Waitakere Diwali: Auckland Council needs to learn from this community event

Waitakere Diwali: Unlike any other, shines the West.

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Ram Darbar (Kingdom of Lord Ram)-the reason for celebrating Diwali  at Trusts Stadium, Henderson, Auckland, performed by multiracial students of Hare Rama Hara Krishna (ISKCON). Unfortunately such scenes are missing from modernised, commercialised and "bastardised " Diwali celebrations, used for Public Relations and Tourism by Local Government and Corporate Interests. Diwali celebrations should be managed by those who understand its theme and significance. WAITAKERE INDIAN ASSOCIATION Diwali is an eye-opener to all.

[This article is intended to show, how a small organisation run by like-minded community-oriented individuals, working on a voluntary basis eclipse resource-rich local bodies and corporate-run festivals. It is a lesson to other organisations and local government to emulate Waitakere Indian Association, and find out why they excel in what they do. Working with grass roots community and maintaining social appropriateness and cultural sensitivities of Indian Community, they are a shining light for bickering organisations and resource-rich government-supported organisations.]

Part of Waitakere Indian Association team who organised the very successful and theme-oriented event. None of them are paid officials-all are volunteers who have passion towards their community.

It was a chilly, windy and damp Saturday, but this inclement weather was unsuccessful in dampening the spirits of die-hard Diwali supporters as they thronged to see cultural items, stage dramas Bhangra and young multiracial dancers rocking the stage at Trusts Stadium, Henderson. This was in the House of Diwali on 12 October, 2013 in the largest indoor Diwali in NZ.

The Chief Guest, Minister for Social Development, gets camouflaged as an Indian in her attractive Indian costume for the event, seen at the craft stall with WIA Executive, Shalvin Ballu.

There was galore of craft stalls with Indian artefacts, jewellery, clothing, kids amusements, face painting, trade stalls and banking and financial advisory services. The food stalls were the added attraction with aroma of authentic Indian cooking drifting in the chilly wing. As usual, the attraction was Masala Dosa, Hare Krishna and many assorted Indian food stalls. The stalls were by individuals or small time family enterprises from the community. Absence were big corporates, this was about the community. Even in their philanthropic spirit and the spirit of Diwali, Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) gave free stalls to families collecting funds for treatment of sick relatives. Would any other Diwali organiser do that?

The Labour team at the craft stalls. New Labour Leader David Cunliffe is seen inspecting stall (centre)  with (from left) Ami Chand (newly elected Whau Local Board member, and Labour List MP Rajen Prasad.

When the President of Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) Naveen Prakash  stood up on the main dais to welcome all during the formal programme, he outlined  the award-winning history of an organisation which started on a humble beginning and grew into a body representing migrant Indians.” We are proud of the track record of our organisation, and this is a tribute to my hard working and united team,” he said.

Naveen Prakash, President of Waitakere Indian Association during formal ceremony....proud of leading a hard working, passionate and dedicated team of volunteers.

Diwali Project Manager, Roneel Singh reminded some uniqueness of WIA Diwali. “ There is something unique about our Diwali. Firstly, this would be perhaps the only or very few Diwali celebration of its size where the actual community and those who feel passionately about the festival actually run and manage this function,” Roneel said.

He went on to inform that the House of Diwali, The Trusts Stadium, happens to be the largest indoor Diwali Festival in New Zealand, hence, it is weather-proof. The most important point came last where he emphasised that unlike other festivals around Auckland, his community-based organisation was fully-run by volunteers.
 

Waitakere Indian Association Vice-President and Waitakere Diwali Project Manager RONEEL SINGH (left) with Labour Leader, David Cunliffe during the formal ceremony..."we are appreciative of religious, cultural, traditional decorum, demeanour and sensitivity of the event. Hence we ensure that tradition of Diwali theme will not erode under this community- organised event,” [Roneel Singh]

“I wish to elaborate that unlike other corporate or council organised Diwali events, WIA does not have any paid officials managing this event. It is all done by volunteers, and as a community organisation, we are appreciative of religious, cultural, traditional decorum, demeanour and sensitivity of the event. Hence we ensure that tradition of Diwali theme will not erode under this community- organised event,” he said.

