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Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
Volume 1 / Issue 02<br />
Read • Watch • Engage<br />
760A Dominion Road, Mt. Eden, Auckland – 1041<br />
www.iwk.co.nz /indianweekendernz /indianweekender<br />
Surya Phutane<br />
Chartered Accountant<br />
Financial Adviser<br />
O: 09 218 6206 | M: 021 202 0331 I EMAIL - surya.phutane@pasl.co.nz<br />
RAVI BAJPAI<br />
Tel. 09 625 5060<br />
Police have failed to even identify<br />
culprits in nearly half of the<br />
raim raids reported across New<br />
Zealand in the last seven years, new<br />
police data shows.<br />
That means robbers behind every<br />
second ram raid, on an average, are<br />
roaming free with no consequences<br />
for their actions, a failure the police<br />
are attributing in part to “limited<br />
opportunities” to identify culprits.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> obtained<br />
data on every ram raid reported in the<br />
country since 2017 under the Official<br />
Information Act.<br />
Technically speaking, ram raid is<br />
not defined as a unique offence in the<br />
country’s criminal code.<br />
But for the purpose of our request,<br />
the police included all crimes that met<br />
all of these three criteria–a burglary<br />
or aggravated robbery, it happened<br />
at a retail/commercial premise, and<br />
text describing the incident in police<br />
records mentioned “ram raid”.<br />
A total of 2,186 such ram raids were<br />
reported between January 2017 and<br />
January <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> police couldn’t manage to<br />
identify even a single culprit in 1,155<br />
cases, the police data shows.<br />
In the four years to 2020, the total<br />
ram raids in any single year were less<br />
than 200.<br />
But in 2021, that number more than<br />
doubled to 410.<br />
<strong>The</strong> year 2022 was the worst of the<br />
lot, with 712 ram raids being reported<br />
at an average of nearly two incidents<br />
every day.<br />
• Continued on Page 9<br />
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Since 2017, police have<br />
failed to even identify<br />
robbers behind every<br />
second ram raid<br />
DO NOT<br />
ASK THE<br />
POLICE!<br />
THE WORLD IS ABOUT TO END AND...<br />
OUR HEROES WILL RISE
2<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
Ravinder Singh, owner of<br />
Counties Liquor Inn, Kwik<br />
Vape, and Kwik Mart in<br />
Pukekohe, has expressed deep<br />
concern over the safety of his<br />
staff and family following a series<br />
of violent incidents at his stores.<br />
Singh, who moved to New Zealand<br />
from India 15 years ago, described<br />
feeling terror and distress after<br />
being stabbed once and robbed<br />
numerous times, the news portal<br />
Stuff reported<br />
Singh's ordeal includes a<br />
recent incident where a customer<br />
threatened him with a shotgun<br />
during a robbery attempt. "Right<br />
now, as we are talking, he can<br />
walk in any time with a shotgun,"<br />
Singh stated during an interview<br />
with Stuff at his liquor store.<br />
Despite the trauma of these<br />
events, Singh has been resilient,<br />
investing over $50,000 in security<br />
measures over the past five<br />
years. His stores are equipped<br />
with 16 CCTV cameras, security<br />
alarms, bollards, fog cannons, and<br />
automatic doors with an override<br />
button.<br />
<strong>The</strong> community of Pukekohe<br />
has shown support for Singh, with<br />
locals rallying around him during<br />
difficult times.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> community brought me<br />
cemented blocks last time it [a<br />
Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
ram raid] happened. Within 10<br />
minutes, the community was here<br />
looking after me," Singh shared.<br />
While Singh remains determined<br />
to keep his business open, he is<br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
Auckland store owner robbed<br />
19 times, now sees it as normal<br />
IWK BUREAU<br />
also concerned about the impact<br />
on his family. He has chosen not<br />
to share the full extent of the<br />
violent incidents with his young<br />
daughters, wanting to shield them<br />
from fear.<br />
to use food scrap bins<br />
MAHVASH IKRAM/RNZ<br />
sits there."<br />
And for those who do use the bin, Thomas<br />
said they were not sturdy enough.<br />
"I've seen them blowing down the street.<br />
I've seen ones that have been run over on our<br />
streets." Victoria Slapper also said the bin was<br />
not heavy enough and blew over during winter.<br />
"This little stupid bin should have been<br />
weighted at the bottom," she said.<br />
Auckland Council said there were no plans to<br />
It has been nearly six months since every<br />
Auckland household received a green food<br />
waste bin.<br />
<strong>The</strong> rollout began about a year ago and was<br />
completed around October 2023, with the<br />
council charging homeowners an annual fee of<br />
$77.20 for the bin.<br />
But some Auckland residents are still<br />
refusing to use them.<br />
Colleen Lewis said she tried giving it a go.<br />
"I was on board when we first were sent the<br />
bin," she said.<br />
"I'm absolutely wanting to try to reduce our<br />
waste in general because we have to for the<br />
the planet and try to keep everything out of<br />
landfill."<br />
But half-way through summer she put it in<br />
the too hard basket.<br />
"It just got too gross and too much. So I<br />
just gave up."<br />
Lewis said the pink waste bags that go<br />
inside the bin "completely disintegrated".<br />
"<strong>The</strong>y just aren't strong enough to hold the<br />
waste.<strong>The</strong>y just would fall apart as you are<br />
lifting it out of your small bin from inside."<br />
For Elesha Thomas, the bin just did not<br />
meet her family's requirements.<br />
"I have six children and myself at home,<br />
and actually [at first] I thought, 'Oh yeah,<br />
that's cool'. But what I've found over time is<br />
that we don't actually really use it.<br />
"I've got a small freezer for a start. So when<br />
I do my grocery shopping, I don't have space<br />
in there to put leftover food in the freezer."<br />
Auckland Council said residents could<br />
request a second bin at no charge.<br />
But Thomas said she will not be taking up<br />
that offer.<br />
"I just won't use it. I have a compost at<br />
home."<br />
She said the council food waste bin was<br />
like "an extra accessory".<br />
"You buy that appliance at home in<br />
the kitchen and it just sits in your in your<br />
cupboard, in your pantry and and you just<br />
don't, you might use it once and then it just<br />
Auckland liquor store owner shares fear and frustration amidst persistent attacks.<br />
"We are just serving the<br />
community, paying our<br />
mortgages, and paying rent.<br />
We are not doing anything<br />
wrong. I don't see any reason<br />
to close down my business."<br />
<strong>The</strong> Aucklanders who refuse<br />
change the size and weight of the bins, which<br />
were determined after careful consideration,<br />
and because they were picked up and emptied<br />
by hand.<br />
Slapper said the carbon footprint of the bins<br />
off-set any environmental benefit the Auckland<br />
Council was hoping to achieve<br />
"[<strong>The</strong>re is] massive carbon footprint, the<br />
bins are made in Australia. <strong>The</strong>n you bring in<br />
the bags from China, then you have a truck, a<br />
diesel truck, come and collect all your scrap.<br />
Those that put them out got nothing to do<br />
with sustainability. It's got nothing to do with<br />
recycling."<br />
Auckland Council said no one in New<br />
Zealand was interested in manufacturing the<br />
bins.<br />
"Unfortunately, we did not receive a proposal<br />
for a food scraps bin manufactured in New<br />
Zealand. We understand from our suppliers<br />
that no compostable liners are made in New<br />
Zealand. All the material components come<br />
from China, so it is more cost effective to make<br />
them in China."<br />
Jay Backhouse said the only time he used<br />
the bin was to store burley when he went<br />
fishing.<br />
He said it would have been easier for council<br />
to give out compost bins.<br />
"It would probably be more more effective<br />
than having bins that they have.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>y have to be collected. It just seems<br />
like a whole lot of fuss over something that<br />
doesn't really need to be an issue."<br />
And with rates set to rise, residents who did<br />
not use the bin said they would have preferred<br />
the option to say no to being charged for the<br />
bin. But Auckland Council said all seemed to<br />
be going to plan.<br />
"Our target for total tonnage of food scraps<br />
collected for the first full year is 40,000 tonnes.<br />
Currently weekly tonnage collected across<br />
all areas suggests that we are on target to<br />
collect between 35,000 and 40,000 tonnes in<br />
one full year of collections. We have already<br />
seen a reduction in the weight of refuse in<br />
kerbside rubbish bins - by up to 20 percent in<br />
some areas."<br />
Singh believes<br />
that addressing<br />
the root causes<br />
of crime, such as<br />
good parenting<br />
and community<br />
education, is<br />
crucial. "I think<br />
it has a lot to<br />
do with good<br />
parenting of<br />
these young people and that's<br />
being ignored," he told Stuff<br />
Despite the challenges he has<br />
faced, Singh remains committed<br />
to serving the Pukekohe<br />
community. "We are just serving<br />
the community, paying our<br />
mortgages, and paying rent. We<br />
are not doing anything wrong.<br />
I don't see any reason to close<br />
down my business," he affirmed.<br />
More houses<br />
for sale, high<br />
interest rates<br />
keep price<br />
gains low<br />
Continuing high interest<br />
rates and an increase in<br />
the number of houses for<br />
sale are keeping a lid on price<br />
growth.<br />
CoreLogic's House Price Index<br />
rose 0.5 percent in March, similar<br />
to January and February's muted<br />
gains, taking values 1.1 percent<br />
up over the first quarter of <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
CoreLogic NZ chief property<br />
economist Kelvin Davidson said<br />
the run of three softer results in<br />
a row at the national level was<br />
expected.<br />
"NZ's housing market can<br />
probably be described as 'not<br />
too hot, not too cold'," Davidson<br />
said.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re had also been an<br />
increase in listings in the first<br />
quarter, which had helped to take<br />
the heat out of price increases.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> general sense is that the<br />
so-called sellers' market of late<br />
2023 has now switched back<br />
in favour of credit-approved<br />
purchasers," Davidson said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> average property value<br />
rose 3.2 percent in March to<br />
$934,806, but still more than 10<br />
percent down (-$108,455) on the<br />
most recent peak.<br />
"High mortgage rates remain<br />
a big challenge at the forefront<br />
of all borrowers' minds, whether<br />
they're taking out a new loan or<br />
repricing an existing mortgage,"<br />
he said.<br />
"While the new tax year and<br />
80 percent mortgage interest<br />
deductions will help cashflow for<br />
property investors, it's unlikely to<br />
be enough to trump high interest<br />
rates."<br />
He said price growth over the<br />
first quarter was patchy.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
NEW ZEALAND 3<br />
'Pulled out a gun': Papatoetoe<br />
vape store closing after robbery<br />
RAVI BAJPAI<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong> owner<br />
of a vape store in south<br />
Auckland’s Papatoetoe<br />
has decided to close down his<br />
business after a robbery over the<br />
Easter weekend, another one just<br />
within weeks.<br />
Himanshu Batra says he had<br />
requested a friend to mind his<br />
Great South Road shop, Fume<br />
Store, on March 30 as he was<br />
travelling out of Auckland.<br />
His friend was at the cash<br />
counter at about 7pm when a man<br />
wearing a hoodie walked into the<br />
store nonchalantly.<br />
He picked up as many as<br />
40 vapes and approached the<br />
counter.<br />
“He made me scan each of the<br />
40 vapes. When the time came<br />
to make the payment, he reached<br />
inside his trouser pocket and<br />
pulled out a small gun,” recounts<br />
the man who does not wish to be<br />
named.<br />
<strong>The</strong> robber pointed to the gun<br />
and told the man to let him take<br />
the vapes for free or else he will<br />
shoot.<br />
“He even told me to not chase<br />
him. I didn’t.”<br />
Himanshu told <strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong><br />
<strong>Weekender</strong> the latest robbery was<br />
the final nail in the coffin for his<br />
Fume store at Great South Road was robbed on March 30.<br />
retail business in Papatoetoe.<br />
“I’ve been losing more money<br />
than I earn. As it is insurance<br />
companies don’t offer us<br />
coverage.<br />
"It’s a last resort and we aren’t<br />
too happy doing it, but we cannot<br />
go on like this. We’ll be shutting<br />
soon.”<br />
Just two months back, robbers<br />
broke into a neighbouring shop,<br />
worked their way through the<br />
walls in an adjoining property and<br />
eventually entered Fume Store<br />
through a vent in the wall.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y cleared out the entire<br />
store! Not even a single vape was<br />
left. That robbery cost me nearly<br />
$20,000,” Himanshu says.<br />
A few days later, two girls<br />
in school uniforms walked in<br />
brandishing a pocketknife at the<br />
father of Himanshu’s business<br />
partner who was at the store at<br />
that time.<br />
“Luckily, uncle managed to<br />
shove them and scare them away.<br />
But ever since we’ve had gang<br />
members trying to rob us every<br />
now and then,” Himanshu says.<br />
“I’ve been losing<br />
more money than<br />
I earn. As it is<br />
insurance companies<br />
don’t offer us<br />
coverage. It’s a last<br />
resort and we aren’t<br />
too happy doing it,<br />
but we cannot go<br />
on like this. We’ll<br />
be shutting soon.”<br />
Himanshu Batra<br />
<strong>The</strong> police were called in after<br />
the latest robbery, but Himanshu<br />
says he isn’t holding his breath<br />
for the investigation to conclude.<br />
“Nothing ever comes of it. I<br />
remember once when our store<br />
had been robbed earlier, the<br />
culprit had posted a video of the<br />
robbery on TikTok. I even provided<br />
the account details to the police<br />
but there have been no arrests as<br />
yet.”<br />
Small business owners have for<br />
long been calling for stricter laws<br />
to punish robbers and ram raiders,<br />
pointing out a lack of serious<br />
consequences only emboldens<br />
criminals.<br />
Prime Minister Christopher<br />
Luxon this week announced that<br />
formulating stricter laws to curb<br />
such crime is on his government’s<br />
agenda for the next 100 days.<br />
Among those measures is<br />
a plan to open military-style<br />
bootcamps where repeat<br />
offenders will be rehabilitated and<br />
trained to have a greater chance<br />
of landing a job and, hopefully,<br />
mend their ways.
