News

Deported from NZ, kidney patient dies in Fiji

Indian MP New Zealand

There’s an outrage in the migrant community in New Zealand following the death of a kidney patient who was deported out of New Zealand.

Sanil Kumar was waiting for a kidney transplant to save his life. His family, friends and well-wishers had already raised NZ$130,000 needed for the surgery, since he was not eligible for state-funded medical treatment.

His cousin, a New Zealand citizen, had already started the tissue-matching procedure to be a kidney donor to save Sanil.

However, the New Zealand associate minister for immigration, Nikki Kaye, declined to intervene in his deportation back to Fiji last month.

He passed away yesterday in Fiji’s Loutuka Hospital, One News reported. It is intriguing, to put it mildly, why someone who was on a life-threatening disease and had the money to be treated in New Zealand, was sent back to Fiji where medical facilities are known to be not comparable to New Zealand.

“Where would have been the harm to NZ if Sanil was allowed to get his operation here?” asks Labour MP Rajen Prasad, in a tweet.

The New Zealand Immigration system has been utterly heartless as Sanil had a kidney donor within his family and his community were busy raising the $130,000 needed for the transplant operation, says Rajen, in a  statement.

Indian MP New Zealand“He was deported, to what I predicted in April, would be his almost certain death as he simply wasn’t given the chance to have the operation in New Zealand. It was also clear a month ago that the type of dialysis treatment he had been receiving in New Zealand was not available in Fiji.

“A sensible Minister and an intelligent Immigration system would have understood that this was a life and death issue for Sanil.

In her defence, the associate minister has put the blame of the ministry of health.

In a statement explaining her decision, Nikki says she received advice from the Ministry of Health that appropriate dialysis services were available for Sanil in Fiji before she made her decision. If only she had cared to read a Stuff news story as early as 21 November 2013, which confirmed that Fiji did not have facilities to treat Sanil.

It was a life or death situation for Sanil because the Kidney Foundation of Fiji told Stuff reporter, Monica Tischler, peritoneal dialysis isn’t available in Fiji.

The Foundation says only haemodialysis is available as the peritoneal option is costly and most of the patients using it died because of uncontrollably high infection rates, Monica wrote in the Western Leader (Stuff) article.

“If I have go back to Fiji I will die,” Sanil told the reporter.

The 30-year old plumber had been working in New Zealand on a work visa since 2010. Immigration New Zealand declined to renew his visa in July 2013 as there were New Zealanders who could do the job.

Being on work visa in New Zealand, Sanil was ineligible for taxpayer-funded healthcare. His family, however, was arranging funds for his kidney transplant.

“Nikki Kaye has based her decision not to intervene on a Ministry of Health report to her which states that patients may receive three months free treatment for local patients from the Fijian Government during which time they ‘need either to find a live donor and be prepared to pay for their dialysis treatment thereafter (FJ$32,000 per year),” Rajen had said in a statement on 23 April, soon after Sanil’s deportation.

“Fiji does not perform kidney transplants but sometimes sends patients to India if a donor can be found,” Rajen had said.

Immigration News Work Abroad

Can I keep Indian passport after becoming NZ citizen?

Many Indians in New Zealand continue to hold Indian passports after becoming New Zealand citizens – either out of ignorance or willful intention (claiming ignorance).

work visa new zealand

The Indian High Commission in New Zealand has appealed to such Indians to surrender their Indian passports.

“Of late, many cases have been coming to the notice of this High Commission where the applicants have not surrendered their Indian Passports within three years of acquisition of New Zealand citizenship,” says the announcement on the High Commission’s website.

“In some cases, the applicants have gone even further and used the Indian passports for travel after acquisition of foreign nationality.”

People often confuse PIO status with dual citizenship. This is not true.

The Indian Citizenship Act 1955 does not allow dual citizenship.

It is a serious offense to retain Indian passport after acquiring citizenship of another country.

The Indian Passport Act 1967 says:

“Holding Indian passport/acquiring Indian passport/travelling on Indian passport after acquisition of foreign citizenship constitutes an offence under the Indian Passport Act, 1967, and attracts penalties.

The Government of India has prescribed imposition of penalty on a graded scale, depending on number of trips made on Indian passport after acquiring foreign nationality, for the violation of Passport Rules and retention of Indian Passport for more than 3 years after acquiring of foreign nationality.”

If you have violated the above provisions, then you will need to surrender you Indian passport and pay appropriate penalty to the Indian High Commission in New Zealand.

The Wellington-based High Commission has no authority to waive off such penalties.

Like any other law, the Indian Citizenship Act as well as Passport Act does not pardon such errors on account of ignorance of law.