[This was an indirect reference to Auckland City celebration which has little, if any sensitivity to the respect of Diwali. It is organised mostly by paid officials and non-Indians. These paid officials have little empathy with the community and little appreciation of sensitivities and cultural appropriateness of the events they are organising. Public relations and commercialisation become their priority. This year they had Lotto (gambling) and people complained about half-naked people performing. Waitakere Diwali has strict rules about dress code and other issues safeguarding sanctity and reverence to Diwali.]

The team from ISKCON in their traditional costumes, add the flavour to the solemn theme and sanctity of Diwali (unfortunately missing from commercialised Diwali events.)

And that is what really happened. Prior to the official programme, Ram Lila stage drama, based of Ramayan, was very skilfully performed by ISKCON (Hare Krishna) group. Ram Lila depicted the traditional and religious reasons for Diwali and messages of triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and life over death.

Chief Guest, Social Development Minister, Paula Bennet, addressing the audience, flanked by Trade Minister Tim Grosser on the right..."best organised association" [Minister Paula Bennet, speaking of WIA]

Chief Guest, Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennet graced the occasion in very attractive Indian costume. She commended WIA as the best organised association where so many children performed who were not of Indian origin, and this augured well for future NZ where they would grow up with friends of all nationalities and will grow as  New Zealanders with rich cultures.

CEO one of the major sponsors,Robert Khan (centre) flanked by Immediate \Past President of WIA, Sunil Chandra (left) and Manoj Tahal, Events Director of WIA....fortunes of Radio Tarana has grown with WIA Diwali, with Radio Tarana as the most-listened Indian and ethnic Radio Station.

Robert Khan, Managing Director of Radio Tarana, concurred with Minister Paula Bennet that WIA was the best community organisation he has worked with, without infighting, personal gains and scandals. “WIA is pride of west, the best I have seen,” Robert Khan said, adding that the association of the last 8 years have continued to grow, as their listenership has been growing, up to 45,000 listeners on a weekly basis, highest for ethnic stations.

Labour Leader, David Cunliffe, (left) with other Labour parliamentary colleagues, Rajen Prasad (centre) and Phil Twyford, during formal ceremony...."We are still defining unique Asia-Pacific fusion and that is modern New Zealand..." [David Cunliffe].

New Labour Leader, David Cunliffe echoed the hard work of WIA and commended NZ as being a young nation. “We are still defining unique Asia-Pacific fusion and that is modern New Zealand, and in West Auckland we are at forefront of that,” said a very jovial, confident and enthusiastic new Labour Leader, Cunliffe.

The tear-jerker drama, Hindu mythological version of the prince and the pauper- Krishna-Sudama, which depicts the bond of friendship between Lord Krishna and a poor class-mate, Sudama- a very pertinent message for modern children.

The stage drama by ISKCON that followed was a tear-jerker as we saw the Hindu mythological friendship of the prince and the pauper- Krishna-Sudama. This drama was very skilfully executed by multiracial ISKCON students. It gave a lesson of humility and long-lasting bond of friendship between unequal individuals, surviving the trials and tribulation of life.

Part of the invited guests with WIA Officials

As the evening advanced, anticipation of the annual popular Waitakere Diwali fireworks grew. So did the tempo of the items. The climaxing grand fireworks display lighted up the clear and a little chilly Waitakere skies. The boom of the fireworks seemed to echo and reverberate against the far off Waitakere ranges. The trails of fireworks, with booms, clattering and sizzles silhouetted funny smoky shapes against clear blue skies. In fact the booming fireworks spoke about the success of yet another Waitakere Diwali organised by the West community - Waitakere Indian Association, which ensures the tradition and honour of Diwali are not diluted or eroded by increased commercialisation and westernisation. Congratulations for a job well-done.

[Email: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

WAITAKERE INDIAN ASSOCIATION - an exemplary organisations for others to emulate and learn from.

[ALL PHOTOS AND WORDS BY THAKUR RANJIT SINGH]

Why Len Brown has to go: Caught with his pants down

Why Len Brown has to go: Caught with his pants down

Thakur Ranjit Singh

“I died twice and became the mayor of Auckland Super City. I know what it is to come back from the dead – and win,” proclaimed a jovial mayor of Auckland City, Len Brown, to a multi-ethnic audience who were attending a two-day Office of Ethnic Affairs (EthnicA) conference in Greenlane, Auckland, over two years ago.