4<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
CRAIG MCCULLOCH/RNZ<br />
Luxon lays<br />
out his<br />
priority list<br />
for next 3<br />
months<br />
Fresh off completing<br />
the Coalition's 100-day<br />
plan, Christopher Luxon has<br />
laid out a new priority list for the<br />
next three months and it includes<br />
the delivery of long-promised tax<br />
relief.<br />
Luxon told Morning Report the<br />
Government had a clear action<br />
plan to get the country "back on<br />
track". "Every one of these 36<br />
actions ladders up to that".<br />
While some of the priorities<br />
were discreet and easy to<br />
complete, other bigger goals had<br />
been broken down into steps,<br />
Luxon said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new "action plan" -<br />
published on Tuesday - includes<br />
36 bullet points to be achieved by<br />
30 June, and, like its predecessor,<br />
contains a mix of concrete tasks<br />
and more ambiguous easilyachievable<br />
objectives.<br />
Number one job is to deliver<br />
a budget<br />
Luxon last month celebrated<br />
the fulfilment of all 49 tasks on<br />
his government's initial to-do list,<br />
boasting a clean sweep, though a<br />
closer analysis delivered a more<br />
ambiguous report card.<br />
While 100-day plans have<br />
been utilised by numerous<br />
former governments, the notion<br />
of an ongoing public quarterly<br />
programme was much less<br />
common but in keeping with<br />
Luxon's self-professed CEO-style.<br />
"Having a clear plan with<br />
specific actions and timeframes<br />
for delivery creates momentum<br />
and drives focus," Luxon said in a<br />
statement.<br />
"New Zealanders expect and<br />
deserve delivery from their<br />
government, and that is exactly<br />
what they are getting from us."<br />
<strong>The</strong> number one job is "deliver<br />
a budget that reduces wasteful<br />
spending while investing in<br />
frontline services like health,<br />
education and police", set down<br />
for 30 May.<br />
That is followed by<br />
commitments to pass laws<br />
delivering personal income<br />
tax relief and the FamilyBoost<br />
childcare tax credit outlined last<br />
week.<br />
A Regional Infrastructure Fund<br />
will also be established within<br />
the quarter, though the amount<br />
of funding to be allocated is not<br />
specified. New Zealand First<br />
secured the fund in its coalition<br />
agreement with National to the<br />
tune of $1.2 billion over the threeyear<br />
term.<br />
A new school Attendance Action<br />
Plan will be launched, presumably<br />
by Associate Education Minister<br />
David Seymour, who has<br />
responsibility for addressing<br />
truancy and recently mused<br />
about fining more parents whose<br />
children are frequently absent.<br />
Twelve of the tasks require the<br />
coalition only "take decisions"<br />
on various policies or promises,<br />
meaning some could arguably<br />
have already been delivered. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
include taking decisions on the<br />
return of Three Strikes, tighter<br />
controls on youth vaping, and<br />
stronger teacher training.<br />
<strong>The</strong> full second-quarter action<br />
plan:<br />
<strong>The</strong> economy and cost of living<br />
1. Deliver a budget that reduces<br />
wasteful spending while<br />
investing in frontline services<br />
like health, education and<br />
police.<br />
Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
2. Legislate for personal income<br />
tax relief.<br />
3. Legislate to introduce the<br />
FamilyBoost childcare tax<br />
credit.<br />
4. Finalise the Government<br />
Policy Statement on Land<br />
Transport, freezing fuel<br />
tax until the end of 2026<br />
and delivering significant<br />
investment for transport.<br />
5. Take decisions to implement<br />
the Going for Housing Growth<br />
plan while making the MDRS<br />
optional for councils.<br />
6. Respond to the independent<br />
review of Kāinga Ora's<br />
financial situation,<br />
procurement, and asset<br />
management.<br />
7. Introduce legislation to<br />
improve the rental market.<br />
8. Release draft plan to ease<br />
restrictions on building<br />
materials from overseas for<br />
public consultation.<br />
9. Take decisions on measures<br />
to increase investment<br />
in renewable electricity<br />
generation.<br />
10. Introduce legislation to<br />
amend the RMA to clarify<br />
application of National Policy<br />
Statement on Freshwater<br />
Management in relation<br />
to individual consents for<br />
freshwater and to extend<br />
marine farm consent.<br />
11. Introduce legislation to<br />
suspend the requirement on<br />
councils to identify and adopt<br />
new Significant Natural Areas.<br />
12. Finalise policy to keep<br />
agriculture out of the ETS.<br />
13. Commence an independent<br />
review of the methane<br />
science and targets for<br />
consistency with no<br />
additional warming from<br />
agricultural methane<br />
emissions.<br />
14. Reform the CCCFA regime to<br />
improve access to credit for<br />
home buyers.<br />
15. Initiate the first regulatory<br />
sector review.<br />
16. Take decisions on the scope<br />
of the extension to the<br />
Covid-19 inquiry.<br />
17. Take decisions on reform of<br />
the Holidays Act<br />
18. Raise the energy New Zealand<br />
brings to key relationships<br />
through international<br />
engagements, focussing on<br />
our traditional partners, the<br />
Pacific, and South East and<br />
South Asia.<br />
19. Take decisions on the<br />
removal of the ban on<br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
offshore oil and gas<br />
exploration.<br />
20. Commission a study into<br />
New Zealand's fuel security,<br />
including investigating the<br />
feasibility of reopening the<br />
Marsden Point Oil Refinery.<br />
21. Establish a Regional<br />
Infrastructure Fund.<br />
Law and order<br />
22. Progress legislation to<br />
improve rehabilitation,<br />
reintegration and safety<br />
outcomes in the corrections<br />
system, including by<br />
extending eligibility to<br />
offence-based rehabilitation<br />
programmes to remand<br />
prisoners.<br />
23. Take decisions to restore<br />
Three Strikes.<br />
24. Launch a review of the<br />
firearms registry.<br />
25. Take decisions on<br />
establishing a Youth<br />
Serious Offender Category<br />
and making Youth Military<br />
Academies a standalone<br />
sentencing option for the<br />
Youth Court.<br />
Public services<br />
26. 26. Set targets for improving<br />
public service outcomes.<br />
27. 27. Take decisions on the<br />
rollout of structured literacy<br />
for year 1-3 students,<br />
including a phonics check.<br />
28. Take action to strengthen<br />
teacher training, including<br />
refocusing Professional<br />
Learning and Development<br />
for teachers on numeracy,<br />
literacy and assessment.<br />
29. Take action to develop<br />
standardised assessment and<br />
regular reporting to parents.<br />
30. ntroduce legislation to<br />
reintroduce charter schools.<br />
31. Launch an Attendance Action<br />
Plan and introduce the first<br />
phase of initiatives to lift<br />
school attendance.<br />
32. Take decisions to disestablish<br />
Te Pūkenga and consult on a<br />
proposed replacement model.<br />
33. Issue a new Government<br />
Policy Statement on Health,<br />
setting the government's<br />
priorities for the health<br />
system for the next three<br />
years.<br />
34. Take decisions to streamline<br />
the Medsafe approval<br />
process.<br />
35. Take decisions to tighten<br />
controls on youth vaping.<br />
36. Take decisions on the repeal<br />
of Section 7AA of the Oranga<br />
Tamariki Act<br />
Gunshots, 'commotion' in Auckland kidnapping<br />
RNZ<br />
Neighbours have described<br />
hearing gunshots and a<br />
commotion as police look<br />
for three people over a woman's<br />
kidnapping on Auckland's North<br />
Shore.<br />
Three locations on Auckland's<br />
North Shore were under police<br />
cordon overnight after a woman<br />
was forced into a car.<br />
Police said they were called<br />
to Beach Haven this week after<br />
three people arrived at a home on<br />
Sunnyhaven Ave.<br />
Detective Inspector Callum<br />
McNeill said a woman was forced<br />
into a car during an 'altercation'.<br />
Police at the scene of an<br />
Police at the scene of the incident on Auckland's North Shore. Photo: Jordan Dunn / RNZ<br />
incident on Auckland's North<br />
Shore, <strong>April</strong> 3. "As this has<br />
unfolded the firearm has been<br />
discharged."<br />
Despite more officers being<br />
called out and the use of the Eagle<br />
helicopter, the vehicle was not<br />
located.<br />
But police were soon called<br />
to Mackay Drive in Greenhithe,<br />
where they found the woman from<br />
the Beach Haven address.<br />
"She has sustained injuries and<br />
is in a stable condition, receiving<br />
treatment," McNeill said, noting<br />
they were not gunshot injuries.<br />
She was being treated at North<br />
Shore Hospital.<br />
No arrests had yet been made.<br />
"We're making inquiries at this<br />
stage. <strong>The</strong>re's still a lot of enquiry<br />
work that needs to take place in<br />
order to locate people that we<br />
need to speak to."<br />
Two armed police were still<br />
stationed outside the Beach<br />
Haven property, on the corner of<br />
Sunnyhaven Ave and Drome View<br />
Place, on Wednesday morning<br />
Three locals RNZ spoke to<br />
in Beach Haven on Wednesday<br />
morning said they heard the<br />
helicopter hovering in the area<br />
overnight. Some people reported<br />
on a lo<br />
cal Facebook page of hearing<br />
gunshots and "a commotion".<br />
All cordons in both Greenhithe<br />
and Beach Haven were lifted by<br />
dawn on Wednesday, though<br />
police remained in the area.<br />
Anyone with information could<br />
call police on 105 or use the<br />
online form, and cite file number<br />
240402/3715.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
NEW ZEALAND 5<br />
Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong> World<br />
War II veteran passes<br />
away in Auckland<br />
IWK BUREAU<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sikh community across<br />
New Zealand is mourning the<br />
demise of Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong> World<br />
War II veteran Bhai Sahib Tejinder<br />
Singh, affectionately known as Babaji.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 98-year-old passed away on<br />
the morning of <strong>April</strong> 1 at his home in<br />
Auckland, leaving behind a legacy that<br />
reverberates through generations.<br />
Born on November 2, 1925, in<br />
Lyallpur, undivided India, Babaji's<br />
journey through life was marked<br />
by unwavering dedication to Sikh<br />
principles and remarkable acts of<br />
service.<br />
As a valiant veteran of World War II,<br />
he honourably served in the <strong>Indian</strong> Air<br />
Force, retiring with the distinguished<br />
rank of Honorary Flying Officer.<br />
In 1947, amidst the tumult of the<br />
Partition, Babaji married Sardarni<br />
Amar Kaur and traversed the newlydrawn<br />
borders to settle in the village<br />
of Rasulpur in Punjab.<br />
Throughout his life, Babaji bore<br />
witness to the turbulent currents of<br />
history, from the agonising events<br />
of the Partition to the harrowing<br />
massacres and the 1984 Sikh<br />
riots that scarred the collective<br />
consciousness.<br />
Yet, amidst the trials and<br />
tribulations, his unwavering faith and<br />
steadfast resolve served as a beacon<br />
of hope for those around him. In his<br />
later years, Babaji immigrated to New<br />
Zealand, where he continued to inspire<br />
and uplift the Sikh diaspora with<br />
his spiritual guidance and profound<br />
wisdom.<br />
Babaji's vibrant personality and<br />
profound spirituality endeared him to<br />
countless individuals, both within and<br />
outside the Sikh community.<br />
Renowned for his soul-stirring<br />
kirtans and compelling religious<br />
sermons, he had the remarkable<br />
ability to touch hearts and transform<br />
lives.<br />
Babaji's strict yet compassionate<br />
demeanor, coupled with his<br />
unyielding commitment to truth<br />
and righteousness, left an indelible<br />
impression on all who had the<br />
privilege of crossing his path.<br />
In the wake of his passing, Babaji<br />
leaves behind a grieving family,<br />
including his beloved wife, five<br />
children, nine grandchildren, and six<br />
great-grandchildren, all of whom<br />
cherish his memory dearly.<br />
His son Kharag Singh, a prominent<br />
businessman who also contested the<br />
2023 general elections on a Labour<br />
ticket from Botany, stood by his<br />
father's side as he bid farewell to this<br />
world.<br />
Reflecting on Babaji's legacy,<br />
Kharag Singh remarked, "My father's<br />
unwavering faith and profound<br />
spirituality have been guiding lights<br />
for our family and the community at<br />
large. His teachings will continue to<br />
resonate in our hearts, inspiring us to<br />
walk the path of righteousness and<br />
compassion."<br />
Babaji's young grandson Teghbir<br />
Singh, who works with Harcourts,<br />
exemplified the traditional <strong>Indian</strong><br />
value system instilled in the family,<br />
taking great care of the nonagenarian<br />
till his last breath.<br />
"I had the good fortune to look<br />
after him over the past years.<br />
His unwavering ideals and value<br />
system will remain as a guiding light<br />
throughout my life," Teghbir said.<br />
Babaji's youngest grandson,<br />
Kanwarbir Singh, says his<br />
grandfather's greatest legacy lies<br />
in the imprint he left upon those<br />
fortunate enough to have crossed<br />
paths with him.<br />
"His presence was a beacon of<br />
strength, radiating warmth and<br />
wisdom in equal measure. His<br />
resilience will live on in my heart.”<br />
As tributes pour in from around the<br />
world, the Sikh community prepares to<br />
bid farewell to their beloved Babaji.<br />
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6<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
'Really, really<br />
terrifying':<br />
Kiwis caught in<br />
magnitude 7.7<br />
Taiwan quake<br />
RNZ<br />
New Zealanders in Taiwan<br />
when a major 7.7<br />
earthquake struck off<br />
the eastern coast say everyone<br />
is on edge, waiting for the next<br />
aftershock.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 7.7 magnitude quake had its<br />
epicentre 18km south of the city<br />
of Hualien and struck around 9am<br />
local time.<br />
Media in Taiwan are reporting<br />
people have been trapped under<br />
collapsed buildings. Military<br />
personnel have been dispatched<br />
to help with disaster relief and<br />
schools and workplaces have<br />
closed as aftershocks hit.<br />
A tsunami warning was issued<br />
following the quake with residents<br />
on the island's northern coast told<br />
to evacuate to higher ground.<br />
<strong>The</strong> earthquake is the strongest<br />
to hit Taiwan in 25 years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Ministry of Foreign Affairs<br />
and Trade said there were 137 New<br />
Zealanders registered in Taiwan at<br />
the time of the quake.<br />
One of those was former RNZ<br />
employee Delphine Herbert, who<br />
told Checkpoint she had arrived<br />
in the capital Taipei the previous<br />
afternoon and was just waking up<br />
when it hit.<br />
"Today was meant to be our<br />
first full day of sightseeing here in<br />
Taiwan.<br />
"But I was just kind of waking<br />
up and I'm from Canterbury... I've<br />
experienced the February [2011]<br />
and September [2010] earthquakes,<br />
and I felt a jolt and thought, 'Oooh,<br />
that's quite interesting - is that<br />
going to be an earthquake?' And<br />
sure enough, it slowly starting<br />
building and building to quite a<br />
significant earthquake."<br />
Herbert's accommodation was<br />
on the 16th floor, so she and her<br />
partner were unable to run outside.<br />
"So we just had to stand in<br />
the doorway, and I think it was<br />
probably one of the most longest<br />
and strongest earthquakes I've<br />
ever felt.<br />
"It was long and intense - I think<br />
it probably went on for about a<br />
minute ... it was really terrifying."<br />
As the earthquake eased,<br />
Herbert said hotel staff told her to<br />
evacuate.<br />
"We had to run down 16<br />
flights of stairs and, being from<br />
Christchurch, [I knew] there were<br />
going to be aftershocks," she said.<br />
"One of the things running<br />
through my mind was: I hope there<br />
isn't an aftershock while we're<br />
in the stairwell. <strong>The</strong>re was glass,<br />
plaster, it's the last place you want<br />
to be during an aftershock."<br />
She said the damage in the<br />
district there were staying in had<br />
been minimal.<br />
"No damage where we are, we've<br />
walked to the next district<br />
and we've seen a little bit<br />
of damage but nothing<br />
compared to the next city<br />
over," she said.<br />
Herbert said they were<br />
now "out and about"<br />
and looking for a place<br />
to eat. Not only had<br />
she experienced the<br />
Christchurch earthquakes,<br />
but her partner had also<br />
been in Nepal in 2015,<br />
when a 7.8 magnitude<br />
quake left about 9000<br />
people dead and 22,000<br />
injured.<br />
"You don't believe it's<br />
happening - you've lived<br />
through the Christchurch<br />
ones, now you've just<br />
landed in a foreign country,<br />
you don't know what the buildings<br />
are like, you don't know what<br />
emergency services are like, it's<br />
just really, really terrifying."<br />
Herbert said frequent<br />
aftershocks were keeping many<br />
people on edge, but others were<br />
carrying on as normal.<br />
"In our area... we walked<br />
past a school and kids are still<br />
there playing on the playground,<br />
people are still using public<br />
transport," she said.<br />
"But I know in other districts<br />
20 or 30 minutes from here, it's a<br />
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"So we just<br />
had to stand in<br />
the doorway, and I<br />
think it was probably<br />
one of the longest and<br />
strongest earthquakes<br />
I've ever felt." Delphine<br />
Herbert<br />
completely different story."<br />
Other Kiwis have spoken<br />
about their experiences of<br />
today's quake in Taiwan.<br />
Former Wellingtonian<br />
Ron Hanson has lived in<br />
Taichung City for close to<br />
25 years, where he says<br />
earthquakes occur often -<br />
but they were not usually<br />
this big.<br />
"It must have been<br />
around eight o'clock<br />
in the morning<br />
and I was still<br />
asleep and<br />
it started<br />
rocking and<br />
at first I<br />
thought, 'Oh<br />
whatever'.<br />
"I usually<br />
just sleep<br />
through them to<br />
be honest. But this one<br />
just kept building in intensity and<br />
it lasted for well over a minute<br />
I'd say. <strong>The</strong> scary thing was the<br />
shaking."<br />
Hanson said he immediately<br />
thought of Taiwan's last major<br />
earthquake in 1999, where more<br />
than 2000 people died, and he<br />
hoped this quake was not as<br />
catastrophic.<br />
Meanwhile, another Kiwi Nick<br />
van Halderen said it was the<br />
biggest earthquake he had felt<br />
during his six years living in Taipei.<br />
"I had just woken up in my<br />
apartment, which is on the 11th<br />
floor of a highrise building in<br />
central Taipei. <strong>The</strong>re was a violent<br />
shaking up and down, then left to<br />
right and big rolling movements,"<br />
he said.<br />
"Luckily nothing fell over in our<br />
house, but I know other people<br />
have had a lot of damage."<br />
He said he was grateful to live in<br />
a newer building.<br />
"Our building is quite new<br />
and is connected to the [metro]<br />
system so it's a very sturdy, solid<br />
structure," he said.<br />
"If I was living in one of the<br />
older buildings which are very<br />
dilapidated I would feel much<br />
more afraid."<br />
Van Halderen said a number of<br />
buildings in the city were unsafe.<br />
"It is quite a problem in Taipei - a<br />
lot of the buildings are very aged<br />
and not so safe. <strong>The</strong>y're trying to<br />
demolish a lot of them. I think this<br />
is going to be a big motivation to<br />
keep pushing that."
