Venkat Raman in Suva February 26, 2020 From all accounts, the visit of Prime Minister Jacinda Arden to Fiji has set the stage for higher levels of bilateral engagement with improving prospects for trade, tourism and investment on the one hand and greater participation in Fiji’s community and social welfare sectors on the other. The four-day visit (from February 24…
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Auckland, March 1, 2020 Since my last update, Auckland has continued to experience hot and dry weather conditions, and while there have been some isolated bursts of rain, Watercare’s storage levels remain at 66 %, significantly lower than the 80% level that is normal for this time of year. Careful management by Watercare has meant that we have still not…
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Venkat Raman Auckland, March 1, 2020 When Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announced to us- journalists travelling with her to Fiji and Australia last week that the first case of the deadly Coronavirus has been found in New Zealand, the mood immediately turned sombre. This was, on the back of a heated exchange of views on the deportation issue between Ms…
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Venkat Raman in Suva February 27, 2020 New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden scored her high both with Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and his cabinet colleagues and officials and the people of Fiji this week. Her four-day first State visit as Prime Minister was replete with meetings, speeches and most important of all, immense opportunities to mingle with the…
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Venkat Raman in Sydney February 28, 2020 Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison refused to budge on the issue of deportation of New Zealanders convicted of offences – an issue that continues to be a thorn in the flesh between the two countries which otherwise enjoys close economic and social relationship. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is in Sydney on…
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Venkat Raman in Suva February 25, 2020 Fiji’s Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama has praised her New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern for her leadership on Climate Change, the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Christchurch on March 15, 2019 and said that he and his government looked forward a closer relationship. Ms Ardern flew into Fiji last night (February 24)…
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Supplied Content (Edited) Wellington, February 24, 2020 Six top teachers from early childhood, primary and secondary education sectors, including one of Indian origin, received the ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) for their outstanding contributions. Education Minister Chris Hipkins presented the Awards at a ceremony held in the Great Hall of Parliament in Wellington on Friday, February 21, 2020.…
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Jason Walls Auckland, February 24, 2020 Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has warned her ministers that New Zealand is at “greater risk” of another terrorist attack in the aftermath of March 15, 2020. She also told the Cabinet that in order to bolster New Zealand’s counter-terrorism efforts, more money may be needed in this year’s Budget. Combating extremism Ardern’s comments came…
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New era for vocational education says Education Minister Venkat Raman Auckland, February 23, 2020 The New Zealand Parliament passed the ‘Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, which will see a major change in the vocational education as well as industrial training sectors. Education Minister Chris Hipkins described the move as ‘a major step…
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Auckland, February 23, 2020 It is said that (Roman Emperor) Nero played on the fiddle while Rome burnt. I think that the New Zealand media is doing the same right now. Two of their own have been photographed and published on a blog to scare and unleash vitriolic online bashing; yet a majority of the media appears to have turned…
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