If you have acquired New Zealand citizenship, you are required to cancel your Indian passport without delay to avoid higher penalties.

The Indian High Commission website contains a table that shows how much penalty you would be expected to pay.

Besides, if you haven’t surrendered your Indian passport, you will find it difficult to get visa for your dependent children. Indian origin parents with New Zealand citizenship will need to provide evidence of cancellation of Indian passport, for obtaining visa for their minor children.

Once you surrender your Indian passport, you will travel on your New Zealand passport and may need a visa to visit India. To avoid this hassle, many New Zealand citizens of India origin opt for a PIO card.

How is PIO card different from dual citizenship?

Beginning September 2002, India introduced PIO scheme of people of Indian origin living outside India.

The PIO card is like a long-term visa. With PIO card, which stands for Persons of Indian Origin, you don’t have to apply for a visa to visit India.  Valid for 15 years, The PIO card scheme enables a person of Indian origin, up to the 4th Generation down, as also spouses of such persons to apply for and obtain a PIO card.

The PIO card is given to up to 4th generation down. So if your great grandparents were citizens of India, you are still eligible for a PIO card.

Even spouses of PIOs, who may not be of Indian origin, are eligible to obtain a PIO card.

However, India specifically excludes citizens of its neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and China, and those of high-risk countries like Afghanistan and Iran from obtaining a PIO card.

 Benefits of a PIO card

In addition to visa waiver, PIO card offers many other benefits:

  1. All foreign nationals (including foreigners of Indian origin) visiting India for more than 180 days (whether for study, research or employment) need to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival. PIO card holders don’t have to register until 30 days prior to the expiry of the initial 180-day period in India.
  2. PIOs can buy, hold, transfer and dispose of immovable properties in India. This applies to residential as well as commercial properties.
  3. PIO children can study in India’s medical colleges, engineering colleges, IITs, IIMs under the general categories like resident Indians.
  4. There are special counters at the immigration check posts for PIOs.

PIOs however don’t get voting rights, cannot contest elections for any political position in India, neither are they allowed to buy agricultural land.

How much does a PIO card cost?

PIO card fees is NZ$695 for adults, and it is valid for 15 years. If your New Zealand passport expires before the expiry of your PIO card, you can still travel on your existing PIO card which contains old passport number. However, India’s Bureau of Immigration advises to have necessary endorsement of the new passport from the competent authority on their PIO cards “to avoid any inconvenience”.

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status

OCI status is given to those Indians who once were citizens of India (or were eligible to be Indian citizens), and have now surrendered Indian citizenship in favor of a foreign citizenship. OCI is different from PIOs in that PIO card is also issued to spouses and children even if they were never a citizen of India.

Immigration News Work Abroad

These 10 CV mistakes may cost you a dream job in NZ

Your resume is your first step at a prospective employer’s door. Vaibhav Gangan shares common resume mistakes to avoid.

CV writing tips

Top 10 resume writing tips (Photo: The Italian Voice)

In this age of information overload, getting the job you desire is not as straightforward as it used to be, even if you have the required skills and qualifications. Companies are looking for solution-providers, not just highly-skilled individuals.

While writing your resume, please keep in mind these CV tips and avoid these common mistakes.

Mistake 10: Being vague

Is your resume full of flowery words, adjectives and adverbs that say a lot and mean nothing? Be specific. Give examples. Mention figures and statistics. Don’t write “improved sales“, say “grew revenue by 8% by increasing sales from 180,000 units to 248,000 unites in financial year 2014.

Mistake 9: Beating around the bush

While writing opening statement/career objective, don’t be shy to say which position you are applying for and why you are suitable for that position. State the obvious up front. Don’t leave the recruiter wondering why he should hire you. Again, be specific. List the skills and experience that are directly relevant to the position you are applying for.  In fact, don’t bother writing an objective. This usually doesn’t add any value to the recruiter. Use that space to write your summary as mentioned above.

Mistake 8: Grammar errors, sloppy style and spelling mistakes

Check for typographical errors and spelling mistakes. Remove unnecessary exclamation marks and other symbols. Don’t use special characters. Don’t use multiple colors and multiple fonts. Keep it simple in formatting as well as language. Since you have written and re-written your resume many times, you may not spot some errors. Get someone else to proof-read your CV.

Mistake 7: Sloppy style and inappropriate tone

Review your resume as a third person. Is your tone style lazy? Does the passion show through your tone?  Is your resume easy on the eye? Use bullet points. Avoid jargon (yes!). Don’t use acronyms which are specific to your current company. For e.g., “Delivered SIP project while meeting TPA deadlines.”

Mistake 6: Whistler

Don’t list hobbies and interests that are irrelevant to the position applying for. For example, whistling as an interest is not important unless you are applying for a music teacher’s position.