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
NEW ZEALAND 7<br />
Parent, partnership visa conditions<br />
to be revised: immigration minister<br />
RNZ<br />
Immigration Minister Erica<br />
Stanford is looking at reforms<br />
to family visas this term,<br />
bringing hope of long-stay<br />
visits for overseas parents and<br />
grandparents.<br />
She also signalled she wants<br />
changes to the partnership visa<br />
policy, describing the culturally<br />
arranged marriage visa as not fit<br />
for purpose.<br />
But partnership changes<br />
may not happen this<br />
parliamentary term as other work,<br />
including reforming the accredited<br />
employer work visa needs to be<br />
prioritised.<br />
National and ACT both put<br />
forward temporary, long-term<br />
visas for parents of overseas-born<br />
permanent residents and citizens<br />
at the last election.<br />
ACT's coalition agreement<br />
commits the government to<br />
creating a five-year, renewable<br />
parent visa, conditional on<br />
families covering healthcare<br />
costs.<br />
Aside from the residence visa,<br />
which had been on hold for six<br />
years when it was reintroduced,<br />
parents can currently stay for<br />
up to 18 months in a three-year<br />
period on a multiple-entry visitor<br />
visa.<br />
<strong>The</strong> timing of changes will<br />
depend on other policy changes<br />
but as a coalition commitment, it<br />
will happen this term.<br />
"We're working through that at<br />
the moment," Stanford said.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re are some some<br />
immediate things that have<br />
taken our attention like AEWV<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re are some immediate<br />
things that have taken<br />
our attention like AEWV<br />
(accredited employer<br />
work visa) and migrant<br />
exploitation that we've<br />
been working very hard<br />
on and will be announcing<br />
[updates]." Erica Stanford<br />
(accredited employer work visa)<br />
and migrant exploitation that<br />
we've been working very hard<br />
on and will be announcing.<br />
Everything else at the moment<br />
we're putting into a a pipeline of<br />
work about when it will happen<br />
and what sort of changes are<br />
required."<br />
<strong>The</strong> Association for Migration<br />
and Investment said it would be<br />
welcomed by parents of migrants<br />
and would take the pressure off<br />
parent residence visas.<br />
<strong>The</strong> annual quota of residence<br />
visas brought in by the last<br />
government in 2022 for parents<br />
and grandparents is 2500, and<br />
it is already significantly oversubscribed.<br />
About 13044 people in 8564<br />
expressions of interest (EOI)<br />
have been submitted to a ballot<br />
of parent resident visas and 308<br />
people (200 EOIs) have so far<br />
been selected. That will speed<br />
up slightly, taking the full annual<br />
2500 quota, now that pre-2022<br />
applications have been cleared.<br />
<strong>The</strong> coalition document says<br />
for the renewable five-year<br />
visa, a healthcare levy might be<br />
considered.<br />
Partnership visas<br />
Culturally arranged marriage<br />
visas became a significant<br />
bone of contention under the<br />
Labour-led coalition in 2019,<br />
when Immigration New Zealand<br />
tightened up rules around partners<br />
who had not lived together before<br />
coming to New Zealand.<br />
Couples in arranged marriages<br />
were among those affected.<br />
New Zealand First MP Shane<br />
Jones was reprimanded by then<br />
prime minister Jacinda Ardern<br />
for telling members of the <strong>Indian</strong><br />
community to 'tame down their<br />
rhetoric' when they complained<br />
about the spike in wait times and<br />
visa rejections.<br />
"You have no legitimate<br />
expectations in my view to bring<br />
your whole village to New Zealand<br />
and if you don't like it and you're<br />
threatening to go home - catch<br />
the next flight home," Jones had<br />
said then.<br />
Critics said the subsequent<br />
policy of culturally arranged<br />
marriage visas did not take<br />
account of other relationships<br />
where partners had not lived<br />
together, for religious or practical<br />
reasons.<br />
Figures from 2022 show 319<br />
such visas were approved and 275<br />
were declined.<br />
Between 2015 and 2021, India,<br />
Fiji and Afghanistan were the<br />
countries with the highest number<br />
of applications, followed by<br />
Pakistan, Cambodia and Iraq.<br />
"I admit that we do have some<br />
issues with our criteria and certain<br />
visas like the culturally arranged<br />
marriage visa," Stanford said.<br />
"Whether or not we get to that<br />
in our first term, I'm not sure yet<br />
- we've got a really, really heavy<br />
policy programme this term.<br />
And so it's certainly on my mind,<br />
because I know the culturally<br />
arranged marriage visa, for<br />
example, is not fit for purpose, we<br />
do need to turn our minds to that."
8<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
Father, grandfather<br />
drown saving toddler<br />
in Gold Coast pool<br />
IWK BUREAU<br />
Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
Hundreds fined, cars impounded<br />
at street race meet-ups<br />
<strong>The</strong> Gold Coast was<br />
left reeling after a<br />
heartbreaking incident that<br />
claimed the lives of a man and<br />
his father, who drowned while<br />
attempting to rescue a toddler<br />
from a pool, <strong>The</strong> New Zealand<br />
Herald reported.<br />
<strong>The</strong> incident has prompted<br />
authorities to issue a warning<br />
about water safety, especially<br />
during the busy school holiday<br />
and Easter break period.<br />
<strong>The</strong> young child was playing<br />
near the edge of a pool at an<br />
apartment block when they<br />
slipped and fell into deeper water,<br />
setting off the chain of events.<br />
Dharmvir Singh, 38, and<br />
Gurjinder Singh, 65, immediately<br />
jumped into the pool to save<br />
the toddler but tragically found<br />
themselves in distress.<br />
Despite efforts by bystanders to<br />
revive them with CPR, both men<br />
succumbed to the water's grasp<br />
and passed away at the scene. A<br />
woman known to the family was<br />
also present and was taken to the<br />
hospital in a distressed but stable<br />
condition.<br />
Mitchell Ware from the<br />
Queensland Ambulance Service<br />
Gurjinder (L) and Dharmvir Singh drowned in a Gold Coast hotel pool on Easter weekend.<br />
Photo: Supplied<br />
described the scene as highly<br />
emotional, emphasizing the<br />
impact on the family, witnesses,<br />
and emergency responders.<br />
He urged the community,<br />
especially non-swimmers and<br />
those with young children, to<br />
exercise caution around water, as<br />
tragedies like this can unfold in a<br />
matter of seconds.<br />
<strong>The</strong> family, believed to be<br />
holidaying from Victoria, was not<br />
alone at the pool, but it remains<br />
unclear if safety flotation devices<br />
were available.<br />
Queensland police are<br />
conducting an investigation, and<br />
a report will be prepared for the<br />
coroner.<br />
Ware acknowledged the lasting<br />
effects such incidents have on<br />
everyone involved and extended<br />
condolences to the family and all<br />
affected.<br />
He highlighted the importance<br />
of support networks for<br />
emergency responders and the<br />
broader community in dealing<br />
with such traumatic events.<br />
RNZ<br />
More than 200 fines were<br />
issued and half a dozen<br />
cars impounded when<br />
police targeted planned street<br />
racing events in Auckland at the<br />
weekend.<br />
Police on Saturday night were<br />
"right across the region at various<br />
hot spots where these vehicles<br />
would travel to meet up, drive<br />
dangerously and do burnouts"<br />
Acting Inspector Tyson Martin said<br />
on Wednesday.<br />
Locations included Quay Street<br />
in central Auckland, to Westgate,<br />
Onehunga, the North Shore and as<br />
far south as Mangatāwhiri.<br />
"As soon as groups moved into<br />
these areas, police were there to<br />
disrupt their plans and, in some<br />
areas, quickly set up checkpoints,"<br />
Martin said.<br />
"We found in some cases our<br />
staff's presence meant those<br />
taking part actually moved on and<br />
didn't form into larger groups."<br />
Dubbed 'Operation Tread', police<br />
said the effort involved more than<br />
1700 breath tests - 11 of which<br />
came back over the limit. One<br />
person blew 908mcg, nearly four<br />
times the legal limit.<br />
In addition to 209 infringement<br />
notices, police issued 28 green and<br />
pink stickers to defective vehicles,<br />
made five arrests and laid 13<br />
charges that will be heard in court.<br />
Several drivers failed to stop for<br />
police, they said, including near<br />
Ramarama, Onehunga and Albany.<br />
Police in Waikato handed out<br />
another 55 infringements and<br />
impounded one vehicle while<br />
disrupting a "large convoy of<br />
vehicles" heading north.<br />
"It's not only a nuisance to<br />
residents and other road users,<br />
but the foolish behaviour is putting<br />
people at risk of serious harm,"<br />
Martin said.<br />
"We know the public are<br />
frustrated when they see public<br />
roads used in this way, and we are<br />
continuing to take action to disrupt<br />
and hold these people to account."<br />
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Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
NEW ZEALAND 9<br />
Ram raid whodunnit: Don’t<br />
ask police, they don’t know<br />
• Continued from Page 1<br />
<strong>The</strong> National Party, which<br />
formed a coalition government in<br />
2023, pegged their poll campaign<br />
heavily on what it described as<br />
the Labour government’s “soft<br />
on crime approach” that had<br />
exacerbated crime in the country.<br />
Responding to a specific query<br />
by <strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> whether<br />
a 50 per cent rate of identifying<br />
ram raiders was good enough, a<br />
police spokesperson said, “Police<br />
has focussed on curbing and<br />
preventing ram-raids and there<br />
has been a sustained trend of<br />
reduction since the peak in late<br />
2022 although we recognise the<br />
devastating effect on businesses<br />
of any ram-raid.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> spokesperson pointed out<br />
that the police investigate every<br />
reported occurrence of ram raid.<br />
“However, sometimes we can’t<br />
identify the offenders and that<br />
means there is no opportunity to<br />
take action against those that are<br />
responsible.<br />
“We continue with our<br />
investigations until we have<br />
exhausted all justifiable lines of<br />
enquiry. In particular, ram-raid<br />
scenes there may be limited<br />
opportunities for forensic<br />
evidence such as DNA or the<br />
CCTV footage may not be of<br />
sufficient quality to identify<br />
suspects.”<br />
IWK BUREAU<br />
Dive into the vibrant world of<br />
RangGheli—a mesmerizing<br />
journey through an<br />
anthology of one-act plays that<br />
unfolds in a 75-minute spectacle.<br />
Each play paints a unique canvas,<br />
showcasing distinct stories with<br />
their own compelling characters<br />
and settings.<br />
From laughter to tears, suspense<br />
to revelation, RangGheli weaves<br />
together a tapestry of emotions,<br />
delivering an unforgettable<br />
theatrical experience that<br />
transcends boundaries.<br />
Join for a night filled with<br />
drama, laughter, and poignant<br />
moments—a celebration of the<br />
diverse hues that make up the rich<br />
tapestry of life on stage.<br />
RangGheli promises to be<br />
an evening of spellbinding<br />
performances, with each act<br />
offering a glimpse into the myriad<br />
facets of human experience.<br />
<strong>The</strong> plays are crafted by talented<br />
playwrights, directed by seasoned<br />
<strong>The</strong> spokesperson went on to<br />
add that of the nearly 50 per cent<br />
cases in 2023 where the police<br />
did identify culprits, prosecution<br />
action was initiated in 89 per<br />
cent cases, while the remaining<br />
11 per cent went through nonprosecution<br />
pathways–mostly<br />
youth referral.<br />
“We know that 80 per cent<br />
of ram raids involve young<br />
people, sometimes aged 10-<br />
13. Prosecution is not the most<br />
appropriate response for these<br />
young people.<br />
“We want to see if we can turn<br />
their lives around and steer them<br />
away from offending. That is<br />
where youth referral programmes<br />
such as Fast Track can be<br />
successful in providing support<br />
for the young people and their<br />
whānau,” the spokesperson said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Dairy and Business<br />
Owners Group, which represents<br />
thousands of dairies and other<br />
RangGheli: An anthology<br />
of emotions on stage<br />
directors, and brought to life by a<br />
talented ensemble cast.<br />
Audiences can expect to be<br />
transported to different worlds<br />
and time periods as the plays<br />
range from historical dramas to<br />
contemporary comedies.<br />
<strong>The</strong> intimate setting of the<br />
theatre allows for a close<br />
connection between performers<br />
and the audience, enhancing the<br />
overall experience.<br />
<strong>The</strong> production has already<br />
garnered critical acclaim, with<br />
reviewers praising its innovative<br />
storytelling and powerful<br />
performances.<br />
RangGheli is a testament to the<br />
vibrant theatre scene in the region,<br />
showcasing the talents of local<br />
artists and playwrights.<br />
Don't miss this opportunity to<br />
witness the magic of RangGheli.<br />
Date: 16 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong> - 20 <strong>April</strong>,<br />
<strong>2024</strong><br />
Venue:<br />
Basement <strong>The</strong>atre,<br />
Auckland, New Zealand<br />
small businesses across New<br />
Zealand, says the government<br />
must first acknowledge the<br />
emergency if it were to solve the<br />
problem meaningfully.<br />
Chairperson Sunny Kaushal<br />
says, “<strong>The</strong> unprecedented<br />
levels of retail crime have Kiwi<br />
business owners feared for their<br />
lives. <strong>The</strong>se businesses are<br />
being bashed, robbed, burgled,<br />
ramraided and smash-and-grab<br />
daily. <strong>The</strong>y were burgled and<br />
robbed 18 times a day, and ramraided<br />
every 10 hours.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> dangerous message this<br />
sends to us is that we’re on our<br />
own, and last year we’ve seen few<br />
retailers take matters into their<br />
own hands. All we are asking is<br />
for safety of our businesses and<br />
communities.”<br />
Auckland Council stuck on<br />
how to keep buses running<br />
ALKA PRASAD/RNZ<br />
Auckland Council is<br />
rushing through decisions<br />
that align with revised<br />
policy statements from central<br />
government, leaving councillors<br />
and committee members<br />
concerned and frustrated with the<br />
"truncated" process.<br />
<strong>The</strong> council's transport<br />
and infrastructure committee<br />
met Wednesday to review the<br />
government's new draft policy<br />
statement on land transport,<br />
which first went out for review last<br />
August.Councillor Wayne Walker<br />
commented that Auckland faces<br />
significant rises in rail network<br />
costs, but there was a "massive<br />
lack of funding".<br />
"We don't think there's enough<br />
[government] money to match<br />
what council has set aside," Walker<br />
said.<br />
Auckland Transport (AT) chief<br />
financial officer Mark Laing said<br />
that if government funding did not<br />
support AT projects, the city could<br />
see both significant fare increases<br />
and services being cut."What<br />
