Adithya Ashok, the under-19 leg-spinning wizard, whom we covered in detail in Issue no. 60 (page 22), has been included in the just announced 15-strong squad for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa early next year.

In a path-breaking story for Indians in New Zealand, and around the world, New Zealand international, Sarpreet Singh, became the first player of Indian descent to play in German league, Bundesliga, when he replaced the Philippe Coutinho, in the final eight minutes of Bayern Munich's match against Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Median house prices in Auckland have increased by 2.9% to $885,000 – up from $860,000 at the same time last year – the highest price in 32 months, according to the latest data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ). “These results are in line with the REINZ House Price Index (HPI) which saw property values in Auckland increase 2.7% annually to a new record high of 2,923,” said REINZ.

Christmas has come early for those actively involved in the Auckland Market as data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand shows that both house prices and sales volumes were significantly on the rise in November.

British Actor and Presenter Kiran Rai, who grew up in Nottingham in the UK, but has strong family connections in New Zealand and Australia, has landed a role in the upcoming Bollywood movie Marriage Online. The movie will be shot in Delhi and Mumbai, and also stars the comedy actor Rajpal Yadav.

India’s Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman has unveiled two new initiatives for businesses wanting to do trade in India.

The Wellington Indian Association (WIA) raised over two thousand dollars at their recent Christmas party for the charity Marry Potter Hospice, which in a Facebook post noted, “We'd like to say a huge thank you to the Women's Division (known as the Mahila Samaj) of the WIA who raised an incredible $2,520 for Mary Potter Hospice at their recent Christmas Party.

Ola, one of the world’s largest rideshare platforms, is set to launch in 11 new locations across the country this month.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway on Wednesday announced, “The Government is making sure we share the prosperity of our strong economy fairly with those on the minimum wage by lifting it to $18.90 per hour on 1 April 2020 – the next step in the Government’s plan for a $20 minimum wage by 2021.

Started on December 14 last year, Paanwala New Zealand, which in just under a year, is found in over 20 Indian restaurants and super-markets across Auckland, is looking to expand its footprint to the other two main centres in the new year.

In a major hint on how various visas will be processed in future, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway, on Tuesday said this in Christchurch, “We are looking at ways to make the entire visa approval process fully automated. So if all the paper-work is in order, the applicant may get a computerised approval, with no manual work involved.

The offices of several Auckland councillors and MPs were surprised with a Christmas treat earlier this week. International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) volunteers dropped by with some delicious cookies and a message of peace to launch their Merry Peace-mas campaign.

In an interactive session held on December 12, in Wellington, the Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Muktesh Pardeshi, met several local leaders and representatives of community organisations.

All through December, the Auckland-based Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust (BSCT), had organised several events celebrating Christmas and end-of-the-year at various locations for its senior members, children, youth and families of the community.

Karan Banker, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Auckland, who moved to New Zealand from Ahmedabad with his family when he was six, has been elected into the role of 2020 New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) Board Medical Student Representative.

Six-time World champion M.C. Mary Kom is the star attraction at the inaugural Big Bout Indian Boxing League, that started at the Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, earlier this month.

It seems Christmas has come early for those looking to buy and sell as buyer confidence has returned to the market at a record high, just as Barfoot and Thomson report higher sales figures for the month of November.

Here’s what you need to know:

According to the latest data released by CoreLogic QV, the average residential property values in Auckland have risen by 1.3% over the three months to November 2019. But taken annually, this change comes out to be 1.2%, with the average value being $1,038,477.

On Sunday, Christchurch residents were treated to city's annual Santa Parade, which saw around 135 floats, and over 2,500 performers.

Like all my earlier newspapers, The Indian News, will soon be part of New Zealand Media Council (NZMC). We have already applied for it, and are waiting for the formalities to complete.

Started in 2015 by the Wellington Indian Association, this year’s Community Service Awards held last weekend in the capital, recognised four individuals for “outstanding dedicated service” to the community. These included Karuna Ranchod, Sumati Lala, Santi Damania, and Jay Shaw.

The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has now penalised a third Chorus subcontractor for employment breaches following a Labour Inspectorate investigation which targeted more than 80 businesses.