Mistake 5: References

Should you include references or not? Unless you are applying for graduate jobs, or entry-level jobs, references are not needed at the application stage. There is no need to say “references available on request”. Of course, certain employers specifically ask for references with CV, in which case you should provide references that are ready to endorse you. Make sure you have briefed your referees.

Mistake 4: Passive

Some CVs are so passive that recruiter almost stops reading after the first few lines. This happens especially when the candidate is low on self-confidence, or shy to express achievements. Your resume should reflect your achievements, and you can legitimately boast of your work here. List the specific challenges you faced and the results you achieved, and how your work helped your company.

Mistake 3: Personal information

A recruiter is rarely interested in your marital status, date of birth. You can leave out these details.

Mistake 2: Getting adventurous with structure

There’s a widely-accepted structure for CVs and resumes around the world. Stick to it and don’t re-arrange sections randomly. The most popular template of a CV/resume includes, in this order: professional summary, education, experience, skills, awards/achievements, professional accreditation, and interests.

Mistake 1: Generic resume, and resume without cover letter

This is the most common and most suicidal mistake that could cost you your dream job – sending the same CV to all recruiters. Your resume must be tailored to the specific job. I don’t mean window-dressing your CV or adding false information there. Far from it. In fact, you should be honest in your CV. However, you must customize your CV to highlight those skills that are directly relevant to the job you are interested in. Which also means leaving out all those details that are not important for the job.

Do you have any other tips that you would like to share? Please use the comment section below.

Resume writing tips from Seek

  • Keep to the employer’s submission requirements – .doc, pdf, docx, rtf
  • Brief is best – more details about your current or recent jobs, less about the past
  • Clear, straightforward text – make sure everyone can understand it
  • Use one font – formatting matters and easy to read makes you stand out
  • Put contact information at the end – not the start or middle
    Highlight specific skills – relevant to the job you’re applying to
Lifestyle News

Can my dog, cat migrate to NZ from India?

DogFood

 You are not allowed to import a dog or cat directly from India into New Zealand or Australia. Find out a way to get around this restriction.

DogFood

R. Swaminathan received permanent resident visa for New Zealand. As he packed his bags in Bangalore, and prepared to wind down his set up, he began to enquire about formalities to complete for taking his golden retriever to Auckland.

To his shock, he was told that he was not allowed to bring his dog to New Zealand.

India is one of the countries where rabies is not well-controlled, and as such, does not feature in the list of countries approved for exporting dogs or even cats to New Zealand.

The only option available to Swaminathan was to send his dog to one of the approved countries for a 180-day quarantine, before the dog could re-unite with the owner in New Zealand. Even then, his retriever would need to stay in a month-long quarantine in New Zealand.

New Zealand is free from rabies, heart-worm and most ticks, and takes steps to preserve it. New Zealand pet import requirements are therefore strict.

New Zealand has categorized countries for the purpose of importing dogs and cats:

  • Category 1: Australia. Your dog or cat doesn’t need a permit to import, neither does it need post-arrival quarantine. The only check needed is a post-arrival inspection.
  • Category 2: Rabies-free countries, which are: Singapore, Bahrain, Fiji, Mauritius, Hawaii, Japan, Iceland, Barbados, Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia. The dog or cat would need a permit, a post-arrival quarantine of at least 10 days, and a post-arrival check.
  • Category 3: Pacific Island nations. Requirements are same as category 2, which means pets from Pacific Island countries will need to go through a post-arrival inspection and quarantine, and need a permit too.
  • Category 4: Where rabies is absent or well-controlled. This list includes countries like the US, Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong, France, UK and a host of other countries. The requirements are the same as category 2.
  • Category 5: All other countries.

For those from India or any other country not specified above, a direct import of dog or cat is not permitted.

The only solution is to take your pet to one of the countries listed in any of the above categories, where the pet is quarantined for six months.

After that, the pet-owner would need to obtain a veterinary certificate before importing the pet into New Zealand, where it would be put through a further quarantine for a month.

The pet will need to be micro-chipped before it is vaccinated at the country of origin, because the chips will need to contain a record of vaccination. The importer will also need to give at least 72 hours’ notice to the quarantine department in New Zealand before the arrival of the pet.

Even if you are from one of the listed countries, there are many formalities to be completed before transport, and on arrival. It is advisable to hire a professional animal exporter and transporter.

Can I carry my pet’s bedding?

Yes, bedding is allowed to be imported, as long as it is not made of hay or straw.

How much does it cost to import a dog or cat?

All expenses associated with transport, vaccination, permit, quarantine and other formalities are to be borne by the importer. Besides, there may be bio-security and customs charges to be paid. Import permit application fees is NZ$166.67.