concerns us most is our ability<br />
to keep buses running on July 1,"<br />
Laing said.<br />
Howick councillor Maurice<br />
Williamson told the council: "This<br />
is impossible."<br />
He revealed that councillors had<br />
only received updated documents<br />
Our Fruit Box's entire<br />
juice product line recalled<br />
RNZ<br />
Kiwis are being warned<br />
to avoid a raw fruit juice<br />
brand potentially operating<br />
without proper food safety<br />
controls.<br />
New Zealand Food Safety, part of<br />
the Ministry for Primary Industries,<br />
on Thursday issued a recall for Our<br />
Fruit Box (OFB) juice.<br />
"This raw fruit juice presents a<br />
food safety risk because it has not<br />
been through the required checks<br />
and balances to make sure it is<br />
safe to consume," deputy directorgeneral<br />
Vincent Arbuckle said.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> company making these<br />
juices has not been registered<br />
under the Food Act, so consumers<br />
cannot be certain that risks have<br />
been properly identified and<br />
managed."<br />
<strong>The</strong> risks include E.coli,<br />
salmonella, cryptosporidium and<br />
norovirus, "making it unsafe to<br />
consume, particularly for people<br />
who are young, older, pregnant or<br />
with weakened immune systems".<br />
<strong>The</strong> raw juice "has limited<br />
identifying labelling or branding",<br />
officials said, but is often sold in<br />
20L plastic containers labelled<br />
'OFB' and in "unlabelled bottles of<br />
different shapes and sizes".<br />
It was believed the dangerous<br />
juice was being sold informally,<br />
door-to-door, at local markets and<br />
online.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y were advertised as frozen,<br />
partially frozen or defrosted<br />
Buses in Auckland parked during the Covid-19 ouutbreak. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook<br />
about an hour before the 10am<br />
meeting.<br />
"This is a massive amount of<br />
material that needs to researched.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re's numbers in here that I think<br />
are wrong and to get this at 8.37 on<br />
the morning of a meeting like this<br />
Auckland Transport<br />
(AT) chief financial<br />
officer Mark<br />
Laing said that if<br />
government funding<br />
did not support<br />
AT projects, the<br />
city could see<br />
both significant<br />
fare increases and<br />
services being cut.<br />
"If you have bought this product<br />
- either labelled OFB or Our<br />
Fruit Box, or with limited or no<br />
identifying labelling or branding<br />
- do not consume it and throw it<br />
out," Arbuckle said.<br />
"If you are unsure of whether<br />
an unlabelled product you have<br />
bought is OFB, ask the supplier."<br />
Our Fruit Box's website said<br />
it only used "spray-free/organic<br />
fruit", and had stock in both the<br />
North and South Islands. Its juices<br />
cost up to $25 a litre.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re have been no reported<br />
illnesses as a result of consuming<br />
Our Fruit Box juice yet.<br />
Food Safety said anyone<br />
with concerns should contact<br />
their doctor or ring Healthline<br />
on 0800 611 116.<br />
Our Fruit Box has been contacted<br />
for a response.<br />
is just hopeless," Williamson said.<br />
Committee chairperson John<br />
Watson responded that Auckland<br />
Council was disappointed with<br />
the short timeframe for the draft<br />
transport policy statement.<br />
<strong>The</strong> draft's focus is how<br />
$20 billion of the national land<br />
transport fund will be allocated<br />
over the next three years.<br />
But Auckland Council is<br />
concerned the draft does not<br />
outline funding needed for<br />
Auckland's complex transport<br />
system.<br />
When asked by councillor<br />
Christine Fletcher about<br />
the difficulty in getting the<br />
presentation across the line in<br />
a short timeframe, transport<br />
strategy manager Robert Simpson<br />
said the team spent "many late<br />
nights and early mornings" to pull<br />
the information together.
10<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
South Asians reflect on<br />
U19 cricket WC experience<br />
BLESSEN TOM/RNZ<br />
Snehith Reddy is back at<br />
school after posting the<br />
highest individual score in<br />
a match at the <strong>2024</strong> under-19<br />
Cricket World Cup in South Africa.<br />
<strong>The</strong> all-rounder's unbeaten 147<br />
against Nepal during the group<br />
stage propelled New Zealand to<br />
victory in the match.<br />
"It was extremely special to<br />
have the family there and for<br />
them to watch it," Reddy says. "I<br />
love to remember it."<br />
Based in Hamilton, the 17-yearold<br />
originally hails from Andhra<br />
Pradesh, a southern state in India.<br />
Despite New Zealand's early<br />
elimination from the tournament<br />
during the Super Sixes stage,<br />
Reddy considers the experience<br />
to be invaluable.<br />
"I believe that coming from a<br />
tournament like that, you can<br />
gather a wealth of insights and<br />
apply them to your own game,<br />
ultimately enhancing your skills,"<br />
Reddy says.<br />
He hopes to transition to<br />
professional domestic cricket<br />
later this year and aims to secure<br />
a spot in the 2026 under-19 World<br />
Cup squad.<br />
All-rounder Oliver Tewatiya also<br />
took a lot away from his time in<br />
South Africa.<br />
"It was a unique experience and<br />
I definitely learned a lot from it,"<br />
he says.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>2024</strong> tournament was<br />
Tewatiya's first appearance at a<br />
World Cup.<br />
Having relocated from New<br />
Delhi to New Zealand at the age<br />
of 10, the 17-year-old currently<br />
resides in Wellington.<br />
"My most significant takeaway<br />
was probably realizing the<br />
extensive preparation required to<br />
compete in tournaments of this<br />
magnitude," he says.<br />
"Training is one aspect, but<br />
understanding the importance<br />
of nutrition, sleep cycles and<br />
Snehith Reddy's unbeaten 147 against Nepal was the highest individual score in a match at the <strong>2024</strong> under-19 Cricket World Cup. Photo:<br />
Supplied<br />
establishing routines was eyeopening."<br />
He admits that nerves ran<br />
particularly high during the<br />
games, but wearing the New<br />
Zealand jersey was a dream come<br />
true for Tewatiya.<br />
He recalls the thrill of<br />
performing on Sky Sports in front<br />
of a large audience, describing<br />
it as an "unreal" and "incredible"<br />
experience.<br />
Tewatiya is also eager to<br />
incorporate the lessons learned<br />
from the tournament into his<br />
personal development.<br />
He is also looking forward<br />
to another under-19 national<br />
tournament towards the end of<br />
the year.<br />
Tewatiya says his parents were<br />
proud of his achievements.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>y missed me for more than<br />
a month while I was away, but<br />
they were really proud of me for<br />
going out there and playing for<br />
New Zealand," he says.<br />
Oliver Tewatiya wants to play more cricket for New Zealand. Photo: Supplied<br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
Ministry<br />
of Health<br />
proposes<br />
134 job<br />
losses<br />
JEMIMA HUSTON/RNZ<br />
<strong>The</strong> Ministry of Health<br />
is proposing to cut 134 jobs<br />
to meet the government's<br />
demands to reduce costs, RNZ<br />
understands.<br />
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social<br />
Development (MSD) is calling for<br />
mass voluntary redundancies.<br />
NZ Doctor earlier reported the<br />
Ministry of Health needed to reduce<br />
spending, and was expected to<br />
slash its budget by $78 million<br />
between 2023/24 and <strong>2024</strong>/25.<br />
More than a quarter of all<br />
positions could be directly<br />
affected.<br />
Ministry of Health staff<br />
are meeting on Thursday and<br />
Friday to discuss the proposal.<br />
Consultation will close on 26 <strong>April</strong><br />
and a final decision will be made in<br />
June.<br />
At MSD, workers affected were<br />
in the service delivery and Māori<br />
communities and partnerships<br />
teams, as well as those in human<br />
resources, policy, strategy and<br />
communications.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Public Service Association<br />
said the voluntary redundancies,<br />
along with vacant roles not being<br />
filled, could see hundreds of<br />
workers leave.<br />
Spokesperson Duane Leo said<br />
the government was out of touch<br />
and it was "disgraceful" to cut a<br />
workforce that supported so many<br />
New Zealanders.<br />
"Every day we are seeing the<br />
fiction of 'no cuts to the frontline',<br />
Leo said.<br />
"Make no mistake, those<br />
supporting New Zealanders<br />
and communities will be under<br />
more pressure than ever before.<br />
How can that be good for the<br />
care and support they provide?"<br />
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Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
NEW ZEALAND 11<br />
'Very significant' rise in home<br />
insurance premiums revealed<br />
KATE NEWTON/RNZ<br />
House insurance premiums<br />
jumped by more than<br />
30 percent in a year in<br />
some parts of New Zealand,<br />
price monitoring data provided to<br />
Treasury shows.<br />
<strong>The</strong> same data reveals that,<br />
while insurance is still widely<br />
available, some home insurers<br />
appear to have withdrawn online<br />
quotes for entire regions.<br />
A climate change researcher<br />
specialising in disaster economics<br />
says the data is a taste of what<br />
could come as the risk of climate<br />
change-driven natural hazards,<br />
especially flooding, increases.<br />
Actuarial consultancy Finity has<br />
monitored insurance premiums<br />
since late 2022 for a dataset of<br />
2000 properties throughout New<br />
Zealand, chosen to match the<br />
country's natural hazards profile -<br />
including earthquake, flooding and<br />
tsunami risk.<br />
<strong>The</strong> addresses are real but other<br />
information, such as property age,<br />
sum insured and construction<br />
materials, has been randomised<br />
so that the 'houses' in the dataset<br />
are not real people's homes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> data, provided to Treasury<br />
and government ministers every<br />
three months and released to RNZ<br />
under the Official Information Act,<br />
showed that insurance remained<br />
widely available in all regions<br />
between September 2022<br />
and July 2023.<br />
However, premiums have been<br />
steadily increasing since Finity<br />
first began price monitoring.<br />
<strong>The</strong> average cheapest quote<br />
across the main dataset of<br />
1400 houses, chosen to reflect<br />
earthquake risk across the<br />
country, rose 22.6 percent, from<br />
$1423 to $1744.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two most recent quarterly<br />
reports, including one from<br />
January this year, were withheld<br />
from RNZ as they have not been<br />
shared with Cabinet ministers<br />
yet.Has your house insurance<br />
increased or have you had<br />
difficulty getting or renewing a<br />
policy?<br />
<strong>The</strong> most expensive regions<br />
tallied with the highest earthquake<br />
risk - still considered New<br />
Zealand's biggest natural hazard<br />
risk despite recent severe weather<br />
events.<br />
However, some of those regions<br />
- including all parts of Wellington<br />
- only had small percentage<br />
increases to premiums, after the<br />
previous government increased<br />
the amount EQC will pay out on<br />
claims to $300,000 in October<br />
2022.As well as monitoring price,<br />
Finity also reported on how many<br />
of four major underwriters in<br />
New Zealand - AA Insurance,<br />
IAG, Tower and Vero - would<br />
provide insurance quotes online,<br />
as a way of measuring insurance<br />
availability.<br />
More than 80 percent of<br />
properties in the main dataset<br />
could get online quotes from three<br />
or more underwriters.<br />
However, choice was more<br />
A severely damaged house in Esk Valley, Hawke's Bay in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. (Photo: Tom Kitchin)<br />
Ilan Noy says the rate of premium increases<br />
and the lack of online availability in some<br />
regions both concern him. (Supplied photo)<br />
limited for the 303 properties in<br />
Wellington and the Hutt Valley:<br />
none were able to get an online<br />
quote from more than two of the<br />
underwriters.<br />
Just seven percent of<br />
Marlborough homes in the dataset<br />
were able to get a third quote.<br />
A small proportion of homes<br />
in central Wellington, Hutt Valley,<br />
Marlborough and Canterbury<br />
could not even get two quotes<br />
online. Houses in some towns<br />
with high flood risk, such as<br />
Westport, were also less likely to<br />
be able to access multiple online<br />
quotes, along with houses in<br />
areas with high tsunami risk.<br />
<strong>The</strong> data did not report which<br />
companies rejected online quotes,<br />
or if the same companies were<br />
rejecting the same properties.<br />
Victoria University's chair of<br />
economics of disasters and<br />
climate change Professor Ilan Noy<br />
said the jump in premiums was<br />
"very significant".<br />
"It doesn't look like a spike,<br />
because you have a rolling over<br />
of contracts… You see it slowly,<br />
within a 12-month period,<br />
emerging."<br />
<strong>The</strong> third-party risk modelling<br />
used by insurers was improving<br />
and some insurers were now<br />
pricing at individual property level<br />
- meaning some people would be<br />
noticing even bigger increases<br />
than the data suggested, he said.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> increase in the average<br />
is obscuring the fact that there's<br />
more differentiation between<br />
different types of properties in<br />
different locations, and even<br />
within the same sort of region."<br />
<strong>The</strong> "more worrying" signal<br />
from the data was that some<br />
properties were already struggling<br />
to automatically get insurance,<br />
Noy said.<br />
"You clearly see some evidence<br />
that some locations are not giving<br />
quotes [online].<br />
"In some locations they're<br />
saying, no, we need to look more<br />
carefully - we're worried about<br />
this, we need to have some human<br />
look at this before we approve."<br />
Insurance might still be<br />
available, "but it definitely means<br />
that they're more cautious about<br />
offering contracts for those<br />
properties".<br />
In the short term that meant<br />
less choice - and possibly<br />
higher premiums - for those<br />
homeowners. <strong>The</strong> long-term<br />
outlook was more concerning.<br />
"It's almost an inevitable<br />
outcome that once some insurers<br />
start retreating, especially in a<br />
market where there are not that<br />
many players, then eventually all<br />
of them will."<br />
'Unusual' increases caused by<br />
cost pressures<br />
Outgoing Insurance Council<br />
chief executive Tim Graffton,<br />
whose tenure ends this week,<br />
was more circumspect about<br />
availability, saying the Finity data<br />
only represented some insurers.<br />
Of those insurers, many<br />
might be prepared to insure a<br />
property once they had spoken<br />
to a customer on the phone and<br />
gathered more details, he said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> size of recent premium<br />
increases was "unusual", Grafton<br />
said.<br />
Part of that was due to<br />
construction inflation, which had<br />
pushed up rebuild costs by about<br />
