voting. Simultaneously, initiatives are being taken up under ECIs Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme to reach out to the Non Resident Indians to facilitate their registration in the electoral roll.

In line with this commitment, the Commission has recently launched the online service for the citizens called the

National Voters Service Portal (NVSP) to facilitate Indian citizens. The NSVP portal is of immense use to the Non-Resident Indians as the portal provides online registration facility besides all other services related to electoral registration, i.e. correcting entries or change in address, searching name on electoral roll. The NVSP portal can be found at the following link: www.nvsp.in

The High Commission of India is encouraging all NRIs to utilize the opportunity to register online on the electoral roll or update their details on the NVSP website. A link for the portal has also been placed on the website of the High Commission at www.hicomind.org.nz.


Red Black Orange

14 FIJI

News source: Fiji Sun

UN envoy lauds FijiThe UN Special Envoy for Climate Change, Mary Robinson, was pleased with the way people were acting against climate change.

With Nadi having a special flood reading meter situated at the Nadi Bridge Mrs Robinson said such technologies were vital tools.

While visiting some areas in Nadi which are prone to flooding she was surprised on how flooding is being monitored in the country.

I am pleased with the way the programme is working because it uses local people and local men here and also it is part of the system and in particularly has

helped women to become part of the programme and become part of the decision making and Im very supportive of that.

I enjoyed visiting Fiji very much and I was glad to be able to participate in the forum which went very well.

Mary Robinson (centre) in Nadi

New heights for mother of twoI t was a step up in her career after Ashish Lata gained a Masters of Commerce in Professional Accounting.

The mother of two graduated recently during the University of the South Pacific graduation ceremony at the Vodafone Arena.

She dedicated her achievement to her family, especially her mother.

This was important for me because I wanted to make a success out of my career and further my studies, she said.

Ms Lata hopes to inspire her children to persevere and achieve their goals. Also, there to support and encourage her was her husband and two children. Theyve been there for me as I

continued to reach new heights. I first attained my Bachelors degree at USP and then followed-up with the post graduate degree, she said. Now I have my Masters degree and were very proud of this achievement. Ms Lata is a

senior payroll officer at the Fiji National University (FNU).

She hopes to inspire other women and mothers.

My message to other students is to be determined and have the courage to study, she said.

Ashish Lata (middle), with her family (from left) son Shivneet Kumar, daughter Shreya Lata and husband Narendra Kumar.

Fijian Indian community celebrates Diwali in USThe Fijian Indian community in California organised a multi-cultural Diwali Festival attended by more than 500 people from various communities.

The festival, held by the Norfolk Sports Cultural Events, was organised at the Hayward High School, Hayward, California recently, India West

reported last week. It featured an array of food stalls, clothing boutiques and a heena artist.

A local band enthralled the audience with Bollywood hit numbers. Indian-origin dancer Radhika Tilak and local comedian and singer Hemkumar Joshi entertained the audience. Pamela Singh, one of the

organisers of the festival, said this was the third year Norfolk Sports Cultural Events held the festival. It is a kick-off to Diwali, she said.

The Fiji and Indian communities should support each other. This is a cross-community event. Master Salesh, vice president of Norfolk Sports Cultural Events, said the organisation is involved in promoting community spirit

and help the new generation connect to their culture. Hayward councilman Francesco Zermeno talked about the importance of diversity, the commonality of the immigrant experience and of being proud of ones culture. Hayward is the third most diverse city in the US and you are a part of that richness, he said.

Major recognition for contribution to HindiE ighty years on, the Shanti DutFijis only surviving Hindi newspaperwill be recognised at the World Hindi Conference to be held in Bhopal, India, next week.

Editor Nilam Kumar said that Shanti Dut had come a long way and through thick and thin, it had managed to overcome obstacles and struggles

through the support of its parent companyThe Fiji Times Ltdas well as all the newspapers readers and supporters.

The Vishawa Hindi Sammaan will be given to the Shanti Dut for promoting Hindi in Fiji and the Pacific.

I specially wish to thank the Indian High Commission and the Indian Government

for recognising our hard work throughout all these years, Mrs Kumar said.

