Final Draft

Friday, 05 July 2024 

Volume 16 / Issue 15 

Read • Watch • Engage 

760A Dominion Road, Mt. Eden, Auckland – 1041 

www.iwk.co.nz /indianweekendernz /indianweekender 

Surya Phutane 

Chartered Accountant 

Financial Adviser 

O: 09 218 6206 | M: 021 202 0331 I EMAIL - surya.phutane@pasl.co.nz 

‘WE WANT 

JUSTICE’ 

Retailers jittery over 

continuing crime 

want more than just 

assurances from 

the government 

Unitec.ac.nz/international 

A boy holds a placard at 

a protest in Papatoetoe 

by small business 

owners. 

URJITA BHARDWAJ 

The East Tamaki intersection echoed 

with the sounds of honking cars on 

Tuesday morning as passerby drivers 

lent their support to retailers protesting 

peacefully against retail crime at the busy 

crossing. 

The protesters, gathered in significant 

numbers, attentively listened to members of 

the Auckland Indian Retailers Association 

(AIRA). 

‘Beep for us’ read the signs, urging 

passing vehicles to support the cause. 

Local Kiwi-Indian business owners 

organised the peaceful protest 

in response to escalating violent 

Pg5 

crime and increasing fear.

For Sponsorship And Table Bookings 

Ravi Bajpai: ravi@indianweekender.co.nz

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 5 July 2024 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

‘Real ambition, 

high tempo’: 

Why Luxon’s 

India pitch 

holds promise 

RAVI BAJPAI 

Christopher Luxon’s 

government has shown 

“real ambition” to shore up 

relations with India even though 

specifics remain sketchy, says a 

top foreign relations analyst. 

High-level bilateral visits 

expected later this year will 

elucidate what a renewed relation 

might look like with a country 

that a recent survey found Kiwis 

perceive as important, says the 

head of the Asia New Zealand 

Foundation. 

“We have seen the current 

government come in with real 

ambition and a very, very high 

tempo of engagement across 

Asia,” says Suzannah Jessep, the 

chief executive of the think-tank 

at the forefront of Aotearoa’s 

relations with Asian countries. 

“I travelled with our foreign 

minister, Winston Peters, to India 

in March [this year] and he was 

doing back-to-back visits across 

the region.” 

The former bureaucrat points 

out official backchanneling 

has picked up but the question 

everyone is asking is “what’s our 

conversion rate”. 

“How are we going to turn all of 

that high-level connectivity into 

substantive deliverables for these 

relationships? We don't quite 

know what that looks like. 

“But I know behind the scenes 

“But I know behind 

the scenes officials in 

the private sector are 

giving very serious 

thought to that. And 

I think we can start 

to see some of that 

come out this year.” 

Suzannah Jessep 

officials in the private sector are 

giving very serious thought to 

that. And I think we can start to 

see some of that come out this 

year.” 

India has edged out Singapore 

to become the country New 

Zelanders think is third-most 

important for Aotearoa’s 

future, according to a survey by 

the think-tank Jessep heads. 

The Asia New Zealand 

Foundation’s annual 

survey released last month shows 

the South Asian giant trails China 

and Japan in that ranking. 

Titled “New Zealanders’ 

Perceptions of Asia and Asian 

Peoples”, the survey shows Kiwis 

are increasingly looking towards 

Asia as a critical partner. 

Officials say Luxon is in talks 

to travel to Delhi in September 

this year to meet counterpart 

Narendra Modi. If the trip 

happens, it would be the first time 

since 2016 that a New Zealand 

prime minister would have visited 

the South Asian giant. 

“The first thing we need to see 

is high-level connectivity,” Jessep 

says. “So we're going to be 

looking forward to hosting highlevel 

VIP visitors from India and 

also sending our leaders to India.” 

She also points out New 

Zealand needs a stronger 

diplomatic and trade footprint 

in India to understand what the 

shared objectives are and “where 

those areas of strategic priority 

are aligned”. 

“How can we resource and 

really deliver on those areas of 

priority? We're going to have to 

probably pick two or three areas 

that we think we can really make a 

difference together and really then 

invest in those areas.”

4 

IWK BUREAU 

NEW ZEALAND 

On Sunday night, young 

employees at a Rotorua 

convenience store were 

left "terrified" and in tears after 

robbers, one armed with a hammer, 

caused extensive damage to the 

shop. A witness described the 

scene, stating that the robbers 

"smashed the whole shop up." 

According to the Rotorua Daily 

Post, police reported that three 

offenders were involved in the 

incident at Four Square Edmund 

Road. 

Fortunately, no one was injured, 

although no arrests have been 

made yet. 

Foodstuffs, the store's parent 

company, acknowledged a rise in 

retail crime and announced plans 

to bolster security following the 

"frightening" event. 

Measures include employing 

a security guard during closing 

hours and installing fog cannons. 

A witness, who wished to remain 

anonymous, recounted arriving at 

the store around 7:55 PM to use 

the ATM outside. 

He noticed a white vehicle pull 

into the car park, and a "tall" young 

SUPPLIED CONTENT 

Maharshi 

Shree 

Shivkrupanand Swamiji, 

the founder of Himalayan 

Dhyanyog and the propagator of 

complete Yoga across the world, 

was recently on a tour of Europe. 

During this time, Himalayan 

meditation shibirs were organized 

for the Members of Parliament of 

UK and Germany. 

The first Himalayan meditation 

shibir for Members of Parliament 

of UK was organized at the 

House of Lords in London. In this 

shibir, His Holiness Swamiji was 

honoured as the 'Global Peace 

and Wellness Ambassador' by 

the House of Lords member, 

Navnitbhai Dholakia and C.B. 

Patel from Asian Voice News. In 

this shibir, through discourses, 

meditation, and Q&A sessions, His 

Holiness Swamiji easily guided 

the MPs by addressing their 

questions. 

In addition, the second 

Himalayan Meditation shibir for 

German MPs was organized in 

Berlin, Germany. 

In this shibir, there were 

discourses, meditation sessions, 

Q&A sessions, and finally, His 

Holiness Swamiji concluded with 

a prayer for Germany's overall 

progress. In both these shibirs, 

several MPs and Ministers 

from the UK and Germany 

man in a hoodie exited the car and 

entered the store. 

While using the ATM, the witness 

heard "smashing and yelling" 

about a minute later. He cancelled 

his transaction and approached 

the store. 

He saw the tall man leaving, 

who then brandished the hammer 

threateningly before running back 

to the car. 

"The counter and everything 

inside were smashed to pieces," 

the witness told The New Zealand 

Herald, expressing concern for the 

three young female employees 

who were "terrified" and "crying" 

after the incident. He praised the 

store's reputation and hardworking 

staff, emphasizing the need for 

increased security at night. 

Calum Sutherland, the store’s 

owner for the past 13 months, 

directed inquiries to Foodstuffs 

and the police. 

A Foodstuffs spokesperson 

noted a significant increase in 

retail crime over the past few years, 

including theft, robbery, assault, 

and other violent behaviors. 

During the incident, a duty 

manager and seven team members 

were present, following the store's 

policy. 


Robbers with hammer loot 

Rotorua corner store 

Stock photo 

'Yoga is the only 

medium through 

which the world can 

be united': Maharshi 

Shree Shivkrupanand 

Swamiji 

Himalayan Meditation shibirs were organised with Members of Parliament of the 

UK and Germany. 

benefited from the sessions. 

In these shibirs, His Holiness 

Swamiji conveyed in his 

discourses that Indian culture 

teaches us the concept of 

'vasudhaiva kutumbakam', which 

means the world is one family. 

It may be surprising that in the 

world, there is not one god, nor 

one language, the belief that 

everyone should follow faith does 

not exist in the world, therefore, 

why does the Indian culture 

say that the whole world is one 

family? 

The answer to this question is 

"Yog". "The path or medium of 

yog can unite the entire world. 

Over the last 30 years, I have been 

traveling around the world. 

Through the medium of yog, 

I have connected diverse races, 

beliefs, cultures, and people from 

different countries. 

From my 30 years of 

experience, I can say that yog is 

indeed the only medium through 

which the entire world can be 

united." 

Swamiji had mentioned further, 

"Yoga is being misinterpreted as 

physical exercise. I have been 

telling the whole world that 

Yogasan is not Yoga. Yogasan 

can only strengthen your muscles 

and body. 

But your chitta will remain 

weak. God is within us which 

is what I believe. Start saying 

you are a Holy soul. Forget how 

you are. As your chitta becomes 

stronger, you will begin to 

experience radical changes in 

your life." 

During the journey, His Holiness 

Swamiji also visited Ireland and 

there too a shibir was held for the 

local people. 

Himalayan Dhyanyog values 

are values that have been passed 

on since the past 800 years. 

Maharshi Shree Shivkrupanand 

Swamiji has been tirelessly 

nurturing the values of Himalayan 

Meditation yoga in society for the 

past 30 years. 

He is providing this knowledge 

completely free of charge. It is 

essential in today's times to 

make people aware of their own 

souls and to connect them to the 

Supreme Soul through the values 

of Himalayan Dhyanyog. 

Meditation Centres in New 

Zealand: 

Auckland: Every Friday, 7:30 

PM - 8:00 PM at 4A Kiernan 

Place, Kelston, Auckland 0602; 

Khushali Jani 022 159 8311 

Hamilton: Every Sunday, 10:00 

AM - 10:30 AM at 10 Hamstead 

Way, Rototuna road, Hamilton; 

Yogita Patel: 210 229 4399 

"We take the safety of our people 

and teams extremely seriously. 

Whenever there is a 

serious incident, we provide 

comprehensive support to those 

involved," the spokesperson said. 

Professional support has been 

offered to all team members 

affected by the incident. 

In response to the robbery, the 

store has implemented additional 

security measures, including limits 

on cigarette sales at the counter, 

armed robbery retraining for staff, 

and ensuring safe transportation 

for employees. 

A security guard will be on duty 

during closing hours, and three fog 

cannons will be installed by Friday. 

In March, the Rotorua Daily Post 

reported that the neighboring 

business, Gull, had transitioned 

to self-service after being robbed 

eight times in 10 years. 

Police confirmed that no injuries 

were reported during the Four 

Square incident. 

"Three offenders entered the 

premises, threatened the retailer, 

and damaged property before 

leaving with stolen items. A vehicle 

used by the offenders was later 

found abandoned by police." 

NONA PELLETIER 

Record numbers of people 

leaving New Zealand to 

work in Australia could have 

a negative affect on the workforce 

over the medium-term. 

A report by economic think tank 

Infometrics shows Australia's rate 

of unemployment was lower than 

New Zealand's in the first quarter 

of this year, which was a break 

from the average rate between 

2014 and 2018 when Australia's 

rate was 0.7 percentage points 

higher than New Zealand's. 

"There is a definite correlation 

between trans-Tasman migration 

and the relative labour market 

performances in New Zealand and 

Australia," Infometrics director 

Gareth Kiernan said in the report. 

"The latest figures for the 

Read online www.iwk.co.nz 

'Drain' leaves NZ's 

unemployment higher 

than Australia 

"The latest figures 

for the March 

2024 quarter show 

that Australia's 

unemployment rate is 

now 0.4 percentage 

points below New 

Zealand's rate - the 

worst relative result, 

from New Zealand's 

perspective, since 

2012." 

Gulf Harbour 

body: Man, 

woman 

arrested 

A 

man and a woman have 

been charged in connection 

to a homicide investigation 

sparked by an unidentified 

woman's body found in the waters 

of Auckland's Gulf Harbour in 

March. 

The pair, both aged 36, made 

a first appearance at the North 

Shore District Court on Monday, 

but this information is allowed to 

be reported for the first time after 

sweeping suppressions around 

the charges and its link to the case 

have lapsed. 

The court heard on Monday they 

were arrested on Sunday evening 

after being stopped at the airport. 

The two defendants are each 

facing a charge of performing an 

indignity to a dead human body 

of an unidentified deceased, and 

were accompanied by a Mandarin 

interpreter on Monday. 

Earlier, police prosecutor 

Henry Steele told the court a 

media release was sent in error 

on Monday due to an internal 

miscommunication, which had 

led to details being prematurely 

disclosed. 

While various media reported on 

the developments, Steele sought 

suppression of all information. 

March 2024 quarter show that 

Australia's unemployment rate is 

now 0.4 percentage points below 

New Zealand's rate - the worst 

relative result, from New Zealand's 

perspective, since 2012. 

"It's little wonder that more 

people are looking for better 

opportunities across the Tasman." 

He said the largest group of 

people leaving New Zealand were 

between the ages of 25 and 44, 

which was a concern for the labour 

market. 