The Deadly pair: Mayor Len Brown with his downfall, Bevan Chuang. Is she Helen of Troy? [NZ Heral Photo]

Len Brown was referring to collapse, ill-health and incidents that nearly see him die. He had praised his wife for looking after him. But he did not blink an eyelid when he reportedly seduced Bevan Chuang’ and had adulterous relations with her while in office, at office hours and in office premises. According to NZ Herald report, she said a security guard once found her naked with Mr Brown in the Ngati Whatua room in the Town Hall .The pair also had sex in Mr Brown's council office, according to the 32-year-old woman, who happens to be a member of Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel (EPAP) and also an employee of the Council at Auckland Art Gallery.

Mayor Brown (third from left, sitting) with Bevan directly behind Mayor Brown, with members of Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel (EPAP) The lover was well disguised in an advisory committee.

The fact that this information came out after the Local Government Election can be tagged as Len being “saved by the bell.”  John Palino was already breathing at Len’s neck according to some polls and made a credible opposition to hitherto unchallenged run for Brown. This was revealed in the results which showed Palino has mustered over 100,000 votes with only just over 30% voter turnout. The gap was some 50,000. If people just has a whiff of this affair before voting, there is no doubt that over 20,000 people would have changed their voting pattern and Len would never have been elected.

JOHN PALINO-provided very credible opposition to Len Brown. He is now Mayor-In-waiting. Following removal of Len Brown, there is going to be a By-Election, and Palino is tipped as the next most credible candidate and probable Mayor.

Therefore on this logic alone, Len has no moral right to the Mayoral chair. This is because people voted in a respectable family man as their mayor. Peoples character count a great deal, and no right thinking person would vote in an adulterous person as the first citizen of the city.

The detailed, embarrassing and intimate sexual encounter, revealed through affidavit –signed information provided by Chuang, have been the death knell to Len’s second-term ambition of the Mayoral chair. And there appears to be little chance of Len Brown to come from this metaphorical death even once, let alone twice.

Free Trade Agreement with China? It appears the Chinese beauty felt being used by the mayor, according to reports. [NZ Herald photo]

Now just imagine for a moment, what respectability will he hold, when invited to Muslim Eid festival, Chinese New year, Hindu festival of Diwali and multitudes of multiracial and multi-religious occasions which seek people of high respectability and honour. Would they invite a deceiving, cheating, adulterous and untrustworthy person to perform duties at honourable, religious and respectable festivals and occasions? Would Auckland’s over 50 per cent of ethnic communities accept such a person to honour their events? What respectability would this bestow to these respectable occasions? In 2012 Diwali, Len Brown was the Chief Guest at Waitakere Diwali at Trusts Stadium. He lighted the religious Diya (candle) signifying opening of an auspicious Diwali. After what has taken place, would Len Brown ever be considered suitable to perform this respectable and honourable duty? Same applies to other communities as well.

Honourably duties by a dishonourable man? Mayor Brown lighting Diya (special candle) during Waitakere Diwali 2012. Would he be considered suitable for future such solemn duties after revelations of adulterous affair by Bevan?

Would husbands feel safe to have their wives/partners working for the mayoral office? Would parents feel same with their daughters? Has the mayoral office not been tarnished, degraded and belittled by a randy, seductive and sexually-looses first citizen of the largest city in New Zealand?

Now listen, this is a personal matter. Really? Sir, you are Mayor 24 hours a day. You used Council time, Council premises and Council personnel to perform adultery and dishonourable acts not suited to the first citizen of the city. This is clear abuse of office. and dereliction of duties calling for impeachment or removal. Please, do the honourable thing.

Among reasons other writers will unearth, aren’t these enough to see Len Brown go as Mayor of Auckland. If he does not go voluntarily, then should he not be impeached or voted out with a no-confidence vote?

Being the first citizen of the city almost a third of New Zealand’s population carry immense responsibility, decorum and demeanour. Anybody tarnishing this honourable image through reckless character has no moral right to occupy this office.

