RNZ Updates, Wellington, March 16, 2020 The Reserve Bank has cut its benchmark interest rate by three quarters of a percentage point, to support the economy against the impact of the Covid-19 virus. In the wake of the outbreak, health officials have also ramped up their presence at airports as tougher travel restrictions came into force today. From 1 am today (March…
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Venkat Raman All persons arriving in New Zealand must undergo self-isolation for 14 days as the global risk of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) escalates to pandemic level. The restrictions will apply to New Zealand citizens and residents but exclude people from Pacific countries (Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea,…
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Venkat Raman Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Andrew (Andy) Coster has been appointed as the next Police Commissioner of New Zealand. He will take over the role on April 3, 2020 from Mike Bush who has successfully completed two terms in the high office. The Commissioner of Police is appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime…
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Venkat Raman New Zealand First MP Shane Jones has reduced his tone against the Indian community but has called for a serious, nationwide discussion to put in place a robust Population Policy. He is also concerned with the exploitation of migrant workers and international students, including those of Indian origin. He conceded that he was singling out ‘people from India,’…
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Efforts to stop spread of COVID-19 after one man dies Venkat Raman The Indian government has announced that all types of visas including those issued to ‘Overseas Citizens of India’ (OCI) will be suspended with effect from 1 pm New Zealand time tomorrow (Saturday, March 13, 2020), corresponding to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) 12 am. However, those holding Indian passports,…
Read MoreTVNZ, Auckland Following Shane Jones’ rant about the Indian community “ruining” the country’s academic institutions, New Zealand’s Indian community is inviting him to visit to share his reasons why. NZ First MP Mr Jones was interviewed by MediaWorks earlier this month around immigration, where he said: “We should debate it and there should be a mandate, rather than opening up…
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“However, there is no ‘deliberate attempt’ to slow down visas in India” Venkat Raman Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has allayed fears that visitor visa applications lodged in India are being ‘deliberately delayed’ because of the increase in the incidence of COVID-19 in many countries including India and New Zealand. The fears were fanned by cancellation of flights by several airlines…
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A few months ago (Indian Newslink, December 1, 2019), I wrote an article describing the Maori world view using the famous Maori proverb, “He Aha Te Mea Nui O Te Ao (What is the most important thing in the world)?” He tangata, he tangata, he tangata (It is the people, it is the people, it is the people). As New Zealanders…
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This week we mark one year since the devastating mosque attacks in Christchurch that killed 51 people and shocked communities in New Zealand and around the world. The intention of the terrorist who committed that cowardly act was to divide our communities against each other, and to promote fear and mistrust. In this, he failed utterly. Out of the tragedy…
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Tim Brown Former doctor Venod Skantha has been sentenced to at least 19 years behind bars for the murder of 16-year-old Amber-Rose Rush. The 32-year-old stabbed the teenager to death in her bed shortly before midnight on February 2, 2018. She was found by her mother the following morning. Skantha will not be eligible for parole until 2037. Justice Gerald…
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