Sohni Dharti: Fwd: First Newsletter for 2012 from Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi NationalList M.P.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi M.P. <kanwaljit.singh.bakshi@parliament.govt.nz>

Date: Thu, Mar 22, 2012 at 10:15 PM
Subject: First Newsletter for 2012 from Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi National List M.P.
To: gobillag@gmail.com

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March 2012

Vol 2, Issue 1

In This Issue

Message from M.P.

Holi Pics

Mixed ownership of Assets

Ultra Fast Broadband

First Newsletter for 2012

Dear Zubair

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2012.

I begin by wishing you a very happy and colourful Holi. I was fortunate to have participated in three Holi celebrations. The first one was organised by Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, the second by the New Zealand Indian Student Association at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre. As expected the Holi celebrations were captivating - notably the energy and vibrancy on display by school and university students. I am sure most of you have heard Kolaveri Di a simplistic rhyme which went viral with the young and old. It was quite amazing to watch nearly 100 youngsters dancing in tune with each other on Kolaver Di.

From Holi celebrations organised by New Zealand Indian Students Association, I went to celebrate Holi with Honourable Judith Collins and other dignitaries at the Trusts Stadium, Waitakere, organised by the Waitakere Indian Association. Once again we witnessed a very colourful celebration of Holi and the drums by the Burundi Ethnic Group followed by special Bollywood dance and other cultural performances.

One theme that stood out for me in both the celebrations was that these were not limited to Indian community. Our friends - both young and not-so-young from many ethnicities and cultures participated and had a wonderful time. This is what I believe as our culture's strength, the ability to welcome other cultures to join us in celebrations with respect and treat them as family while sharing with them our culture and learning about their culture.

Finally, I want to remind you all that I hold regular consultations at my office on Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe. If you would like to provide feedback or discuss any issues with me please call 09 278 9302 to make an appointment.

Regards

Colourful Pictures of Colourful Holi Festival

Bringing prosperity to New Zealand and New Zealanders

National campaigned tirelessly around the importance of bring back New Zealand's current budget deficit to surplus by 2014/15.

One of the tools that the Government had mentioned that it would use was the use of mixed ownership model. Under the mixed ownership model the Government has promised that they will keep at least 51 per cent control over the companies and businesses, but publicly offer minority shareholdings in these businesses. Secondly, New Zealanders will be given priority in buying shares in assets and we expect that 85 - 90 per cent of these shares would be bought by New Zealanders.

In order to further ensure integrity and transparency in the process of sale the Government has put a cap of 10 per cent on any individual/consortium owning shares in any of the companies/businesses. The Government has earmarked minority shareholdings in four state-owned energy companies and Air New Zealand towards the mixed ownership model after the Cabinet agreed in principle to do so. The Government has decided that Mighty River Power will be the first company to undergo an initial public offering, most likely in the third quarter of 2012.

I believe the mixed ownership programme proposed by this National-led Government creates a win-win situation for most New Zealanders. The Treasury estimates that we have around $100 billion currently invested in term deposits and equally significant amount in Kiwisaver and other investment funds. This provides us with a strong position to invest and gain from our investments. It also provides us an opportunity to diversify our investments from housing or finance companies to more efficient and competitive capital markets. From experience and as a member of the Indian community, I know how much we admire those before us who that made their fortunes by investing in capital markets.

The money generated form the mixed ownership model provide significant funding for schools, hospitals and irrigation project for which we currently borrow from overseas. Not borrowing from overseas and funding our dreams on our own place significantly less burden on our future generations.

Making Ultra Fast advances in Broadband

The second significant announcement relates to provision of ultra-fast broadband for our schools. The Government announced that it anticipates all schools in New Zealand will be connected to ultrafast broadband by July, 2013. I believe this is a fantastic initiative by our government as the internet is an exciting tool for current and future education. Ultrafast broadband in our schools will ensure that scarce resources, such as physics and IT teachers, can be shared over virtual classrooms from one part of the country to the other.

In addition, high speed internet in our schools will ensure that learning will better target our future leaders, managers and professionals and provide them with the training and skills to be a part of the 21st century work force. In the Manukau East region, 29 schools are expected to be connected to faster broadband. With good number ethnic communities living in the Manukau region we can look forward to our children being provided world class education without the need to further migrate.