Chip Dawson
Auckland, March 1, 2022
The Thirteenth Annual Indian Newslink Business Awards Ceremony has inevitably been rescheduled to Tuesday, November 29, 2022, from the earlier announced date of March 21, 2022.
We live in an ever-changing world, made even more uncertain by Covid-19 and the resultant restrictions. In the case of New Zealand, the Protection Network and the Traffic Lights System determine the size of the assembly of people, social distancing and other regulations at events. We are currently at Red Setting in which no more than 100 persons (including organising and catering teams) are allowed.
Severe restrictions
That would be clearly inadequate, given the huge response that we get from our South Asian communities and other businesses and professionals in New Zealand. Every year, our event attracts more than 1000 people from various parts of New Zealand, with an increasing number of guests from Australia and Fiji.
Photography, especially with leaders and in groups is also severely restricted, defeating the purpose of the celebrations
Although the government has allowed all businesses to open, public fear over the spread of Omicron and its increasing numbers every day has dampened the spirit of the people. Most bars and restaurants are reporting reduced business with some of them closing down ever so often because of ‘lack of bookings.’
Reluctant decision
In view of these conditions, the Panel of Judges reluctantly advised Indian Newslink management to postpone the Business Awards Ceremony to the latter part of the year.
In consultation with the political and business leaders, the Panel of Judges has combined the entries from 2020-2022 from which they will select the winners and runners-up for recognition and applaud at a magnificent Black-Tie Dinner, Entertainment and Awards Ceremony, now scheduled on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, from 5 pm at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre located at 145 New North Road, Eden Terrace in Auckland.
Our Awards Ceremonies are about celebrating the success of our businesses and acknowledging their contributions to the economic and social development of New Zealand. As well as showcasing their success to the leadership of the country, our Awards Programme, incorporating three Free Workshops, encourages businesses to have in place plans, strategies and compliance systems to achieve higher levels of proficiency, productivity and profitability.
Integrity of the Judging Panel
We are proud that businesses that enter our Awards categories are assured of total integrity and independence of the Panel of Judges, of which I am proud to be the Chairman. Our judges are men and women of national and international experience in various fields of activity, ensuring that each application is subject to proper scrutiny and assessment. Our judges also visit businesses to interview the executive teams before collectively deciding on the winners and runners-up.
Our Awards Ceremony this year, as in the past, will be attended by political, business and community leaders, prominent businesspersons, diplomats, professionals and other dignitaries in New Zealand and from overseas.
We hope that there will no further postponement of this important business event that New Zealand witnesses every year. We will announce further details in due course.
Economic revival
All entries to these Awards remain closed to any additional category entries.
The next few months are critical to getting our economy back, working and functioning well as we are so good at doing. New Zealand has weathered through these storms before and we will do so again.
So, thank you in advance for supporting our wonderful South Asian business communities and the 13th Annual Indian Newslink Business Awards.
Chip Dawson is the Chairman of the Independent Panel of Judges of the 13th Annual Indian Newslink Business Awards based in Auckland. The full list of the Judges appears on our website (https://indiannewslink.co.nz/our-judges/) 
