And also Welcome the New Leader (Christopher Luxon) of the New National Party
Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 1, 2021
As you begin reading the latest issue of Indian Newslink (December 1, 2021), please say Hello to the newest Leader of what he has called, ‘The New National Party.’
Christopher Luxon is a friend of Indian Newslink, its avid reader and tries to attend all our events. He made friends with more than 1100 people at our Business Awards 2019 and was the Master of Ceremonies at the Eleventh
The new Leader should pick up the National Party pieces
After several months of speculation and rumours, the National Party has finally chosen its new Leader, who will hopefully lead it to the next general election in 2023.
In Choosing Christopher Luxon, the National Caucus, the Board of Directors and the members and supports of the Party will look for real leadership in the man who has had a resplendent career as the President and Chief Executive of Unilever Canada and Air New Zealand- a role which performed creditably, managing through challenges and opportunity.
Managing a political party is vastly different, compared to a corporate entity, although there are some similarities. Firstly, both call for astuteness, alacrity, ability to address and solve problems to the satisfaction of most, if not all stakeholders. A great degree of integrity, honesty, transparency and people-to-people skills are paramount.
A scoring Leader
Mr Luxon will easily score on all these counts.
But leading a political party that is in shambles, in disarray with a majority of its members of Parliament disillusioned, is no easy task. The morale is at its lowest point, and the past leadership clearly lacked the ability and the skill to manage. We have said enough about Judith Collins, who surprised us by her indiscretion- of demoting fellow MP Simon Bridges over a complaint from another fellow MP (Jacqui Dean) –over an incident that occurred six years ago and a complaint that was addressed. When least expected, she decided to bat on her own and fall on the wicket. Thus ended an ambitious career as a possible future Prime Minister- that prospect now appears rather remote.
New Zealand ‘At Risk Country’ for India
Australians are free to travel; but much of Europe under new rules from December 1
The government of India has issued a new list of ‘At Risk Countries,’ including New Zealand, travellers from which will be obliged to undergo special tests and if tested negative, follow home quarantine for seven days, re-test on the eighth day of arrival and if negative, further self-monitor their health for the next seven days.
The new regulations, which came into effect from 00.01 hours (IST) on December 1, 2021 are said to have been issued in view of the new Omicron Variant of Covid-19 beginning to afflict countries. New Zealand has no Omicron cases so far but has been included in the list, whereas Australia, with two confirmed (but perhaps four) cases of Omicron, is out of the list indicating the special political relationship that it enjoys with India.
Originating or transiting travellers from New Zealand and other ‘At Risk Countries’ will be informed by the concerned airlines that they will undergo post-arrival testing, quarantined if tested negative, stringent isolation protocols for tested positive and other measures as deemed necessary. All travellers from these countries must undergo a Covid-Test on arrival at Indian ports of entry at their cost, wait at the airport for the test, and depending on the result, will be advised the next steps.
According to the government notification, the countries considered to be at the Risk of Omicron are South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel and the United Kingdom besides countries in Europe that have a surge of the pandemic.
The Health Ministry Thursday issued direction to states that international travellers coming from and transiting through Botswana, South Africa, and Hong Kong must be subjected to rigorous screening and testing, due to multiple cases of Covid-19 variant B.1.1.529 reported in these countries.
Our stories include an analysis of the recent Opinion Polls indicating the fluctuating fortunes of political parties in New Zealand, the final act of political suicide by Judith Collins and what is in store. We carry our usual reports and features on Current Affairs, Education, Fiji, Business, Opinion, Community, Entertainment and Sports. We also pay homage to our Founder-Managing Director and Publisher Ravin Lal, the second anniversary of whose passing was on November 28, 2021.
Please read and share with your friends.
With Greetings from Indian Newslink Team