"If we take these figures 

alongside the age breakdown of 

migrants entering or leaving the 

country, it seems likely that much 

of the country is experiencing a 

relative drain of its workforce of 

25- to 44-year-olds," he said. 

"And apart from a few urban 

areas and tourism-intensive 

hotspots, those losses are not 

being mitigated by an inflow 

of similarly aged people from 

overseas." 

Kiernan said it was also 

interesting to see an increase 

in the number of people over 55 

leaving New Zealand, following a 

spike up in the Covid-19 years. 

"It may well be that as conditions 

have changed and the world 

has settled down a bit, and our 

economy is slowing, that some 

of those people are heading back 

overseas again," he said. 

"There was some older people 

coming back in their sort of late 

40s and early 50s - seeing some 

of those people leave again - that 

would match up with the previous 

flows that we've seen."


NEW ZEALAND 5 

'If the safest country in the 

world cannot keep us safe...' 

bodily harm. 

The 16-year-old faces an 

additional charge of aggravated 

assault, while the 15-year-old is 

also charged with assault. 

ACT Party list member Dr 

Parmjeet Parmar attended the 

protest and spoke with Gurdeep's 

family and other protesters. 

AIRA President Rajesh Goel 

said, "This protest is not affiliated 

with or endorsed by any political 

party. This is just our voices 

against retail crime in New 

Zealand." The protest saw strong 

participation from young retailers, 

including pizza shop owners and 

jewellery store owners. 

"The protesters unanimously 

agreed that they had come to New 

Zealand with hopes of a "bright 

and safe future. If the safest 

country in the world cannot keep 

us safe, then what is the point of 

being here?" a young protester 

remarked. 

Protesters gathered at an intersection in Papatoetoe for nearly an hour on the morning of July 2 

• Continued from Page 1 

They are calling for stricter 

measures against youth 

offenders. 

Gurdeep Singh, 50, the owner of 

Pooja Jewellers, was attacked last 

week by teenage armed robbers 

wielding a hammer and a knife. 

The assault took place at his 

family-owned store on Kolmar 

Road, Papatoetoe, last Sunday. 

Singh suffered a fractured 

skull and underwent surgery 

at Auckland City Hospital. He 

has since been discharged and 

is recovering at home with his 

family. 

"It feels very good to see 

retailers shutting their shops in 

support of Gurdeep," said Kuldeep 

Singh, Gurdeep's elder brother. 

The next step for AIRA is to 

"file a petition," according to 

Secretary Jagdeep Sidhu. "We 

want the government to introduce 

rehabilitation programmes for the 

distracted youth of New Zealand 

who commit such offences," he 

said. Three teenagers, aged 15, 16, 

and 17, have been arrested and 

charged with aggravated robbery 

with intent to cause grievous 

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6 

NEW ZEALAND 


Indian music virtuoso Mahesh 

Kale to perform in Auckland 

IWK BUREAU 

Auckland’s vibrant cultural 

landscape is set to 

resonate with the soulful 

strains of Indian classical and 

traditional music genres as 

celebrated vocalist Mahesh Kale 

prepares to enchant audiences 

on September 1, 2024. 

This highly anticipated 

concert, a key highlight of 

his Australia New Zealand 

tour, promises an evening 

of rich musical tradition and 

mesmerising performances. 

Organised by Shanayaan 

Arts and CFI Events, with the 

support of the Mohan Nadkarni 

Foundation and Migrant 

Heritage Charitable Trust, the 

event will be held at the Dorothy 

Winstone Centre. 

Mahesh Kale, a name 

synonymous with contemporary 

Indian classical music, has 

garnered acclaim for his ability 

to seamlessly blend tradition 

with innovation. 

Born into a family with a 

profound musical heritage, 

Kale's journey into the 

world of music began at a young 

age. 

IWK BUREAU 

The Hindu Heritage Centre 

Rotorua is set to host the 

inaugural Rotorua Ethnic 

Market, a vibrant and inclusive 

event that will bring together 

diverse ethnic communities to 

showcase and sell their unique 

products. 

Scheduled for Sunday, 21 July 

2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 

PM, this event promises to be a 

celebration of cultural diversity 

and community spirit. 

In conjunction with the market, 

the Centre will also observe Guru 

Purnima, a Dharmic festival 

dedicated to honouring spiritual 

and academic teachers. The 

celebrations will commence from 

10:00 AM to 10:30 AM, recognising 

selected teachers from schools in 

the vicinity of the Hindu Heritage 

Centre Rotorua. 

Traditionally celebrated in 

India, Nepal, and Bhutan by 

Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists, 

Guru Purnima acknowledges 

the significant role of 'Gurus' or 

teachers in one's life. 

This year marks the first public 

celebration of Guru Purnima 

in Rotorua, where disciples 

traditionally offer Puja or pay 

respect to their Gurus, who 

enlighten them with knowledge 

and teachings. 


has partnered with the Rotorua 

Multicultural Council to launch the 

first Ethnic Market in Rotorua. 

This event will provide a 

platform for people from various 

Under the tutelage of 

renowned maestro Pandit 

Jitendra Abhisheki, Kale honed 

his skills and developed a unique 

style that resonates with both 

purists and new-age listeners. 

Kale’s versatility as a vocalist 

is evident in his extensive 

repertoire, which spans classical 

ragas, semi-classical forms, 

and devotional music. His 

performances are characterised 

by a deep emotional connection, 

technical prowess, and an 

innate ability to communicate 

the essence of the music to his 

audience. 

His dedication to preserving 

and promoting Indian classical 

music has earned him 

numerous accolades, including 

the prestigious National Film 

Award for Best Playback Singer. 

He divides his time between 

California, USA and Pune, India. 

The Auckland concert is part 

of Kale’s Australia New Zealand 

tour, which aims to bring the 

rich heritage of Indian classical 

music to a broader audience. 

His concerts are more than 

mere performances; they are 

immersive experiences that 

transport listeners to a world 

Guru Purnima & 

inaugural ethnic market 

at Hindu Heritage Centre 

backgrounds to come together 

and appreciate the rich cultural 

tapestry of the community. 

Vendors from different ethnic 

communities will display and sell 

a wide range of goods, including 

traditional crafts, clothing, 

jewellery, artwork, home decor, 

and culinary delights. 

Initially, the market will feature 

vendors from the Asian continent, 

with plans to include vendors from 

Africa and South America in the 

following months. 

“I like the idea of this event. We 

no longer have the Sunday Farmers 

Market at Te Manawa in the city, 

and a Sunday market will not 

compete with the Saturday Kuirau 

Park Market. Having an indoor 

venue has many advantages, 

particularly in winter,” said Dr. 

Margriet Theron, President of the 

Rotorua Multicultural Council. 

Event Highlights: 

Guru 

Purnima 

Celebrations: Selected teachers 

from the Hindu Heritage Centre 

neighbourhood will be honoured 

by their students, with traditional 

music, dance, and other cultural 

expressions marking the occasion. 

Diverse Vendors: Approximately 

10 to 12 vendors representing 

various Asian cultures will offer 

a wide range of unique and highquality 

products. 

Food Stalls: Two or three 

food stalls will serve authentic 

vegan/vegetarian ethnic cuisines, 

promising to tantalise your taste 

buds. 

“The Rotorua Ethnic Market 

at the Hindu Heritage Centre is 

of intricate rhythms, melodious 

ragas, and soulful expressions. 

Each performance is a 

testament to Kale’s dedication 

to his craft and his unwavering 

commitment to excellence. 

The upcoming concert has 

already generated significant 

excitement within Auckland’s 

Indian community and among 

lovers of classical music. 

The support from 

organisations like the Mohan 

Nadkarni Foundation and 

Migrant Heritage Charitable 

Trust highlights the importance 

of such cultural events in 

fostering community spirit and 

preserving cultural heritage. 

These organisations play a 

crucial role in promoting arts 

and culture, ensuring that 

the rich traditions of Indian 

traditional music continue to 

thrive in the diaspora. 

As the date approaches, 

anticipation is building, and 

tickets are selling fast. 

Music enthusiasts are eager 

to witness Kale’s masterful 

rendition of classical ragas 

and his unique ability to 

breathe new life into traditional 

compositions. 

Rotorua Ethnic Market Debuts at Hindu Heritage Centre. Photo: Supplied 

more than just a market; it’s a 

celebration of our community’s 

diversity and an opportunity for 

cultural exchange,” said Dr. Guna 

Magesan, Event Coordinator. “We 

invite everyone to join us for a day 

of shopping, entertainment, and 

community spirit.” 

“Similarly, Guru Purnima is 

celebrated for the first time in 

public in Rotorua. 

Through this festival, we share 

our Dharmic tradition with New 

Zealanders,” he added. 

The event is free and open to 

the public, making it an ideal 

family outing where attendees 

can explore different cultures, 

experience a new Dharmic 

tradition, support local artisans, 

and enjoy festive activities. 

Join us at the Ethnic Market 

at the Hindu Heritage Centre to 

celebrate the beautiful diversity 

that enriches our community! 

What is Hindu Heritage Centre 

Rotorua: 


is committed to preserving, 

promoting, and celebrating Hindu 

heritage. 

It fosters cultural enrichment 

and spiritual nourishment within 

the community by hosting regular 

classes in Rangoli and Mehndi, 

yoga sessions, traditional music 

and dance classes, and organising 

educational programmes, 

workshops, and seminars. 

The Centre celebrates festivals, 

hosts events, showcases music 

and dance performances, and 

curates exhibitions highlighting 

the richness of Hindu culture. 

Through these efforts, the Centre 

aims to actively engage and enrich 

the vibrant community of Rotorua. 

What is Rotorua Multicultural 

Council: 

The Rotorua Multicultural 

Council (RMC) supports migrants 

and international students as 

they settle in Rotorua. RMC 

offers various opportunities 

for them to celebrate their 

cultures and fosters the local 

community’s understanding of 

the contributions these groups 

make to the Rotorua District. 

Additionally, RMC promotes 

relationships between Māori 

and migrants, helping migrants 

develop an understanding of Te 

Tiriti o Waitangi. 


House prices 

have largest 

monthly drop 

in a year 

The subdued housing market 

has experienced its largest 

monthly drop in values in 

a year. CoreLogic's House Price 

Index fell 0.5 percent in June - the 

largest month-on-month decline 

since June 2023. 

Property prices are down in 

most parts of the country with 

a quarterly drop of 0.8 percent 

continuing a trend of minor falls 

seen in recent months. 

Over the past 12 months to 

June, New Zealand house prices 

are up 1.8 percent. The annual rise 

reflects the earlier but temporary 

3.2 percent rise in prices between 

September 2023 and March 2024. 

Each of the main centres 

recorded flat to falling prices over 

the month, with both Christchurch 

and Dunedin experiencing 

no change in June, the best 

performers. 

CoreLogic head of research Nick 

Goodall said the last 12 months 

could be described as a dead cat 

bounce, with confidence perhaps 

misjudging the trajectory for 

mortgage interest rates. 

"Inflation has remained sticky, 

particularly domestically, as the 

RBNZ has stayed true to their 

commitment of using monetary 

policy to bring consumer prices 

under control," Goodall said. 

"That previous momentum 

stalled as high mortgage interest 

rates continue to restrict housing 

credit demand." 

The fall in prices experienced in 

our biggest city for the past month 

and quarter came as a surprise 

with Auckland values falling 

1.2 percent in June to take the 

quarterly change to -2.6 percent. 

"We were expecting to see 

Auckland perform a little bit better 

than the rest of the country mostly 

due to the strong population 

growth off the back of high net 

migration," he said. 

Prices in Auckland were 

17 percent off the peak, with 

Wellington prices 19 percent off 

the top of the market. 

Borrowers shopping for better 

deals 

Growing numbers of people 

are swapping banks in the hunt 

for better mortgage rates as the 

property market confirms signs of 

weakness. Corelogic data shows 

24 percent of new residential 

mortgage lending in May was 

from borrowers changing banks. 

That was the second largest share 

on record of borrowers changing 

loan providers since March 

2023 - when 26 percent of new 

mortgage lending was associated 

with refinancers switching banks. 

Goodall said customers were 

prepared to shop around for rates 

cuts. 

"Banks are having to fight 

hard for their mortgages at the 

moment," he said. 

"This change illustrates the 

persistent low levels of real estate 

transactions as a source of new 

mortgages for banks. With such a 

competitive lending environment, 

it's no surprise to see borrowers 

seeking out the best deal as lenders 

work hard to retain borrowers.