Len Brown, you are unsuitable to be the Mayor of our City. Therefore, either you go, or you will be removed.

Len Brown is no exception. He is an undeserving person to be the first citizen, or mayor of Auckland City. Therefore, he must go, or be removed.

[E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

Election Forum hears of frightening problems at Auckland Council

Election Forum hears of frightening problems at Auckland Council

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Waitakere Ethnic Board hosted a public forum to provide an opportunity for people to hear their candidates speak on upcoming Local Government Elections at the Hub in Henderson on 19 September, 2013.

The Mayoral candidates who spoke at the forum were John Palino, John Minto, Reuben Shadbolt, Uesifili Unasa and Penny Bright. Ethnic Local Board candidates also addressed the forum and they included Peter Chan, Ann-Degia Pala and Susan Zhu.

Five Mayoral Candidates present during Waitakere Ethnic Board (WEB) Forum on Local Government election in Auckland. From left, JOHN PALINO, JOHN MINTO, UESIFILI UNASA, REUBEN SHADBOLT and PENNY BRIGHT.

Following is a synopsis of respective presentation by five mayoral candidates.

John Palino

He was born, raised and educated in New Jersey, USA.

He built his career in the restaurants of Los Angeles and New York before making his home in Auckland in 1996. Over the years, he has established a range of successful businesses and pursued many projects in hospitality, marketing and media.

“My passion for helping people, problem-solving and creating opportunities for others have driven me to stand for the Auckland Mayoralty. I believe that my business acumen and international experience is an asset to the growth and development of New Zealand’s largest city, “he said.

JOHN PALINO: my business acumen and international experience is an asset to the growth and development of New Zealand’s largest city

Palino’s mantra is to serve the people. He believes multiculturalism is a strength that Auckland should use and promote more. He believes in decentralization whereby Manukau and New Lynn could be developed as viable CBD. If elected as Mayor, he would promote more business growth in these areas in order for people living out South and West Auckland to remain working in their home areas, hence ease the gridlock that Auckland is plagued with.

Palino views public transport as one major issue needing priority, where he would emphasize on park and ride facilities at all train and bus stations where there is a demand. To ease transport situation, he would develop areas near public transport.

John Minto

John Minto is a political activist best known for his involvement in the protests against the 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand.

“Auckland is as an unequal city, where there is the very wealthy and very poor people living. We will reduce rates and council charges for low-income families who pay a much higher proportion of their income on rates and council charges than other Aucklanders”, he said.

JOHN MINTO: Fighting for living wage of minimum $18.40 per hour, and concerned at unreasonably high executive salaries which need to be cut back, and Council needs to finance more council rental homes

His main policies include free public transport, using the roading budget to fund it. He believes Council needs to finance more council rental homes and living wage needs to be increased to a minimum of $18.40 per hour for council employees and employees of council contractors

He also expressed shock at the extremely and unreasonably high salaries of executives and promised to cut them out and bring them to a more reasonable level.  Recent report shows CEO and Watercare CEO get some $365 per hour or over $3,000 per day while 1,500 staff get over $100,000 with 113 getting over $200,000.

Reuben Shadbolt

 41 year old Reuben Shadbolt is no new person to Mayoral race. He is son of former Waitemata Mayor Tim Shadbolt, born and raised in Auckland city.

“For generations my family have fought against Fascism and corruption and for Justice and democracy, in New Zealand and internationally.  I being a politician is not a decision; it is a response to injustice, the destruction of democracy in my country and my city and the values that both my parents taught me,” he said.

REUBEN SHADBOLT: Standing in Mayoral race in response to injustice and the destruction of democracy in my country and my city

Shadbolt says that he was strongly guided by a moral compass and saw his world through ethical eyes. , and that is why he felt a genuine responsibility to make a stand politically in local body. He suggested going more towards green policy and increasing living wage to $18.00 an hour.

UESIFILI UNASA  

Of Samoan descent, Unasa grew up in West Auckland, attending Kelston Boys High School before undertaking tertiary studies in politics, history and theology. He is a minister of the Methodist Church of New Zealand and since 2004, the Maclaurin Chaplain to The University of Auckland.