This award will be dedicated to The Fiji Times Ltd for having faith in us and every individual who supported us to be where we are today.

We have come a long way and we would like to thank each and every individual in Fiji and

abroad for their endless support. Indian High Commission second secretary Anil Sharma said the Shanti Dut had contributed enormously to Indians and although published in Fiji, it had gained interest and readership from a lot of international readers.

He added the World Hindi Conference, which would be held from September 10 to 12, was a

good platform to showcase the great work being carried out by the Shanti Dut.

Mr Sharma said topics covered would include Hindi in the media, Hindi in literature, Hindi and technology and Hindi used in other countries.

A 20-member Fijian delegation leaves for the awards ceremony next week.

Indian High Commissioners wife hosts Indian cultural event

Women from all walks of life gathered at the Indian High Commissioners residence in Suva to witness traditional Indian cultural dances.

The event was organised by the Indian High Commissioners wife Ratnamala Sarma.

This meeting is for the International Womens Association hosted by the Indian High Commission with the assistance of Indian Cultural Centre for Relations, she said.

It is an event where we showcased a little of what incredible India has to offer to women from all walks of life who are members of the International Womens Association, she said.

Mrs Sarma said they were women who represented their

own countries and some of them were from various organisations around Fiji.

They are different people from all walks of life, from the diplomatic circle, business communities, banks, NGOs, etc.

One member volunteers every month to host the occasion

at their residence to showcase their culture to the international community, she said.

So this time I hosted it and wanted to show a little slice of India like traditional dances, yoga, since International Yoga Day is celebrated on the 21st of June and this is how we wanted to show a little of yoga and part of this was presented at the Indian Cultural Centre, she said.

The Indian High Commissioners wife Ratnamala Sarma (left) with Bernadette Rounds Ganilau


Red Black Orange

15

NEWS in BRIEF

FIJI

Accredited Agent

Mt Albert: 0508 15 16 17 Avondale: 0800 024419 Three Kings: 0800 024410 K-Road: 0800 024409 Henderson: 0800 024415 Christchurch: 0800 024418 Papatoetoe: 0800 024411 Manurewa: 0800 024413 Hamilton: 0800 024408 Old Papatoetoe: 0800 024412 Mt. Roskill: 0800 024414 Pukekohe 0800 024246 Airedale St: 09 5506236 Pakuranga 0800 024423 Tauranga: 0800 024417

www.ecotravels.co.nz

*Conditions apply

Get registeredwith Eco

Loyalty program and win an iPad

in lucky draw on 1st October 2015

Lucky winner of Eco Loyalty Programe

August 2015

Karan Deep Singh

AFTER HOURS0800 00 29 84

we will beat any valid

written fare

FREE MONEY TRANSFER*

Starting from $1255* (Incl. Taxes)



ECO TRAVELS HOLIDAY PACKAGE DEALS

SPECIAL FARES TO INDIAN SUBCONTINENT


ECO CARDwww.ecotravels.co.nzLoyalty Card No.100001

News source: Fiji Sun

NZs House of Travel owners hold conference in Fiji

More than 60 House of Travel owners, New Zealands largest travel wholesaler, held a three-day retail and frontliner conference in the country.

During a visit to Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, House of Travel CEO Mark ODonnell said Fiji, and especially the Coral Coast, had a lot to offer the New Zealand market.

I am glad my team has been able to experience a unique part of Fiji, he said.

House of Travel is excited about the growth prospect of the Fiji market and believes that this Fiji conference will allow participants the opportunity to aggressively sell Fiji in future.

Fiji to host Commonwealth youth summit

F iji will host the Commonwealth Youth Summit in January next year.The Minister

for Youth and Sports, Laisenia Tuitubou said this would solidify Fiji as a hub for regional c o o r d i n a t i o n to agendas regarding youth s u s t a i n a b l e development goals.

Among the positive outcomes from our meeting in Samoa, Fiji will now accommodate a Commonwealth Regional Youth Representative and create an office in Fiji, as this will help foster healthier collaboration between the Secretariat and the Oceania region and host the summit next year, he said.