How long does it take to import a dog or cat?

There’s a strict time-table to be followed for vaccination and vet-checks. Please refer to the ministry guide for importing dogs and cats for details.

Which other pets can be imported to New Zealand?

Apart from dogs and cats, the following pets can be imported to New Zealand: chinchillas, fish, horses and rabbits.

Which pets are not permitted to be imported to New Zealand?

If you have any of the following as your pets, you are in tough luck. These pets are not allowed from any country: guinea pigs, birds of any kind, mice and rats, snakes and any reptiles.

Can I take my dog or cat with me in the cabin?

Unfortunately, dogs and cats can not be imported by carrying them with you in the cabin. They must travel as cargo. The only exception being an assistance dog which may travel in the cabin.

If you have any questions about bringing your dog or cat to New Zealand, read these FAQs about importing pets to New Zealand.

For any queries, contact the ministry of primary industries of the New Zealand government.

Lifestyle News

Jihad threat: Auckland mosque shut down

Mosques in Auckland

In a fallout between two Muslim factions, a mosque in Auckland is closed for prayers until further notice.

Mosques in Auckland

Avondale mosque in Auckland has been shut down indefinitely. (Photo credit: Mohummid Jaesyn Abu Whiore)

In an unusual sight for a religious place in New Zealand, the Avondale mosque is surrounded by temporary fence, private security guards and police staff.

The mosque in Blockhouse Bay has been part of a reported battle between two Muslim groups for control over the mosque.

Things turned ugly when Haider Lone, immediate past president of the NZ Muslim Association and administrator of the Avondale Islamic Centre, was attacked earlier this month and is in hospital in serious condition.

Haider says he fears for his life as he believes the attack was an assassination attempt, the New Zealand Herald reported.

The Association, which owns the mosque, has shut it down because of safety concerns.

Avondale Mosque

Notice of shut down. (Photo credit: Rakai Pirika via Facebook)

One of the New Zealand reporters who was covering the mosque story has also received derogatory comments on social media.

Caught amid the cross fire, there’s been a declaration of jihad, or holy war, against private security staff hired to guard the premises, according to a media report.

Bill Frost, who manages the private security of the mosque, was assaulted twice on Sunday and said he feared for his life and the safety of his family after one person threatened him with jihad.

The dispute began soon after Sheikh Abu Abdulla, 50, the mosque’s imam, was banned from entering the centre for two years for allegedly teaching extreme Islam, says another media report.

His two sons, Abdulla Hamam, 22, and Abdelrahman Hamam, 16, were also banned for the next two years. The ban applies to all mosques in Auckland run by the Association. When the father and sons tried to enter the mosque, they were issued trespass notices.

Abdulla Hamam says his father was “just a normal person” but was being targeted by some leaders from the association who were “bullies”.

“I did nothing so it’s just totally unfair to ban us,” he says.

Javed Khan, the Acting President of the Federation of Islamic Association, told a television channel the community is shocked.

“It is very concerning, we don’t want these kind of things happening in our own religious institutions. We live in a country, in New Zealand, which has got law and order.”

 

Immigration News Work Abroad

Moving to Australia? See how your living exp will be affected

Expenses in Australia can catch new migrants completely off guard. This guide provides useful tips to consider before moving to Australia.

AustraliaAsylumSidney

Many career professionals jump on the bandwagon of moving to Australia without putting pen to paper and consider living expenses in the new land.

Those considering moving to Australia should keep in mind the salary levels and their relation to monthly household expenses. This is even more crucial for those moving with young kids, as medical expenses can take away a big chunk of take home salary.

With taxes going up in Australia, the disposable income of many Australians is adversely impacted.

The main factors to consider before moving to Australia – average salary, household expenses, transportation expenses, education, and most importantly, medical expenses.

Average salaries in Australia (in AUD)

  • Operations manager $80,000
  • Accountant $55,000
  • Graphic designer $48,000
  • General manager $97,000
  • Office manager $55,000
  • Retail store manager $46,000

(source: Payscale.com)

Average house rent in Australia

The rental prices vary dramatically across Australia, as the following figures show. These figures are as of January 2012, and with changing economic scenario, it may work out cheaper to have a mortgage than to rent in 2014, in some parts of Australia like Canberra. (Source: Workin In Australia)

  • Darwin $550
  • Sydney $500
  • Canberra $500
  • Perth $400
  • Brisbane $380
  • Melbourne $360
  • Adelaide $340
  • Hobart $320

Average house prices in Australia

Again, these are June 2012 figures, but provide a good indication on house prices throughout the country. In some cities in Australia, you may find owning a home cheaper than renting one.

