Venkat Raman – The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) is to build an Islamic Centre in Auckland at an estimated cost of $12 million, it has been revealed. The Federation has obtained Resource Consent from Auckland Council to create a complex with multiple facilities at a ten-acre plot it purchased on Porchester Road in Ardmore of Franklin…
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Venkat Raman The fate of an Auckland pair found guilty of murdering a young man two years ago will be known on May 7. A jury delivered its guilty verdict on March 27, 2015. The High Court in Auckland will deliver its sentence on Shivneel Shahil Kumar (21) and Bryne Permal (22) on proven charges of murdering their friend Shalvin…
Read MoreThe New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered that Rohineet Sharma be struck from the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors. The Auckland solicitor admitted a charge of misconduct brought by the New Zealand Law Society. To finance Mr Sharma’s purchase of a commercial property, a lending institution required a first mortgage to be registered against another property owned…
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Venkat Raman – The importance of rising above petty politics and focusing on placing issues of community concern above personal interests, creating an environment for Members of Parliament of Indian origin to function better, and promoting meaningful relationship with the Indian High Commission in Wellington were among the issues that were discussed at the ‘Kiwi Indian Policy Forum.’ Inspiring Initiative…
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Venkat Raman – New Zealand companies know that India represents an enormous long-term opportunity and increasing numbers of them are dedicating the resources to begin the task of successful market entry, a Minister of the Crown has said. According to Associate Trade Minister Todd McClay, while India offers tremendous opportunities, New Zealand businesses must understand how they can fit in…
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Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi & Dr Parmjeet Parmar – There has been much talk in the media lately about the issue of the kirpan at the ICC Cricket World Cup. Although the community may be disappointed, it is important to recognise that the ICC is responsible for setting the rules around entry to the grounds and we have to respect that.…
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Phil Goff – The Sikh religious tradition of wearing a short ceremonial dagger, the kirpan, has recently come under the spotlight of public debate. The kirpan is one of the five articles of faith that baptised Sikhs must carry at all times. This comes into conflict with civil society rules such as not allowing the carrying of anything that may…
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Priyanca Radhakrishnan – The five ‘Ks,’ of which the Kirpan is one, are items that baptised Sikhs are required to carry with them all the time. I remember my grandmother telling me, as a child, that Sikhs were known as the protectors of the vulnerable and that the five ‘Ks’ meant that in wartime, Sikhs were easily distinguishable and people…
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Venkat Raman – It is easy to get excited over business prospects in India but the country is not a ‘one-hit-wonder,” the leader of a top professional body has warned. Indian New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) Chairman Sunil Kaushal said that continuous and coordinated efforts were required to succeed in the world’s fastest growing economy. ‘People-to-People and business-to-business interaction needs…
Read MoreSandra Manderson – Universities play a significant role in their communities. The University of Canterbury has been a major contributor in this area. At no time was this more evident than following the post-earthquake periods in 2010 and 2011 in Christchurch. The student army that emerged from Canterbury University played a vital role in rebuilding the community both physically and…
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