Mr Tuitubou said the summit would be an opportunity to further strength discussions in achieving the United Nations mandated Sustainable Development Goals.

He said the National Youth and Sports Conference, which starts next week would be the platform to address youth and sports development in Fiji.

Women crew a first for FijiF IJI Link created aviation history when an all-female crew, piloted and served passengers on an to Apia, Western Samoa.

Fiji Airways and Fiji Link media relations and communications manager Shane Hussein said it was the first time ever that an all-female crew operated flights for the airline.

The flight, with Captain Hartlene Yuen and First Officer Sonam Pratap at the flight deck and two female flight attendants, was a milestone for the national carrier, its domestic and subregional subsidiary and the country.

When I got to the tarmac and saw Varea and Mere (flight attendants) I got pretty excited, shared Ms Pratap.

We took a lot of selfies and got the flight into Apia and departed out of there Wquite early.

It was a nice experience because it was just us girls and this is something you dont get to do every day.

I was really fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Hartlene because she is a good role model.

She knows quite a lot about the ATR and I look forward to having more flights with her and learning from her. Fiji Link all female crew Captain Hartlene Yeun with First Officer Sonam Pratap and their two flight attendants

Editorial Brian G. Jett-Kentucky

Thought of the weekBeing the richest man in the cemetery doesnt

matter to me. Going to bed at night saying weve done something wonderful, thats what matters to me.

From the desk of the Managing Editor

Know that wherever you are in your life right now is both temporary, and exactly where you are supposed to be. You have arrived at this moment to learn what you must learn, so you can become the person you need to be to create the life you truly want. Even when life is difficult or challengingespecially when life is difficult and challengingthe present is always an opportunity for us to learn, grow, and become better than weve ever been before.

You are in the process of writing your life story, and no good story is without a hero or heroine overcoming their fair share of challenges. In fact, the bigger the challenges, the better the story. Since there are no restrictions and no limits to where your story goes from here, what do you want the next page to say? ~ Hal Elrod from The Miracle Morning

When we are in the middle of trying times, it seems like that the difficult phase will never pass and the fear that the rest of our lives will be the same, freezes us. It is, therefore, important to realise that if good times dont last, the bad ones wont either. Before we know it, we would have moved on from the situation. It is important to remember that change is the only permanent thing in life, and the set of challenges that life presents you with at any time are exactly what you need to move in the direction of your dreams.

In this issue, we conclude our two-part series on the Auckland housing bubble. The Official Cash Rate was dropped again to try and create some stability. Our lead story carries the important parts of the Reserve Banks Governor, Mr Graham Wheelers statement.

As Auckland prepares itself for the festive season, the team at Indian Weekender is excited to partner once again with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development in bringing the Auckland Diwali Festival to the community. Even though there seemed to be some issues surrounding this years festival, I am sure that the festival will turn out to be bigger and better this year. We will no doubt keep the community updated with all the news from the festival.

While Britain celebrates the reign of Queen Elizabeth II as she reaches this great milestone, it is interesting to note that she became New Zealands longest reigning monarch in January 2013. This is because Britains sovereignty over New Zealand became effective a few years into Queen Victorias reign. Queen Elizabeth II has been our sovereign for more than 63 years while Queen Victorias reign over New Zealand was just more than 60 years long.

We are introducing a new column on technology, and in this issue, we talk about Apples newest launch.

This weekend, Indian Weekender, along with Aarohi Academy of Music, proudly presents Khamoshiyaan Gun Gunane Lagi, a tribute to the legend Lata Mangeshkar. We hope our readers attend the event to show their support.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we did putting it together. Until next time.

Giri Gupta

Anything but funny

Tip from the trenches

Pick of the week

Buying a used car? Do the test drive with defrost on high and hot. Youll instantly be able to tell if something is leaking

Need a quick repair manual? On iFixIt.com you can download the repair manual for almost anything

New Zealand Post has created a seven-stamp issue and a new collectors coin to mark Queen Elizabeth II becoming the longest reigning British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II surpasses the length of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victorias reign on Wednesday, September 9.

