While the New Zealand Government recognises and appreciates the contributions of people of Indian origin in economic growth and social development, is the rest of New Zealand equally serious about this community?
Have Indians properly and effectively integrated into mainstream New Zealand or do they still have apprehensions and reservations?
What are the challenges and issues that people of Indian origin face in their efforts to seek jobs, self-employment or establish their own business ventures?
These and other issues will be discussed at the ‘New Zealand Diaspora Convention 2014’ scheduled to be held at the AUT University in Auckland on Saturday, July 26, 2014.
The University is hosting the Convention being organised by the New Zealand India Research Institute located within Victoria University.
Policy Document
Dr Sekhar Bandyopadhyay, Professor of Asian History at Victoria University and President of the Institute said that a Policy Document announced by Prime Minister John Key recognised that skilled migrants from India added economic value to the New Zealand Society.
He announced the Policy, titled, ‘Opening Doors to India: New Zealand’s 2015 Vision’ on October 20, 2011 following his first official visit to India in June that year.
“Skilled migrants from India play a crucial role in fulfilling the main vision of this Policy Document, which is to make India a core trade, economic and political partner of New Zealand by 2015,” Mr Key said.
Rising Indians
Professor Bandyopadhyay quoted Census 2013 saying that Hindi is the fourth most common language spoken in New Zealand.
“The number of people who can speak this language has nearly tripled since 2001. The population of Indian in New Zealand is now 143,250, constituting 3.39% of the national population. But this community, comprising recent and old migrants, also faces myriad problems of social adjustment and economic integration,” he said.
The forthcoming Convention will aim at initiating a dialogue between academic, business and community leaders on various issues facing the Indian Diaspora as well as the role they can play in developing closer business, social and political ties between India and New Zealand,” he added.
The Convention will have three panels with speakers discussing Academic, Business and Community topics, each followed by an open discussion.
Further details can be obtained from Dr Sekhar Bandyopadhyay, New Zealand India Research Institute, Victoria University, P O Box 600 Wellington 6140. Email: india-research@vuw.ac.nz
www.victoria.ac.nz/hppi/centres/india-research