Unasa is Chairperson, The Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel, and currently involved with the Living Wage campaign and NZ Constitutional Review, among others.

UESIFILI UNASA: Concern at lack of diversity within Council - and need for Auckland Council to embrace greater level of genuine diversity and multiculturalism at as all levels, rather than just token and ceremonial representation.

“I will ensure that council represents all 180 ethnic communities living in Auckland, “he said. He expressed his concern about lack of diversity within the Council, Board and staff make up. “Currently there is no ethnic diversity within the higher up positions in council, “Unasa said. He added that mindset of the Council needs to be changed to embrace greater level of genuine diversity and multiculturalism at as all levels, rather than just token and ceremonial representation.

 Penelope Mary Bright (Penny Bright)

59 years old Penny Bright clarifies she is “not yet in my prime.”

“I describe myself as a 'judicially recognized 'Public Watchdog' on Metrowater, water and Auckland regional governance matters, arrested 22 times,” she said, adding that she helped to set up a branch of Halt All Racist Tours (HART) in her seventh form

PENNY BRIGHT:Big corrupt corporates control Auckland through Council Controlled Organisations “(CCOs) where unelected businesspeople run the Auckland region like a business, by business, for business, Also cutting out consultants and private contractors.

“I have also been described in the NZ Herald as an 'anti-corruption campaigner' in the fight for more transparency and accountability particularly at local government,” she added. She believes that “big corrupt corporates control Auckland through Council Controlled Organisations “(CCOs) where unelected businesspeople run the Auckland region like a business, by business, for business. CCO must go.’” , she said. Penny also believes in cutting out consultants and private contractors.

Part of the Audience

She highlighted the importance of public transport, being more and affordable by buying back Private bus companies that once Council owned and sold out. She believes more jobs needed to be created and sense of community needs to be bought back into Auckland. She advocates that Council needs to provide more open and transparent disclosure on how our rates are used, as she has refused to pay her rates for non-compliance of this request.

Former Chair of Massey-Henderson Local Board,VANESSA NEESON (left) with Rose Li, fiancee of Mayoral Candidate John Palino. Vanessa claims Auckland Council has failed to apply consistency in rating, over-rating Waitakere to subsidise other areas.

The public discussion that ensued heard that Auckland Council has not lived up to its promises. It fails to reflect the colour and diversity in its makeup, has over bulging staffing levels, borrows heavily that is heading the council to bankruptcy, have acute public transport problems, has failed to deliver economies of scale, has Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) that are not really controlled by Council and has failed to apply consistent rules across the council. Former Chair of Henderson Massey Local Board, Vanessa Neeson  accused the Council for over-rating Waitakere to a tune of some $14m of rates which subsidises underrated areas like Rodney and North Shore.

Ethnic Local Board Candidates, from left, ANN-DEGIA PALA, SUSAN ZHU and PETER CHAN: Call for quality ethnic diversity in local government, promoting ethnic voice, ethnic and migrant communities need to vote to ensure they elect people with empathy to their needs and reflect the colour of the super city population.

Local Board ethnic candidates spoke about the need for ethnic voice to be heard in the council. Peter Chan felt that quality ethnic diversity in local and Central government was lacking. He feels Council needed more ethnic diverse people on boards to be able to best showcase Auckland as a Multicultural vibrant city to the world. Ann-Digia Pala, as an ethnic leader for over 20 years involvement in the community is passionate about promoting the ethnic voice in the Council. Susan Zhu urged more ethnic people to vote in Local elections. She pointed out her Whau area   has 34% Asian population and this is not reflected in the Council. 

Hence she feels the Asian viewpoint could only be promoted if more Asian were in Local governments. A clear message from ethnic board candidates was for ethnic and migrant communities to vote to ensure they elect people with empathy to their needs and reflects the colour of the super city population.

