David Pomeroy, Kay-Lee Jones, Mahdis Azarmandi and Sara Tolbert Christchurch, September 13, 2020 Academic streaming in New Zealand schools is still common, but according to recent reports, it is also discriminatory and racist. Also known as tracking, setting and ability grouping, streaming has been called a systemic barrier to Māori educational success in one major analysis released in August 2020.…
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National offers small businesses cash grant, employment law changes
Venkat Raman Auckland, August 29, 2020 Cash grants for creating jobs, repealing sections of the Employment Relations Act, capital injection for investments and reducing tax compliance costs are a part of the business package offered by the National Party for small businesses. Leader Judith Collins said that New Zealanders need a government with the experience, the competence and the vision…
Read MoreNegative politics and media do no good
Venkat Raman Auckland, July 3, 2020 While the rest of the world looks at New Zealand and New Zealanders with admiration and respect, our politicians and media seem to have gone berserk over the past few weeks, ‘over-reacting to the border and testing lapses.’ As Professor Jack Vowles is in the Political Science programme at Victoria University of Wellington says…
Read MoreThe Police should also be and feel safe
Venkat Raman Auckland, July 3, 2020 ‘Safer Communities together’ is the slogan that more than 14,000 officers of the New Zealand Police. Together, they form a community that is known for friendship, partnership and understanding. Be it at an office, police station or out in the streets, our brothers and sisters in the blue are the guardians of peace. A…
Read MoreFirst Air India repatriation flight lands in Auckland
Revised Schedule of five more flights to India announced Venkat Raman Auckland, June 5, 2020 It was an emotional moment for 233 people who arrived from India at the Auckland International Airport this morning, thanks to the efforts of the Indian and New Zealand governments and their respective diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Wellington. The special flight, operated by…
Read MoreAirfares on special flights to India announced
Limited seats-Economy $2478; Business $5416; First: $7700 Venkat Raman Auckland, June 2, 2020 An economy class ticket (one-way) on the special flights to India from Auckland will cost $2478, the Wellington-based Indian High Commission has announced. Business Class seats are also available at $5416 per person. First Class tickets will cost $7700. Tickets must be purchased within the timeframe specified,…
Read MoreTough travel conditions as risk of COVID-19 escalates
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,…
Read MoreAndrew Coster is the new Police Commissioner
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…
Read MoreShane Jones backs down a bit but advocates Population Policy
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,’…
Read MoreIndia suspends tourist and OCI visas for a month
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,…
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