May Newsletter from Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi National List M.P.

May 2012 Vol 2, Issue 3 Newsletter for May 2012          Welcome to our May newsletter.     We are now at the end of autumn and in the past week New Zealanders have experienced cold mornings, and even colder nights. The weather won't stop us though! Within the walls of Parliament in Wellington we continue to work tirelessly to ensure we deliver our promises to all New Zealanders.   The Government will soon announce Budget 2012. Our focus has been clear from the very beginning and will emphasize the four main priorities delivered by Prime Minister John Key in his opening address to Parliament this year. Budget 2012 will recognize that National is responsibly managing the Government's finances. We are providing stable government in tough economic times while we build a more competitive and productive economy. Importantly it will confirm that we have an economic management plan which will have New Zealand back on track for a surplus in 2014/15.   Let me assure you that we understand that it will not be easy. New Zealanders must work towards economic growth so that new job creation takes place, existing jobs are better paid and we lift our standard of living. In the last fortnight the Government has announced some very positive pre-Budget policies.   Firstly, the good health of New Zealand's is essential. The Government has invested an extra $1.5 billion in to health over three years. Due to this there are an extra 800 doctors and 2000 extra nurses in our district health boards. Extra doctors and nurses have ensured that we deliver record results in elective surgery and immunization. The Government will double its spending to $24 million, to treat and reduce rheumatic fever in our more vulnerable communities. We intend to make a positive difference to the lives of over 35,000 children across New Zealand. This policy is part of our larger goal of providing better public service to all New Zealanders.   In my own constituency, the Counties Manukau District Health Board received a big "three-cheers" from our Health Minister Tony Ryall for undertaking 2500 more operations in the last year, compared to the same period three years ago..   The Government has also approved $208.67 million towards building more operating theaters and clinical services blocks to provide enhanced services to patients. In addition, the Counties Manukau DHB is now supported by 190 more frontline doctors and 320 more nurses. Finally, I want to remind you all that I hold regular consultation clinics 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      1/131, Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe DDI: +64 9 278 9302 Fax: +64 9 278 2143   www.bakshi.co.nz                              Authorised by Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi MP, 1/131 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland

Migrant Expo 2012

You are all invited!

A UNIQUE NZ EXPERIENCE - FOR ALL MIGRANTS, FRIENDS & FAMILIES

Buy • Save • Eat • Learn • Enjoy

May 26, 2012, ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane, Auckland
Saturday, 10am - 4pm

FREE ENTRY! FREE PARKING!

INFORMATION BOOTHS:

settlement support, immigration advice, auckland regional migrant resource
centre, job advice, english language partners, and lots more!

PRODUCTS & SERVICES:
western union, buying a car, legal advice, health & safety, massage, water
safety, alternative medicine, educational options - asg, whitiriea,
freelance animation, plunket, iniversity of auckland, tertiary education
commission, civil defence, eco-matters, nz doctor - waitemata health,
citizens advice bureau, ministry of social & developtment, going digital,
family planning, acupuncture, travel & leisure, minitry of fisheries,
ministry of agriculture & forestry, nz customs, nz fire service, english
language sources, auckland chamber of commerce, save animals from
exploitation, and lots more!

BARGAINS GALORE:

clothing, arts & crafts, toys, gift supplies, souvenirs, accessories,
winter fashion, toiletries, and lots more!

AUTHENTIC FOOD:

variety of food, sweets, cakes, snacks, refreshments, filipino,
mediterranean, spanish, asian, sausages, ice creams, fresh fruit juice,
food products, and lots more!

SEE YOU THERE!

Check out website for more info: www,migrantexpo.co.nz

SAUDIS ISLAM?

youngsters to politics

more youngsters to politics

Former MP calls more youngsters to politics

By Venkat Raman

New Zealand needs more youngsters of Asian origin in politics to enhance representation in Parliament and serve their communities more effectively, a former lawmaker has said.

Dr Ashraf Choudhary , who retired from politics in November last year after serving three terms as Member of Parliament on Labour List, said that the changing demography of the country warranted additional numbers in the debating chamber from the Sub-Continent.

“The substantial increase in the number of people from the Indian Sub-Continent (especially from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) that we have been experiencing in recent years has given rise to a number of cultural, social and community issues. In order that these issues are effectively addressed, there is a need for added strength in our Parliament. I believe that youngsters should undertake such a responsibility,” he said.

Dr Choudhary was speaking at a dinner reception organised in his honour by the Pakistan Association of New Zealand and Pakistan Business Association of New Zealand at Sudima Airport Hotel in Auckland on April 28, 2012. It was the tenth such function held since he his retirement from Parliament over the past four months, at each of which, he has advocated more active participation of the younger members of the communities in politics.

“Political parties realise and come to grip with issues only when they are well connected with various ethnic communities and groups. Such was the case with the Labour Party until (former Prime Minister) Helen Clark and her cabinet colleagues attended functions and events organised by Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and other communities. Their visits to Gurdwaras, Mosques and Temples enabled them to understand the cultural, social and traditional values of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus. While we all work and live together with peace, goodwill and understanding, the need to have our voices raised in Parliament more effectively cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.