[E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

Why David Cunliffe is the best choice for Labour Leadership

Cunliffe-the David fit to humble political Goliath

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Future Leader of Labour Party and future Prime Minister of New Zealand: Face of confidence that can wriggle Labour  Party into power in the next elections

With the benefit of hindsight, many Labour Party caucus members would be kicking themselves for a wrong experimentation with a novice politician as their leader. Had they realised Chris Carter’s 2010 dream of leadership change, with David Cunliffe as the new leader, Labour Party’s political fortunes today would have been very different. So much valuable time on election runway has been lost, with a puffing and stalled aircraft that failed to take-off.  Had that change eventuated in 2010, today John Key would have been running for cover, instead of ridiculing Labour leader at his leisure.

Hope is not lost yet. Labour party members, caucus and unions still have access to political “rewind” button and redeem their oversight, to bring him back as leader to have any chance of winning the next election in 2014. That dream is not far away, as today Labour Party is in deep trouble, with falling polls, infighting, drifting away from its roots and lost morale. They need a capable man at helm of the party, not a mumbling humanitarian who hates politics.

Cunliffe is an experienced Cabinet minister and has the skills to front John Key. If Labour want to win, they will vote him in

And most radio commentators and many columnists have identified David who can sling-shot Goliath Key and National. They have picked David Cunliffe as the one suitable and appropriate to tackle John Key. Most talk-back hosts including Duncan Garner, John Tamihere and Sean Plunket, among others, have picked Cunliffe as the right choice. It was as far back as November, 2008 that Political Editor of NZ Herald, Audrey Young, hinted that Cunliffe would one day lead Labour. Herald’s Fran O’ Sullivan also feels that “Cunliffe is an experienced Cabinet minister and has the skills to front John Key. If Labour want to win, they will vote him in.” So many experienced journalists, who have seen leaders and governments rise and fall, cannot be wrong.

Cunliffe with other two contenders for the leadership race:Shane Jones  (middle)and Grant Robertson (right). The comradeship and unity among these three can result in victory in 2014 election, with the right person at the helm of Labour. Many many political  and media commentators have named Cunliffe as the best choice.

In fact, NZ Herald’s John Armstrong says that Labour Party do not have a choice in electing replacement for David Shearer. It has to be the other David - David Cunliffe, whose time has finally come. “He may wear his super-sized ambition on his sleeve. He may have an over-inflated opinion of his own worth. He may be extremely unpopular in some quarters of the Labour caucus. He may even self-destruct as leader.” Armstrong says. There are plenty of other reasons that will be enumerated later, but most important one is the fear factor. This one stands tall: David Cunliffe being Labour Leader worries National far more than any other contenders.

Cartoon depicting the fear factor that Cunliffe projects to Key and the National Party. It is believed that an Opposition Leader, in fact any political party leader, needs to have a bit of Political Mongrel , or Political Pitbull in them. As they say for Phantom, who is gentle to good people but rough with roughnecks, similar is true for a party leader. Cunliffe possesses that essential trait in a political party leader, and has natural disposition to be rough on political roughnecks.

As I have said before, this David gives jitters to the Goliath Key and National. They had good fun with novice Shearer, who now says he detests politics. Cunliffe is somebody who is as youthful as Key, as good-looking as him, as a traditional family man, with children as him, very suitably Harvard educated, with both government and private sector experience, somebody who is well steeped in Labours and political history of NZ, somebody who is a moving encyclopaedia on economic and financial issues, who is eloquent and school-trained debater and can spar with John Key toe to toe, in verbal energy, as well as in eloquence, financial knowledge and political history. And most importantly, as John Tamihere and Willy Jackson say: DAVID CUNLIFFE HAS POLITICAL MONGREL, SO IMPORTANT FOR A PARTY LEADER THAT DAVID SHEARER LACKED.

As Armstrong says, and many agree, David Cunliffe is the closest thing Labour has to an X factor - that indefinable political aptitude that makes Cunliffe relatively a star quality.

Cunliffe (right), with former Labour Leader, David Shearer. While he has been accused of being disloyal to his leader, you need to be a political animal and ambitious person if you wish to gain your rightful place in a political party. In the election that saw Shearer elected as leader, there have been allegations that MPs voted against the wishes of their electorate membership to choose Cunliffe. This then resulted in the current more democratic process of electing a leader in the Labour Party. It is hoped this process is more transparent and unites and enhances the Party.

Cunliffe has promised and pledged, among others, to:

·        Take on National and John Key.