Indian Weekender : Volume 7 Issue 25Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited Managing Editor: Giri Gupta | [email protected] Editor: Annu Sharma | [email protected] Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | [email protected] Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | [email protected]: Esha Chanda | [email protected]: Kumar Suresh | [email protected] Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | [email protected] Graphic & Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | [email protected] Designer: Yashmin Chand | [email protected] Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan | [email protected] Sales & Marketing: 022 3251630 / 021 1507950 / 09-2137335 | [email protected]

Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher is not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication

Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent the views of the team at the Indian Weekender

Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, AucklandPrinted at Horton Media, Auckland

Copyright 2015. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

KnackeredPronounced: nackerd | Meaning: Tired or exhausted

Usage: I am knackered after a hard day at work


Red Black Orange

17OPINION / EDITORIAL

Ignore the bears: Its a great time to Buy in IndiavatSal SrivaStava

A t 9,120, nobody could have called the top on the Nifty after a surprise rate cut by the RBI. Upside momentum was too strong and global equities were also trading near or at record highs.

Similarly, after breaching and trading well below the crucial psychological and technical level of 7,800, it is difficult to ignore further downside and call a bottom, especially taking into account the global volatility in the financial markets arising out of China and the potential US Fed rate hike.

We may test 7,500 or even worse, this selling climax may drag the Nifty to 7,200. The Indian retail investor has largely been on the side-lines after the nightmare of the 2008-09 crash. At each new high the market made, it was largely the institutional money enjoying the party.

The question the retail investor should ask is: Is this a good time to accumulate stocks? Further, should he or she be buying on every major price decline from now as valuations become more reasonable and tend towards the cheaper side? The answer is a compelling and a screaming yes!

It is in these times of panic that retail investors should be looking to build a long-term portfolio. With a longer term time

frame it is a prudent strategy to start and keep accumulating quality stocks given the current downtrend. Many blue-chips are now trading at attractive long term valuations.

This column has long called for further reduction in policy rates. Indian earnings have remained stuck in single digit growth territory for the past three years. Weak revenues are ostensibly to blame, though a closer look indicates top-down issues led by high real interest rates and a negative WPI culminating in lacklustre IIP growth are the real culprits according to Barclays.

RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has been singing his own lonely hawkish song for many months now but surely rate cuts are coming very soon. Real rates are at a two decade high. India is under a serious threat from disinflation as Arvind Subramanian pointed out recently and the investment cycle will only turn with a substantial fall in the cost of capital.

Time is running out. Expect 75-100 basis points of easing in the next twelve months. Stalled projects were at Rs 2,586 billion at the end of the December 2013 quarter.

By June 2015, the value of stalled projects was down 70 percent to Rs 793 billion. Government capex has taken off.

The new investment projects for the past four quarters have totalled Rs 10,566 billion, almost double the number at the end

of March 2014 (Rs 5,807 billion). Listening beyond the perma bears and Modi bashers, optimism is still sky high.

Sentiment is crucial to investment decisions and the current leadership has been quite successful in boosting the outlook for the future which is also a critical ingredient to growth. It is visible in FDI flows as well as in stock market multiples which even after this steep fall are right in the middle of historical ranges. Gross FDI inflows rose to $46.6 billion (at all-time highs) in the 12 months ended May 2015 (up 24 percent year on year), according to Morgan Stanley.

Regarding government spending, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) road awards for the first three months of FY16 are exhibiting strong momentum and overall government capex for the fiscal year to date is the highest in the past five years according to Barclays.

Barclays estimates suggest the cumulative consumer spend (both retail and corporate) will decline by Rs 666 bn (0.5 percent of GDP) in FY16 (assuming petrol and diesel demand growth at nine percent and six percent respectively), if crude averages $60/bbl this fiscal year. These drivers are likely to spur consumption demand growth.

On the global front, the European Central Bank revised its inflation forecasts

downwards last week and many are expecting another round of quantitative easing in Europe. This will surely support equities in Europe. A US Fed hike certainly seems unlikely this month even after a solid jobs data release recently.