NEW ZEALAND 7 

‘National treating migrants 

Hindi, Punjabi 

among 4 Asian 

languages added to 

as unwanted commodity’ 

cyber safety website 

RNZ 

kids.’ Four Asian languages have 

‘My wife applied for a general 

been added to the Computer 

visitor visa to come to New 

Emergency Response Team 

Zealand because INZ’s processing (CERT) NZ website to protect 

times for partnership-based visas Asian New Zealanders from being 

was too long. We thought once scammed. 

she is here, she can apply for a The addition of the languages 

partnership-based visa.’ 

- Hindi, Punjabi, Korean and 

‘I was due to get married soon, 

HEMANT KAUSHAL 

simplified Chinese - aims to 

now I cannot support my wife to educate the country's Asian 

Migrants go back. This 

come to New Zealand.’ 

communities about cyber safety. 

seems to be the clear 

By giving no notice to skill level "We are hoping to get our core 

message that the 

4 and 5 workers currently in New messages about staying secure 

current government has sent 

Zealand, this current government 

Representative image 

online by creating long strong 

to some of the migrants in New 

has treated you like an unwanted and unique passwords and 

The announcement regarding 21, 2023, was used because 

Zealand. 

commodity. Their message is enabling 2-factor authentication 

pausing the increase in the 

applicants who applied after that 

Immigration New Zealand 

clear, this current regime does not on important accounts out among 

median wage rate for AEWV was date expected to be granted a 

(INZ) has announced Accredited 

care about your physical, mental, communities who would not 

made on December 21, 2023, five-year work visa. 

Employer Work Visa (AEWV) 

and emotional well-being. 

otherwise get our messages," a 

almost six weeks before the 

The same fairness has not 

holders in roles that are at 

Why are you being 

CERT NZ spokesperson said. 

median wage rate was increased. been extended to skill level 4 and 

ANZSCO Skill Level 4 and 5 

treated like this? 

CERT NZ received more than 400 

The announcement regarding 5 workers who are currently in 

who do not have a pathway to 

This is the question that you reports of immigration phishing 

some further details on the 

New Zealand. When they applied 

residency will not be able to 

should be asking the current scams in November in which 

introduction of a maximum for their visas, they expected 

support work, visitor or student 

Immigration Minister, Erica 

Chinese visa holders appeared to 

continuous stay for AEWV holders they would be able to bring their 

visa applications for their partners 

Stanford. I remember, a few be targeted in the scams, following 

was made on August 14, 2023, families with them. 

and dependent children. 

years ago, when the previous a surge in immigration figures last 

almost three months before the Clearly, INZ has deviated from 

This decision is not entirely 

government had suspended year. 

changes came into effect. 

its established path and made a 

unfair and unjust because each 

the Skilled Migrant Category 

According to CERT NZ, the scams 

On April 7, 2024, when the knee-jerk announcement without 

country has the right to decide 

and left thousands of migrants began with an automated phone 

changes to AEWV maximum stay considering its devastating impact 

and implement their own visa 

in limbo, Erica came out in 

call that claimed the recipient 

periods were announced, it was on workers like you who are 

policies. Then why has it brought 

their support. She also conducted had visa issues. The call offered 

mentioned by this government already working in skill level 4 and 

so much pain to you? 

an Immigration Public Meeting in language options in English and 

that the cut-off date of June 5 roles and wish to support their 

It is the manner in which this 

Papatoetoe on June 12, 2021. Chinese. If English was selected, 

family’s visas. 

decision has been implemented. 

So, what has changed now? the call will be disconnected; if 

The new policy came into 

Clearly, INZ has 

How has it affected you? 

Perhaps, siding with migrants Chinese was selected, the prompt 

force the same day that it was deviated from its 

Though we do not have a at that stage served her political requested personal information 

announced. The INZ did not give 

confirmed number, it is estimated 

established path 

ambitions in the best manner. and claimed the receiver needed to 

any notice/time to those work 

that hundreds of workers in 

and made a kneejerk 

announcement been affected negatively by this I sincerely hope that better report from CERT NZ showed 

Pragmatism and compassion be pay money to resolve outstanding 

visa holders who are already in 

skill level 4 and 5 roles have damned. 

visa issues. The latest quarterly 

New Zealand in skill level 4 and 5 

jobs to support applications for without considering its announcement. 

sense prevails upon the 

unauthorised access to accounts 

their family members. 

Feedback from some of our 

devastating impact on 

policymakers and this decision is remained one of the organisation's 

clients suggests many reasons 

Why is this announcement 

amended to allow on-shore skill top categories. 

workers like you who why they had not yet called their 

unfair? 

level 4 and 5 workers to support "Unauthorised money transfers 

are already working in families to New Zealand. Some 

On May 17, 2023, INZ 

visas for their dependent children cost New Zealanders over $250k," 

common reasons that came up 

announced that most 

skill level 4 and 5 roles 

and partners. 

the spokesperson said. "These are 

during enquiry are: 

partnership-based work visas will and wish to support 

(Hemant Kaushal is a Licensed only figures that are reported to 

‘I wanted to get settled here 

become conditional. This change 

Immigration Adviser who runs us and the real numbers are much 

their family’s visas. first, before calling my wife and his own practice in Auckland.) 

came into effect on May 31, 2023. 

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NEW ZEALAND 



Immigration minister addresses concerns 

over phonics testing in new rules 

Mandatory testing of 

primary school students 

for phonics will only 

provide a snapshot of where their 

learning is at, says an education 

expert. 

From years 3-8, schools would 

have to test children's reading, 

writing and maths twice a 

year using either e-asTTle or 

Progressive Assessment Tests 

(PATs). From 2025, phonics tests 

with children will begin at 20 weeks 

and 40 weeks of schooling. 

These tests would support the 

government's decision to mandate 

the use of structured literacy 

approaches to teaching reading. 

Canterbury University education 

senior lecturer Jae Major 

told Checkpoint the phonics tests 

was only one part of the reading 

assessments required and could 

also create stress and anxiety. 

"[Phonics assessment is] only a 

narrow part of the whole reading 

process, and so it needs to be 

taken along with assessment 

of comprehension, reading 

comprehension, and vocabulary 

development and a raft of other 

things that are just as important 

as phonics in the development of 

reading with young children," Dr 

Major said. 

"So I'm a bit concerned that this 

preoccupation with phonics and 

phonics testing is going to put a 

lot of attention on one element of 

what is required for young children 

to learn to read, and it isolates that 

one element and seems to ignore 

the others. 

"I'm concerned at the intention 

for testing twice a year. I think that 

creates an administrative burden 

for teachers. 

"Any kind of high stakes testing 

creates anxiety for both teachers 

and children and, you know, we're 

in a time when there's already 

high levels of anxiety recognised 

amongst children in schooling, 

and I'm concerned that we are 

potentially going to be adding to 

this." 

But she was pleased the 

minister had ruled out test data 

being compared and contrasted 

in national tables, which Dr Major 

said had created huge stress for 

children when done overseas. 

Using a structured literacy 

approach to teach reading: What 

you need to know 

How bad at reading are New 

Zealand children? 

She questioned what support 

schools would receive to help 

struggling readers, in particular 

because the Reading Recovery 

programme had been scrapped. 

"It would be good to get some 

assurances about what is going 

"It's measuring 

progress to make 

sure that kids, by 

the time they finish 

intermediate, are where 

they need to be to 

experience success at 

high school." 

to replace that and how teachers 

are going to be supported and how 

children are going to be supported, 

when and as they are identified as 

needing additional help." 

Education Minister Erica 

Stanford agreed with Dr Major 

that the phonics test was only a 

"targeted checkpoint". 

"It's only one very small part, but 

making sure that kids are on track 

with their reading very early on is 

crucial. 

"It's measuring progress to make 

sure that kids, by the time they 

finish intermediate, are where they 

need to be to experience success 

at high school." 

On the Reading Recovery 

programme, she said she had 

chosen not to renew it after the 

contract ended because it was not 

based on structured literacy. 

"I'm replacing Reading Recovery 

with tier two and three, which 

is small group and one-on-one 

interventions. So the purpose of 

that assessment is for teachers to 

find those children who are falling 

behind and not mapping sounds 

to words and put that intervention 

into place." 

She expected data from phonics 

test checks would be aggregated 

back to the ministry from 2026. 

"We have very little data as to 

how we're tracking and if we want 

to meet the needs of students 

who need that additional learning 

support, we have to have good 

data. 

"So that's why I've sort of said, 

look, let's pick two tools that we 

know work really well ...and this 

phonics check to give us some 

really good data about where 

we need to put more resource, 

because right now we're very 

blind." 

However, Waihola District School 

acting principal Traci Liddall said 

the plan sounded similar to the old 

national standards approach. 

She believed it would be 

damaging for children who 

consistently performed below the 

norm for their age group. 

Families should be told where 

their child stood but the focus 

should be on their progress from 

year to year, she said. 

Stanford said this was a 

different way to monitoring 

student progress than the national 

standards. 

"It's monitoring progress for a 

start rather than a point in time 

... and teachers have fed back to 

me very clearly we do not want to 

measure a point in time, we want 

to measure progress over time and 

are children making progress? And 

if they've fallen behind, have they 

been accelerated in their learning? 

And if they're ahead, are they being 

extended?" 

She said she had consulted with 

experts while in the opposition, 

one of whom was now working for 

the ministry. 

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NEW ZEALAND 9 

Australia more than 

doubles student visa fees 

RNZ 

IWK BUREAU 

Australia has significantly 

increased the cost 

of student visas for 

international students from $710 

to $1,600, a move expected to 

impact thousands of Indian 

students planning to study in 

the country. This decision has 

provoked strong reactions from 

student representatives, who 

argue that the hike will drive 

prospective students to other 

countries, ABC News reported on 

Monday. 

Effective July 1, the fee for an 

international student visa rose 

to $1,600 from $710. The federal 

government stated that the 

additional revenue would support 

initiatives in education, including 

reducing graduate debt, providing 

financial support for apprentices, 

and implementing the country's 

migration strategy. 

"International education is an 

incredibly important national 

asset, and we need to ensure its 

integrity and quality," Minister for 

Education Jason Clare said in a 

statement. 

According to the Indian 

High Commission in Canberra, 

approximately 120,277 Indian 

students were enrolled in 

Australian institutions as of 

August 2023, making them 

the second-largest group of 

international students in the 

country. 

Yeganeh Soltanpour, the 

national president of the Council 

of International Students 

Australia, criticized the decision. 

She highlighted that the fee 

increase, coupled with high 

deposit costs, places additional 

strain on international students. 

"The possibility of spending all 

that money only to face rejection 

is quite disheartening for many 

students. It has caused many in 

"The possibility of 

spending all that 

money only to face 

rejection is quite 

disheartening for many 

students. It has caused 

many in the student 

community to explore 

other options and 

competitive countries." 

Yeganeh Soltanpour 

the student community to explore 

other options and competitive 

countries," she said. 

Phil Honeywood, CEO of 

the International Education 

Association of Australia, 

expressed concern, describing the 

announcement as the "last straw" 

for the international education 

sector, which has already 

experienced a slowdown in visa 

approvals. 

"We are really in danger of 

losing a USD 48 billion a year 

industry," Honeywood said. He 

added that the fee hike would 

"heavily impact" relationships 

with Australia's Indo-Pacific 

neighbours who rely on the 

country to deliver world-class 

qualifications to their young 

people. Honeywood warned 

that this change could push 

prospective students to the United 

Kingdom, Australia's closest 

competitor, which currently 

charges $900 for student visa 

fees. 

Crimes committed against 

Asian New Zealanders rising 

The percentage of Asian 

adults experiencing crime 

in New Zealand has 

increased over the past six years, 

driven by a rise in fraud, deception 

and discrimination, a new report 

shows. 

The Ministry of Justic released 

the latest New Zealand Crime 

and Victims Survey on Thursday, 

offering an insight into the nature 

of reported and unreported crime 

nationwide. The survey shows 

that the proportion of Asian adults 

experiencing crime increased from 

24 percent in 2018 to 30 percent in 

2023. The increase was primarily 

driven by a significant rise in fraud 

and deception from 2 percent in 

2018 to 10 percent in 2023, it said. 

Over the same period, Asian 

adults experienced smaller 

increases in vehicle offences (from 

6 percent to 9 percent), theft and 

damage offences (from 2 percent 

to 4 percent) and interpersonal 

violence (from 3 percent to 4 

percent). Victimisation rates 

among Asian adults increased 

significantly for Chinese and other 

Asians, but less substantially for 

Indian adults, it said. 

Within Asian adults, the 

proportion of Chinese adults who 

experienced crime increased from 

19 percent in 2018 to 29 percent 

in 2023, and the proportion of 

other Asians (neither Chinese nor 

Indian), increased from 23 percent 

to 32 percent over the same period. 

