Author: Vaibhav Gangan
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OPINION: Immigration policy may stall growth in NZ
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New Zealand’s xenophobia, rather its politicians’ attempt to capitalize on xenophobia, has raised its ugly head again. This time it is Labour leader David Cunliffe, who has blamed migrants for housing crisis and has suggested putting brakes on immigration following Treasury’s prediction that net migration may cross the 40,000…
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Deported from NZ, kidney patient dies in Fiji
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There’s an outrage in the migrant community in New Zealand following the death of a kidney patient who was deported out of New Zealand. Sanil Kumar was waiting for a kidney transplant to save his life. His family, friends and well-wishers had already raised NZ$130,000 needed for the surgery, since…
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Can I keep Indian passport after becoming NZ citizen?
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Many Indians in New Zealand continue to hold Indian passports after becoming New Zealand citizens – either out of ignorance or willful intention (claiming ignorance). The Indian High Commission in New Zealand has appealed to such Indians to surrender their Indian passports. “Of late, many cases have been coming to…
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These 10 CV mistakes may cost you a dream job in NZ
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Your resume is your first step at a prospective employer’s door. Vaibhav Gangan shares common resume mistakes to avoid. In this age of information overload, getting the job you desire is not as straightforward as it used to be, even if you have the required skills and qualifications. Companies are…
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NZ slashes duty-free tobacco limit by 75%
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New Zealand will reduce the duty-free allowance for cigarettes from the current 200 cigarettes to just 50. In an attempt to make New Zealand smoke-free by 2025, the government will lower the duty-free allowance for international travellers visiting New Zealand, from the current 200 cigarettes to 50 cigarettes. This brings…
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Surprise taxi checks at Auckland airport following high-fare complaints
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Auckland Airport to audit taxi journeys and calls for taxis to offer fixed fares. Following passenger complaints of high fare, Auckland Airport will now regularly undertake mystery passenger audits of taxi pick-ups from the airport, says Richard Barker, Auckland Airport’s spokesman. “Any drivers and companies found to be charging excessive…
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Pets in Miami most pampered in US
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Amazon.com Unveils List of Most Pampered Pet Cities in the U.S. – Miami, Seattle, Atlanta, San Francisco and Portland ranked “top dogs†with the most pet-related items purchased per capita in 2013. The honor of being the Top Dog goes to Miami as the most pet-loving city in…
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Women-only swim sessions irk some in NZ
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New Zealand’s Hamilton City may have a tough job on hand as it proposes to re-introduce women-only swimming sessions at the council-owned swimming facility. Aimed at attracting more women to swimming, the proposal is being labeled as “man ban” by one of New Zealand’s largest news outlet – Stuff. Stuff…
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NZ schools to move tests online
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The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is marking the new era in the education sector of the country with the trial of its first online tests. NZQA will trial NCEA level one maths test online at 20 schools in September with the help of an outsourced company – Education Perfect.…
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MP Rajen Prasad retires
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New Zealand Labour Party’s Immigration spokesperson Rajen Prasad has declared his retirement from active politics as he says he is not seeking re-nomination for another term in Parliament at the next election scheduled for later this year. “I have approached my professional and public life over the last 20 years,…
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VIDEO: First look of ‘Singh Is Bling’ revealed
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Akshay Kumar wears turban again for his next film ‘Singh is Bling’ produced jointly by the action actor and his partner Ashvini Yardi, under their production banner – Grazing Goat Pictures. Schdeuled to be released on 31 July 2015, the film is being directed choreographer-turned producer and director Prabhudheva.…
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Canada raises caps for migrants
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For the period between May and December 2014, Canada has increased caps of visa applications under skilled workers, trade workers, experienced workers programs. The total cap will be 38000 – which includes 25000 for skilled workers, 5000 for trade, and 8000 for experienced workers. The list of eligible occupations under…
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Canada allows ‘express entry’ for economic migrants
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Now, skilled professionals keen to migrate to Canada can jump the queue for becoming permanent residents, if they have a valid job offer. They can even have their residency application processed in less than six months. Under the new ‘Express Entry’ scheme to become effective January 2015, the Canada Immigration…
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Chinese migration agent’s OZ licence culled
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Australia’s immigration authority has cancelled the licence of a Chinese immigration agent, following “a number of complaints about applications for protection visas”. The Sydney-based migration agent failed in her bid to have a decision to cancel her registration overturned, with the Administrative Review Tribunal (AAT) confirming the decision by the Office…
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NZ student visits India to study business ties
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A New Zealand student investigating business networks in promoting MÄori entrepreneurship has won a scholarship to India. Jess Templeton, completing PhD in management from University of Canterbury (UC), is visiting New Delhi to study business issues after winning an Education New Zealand scholarship in conjunction with the Indian Institute of…
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NZ, India two ends of a book – Peter Dunne
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“Two ends of a book’, is how New Zealand’s Minister of Internal Affairs described the ties between India and New Zealand. Minister Peter Dunne, while was speaking at India New Zealand Business Council’s seminar, ‘Business Beyond Barriers’, reiterated the need for increased economic, cultural and sporting ties between the…
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Uphold migrant workers’ rights, UN urges
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The United Nations experts have appealed to all countries to sign up to a landmark treaty on the rights of migrant workers that came into force some 10 years ago. Forty-seven countries have ratified the treaty but that number is far too low given the abuse and exploitation that…
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NZ employers look to new Kiwis to bridge skills gap
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As skills shortages increasingly impact on New Zealand businesses, employers are looking for new ways to find great people to meet their needs. Many are now looking to newcomers and returning Kiwis who bring the powerful combination of international work experience, qualifications and experience gained from working offshore,…
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NZ ranked world’s most socially advanced country
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New Zealand is the most socially advanced nation in the world according to a global index published by US-based nonprofit, the Social Progress Imperative, and released at the 2014 Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship. New Zealand topped the rankings across a wide range of measures–according to the Social Progress…
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Kiwis wish to learn Chinese, but choose French
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Kiwis are interested in learning the Chinese and the Japanese language, according to a recent survey. (See video at the end of the article to learn beginner’s Chinese online.) The Asia New Zealand Foundation’s annual Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples in 2013 survey has found that New…