But even if US Federal Reserve head Janet Yellen hikes rates, it is very unlikely the US markets will witness the kind of capitulation they did a couple of weeks ago. Yellen will be undertaking the loosest monetary tightening in the history of monetary policy and there is absolutely no reason or evidence that a September hike will be followed by another in December.

China is still a big risk but the past few weeks have given markets enough time to factor in the implications of the Yuan devaluation. Further volatility in China may not be as painful going ahead. It is true that Indias macro fundamentals are relatively solid as compared to much of the developed and emerging markets.

However, the key point to remember is that while economies like India can decouple and sail through troubled waters as the global economy faces headwinds, global markets cannot do so easily.

Serious money has always been made being long. Stay optimistic and believe in the India story. Keep faith and patience in the 15 month old NDA government. Its time to Buy in India.

The Story of Rama beckonsKumar SureSh

Even as the sage Valmiki wrote the one of the oldest known scriptures Ramayana, little could he have imagined the impact his words would have on mankind. Millenniums later, Ramayana has been rewritten, translated, painted, re-depicted and the essence of the story has travelled the length and the breadth of the world forming a setu (bridge) longer than the one created under the command of Rama (between India and Sri Lanka).

Even as the human race continued to evolve, each generation adopted the story into its culture and gave back a new face and texture to the holy script. In the process, new portrayal emerged, poetic and artistic liberties were taken and the result is something that one gets to see in the works of these majestic worshippers of art, even today.

The intricate and vibrant works depict the Ramayana, or journey of Rama, one of the most important stories in Indian culture, which also marks the origin of Diwali.

The Story of Rama opened on September 5 at the Auckland Art Gallery. The Director General of the National Museum, New Delhi, Sanjiv Mittal, says this exhibition will introduce Indian art and culture to citizens of New Zealand.

It also spreads the story of Rama, who ruled for justice, truthfulness, human values and righteousness, and is at the core of all values in the heart of Indians, he says.

These works in the form of 101 paintings, have crossed the seas and oceans, as if shipped in a pushpak viman, and has landed on the shores of this country for the first time. The timeless beauties are now being showcased in Aucklands art gallery. Paintings ranging from the middle of the

16th century to the 19th century are here to stay till January 17, 2016.

P a i n t i n g s of Pahari style (mountain side), Central Indian style, Rajasthani style, Rajputh style, Bikaner-Deccan style, etc are the poetic strokes of color on the paper immortalizing the story of Rama.

M a j e s t i c and purposeful strokes on these paintings are m e s m e r i z i n g . One cant help but wonder how these colors have stood the test of time. VK Mathur, the curator of National Museum, Delhi who is one of the main reasons for the exhibition to be in the city says, None of the paintings are oil painted. The colors you see are extracted from insects, stones, fruits, vegetables and the yellows you see are extracted from droppings of buffalos, suffering from Jaundice. Apart from art, these paintings are also testament to the evolved and sophisticated science behind these colors.

Each painting has its own distinctive flavor. One can see the landscapes of flat deccan plateau, mountains in the pahari style paintings and jungles of central India in the background. The painters dont shy away from incorporating the styles like

architectural designs of the buildings, dressing and the head gears of their times into the story they have painted. The arches of the Moghul era, the headgears belonging to Rajputs, Forts of Rajastan are all for one to see in these paintings.

Pahari style paintings, beautify the characters by making the faces of the character elongated. The weapons of different era such as Rajput style swords, Central Indian bows and arrows, and knives of different kinds, give a distinct touch to each painting. Although the painters in those days refused to stamp their names on their works, it is not hard to see their persona and charisma reflected in each

of their works. The exhibition also shows how much Ramayana has stood the times of change in India and also is a proof of the impact it has made to the life of every civilization it has come across.

The exhibition is a collection of 101 paintings handpicked among 18,000 minature paintings of the national museum, Delhi. These paintings have been exhibited in USA and Australia earlier and have come to Auckland Art Gallery. It is an honor and a privilege to have such an exhibition in our city. It is a must watch for every person who loves art and wants to see the story of Rama through the eyes of these painters.