30 percent over the last two years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Finity data included a 17.5<br />
percent increase to the total sum<br />
insured for each property to reflect<br />
that.<br />
<strong>The</strong> other major factor was a<br />
jump in costs for reinsurance -<br />
essentially, insurance for insurers<br />
in the event of a major natural<br />
disaster.<br />
That had increased by 25 to 40<br />
percent for many insurers in the<br />
last year as a response to multiple<br />
severe weather events around the<br />
world, including Cyclone Gabrielle<br />
and the Auckland Anniversary<br />
floods, Grafton said.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> increase in the<br />
average is obscuring<br />
the fact that there's<br />
more differentiation<br />
between different<br />
types of properties<br />
in different<br />
locations, and even<br />
within the same sort<br />
of region."<br />
"Some reinsurers have made<br />
it quite clear that they've been<br />
somewhat surprised by the<br />
number that have occurred, and<br />
the severity of those events,<br />
globally."<br />
Finity Principal Simon Young<br />
said prior to last year, a severe<br />
weather event in New Zealand<br />
that cost insurers more than $300<br />
million was "inconceivable".<br />
"And suddenly you have two<br />
billion-dollar events that are not<br />
earthquakes. Reinsurance costs<br />
have skyrocketed - and the way<br />
that we allocate that reinsurance<br />
to customers has changed as well<br />
to reflect that [risk]."<br />
It was not in anyone's interests<br />
for the cost of insurance to keep<br />
increasing at that rate and he did<br />
not expect the same increases<br />
this year.<br />
"But it's definitely going in one<br />
direction only, and you're going<br />
to have a greater degree of the<br />
cost falling on those that have the<br />
highest probability of making a<br />
claim."<br />
Young said he was "not worried<br />
about availability on the whole".<br />
"It's just harder for people to<br />
get insurance in those [higher<br />
risk] regions - they've got to jump<br />
through a few more hoops."<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was no wholesale shift to<br />
refuse coverage in any areas yet,<br />
Young said.<br />
"I would anticipate over the very<br />
long term - that 30 to 50-year<br />
period - we will see areas that<br />
the insurance industry as a whole<br />
might decide are just uninsurable.<br />
But that's not going to be the bulk<br />
of New Zealand - they'll be very<br />
small areas."<br />
Ilan Noy believed insurers would<br />
rather quietly retreat from a very<br />
high-risk area than continue to<br />
hike premiums.<br />
"Sometimes it's better for them<br />
reputationally just to say, sorry, we<br />
can't insure you anymore."<br />
Political vacuum<br />
Noy, Grafton and Young all<br />
said that, ultimately, insurance<br />
availability would require a<br />
political solution - starting by<br />
ensuring that development did not<br />
continue in high-risk areas.<br />
Grafton hoped work on a<br />
National Policy Statement<br />
on Natural Hazard Decision-<br />
Making - which began under the<br />
previous government and would<br />
give councils greater direction<br />
to prevent such developments -<br />
would continue.<br />
"It is really important that<br />
we do have a risk framework<br />
for decisions around where we<br />
consent for new building in the<br />
future."<br />
Noy believed there was currently<br />
little political appetite for coming<br />
up with a solution to rising<br />
insurance costs - and the wider<br />
question of what to do about<br />
communities already in high-risk<br />
areas.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re's a problem here: if<br />
it's becoming difficult for you<br />
to insure your house, you don't<br />
necessarily want to be very vocal<br />
about it. So the media doesn't<br />
know, and so there's no reporting<br />
and [therefore] there's no political<br />
problem."<br />
However, he was not in favour<br />
of "heavy regulation" of insurance,<br />
saying it created perverse<br />
incentives for people to remain<br />
in hazardous locations even<br />
after a disaster. Tim Grafton said<br />
natural hazard risk and insurance<br />
availability were not issues he<br />
believed many people put a lot of<br />
thought into when buying a home<br />
at the moment.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re's a huge amount of<br />
emotion invested in purchasing<br />
a home, and once you've secured<br />
that, you're looking first at, can<br />
I afford it and does the location<br />
work for me… When you've<br />
done all of that, it's not like the<br />
insurance is high on your list - it's<br />
just something I need to get to get<br />
my mortgage."<br />
Some people purchased a<br />
Land Information Memorandum<br />
(LIM) but they added several<br />
hundred dollars to the cost of due<br />
diligence, he said.
Editorial<br />
QUOTE OF THE WEEK<br />
Optimism is essential to achievement and<br />
it is also the foundation of courage and true<br />
progress. — Nicholas Murray Butler<br />
IN FOCUS : Picture of the week<br />
Finally, hope<br />
for a pragmatic<br />
approach toa<br />
immigration reform<br />
In the realm of immigration policy, few topics evoke as much emotion and anticipation<br />
as reforms to family visas. For immigrant communities, particularly the <strong>Indian</strong> diaspora<br />
in New Zealand, the prospect of easing immigration restrictions to facilitate family<br />
reunification is not just a matter of bureaucratic procedure; it strikes at the heart of cultural<br />
values and familial bonds.<br />
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford’s contemplation of reforms to family visas this term<br />
offers a glimmer of hope to many who have long yearned for the opportunity to be reunited<br />
with their loved ones.<br />
Central to the <strong>Indian</strong> cultural ethos is the paramount importance of family. It is not merely<br />
a social construct but a deeply ingrained value system that shapes individual identities and<br />
life trajectories. In a society where familial ties are cherished above all else, the separation<br />
of families due to immigration barriers can inflict profound emotional and psychological<br />
distress.<br />
<strong>The</strong> proposed reforms, particularly the possibility of long-stay visits for overseas parents<br />
and grandparents, hold the promise of alleviating this burden and fostering greater cohesion<br />
within immigrant communities.<br />
Beyond the realm of sentimentality, however, lies a pragmatic rationale for facilitating<br />
family reunification through immigration policy. Parents and grandparents coming to live<br />
with their children and grandchildren not only enrich family life but also play a crucial role in<br />
alleviating the strain on societal systems, such as caregiving and childcare.<br />
In an era where aging populations and changing family structures pose significant<br />
challenges, harnessing the potential of intergenerational support networks can contribute to<br />
the overall well-being and resilience of communities.<br />
It is well known that family unity has tangible benefits for individuals navigating life in a<br />
foreign land. Immigrants often grapple with feelings of isolation and cultural dislocation,<br />
particularly in the initial stages of settlement.<br />
<strong>The</strong> presence of family members provides a vital anchor, offering emotional support,<br />
practical assistance, and a sense of belonging. By fostering a supportive environment<br />
conducive to integration and adaptation, family reunification not only enhances the welfare of<br />
immigrant populations but also contributes to their productivity and economic participation.<br />
Many countries including Australia have realised this fact and have already put in place<br />
arrangements for conditional long term visas for parents – something that has been greatly<br />
lauded by immigrant communities.<br />
<strong>The</strong> proposed reforms extend beyond mere gestures of goodwill; they reflect a recognition<br />
of the vital role that immigrant families play in the fabric of society. However, it is imperative<br />
that such reforms are implemented with careful consideration of the broader context and<br />
practical implications.<br />
As Immigration Minister Stanford rightly acknowledges, the overhaul of family visa<br />
policies must be accompanied by a comprehensive review of related issues, including the<br />
partnership visa policy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> inadequacies of the current partnership visa framework, particularly concerning<br />
culturally arranged marriages, have been a source of contention and frustration for many<br />
immigrant communities.<br />
By addressing these shortcomings and ensuring that immigration policies are equitable<br />
and inclusive, the government can uphold the principles of fairness and social cohesion.<br />
While the path to meaningful reform may be fraught with challenges and competing<br />
priorities, the imperative to prioritise family reunification cannot be overstated.<br />
As New Zealand’s population continues to grow at a rapid pace, fuelled in part by<br />
immigration, the government must seize the opportunity to enact policies that promote the<br />
well-being and resilience of immigrant families.<br />
In charting the course for immigration reform, Minister Stanford and her colleagues must<br />
remain steadfast in their commitment to fostering a society that values and embraces<br />
diversity, inclusivity, and compassion.<br />
By championing reforms that facilitate family reunification and support the integration<br />
of immigrant communities, New Zealand can reaffirm its reputation as a progressive and<br />
compassionate nation on the world stage.<br />
In the final analysis, the true measure of success lies not merely in the enactment of<br />
policies but in the tangible impact they have on the lives of individuals and families.<br />
As we embark on this journey towards a more inclusive and compassionate society, let us<br />
heed the call to reunite families, strengthen communities, and build a brighter future for all.<br />
<strong>Indian</strong> Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a special family dinner hosted for him by King<br />
of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, at Lingkana Palace. Queen Jetsun Pema and<br />
their three children Jigme Namgyel, Jigme Ugyen, and Sonam Yangden were also present.<br />
This week in New Zealand’s history<br />
7 <strong>April</strong> 1856<br />
First state secondary school opens<br />
<strong>The</strong> first state secondary school in New Zealand, Nelson College, opened in temporary<br />
premises in Trafalgar St with a roll of just eight boys.<br />
8 <strong>April</strong> 1913<br />
Smallpox epidemic kills 55<br />
Mormon missionary Richard Shumway arrived at Auckland from Vancouver on the<br />
steamer Zealandia for a hui attended by Māori from around the country.<br />
9 <strong>April</strong> 1850<br />
Sisters of Mercy arrive in New Zealand<br />
Nine Sisters of Mercy arrived in Auckland on the Oceanie with Bishop Pompallier and a<br />
number of priests.<br />
10 <strong>April</strong> 1919<br />
NZ votes for prohibition – until soldiers’ votes are counted<br />
A<br />
special liquor referendum initially gave prohibition a majority of 13,000 over continuance<br />
(the status quo), raising the hopes of those who had for decades campaigned against<br />
the manufacture and sale of alcohol.<br />
10 <strong>April</strong> 1968<br />
Wahine wrecked in Wellington Harbour<br />
<strong>The</strong> sinking of the Lyttelton–Wellington ferry Wahine is New Zealand’s worst modern<br />
maritime disaster.<br />
11 <strong>April</strong> 1869<br />
New Zealand's first royal visit<br />
<strong>The</strong> Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, arrived in Wellington as captain of the<br />
frigate HMS Galatea. <strong>The</strong> first member of the British royal family to visit New Zealand, he<br />
was greeted with haka, speeches and bunting.<br />
11 <strong>April</strong> 1916<br />
New Zealand Division arrives in France<br />
<strong>The</strong> Minnewaska, a troopship carrying the headquarters of the recently formed New<br />
Zealand Division, arrived in Marseilles, France.<br />
<strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> : Volume 1 - Issue 2<br />
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the views of the team at the <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong><br />
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Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
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14<br />
INDIA<br />
India will get<br />
permanent UNSC<br />
seat, but it will<br />
have to work<br />
harder this time:<br />
EAM Jaishankar<br />
<strong>The</strong> world is amazed at India permanent member of the world<br />
moving towards 7 per cent growth body.<br />
despite the COVID-19 pandemic <strong>The</strong> United Nations was<br />
hampering growth, he said. formed around 80 years ago, five<br />
External Affairs Minister S nations — China, France, Russian<br />
Jaishankar on Tuesday said India Federation, the United Kingdom,<br />
will definitely get permanent and the United States — decided<br />
membership of the United Nations among themselves to become<br />
Security Council as there is a permanent members of its<br />
feeling in the world that it should security council, Jaishankar said.<br />
get the position, but the country At that time, there were a<br />
will have to work harder this time total of around 50 independent<br />
for it.<br />
countries in the world, which has<br />
He was speaking during an over time increased to around 193,<br />
interaction with intellectuals he said.<br />
in Gujarat’s Rajkot city and<br />
“But these five nations have<br />
was asked by the audience on kept their control, and it is<br />
India’s chances of becoming the strange that you have to ask<br />
Education<br />
could<br />
snowball into<br />
a major poll<br />
issue in Bihar<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are thousands of<br />
teachers and retired<br />
employees of universities<br />
and colleges across the state who<br />
have not been paid their dues<br />
Patna: Sushila Devi, 72, is a<br />
widow. She lives with her only son<br />
in Patna and does not keep well.<br />
Her one son died during the<br />
Covid-19 pandemic. Her husband<br />
Yogendra Narayan, a Botany<br />
teacher in Magadh University<br />
College, passed away in 2008.<br />
Pension is the only source of<br />
sustenance for her. But that money<br />
not reached her since January.<br />
Bishwanath Agrawal, 90,<br />
lives with his wife. He retired as<br />
professor and head of the Political<br />
Science department in at a college<br />
in 1994.<br />
“At this age, I survive on care and<br />
medicines and everything requires<br />
money, but for January, February<br />
and March there has been no<br />
pension payment. When I tried to<br />
find out, I was surprised to know<br />
that even salary has not been paid<br />
in colleges and universities,” he<br />
said.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se cases are not isolated.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are thousands of teachers<br />
and retired employees of<br />
universities and colleges across<br />
the state who have not been<br />
paid their dues. This is so when<br />
the overall strength of working<br />
teachers has shrunk to around<br />
35% of the sanctioned number<br />
due to lack of timely appointment.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> anarchy is being encouraged<br />
and the teachers and employees<br />
are being denied salary,” said A<br />
Kumar of All India Federation of<br />
University and College Teachers’<br />
Organisation (AIFUCTO).<br />
them to give us their consent<br />