·        Gather troops and unify caucus.

·        Set agenda and work on it.

·        Improve product and marketing, and never forget roots.

·        Not removing ladder once they have climbed up

·        Working on Industrial Relations policies and living wages

·        Not forgetting the roots of Labour, the working class and going to left to look after people who feel neglected by a right-wing government.

Media commentators have identified an urgent task for Cunliffe once he becomes the leader – tame the Greens, wrest back Labour’s power, authority and status as the real Opposition and stop Greens cannibalising core Labour votes that they had been allowed to gnaw into. Most importantly, in no uncertain terms Cunliffe will have to tell Russell Norman: Stop being the de-facto leader of opposition –now I (Cunliffe) am in control.

Embracing and celebrating diversity - Cunliffe joining in a dance during Waitakere Indian Association Holi  festival of colours, with colours of Holi  on his face. His rapport and empathy with common Labour members and belief in Labour roots are some strong qualities that make him a popular choice among wider Labour membership.

David Cunliffe, in a very unconventional manner, announced, and in fact, celebrated his candidacy in his office, filled and reflected by diversity of colour, races and faces of his New Lynn electorate. This man sounded and reminded us of another David that adored diversity, and Labour still adore: DAVID LANGE. If Labour wants somebody to match Lange’s wit, eloquence and political knowledge, they do not have a difficult choice.

Cunliffe announcing the launch of his candidacy in an unconventional manner-in fact already celebrating the win.  The face of diversity in New Lynn is clearly noticeable in the photo - the future look of New Zealand.

Just pick DAVID LANG...Oops, CUNLIFFE as the next Labour Leader and PRIME MINISTER of New Zealand come 2014.

Go ahead, make my day, and correct the past mistakes that Labour Party did in picking its Leader. Time is ripe to unleash DAVID CUNLIFFE to put fear and respect in opponents and pundits of doomsday.

Sure Can….just hope common sense and right choice prevails come Sunday 15^th September, 2013 -DAVID CUNLIFFE AS THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND.

[E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

A tribute Kaumatua Denis Hansen:The greatest character in Maoridom

A tribute to a Maori legend: Kaumatua Denis Hansen

Thakur Ranjit Singh

KAUMATUA DENIS WILMOTT HANSEN-7 May, 1933 - 4 September, 2013

Western Leader was right to give  a headline—“A mighty kauri falls..” and Radio Live’s Willy Jackson and John Tamihere dubbed him “….the greatest character in Maoridom…” and we in West Auckland would know him as the first Life Member of an Indian Association.

The news of sudden passing away of KAUMATUA DENIS WILMOTT HANSEN hit the Indian community of Waitakere like a bolt of lightning. We had lost a friend, an elder, an Uncle, a Papa, a mentor, a relative and our link and communication to the Maori community.

DENNIS WILMOTT HANSEN- an octogenarian whose 80th birthday was publicly marked by people of all walks of life at Civic Theatre, Auckland on 8 June, 2013.

KAUMATUA DENIS HANSEN never felt like, or was ever treated as an outsider, nor did we in Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) feel he was not one of us. Whenever we had our functions and events, he was always there like a precious talisman of the Indian community, always present to give his blessings and prominent tall honoured presence. Be it Diwali, our social or Holi, our events were incomplete without him.

Papa Hansen -doing what he does best-Blessing Waitakere Diwali at Trusts Stadium last October. Any function of Waitakere Indian Association was considered incomplete without his blessings.

Just in our last AGM a few months earlier, it was resolved to make him a Life Member of WIA. Before this could be formalised, his call came. However, despite his passing away, Denis Hansen remains the first life member of Waitakere Indian Association posthumously. What an honour for WIA that it was not an Indian, but a descendent of an original settler, a Maori, who has the distinct honour of being a Life Member of an Indian organisation. He has been that fitting person to embrace that honour, in life, and in death, and does justice to the position.

Some years ago, WIA members had visited Waitangi’s historical site and stayed overnight to get an appreciation of history with the blessings of Kaumatua Hansen. He has also helped Indians bridge the gap with Maori community in Rotorua and has worked closely with Hindu Council of New Zealand.