In contrast, the proportion of 

Indian adults who experienced 

crime increased just slightly from 

29 percent in 2018 to 30 percent in 

2023. The groups of Asian adults 

who have experienced larger 

increases in victimisation than 

comparative groups over the past 

six years were women aged 30-39 

and 50-59 years old who were not 

under financial stress and lived 

in the Canterbury region, or in the 

North Island outside of Wellington 

and Auckland. 

Meanwhile, Asian adults who 

were younger (aged 15-29 years 

old) and those who experienced 

financial stress have seen 

decreases in victimisation over the 

same period. 

The report also noted that online 

safety practices and discrimination 

may have contributed to the 

increase in victimisation 

experienced by Asian adults. 

"This increase may be attributed 

to lower awareness among Asian 

New Zealanders about keeping 

safe and secure online," the report 

said. 

It has quoted the Netsafe 2023 

Annual Population Survey Report, 

which said 56 percent of Asian 

New Zealanders are less likely 

than average to have taken steps 

to protect themselves or others 

online. 

"Additionally, Asian New 

Zealanders generally have 

lower knowledge of the different 

organisations available that 

deal with unwanted digital 

communication issues," the crime 

survey said. 

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10 

NEW ZEALAND 

BLESSEN TOM/RNZ 

Violence towards drivers 

and passengers on public 

transport appears to be on 

the rise in the country's largest 

city. 

On Friday, a 16-year-old 

student received severe facial 

injuries following an attack by an 

unknown woman on an Auckland 

Transport bus in East Auckland. 

A couple of months earlier, a 

man was charged with assault 

after punching and kicking a bus 

driver in the Auckland suburb of 

Ponsonby. 

According to AT, attacks on bus 

drivers have more than doubled in 

the past two years. 

While 24 fewer incidents were 

reported last year compared to 

2022, there was an increase in 

reports of violence against bus 

drivers. 

Data provided to RNZ in 

February showed that AT reported 

24 assaults on bus drivers in 

2022, ranging from minor to 

severe, along with more than 50 

accounts of verbal abuse. 

In 2023, AT reported 51 assaults 

and more than 120 verbal abuse 

cases. Speaking at a meeting 

Wednesday with the teenage 

victim of last week's attack in 

Auckland, Transport Minister 

Simeon Brown says he wants to 

be assured that AT staff followed 

the proper protocols during the 

attack. 

"Ultimately, this is 

unacceptable," Brown says. 

The transport agency has been 

battling a severe shortage of bus 

drivers since the emergence of 

Covid-19. At the height of the 

crisis, the city was short 578 

drivers out of the 2306 needed to 

maintain its network. 

However, the issue was resolved 

in August last year, thanks to a 

recruitment drive that attracted 

drivers from overseas. 

"I had a passion for driving 

since my childhood," says Giya 

Jose, 34, a bus driver for Kinetic 

NZ in Auckland. 

Jose relocated to New Zealand 

after the operator recruited him 

from Kerala, India, last year. 

With four years of experience 

driving trucks and buses in India, 

he was thrilled when he received 

the job offer. 

"I came here alone at first, 

but then my wife got an open 

work visa, and my family is here 

now," he says. Jose initially 

struggled to learn the bus routes 

he was assigned but was able to 

familiarise himself with the roads 

with practice. 

"It took me a while to learn 

the road codes and rules around 

roundabouts," he says. 

Harry Fernandez needed to 

learn to drive on the left-hand side 

to pass his competency tests, as 

road users in the the Philippines 

drive on the opposite side. 

Having worked as a bus driver in 

Manila, the 46-year-old arrived in 

Auckland in February 2023. 

"We drive automatic 

transmission but, in Manila, it was 

manual," he says. 

Fernandez also initially 

struggled to navigate the routes 

he was assigned. 

"One time I lost my way, so I 

apologized to my passengers, 

told them that I'm new in New 

Zealand, and they told me, 'It's 

okay'," he recalls. Jose has 

also struggled with language 

barriers on occasion, particularly 

understanding different accents. 

"In the beginning, it was really 

hard to understand slang and 

accents," he says. "On many 

occasions, I had to repeat myself 

multiple times. It's hard, but I try 

my best to answer the queries of 

my passengers." 

Aggressive passengers 

Both drivers have encountered 

unruly passengers working in New 

Zealand. 

"Some of the passengers are 

rude," Fernandez says. 

"Sometimes they enter the bus 

without AT Hop cards and just go 

inside. Sometimes they press the 

button to open the doors and go 

out." In such situations, Fernandez 

typically allows the passenger to 

leave without confronting them. 

Jose shares similar 

experiences. 

"Most of the passengers are 

awesome, but there are a few who 


are rude and abusive to drivers," 

he says. 

Although he hasn't personally 

experienced abuse, he has heard 

stories from his colleagues. 

Jose says all drivers receive 

de-escalation training, with 

the operator providing a set of 

established protocols and contact 

numbers in times of emergency. 

Hayley Courtney, a First Union 

organiser, says many drivers fear 

for their safety and are concerned 

about their working conditions. 

"Auckland is in crisis," Courtney 

says, adding that the bus sector 

was also in crisis nationwide. 

"We've had a lot of empty 

promises about protection 

provisions in the past few years," 

Courtney says. 

"Now we have some 

commitment from AT, but there's 

no urgency to it." 

She says many new drivers 

are migrants who are hesitant to 

speak up because their visas are 

tied to the company. Courtney 


Auckland bus drivers caught in line 

of fire when passengers lash out 

Giya Jose had four years of experience 

driving buses before relocating to New 

Zealand. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom 

Hayley Courtney is a First Union organiser. 

Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom 

Harry Fernandez arrived in Auckland in 

February 2023 after being recruited from 

Manila. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom 

Hamilton Gardens named world’s best again: Tripadvisor 

IWK BUREAU 

Hamilton Gardens has done it again, 

securing a spot in the top 1% of 

global attractions according to 

Tripadvisor. This accolade follows a recordbreaking 

year, with over 500,000 visitors 

exploring the Enclosed Gardens in the past 

12 months. 

Tripadvisor's 'Travellers’ Choice Awards: 

Best of the Best for 2024' is the pinnacle 

of recognition from the world's largest 

travel review platform. Hamilton Mayor 

Paula Southgate expressed her excitement 

over the repeat honour. "It's no shocker— 

Hamiltonians already know how fantastic 

our gardens are. With the new visitor 

centre on the horizon, the experience will 

only get better," said Southgate according 

to Hamilton City Council. She credited 

the gardens' success to Dr. Peter Sergel's 

vision and the dedication of the Hamilton 

Gardens team, whose passion and hard 

work have garnered nearly 3,000 5-star 

Tripadvisor reviews. Reflecting on her own 

experiences, Southgate recalled, "My kids 

loved exploring the bamboo hideaways in 

the Chinese garden. My personal favourite 

is the tropical garden—it’s like stepping into 

another world." 

The 2023/24 financial year saw a record 

537,584 visitors to the Enclosed Gardens, 

surpassing the 2020/21 peak by over 1,000. 

Hamilton Gardens' signature feature, 

the Enclosed Gardens, comprises 18 

themed gardens that delve into the history 

and significance of gardens worldwide. 

also claims the current emergency 

procedures at many operators are 

inadequate. 

"That's why many offenders 

are able to flee, and there's a 

significant lapse of time before 

help arrives," she says. 

"In some instances, drivers 

are verbally berated and receive 

no assistance, leading to 

underreporting because they feel 

defeated." 

Screens for driver safety 

To enhance driver safety, 

Auckland Transport plans to 

retrofit 80 percent of its bus fleet 

with transparent screens that will 

act as a barrier to protect them 

from passengers over the next 

two years. 

"We are already working with 

bus operators to retrofit 33 buses 

in the city center and South 

Auckland," says Rachel Cara, 

AT's group manager of Public 

Transport Operations. 

Cara says the agency 

collaborates with bus operators 

and police on safety initiatives, 

deploying personnel to public 

transport hubs as well as on 

buses, ferries and trains to 

manage security. 

"All buses are equipped with 

CCTV, GPS and panic buttons that 

record sound and connect directly 

with the bus depot, allowing for a 

quick response and guidance to 

emergency services," she says. 

Cara says that drivers receive 

de-escalation training and 

are advised not to engage in 

confrontational situations. 

"Drivers cannot detain 

passengers or prevent them from 

boarding or exiting the bus," she 

says. Stephen Mckeefry, chief 

operating officer at Kinetic NZ, 

says the company encourages 

drivers to suggest improvements 

through various formal and 

informal channels. 

"We have regular town hall 

sessions with management and 

an open-door policy for workers to 

raise issues," he says. 

Courtney says everyone 

deserves to work comfortably and 

safely. Both Jose and Fernandez 

are committed to driving buses in 

Auckland as long as they can. 

Passengers only need to 

remember a final tip from Jose. 

"Always greet the driver with a 

smiling face," he says. "It boosts 

our energy." 

Beyond this, visitors can stroll among 

rhododendrons, spot fish in Turtle Lake, 

enjoy a picnic among roses, or play in the 

destination playground. 

Hamilton & Waikato Tourism Chief 

Executive Nicola Greenwell echoed the 

praise, calling Hamilton Gardens a "hero 

attraction" for the region. "The unique 

gardens draw people back time and again, 

creating unforgettable experiences that 

visitors eagerly share with friends, family, 

and the world," said Greenwell. 

The Tripadvisor awards celebrate 

travellers' top destinations and activities 

based on a year's worth of reviews and 

opinions.


NEW ZEALAND 11 

1 July changes that could 

impact your bank account 

SUSAN EDMUNDS/RNZ 

The start of July brings a 

raft of changes that will 

affect households across 

the country. From prescription 

changes to mortgage tweaks, the 

rules, fees and taxes will affect the 

way that many people spend and 

borrow money. 

Here are a few of them. 

New call-to-action 

Debt-to-income ratios and loanto-value 

restriction tweaks 

New debt-to-income rules will 

limit how much banks can lend 

to borrowers, compared to their 

household income. 

Only 20 percent of lending can 

go to owner-occupier buyers with 

a debt-to-income ratio of six, and 

only 20 percent of investors loans 

will be able to be at a debt-toincome 

ratio of more than seven. 

The debt-to-income calculation 

takes into account other debt, 

such as student loans. 

These rules are not expected 

to make a big difference initially, 

because not much lending is 

currently being done above those 

levels. However, they are likely to 

limit the extent of future house 

price growth. 

At the same time, loan-to-value 

rules will be eased slightly to 

allow banks to give 20 percent 

of lending to owner-occupier 

borrowers with a deposit or equity 

of less than 20 percent, and 5 

percent of lending to investors 

with a deposit or equity of less 

than 30 per cent. 

Previously, they could only lend 

15 percent to owner-occupiers 

with less than 20 percent 

deposit and 5 percent of lending 

to investors with less than 35 

percent. 

Prescription charges 

A $5 charge is coming back on 

for prescriptions. 

This does not apply to people 

who are over 65, Community 

Services Card holders, people 

who are under 14 or people ages 

14 to 17 who are dependent on a 

Community Services Cardholder. 

Auckland regional fuel tax 

abolished 

The Auckland Regional Fuel Tax 

scheme ended on 30 June. 

This is worth 11.5c per litre on 

petrol, diesel and their biovariants. 

Nursery babies playing blocks 

toy with teacher in kindergarten 

Families are now able to claim 

childcare subsidies of up to $75 a 

week. Photo: 123RF 

FamilyBoost introduced 

The FamilyBoost policy takes 

effect from 1 July, offering a 

payment of 25 percent of early 

childhood education fees for 

households up to $75 a week. This 

is available in full to households 

earning up to $140,000 and 

reduces for those earning up to 

$170,000. Households should 

start saving their invoices from 

1 July as either PDF or JPG files, 

Inland Revenue says. Payments 

will be made in three-monthly 

blocks, starting in October. 

Bright-line test reduced 

From 1 July, the bright-line test 

will reduce to two years, from 

the current 10 years, or five for 

newbuilds. 

The bright-line test sets a limit 

on how long properties, apart from 

someone's main home, have to be 

held to avoid tax on capital gains 

when they are sold. 

That means that properties sold 

on or after Monday now need to 

have been held for at least two 

years to avoid the automatic tax. 

Chartered Accountants 

Australia and New Zealand is 

warning there could be some 

confusion, though, because the 

new rules focus on the "disposal" 

date of a property rather than the 

acquisition date. 

"Care needs to be taken as the 

dates are determined differently. 

The bright-line end date is 

determined by when the seller first 

enters a contract for sale, whereas 

the start, or acquisition date is 

typically determined when title 

transfers." 

He said that could mean 

that anyone who had entered 

negotiations before 1 July could 

still be captured under the old 

rule. 

