Blessen Tom

Indian Panthers players reportedly return to India as termination deadline nears Sources close to the squad say all three Indian players who had been playing in New Zealand for the franchise departed Auckland on Sunday.

The South Asian players who were recruited in the Indian Panthers squad have returned to India, RNZ understands. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Stanford spars with Radhakrishnan over email ‘spam’ remark in House The Labour MP of Indian origin has accused the immigration minister of painting migrants in a "negative light" during an answer to a question in Parliament last week.

A Labour MP of Indian origin has accused the immigration minister of painting migrants in a "negative light" during an answer to a question in Parliament last week. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

India consular delays caused by errors related to application payments The Indian high commissioner says about half of her staff's time is being spent on processing refunds that have been sent to the wrong location.

Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan has rebuffed criticism on social media regarding delays in consular services provided by the Indian mission in Wellington and the new consulate general in Auckland. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

South Asian communities fear for relatives caught up in Kashmir conflict New Zealand's Indian and Pakistani residents call on the two neighbouring nuclear powers to halt rapidly rising hostilities.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

New Zealand's South Asian communities have expressed concern for the safety of relatives caught up in rapidly rising hostilities between the two neighbouring nuclear powers in the wake of an Indian offensive on Wednesday.

The Indian Panthers' turbulent debut in the National Basketball League came to a head on Tuesday after allegations surfaced on social media of unpaid salaries and growing dissatisfaction in the squad. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Hundreds have gathered nationwide from Hindu, Christian and Muslim faiths in recent weeks to celebrate three festivals that reflect the community's commitment to secularism and interfaith unity.https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/559500/new-zealand-s-indian-community-embraces-interfaith-unity

Lawmakers representing New Zealand's ethnic communities have condemned critics for focusing on their ethnicity when disagreeing with policies they are proposing.https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/559462/ethnic-mps-condemn-race-based-criticism-of-their-political-work

Indian comedian turns Cantonese into his comedic ‘superpower’ Vivek Mahbubani learned Cantonese after his parents forced him to but now he performs stand-up comedy in the language.

Vivek Mahbubani learned Cantonese after his parents insisted he do so but over time, he's turned the language into his "superpower", performing full stand-up comedy sets in Cantonese. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

New Zealand's Indian community unites in condemning Kashmir terror attacks At least two dozen people died after gunmen opened fired on tourists near Pahalgam in the Himalayas.

About a hundred people gathered at Auckland's Aotea Square on Thursday evening for a candlelight vigil expressing solidarity with victims of a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which took place on Tuesday afternoon India time. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

The Hawke's Bay Indian Cultural Centre (HBICC) is marking its 10th anniversary with a special performance that fuses Indian and Māori cultural traditions.https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/558894/indian-and-maori-cultures-come-together-on-stage

Household data reflects growing ethnic diversity Households with Asian, Māori and Pasifika occupants rise between 2018 and 2023.

Latest data from Stats NZ reveals that 17.2 percent of New Zealand households had at least one person belonging to the Asian ethnic group in 2023. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Indian team joins New Zealand women's hockey tournament for first time The Punjab Warriors team is the first women's team from India to take part in the annual Easter event.

The Punjab Warriors team is the first women's team from India to take part in the annual Easter event. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

'They think they can shut me up, but they can't' - India critic facing ban in homeland An Auckland doctor says she will not be silenced by the Indian government - despite facing a ban on returning to her homeland because of her political activities and online criticisms.

An Auckland doctor says she will not be silenced by the Indian government after being warned she faces a ban on returning to her homeland because of her political activities and online criticisms. www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

NZ film sector looks to revive golden era of Indian cinema Indian filmmakers shot more than 100 films in New Zealand in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Indian filmmakers shot more than 100 films in New Zealand in the 1990s and early 2000s.

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Westpac adds Hindi, Samoan, Tongan languages to ATMs Westpac has added the three language options to all 373 of its ATMs to make banking more accessible for diverse communities.

Westpac has added the three language options to all 373 of its ATMs to make banking more accessible for diverse communities. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Details of key agreements emerge from Luxon’s India trip New Zealand and India have launched negotiations on an arrangement facilitating the mobility of professionals and skilled workers.

New Zealand and India have launched negotiations on an arrangement facilitating the mobility of professionals and skilled workers. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Meet the Kiwi Indians strapping on hiking boots for charity Whether it's walking the length of New Zealand or shorter distances, the hikers have learnt a lot about themselves while exploring the country.

Anurag Sharma always imagined walking Te Araroa, one of the world's most diverse long-distance trails, in his 50s. But life took a turn four years ago when his mother passed away. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Here we go!

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Home losses, coach’s departure sour start to Indian Panthers’ debut season Jonathan Goodman is named interim head coach after Miles Pearce resigns in a turbulent start to the team's inclusion in the national basketball league.

Jonathan Goodman is named interim head coach after Miles Pearce resigns in a turbulent start to the team's inclusion in the national basketball league.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

‘Nightmare fuel’ - Kiwi soldier in Ukraine on the reality of drone warfare Jordan O'Brien is on the frontlines: 'There's no sugar-coating it.'

Jordan O'Brien is on the frontlines: 'There's no sugar-coating it.'
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Government opens consultation on free trade agreement with India Businesses, non-governmental organizations and members of the public encouraged to have their say.

Trade Minister Todd McClay has called for public submissions on New Zealand's negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement with India. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Long wait continues as 2028 target set for Delhi-Auckland flights Travellers calling for non-stop flights between New Zealand and India now have a date but it's still three years away.

Travellers calling for non-stop flights between New Zealand and India now have a date on which to pin their hopes - but it is still more than three years away. www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...

New Zealand eyes India as key market for tourism growth India boasts one of the largest outbound tourism markets in the world.

India is one of the largest outbound tourism markets in the world. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Overseas commitments leave Indian Panthers sweating on South Asia stars Team management hopes to get at least four Indian players in Auckland for debut home game in national basketball league on Friday after availability issues.

Player unavailability due to international commitments forced the Panthers to play their season opener against the Hawke's Bay Hawks in Napier on 12 March without any of the 10 Indian players named in the squad. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Explainer: How Khalistan could hurt Luxon’s free trade deal chances with India What lies behind the "anti-India activities in New Zealand" that Modi referenced in his prepared remarks to media?

In case you want to know! www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Indian PM Narendra Modi alleges 'anti-India activity' in New Zealand The Indian prime minister's comments created a moment of disagreement during an otherwise warm meeting with Christopher Luxon.

Thousands took part in an event in Auckland's Aotea Square late last year - organised by US-based separatist group Sikhs for Justice which is banned by the Indian government. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

Indian community awaits major announcements during Luxon’s India trip Luxon being invited to be the keynote speaker at Raisina Dialogue is a significant moment in India-New Zealand relations, community believes.

The Indian community in New Zealand is anticipating deepening ties between the two countries as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon takes one of the largest ever delegations to India next week. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...

Christopher Luxon announces India trip The stakes are high for Luxon after he promised during a 2023 election debate that he would strike a free trade deal with India in his first term.

New Zealand will send one of its largest ever prime ministerial delegations to India next week in a concerted charm offensive designed to boost trade and security ties with the fast-growing economic giant. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...