  • Sydney $555,000
  • Canberra $495,000
  • Melbourne $490,000
  • Darwin$472,000
  • Perth $460,000
  • Brisbane $415,000
  • Adelaide $370,000
  • Hobart $350,000

Medical expenses in Australia

This one expense is often under-estimated by new migrants. After all, who would imagine falling sick? However, cost of healthcare is very high in Australia, and if you are not a citizen, permanent resident, or hold a certain visa, you will not be eligible for Medicare, and will have to pay medical bills.

  • Visit to GP – $70 of which roughly half is paid by Medicare
  • Visit to a specialist – $155, of which Medicare will pay $69
  • Visit to dentist for one filling – $175 of which Health fund reimburses $98

Health fund is private insurance, independent of Medicare.

 

Loans Property

Will LVR home loan restrictions go by Christmas?

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s indication that the loan restrictions (LVR) imposed last year will be eased toward s the end of 201 has come as a relief for many first-home buyers as well as home sellers.Buy House auckland new zealand

This is welcome news for provincial New Zealand, where the restrictions
have had a significant impact on an already weak market, says Hayden Duncan
Chief Executive Officer of Harcourts New Zealand, one of the leading real estate agents.

“In the Central, Wellington and South Island Provincial regions average sale prices remain in the $300,000s and have done so for a number of years. LVR restrictions were not needed here and have prevented first home buyers achieving the dream of home ownership.”

“In Auckland and Christchurch the overheated markets are the result of
simple low supply and high demand.”  Hayden suggests fast tracked
and quality construction in these two cities as the best way to sensibly
moderate rising costs.

The restrictions will go at the right time as New Zealand expects net migration to grow in the next 12 to 18 months.

“The divergence in the annual budgets with spending slashed in Australia and tax rates rising, versus scope for tax cuts here in New Zealand down the track will reinforce the massive switch in Trans-Tasman migration flows underway,” says Tony Alexander, chief economist of Bank of New Zealand.

“Before the end of this year it is likely that for the first time since 1991 there will be a net gain to our population from Trans-Tasman flows.”

However, the reserve bank governor’s comments come with caveat. “Before removing them (LVR), we want to be confident that the housing market is responding to interest rate increases; and that immigration pressures are not causing a resurgence of house price pressures. It will take some time to gain this assurance. At this stage we consider the earliest date for beginning to remove LVRs is likely to be late in the year.”

That’s a tall order, and the removal of LVR remains a speculation at this stage, and Tony Alexander believes that it is unlikely that the LVR restrictions will be relaxed by the end of the year.

“The rules are doing the job of about 0.25% – 0.5% worth of official cash rate rises. Were the rules to be removed then the OCR would need to be that amount higher than would otherwise be the case.

“Given that rising interest rates lift the Kiwi dollar and that this is something the RB would like to avoid, one condition which would have to be met is a falling NZD. Is that likely?”

The Reserve Bank had introduced the loan-to-value ratio (LVR) restrictions in October 2013 to help lower house prices, and avoid the risk of a housing bubble building up.

New Zealand banks were given a six-month window to comply with the new speed limits restricting new high-LVR lending at no more than 10 per cent of their total lending.

A high-LVR loan is where the loan is more than 80 per cent of the value of the property.

However, banks over-estimated their LVR lending and applied stronger breaks resulting in high-LVR loans falling to 6%, much below the apex bank’s 10% target.

The high-LVR loans were as high as 25% in September 2013, just before the restrictions were applied.

Immigration News

2 Pakistani women murdered in Auckland

In what could possibly be a case of domestic violence, two women of Pakistan origin were found dead in a house in West Auckland, New Zealand.

Police arrested a 52-year old man from the same house who is believed to have phoned the police and informed them about the double murder of the pair – possibly mother and daughter. The police have not yet confirmed whether the man is a suspect in the incident.

Detective Inspector Greg Cramer told the Stuff website the Police weren’t looking for anybody else in relation to the murder of Pakistani women, one aged in her 40s and the other in her 20s.

Police believed the three to be related, “but until formal identification has taken place we can’t say”. A autopsy would take place tomorrow morning.

Some of the neighbors told media the family was very peaceful and they rarely heard any fights.

 

Business Lifestyle News

Property market bullish after Modi win

Property investment India

Property prices are likely to surge following Modi-led BJP’s re-sounding victory in India’s general elections.

 

The prospects of a stable government at the centre have given rise to improved outlook for the real estate sector in India.

Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party swept away the 2014 general elections with a thumping majority.  Markets reacted almost immediately, with Sensex jumping by 2000 points during the early morning trading on 17 May – the day election results were declared.

The real estate sector of the country has welcomed the results of a majority-led government which comes into power almost after two decades of various coalition governments.

