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.

Aucklanders from all walks of life are being encouraged to apply for Auckland Council’s six demographic advisory panels.

Several organisations working within the Indian community in Auckland, have welcomed a new initiative by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), which has embarked on an outreach programme with migrant communities to explain the recent changes in visa rules.

Founded in 2001, Waitakere Hindi Language and Cultural School, on December 10, was recognised by ‘The Trusts’ West Auckland, for its contribution in promoting and preserving the Hindi language in New Zealand, as it was granted $16,100 in support of its work.

In a major boost to ethnic communities across New Zealand, the Labour-led coalition Government has just announced increasing the Ethnic Communities Development Fund from $520k to $4.2 million each year. The Minister for Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa made the announcement in Auckland today. "This means that there will be $17 million available for ethnic communities over the next four years. Another important change we are making is that the fund will now be a rolling fund, which will remain open throughout the year."

Following from their winning the first prize in Rotorua’s Santa Parade on November 30, Iskcon Auckland’s added another feather in its cap, by being judged the best float in Ellerslie Village Santa Parade that took place on December 1.

A group of community leaders, representing South Asian countries, will soon be meeting the Immigration New Zealand officials and higher management to take up their immigration concerns with them.

Organised by the Pakistani Association of New Zealand (PANZ), the Inter-Ethnic Tap Ball Cricket Tournament 2019, which saw 16 teams from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh participate, had an eventual winner.

An initiative taken up by two charitable organistaion, Sahaayta and Shanti Niwas in support of White Ribbon. This event marked the moment to end violence against women.

In appreciation of its efforts for helping the Muslim community after the Christchurch terror attacks early this year, as well as for their ongoing efforts to spread peace and love among communities, the Pakistan Association of New Zealand, was especially acknowledged at the third annual Kiwi Punjabi Awards held last weekend.