for a change. A few agree, a few<br />
others put forward their position<br />
with honesty, while others do<br />
something from behind,” he said.<br />
This has been going on for<br />
several years, the minister said.<br />
“But now, there is a feeling<br />
across the world that this should<br />
change, and India should get a<br />
permanent seat. I see this feeling<br />
increasing every year,” he said.<br />
“We will definitely get it. But<br />
nothing big is ever achieved<br />
without hard work,” Jaishankar<br />
said. “We will have to work hard,<br />
and this time we will have to work<br />
even harder,” he added.<br />
Manmohan Singh became<br />
a member of the Upper<br />
House for the first time in<br />
October 1991. He was elected for<br />
the sixth term in 2019.<br />
As former Prime Minister<br />
Manmohan Singh retired as a<br />
member of the Rajya Sabha,<br />
officially bidding adieu to active<br />
politics, Congress president<br />
Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday<br />
wrote to him, saying he will always<br />
remain a hero to the middle class<br />
and the aspirational youth, a leader<br />
and guide to the industrialists and<br />
entrepreneurs and a benefactor to<br />
the poor. Singh’s Rajya Sabha term<br />
comes to an end on Wednesday.<br />
“As you retire today from<br />
the Rajya Sabha… an era comes<br />
to an end… Very few people have<br />
accomplished as much as you<br />
for the nation and its people,” he<br />
wrote.<br />
Singh became a member of the<br />
Upper House for the first time in<br />
October 1991. He was elected for<br />
the sixth term in 2019. Kharge, a<br />
minister in the UPA II government,<br />
noted that Singh had made it<br />
a point to be available for the<br />
Congress over the last few years<br />
despite personal inconveniences<br />
“You have shown that it is<br />
Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Union minister said India,<br />
Japan, Germany and Egypt have<br />
put forward a proposal together<br />
before the UN and he believes this<br />
will take the matter a bit forward.<br />
“But we must build pressure,<br />
and when this pressure<br />
increases…<strong>The</strong>re is a feeling in the<br />
world that the UN has weakened.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was a deadlock in the UN on<br />
the Ukraine war and no consensus<br />
was reached in the UN regarding<br />
Gaza.<br />
"I think as this feeling increases,<br />
our chances of getting a<br />
permanent seat will increase,” he<br />
said.<br />
'Always a hero to the middle class': Kharge<br />
pens letter as Manmohan Singh retires<br />
Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: India<br />
deports three ex-convicts to Sri Lanka<br />
India deported Rajiv<br />
Gandhi assassination case<br />
ex-convicts Murugan, Robert<br />
and Jayakumar to Sri Lanka<br />
on Wednesday. <strong>The</strong> three exconvicts<br />
were deported from<br />
Chennai airport after they got<br />
their passports and received a<br />
green signal from the Sri Lankan<br />
government, reported news<br />
agency ANI. In India, Murugan,<br />
Jayakumar and Robert were<br />
staying at the Trichy refugee<br />
camp. Murugan's wife, Nalini,<br />
who was also a convict in the<br />
Rajiv Gandhi assassination<br />
case, came to send him off, at<br />
the Chennai airport. Nalini and<br />
Murugan were released from jail<br />
following a Supreme Court order<br />
on November 12, 2022.<br />
In March, Nalini filed a petition<br />
in the Madras High Court seeking<br />
an order from the Central and<br />
State governments to permit<br />
her husband Murugan for an<br />
possible to pursue economic<br />
policies that were equally<br />
beneficial to large industries, young<br />
entrepreneurs, small businesses,<br />
the salaried class and the poor…<br />
Thanks to your policies, India was<br />
able to lift 27 crore people, the<br />
highest number of poor people,<br />
out of poverty… <strong>The</strong> MGNREGA<br />
scheme launched under your<br />
government continues to provide<br />
relief to the rural workers… the<br />
rural poor will always remember<br />
you for ensuring that they can…<br />
live with self-respect,” he said.<br />
Kharge recalled Singh’s pursuit<br />
to secure the India-US nuclear<br />
deal, an issue on which the Left<br />
parties withdrew support to the<br />
UPA government in 2008.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> patriotic legacy of the<br />
Congress and its spirit of sacrifice<br />
was ably demonstrated by you<br />
when you decided to pursue the<br />
Indo-US Nuclear Deal even if it<br />
meant putting your government<br />
at risk… <strong>The</strong> respect and regard<br />
that… other world leaders had…<br />
further increased during the Global<br />
Financial Crisis… I remember<br />
President Obama mentioning<br />
about you that ‘Whenever the<br />
<strong>Indian</strong> Prime Minister speaks, the<br />
whole world listens to him."<br />
interview in the Sri<br />
Lankan Embassy in<br />
Chennai. She said<br />
that through the<br />
interview Murugan<br />
wanted to obtain<br />
a passport for<br />
travelling to the<br />
United Kingdom in<br />
order to settle with their daughter<br />
there. In the petition, she also<br />
requested the court to order<br />
the police to provide adequate<br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
<strong>Indian</strong>s<br />
seeking<br />
permanent<br />
residency<br />
in Canada<br />
to pay<br />
more fees<br />
Canada's Department<br />
of Citizenship and<br />
Immigration had issued a<br />
notice on March 30 stating that<br />
it would increase the permanent<br />
residence fees for international<br />
residents seeking permanent<br />
residency there.<br />
<strong>The</strong> notice said, “<strong>The</strong> permanent<br />
residence fees will increase at<br />
9:00:00 a.m. Eastern daylight<br />
time on <strong>April</strong> 30, <strong>2024</strong>, by the<br />
cumulative percentage increase<br />
to the Consumer Price Index for<br />
Canada, published by Statistics<br />
Canada, for the two previous<br />
years, rounded to the nearest five<br />
dollars.”<br />
It added that the ‘Right of<br />
Permanent Residence Fee’ will<br />
increase from CAD 515 to CAD<br />
575, which means a hike of about<br />
12 per cent.<br />
<strong>The</strong> permanent residence<br />
application process requires the<br />
submission of a specific fee.<br />
However, this financial<br />
obligation is waived for dependent<br />
children, providing relief for<br />
families seeking to establish<br />
permanent residency.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fee will also increase for<br />
Federal Skilled Workers, — which<br />
several <strong>Indian</strong>s apply for —<br />
Provincial Nominee Program,<br />
Quebec Skilled Workers, and<br />
Atlantic Immigration Class from<br />
CAD 850 to CAD 950.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fee is also applicable<br />
for accompanying spouses or<br />
common-law partners. For an<br />
accompanying dependency child,<br />
it increased from CAD 230 to CAD<br />
260. <strong>The</strong> fee for Business (federal<br />
and Quebec) rose from CAD 1,625<br />
to CAD 1,810.<br />
Under the family reunification<br />
immigration programme, the<br />
sponsorship fee, which applies<br />
to sponsors bringing in spouses/<br />
partners, children, parents,<br />
grandparents, and other relatives,<br />
has been raised from CAD 75 to<br />
CAD 85.<br />
Additionally, the application fees<br />
for principal applicants in this<br />
stream have seen an increase,<br />
jumping from CAD 490 to CAD<br />
545.<br />
Sri Lankan nationals who were convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi<br />
assassination case address the media before leaving for Sri Lanka,<br />
at Chennai airport<br />
security if required.<br />
Nalini mentioned that while the<br />
Supreme Court released all seven<br />
people, her husband Murugan had<br />
been kept in a special camp.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
WORLD 15<br />
Australian navy chief receives<br />
guard of honour in Delhi<br />
Vice Admiral Mark<br />
Australian warship is a reflection<br />
Hammond, chief of the<br />
of the close maritime partnership<br />
Royal Australian Navy<br />
between the two countries.<br />
received the Guard of Honour at<br />
South Block Lawns in Delhi.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Australian Navy officer<br />
received the honour in the<br />
presence of the <strong>Indian</strong> Navy Chief<br />
Admiral R Hari Kumar.<br />
In a move to bolster maritime<br />
cooperation between Australia<br />
and India, Vice Admiral Mark<br />
Hammond, Chief of the Royal<br />
Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, chief of the Royal Australian Navy (Photo/ANI)<br />
India - Australia have shared<br />
a Comprehensive Strategic<br />
Partnership since June 2020<br />
and defence is a key pillar of this<br />
partnership. India and Australia's<br />
partnership is based on a shared<br />
vision of a free, open, inclusive<br />
and prosperous Indo-Pacific<br />
region.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two democracies have a<br />
Australian Navy embarked a<br />
significant five-day visit to India<br />
on Tuesday.<br />
<strong>The</strong> visit comes amid increasing<br />
efforts from both nations to<br />
enhance naval ties and strategic<br />
collaboration in the Indo-Pacific<br />
region.<br />
Earlier in February, HMAS<br />
Warramunga, an Anzac-class<br />
frigate of the Royal Australian<br />
Navy on Sunday arrived in<br />
Visakhapatnam to take part in<br />
the multilateral naval exercise,<br />
'MILAN <strong>2024</strong>,' the Eastern Naval<br />
Command said.<br />
According to the Eastern Naval<br />
Command, the participation of the<br />
common interest in peace and<br />
prosperity of the entire region,<br />
according to the Ministry of<br />
Defence old release.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two countries have a 2+2<br />
mechanism at the Ministerial<br />
Earthquake of 7.7 magnitude hits Taiwan;<br />
Japan, Philippines issue tsunami alerts<br />
A five-storey building in Hualien suffered heavy damage, with its first floor collapsing and the rest of the building<br />
leaning at a 45-degree angle.<br />
Why Taiwan is exposed to earthquakes<br />
and well prepared to withstand them<br />
Taiwan is no<br />
stranger to powerful<br />
earthquakes yet<br />
their toll on the high-tech<br />
island's 23 million residents<br />
has been relatively<br />
contained.<br />
Taiwan was struck<br />
Wednesday by its most<br />
powerful earthquake in<br />
a quarter of a century. At<br />
least nine people were<br />
killed and hundreds injured,<br />
buildings and highways<br />
damaged and train service<br />
interrupted.<br />
Taiwan is no stranger<br />
to powerful earthquakes<br />
yet their toll on the hightech<br />
island's 23 million<br />
residents has been<br />
relatively contained thanks<br />
to its excellent earthquake<br />
preparedness, experts say.<br />
What was billed a<br />
self-checkout<br />
system powered<br />
by cameras and censors,<br />
giving the illusion of an<br />
automated system turned<br />
out to be a little different…<br />
Amazon is phasing<br />
out its Just Walk Out<br />
tech from all of its Fresh<br />
grocery stores in the US,<br />
according to a report in<br />
<strong>The</strong> Information. It would<br />
appear that what was<br />
billed as an AI endeavour<br />
included thousands of<br />
<strong>Indian</strong>s adding items to<br />
carts and charging the<br />
customers depending on<br />
what objects they walked<br />
out with.<br />
Just Walkt Out was billed<br />
a self-checkout system<br />
powered by cameras and<br />
censors, giving the illusion<br />
of an automated system.<br />
Amazon had claimed:<br />
“<strong>The</strong> feat is a combination<br />
of computer vision, object<br />
recognition, advanced<br />
<strong>The</strong> jump in<br />
immigration<br />
numbers has caused<br />
a housing affordability<br />
crisis in Canada, while<br />
also impacting services<br />
and infrastructure and<br />
has contributed to the<br />
plummeting political<br />
fortunes of Justin Trudeau<br />
and the ruling Liberal Party.<br />
Canadian Prime<br />
Minister Justin Trudeau<br />
acknowledged on Tuesday<br />
that the surge in temporary<br />
immigrants to the country<br />
was “beyond” what it was<br />
“able to absorb” and said<br />
his government wanted to<br />
get those numbers down.<br />
Responding to questions<br />
at an unrelated event in<br />
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia,<br />
Trudeau said, “Over the<br />
past few years, we’ve seen a<br />
massive spike in temporary<br />
immigration whether its<br />
sensors, deep machine<br />
learning models, and<br />
generative AI—a type of<br />
artificial intelligence that<br />
has recently captured the<br />
public’s imagination.”<br />
Jon Jenkins, vice<br />
president of Just Walk Out<br />
technology had said: “Our<br />
tech is able to distinguish<br />
shoppers from one another,<br />
without collecting or using<br />
any of their biometric<br />
information. Just Walk<br />
Out technology detects<br />
when a shopper’s hand<br />
interacts with a product<br />
on the shelf. When that<br />
happens, machine learning<br />
temporary foreign workers<br />
or whether its international<br />
students, in particular, that<br />
have grown at a rate far<br />
beyond what Canada has<br />
been able to absorb.”<br />
He said that in 2017, the<br />
percentage of the overall<br />
population comprising<br />
temporary immigrants was<br />
just 2, but it has ballooned<br />
to 7.5% presently.<br />
“That’s something we<br />
need to get back under<br />
control,” he said, adding<br />
his government wanted<br />
to “get those numbers<br />
level. <strong>The</strong> 8th DPT reviewed<br />
the outcomes of the maiden<br />
2+2 conducted in September<br />
2021. Both sides agreed to early<br />
finalization of the hydrography<br />
agreement. <strong>The</strong> two sides also<br />
exchanged views on geo-political<br />
situation and regional and global<br />
issues of shared interest.<br />
Earlier on <strong>April</strong> 2, the 2nd edition<br />
of the high level virtual interaction<br />
MAHASAGAR was hosted by<br />
the <strong>Indian</strong> Navy. Admiral R Hari<br />
Kumar, CNS interacted with Heads<br />
of Navies/ Maritime Agencies<br />
and Senior Leadership from IOR<br />
littorals, Bangladesh, Comoros,<br />
Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives and<br />
Mauritius among others.<br />
1,000 <strong>Indian</strong>s part of Amazon's 'generative AI'<br />
driven Just Walk Out project in Fresh stores: Report<br />
algorithms make sure the<br />
correct item is added to the<br />
virtual cart—all without any<br />
specific knowledge about<br />
the person.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> truth however is a<br />
little less exciting.<br />
A report in Gizmodo<br />
states: “Just over half<br />
of Amazon Fresh stores<br />
are equipped with Just<br />
Walk Out. <strong>The</strong> technology<br />
allows customers to skip<br />
checkout altogether by<br />
scanning a QR code when<br />
they enter the store. A user<br />
wrote: “Amazon billed its<br />
'Just Walk Out' stores as<br />
some triumph of AI."<br />
Surge in temporary immigrants beyond<br />
Canada’s capacity to ‘absorb’: Trudeau<br />
down” and they “caused<br />
so much pressure in our<br />
communities”.<br />
<strong>The</strong> jump in immigration<br />
numbers has caused<br />
a housing affordability<br />
crisis in Canada, while<br />
also impacting services<br />
and infrastructure and<br />
has contributed to the<br />
plummeting political<br />
fortunes of Trudeau and the<br />
ruling Liberal Party.<br />
At the time Trudeau first<br />
came into office, in 2015,<br />
the number of international<br />
students totalled 219,035.