The global economic recession, and uncertainty of unstable government, had crippled India’s real estate sector for rental as well as sale of property.

Property prices reduced by as much as 8% in the country’s capital region – Delhi-NCR – during 2013, compared 2012, reported property website 99acres.com.

Even average rentals for 3BHK flats reduced by 6% cent during the fourth quarter of 2013 against the previous quarter. Rentals have fallen by 7% during 2013.

However, the real estate industry has high hopes from the new prime minister, and expects  better legislation to improve the sector.

Buy house India

Kamal Batra, chairman, Buniyaad Real Estate

“There were a few bills that were standing on the verge of a decision which now will definitely form and parallel we will see new laws been formed that will allow a smoother flow of work in the sector at all levels,” says Kamal Batra, chairman of Buniyaad, one of the leading property brokers in India.

“The election period had paused the market for a bit for the investors; which now will change significantly. The end user market on the other hand will keep on flourishing as the demand increases and interest rates drop.”

The property market would also like to see regulations being streamlined for the construction industry.

Pankaj Kumar Jain, director, K World Group

“In particular, NCR’s real estate market will benefit from fast-tracked approvals for new projects, which will increase supply and in turn keep the city’s property rates rational,” says Pankaj Kumar Jain, Director, K World Group.

Housing affordability and social housing will be the focus for the new government. “The BJP is in now in a position to boost affordable and mid-income housing projects, which would have positive ramifications for a city like Ghaziabad and NCR,” says Pankaj.

However, Kushagr Ansal of Ansal Housing doesn’t expect any change in the market for property buyers. “The market for end user was neither affected earlier nor will it get affected now. It is just that the demand will increase at a macro level.”

Many builders continue to be extremely bullish about the real estate market in India, and buying property in India is likely to get more expensive. “Real estate sector has grown despite the gloomy economy situation and projected to grow exponentially,” says  Suninder Sandha, Director, Horizon Concepts.

“Indian residential real estate price is poised to grow at a 10-12% over next year. There is a paradigm shift towards commercial sector too and with more bank loans available at a good rate coupled with leasing options the demand among investors has gone sky high.”

However, no government has a magic wand which can solve all problems at once, says Anuj Puri of JLL India.

“Reforming the economy is a gradual process, and we need to be patient. A stable government at the centre has potential to boost the sentiments and in return, attract foreign money.

“However, we cannot expect property prices to display the kind of sharp upward movement that were achieved before the Global Financial Crisis. Any such movement – or reduction in cap rate – is, as we believe, at least 12-18 months away.”

Immigration News Work Abroad

NZ slashes duty-free tobacco limit by 75%

New Zealand will reduce the duty-free allowance for cigarettes from the current 200 cigarettes to just 50.

In an attempt to make New Zealand smoke-free by 2025, the government will lower the duty-free allowance for international travellers visiting New Zealand, from the current 200 cigarettes to 50 cigarettes.

This brings New Zealand in line with similar regulations in Australia. The new duty-free tobacco limit is forecast to raise $50 million in extra revenue annually. These changes will help to eliminate cheaper avenues for smoking, which are out of step with recent government initiatives

The new limit of 50 cigarettes will apply from 1 November 2014. If the New Zealand Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia had her way, she would have removed the duty-free allowance completely.

Smoking causes up to 5,000 premature deaths in New Zealand every year.

“It is an anomaly that on the one hand we’re increasing the price, and on the other hand we’re offering a duty-free allowance on 200 cigarettes to every adult arriving at our borders,” says Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia.

The price differential between retail tobacco and duty-free tobacco will continue to grow with two further 10 per cent increases in the rate of excise scheduled over the next two years, says the minister.

“I considered recommending that the duty-free allowance be removed entirely, and although that would be consistent with the Government’s goal of making New Zealand effectively smoke-free from 2025, it would not be practical.

“Completely removing the duty-free concessions would mean that smokers, who might have a packet or two of cigarettes on them when going through Customs, had to either dump them or declare them and pay duty. If they did neither, they would risk prosecution and seizure of the goods.

“Either way, it would have potentially created considerable compliance costs for Customs in processing passengers at busy airports. Consequently, the Cabinet has agreed to reduce, rather than remove, the allowance.”

“It makes sense for us to match Australia’s duty-free limits for tobacco, given that nearly half of all our inbound passengers come from, or via, Australia.”

Along with the reduction in the duty-free concession, tobacco will be removed from the gift concession that currently allows gifts sent from overseas to be free of duty and GST in New Zealand, providing they exceed no more than $110 in total value.

Budget 2014 will include additional funding for New Zealand Customs Service of $2.7 million in 2014/15, and $420,000 in the following years to assist with implementation of the new rules.