Paid parental leave increases 

Each year, the maximum amount 

of paid parental leave available 

increases. 

How much you get is 

determined by how much you 

were earning before you went on 

leave. 

From 1 July, the maximum 

is $754.87 a week before tax, 

compared to $712.17 previously. 

Gaming duty for offshore operators 

From 1 July, a 12 percent offshore 

gambling duty applies operators 

who are taking bets from New 

Zealand residents. 

Offshore gambling operators 

have to register for GST if they 

make more than $60,000 in a 

120-month period. Those that are 

registered for GST must also now 

register for the duty. 

Excise tax on alcohol increases 

The annual adjustment of excise 

tax on alcohol takes place on 1 

July. This is based on movements 

in the consumer price index in the 

year to March. 

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Editorial 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

"Every morning, you have two choices: continue 

to sleep with your dreams or wake up and chase 

them." — Carmelo Anthony 

IN FOCUS : Picture of the week 

NZ business 

confidence hits 

the skids 

New Zealand’s economic landscape has grown increasingly bleak, casting a long 

shadow over businesses and households alike. The latest Quarterly Survey of 

Business Opinion by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) paints 

a sombre picture, revealing a continuing decline in business confidence. 

This troubling trend mirrors last month’s BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing 

Index, which shows the manufacturing sector has been in contraction for an alarming fifteen 

consecutive months. 

The NZIER report is stark in its assessment, noting a persistent downturn in economic 

activity and business sentiment. 

According to the survey, a significant portion of businesses are pessimistic about their 

prospects, with many reporting declining sales, rising costs, and an increasingly uncertain 

future. This despondency is further exacerbated by a myriad of challenges facing the 

economy. 

New Zealand is currently grappling with the aftereffects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which 

disrupted supply chains, strained healthcare systems, and fundamentally altered consumer 

behaviour. 

As the world slowly recovers, the ripple effects continue to be felt. The cost of living crisis, 

characterised by skyrocketing prices for essentials such as housing, food, and fuel, has 

further eroded disposable incomes and consumer confidence. 

Compounding these issues is a troubling exodus of the workforce. Many skilled workers 

are leaving the country particularly for Australia (New Zealand’s unemployment rate has 

overtaken Australia’s for the first time in a decade, because of this flight of human capital 

across the Tasman), leading to a labour shortage that stymies productivity and growth. This 

shortage has been particularly acute in sectors like healthcare, education, and construction, 

where the demand for skilled labour is critical. Confused immigration policymaking is further 

complicating the situation. 

Adding to the nation’s and business’ woes is a surge in violent crime, which has created 

an atmosphere of insecurity and fear. 

Amidst this turmoil, New Zealand’s new coalition government, now six months into its 

term, is still trying to find its feet. The initial promise of decisive action and reform has yet to 

materialise into tangible improvements. 

The government’s efforts to stabilise the economy and address these pressing issues 

have so far been met with mixed results, and patience is clearly wearing thin, particularly 

with its perceived inaction on crime. 

The Taxpayers’ Union has been vocal about the current economic malaise. In their view, 

the Reserve Bank’s stringent measures to curb inflation are squeezing the life out of the 

economy. 

They argue that real relief can only come from a change in government fiscal policies. 

According to Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams, New Zealand’s company 

tax rate, one of the highest in the world, is stifling business growth and investment. 

Williams suggests that reducing the company tax rate could provide much-needed 

breathing space for businesses, encouraging investment and employment. He advocates for 

allowing full expensing of capital items, a move that would incentivise businesses to invest 

in growth and productivity-enhancing assets. 

This is crucial for pulling New Zealand out of recession and back on to a path of 

sustainable growth. Only through productivity growth, investment, and entrepreneurship can 

the economy hope to recover and thrive. 

The government faces a daunting task. To revive the economy, it must take bold and 

decisive action. 

This includes revisiting tax policies to create a more conducive environment for business 

and investment. By lowering the company tax rate and allowing full expensing of capital 

investments, the government can stimulate economic activity and encourage businesses to 

expand and innovate. 

Additionally, the government must address the root causes of the labour shortage. This 

involves investing in education and training programmes. 

Attracting and retaining talent is equally essential, and this requires creating an environment 

where skilled workers feel valued and secure, including the right mix of immigration policies 

to attract the best talent speedily. 

Tackling the cost of living crisis is another critical area. 

The government must work to stabilise housing prices. It is in the process of announcing 

a slew of measures to make housing affordable and it is hoped that these would be as 

practicable as they will be non-controversial. Essential goods and services must be made 

affordable for all New Zealanders. 

This may involve regulatory reforms and targeted subsidies to support those most in need. 

Addressing the surge in violent crime is paramount – as it affects business sentiment the 

most. 

Ensuring public safety through effective law enforcement and community programmes 

can help restore confidence and create a stable environment conducive to economic growth. 

Villagers cook food on a boat as they travel through a flooded area following heavy rainfall 

at Khandhakhati village in Morigaon on Wednesday. (ANI Photo) 

This week in New Zealand’s history 

30 June 1939 

First issue of New Zealand Listener published 

The New Zealand Listener soon expanded beyond its original brief to publicise radio 

programmes to become the country’s only national weekly current affairs and 

entertainment magazine. 

1 July 1978 

Beatrice Tinsley made professor of astronomy at Yale 

Beatrice Tinsley (née Hill) was a New Zealand astronomer and cosmologist who made 

remarkable discoveries about the evolution of galaxies. She was English-born but raised 

in New Plymouth, and later studied at Canterbury University College. In 1963 Beatrice and 

her husband, also a physicist, left for the United States, where academic opportunities were 

greater. 

1 July 1988 

Bastion Point land returned 

The government announced that it had agreed to the Waitangi Tribunal’s recommendation 

that Takaparawhā (Bastion Point) on the southern shore of Auckland’s Waitematā 

Harbour be returned to local iwi Ngāti Whātua. 

2 July 1938 

Electric trains come to Wellington 

On 2 July 1938, Minister of Railways Dan Sullivan and Wellington Mayor Thomas Hislop 

officially opened the electrified rail line between central Wellington and the northern 

suburb of Johnsonville. 

4 July 1902 

New Zealand Boxing Association formed 

The New Zealand Boxing Association (NZBA) was formed to promote and foster amateur 

boxing in this country. After drawing up its rules and obtaining parliamentary sanction, 

the association staged its first New Zealand championships in Christchurch later in 1902. 

5 July 1881 

Poll tax imposed on Chinese 

Parliament passed the Chinese Immigrants Act. After this received the Royal Assent, a 

‘poll tax’ of £10 (equivalent to $1770 today) was imposed on Chinese migrants and the 

number allowed to land from each ship arriving in New Zealand was restricted. 

Indian Weekender : Volume 17 - Issue 15 

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited 

Editor: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz 

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Senior Digital Producer: Urjita Bhardwaj | 021 952 246 | urjita@indianweekender.co.nz 

Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher 

is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication 

Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent 

the views of the team at the Indian Weekender 

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Printed at NZME, Auckland, New Zealand. 

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14 

INDIA 

No topic offlimits 

for Modi’s 

upcoming talks 

with Vladimir 

Putin: Russia 

Given the "very trusting 

nature" of the relationship 

between Russian President 

Vladimir Putin and Prime 

Minister Narendra Modi, no topic 

was off-limits for the two leaders 

when they meet here soon, Kremlin 

spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 

Tuesday. 

The dates of Prime Minister 

Modi's visit to Moscow will 

be announced a bit later but 

preparations for it are already at 

their final stages, Peskov said. 

Putin and Modi will discuss 

regional and global security, trade 

and all other topics on the agenda 

during their meeting, Peskov was 

quoted as saying by Russia's 

state-owned TASS news agency. 

"We (Russia and India) jointly 

take part in integration processes, 

so regional affairs, regional 

security and global security are 

always at the top of the agenda. 

In addition, of course, our bilateral 

trade and economic interaction 

is always a focal point,” the 

Kremlin official said, answering 

a question about what topics will 

be discussed at the negotiations 

between Putin and Modi. 

Describing Prime Minister 

Modi's visit as "very important," 

the official noted that Moscow and 

New Delhi have “mutual political 

will” to develop cooperation in a 

variety of areas. 

“Given the very trusting nature of 

the relationship between President 

Putin and Prime Minister Modi, we 

can expect that there will be an 

exchange of views on all issues 

that are on the agenda, and there 

are many of them,” Peskov added. 

"We will announce this visit 

officially later, after coordination 

with our Indian friends, I can only 

confirm to you once again that 

the visit is in the final stages of 

preparation,” he said, replying to 

a question on the dates of Modi’s 

visit to Russia. 

Diplomatic sources in New 

Delhi had said the Indian prime 

minister's day-long visit is being 

planned around July 8, adding 

there is no finality on the date 

yet and various options are being 

explored. 

The visit, if it takes place, will be 

Modi's first trip to Russia in nearly 

five years. His last visit to Russia 


was in 2019 when he attended an 

economic conclave in the Far East 

city of Vladivostok. 

If Modi travels to Russia, then he 

and President Putin are set to hold 

the India-Russia annual summit 

after a gap of three years. 

The annual summit between the 

Prime Minister of India and the 

President of Russia is the highest 

institutional dialogue mechanism 

in the strategic partnership 

between the two countries. 

So far, 21 annual summits have 

taken place alternatively in India 

and Russia. The last summit was 

held on December 6, 2021, in New 

Delhi. Putin, as head of the Russian 

state, has visited India nine times. 

Jaishankar pushes Russia for speedy 

return of Indians caught up in Ukraine 

India on Wednesday pressed 

Russia for the safe and speedy 

return of Indian nationals 

serving in the Russian military 

who are caught up in the Ukraine 

war as external affairs minister 

S Jaishankar met his Russian 

counterpart Sergey Lavrov to 

review bilateral relations. 

The meeting between the two 

foreign ministers, on the margins 

of the Shanghai Cooperation 

Organisation (SCO) Summit in 

the Kazakhstan capital of Astana, 

also helped prepare the grounds 

for Prime Minister Narendra 

Modi’s visit to Moscow during 

July 8-9. 

Jaishankar, who is representing 

India at the SCO Summit 

following Prime Minister Narendra 

Modi’s decision to skip the meet, 

indicated in a post on X that he 

had raised the issue of Indians 

serving in the Russian military. 

“Raised our strong concern on 

Indian nationals who are currently 

in the war zone. Pressed for their 

safe and expeditious return,” he 

said without directly referring to 

the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

Last month, India said it 

expects Russia to act on New 

Delhi’s demand for a “verified 

stop” to the recruitment of 

Indian nationals in the Russian 

Army following the death of four 

Indians while serving on the 

frontlines of the conflict with 

“Given the very 

trusting nature of the 

relationship between 

President Putin 

and Prime Minister 

Modi, we can expect 

that there will be an 

exchange of views on 

all issues that are on 

the agenda, and there 

are many of them,” 

Dmitry Peskov 

Ukraine. The Indian side had 

demanded for a “verified stop” 

to further recruitment of Indians 

by the Russian Army on June 11 

after the deaths of two Indians 

last month. India had resorted to 

the unusual step of making the 

demand soon after the foreign 

secretary attended the National 

Day reception at the Russian 

embassy. 

About 25 Indians serving with 

the Russian military have so far 

contacted authorities seeking 

help to be released. Of them, 

10 have been released and 

repatriated to India. Reports have 

suggested up to 200 Indians had 

been recruited by the Russian 

military to serve as support 

staff, such as cooks and helpers, 

though the people cited above 

said the number could be about 

100. 

India has so far refrained from 

censuring Russia’s invasion of 

Ukraine and only called for the 

two countries to end hostilities 

and return to the path of dialogue 

and diplomacy to find a solution 

to their differences. 

Jaishankar said in his post 

on X that he and Lavrov had a 

wide-ranging conversation on 

the bilateral partnership and 

contemporary issues. “Noted the 

progress in many areas since 

our last meeting in December 

2023. Also discussed the 

global strategic landscape and 

exchanged assessments and 

views,” he said. 

People familiar with the matter 

said on condition of anonymity 

that the meeting allowed the 

two sides to prepare for Modi’s 

upcoming visit to Russia, his 

first trip since 2019, and also 

the first since the start of the 

Russian invasion of Ukraine in 

February 2022. Modi and Russian 

President Vladimir Putin are 

expected to participate in the 

annual India-Russia Summit, 

which hasn’t been held in the 

past two years. This meeting 

is expected to reinvigorate the 

bilateral relationship and set 

the course for the coming years, 

including cooperation in key areas 

such as energy, defence, space 

and civilian nuclear power. 

