Giving a major boost to long-time Labour member, lawyer, academic and activist - Duncan Webb's campaign for the Christchurch Central electorate in 2017, Party's leader Andrew Little formally launched his campaign office in the city recently.
Govt is not doing justice to small businesses: Natu Rama, President Indian Social and Cultural Club
The case in question is the last month order by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) awarding Kapilaben Patel, a migrant worker from Gujarat, India, $31,413.19 for unpaid wages, working on public holidays, and holiday pay; and a further $11,400 as reimbursement of the money paid in contravention of 12(A) of the Wages Protection Act.
Exploitation: North Shore food court pays $164,397 for employment law breaches
A food court in the Northcote Shopping Centre will pay $164,397 for their serious breaches of employment law, following an investigation by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Labour Inspectorate.
Debate: Candidates face-off on climate issues
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, and her challenger John Minto (right), at the Mayoral Debate on "A Climate-Smart Christchurch". Held on September 22, the discussion was moderated by Catarina Gutierrez from the Ministry of Awesome. The event was organised by Generation Zero and 350 Christchurch.
Migrants: Not much discussion on the opportunities migrants offer to NZ businesses - HT Group's research
HTG and social trends research company, Windshift, have just completed a major research project among migrants. "We spent 100 hours conducting in-home interviews as well as a national survey comparing NZ born and migrant New Zealanders. We found that migrants tend to be highly educated middle class people who are savvy consumers and well disposed towards New Zealand brands. Migrants are loyal to brands that clearly demonstrate they value migrants’ business. Sixty five percent are educated to degree level or above compared with just 36% of those that are New Zealand born. And 72% consider themselves financially stable or prospering, compared with 54% of New Zealand born," notes Windshift.
Multilingualism: Acquisition and maintenance of heritage and community languages in multilingual Christchurch
As a follow up to their July workshop, Anna Filippochkina of CLANZ (Community Languages Association of New Zealand) and Angela Bland of CANTESOL and TESOLNZ (Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages), organised a second workshop for professional development of community language teachers on September 28. The highlight of the session was a guest lecture by Una Cunningham, Associate Professor at College of Education, University of Canterbury, on "Keeping it real: authenticity, task and meaning-focused language teaching".
Celebrations: The ancient Silk Road brought to light at China National Day
On September 23, Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch held the reception to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. More than 200 people attended the function, including Customs and Disability issues Minister Nicky Wagner, Members of Parliament Megan Woods, Ruth Dyson, Poto Williams and Joanna Hayes, Special Advisor and Director Christchurch for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Amb. Phillip Gibson, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel and 6 other South Island Mayors, and friends from various circles, representatives of Chinese community, Chinese enterprises and overseas students in the consular districts.
Music: Garden City's world music store - Gandharva Loka
Opened in 2008, Gandharva Loka is what it calls itself "the world music store in Christchurch" providing a wide range of musical instruments sourced from around the world.
Heritage: Relive 1900s at the Ferrymead Heritage Park
Located in Heathcote in Christchurch and open seven days a week, the Park features an early 1900s (Edwardian) township, with exhibits such as houses, picture theatre, school classroom, church, jail, railway station, lodge hall, post office, printers, tobacconist, general store, lawyer’s office and more. For steam train enthusiasts, the next train ride is scheduled on Nov 6.
WoW: Out of the world in Nelson
Since 2001, visitors from around the globe have been treated to the "twin-wonders" of Nelson in the form of the World of WearableArt and Classic Cars Museum. Displaying one of Australasia's largest private collections of vintage cars, visitors are also treated to over 70 World of WearableArt garments.
Your corner: I have contributed to translating the Treaty of Waitangi into Malay language - Dr Buvanis Karuppiah
I am passionate to assist fellow migrants and their affairs. In 2015, I conducted free law clinics at the Christchurch Migrants Centre, offering advice to migrants on matters relating to Immigration, their employment rights, as well property and business affairs. I am always available to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, especially migrants who need a lot of support to settle in New Zealand, be it legally and socially.
Employment: Connecting Canterbury employers and Newcomers Skills Programme - CECC
Did you know that the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce’ provides a programme that supports and connects Canterbury employers’ with newcomers skills. Since this Immigration New Zealand funded programme began in 2003 to the end of June 2015, on average annually over 860 Canterbury employers have been connected with potential skilled migrant job seekers. A total of 2200 skilled migrant job seekers have received ‘one on one’ job search support and over 800 have been successfully placed into jobs specific to their skills sets.
2017: With this year's edition done, all eyes on Christchurch which hosts the next Social Enterprise World Forum
Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has participated in the New Zealand delegation to the 2016 Social Enterprise World Forum in Hong Kong, and is welcoming the opportunity for New Zealand to play host to next year’s Forum.
Elderly: Focus on regulating retirement villages
New Zealand is ageing fast, and with it is the increasing popularity of retirement villages. This has sparked a booming sector worth almost $9 billion with 130 operators, catering to over 10 percent of the over-75 age group nationwide.
Picture essay: With over 1,000 attending, focus on positive ageing at Age Concern Expo
There was a plethora of information and ideas at the event held at Papanui High School on September 26. The Migrant Times presents a brief outline of few who were there.
Rugby: NZ school rugby teaching lacks character, reveals University of Canterbury research
A new research from the University of Canterbury (UC) has revealed that rugby in New Zealand secondary schools has no clear educative or social intention, focusing on building technical skills rather than developing character, social skills or resilience.
Justice: Pre-charge warnings by Police inconsistent - IPCA report
In a report released recently, the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has found - while the practice of issuing pre-charge warnings to offenders has had a number of benefits, they are being used inconsistently and sometimes inappropriately.
Entrepreneurship: New start-up programme aimed at migrant entrepreneurs
Aiming to help migrants and first-time entrepreneurs fulfil their dream of running successful businesses, Massey University’s start up incubator – ecentre, and Aspire2 Group’s Ntec Tertiary Group, have come together to launch a part-time business start-up programme to be hosted at the New Enterprise Centre in Central Auckland.
Football: Team Lhotshampa (Bhutan) wins Canterbury Soccer League
In a big boost to sub-continental sports, Team Lhotshampa – comprising of members from the 300-strong Bhutanese Society of Christchurch (BSC) – has won the Canterbury Sunday Soccer League Division 5 in its very first attempt. This so because till last year members of the Bhutanese community in Canterbury used to play in the Nepalese team due to low numbers.
150th year: South West Baptist Church: Serving the community since 1866
TheSouth West Baptist Church, which in the past has been known by many names including Lincoln Road Baptist, Lyttelton Street Baptist, Spreydon and Halswell Baptist, is celebrating its 150 years of establishment over the weekend of October 14 – 16.