16<br />
TIME OUT<br />
i FreeDailyCrosswords.com<br />
ACROSS-----------<br />
1) "Brian's Song" star James<br />
5) Comes out of one's skin<br />
10) Self-congratulatory<br />
14) Radius' comrade-in-arms?<br />
15) Youngest-ever Oscar<br />
winner<br />
16) Folkestone farewell<br />
17) "B 5!" "C 11!"?<br />
19) Took_ (snoozed)<br />
20) Downed<br />
21) Typing type<br />
22) Considers carefully<br />
24) "Emma" author Austen<br />
25) Hersey's bell town<br />
26) Place or site<br />
29) Transverse beam<br />
32) Itsy-bitsy bits<br />
33) "In_ tn1st"<br />
34) Recipe word<br />
35) Cravings<br />
36) Emulate "Old Blue Eyes"<br />
O, O!<br />
1 2 3<br />
14<br />
17<br />
20<br />
26 27 28<br />
32<br />
35<br />
38<br />
41 42<br />
CROSSWORD<br />
37) Kid's "seat" on Santa<br />
38) Alternative to .net<br />
39) Less extroverted<br />
40) TV's "Cosmos" creator<br />
41) Author's explanation<br />
43) Yuletide songs<br />
44) Backup sounds<br />
45) Random sampling<br />
46) "Monkey Trial" teacher<br />
48) Seafood choice<br />
49) Josh<br />
52) Door section<br />
53) John Wayne character,<br />
larger-than-life?<br />
56) More than suggest<br />
57) Recording studio alert<br />
58) Water sport<br />
59) Some antique autos<br />
60) Family men<br />
61) Bud holder<br />
Richard Auer<br />
11 12 13<br />
7th June<br />
DOWN<br />
1) Island south of Florida<br />
2) Dismounted<br />
3) Archer or Heche<br />
4) Endless faultfinder<br />
5) Home of the John Deere<br />
headquarters<br />
6) Like beverages at barbecues<br />
7) A 1 Capp character<br />
8) Fielder's choice?<br />
9) Trooper's warning<br />
10) Wood-surface applications<br />
11) Tropical fruit dance?<br />
12) Great Salt Lake state<br />
13) Adjusts, as a spark plug<br />
18) Multicolored gems<br />
23) "_ on Down the Road"<br />
24) Traffic tangles<br />
25) Eagerness<br />
26)_ the land (how things stand)<br />
27) Alamogordo's county<br />
28) Kinshasa drum?<br />
29) Australian bush call<br />
30) Just right<br />
31) Wonderlands<br />
33) Southern breakfast dish<br />
36) Auto despair site?<br />
37) Marx or Benz<br />
39) Pirate's knife<br />
40) Town of many trials and hunts<br />
42) Plains homes<br />
43) Plays with crayons<br />
45) Lecterns<br />
46) Tim Duncan, for one<br />
47) Kind of package<br />
48) Cold spell<br />
49) Nautical mile<br />
50) Not going anywhere<br />
51) Condemn<br />
54) "Put_ Happy Face"<br />
55) Photo_ (media events)<br />
i FreeDailyCrosswords.com<br />
ACROSS-----------<br />
1) "Brian's Song" star James<br />
5) Comes out of one's skin<br />
10) Self-congratulatory<br />
14) Radius' comrade-in-arms?<br />
15) Youngest-ever Oscar<br />
winner<br />
16) Folkestone farewell<br />
17) "B 5!" "C 11!"?<br />
19) Took_ (snoozed)<br />
20) Downed<br />
21) Typing type<br />
22) Considers carefully<br />
24) "Emma" author Austen<br />
25) Hersey's bell town<br />
26) Place or site<br />
29) Transverse beam<br />
32) Itsy-bitsy bits<br />
33) "In_ tn1st"<br />
34) Recipe word<br />
35) Cravings<br />
36) Emulate "Old Blue Eyes"<br />
O, O!<br />
Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
CROSSWORD ANSWERS<br />
37) Kid's "seat" on Santa<br />
38) Alternative to .net<br />
39) Less extroverted<br />
40) TV's "Cosmos" creator<br />
41) Author's explanation<br />
43) Yuletide songs<br />
44) Backup sounds<br />
45) Random sampling<br />
46) "Monkey Trial" teacher<br />
48) Seafood choice<br />
49) Josh<br />
52) Door section<br />
53) John Wayne character,<br />
larger-than-life?<br />
56) More than suggest<br />
57) Recording studio alert<br />
58) Water sport<br />
59) Some antique autos<br />
60) Family men<br />
61) Bud holder<br />
1M l.1 1 b<br />
Richard Auer<br />
ATA<br />
N A p<br />
I G H 5<br />
0<br />
T 30 1 3e<br />
D D<br />
E E<br />
N<br />
7th June<br />
DOWN<br />
1) Island south of Florida<br />
2) Dismounted<br />
3) Archer or Heche<br />
4) Endless faultfinder<br />
5) Home of the John Deere<br />
headquarters<br />
6) Like beverages at barbecues<br />
7) A 1 Capp character<br />
8) Fielder's choice?<br />
9) Trooper's warning<br />
10) Wood-surface applications<br />
11) Tropical fruit dance?<br />
12) Great Salt Lake state<br />
13) Adjusts, as a spark plug<br />
18) Multicolored gems<br />
23) "_ on Down the Road"<br />
24) Traffic tangles<br />
25) Eagerness<br />
26)_ the land (how things stand)<br />
27) Alamogordo's county<br />
28) Kinshasa drum?<br />
29) Australian bush call<br />
30) Just right<br />
31) Wonderlands<br />
33) Southern breakfast dish<br />
36) Auto despair site?<br />
37) Marx or Benz<br />
39) Pirate's knife<br />
40) Town of many trials and hunts<br />
42) Plains homes<br />
43) Plays with crayons<br />
45) Lecterns<br />
46) Tim Duncan, for one<br />
47) Kind of package<br />
48) Cold spell<br />
49) Nautical mile<br />
50) Not going anywhere<br />
51) Condemn<br />
54) "Put_ Happy Face"<br />
55) Photo_ (media events)<br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
SUDOKU SOLUTIONS<br />
46 47<br />
52<br />
56<br />
59<br />
SUDOKU<br />
1; 4c 0 p<br />
Si><br />
E<br />
A N E<br />
S<br />
5lJ R G E b N<br />
S<br />
R E 0 5 6'p A<br />
S<br />
b<br />
E 1< 5 01<br />
Mb N D 0<br />
A I R 51> L 0<br />
p A 5 E M<br />
Your Weekly Horoscope: 05 <strong>April</strong> - 11 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20)<br />
You are likely to do well for yourself on the<br />
professional front. Realising a handsome<br />
amount from someone is possible on the<br />
financial front. Your health consciousness is<br />
likely to contribute towards maintaining good<br />
health. Busy schedule may not leave enough<br />
time for you to enjoy the social scene. You can expect the<br />
full support of your family in all your endeavours. An evening<br />
out, just for a drive, will give you much fun. Shifting to a new<br />
house is indicated, especially for those getting transferred.<br />
.TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20)<br />
Your professional prospects look bright.<br />
Career enhancement through promotion<br />
is possible for people in uniform. A social<br />
event may engross you totally and give you a<br />
solid sense of achievement. Diet control may<br />
become the key to your remaining fit. On the<br />
home front, looking at the positive side of life will help boost<br />
optimism. If you are undertaking a journey today, you are<br />
certain to make good time. A suitable accommodation is<br />
yours and that too is within your budget.<br />
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)<br />
Popularity on the social front is set to rise,<br />
as you remain at your helpful best. <strong>The</strong><br />
chances of enjoying a vacation look strong.<br />
Efforts to grow financially strong are likely to<br />
show positive results soon. Health remains<br />
good. Today, you are likely to impress those<br />
who matter on the professional front. Your foresight is likely<br />
to prove a big asset on the academic front. You are set to<br />
enjoy a family gathering today.<br />
CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20)<br />
Some of you are likely to top an exam or crack<br />
a competition. Homemakers may organise a<br />
function at home. Some of you are likely to<br />
get a good bargain on property. A new vehicle<br />
is on the cards for some. <strong>The</strong> much-awaited<br />
feedback on the work front is likely to come<br />
positively in your favour. Selective eating will keep you fit as<br />
a fiddle. Money from some unexpected source may come to<br />
you and make your bank balance healthy.<br />
LEO (JUL21-AUG 20)<br />
Payments may get delayed but will be<br />
received. Health needs to be guarded,<br />
especially for those suffering from lifestyle<br />
diseases. <strong>The</strong> family will go all out to make<br />
you comfortable. <strong>The</strong> chance of meeting<br />
a celebrity on a journey is possible. This<br />
is the right time to plan for the future on the professional<br />
front. Seizing an opportunity to go on a trip will be in your<br />
interest. Don't be hasty in disposing of your property as loss<br />
is foreseen.<br />
VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23)<br />
Financially, you are likely to remain in a<br />
comfortable position. Regular workouts<br />
will help in keeping fit. Things turn<br />
favourable at work, as your contribution gets<br />
acknowledged. <strong>The</strong> home front requires your<br />
attention, so don't neglect it. A pilgrimage is<br />
possible and is likely to prove most fulfilling. Buying a new<br />
property cannot be ruled out for some. Expect to get VIP<br />
treatment, as your social life perks up.<br />
LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23)<br />
You will be keen to impress those who matter<br />
on the professional front. Being regular in<br />
your workouts will prove good for your health.<br />
You will be much more conscious of your<br />
financial situation now, than previously and<br />
budget your expenses. Organising a function<br />
or an event on the home front can keep some busy today.<br />
A good understanding with someone influential will be of<br />
much advantage to you. A long journey is possible.<br />
SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22)<br />
Good financial planning can get you in a<br />
happy state. Professional front brightens<br />
up for some as new projects come your way.<br />
Some of you are likely to participate in a funfilled<br />
activity on the home front. Resuming an<br />
exercise routine is indicated for some. Getting<br />
something new may get some youngsters all excited. A trip<br />
may get cancelled or postponed. Some sacrifice on your part<br />
will be required to get close to your partner emotionally.<br />
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21)<br />
You are likely to adopt healthy options to<br />
achieve total fitness. You are likely to grasp<br />
a situation on the work front quickly and turn<br />
it to your advantage. <strong>The</strong>re are indications<br />
that some of you can be asked to travel out<br />
of the station on short notice. A lucrative deal<br />
that brings in good returns is likely to be seized. Religiousminded<br />
will be able to achieve total peace of mind. Socialise<br />
more. Nearness to partner brings comfort and immense<br />
happiness.<br />
CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21)<br />
Completing an assigned job will give you<br />
the edge at work. Discussing investment<br />
options with a financial expert will help you<br />
make the correct decision. Homemakers may<br />
be tempted to buy an appliance or gadget.<br />
Your fitness regime will benefit. Property<br />
investments may not get immediate results but promise big<br />
money at a later date. <strong>The</strong> desire for a change of scene may<br />
take you out on an exotic vacation. <strong>The</strong> feeling of something<br />
good happening to you may persist today.<br />
AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19)<br />
You are likely to benefit immensely by making<br />
health your priority. Despite rising expenses,<br />
you will be able to remain fairly well off<br />
financially. You may have to seek alternatives<br />
if you are unable to accomplish something at<br />
work. Efforts on the academic front put in now<br />
will pay rich dividends later. People are likely to appreciate<br />
your upholding the family traditions. A chance to convert an<br />
official trip into a leisurely one may come to some.<br />
PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20)<br />
An active lifestyle will help keep minor<br />
ailments at bay. You will manage to plan your<br />
expenses well to remain within the budget.<br />
Homemakers will need to be motivated to<br />
go in for cleaning and painting of the house.<br />
A promotion or increment is likely for some,<br />
especially those in the armed forces. Those travelling on a<br />
long journey will be able to find entertaining company en<br />
route. <strong>The</strong> social front can keep some busy entertaining<br />
guests.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
FEATURE 17<br />
Healthy cooking every day<br />
Quinoa and corn griddle pancake<br />
Quinoa and Corn Griddle Pancake is a healthy and interesting recipe that you can make at home to show your<br />
culinary skills. This easy recipe is perfect for occasions like kitty parties, potlucks, birthdays, anniversaries<br />
or a surprise party for someone special. This pancake recipe is one such quick-fix which will relish your taste<br />
buds and satiate your soul with its refreshing quinoa and corn flavours.<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 1/2 cup quinoa<br />
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth<br />
• 1/2 cup boiled American corn<br />
kernels<br />
• 1/4 cup shredded low fat<br />
mozzarella cheese<br />
• 2 tablespoon milk<br />
• 8 dashes virgin olive oil<br />
• 1/4 cup arugula<br />
• 1/2 cup water<br />
• 1 egg<br />
• 2 scallions<br />
• 1/4 cup wheat flour<br />
• 1 teaspoon salt<br />
• 1 avocados<br />
Method<br />
• Add quinoa, water and vegetable<br />
broth in a small saucepan, place<br />
it over a medium flame and let<br />
it boil.<br />
• Cover the pan with a lid and<br />
simmer it for 15 minutes on low<br />
flame.<br />
• Add quinoa, egg, corn kernels,<br />
scallions, cheese, wheat flour,<br />
milk, hot pepper sauce, and<br />
black pepper in a medium bowl<br />
Homemade cake<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 3 cup all purpose flour<br />
• 2 beaten egg<br />
• 2 teaspoon baking soda<br />
• 2 teaspoon vanilla essence<br />
• 2 cup powdered sugar<br />
• 1 cup butter<br />
• 2 cup milk<br />
Method<br />
• If you think you can never make that perfect sponge<br />
cake, then try this simple recipe and you will<br />
surely become a master in rolling out the perfect<br />
homemade cake.<br />
• It is a simple recipe and you can begin by mixing<br />
sugar and butter together. Whisk well until light and<br />
fluffy.<br />
• <strong>The</strong>n, take a manual whisker or a fork, if you do not<br />
have one.<br />
• Even electrical blenders are good. Once done, add<br />
the beaten eggs and blend well.<br />
• Beat further so that the mixture gets a light, white<br />
appearance.<br />
• Sift together the maida and baking soda. It is done<br />
to evenly distribute the baking soda in flour.<br />
• Gradually add this to the egg mixture. If required<br />
add a little milk and mix till the batter is fluffy and<br />
soft.<br />
• Add vanilla essence and blend well. Vanilla essence<br />
is important to camouflage the smell of eggs.<br />