Shortly after arriving in Astana 

on Tuesday, Jaishankar met 

Kazakh foreign minister Murat 

Nurtleu and discussed the 

bilateral strategic partnership and 

India’s increasing engagement 

with Central Asia. On Wednesday, 

Jaishankar is also expected 

to meet his counterparts 

from Belarus, Tajikistan and 

Uzbekistan and United Nations 

Secretary-General Antonio 

Guterres. 


India 

supports 

advancement 

of standards 

for spices 

to enhance 

international 

trade 

India strongly supported the 

advancement of standards 

development for various 

spices during the 86th session 

of the Executive Committee 

(CCEXEC) of the Codex 

Alimentarius Commission (CAC) 

which is being held in Rome from 

1st to 5th July. 

India is participating as a 

member in the 86th session of the 

Executive Committee (CCEXEC) 

of the Codex Alimentarius 

Commission (CAC). 

The Codex Alimentarius 

Commission, an international 

body established by FAO (Food 

and Agriculture Organization of 

the United Nations) and the World 

Health Organization (WHO), aims 

to protect consumer health and 

promote fair practices in food 

trade. 

The CCEXEC plays a critical role 

in reviewing proposals for new 

work and monitoring the progress 

of standards development. 

The CEO of the Food Safety 

and Standards Authority of India 

(FSSAI), G Kamala Vardhana 

Rao is representing India in the 

session. 

During the session, India 

strongly supported the 

advancement of standards 

development for various spices, 

including small cardamom, 

turmeric, and vanilla. 

This initiative is particularly 

significant for India, being a 

major producer and exporter of 

these spices, as it would facilitate 

smoother international trade. 

Additionally, India backed the 

progression of standards for 

named vegetable oils, guidelines 

for the control of Shiga Toxin- 

Producing Escherichia coli, and 

the safe use and reuse of water in 

food production and processing. 

India also championed 

the proposal for developing 

Codex guidance on food safety 

considerations related to the 

use of recycled materials in food 

packaging. 

This initiative is crucial in 

addressing global challenges 

such as climate change, 

environmental protection, and 

sustainability. 

Moreover, India shared its 

experience with the guidelines 

developed by FSSAI on recycling 

post-consumer PET for food 

contact applications. These 

guidelines were well-received 

and appreciated by the CCEXEC 

members. 

India's participation, as a 

member of the High-level 

Executive Committee (CCEXEC), 

highlights the country's 

dedication to establishing robust 

food safety standards and 

promoting fair practices in the 

global food trade, reflecting an 

important role in the international 

food industry. (ANI)


WORLD 15 

Helium leak, thruster issues: 

What's hindering Sunita Williams' return from space 

Indian-origin astronaut 

Sunita Williams and her Nasa 

counterpart Butch Willmore 

had to take emergency shelter in 

their Starliner spacecraft docked 

at the International Space Station 

(ISS) after an alert of a potential 

debris strike from the break up of 

an aged satellite. 

Thousands of pieces of debris 

from dead satellites, rocket 

boosters and junk from antisatellite 

weapons tests remain in 

orbit, covering the planet. 

The immediate threat to the 

astronauts’ safety was from 100 

debris pieces following the break 

up of a decommissioned Russian 

satellite on June 26, as per the US 

Space Command (USSPACECOM). 

“USSPACECOM has observed 

no immediate threats and is 

continuing to conduct routine 

conjunction assessments 

to support the safety and 

sustainability of the space 

domain. 

"As such, USSPACECOM 

has notified commercial, 

governmental, Allied and Partner 

organisations via Space-Track. 

org, to include Russia as the 

satellite owner,” Nasa said in a 

press release. 

As they survived the brief threat, 

the two astronauts continue to 

live aboard the flying laboratory 

as part of their extended mission 

due to glitches with the Starliner 

spacecraft. 

Initially scheduled to come 

back to Earth on June 18, the two 

astronauts are working with Nasa 

to fix the fault in the thrusters 

Rishi Sunak has covered 

thousands of miles in the 

past few weeks, but he 

hasn’t outrun the expectation 

that his time as Britain’s prime 

minister is in its final hours. 

United Kingdom voters will 

cast ballots in a national election 

Thursday, passing judgement on 

Sunak’s 20 months in office, and 

on the four Conservative prime 

ministers before him. They are 

widely expected to do something 

they have not done since 2005: 

Elect a Labour Party government. 

During a hectic final two days 

of campaigning that saw him visit 

a food distribution warehouse, a 

supermarket, a farm and more, 

Sunak insisted “the outcome of 

this election is not a foregone 

conclusion.” 

“People can see that we 

have turned a corner,” said the 

Conservative leader, who has 

been in office since October 2022. 

“It has been a difficult few years, 

but undeniably things are in a 

better place now than they were.” 

But even a last-minute pep talk 

at a Conservative rally Tuesday 

night by former Prime Minister 

Boris Johnson — who led the 

party to a thumping election 

victory in 2019 — did little to lift 

the party's mood. Conservative 

Cabinet minister Mel Stride said 

of the Starliner spacecraft that 

Williams piloted to space. 

RISING THREAT FROM 

SPACE JUNK 

A renaissance of space 

exploration and a growing market 

“Officials have 

observed no immediate 

threats and are 

continuing to conduct 

routine conjunction 

assessments to 

support the safety and 

sustainability of the 

space domain." 

for satellites means that the 

amount of space junk circling 

Earth is increasing by the day. The 

recent collision of an ISS robotic 

arm with a piece of debris serves 

as a reminder of the growing 

problem. 

India Today’s OSINT team 

quantifies how big the problem 

is, using data from Nasa’s Orbital 

Debris Program. 

While the piece that hit the 

ISS was below the threshold for 

monitoring, more than 20,000 

space objects the size of a softball 

or above are currently known to 

exist in orbit. While some are in 

use, like satellites, a majority can 

be classified as space junk. This 

includes old rocket stages, space 

UK elections: Sunak's campaign in last 

stage, Labour's Starmer eyes victory 

Wednesday it looked like Labour 

was heading for an “extraordinary 

landslide." 

Labour warned against taking 

the election result for granted, 

imploring supporters not to 

grow complacent about polls 

that have given the party a solid 

double-digit lead since before the 

campaign began. Labour leader 

Keir Starmer has spent the sixweek 

campaign urging voters to 

take a chance on his center-left 

party and vote for change. Most 

people, including analysts and 

politicians, expect they will. 

Labour has not set pulses 

racing with its pledges to get the 

sluggish economy growing, invest 

in infrastructure and make Britain 

a “clean energy superpower.” 

But nothing has really gone 

wrong, either. The party has won 

the support of large chunks of 

the business community and 

endorsements from traditionally 

conservative newspapers 

including the Rupert Murdochowned 

Sunday Times. 

Former Labour candidate 

Douglas Beattie, author of the 

book “How Labour Wins (and Why 

it Loses),” said Starmer’s “quiet 

stability probably chimes with the 

mood of the country right now.” 

“The country is looking for 

fresh ideas, moving away from a 

government that’s exhausted and 

divided,” Beattie said. “So Labour 

are pushing at an open door.” 

The Conservatives, meanwhile, 

have been plagued by gaffes. 

The campaign got off to an 

inauspicious start when rain 

drenched Sunak as he made 

the announcement outside 10 

Downing St. on May 22. Then on 

June 6, Sunak went home early 

from commemorations in France 

marking the 80th anniversary 

of the D-Day invasion, missing 

a ceremony alongside United 

States President Joe Biden and 

France’s Emmanuel Macron. 

Several Conservatives close 

to Sunak are being investigated 

by the gambling regulator over 

suspicions they used inside 

information to place bets on the 

date of the election before it was 

announced. 

It has all made it harder 

for Sunak to shake off the 

taint of political chaos and 

mismanagement that’s gathered 

around the Conservatives since 

Johnson and his staff held 

lockdown-breaching partie s 

during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Johnson’s successor, Liz Truss, 

rocked the COVID-weakened 

economy with a package of 

drastic tax cuts, making a costof-living 

crisis worse, and lasted 

mission components that on 

purpose or accidentally remained 

in space and other artificial debris 

that was created by collisions, 

breakups or explosions. 

WHY IS SUNITA WILLIAMS 

STUCK IN SPACE? 

Boeing's maiden human space 

flight was postponed and 

cancelled several times before 

it eventually launched. However, 

instead of returning home after 

about eight days, the spacecraft 

remains docked to the station. 

The return flight has been 

delayed repeatedly as ground 

teams continue to troubleshoot a 

series of problems that includes 

helium leaks and a few thrusters 

that stopped working at a critical 

just 49 days in office. There 

is widespread dissatisfaction 

over a host of issues, from a 

dysfunctional public health 

care system to crumbling 

infrastructure. 

“People can see that 

we have turned a 

corner. It has been a 

difficult few years, but 

undeniably things are 

in a better place now 

than they were.” Rishi 

Sunak 

moment in the flight, in the 

capsule’s propulsion system. 

Initially, Starliner was supposed 

to come home on June 18 but the 

Nasa later pushed it to June 26. 

The space agency has delayed it 

again to July, saying the teams 

needed more time to study the 

propulsion system problems. 

There is no rush to fly the 

astronauts home, Nasa said, 

without giving any probable date 

for the undocking. 

WHY IS HELIUM 

SO IMPORTANT? 

Helium, an inert gas, is used to 

push propellants to the thrusters. 

If too much is lost, the thrusters 

may not work properly. The leak 

was traced to a seal on a helium 

line leading to one of 28 small 

thrusters known as reaction 

control system engines. 

Nasa also said the helium leaks 

don’t pose a risk to the return. 

Four of the five thrusters are now 

operating normally, and since the 

spacecraft is outfitted with 28 

such thrusters there is plenty of 

redundancy. 

The spacecraft can stay docked 

in space for up to 45 days, giving 

crew members a little breather 

to continue to troubleshoot the 

issues. 

Years of setbacks, including 

a botched-up test flight without 

astronauts on board in 2019, have 

cost Boeing some $1.5 billion in 

cost overruns. 

It needs Starliner to start 

flying the regular crew rotation 

flights so that it can start getting 

paid for the missions. 

But for many voters, the 

lack of trust applies not just to 

Conservatives, but to politicians 

in general. Veteran rouser of the 

right, Nigel Farage, has leaped 

into that breach with his Reform 

U.K. party and grabbed headlines, 

and voters’ attention, with his 

anti-immigration rhetoric. 

The centrist Liberal Democrats 

and environmentalist Green Party 

also want to sweep up disaffected 

voters from the bigger parties. 

Across the country, voters 

say they want change but aren’t 

optimistic it will come. 

“I don’t know who’s for me as 

a working person,” said Michelle 

Bird, a port worker in Southampton 

on England’s south coast who 

was undecided about whether to 

vote Labour or Conservative. “I 

don’t know whether it’s the devil 

you know or the devil you don’t.”

16 

TIME OUT 

i FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

ACROSS----------- 

1) "Brian's Song" star James 

5) Comes out of one's skin 

10) Self-congratulatory 

14) Radius' comrade-in-arms? 

15) Youngest-ever Oscar 

winner 

16) Folkestone farewell 

17) "B 5!" "C 11!"? 

19) Took_ (snoozed) 

20) Downed 

21) Typing type 

22) Considers carefully 

24) "Emma" author Austen 

25) Hersey's bell town 

26) Place or site 

29) Transverse beam 

32) Itsy-bitsy bits 

33) "In_ tn1st" 

34) Recipe word 

35) Cravings 

36) Emulate "Old Blue Eyes" 

O, O! 

1 2 3 

14 

17 

20 

26 27 28 

32 

35 

38 

41 42 

CROSSWORD 

37) Kid's "seat" on Santa 

38) Alternative to .net 

39) Less extroverted 

40) TV's "Cosmos" creator 

41) Author's explanation 

43) Yuletide songs 

44) Backup sounds 

45) Random sampling 

46) "Monkey Trial" teacher 

48) Seafood choice 

49) Josh 

52) Door section 

53) John Wayne character, 

larger-than-life? 

56) More than suggest 

57) Recording studio alert 

58) Water sport 

59) Some antique autos 

60) Family men 

61) Bud holder 

Richard Auer 

11 12 13 

7th June 

DOWN 

1) Island south of Florida 

2) Dismounted 

3) Archer or Heche 

4) Endless faultfinder 

5) Home of the John Deere 

headquarters 

6) Like beverages at barbecues 

7) A 1 Capp character 

8) Fielder's choice? 

9) Trooper's warning 

10) Wood-surface applications 

11) Tropical fruit dance? 

12) Great Salt Lake state 

13) Adjusts, as a spark plug 

18) Multicolored gems 

23) "_ on Down the Road" 

24) Traffic tangles 

25) Eagerness 

26)_ the land (how things stand) 

27) Alamogordo's county 

28) Kinshasa drum? 