New Zealand duty-free limits for tobacco

  • New limits effective from 1 November 2014
  • The duty-free tobacco allowance for passengers arriving in New Zealand will fall to 50 cigarettes, or 50 grams of cigars or tobacco products – similar to Australia. Currently passengers arriving in New Zealand can bring up to 200 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco, 50 cigars (or a mixture of all three weighing up to 250 grams) into New Zealand free of duty and GST.
  • Tobacco products sent to New Zealand as a gift from abroad will no longer be eligible for the $110 duty-free gift allowance. This means all gifts of tobacco products sent to New Zealand will now be subject to excise duty and GST.
  • What if you are carrying more than the allowance? As under the current rules, passengers carrying more than the new limit will need to declare this, and pay the relevant duty and tax on the excess amounts, or forfeit these excess amounts at the Customs controlled area. If passengers fail to declare dutiable goods, the goods will be confiscated and passengers may be prosecuted.
  • The changes to the traveller’s duty-free tobacco allowance will not affect outgoing international travel. Outgoing passengers will still be able to purchase duty-free tobacco from New Zealand duty-free stores in accordance with the overall limits specified by their destination country.

 

Lifestyle News Travel

Surprise taxi checks at Auckland airport following high-fare complaints

Auckland Airport to audit taxi journeys and calls for taxis to offer fixed fares.

rp_Auckland_Airport_International_Section.jpg

Following passenger complaints of high fare, Auckland Airport will now regularly undertake mystery passenger audits of taxi pick-ups from the airport, says Richard Barker, Auckland Airport’s spokesman.

“Any drivers and companies found to be charging excessive amounts or taking longer than necessary routes will be immediately reported to their employer and, if required, to the New Zealand Transport Agency.”

Richard has however denied claims that taxis in Auckland are overcharging for the airport fare.

“We reject claims that Auckland Airport is responsible for the high taxi fares across Auckland. Almost all of the costs incurred by the taxis to operate at Auckland Airport are recovered directly from passengers through the $6 to $8 ‘airport pick-up charge’.”

“Taxi companies are therefore responsible for the rest of the taxi fare.”

“Travellers who get stuck in Auckland traffic congestion should be aware that ‘waiting fees’ will be added by the taxi company to their fare when the vehicle is stationary or stuck in slow moving traffic. This will significantly increase the total amount they have to pay.”

At the same time, Richard would like to see cabbies introduce new offers for customers, which could include fixed fares to the city and other key locations. “We would expect this action to reduce the cost of the longest taxi trips from the airport.”

Taking the clue, Green Cabs has announced fixed-fare rates to the city and North Shore.

Green Cabs will charge flat fares of $65 to the city, $97 to Takapuna and $110 to Albany for airport passengers.

Lifestyle News

Pets in Miami most pampered in US

 

Amazon.com Unveils List of Most Pampered Pet Cities in the U.S. – Miami, Seattle, Atlanta, San Francisco and Portland ranked “top dogs” with the most pet-related items purchased per capita in 2013.

DogFood

 

The honor of being the Top Dog goes to Miami as the most pet-loving city in the United States.

To mark May as the National Pet Month, Amazon.com revealed a list of the most-pampered-pet cities in the U.S. based on 2013 sales of pet-related items: from dog toys to cat grooming items and bird treats.

Miami Is Best In Show

Miami pet-owners bought the most toys overall for their pets, and spoiled their dogs and cats by buying the most apparel and accessories, grooming products and health supplies. The residents of Miami know how to pamper their pets: the city ranked highest for pampering their dogs, cats, birds, aquatic animals and reptiles.

Treat-Less In Seattle? Not Likely

While the city ranked second overall, Seattle locals love to give their animals treats. Seattle topped the list for buying the most treats for dogs, cats, birds and other small animals.

Horsing Around In San Jose

The residents of San Jose, California, followed by Colorado Springs, Colorado, Long Beach, California, Nashville, Tennessee, and Omaha, Neb., showed the most love for their horse friends by buying the largest number of horse-related products.

Most Popular Pet Products

The best-selling pet-related items based on the number of units sold in 2013 included:

The Cat Dancer 301 Cat Charmer Interactive Cat Toy

Kyjen Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy for Dogs

StarMark Clicker Dog Training System

“We love our four-legged friends at Amazon, ” says Kristiana Helmick, Category Leader of Amazon Pets.

“Hundreds of dogs walk the halls every day in our Seattle headquarters—and we’re excited to see who else around the country pampers their pets.”

“From Miami to Seattle, it’s clear that there are pet lovers coast-to-coast, and this list gives a bit of insight into where some of the most devoted pet owners (and most fortunate pets) call home.”

