The euphoria of a new Government in New Zealand was somewhat watered down as the global financial crisis hit the economy. The earlier feeling of being in the ‘comfort zone’ waned and inertia dominated the market. Although the country was stated to be less influenced, the collapse of several finance companies and the so-called restructuring process adopted by many companies forced thousands of people out of their jobs. The proposed merger of seven Councils in the Greater Auckland area to form a single Auckland City Council sent ripples of anxiety but the worse was to come later.
Looking back, 2009 was not a good year to many New Zealanders, although our review of 2008 placed it as the ‘Worst Year in several decades.’
Relations between New Zealand and Fiji hit a new low with Commodore Bainmarama accusing Prime Minister John Key as rude and uninformed.
New Zealand law firms, lawyers and solicitors were to be allowed to practice in India under a new set of rules.
Prime Minister John Key told a Job Summit meet on February 27 that New Zealand would weather through the economic storm and emerge out of the recession earlier than other countries if employers worked in tandem with the government on preventive and proactive measures.
The new Immigration Advisors Act come into effect on May 4.
Clark goes to New York
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark resigned from Parliament following her appointment as the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme based in New York.
By-Election in the Mt Albert Constituency brought former civil servant David Shearer to Parliament, defeating Melissa Lee of National with a convincing majority.
Jasmatbhai Pancha Patel (78) was killed in a road rage incident by Unitec student Bio O’Brien in Mt Albert, Auckland, causing another public protest.
Queen Elizabeth II formally honoured Governor General Anand Satyanand with the ‘Accolade of Knighthood’ in London on April 29. She also approved the appointment of of Governor General as the ‘Knight Grand Companion of the Order.’
Indian Newslink won a Gold Medal and Gold Certificate for printing excellence.
An unfortunate saga
An embattled Dr Richard Worth put an end to an unfortunate saga of impropriety and allegations when he resigned as Member of Parliament on June 12. He had resigned from his Ministerial posts earlier.
Indian government announced the appointment of Deepak Vera as its next High Commissioner to New Zealand but later named Retired Admiral Suresh Mehta as the successor to Kadakath Pathrose Ernest who returned to India on retirement on May 1.
The Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards launched its own website (www.inliba.co.nz) to remain exclusive to its publication and cater to the growing interests of the business communities in New Zealand and overseas.
Following the Editor’s first visit to Fiji and interviews with Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, several ministers, businesspersons and the public, we published a 24-Page, ‘State-of-Fiji’ Special Report on September 1.
Prime Minister John Key assured all support and assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Indian student Srikanth Rayadurgam who went missing on October 1.