Dr Choudhary said New Zealand was lucky to currently have two persons of Indian (Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi) and Indo-Fijian origin (Dr Rajen Prasad).

“It would not tire me to reiterate the need for our young people to actively engage themselves in the country’s politics. You must be committed, prepared to sacrifice your time and serve the people. I have never considered myself as just a person of Pakistani origin. In fact, I have engaged more with people of the Indian community than people of Pakistani origin,” he said.

Pakistan High Commissioner Syed Ibne Abbas described the function as ‘a special event for Dr Choudhary, his family and the Pakistani community.’

“Dr Choudhary has distinguished himself as a ‘true gentleman.’ He was the first Member of Parliament representing the South Asian, Muslim and Pakistani communities. He has a passion for public service. We are indeed proud of him,” he said.

As reported in our May 1, 2012 issue, the Pakistan Government would honour Dr Choudhary with a high civilian award in recognition of his services to Pakistan, people of Pakistani origin and for his efforts in boosting bilateral relations.

“An official announcement would be made soon,” Mr Abbas said, without giving details of where and when the Awards ceremony would be held.

Mercury Printz Director and New Zealand Hindu Temple Society Secretary Ilango Krishnamoorthy and Botany Labour Party Local Electorate Committee Chairperson Neelam Choudary presented a shawl to Dr Choudhary on behalf of the Indian community.

Mrs Choudary described the retired politician as a ‘friend in need’ and as ‘a politician who truly represented the people.’

Among the other speakers who paid tribute to Dr Choudhary were Labour MPs George Hawkins, Ross Robertson, Su’a William Sio, Pakistan Association of New Zealand President Naveed Hameed, Pakistan Business Association of New Zealand President Nadeem Ashraf, Sudima Hotels Chief Executive Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala, Pearl of Islands Foundation Director and Intercultural Dialogue Platform Coordinator Kerem Caliskan and Mrs Nadeem Ashraf and the editor of this newspaper.

 

Indian Newslink - The stolen history of Girmitiyas in Fiji www.indiannewslink.co.nz The stolen history of Girmitiyas in Fiji

An Evening with Chief Operations Officer Fonterra - Peter Moore

Pakistan – New Zealand Chamber of Businesses and Professionals

 

 

An Evening with Chief Operations Officer Fonterra – Peter Moore

Fonterra Chief Operations Officer (COO) Peter Moore is delivering a talk to the Pakistan – New Zealand Chamber of Businesses and Professionals on the evening of 6 June 2012.

Fonterra is the largest organisation of New Zealand with annual turnover of NZ$ 16 Billion. Fonterra has a 40% of the international market share in the world dairy trade.

The Chamber presents a valuable and unique opportunity for its members to attend Peter Moore’s talk on how Fonterra might look at entering Pakistan market. Peter shall also share Fonterra’s vision as one of the world’s leading organisations in the dairy sector.

The COO’s talk shall be exclusive to the Chamber’s members. Please register your interest to attend the talk latest by 2 June 2012 by contacting the Chamber at chamber@pakzealandchamber.org or mir_ikram@hotmail.com . There is no cost to attend the event; however, the seats are limited to 30 attendees. Please register your interest at your earliest as the places shall be filled very quickly.

Finger food and non-alcoholic beverages shall be served throughout the evening.

The programme is as follows:

Date                             6 June 2012

Time                            6 p.m. – talk begins

                                    6.45 p.m. – Question Answers

                                    7.00 p.m. – Meet and Mingle with Peter Moore

Venue                          The Northern Club, 19 Princes Street, Auckland

Te Atatu Labour Meeting and Asset Sales Petition

A brief email from me reinforcing what Labour is up to at the moment in the electorate.

We need your help to stop the National Government's selling 49% of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis, and Solid Energy.

The Labour Party is working in a coalition that has launched a citizens initiated referendum (CIR) to stop these asset sales. The CIR petition has just been signed off by the Clerk of Parliament and the work of collecting tens of thousands of petitions can now begin.

In addition to our normal LEC activities, we will be campaiging this weekend at Avondale Markets and the following weekend at the Te Pai Netball Courts collecting signatures for our petition. The details for the next few weeks are as follows:

Phil will be door knocking to get signatures this weekend. If you're available please let either Phil or I know.

Avondale Markets - Asset Sales Petition

Sunday 13 May 8am - 11am

Avondale Markets

Great North Road

Labour Electorate Committee

Sunday 13th May 3pm

Henderson North School

Norval Ave (off Lincoln Road)

Te Pai Netball - Asset Sales Petitions

Saturday 19 May 8-10am.

Te Pai Park

Te Pai Place, off Lincoln Road

Labour's Auckland-Northland Regional Conference         

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May

Birkenhead High School

140 Birkdale Road

Birkdale, North Shore.

If you are free for any part of that, come along! If you are able to come, please reply to this email. The more signatures we collect, the earlier the referendum will be!

Shayne Misselbrook

Chairperson

 

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