29) Australian bush call 

30) Just right 

31) Wonderlands 

33) Southern breakfast dish 

36) Auto despair site? 

37) Marx or Benz 

39) Pirate's knife 

40) Town of many trials and hunts 

42) Plains homes 

43) Plays with crayons 

45) Lecterns 

46) Tim Duncan, for one 

47) Kind of package 

48) Cold spell 

49) Nautical mile 

50) Not going anywhere 

51) Condemn 

54) "Put_ Happy Face" 

55) Photo_ (media events) 

i FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

ACROSS----------- 

1) "Brian's Song" star James 

5) Comes out of one's skin 

10) Self-congratulatory 

14) Radius' comrade-in-arms? 

15) Youngest-ever Oscar 

winner 

16) Folkestone farewell 

17) "B 5!" "C 11!"? 

19) Took_ (snoozed) 

20) Downed 

21) Typing type 

22) Considers carefully 

24) "Emma" author Austen 

25) Hersey's bell town 

26) Place or site 

29) Transverse beam 

32) Itsy-bitsy bits 

33) "In_ tn1st" 

34) Recipe word 

35) Cravings 

36) Emulate "Old Blue Eyes" 

O, O! 


CROSSWORD ANSWERS 

37) Kid's "seat" on Santa 

38) Alternative to .net 

39) Less extroverted 

40) TV's "Cosmos" creator 

41) Author's explanation 

43) Yuletide songs 

44) Backup sounds 

45) Random sampling 

46) "Monkey Trial" teacher 

48) Seafood choice 

49) Josh 

52) Door section 

53) John Wayne character, 

larger-than-life? 

56) More than suggest 

57) Recording studio alert 

58) Water sport 

59) Some antique autos 

60) Family men 

61) Bud holder 

1M l.1 1 b 

Richard Auer 

ATA 

N A p 

I G H 5 

0 

T 30 1 3e 

D D 

E E 

N 

7th June 

DOWN 

1) Island south of Florida 

2) Dismounted 

3) Archer or Heche 

4) Endless faultfinder 

5) Home of the John Deere 

headquarters 

6) Like beverages at barbecues 

7) A 1 Capp character 

8) Fielder's choice? 

9) Trooper's warning 

10) Wood-surface applications 

11) Tropical fruit dance? 

12) Great Salt Lake state 

13) Adjusts, as a spark plug 

18) Multicolored gems 

23) "_ on Down the Road" 

24) Traffic tangles 

25) Eagerness 

26)_ the land (how things stand) 

27) Alamogordo's county 

28) Kinshasa drum? 

29) Australian bush call 

30) Just right 

31) Wonderlands 

33) Southern breakfast dish 

36) Auto despair site? 

37) Marx or Benz 

39) Pirate's knife 

40) Town of many trials and hunts 

42) Plains homes 

43) Plays with crayons 

45) Lecterns 

46) Tim Duncan, for one 

47) Kind of package 

48) Cold spell 

49) Nautical mile 

50) Not going anywhere 

51) Condemn 

54) "Put_ Happy Face" 

55) Photo_ (media events) 


SUDOKU SOLUTIONS 

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Your Weekly Horoscope: 05 July - 11 July, 2024 

ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20) 

As the wheel of the seasons turns once 

more, the spoke of summer is at your 

door. Thursday marks the solstice point, 

so answer the call, grab your bathing suit 

and inflatables, and make a beeline for 

the nearest pool party over the weekend. 

As the monthly full moon lights up the 

sky on Friday, the peak in lunation is prime time for socials, 

activities, and if you prefer, getting ahead by burning some 

midnight oil. 

.TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20) 

The sun, Mercury, and Venus all head 

up your sphere of local connections 

this week, making it social as well as 

neighborly. With a family feel, perhaps it’s 

time to get involved in community spirit. 

Ever resourceful and hands-on, consider 

selling your wares or produce at a local 

makers market, setting up your own stall or pop-up shop. 

Consider organizing a cooperative as a more collective way 

to bring home the bacon. 

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21) 

You’ve had four planets in your sign, 

and at the end of the week, that’s down 

to one. The lucky one, Jupiter. So you 

can concentrate on your fortune and 

make your luck happen! Think big, and 

remember: Words are spells. Treat them 

as such, and you’ll bag a dream or two by 

the end of its one-year run in your sign. 

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20) 

It’s the solstice and the beginning of your 

sunny, summery birthday season, water 

nymph! With the longest day of sunlight 

marking the entry point to your sign, we’re 

off to a great start on Thursday. Venus and 

Mercury also dive into Cancerian waters 

on Monday, preceding the sun. This means 

the vibe is perfect for supporting your birthday celebrations 

and all you love. Your glow-up is here, so note those 

compliments rolling in and how you really feel at home. 

LEO (JUL21-AUG 20) 

As the planets pile into your zen zone this 

week, take time out to rest and recoup. It’s 

summer from Thursday, but I’m sure you 

can put your feet up in a hammock under 

dappled light and recharge those batteries 

sooner. Sleep, dream, or be with those lifers 

who feel like family—those that you choose 

as lifers, and your spiritual or artistic community. There’s 

plenty to catch up on with friends you haven’t seen for a 

while as La Luna’s full moonlight draws out the social side. 

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23) 

Charge your social battery, Virgo! The 

beginning of summer is here, and it’s all 

about group activity, friends, and meaningful 

interaction. Eating out is a must, and yes, 

picnics count! This is a brilliant time to 

network, so get canny with your connections, 

whether personal, business, or special interest. Groups and 

dinner parties are the spheres where great conversations 

happen, so be at your best; you may meet someone who 

feels like family. 

LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23) 

You will be open to having different 

experiences this week, Libra, with the new 

moon in Gemini. You might be preparing to 

travel, or you could want to learn about a 

different culture or niche subject. You will 

be pushing yourself to keep an open mind 

about different opinions and life beliefs as well. As the moon 

moves into Cancer over the weekend, you could be reflecting 

on your long term career goals. 

SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22) 

You will be working on yourself this week, 

Scorpio, with the new moon in Gemini. You 

might want to better understand your own 

motives and behaviours, and you could 

be researching topics related to self help 

or psychology. You may be making a big 

purchase too, or you’re working to save or 

invest some of your money. As the moon moves into Cancer 

over the weekend, you may be travelling. 

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21) 

You will be building upon your relationships 

this week, Sagittarius, with the new moon in 

Gemini. You may feel closer to your partner, 

or you’re having greater success with dating. 

You could even reach a pivotal relationship 

milestone, or you may be meeting up with 

good friends to hang out. As the moon moves into Cancer 

over the weekend, you may want to open up emotionally 

to people, or you’re reflecting on how you can respond to 

conflict differently. 

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21) 

You will be productive at work this week, 

Capricorn, with the new moon in Gemini. A 

job opportunity may come your way, or you 

could be developing various projects. You 

may be taking greater care of your body 

too, by sticking to a regular exercise routine, 

eating healthy, or getting to sleep early. As the moon moves 

into Cancer over the weekend, you may be connecting with a 

good friend or going on a date. 

AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19) 

As the summer rolls in on Thursday, 

highlighting your sphere of work and wellness, 

go with it and enjoy more outdoorsy, vitalitybuilding 

social connections. This period has 

a “family and cherished friends” feel about 

it that’s oh so wholesome and emotionally 

nourishing. So relax your mind and feel the warmth those 

connections generate within you. That’s an aspect of good 

health right there. 

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20) 

Summer. Is. Finally. HERE! And that means 

the water babies come out to splash, frolic, 

and soak up vital solar energy. Enjoy your 

leisure time, and if you need a reason, this 

season lights up your playful sphere of 

fun, dating, romance, and talents. This 

area gives back in a mutually beneficial 

loop, boosting your presence, vitality, and self-esteem, so 

swim, immerse in music, read a good book, or nurture that 

artistic side.


FEATURE 17 

Chicken fingers with 

curried ketchup 

Ingredients 

• Nonstick cooking spray 

• 2 large eggs 

• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 

• 2 teaspoons curry powder 

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 

• Kosher salt 

• 2 cups panko (Japanese 

breadcrumbs) 

• 3 skinless, boneless chicken 

breasts (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds), 

cut into 1-inch-wide strips 

• 1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets 

• 3/4 cup ketchup 

• Juice of 1 lime 

Directions 

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees 

F. Set a rack on a baking sheet 

and mist with cooking spray. 

Ingredients 

• 1/3 cup walnut halves 

• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, plus a few 

sprigs, for garnish 

• 1 clove garlic, smashed 

• 1 1/2 cups chopped raw broccoli florets and 

tender stems (about 4 ounces) 

• 1/4 cup low-sodium vegetable broth 

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 

• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional 


• Juice of 1/2 small lemon (1 tablespoon) 

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 

• 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano- 

Reggiano, Romano or grana padano cheese 

• 10 ounces whole wheat or tri-color fusilli 

Directions 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the 

nuts out on a small baking pan and toast lightly, 

about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool. 

• Pulse together 1/4 cup of the walnuts and the 

garlic in a food processor; add the broccoli, basil, 

broth, nutmeg, red pepper flakes if using, 3/4 

teaspoon salt and the lemon juice, and pulse until 

just combined. 

• Slowly drizzle in the oil through the feed tube with 

• Whisk the eggs, mustard, 1 

teaspoon curry powder, the 

cumin and 1 teaspoon salt in 

a shallow bowl. Mix the panko 

with 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 

in another bowl. 

• Dip the chicken strips in the egg 

mixture, letting the excess drip 

off, then coat with the panko. 

Place the chicken on the rack 

and mist all over with cooking 

spray. 

• Bake until golden brown and 

cooked through, about 20 

minutes. 

• Meanwhile, bring about 1 inch 

of water to a boil in a large pot 

with a steamer rack or basket 

in place. Add the broccoli, cover 

and steam until crisp-tender, 8 to 

10 minutes. 

• Mix the ketchup, lime juice and 

the remaining 1/2 teaspoon 

curry powder in a small bowl. 

Serve the chicken strips with the 

curried ketchup and broccoli. 

Broccoli-Walnut Pesto with Pasta 

Egg spinach salad 

Ingredients 

• 4 egg 

• 150 gm small potatoes with 

skins 

• 2 handfuls coriander leaves 

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 

• 2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil 

• 4 cloves garlic 

• 1 cup spinach 

• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 

• 1 teaspoon dry red chili 

• salt as required 

• water as required 

Method 

• Take a pan and add water along 

with a dash of salt, 

add the eggs and 

cook them till they 

turn hard boiled. In 

the meantime, take a 

pan and add in olive 

oil. 

• Once the oil is hot 

enough, add in garlic 

chopped sauté for 

a minute, then add in small 

potatoes. Once done, add the 

spinach leaves, spices, cheese 

and give it a nice toss. 

• Turn off the flame, transfer the 

the processor running and puree until a slightly 

chunky sauce forms, scraping down the sides of 

the bowl as needed. 

• Add 2 tablespoons of the cheese and pulse until 

incorporated. Cook the pasta in a large pot of 

salted water according to the package directions. 

Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. 

• Toss the pasta with the pesto in the dry pot or 

a mixing bowl, along with some of the reserved 

cooking liquid. 

• Add the remaining cooking liquid if needed and 

additional salt to taste. 

• Transfer the pasta to individual bowls and sprinkle 

with the remaining 1 tablespoon cheese. Chop the 

remaining walnuts and scatter on top. Garnish 

with basil leaves and serve. 

salad to a serving plate, add in 

the boiled eggs by cutting them 

into half, season with salt and 

pepper. Garnish with coriander 

leaves and enjoy! 

Lemon-garlic shrimp and grits 

Ingredients 

• 3/4 cup instant grits 

• Kosher salt and freshly ground 

black pepper 

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan 

cheese 

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 

• 1 1/4 pounds medium shrimp, 

peeled and deveined, tails 

intact 

• 2 large cloves garlic, minced 

• Pinch of cayenne pepper 

(optional) 

• Juice of 1/2 lemon, plus 

wedges for serving 

• 2 tablespoons roughly chopped 

fresh parsley 

Directions 

• Bring 3 cups of water to a boil 

in a medium saucepan over 

high heat, covered. Uncover 

and slowly whisk in the grits, 

1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 

teaspoon pepper. 

• Reduce the heat to medium low 

and cook, stirring occasionally, 

until thickened, about 5 

minutes. 

• Stir in the Parmesan and 1 

tablespoon butter. 

