Ragavan Rengachariar Auckland, November 23, 2018 Diwali, as the Festival of Lights, marks an auspicious and celebrative time for Hindus. Diwali marks the triumph of good over evil and is a reminder to dispel inner darkness with the light of Almighty’s presence. It is a time in which rich cultural traditions and rituals symbolize charity, goodwill, family values, new beginnings…
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Peter Wilson RNZ Wellington, November 23, 2018 Jacinda Ardern (RNZ Picture by Richard Tindiller) Trade Minister David Parker’s comment that New Zealand could be a bridge between the United States and China raised some eyebrows. Really? What might that involve? Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, just back from the troubled APEC summit, had to explain what he meant. For the first…
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RNZ, Wellington, November 23, 2018 PPTA Vice-President Melanie Webber and President Jack Boyle at the steps of Parliament in Wellington (Photo for RNZ by Rebekah Parsons-King) Secondary teachers have rejected a pay offer from the government and authorised strike action in the first term of next year. The Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) had asked for a single increase of…
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Supplied Content Wellington, November 20, 2018 The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has advised students who are unable to appear for their examinations due to weather conditions, will be decided on the ‘Derived Grade Process. NZQA Deputy Chief Executive Kristine Kilkelly said that the Process ensures that NCEA students can achieve an authentic grade for their work. She issued the…
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Thomas Coughlan Wellington, November 20, 2018 (Photo for Newsroom by Lynn Grieveson) The New Zealand Transport Agency NZTA could be about to shake up its rules to stop car importers from testing their own vehicles, saying the current processes are a “potential risk to safety”. The proposed changes come on the back of a Newsroom investigation which found two of…
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Daniela Maoate-Cox and Phil Smith Wellington, November 19, 2018 It’s 25 years this month since New Zealand chose to switch from First Past the Post (FPP) to Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) to elect its House of Representatives. Victoria University senior lecturer in comparative politics, Fiona Barker and Professor of Comparative Politics Jack Vowles say that MMP has changed both what…
Read MoreCheckpoint, RNZ, Auckland, November 19, 2018 Fiji’s re-elected Prime Minister has blamed the torrential rain on election day for his significant drop in support. Frank Bainimarama received around 130,000 individual votes, compared to over 200,000 at the last election in 2014. The leader of the 2006 coup was in Auckland over the weekend for his brother’s funeral, and said he…
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Laura Walters Port Moresby, November 19, 2018 The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting has ended in disarray, with leaders unable to reach consensus on the official communique. The rising conflict between the US and China, who are currently engaged in a tit-for-tat trade war, played out in the room during the APEC Leaders Meeting in Port Moresby on Sunday afternoon…
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Vanita Prasad (Newsroom) Auckland, November 17, 2018 The Auckland Children’s Christmas Parade T (Published by Newsroom) Auckland’s Santa Parade faces an uncertain future as the City’s event Agency withdraws funding past this year because of a new policy. While next week’s 85th installment of the annual parade will go ahead as planned, it is set to make a $100,000 operating loss without the help…
Read MoreIain Lees-Galloway and Karel Sroubek (Photo for RNZ by Carmen Bird Photography RNZ, Wellington, November 16, 2018 The review of Czech drug-smuggler Karel Sroubek’s residency case will be delayed further after Immigration New Zealand granted Mr Sroubek an extension. Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has been under intense political pressure over his decision not to deport Sroubek, and ordered a review after conflicting information arose. The…
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