Latest news with #ethniccommunities
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
NZSIS head reminds ethnic communities to be vigilant about foreign interference
Andrew Hampton, director-general of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen The head of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) has reminded people to stay vigilant to foreign interference and ask questions if in doubt. About 300 ethnic community leaders from across the country gathered in Auckland on Saturday for the fourth Ethnic Advantage Conference organised by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities. The discussions were centred around social cohesion with foreign interference as one of the featured topics. In a panel discussion, director-general of NZSIS, Andrew Hampton, explained what foreign interference was and reminded people to be vigilant. Ethnic community leaders at the Ethnic Advantage Conference on 28 June, 2025. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen Hampton said remembering democratic principles could be helpful, for example, people can have different views but working for a foreign state to influence New Zealand was problematic. He said community leaders had an important role to play in maintaining dialogue between each other and sharing information. His department would continue to build trust and relationships with the ethnic communities, Hampton said. "It's not a destination, it's a journey, but the consequences of us not continue this journey are dire when it comes to national security." NZSIS would continue to shed light on foreign interference, provide information to community leaders, make sure the department was accessible and approachable, and its workforce reflected the communities, Hampton said. Mark Mitchell and ethnic community leaders at the Ethnic Advantage Conference. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen Mark Mitchell, the minister for ethnic communities said New Zealand can't be naive and believe that it's invincible from foreign inteference. "We do have countries that try to interfere with their diasporas," he said. "But here in New Zealand, we have to make sure as a government we're doing everything we can do to protect them and to call out those nations when they engage in that sort of behavior." Speaking of social cohesion, the minister called for people to endorse peace and tolerance. Mitchell said with the current geopolitical tensions, New Zealand was facing serious headwinds and was in a more challenging environment compared with decades ago. Ethnic community leaders at the Ethnic Advantage Conference. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen "One of the primary messages that we have had ministry and myself, is that we're entering a phase now where our conversation should be around social cohesion and peace and tolerance," Mitchell told the audience. He alluded to the Destiny Church march in central Auckland a week ago, and said people should be united, condemn and not buy into the provocation it tried to incite. He said New Zealand should be proud of where it was but people needed to make sure they don't lose ground. "...Recognising always the ability to engage in peaceful protest and freedom of speech, but with that comes great responsibility, and with that also comes a clear message to do it whilst in a peaceful and tolerant way." Individuals should also take responsibility for the way they receive and process information, as there was a lot of disinformation and misinformation around, he said. Chief executive at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Mervin Singham Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen Chief executive at the ministry, Mervin Singham, said social cohesion and countering foreign interference are interconnected. "From my perspective, the first line of defense [against] foreign interference is community cohesion," Singham said. "So if people in New Zealand, wherever they come from in the world, if they feel they belong here, they matter, they enjoy the equitable environment that they live in..., then they will be less susceptible to being influenced to doing things that they shouldn't in this country and that's not in the interest of New Zealand." Singham said people could be a little bit nervous about this topic because their connection with a foreign country or their sense of pride in their country of origin. "What we don't want as the panel just discussed is people becoming involved in coercive activities that are not in the interest of the country," he said. "For example, stealing intellectual property, not for New Zealand's interest, for foreign state or pressuring people to doing things that they don't want to do, but they feel they're obliged because of the threat of oppression from an offshore state." There were resource tools on the ministry's website which people could use to educate themselves about the topics, for example where to go to report an interference, Singham said. Soon, the tools, launched earlier this year, would be available in 30 languages, he said. "They might be able to be more vigilant about how influence is slowly leading into interference, those sorts of things. This is where the power of the community lies." Community advocate Eva Chen. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen Community advocate Eva Chen said the discussion on foreign interference was a good reminder, but more information and clarity was needed from the government. "I always felt that the topic of foreign interference is far away from our day-to-day lives but today hearing from the panel, I got to know that it isn't that far away." However, she would appreciate more guidance from the officials about the specific activities and what kind of information they need from the community. "It's good that we're reminded to be vigilant, but for grassroots people like us, it feels far away and something that isn't likely to happen... we might not know how to be vigilant." Chen agreed social cohesion and foreign interference were interlinked. "If we're living in a loving society, being helpful to each other, then there is less likelihood of foreign interference. "However, if we have our own agendas... especially when the New Zealand government is not providing us with enough resources, and we need to seek help from the outside world, we might be susceptible to foreign interference when we're not vigilant enough." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Public safety concerns grow after Pakuranga Night Market stabbing