Those who shop the Amazon.com pet store through smile.amazon.com can choose their favorite pet-related charity and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible items.

The Top 10 Most-Pampered-Pet Cities in America

  1. Miami
  2. Seattle
  3. Atlanta
  4. San Francisco
  5. Portland, Ore.
  6. Washington, D.C.
  7. Las Vegas
  8. Austin, Texas
  9. Tucson, Ariz.
  10. San Diego
News

44 Punjabis detained in US jail want political asylum, complain of poor food and discrimination

Even as 44 Punjabi detainees in Elpaso Detention Centre, who were arrested by US authorities for illegally entering there through US-Mexico border last year, ended their hunger strike in the third week of April, a visit by North American Punjabi Association’s executive director Satnam Singh Chahal to the centre and interaction with the detainees has revealed that their issues were yet to be sorted out.

Link:  

44 Punjabis detained in US jail want political asylum, complain of poor food and discrimination

News

Auckland appoints ethnic panel

Auckland’s community-based ethnic peoples panel has colours of different ethnicities as the new appointments by Auckland Council reveal.

The panel is designed to provide the council with “big picture” intelligence on issues important to diverse groups, and advise on effective engagement, says a statement by Auckland Council.

The council received many applications and the final selection was based on the criteria of having good knowledge of their communities, experience with governance and advisory roles, and an understanding of council’s future direction.

“It was a robust process,” says Grant Taylor, Auckland Council governance director. “We were greatly appreciative of the motivation and enthusiasm of all candidates.”

The ethnic panel will meet once a month and will work closely with the liaison councillor – Councillor Denise Krum (Ethnic Peoples), untill their term expires before the local government elections in 2016.

The Ethnic Peoples Panel for Auckland

  • Feroz Ali (interim chair), managing director, New Zealand Career College
  • Carlos Abdelrahman, community engagement coordinator, NZ Aids Foundation
  • Asoka Basnayake, senior advisor, Tertiary Education Commission, Manukau
  • Naoe Hashimoto, executive assistant, efu Investment Limited
  • Anita Keestra, lecturer/business trainer
  • Yee Yang ‘Square’ Lee, company director, WhySquare Limited
  • Angela Lim, medical student, deputy chair Manukau Counties DHB Community Panel
  • Kafeba Mundele, chair of the New Zealand National Refugee Network
  • Dave Tomu, sales consultant
  • Liu Shueng Wong, director, Intercultural Works Limited
  • Christian Dee Yao, research and teaching fellow, Massey University
Immigration News

Canada celebrates Asian Heritage Month

 

migrate to Canada

Baljit Sethi has made significant contributions to racial harmony in Canada.

When Baljit Sethi left India for a better life in Canada in 1972, the term ‘multiculturalism’ wasn’t mainstream.

Finding her feet in a foreign land wasn’t easy. Not only faced with a language barrier, but also cultural limitations, Baljit decided to help other immigrants, and find herself in the process.

Baljit understood that newcomers could not become part of their new communities without multicultural programs and the active promotion of racial harmony.

She founded the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society of Prince George, which provides settlement services to communities in Northern British Columbia.  She worked to encourage interaction between immigrants and the population of Prince George, the benefit of which was felt across northern British Columbia.

Her tireless work over 40 years had given Canada the programs that continue to be used across the country to promote multiculturalism and equality.

A strong advocate for immigrant women, her contributions have been recognized with the Order of British Columbia award.

She is one the many Asians that have shaped the history of Asians in Canada. To commemorate Asians’ contribution, Canada is celebrating Asian Heritage Month throughout the country.

Canadians get an opportunity to understand and celebrate the contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage.

The concept is not new to North America. Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States since 1979.

In the last few years, Asians in Canada have started to celebrate their culture in May every year.

It was in 2001 that Canada officially adopted the motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy to designate May as Asian Heritage Month.

 

News Work Abroad

2 Indians charged in Canada for job fraud

Two Indians are among three people charged by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for the unauthorized employment of foreign nationals.

Following a three-month investigation, the CBSA’s Criminal Investigation Division charged Brampton-based 31-year old Kumar Gautam and 29-year old Nancy Gautam of unauthorized employment of foreign nationals.

It is alleged that the accused employed a number of foreign nationals who were not authorized to work in Canada.

The individuals and companies charged are: Kumar Gautam, Nancy Gautam, Shane Burrows, Logan Moving & Storage Inc., Shane’s Moving & Storage Inc. and EBS Transport.

“The CBSA is committed to supporting the employment of those authorized to work here in Canada and ensuring that employers abide by our laws.” says Goran Vragovic, Regional Director General of CBSA, Greater Toronto Area Region.