• Sprinkle some maida on a greased baking tin. It will<br />
prevent sticking of the cake to the base, you can<br />
also line it with a butter paper.<br />
• Pour the prepared mixture into the tin and place it<br />
and mix properly.<br />
• Heat a large non-stick skillet<br />
over medium flame.<br />
• Add 1/4 cup of the quinoa<br />
mixture and flatten it with a<br />
spatula to give it the shape of<br />
a pancake. Repeat the process<br />
with the remaining quinoa<br />
mixture.<br />
Irish lamb stew<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 1 kilograms lamb<br />
• 8 carrot<br />
• salt as required<br />
• water as required<br />
• 10 large potato<br />
• 4 onion<br />
• black pepper as required<br />
For Garnishing<br />
• 1 stalk parsley<br />
Method<br />
• <strong>The</strong> first step is to prepare<br />
the vegetables. Chop the<br />
potatoes in quarter, the carrots<br />
in medium-sized pieces and<br />
roughly chop the onions. Also<br />
slice the lamb into small pieces.<br />
• Now, take a large pot and fill it<br />
with water, and place over high<br />
heat.<br />
• Add the meat and potato pieces<br />
in the pot and bring it to a boil.<br />
• <strong>The</strong>n add the chopped carrots<br />
and onions in the pot.<br />
• Keep the pot low flame and<br />
cover the pot with a lid. Let it<br />
simmer, until the vegetables<br />
• Fry the pancakes in the skillet<br />
just like kebabs for about 5<br />
minutes. Flip carefully and fry<br />
the other side of the pancake<br />
for about 5-10 minutes more.<br />
Garnish the pancake with<br />
arugula leaves and serve with<br />
chopped avocado and toppings<br />
of your choice.<br />
in a pressure cooker.<br />
• Do not add water in the cooker and ensure that the<br />
tin does not touch the base of cooker. You can keep<br />
the baking dish on an inverted steel plate. Increase<br />
the flame and pressure cook for two minutes.<br />
• Now remove the whistle and cook on low flame for<br />
35-40 minutes.<br />
• If you are using an electric oven, cook at 180<br />
degrees for 30-35 minutes.<br />
• Insert a knife or a metal skewer into the cake and if<br />
it comes out clean, then the cake is ready to devour<br />
in.<br />
• Remove from the oven/cooker and allow to cool on<br />
a wire rack.<br />
and the meat are cooked, and<br />
the gravy thickens.<br />
• Garnish with chopped parsley<br />
before serving.<br />
Lighter Takes<br />
& Easy Tips<br />
Grilled lemon and rosemary chicken<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 1 1/2 tablespoon<br />
lemon juice<br />
• 1 1/2 tablespoon<br />
dijon mustard<br />
• 2 cloves garlic<br />
• powdered black<br />
pepper as<br />
required<br />
• 1 bunch arugula<br />
• 50 ml virgin olive<br />
oil<br />
• 1 1/2 tablespoon rosemary<br />
• kosher salt as required<br />
• 700 gm chicken cutlet<br />
• 1 lemon<br />
Method<br />
• In a large bowl, whisk together<br />
lemon juice, olive oil, dijon<br />
mustard, rosemary, garlic,<br />
kosher salt and black pepper<br />
powder.<br />
• In the same bowl add chicken<br />
cutlet pieces and leave it<br />
for marination at room te<br />
mperature.<br />
• Meanwhile, heat the grill to<br />
medium high.<br />
• Grease the grill grates using<br />
olive oil with the help of a brush.<br />
• Check for the marinated chicken<br />
now.<br />
• Remove the chicken from the<br />
marinate paste and place them<br />
on the grill.<br />
• Cook for 3-4 minutes till it<br />
cooks well from all the sides.<br />
• Place the lemon halves on the<br />
grill and let them cook.<br />
• Now, on a serving plate spread<br />
arugula leaves and place the<br />
grilled chicken on top if it. Now,<br />
squeeze the lemon juice on top<br />
of it and serve.<br />
Potato chip cookies<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 1 cup crushed potato wafers<br />
• 1 cup chocolate chips<br />
• 1 cup chopped mixed dry fruits<br />
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence<br />
• 2 cup brown sugar<br />
• 1 teaspoon soda<br />
• 2 egg<br />
• 1 cup fresh cream<br />
For <strong>The</strong> Main Dish<br />
• 2 cup flour<br />
Method<br />
• To begin with this delicious<br />
recipe, take a bowl and add<br />
sugar, cream in it.<br />
• Beat the eggs onto it and mix it<br />
well.<br />
• Next, add soda, choco chips,<br />
vanilla essence, flour, dry fruits<br />
and potato chips to the mix. Mix<br />
it very well.<br />
• When the mixture is finally<br />
ready, pour the mixture carefully,<br />
by using a spoon, in the cookie<br />
plate.<br />
• Put the cookie plate inside the<br />
Chicken broccoli<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 500 gm chopped chicken<br />
• 1 cup mayonnaise<br />
• 1 teaspoon curry powder<br />
• 1 tablespoon mixed herbs<br />
• 500 gm frozen broccoli<br />
• 1/2 cup skimmed milk<br />
• salt as required<br />
Method<br />
oven and bake it at 180 degrees<br />
for 15-20 minutes depending on<br />
your oven type.<br />
• Keep checking in between<br />
so that you do not burn your<br />
cookies. Once baked, take out<br />
the cookies from the oven and<br />
serve warm.<br />
• To prepare this recipe, boil<br />
chicken in saucepan over<br />
medium flame.<br />
• <strong>The</strong>n, place chicken, broccoli,<br />
and other ingredients into a<br />
casserole dish mixed together.<br />
• Cover it with a foil and bake<br />
in the oven at 375°F for 30<br />
minutes. Serve hot on rice and<br />
enjoy!
18<br />
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
Bhumi<br />
Pednekar<br />
finds the term ‘femaleled<br />
projects’ annoying:<br />
‘I hate it from my gut’<br />
Bhumi Pednekar says, “It's high time we discard all<br />
misconceptions and back projects led by women<br />
and give it the scale and mounting that we truly<br />
deserve.”<br />
Actor Bhumi Pednekar does not like the term "femaleled<br />
projects". Sharing her views, Bhumi said, "<strong>The</strong>re is a<br />
misconception that people are not immediately drawn to<br />
watch films or content headlined by women. Such projects<br />
are immediately bracketed as 'female-led projects'. This is<br />
an annoying term and I hate it from my gut. Gender doesn't<br />
define people's watching preferences. Audience wants to<br />
see good cinema, and good content. <strong>The</strong>y aren't choosing<br />
to watch it basis gender. It's ridiculous." (Also<br />
"If that was the case, I wouldn't have survived and I have<br />
built a career out of essaying remarkably strong women on<br />
screen! I got lucky because I started working at a time that<br />
coincided with how women characters were being written<br />
for cinema. <strong>The</strong>re were author-backed roles written for me.<br />
I was fortunate that directors liked my performances and<br />
chose me to headline in some of these incredibly beautiful<br />
projects that showed women as agents of change," she<br />
explained.<br />
Supporting her views, she mentioned how well her film<br />
Bhakshak performed. "My last hit Bhakshak was about a<br />
woman's willpower to fight the system for social good and<br />
it went on to become a huge hit globally. So audiences saw<br />
a female actor headline a subject that took on patriarchy<br />
and showed it in all its ugliness. Such a project should<br />
have never become a hit if the audience were selecting to<br />
watch male-actor-driven projects," she said.<br />
As per Bhumi, filmmakers should take the punt and<br />
produce more and more projects with the same budget and<br />
scale that male actors get in our country. "Toilet: Ek Prem<br />
Katha, Lust Stories, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Saand Ki Aankh,<br />
Bala, Pati Patni Aur Woh are all films that had women<br />
driving the story and they are all successful projects. So, I<br />
feel it's high time we discard all misconceptions."<br />
"Else, I<br />
wouldn’t have<br />
been here today.<br />
<strong>The</strong> beauty of this vast<br />
industry is that merit always<br />
survives... your mettle<br />
determines how you deal<br />
with it (failures). Fear of<br />
failure drives away<br />
complacency."<br />
Friday, 05 <strong>April</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Apart from being a successful actor,<br />
Ayushmann Khurrana is also a<br />
popular singer and is known for his<br />
hit numbers including 'Pani Da Rang', 'Saadi<br />
Gali Aaja', among others. Now, he is taking<br />
his music to different parts of the world and<br />
connecting with the audience globally.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 'Dream Girl' actor has recently signed<br />
a global record deal with Warner Music<br />
India. He expressed his excitement about the<br />
collaboration.<br />
"I have always wanted to collaborate with<br />
like-minded people in my pursuit of creative<br />
excellence. I want to take my music to a<br />
global audience and I'm confident that with<br />
Warner Music India by my side, I will make<br />
some significant strides in this realm. I cannot<br />
wait to unveil my next song to people. It will<br />
be a new sound that people<br />
haven't heard from me<br />
before which is extremely<br />
exciting personally for<br />
me," Khurrana said in a<br />
statement.<br />
Taking to his Instagram<br />
handle, he dropped a post,<br />
sharing an update about the<br />
partnership. <strong>The</strong> post reads,<br />
"Ayushmann Khurrana has<br />
signed a global recording<br />
deal with Warner Music<br />
India, the country's leading<br />
music label, to take his<br />
sound to a global audience.<br />
"Ayushmann falls in the<br />
rare breed of actor-artistes<br />
in the world who have<br />
left a mark not only with<br />
his blockbuster forwardthinking<br />
films but has also<br />
disrupted the music space<br />
with massive hit songs.<br />
With access to our global<br />
ecosystem, this creative<br />
partnership will connect Ayushmann to<br />
audiences and artists beyond India's borders.<br />
Stay tuned for his new release dropping this<br />
month!"<br />
Jay Mehta, Managing Director of Warner<br />
Music India and SAARC added, "Ayushmann<br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
Ayushmann to make his music<br />
cross boundaries, signs global deal<br />
Vikrant Massey is riding<br />
high on the success of<br />
12th Fail. <strong>The</strong> actor, who<br />
turned 37, once opened up about<br />
declining a well-paying project<br />
for this reason.<br />
Vikrant<br />
Massey celebrated<br />
his 37th birthday on<br />
<strong>April</strong> 3.<br />
<strong>The</strong> actor, who<br />
began learning<br />
dance from<br />
an early age<br />
and became<br />
an assistant<br />
instructor<br />
with famous<br />
choreographer Shiamak<br />
Davar, was just 16 when he<br />
got a casting call for a serial,<br />
which never went on air. In a<br />
2018 interview with Filmfare, the<br />
actor opened up about his career<br />
and revealed how money is not<br />
something that floats his boat.<br />
Vikrant Massey on rejecting a<br />
big role<br />
Vikrant revealed at the time<br />
that he had recently ‘rejected a<br />
"Ayushmann falls<br />
in the rare breed of<br />
actor-artistes in the<br />
world who have left a<br />
mark not only with his<br />
blockbuster forwardthinking<br />
films but has<br />
also disrupted the<br />
music space with hit<br />
songs. With access to<br />
our global ecosystem,<br />
this creative<br />
partnership will<br />
connect Ayushmann<br />
to audiences and<br />
artists beyond India's<br />
borders."<br />
celebrated filmmaker’s offer’ for<br />
a role he wasn’t convinced about.<br />
Vikrant had said, “I was tempted<br />
to take the plunge for monetary<br />
purpose alone.<br />
I was being paid a lot of money.<br />
But better sense prevailed. I<br />
feared I was going against my<br />
ethics and social conscience. I<br />
thought paisa kama lenge aage<br />
phir kabhi (I could earn money<br />
later in life)."<br />
Vikrant on nepotism<br />
<strong>The</strong> actor admitted it’s difficult<br />
for an outsider to make it big in<br />
the film industry, but added that<br />
if nepotism exists, free and fair<br />
opportunities are also there. He<br />
had said, “Else, I wouldn’t have<br />
been here today. <strong>The</strong> beauty of<br />
this vast industry is that merit<br />
always survives... your mettle<br />
determines how you deal with it<br />
(failures). Fear of failure drives<br />
away complacency."<br />
Vikrant's career<br />
Vikrant's performance in his<br />
last film, 12th Fail, has been<br />
lauded by many celebs. <strong>The</strong> 2023<br />
film, directed by Vidhu Vinod<br />
has experienced<br />
unparalleled success<br />
with his films, and we're<br />
excited to see him now<br />
scale new heights as a<br />
pop star. With his passion<br />
for music, a versatile sonic<br />
identity, and our artist-first<br />
ecosystem, we are thrilled<br />
to build an iconic roadmap<br />
for him on his music<br />
journey."<br />
Talking about his film<br />
front, Ayushmann made<br />
his Bollywood debut with<br />
'Vicky Donor' (2012),<br />
a film set against the<br />
background of sperm donation and infertility,<br />
themes that are often seen as taboos in<br />
<strong>Indian</strong> society.<br />
He was last seen in the comedy-drama<br />
'Dream Girl 2'. <strong>The</strong> film also starred Ananya<br />
Panday, Annu Kapoor and Abhishek Banerjee.<br />
It emerged as a hit.<br />
When Vikrant Massey rejected<br />
a big film even though he ‘was<br />
being paid a lot of money’<br />
Chopra, is based on Manoj Kumar<br />
Sharma's life, with Vikrant playing<br />
the real-life IPS officer on screen.<br />
Earlier this year, both Alia Bhatt<br />
and Deepika Padukone gushed<br />
over 12th Fail.<br />
Earlier, filmmaker Rohit Shetty,<br />
veteran actor Kamal Haasan,<br />
actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty,<br />
actors Kangana Ranaut and<br />
Sanjay Dutt, and actor-filmmaker<br />
Farhan Akhtar also praised the<br />
film.<br />
In January, Vikrant won Best<br />
Actor (Critics) for his role in 12th<br />
Fail at Filmfare Awards <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> film also features actor<br />
Medha Shankr as Manoj Kumar<br />
Sharma's IRS officer wife,<br />
Shraddha Joshi.<br />
Vikrant made his acting debut<br />
with Dhoom Machaao Dhoom<br />
and worked in TV serials such as<br />
Dharam Veer, Balika Vadhu and<br />
Qubool Hai before joining films.<br />
He has worked<br />
in Chhapaak (2020), Dolly Kitty<br />
Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare (2020),<br />
Haseen Dillruba (2021), among<br />
many other films.
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