Visitors line up at a food stall at a night market in Auckland. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Night Markets Ethnic communities have expressed concern about safety at public gatherings in Auckland after two people were stabbed at Pakuranga Night Market last weekend. Looking ahead to the reopening of the market on Saturday, some vendors and visitors called for increased security measures to be introduced to allay concerns, something the event organiser pledged to rectify. Others, however, played down the unease, describing the assault as an "isolated incident". Police were called to Aylesbury Street in Pakuranga about 6.45pm on 21 June after reports of an assault . A 23-year-old man turned himself in at the Manukau Police Station on Sunday before appearing in Manukau District Court the next day. Granted interim name suppression, the accused was charged with injuring two victims . Kenny Goto, owner of Karaage House Suruga, said his food stall was about 20 meters from where the stabbing occurred. Goto called the incident deeply upsetting. "I'm quite new to the night market - only about a month," he said. "I've never seen anything like this." Visitors wait for food to be prepared at a night market in Auckland. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Night Markets Goto planned to continue operating his stall at four night markets in Auckland, noting that he did not own a restaurant or storefront. However, he called for stronger security measures to be introduced at night markets in Auckland. "I do have a little bit of concern," he said. "I keep trying to avoid any trouble." Goto hoped the incident would not have a negative impact on Pakuranga Night Market. "I've been in New Zealand since 2013," he said. "I feel Auckland is less safe since then. However, I still love the diversity of many immigrants here and love how the night markets allow us to experience food and culture from all over the world. "I truly hope the night markets will continue to thrive as a vibrant and inclusive space." Frank Yang, a Pakuranga Heights resident and regular visitor to night markets in Pakuranga and Papatoetoe, said he felt unsettled when he learned of the assault last weekend. "It shocked me," he said. "It's the first time I've heard of an incident like this happening at a night market. I'm a little worried and uneasy." Yang said the incident reflected broader safety concerns shared by many Aucklanders. "Rather than just worrying about security at the night market, I'm more concerned about the safety of the whole society and community in Auckland," he said. A woman waits for food to be prepared at a night market in Auckland. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Night Markets Mia Jiang, an East Auckland resident, was shopping at Pakuranga Night Market when the assault occurred. She was not overly concerned by the incident, noting that the scene was less dramatic than it appeared to be in a video that had been circulating on social media. "It wasn't as scary as people made it seem online," she said. "I personally think it was just an isolated incident." Jiang said the incident hadn't deterred her from visiting night markets in future. Several other vendors did not expect to see similar incidents occur at night markets in future. Barney Wikitera-Kuri, a community youth worker and regular visitor to the city's night markets, said incidents such as this could happen at any market, event or public gathering. While Wikitera-Kuri supported increased security measures, he highlighted a need for deeper community education - particularly among young people - on the consequences of carrying weapons. The West Auckland resident believed more people needed to understand how to de-escalate tension when tempers flared. "I don't think it's necessarily the night markets," he said. "I think people need to be taught how to manage anger, how to handle altercations and how to treat each other with respect. "You can have more security as a ... deterrent," he said. "I agree it can help, but it's obviously a temporary measure. "My long-term solution would be [to address] how we can address this within our own communities so that hate, violence and escalation doesn't happen - at night markets or anywhere else." Visitors wait for food to be prepared at a night market in Auckland. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Night Markets Victoria Yao, founder of the night markets in Auckland, said the markets had been operating for around 15 years. The markets currently run daily at different locations across the city, offering a diverse mix of food, goods and live entertainment. She said the assault in Pakuranga was deeply regrettable. "That was truly something that could have been avoided," Yao said. "We want to just let everybody know, no matter the situation, avoiding conflict ... is always the wisest choice. "Looking back, it's really heartbreaking," she said. "This kind of incident should never have happened." Yao said additional security measures would be introduced to ensure the safety of vendors and visitors. "We already have three security [guards] on site," she said. "We'll add two more." She said Pakuranga Night Market would reopen as usual this Saturday, expressing confidence the incident would not have an ongoing impact on business. "The night market remains a safe vibrant space" she said. "Everyone still can come, enjoy your food, have fun and make the most of the evening." RNZ has asked police whether any additional patrols were being considered to ensure public safety at Pakuranga Night Market. Police said they were seeking additional footage as part of the investigation into the incident. "We are aware a number of people filmed the violent assault taking place on Saturday evening," said Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey, investigations manager of Counties Manukau East Area. "While we are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident, this footage will be beneficial as part of the prosecution phase." Victims of the assault underwent surgery on Monday, with both remaining in a stable condition in Middlemore Hospital. The 23-year-old man charged in connection with the incident has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear in court next month.
