On Friday, November 4, an intimate gathering of friends and family mourning the loss of Manmeet Alisher – a 29-year-old Indian bus driver living in Brisbane who was brutally murdered – was held outside Victoria Square in Christchurch. Manmeet was driving a local city council bus when he burnt to death after being doused in inflammable liquid and set alight by a passenger on the bus. Anthony O’Donohue has been charged with murder, arson and 11 other counts of attempted murder relating to the tragic incident. So far, authorities have ruled out terrorism or racial hate as being motives behind the attack.

The Garden City was treated to some fantastic latino music, food, arts and crafts; and the vibrancy of colourful hispanic culture at the Spring and Night Market held in the Arts Centre of Christchurch on November 5

With over 450 people from across the Timaru's multicultural communities attending, the South Island saw it's last Diwali celebration in South Canterbury's small town on November 12. Organised by the South Canterbury Indian Cultural Society, it was the fifth such celebration in the town, which has seen huge influx on Indian migrants recently, mainly in the agri sector.

Inspector Hirone Waretini describing the experience, "It was certainly an amazing experience and the crowd reaction blew us away. It was difficult getting people together at the same time due to rosters and other work commitments. Once we arrived at the venue to run through the dance moves, we’d all forgotten everything and there were plenty of nerves about that. However, one thing about Cops is that we don’t like to lose, so we knuckled down for the next couple of hours and really tried to nail the routine. The few moments before going up on stage were the worst. Afterwards however it was relief, elation and disbelief that we’d actually – only just, maybe – pulled it off. We thought it was a tremendous chance for us to do something different and show the Indian Community that we really wanted to connect to them.”

She was in Christchurch recently to attend an open forum organised by Nicky Wagner, MP for Christchurch Central, to address the issue of recent spike in aggravated robberies targeting dairies and liquor stores. Natu Rama, President of the city-based Indian Cultural and Social Club, who led a delegation of Indian shop-keepers at the workshop, was present at the forum along members from Community Patrols and the top brass of Canterbury Police. This included Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price, Acting Inspector Paul Reeves, Detective Inspector Tony Hill and Acting Superintendent Peter Cooper.

No young person must be allowed to leave school to nothing—no job, no further training, no hope. The Salvation Army is issuing this challenge to the New Zealand community in a report titled ‘What Next?’, focused on the employment needs of 15- to 24-year-olds.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has recently announced changes to the Government’s New Zealand Residence Programme (NZRP) for the next two years.

I also want the Council's decision-making to be more open and transparent through the engagement and consultation with residents.

Some observe to comprehend, while others gain insight by critiquing. Whatever mode we fancy, we end up reflecting on the issue at hand, which subsequently enriches our understanding. This is especially so when it comes to residing in a multicultural environment where we need to improve our understanding of every culture around us, to cohabit peacefully, in an equal and just society.

Denise Wiggins, Community Development Facilitator at Waimakariri District Council, chairing the Migrants and Newcomers Group meeting at the Woodend Coomunity Centre on October 26.