Immigration matters, overstayers refused further amnesty, New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’ outburst against Asians were among the items that stirred controversy throughout the year in which Indian Newslink became a Fortnightly.
Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter promised to appease the feelings Muslims, who said they were victims of global developments. He heard that some schools were forcing young Muslim men to shave, contrary to their religious beliefs.
Fiji restored its diplomatic ties with major trading partners including New Zealand and Australia, which had soured after the 2000 coup. All trade bans were lifted but the European Union awaited a court decision on a Labour Party initiated action on the formation of a multiparty cabinet.
World Cup Controversy
Our January editorial reflected on the Cricket World Cup controversy, following a decision by the International Cricket Council to hold it in Zimbabwe. Australian Prime Minister John Howard and his British counterpart Tony Blair objected, while the captains of the respective teams were to abide by their decision.
Two prominent officials took objection to the disparaging remarks made in a report of a committee led by Indian MP and former High Commissioner to UK Dr LM Singhvi on the Indian Diaspora. The Report had said, “The degree of their integration with local communities is minimal. The Persons of Indian Origin have not yet participated in the political life of the country in a significant way.”
The officials denounced the report, saying that they were mentioned in the report but were never interviewed. New Zealand High Commissioner to Indian Caroline McDonald said Indians in New Zealand were a dynamic and vibrant community.
Indian Newslink became a Fortnightly in March and four months later published the first Indian Newslink Fastfind Indian Business Directory.
Fiji’s envoy to the United Nations Colonel Isikia Savua was under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the May 2000 coup.
Our editorial criticised the US attack on Iraq without the approval of the UN. Saddam Hussein was known for his dictatorial style of leadership but it was unfair to place him with the likes of Osama Bin Laden, the publication said.
Apna FM commenced broadcasting in April.
Rogue Astrologers
Gullible Aucklanders were stripped of thousands of dollars by rogue astrologers in the name of fortune telling, warding off evil spirits and such other false pretences. At least fifty members of the Auckland Indian community had been cheated to the tune of thousands of dollars by these soothsayers who promised to bring ‘lucky charms’, ‘copper plates’ and such other contraptions to receive direct blessings of God from heaven.
No one knew then that similar complaints would emerge seven years later.
In May, our investigations showed that an increasing number of Indians were being conned of large sums of money by some unscrupulous accountants on false pretences bringing disrepute to the profession.
The Country celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary reaching the top of Mt Everest on May 29.
The Government’s decision to abolish the Privy Council, paving the way for the establishment of the Supreme Court was criticised by the Wellington-based Business Round Table, as unwarranted and ill-considered.
Hundred of Indians well settled in New Zealand but without a legal resident status came to grief, as New Zealand Immigration Service enforced the provisions of New Zealand Immigration Act. The ‘business’ of entering into matrimony to gain permanent resident status was a thriving industry.
Grieving Mother
A grieving Indian mother in Lower Hutt was angry over the negligence of hospital staff that led to the death of her 25 year old daughter Radhika Mani and asked for an independent and detailed investigation over the entire episode.
Two Indian criminal lawyers were in New Zealand to investigate a number of malpractices perpetrated by individuals to lure young girls into marriage in India on false pretences.
We took the stand on the Prostitution Reform Bill saying that the world’s oldest profession had been harangued by governments across the world through strictures and statutes but to no avail. The Bill took undue media attention and it was not about legalising prostitution but about decriminalising the profession.
In a blunt statement to overstayers, Prime Minister Helen Clark told them to go home before they are deported, losing their right to apply for any immigration service for five years. She discounted the possibility of another amnesty for illegal residents.
She later announced through Indian Newslink of her first official visit to India in October. A report about her statement on India’s nuclear policy to a visiting journalist from India trigged controversy, but she said the statement was taken out of context.
Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel scrapped the General Skills Category (GSC) under which most members of the Indian community sought migration over the years.
In a circular delivered to most New Zealand homes, New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters derided Asians as ‘bludgers’ and blamed the Government’s immigration policy for the rise in their numbers.
Senior politicians including Ms Clark roasted him for inciting resentment against Asians in their columns in Indian Newslink.