RNZ News
12-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
What you need to know about the Parent Boost Visa
Ethnic communities were excited to see the unveiling of the long-awaited Parent Boost Visa on Sunday, which aims to support parents visiting their families in New Zealand for longer durations. However, the excitement was followed by mixed emotions as they worked hard to figure out the conditions they would need to satisfy for their parents to be eligible for the visa. Questions emerged about the visa's health insurance and income requirements, among other things. Immigration New Zealand said it would release more information on its website prior to applications opening on 29 September. Until then, here's what we know about the Parent Boost Visa so far. It is a multiple-entry visitor visa that allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit for up to five years, with the possibility of extending it for another five years, enabling a total stay of up to 10 years. Applicants must have a sponsor who is their biological or adopted child and is a New Zealand citizen or resident. The sponsor must also agree to cover the applicants' essential costs, including accommodation and other daily expenses. There are three ways to meet the financial requirements. The sponsor must earn at least the New Zealand median wage, which is $69,804.80 a year to sponsor one parent, or 1½ times the median wage for joint sponsors, equivalent to $104,707.30. The amount increases by 0.5 times the median wage ($34,902.40) for additional parents being sponsored. Immigration New Zealand updates the median wage it applies to visa applications in February each year. Alternatively, parents can have a personal income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation, which is $32,611.28 per year for a single parent and $49,552.88 for a couple. Otherwise, parents must have personal funds worth $160,000 for a single applicant or $250,000 for a couple. Photo: RNZ Applicants must hold at least one year of health insurance that covers emergency medical care (minimum $250,000 a year), repatriation, return of remains and cancer treatment (minimum $100,000). They must hold valid health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in New Zealand. No. Applicants must apply for a Parent Boost Visa when outside New Zealand. "This offshore application requirement reinforces the visa's temporary status and the expectation that parents maintain a connection to their home country," Jock Gilray, director of visas at Immigration New Zealand, told RNZ. Parent Boost Visa holders can study for up to three months each year or undertake remote work for an offshore employer. They do not have the right to work for a New Zealand employer. Visa holders are required to leave New Zealand any time between three and four years of the visa to complete a health check to confirm they can continue to meet the health standards, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said. Gilray said the visa is a temporary one and it's essential that holders maintain strong connections to their home country, and the requirement to leave New Zealand supported that approach. The visa cost most people $3000 to apply and $2450 for people eligible for the Pacific fee band. Applicants also needed to pay the $100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. After three years, an additional processing fee was charged for the third-year health check of $325 for most people, or $240 if eligible for the Pacific fee band. At the media standup on Sunday, Stanford said the visa was "not a regular visitor visa" when explaining the hefty application fee. "There's quite a lot more to it that we're going to have to check in terms of health and insurance, a character and many other things," she said. "It is more akin almost to a residence application, so it will take longer and will cost us more to process." An elderly couple walks down Auckland's Queen Street. Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin Immigration New Zealand estimated most applications would be processed within four months. Timeframes would depend on the information and evidence provided, whether further assessment was required (for example where there are potential health issues) and demand for the visa. Immigration New Zealand said no English-language requirement was needed. Applicant must remain out of New Zealand for three months after the first visa expired before applying for a second five-year-visa, Gilray said. This was also to reinforce the visa's temporary status and the expectation that parents maintained a connection to their home country, Gilray said. Sponsors must continue to live in New Zealand while their parents visit to ensure they could provide the support required, Gilray said. "This won't prevent the sponsor from going on holidays, but they should primarily reside in New Zealand," Gilray said, adding that further information about this requirement will be made available before the application opens. This visa is only available for parents of New Zealand citizens and residents except in some cases where the sponsor's parents are deceased and grandparents who fill this role could be included. Instead, grandparents can use the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa to enter New Zealand. There is no cap. Luxon said the government was expecting 2000 to 10,000 takers a year, averaging 6000 annually. Although parents on the visa must hold private health insurance to visit, some worry that having them in New Zealand for prolonged periods risks putting pressure on the country's health system due to limited resources and staffing shortages. A spokesperson from Stanford's office told RNZ the two health examinations at application and three years would ensure that parents were healthy enough to stay in New Zealand. "The requirement for ongoing health insurance will support the visa holder to meet their health costs as they will not be eligible for publicly funded healthcare," the spokesperson said. Aside from the standard visitor visa, people can also apply for a Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, which allows visa holders to visit New Zealand for up to six months at a time, and 18 months in three years, with an application fee of $441. A Parent Resident Visa allows parents to live in New Zealand indefinitely, with income thresholds for sponsors that have been described as a hurdle. The 2500 yearly cap, application backlog and ballot system have also made the process difficult for many families. It costs $5810 to apply. Parents will be able to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after holding this visa for 10 years. There is also the more expensive Parent Retirement Resident Visa, which requires parents to have at least $1 million to invest in New Zealand for four years and have at least $500,000 for settlement, and an annual income of at least $60,000. Parents can stay here indefinitely with this visa, which costs $12,850 to apply. If parents meet all conditions, they may be granted a Permanent Resident Visa at the end of the four-year investment period. The government said the Parent Boost Visa was not a pathway to residence. "Those seeking permanent residence should consider submitting an expression of interest under the Parent Category Resident Visa," according to Immigration New Zealand's website. Settings for Parent Boost Visa would be reviewed in 2027 to ensure they were working as intended, Stanford's office said. For more information, visit the Immigration New Zealand website .
