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RNZ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Masterchef contest headlines 2025 Indian Independence Day plans
Indian Independence Day celebrations in 2024. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom With the opening of an Indian Consulate General in Auckland in September last year , celebrations for the 79th anniversary of India's Independence Day promise to be bigger and better next month. "This year we are organising a multi-city, multi-day Indian festival titled 'The World and Us', bringing together the shared values of culture, cuisine and commerce between India and New Zealand," said Madan Mohan Sethi, consul general of India in Auckland. The celebrations will run from 15-18 August, with events held in Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton and Whangarei. While the Indian High Commission in Wellington and Consulate General of India in Auckland will lead celebrations, several community organisations, including the New Zealand Indian Central Association, Waikato Indian Association and the Northland Indian Association are aiding efforts. In Wellington, the Indian High Commission will hold its annual flag hoisting ceremony, followed by a few cultural performances, at its premises in the capital on the morning of 15 August. A similar function will be held in Auckland at Mount Eden's Mahatma Gandhi Centre on the same day, followed by a community reception in the evening. India achieved independence after two centuries of British rule on 15 August 1947. Indians and people of Indian origin all over the world typically come together around this date to mark the independence struggle each year. "[In the afternoon of 15 August] we will have a food festival in Auckland's North Shore, which will showcase Indian culinary excellence with participation of top chefs from India," Sethi said. "Then, on 16 August, Indian and New Zealand chefs will participate in a friendly Masterchef competition featuring a mystery box challenge," he said. "A panel of judges will select the dish of the day, recognising creativity and cross-cultural flavours." The organisers have also planned a cultural evening at Auckland's Dew Drop Events Centre on 16 August and at Hamilton's Waikato Indian Association Hall on 17 August. It will be led by one of India's top singers, Shibani Kashyap, and renowned Odissi (an Indian classical dance) danseuse Kavita Dwivedi. "Other inclusions will be a haka performance by Whiria Collective - honouring Maori traditions - as well as a fashion show featuring designers from New Zealand and India, and curated by Whiria Collective and India's CD Foundation," Sethi said. Whangarei District Council has also partnered with the Indian Consulate to host a business meeting and culinary showcase on 18 August in Whangarei. "This will be the final day of celebrations where we will host a networking event involving Indian and New Zealand business stakeholders, along with a culinary presentation by Indian chefs to celebrate food diplomacy," he said.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Submissions for bill criminalising migrant exploitation set to close
Several high-profile cases of migrant exploitation have been uncovered in Auckland in recent years. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom Public submissions for a bill that seeks to criminalise migrant exploitation close on Monday. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford introduced the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill on 7 April, proposing several amendments relating to offences, penalties and proceedings, among others. The bill passed its first reading on 24 June and was referred to the Education and Workforce Select Committee. Introducing the bill in Parliament, Stanford outlined 10 amendments the bill sought to make in the Immigration Act 2009, noting its focus on tackling migrant exploitation. "The bill addresses a gap in New Zealand's migrant exploitation settings by creating a new offence, which is to knowingly seek or receive a monetary premium for an offer of employment," Stanford said. "Charging premiums for employment is an increasing form of migrant exploitation and it causes real harm. Often premiums are in the realm of tens of thousands of dollars," she said. "Currently, the legislation does not cover premiums that are paid before the employment commences, premiums that are made offshore, or situations where a premium is sought or received by someone other than the employer," she said. "This change makes it even clearer that this behaviour is not tolerated in New Zealand. It will enable us to prosecute more instances of migrant exploitation and hold exploitative behaviour to account." The bill proposes inserting a new section in the Immigration Act 2009 that creates a new offence. "It will be an offence for an employment-related person to knowingly seek or receive a premium in respect of the employment or potential employment in New Zealand of a victim," the draft bill reads. "New section 351A(1) applies before the victim starts work in New Zealand and whether or not they actually start work in New Zealand." Under the proposed section, a person is defined as a victim if they are domiciled in New Zealand or based overseas and fall within the category of an unlawful worker, a temporary entry class visa holder, a potential temporary entry class visa holder or a potential residence class visa holder. If approved, section 351A would make it an offence to charge premiums for employment, irrespective of whether a worker has started employment. At present, the offence only captures situations in which people are actively working in New Zealand and where the employer is the one charging the premium. The proposed bill widens the scope to include a potential employer, agent or any person involved in the recruitment of a victim. The penalty for the new offence will be imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, a fine not exceeding $100,000 or both. Arunjeev Singh, general secretary of the New Zealand Forum for Immigration Professionals, criticised some of the bill's content, arguing it gave "unfettered power" to immigration officers and went beyond the relationship of an employer and employee. Other immigration advisors told RNZ they questioned whether such legislation could be enforced in another jurisdiction if passed into law.
