The couple presently in Christchurch, who recently lost an appeal seeking refugee status in the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, is alleging that their daughter is continuously sick while in care of Child, Youth and Family, and no proper medication is being given to her. “The Social Worker in-charge also has no idea about the child's health,” said the woman. “Ever since our child was removed, we have not being advised by anyone from Child, Youth and Family on the next course of action. We are in complete dark about what is going on. And being migrants and new to this country, we don't know how things work here,” she added. Meanwhile, CYF denies the allegations. Also, when contacted the Indian High Commission in Wellington confirmed that they have advised CYF that the child should be returned to her parents.

Almost six years after suffering extensive damage in the 2011 Earthquake, ISKCON Christchurch opened its door again at a newly-constructed Hare Krishna Centre at 83 Bealey Avenue on March 3. The grand opening ceremony titled Revival was held over three days, and featured fire yajnas, kirtans, aartis, guru pujas, and an initiation ceremony by Indradyumna Swami. Installation of the deities including that of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurachandra was also part of the ceremony.

E tū, the biggest private sector union in New Zealand, which was created in 2015 from the merger of several unions, and “provides members with services like workplace representation, legal advice, a freephone support centre, education on work-rights and a political voice”; is now aiming to unionise the construction workers who have immigrated from Philippines and have been an integral part of the Christchurch rebuild in the last six years.

Dr Husaini Abdul Hafiz, a 50-year-old doctor, who had immigrated to New Zealand from Singapore about nine years ago, collapsed and died in Hagley Park while on his way to work on February 13. A founding trustee of the Canterbury Muslim Community Trust (CMCT), Dr Husaini's death is not being treated as suspicious by the New Zealand Police and had been referred to the coroner. "Husaini will be greatly missed by the wider Muslim community of Christchurch for his leadership, enthusiasm and wise council," said CMCY in a social media post. 

The Canterbury Police, after completing scene examination of a shed fire on Tankerville Road in the Christchurch suburb of Hoon Hay have confirmed that the person found deceased in the incident that took place on February 9, 2017, was a 51-year-old woman named Savita Devi Naidu. Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Worner informed that the matter has now been referred to the Coroner. “There are no suspicious circumstances and Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the death,” he added.