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Budget 2025: Ethnic leaders seek targeted investment
Ethnic community leaders at a meeting with Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen Ethnic leaders are calling for more targeted investment in their communities ahead of the government's Budget announcement on Thursday. Without sufficient and sustainable funding, key services such as language help, health assistance, and migrant and refugee settlement programmes could be impacted, they said. As part of the 2025 Budget, the government already unveiled plans to introduce legislation reforming pay equity, as well as additional funding for capital expenditure, Pharmac, film subsidies, after-hours health care, Māori Wardens and a $190 million Social Investment Fund. However, it was not clear if there would be adequate funding for ethnic communities, said Vishal Rishi, chief executive of The Asian Network Incorporated (TANI). Rishi said the only budget appropriations expressly targeting ethnic communities was the contestable Ethnic Communities Development Fund, which is managed by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and currently sits at $4.2 million each year. Vishal Rishi, chief executive of The Asian Network Incorporated Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen Rishi said there had yet to be an indication the amount would increase to reflect the country's changing demographics. It was important to acknowledge that ethnic communities now made up more than 20 percent of the country's population, he said. "These communities often face unique challenges that require tailored responses," he said. "To effectively support us, dedicated programmes and targeted investment are necessary. At this stage, such commitments are not clearly visible in the upcoming budget." A key area of concern was access to health and social services, where language and cultural barriers continued to limit engagement, Rishi said. "Existing mainstream pathways are often ill-suited to meet our needs, resulting in widening inequities," he said. "We would have hoped to see targeted funding allocated to the primary and community care sectors to address these gaps." Culturally appropriate health promotion measures, mental health and wellbeing support, family violence prevention initiatives and social connection services that TANI operated could all be at risk of being reduced or discontinued without sustained investment, Rishi said. He questioned whether any part of the new Social Investment Fund would be used to help ethnic communities specifically. "Right now, we are struggling to offer even the most basic wraparound services," he said. "Without ongoing funding or sustainable contracts - particularly through the newly announced Social Investment Agency and Fund - we may be forced to close our social service arm entirely." Kelly Feng, chief executive at Asian Family Services Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen Kelly Feng, chief executive of Asian Family Services, also wondered if ethnic communities would get sufficient funding in the Budget. "What happens often is when the whole funding stretches into public services ... because everything is so stretched, [the government] will just do the same old thing," Feng said. "[The government is] not looking at the demographic changes for the Asian population or ... [how] a community [might] demand a different type of service. "There's no way [the government] really looks into the complex needs of the ethnic community, which has been underserved for so many years." Feng said a helpline service her organisation provided, which provides mental health support in eight different languages, had already been struggling to cope with the increasing demand. The service might need to be pared back if the programme didn't receive ongoing funding, she said. "Mainstream services like [counselling service] 1737 ... do not really serve our population," Feng said. "We know the migrant community. ... They don't have a lot of family or support system in place and could have much higher needs as well as higher risk." She said she did not know what would happen to her organisation's school-based youth programme in the middle of 2026 once the funding to the programme ended. If people had problems assessing the services they needed when early intervention was possible, they might end up needing hospital care or police interventions, Feng said. She said the $190 million Social Investment Fund should be used to prioritise the needs of vulnerable populations, including ethnic communities. "I think in the bigger Budget, one of the things that needs to be emphasised is to hold those government agencies and public services accountable for the 17.3 percent Asian population or migrants, refugees and more," Feng said. "If you don't do well for this population, you will actually end up costing more money for the system." Arish Naresh, president of the Tairawhiti Multicultural Council Photo: Supplied Arish Naresh, president of the Tairawhiti Multicultural Council, said the Ethnic Communities Development Fund should ideally be doubled to match the growth of ethnic communities nationwide. His organisation, which provides pastoral care and other community support, would also be forced to scale back services or halt them altogether without adequate funding. Insufficient funding could undermine the social cohesion and well-being of the communities that were vital to New Zealand's multicultural fabric, Naresh said. "I want to emphasise that Budget allocations should reflect the actual growth and needs of ethnic communities," he said. "If the government does not increase its investment, our community and others like ours will miss out on vital services that help migrants and ethnic groups settle, integrate and thrive." A spokesperson for the Social Investment Agency they expected initial fund outcomes to align closely with government's targets and existing cross-cutting strategies such as the Child and Youth Strategy and the Family Violence and Sexual Violence Strategy and Action Plan. "The Social Investment Fund is being set up as a new way to commission across portfolios, strengthen existing arrangements and directly invest in the future of New Zealanders who are most in need," the spokesperson said. "It will also catalyse change - supporting communities and social sector organisations to upgrade existing arrangements so that they align with the social investment approach."