RNZ News
29-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Some undocumented children have no rights to work, study
law refugees and migrants about 1 hour ago Imagine growing up in New Zealand your whole life only to find at 18 that you have no right to work, study or even remain here. That's the reality facing a rising number of undocumented young people who were born after 2006's citizenship law change. Concerns are now mounting within ethnic communities as more children of overstayers emerge, with community leaders warning the teenagers may be the visible edge of a much deeper problem. RNZ Asia's Blessen Tom reports.
RNZ News
01-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Indian Panthers suspended from National Basketball League
Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom The Indian Panthers have been suspended by the National Basketball League after allegations of contractual breaches by the team. In a statement, the league deemed immediate suspension necessary due to the gravity of the situation and potential impact on the league and its teams. "It is very disappointing for the Commission to be facing this situation, especially given that following careful due diligence, the original concept was sustainable and so exciting for the league, the game and the fans, both here and in India," said Tracey Garland, commissioner chair of the National Basketball League. "However, we have had to face the reality that things have not panned out as any party intended." Garland said an investigation had been launched. "The Panthers are fully aware of the conditions they must meet for any consideration given as to their future participation, and these will remain confidential while both parties work through this," she said. "At the same time, the league has commenced an investigation into the alleged breaches." The suspension comes after allegations have surfaced on social media of unpaid salaries and growing dissatisfaction in the squad. The Panthers players did not take the court against Canterbury Rams on Tuesday in protest, with the match being postponed. However, Panthers CEO Parveen Batish told RNZ on Wednesday that the issues were resolved, acknowledging there had been some delays in salary payments. "We have been a bit slow in terms of payment, but that has been rectified," Batish said. "The actual amount that was owed was $3200." The situation escalated on Tuesday evening after former Panthers player Alex Robinson Jr. posted a pointed message on Instagram alleging he had not been paid. Robinson left the Panthers and joined the Nelson Giants in April. The Panthers have faced a series of setbacks in their debut season. The team played without any of the 10 Indian players originally named in the squad in their season opener against the Hawke's Bay Hawks on 12 March due to international commitments. The Panthers faced another setback in March when head coach Miles Pearce resigned just two days ahead of their first home game. The team is yet to register a win after nine matches and, since April, has shifted its base from Bruce Pulman Arena in South Auckland to Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre. "We have been advised by the Panthers today that all players have been paid, including former player Alex Robinson, and that staff and other creditors will be paid by May 15. We hope all of these payments will be made as communicated to us," Garland said. "In particular, we want the players and staff of the Panthers to know we are treating the alleged breaches seriously, and their interests and the integrity of the competition is our highest priority." she said. The Indian Panthers have been approached for a comment.