Clockwise from above: Poster of the exhibition, one of the works from The Story of Rama exhibited at the Auckland Art Gallery, and performance on the opening day.


Red Black Orange

18

OROP: Demand or redress of injustice?C uday BhaSKar

The long festering OROP (one rank-one pension) issue that goes back to 1973 has acquired disturbing visibility in recent months due to the protest mounted by retired veterans at Jantar Mantar and the ignominy of the Delhi Police manhandling the countrys retired soldiers a day before Independence Day.

The matter found mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modis address at the Red Fort on August 15 and to his credit he made a solemn commitment to resolve the matter at the earliest.

This decision has now been taken and after some ambivalence. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar confirmed that the budgetary support to the OROP is now in place and the uncertainty about whether those veterans who had opted for premature retirement would qualify for OROP has been clarified by Modi at a public rally.

The OROP provision will be available to all military veterans - whether they retire after superannuation or have opted for the premature route. Some other aspects including the annual review are awaiting clarification and it is expected that by the time the government issues the notification, these points of dissonance with the expectations of the veterans will be accommodated in a consensual manner.

However, since the assurance by Modi at his rally in Faridabad - which has gone a long way in assuaging the bruised sensitivities of the military - there is a growing perception

that the Modi governments OROP decision is fiscally imprudent. Selective leaks to the media by one part of the government cannot be ruled out.

A major business daily opined editorially under the title: Fiscal time bomb that In effect the governments hand has been forced and furthermore that the government must limit the spread of this demand.... The choice of word and phrase, the embedded interpretation and the perception it engenders in the national collective merits a factual review.

The military veterans are not making a demand - whose sub-text is that it is inherently unreasonable - and the charge that the hand of a civilian government has been forced by an obdurate military goes against the facts of the OROP narrative.

The reality is that in 1973 a unilateral executive decision was taken by the Indira Gandhi government through the Third Pay Commission to rationalize pensions and hence the military which was pegged at 70 percent of last pay drawn was brought down to 50 percent - and the civilian pension then pegged at 35 percent was brought up to this benchmark.

Thus a practice that was in vogue for 26 years - from August 1947 to 1973 (wherein the military pension was reviewed annually so that the OROP principle was respected) which was an equitable provision for those citizens who voluntarily took up the profession of arms in the defence of country and flag was radically altered to the detriment of the soldier.

If the 1973 decision brought the military pension down in a substantive manner, subsequent Pay Commissions through bureaucratic sleight of hand increased the benefits that would accrue to the civilian employee of the government while shrinking these benefits to the fauji (soldier).

The Sixth Pay Commission under UPA II introduced yet another provision wherein the military officer was placed in a lower category than the officers in the civil services and the police. As part of this tweak, civilian officers of the government were accorded the NFU (non functional upgrade) and an assured career progression that allowed for a fiscal benefit both while in service and in the fixing of their pension.

As a consequence of all these post 1973 machinations, a trained soldier was placed below a semi-skilled worker in the fiscal ladder and as many servicemen have bemoaned even those deemed to be in the Class IV category of the government served till age 60 and then retired with a higher pensioner package than the soldier who served on Siachen!

The Government of India and successive defence ministers, including AK Antony who has the distinction of having the longest unbroken tenure as cabinet minister holding this onerous portfolio, abdicated their responsibilities and did not acknowledge or attempt to review and redress this gross injustice done to the Indian soldier.

Thus more than an unreasonable demand, the veterans have sought to have

a historically erroneous distortion corrected and justice done to them. And as regards forcing the hand of the government - it may be recalled that UPA II dealt with the OROP in a cavalier manner and even the Supreme Commander feigned indifference.

Hence the final recourse to a fast at Jantar Mantar. Modi is to be commended for picking up the gauntlet and resolving an issue that has festered for 42 years and it would be most appropriate if the war widows of 1962, 1965, 1971 and Kargil are prioritized for the OROP package that is their lo

indian weekender 11 september 2015

Documents