• Remove from the heat and 

Ingredients 

• 2 Cornish game hens (about 

1 1/2 pounds each), halved 

• Kosher salt and freshly 

ground pepper 

• 3/4 cup low-sodium soy 

sauce 

• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce 

• 1/4 cup rice vinegar 

• 1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled 

and sliced 

• 2 small red chile peppers, 

halved (remove seeds for 

less heat) 

• 1 bunch scallions 

• 1 grapefruit, halved 

• 1 medium head bok choy, thinly 

sliced 

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame 

oil 

• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, 

toasted, for garnish 

Directions 

• Preheat the oven to 425 

degrees F. Season the hens 

with salt and pepper and place 

skin-side up in a roasting pan. 

Roast until the skin is slightly 

crisp, about 25 minutes. 

• Meanwhile, combine the soy 

sauce, hoisin sauce, vinegar, 

ginger, 1 chile pepper and 1/4 

cup water in a pot. 

• Cut half of the scallions into 

large pieces, and zest and juice 

half of the grapefruit; add to the 

pot. 

season with salt and pepper. 

• Cover to keep warm. 

• Meanwhile, season the shrimp 

with salt and pepper. Melt the 

remaining 2 tablespoons butter 

in a large skillet over mediumhigh 

heat. 

• Add the shrimp, garlic and 

cayenne, if using, and cook, 

tossing, until the shrimp are 

pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove 

from the heat and add 2 

tablespoons water, the lemon 

juice and parsley; stir to coat 

the shrimp with the sauce and 

season with salt and pepper. 

• Divide the grits among shallow 

bowls and top with the shrimp 

and sauce. 

Serve with lemon wedges. 

Teriyaki Hens with Bok Choy 

• Simmer, stirring occasionally, 

until thick and syrupy, about 20 

minutes. Brush the hens with a 

few tablespoons of the sauce 

and continue roasting until 

golden, about 8 more minutes. 

• Peel and segment the 

remaining grapefruit half and 

place in 

a bowl. 

• Thinly slice the remaining 

scallions and mince the 

remaining chile pepper; add 

to the bowl along with the bok 

choy, sesame oil, and salt and 

pepper to taste. 

• Place half a hen on each plate. 

Stir any pan drippings into the 

remaining sauce and drizzle 

over the top. 

• Serve with the bok choy salad 

and garnish with 

sesame seeds. 

Spicy kale and corn stuffed chicken breasts 

Ingredients 

• 4 teaspoons olive oil 

• 5 1/2 ounces frozen chopped kale (about 

2 cups) 

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 


• 1/3 cup frozen whole kernel corn 

• 2 ounces pepper jack cheese, grated 

(about 1/2 cup) 

• Four 8-ounce boneless skinless chicken 

breast halves 

• Freshly ground black pepper 

• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth 

• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour 

• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 

skillet over medium heat. Add the kale, 

garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, 

stirring, until the kale is softened and the 

garlic is fragrant, about 5 minutes. 

• Transfer to a bowl to cool slightly, and 

then stir in the cheese. 

• Insert a thin paring knife into the thickest 

part of the chicken breast and cut down 

the side to make a 3-inch pocket. Repeat 

with the remaining chicken breasts. Then 

evenly stuff with the kale mixture. 

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over 

medium-high heat until very hot, 3 to 4 

minutes. 

• Rub the chicken breasts with the 

remaining 2 teaspoons oil and sprinkle 

with a total of 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 

teaspoon pepper. 

• Add all 4 chicken breasts to the skillet 

• Then lower heat to medium. Continue 

cooking, turning once halfway through, 

until just cooked through, about 14 

minutes more. 

• Insert a small paring knife into the top of 

the chicken to test for doneness. If any 

pink areas remain, cover the skillet and 

continue to cook until opaque. 

• Transfer the chicken and any bits of filling 

that fell into the skillet onto 4 plates. Stir 

the broth and flour together in a small 

bowl and then add to the skillet. 

• Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 

minutes. 

• Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon 

Directions 

• Add the corn and cook, stirring, until 

and cook until golden brown, about 2 juice and season with salt and pepper. 

• Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a large warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes more. minutes. 

Spoon the pan sauce over the chicken.

18 

ENTERTAINMENT 

Divya Dutta 

on 30 years in films: 'Came 

here thinking I'd wear chiffon 

sarees, dance in the rain' 

Growing up in a home where 

both her parents were 

doctors, for Divya Dutta, 

the passion to pursue a career in 

films was unusual. She got a head 

start when she was only 17. This 

year, the 46-year-old completes 

30 years in Indian cinema. Talking 

about her initial struggles, Dutta 

says she was replaced by other 

actors in at least 20 films at one 

point. 

Divya Dutta started out in 1994 

with Ishq Me Jeena Ishq Me 

Marna. Her first big break came 

with Train to Pakistan (1998). 

Directed by Pamela Rooks, the 

film was based on Khushwant 

Singh’s book on the Partition. 

When the film came to her, she 

was not entirely sure whether 

to do it. “I had come into films 

thinking I would wear chiffon 

sarees and dance on rain songs. 

I did not know if I should do the 

role.” 

"I guess now, with digital coming in 

and corporates coming in, all these 

production houses, casting directors 

it’s a different game altogether. You 

have bound scripts, your workshops, 

your look test." 

The film opened for her the 

doors to a whole range of 

cinema—from films made by 

Shyam Benegal to Rakeysh 

Omprakash Mehra. After three 

decades in cinema, Dutta believes, 

“The universe has its ways of 

giving you what you want. You will 

get what you want, but the ways 

can be different.” 

Dutta has been part of some 

of the most defining Indian 

films through the decades, 

playing Shabbo in Veer 

Zara (2004), Vindhya in Welcome 

to Sajjanpur (2008), Jalebi 

in Delhi-6 (2009), Rosy Miss 

in Stanley Ka Dabba (2011), 

Ishri Kaur in Bhaag Milkha 

Bhaag (2013) and Noor Khan 

in Sheer Qorma (2021). Last year, 

she came out with a Malayalam 

film titled Otta and a Hindi 

feature Aankh Micholi. 

Talking about how she chooses 

her roles, Dutta says, “I am very 

happy that I have always listened 

to my gut. If I don’t want to do 

something, I say an immediate 

no. And if I think yes, it’s a yes. 

Somewhere around, you know you 

want to be part of a journey, be 

it because of the director or the 

role.” 

Having spent three decades in 

films, Dutta has had a front row 

seat to the transformation of 

Indian cinema. “In the 90s, scripts 

were not given. You were told and 

narrated your role and the rest 

was done on the 

sets. There were 

amazing writers 

who would write 

out the dialogues 

and then say— 

‘catch’.” 

Earlier, there 

was a “certain 

intrigue”, Dutta 

says. “I guess now, with digital 

coming in and corporates coming 

in, all these production houses, 

casting directors it’s a different 

game altogether. You have bound 

scripts, your workshops, your look 

test. By the time you are on the 

sets, you have already done most 

of the work. Now you just have to 

go and feel the role.” 

Three decades in cinema, and 

yet Dutta gets butterflies in her 

stomach when she takes on a 

role. “I wouldn’t like to repeat 

anything that I have done. I 

would like to give the role a 

nuance. I like to see my roles as a 

member of the audience. If as an 

audience member I am enjoying 

it then great. If not, I have to add 

something—an X factor.” 

She says actors get a lot of 

praise and sometimes tend to 

become overconfident. “If you 

ever see an 

overconfident 

actor, I bet 

you will start 

disliking that 

actor. But 

when an actor has the eagerness 

of a child, that nervousness, that 

passion, it reaches the audience,” 

Dutta adds. 

All these years under the 

spotlight, but Dutta has remained 

as far from controversies as 

she can be. Asked how she 

has managed that, she says, 

“Genuinely, I have no idea. But it is 

a fact.” 

“I guess people feel like I am 

one of them and they sometimes 

let me be,” she says, adding 

that she has drawn a very clear 

line between her personal and 

professional life. 

“I am a total fun person and 

crazy sometimes and a child 

woman like that,” Dutta says, 

and adds she does not like to be 

judged. “With my personal life, I 

have never encouraged any kind 


of scrutiny.” 

Over the years, Dutta has 

worked across the board—in 

Punjabi, Tamil and Malayalam 

films. Describing her experience of 

working with multiple languages, 

Dutta says, “Working in a 

language you are acquainted with 

comes with a certain sense of 

comfort. Because you know the 

language and you are thinking in 

the same language.” 

According to Dutta, the best 

moment in her career so far was 

when she won the national award 

for her film Irada (2017). “I love it 

when I am called a ‘national award 

winner’,” she says and adds that 

the award helped change people’s 

perception of her: “People said, oh, 

finally she got her due.” 

Asked what she would like to 

be remembered for, Dutta says, 

“I want to be remembered very 

fondly and I want to have a place 

in everyone’s life. Everyone, 

meaning my audience, my family. 

I would want that place for sure. 

That way I am very greedy.” 


Tabu on how 

Priyadarshan 

poured 

coconut 

oil on her 

hair during 

Virasat shoot 

Tabu is one of the most 

versatile actresses in 

Hindi cinema. She is best 

known for movies like Namesake, 

Maqbool, Vijaypath, Cheeni 

Kum, Andhadhun, Drishyam, and 

more. The actress has been busy 

promoting her upcoming film, 

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, costarring 

Ajay Devgn, these days. 

In a recent interview with 

Zoom, Tabu shared her experience 

of working with ace filmmaker 

Priyadarshan on the sets of 

Virasat. 

The Drishyam actress 

reminisced that Priyadarshan had 

poured a coconut oil bottle on her 

head to achieve the desired look 

for her character. 

Talking about the director, Tabu 

said that he wanted to see her 

oily hair look and the hairstylist 

advised the actress to apply a gel 

over her head. 

"When I went on set, he said, 'I 

asked you to put oil.' I said, 'Yeah, a 

little. Nice shine is coming.' So he 

let it go and then came back with 

a bottle of coconut oil from behind 

and poured the entire thing onto 

my head," the actress said. 

Tabu further shared that 

Priyadarshan got his desired look 

for the role. Calling it "easy", the 

actress further talked about how 

she didn't have to spend time 

styling her hair. 

"I used to get ready in five 

minutes. Long hair, apply oil, 

braid it, and go to the set," she 

remembered. 

Apart from Tabu, Virasat starred 

Anil Kapoor, Amrish Puri, and Pooja 

Batra. The action drama film was a 

remake of a Tamil movie, Thevar 

Magan. Its story was written by 

actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan. 

Anil played the role of Shakti 

Thakur, a London-returned man 

who visits his ancestral village 

in India. Pooja was cast as his 

girlfriend, Anita. They both want 

to marry each other; however, their 

relationship gets disapproved by 

the family. 

Tabu's character was Shakti 

Thakur's wife, Gehna Thakur. 

On the work front, Tabu was last 

seen in Crew alongside Kareena 

Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon. The 

film was released earlier this year. 

Nawazuddin 

Siddiqui 

calls himself 

‘ugliest actor' 

in Bollywood, 

opens up about 

facing taunts 

about his looks 

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is 

considered one of the 

best actors in the industry 

working today, having acted in 

films like The Lunchbox, Gangs of 

Wasseypur, Kahaani and Sacred 

Games. However, the actor also 

faced a lot of discrimination in 

the industry based on his looks. 

In a new interview with News18, 

Nawazuddin shared that he 

considers himself to be the 

‘ugliest actor – physically – in the 

film industry’ today and told why. 

In the interview, Nawaz said, 

“Pata nahi shakalo se humari 

nafrat kyun hai kuch logon ko. 

Kyunki shakal hee aisi hai – itne 

badsurat hai humlog. Humein bhi 

lagta hai jab apne aap ko aaine 

mein dekhte hai. Hum bhi bolte 

hai apne aap ko ‘kyun aa gaye film 

industry mein itne gande shakal 

leke?’ (I don’t know why some 

people hate the way we look. 

Maybe it’s because we’re just that 

ugly. Even I feel it when I look at 

myself in the mirror. I question 

why I came into the film industry 

with such a bad appearance). 

'Kyun ki main shuru se yeh sab 

sunte aa raha hoon' 

He went on to say, “I’m the 

ugliest actor – physically – in 

the film industry. Main toh yeh 

maanta hoon. Kyun ki main shuru 

se yeh sab sunte aa raha hoon 

aur abhi maanne bhi laga hoon (I 

have been hearing it for so long 

that I’ve started to believe it. I 

have no complaints about the film 

industry). 

Nawazuddin also added that he 

is grateful for the opportunities 

that he has received for playing a 

variety of characters in his career. 

Nawazuddin was last seen in 

Haddi, which was released on OTT 

platform Zee5. His most recent 

release is Rautu Ka Raaz, which 

also released on Zee5 on June 28.

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