RNZ News
30-04-2025
- General
- RNZ News
New Zealand's Indian community embraces interfaith unity
The Wellington celebrations began with a khosha yatra, a traditional procession with participants wearing ethnic attire. Photo: Supplied Hundreds have gathered nationwide from Hindu, Christian and Muslim faiths in recent weeks to celebrate three festivals that reflect the community's commitment to secularism and interfaith unity. The Hindu festival of Vishu, the Christian commemoration of Easter and the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr typically fall around the same time of year in South Asia. Christians celebrate Easter to mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, while Muslims celebrate Eid to signify the end of Ramadan - a month of fasting and reflection. Vishu, meanwhile, is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala with lights, firecrackers and festivities to mark the beginning of a new year . The South Indian community marked these celebrations in New Zealand's major cities with cultural performances, food and live concerts last weekend. Robin Babu is president of Auckland Malayali Samajam. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom In the country's largest city, festivities were celebrated at Mount Albert War Memorial Hall, hosted by Auckland Malayali Samajam. "We've always tried to bring everyone together and never separate anybody based on religion, colour or anything like that," said Robin Babu, president of Auckland Malayali Samajam. "Unfortunately, the world is becoming more divided, and we don't want to be part of that. So, we are celebrating these three important festivals together as one family here." Babu said members performed various cultural and religious art forms to mark Easter, Vishu and Eid. "At the end of the day, we are all human and that's how the world should be - and, luckily, that's how New Zealand is too," he said. He said Auckland's Malayali community intended to celebrate the three festivals together in future. Festivities in Auckland were held at Mount Albert War Memorial Hall, hosted by Auckland Malayali Samajam. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom In the capital, celebrations were organised by the Wellington Malayalee Association at Lower Hutt Town Hall on Friday. Titled "Oruma 2025", meaning "oneness", the event similarly brought together people of different faiths. "We wanted to celebrate together despite religious differences to showcase the diversity of our community and the unity of the Kerala community and Indians in general," said Meera Muralidharan, secretary of the Wellington Malayalee Association. "The celebrations began with a khosha yatra - a traditional procession with members wearing ethnic attire - and performing chenda melam (a traditional percussion instrument)," Muralidharan said. "The procession was the first of its kind in Wellington and we wanted to share a message of oneness regardless of our religion and," said Anwar Vazhachalil, president of Wellington Malayalee Association. Muralidharan said showcasing unity was particularly important in today's climate. "With what has happened in Kashmir, it's very important to show the unity of Indians - something we hold very close to our hearts - despite the multitude of religions and cultures we follow," she said, referring to the recent attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left more than two dozen civilians dead. While the event was planned months before the attack, Muralidharan was pleased the celebration became a day of solidarity for the community. The Wellington Malayali Association organised a community celebration at Lower Hutt Town Hall on Friday. Photo: Supplied Vazhachalil agreed. "We're glad we were able to spread this message of unity through our joint celebration of Edi al-Fitr, Easter and Vishu in the capital," he said. Attendees in Wellington wore traditional clothing and participated in cultural performances representing each faith. In the South Island, the Christchurch Kerala Association hosted celebrations on Saturday at the Lincoln Event Centre. "It was a fantastic day with food, music and cultural performances," said Sruthi Jacob, a member of the organising committee. "We have members who follow many different faiths, and it is wonderful to bring them together," Jacob said. "Celebrating this uniqueness of diversity and unity is very special, and we're glad we could do it." Other parts of the country also celebrated in a similar spirit. The New Plymouth Malayali Association marked Vishu, Easter and Eid on Saturday at Bell Block Hall. Meanwhile, the Kerala Cultural Forum Christchurch celebrated on 20 April at Riccarton High School. The Nelson Malayalee Association will host a similar event for the community on 17 May at the Headingly Centre in Richmond. The Kerala Association hosted a live concert in Christchurch celebrating Easter, Vishu and Eid al-Fitr. Photo: Supplied New Zealand's Telugu-speaking community has also gathered recently to celebrate Ugadi - the Telugu New Year. Ugadi marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, recognising a change in the lunar orbit and signalling the advent of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. In Auckland, Ugadi celebrations were organised by the Telangana Association of New Zealand on 4 April at Mount Eden War Memorial Hall, and by the New Zealand Telugu Association on 5 April at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre. The Tauranga Telugu community gathered on 30 March at Bethlehem Hall to celebrate Ugadi, organised by the Tauranga Telugu Community. Telugu Association South Island also organised celebrations in Christchurch. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Sikh community celebrated Vaisakhi, also called Baisakhi, a festival that celebrates the founding of the Sikh community in 1699. It is a spring festival that is celebrated on the 13 or 14 April each year. The festival is typically celebrated with nagar kirtans - vibrant street processions where devotees sing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. A procession was held in the South Auckland suburb of Takanini on 15 March, organised by the Supreme Sikh Society and attended by thousands . Another procession was held in Rotorua on 5 April, organised by the Sikh Sangat NZ Trust. Similar celebrations were held nationwide, including in Hamilton, organised by the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, and in Christchurch, by the Gurdwara Singh Sabha.