Papa Hansen (in blue),  blessing and gracing his honoured presence  at Waitakere Holi Festival last year.

Waitakere Indian Association was having its Diwali meeting on Thursday September, 5, 2013. On Wednesday evening, Kaumatua Dennis Hanson’s close friend Mahendra Sharma Danny rang him, and left a message on his mobile, that it was his friend Danny reminding him of the meeting.

Papa Hansen with his son-like close friend, Pundit Mahendra Sharma Danny, whose home was always open for this  elder who was regarded as part of the family.

Little did they realise that our beloved Kaumatua, our Maori link was not around to listen to that message. Our uncle and Kaumatua Denis Hanson was no more. We had lost him to an untimely death-untimely because despite being an octogenarian (80 plus), he was full of life, energy, action and most importantly, humour and practical jokes. Even in his death, he raised commotion. It was well summed up by Western Leader that Denis Hanson knew how to command attention in life--- and in death. The sudden heart attack caused his car to hit the road barrier at Lincoln Road off ramp that blocked North-Western Motorway for most of afternoon of Wednesday 4^th September. Even his passing away was full of attention, but he went away without bidding us farewell.

Part of Waitakere Indian Association delegation that attended his 80th birthday celebration, and did a special presentation at Civic Theatre, Auckland on 8 June, 2013. Dressed for the occasion are(from left) Messrs Manoj Tahal,  Mahendra Sharma (Danny), Dhani Ram, Pravin Kumar and Master Sanjay Dutt Sharma.

It sounded so unreal. It was just a few months ago, on June 8 that a full Civic Theatre, marked his birthday. Because of the close relationship Kaumatua and Waitakere Indian Association shared, he was always considered part of WIA, while WIA was part of Honi Waititi Marae. Indians in Waitakere were adopted in this Marae through Waitakere Indian Association, and we were never felt to be strangers to this land. It was Uncle Denis who invited a delegation of Indians to Honi Waititi marae in 2009, where yours truly gave a speech and included this dream which we shared with Uncle Denis:

80th Birthday celebration at Civic Theatre - with Whanau, friends, well-wishers, contemporaries and close family members .

I stressed that my grandfather was brought to Fiji to prop up agriculture. Therefore, the Indo Fijian migrants to New Zealand should not only be destined to running taxis and dairy shops, but could also help in developing agriculture in New Zealand and help in economic and agricultural activities. This could be done by utilizing thousands of acres of Maori land lying idle while Maori youths were involved in urban crime, drugs, gangs and wasting their lives away. There was much New Zealand could gain from the Indo-Fijian migrants whose real talents as farmers have gone begging. That is something that is on the planning board for discussion with Kaumatua Hanson and elders to forge an economic relationship which has hitherto escaped the notice of New Zealand leadership.

Papa Hansen (extreme right) having fun and sharing a meal at Waitakere Diwali Festival with Social Development Minister, Paula Bennett and friends. Papa's close friend, Danny, as he called Mahendra Sharma, is at extreme left. As is indicated by name tags, both Papa Hansen and Danny were parts of the Diwali Organising Committee. So close was Papa's relation with Waitakere Indian Association, that he was considered a part of the organisation, which has bestowed its first ever Life Membership to Papa Hansen.

Alas, this may never be realised now, that the main architect is gone, but we have hope that Waipareira Trust and John Tamihere will still have that relationship and collaboration with Waitakere Indian Association in absence of Uncle Dennis. If nothing else, just to ignite the flame of integration that Uncle Denis fanned.

John Tamihere, CEO of Waipareira Trust (left) with friends at Denis Hansen's 80th birthday celebration at Civic Theatre. John has been a close friend of Papa Hansen, and and is vested with realising the dreams of Papa Hanson to work for the betterment of Maori and migrant communities and forge ahead with seeds of collaboration Kaumatua planted.

Continuing this collaboration of migrants with Maori community has been the dream of Papa Hansen, and it will be a fitting gesture to continue in the tradition that this fallen Kauri planted as a seedling, that will produce many more Kauris.

May his soul rest in peace and West Auckland gather strength to bear his sad loss and absence.

So long Papa, may your soul rest in peace.

So, long, Papa.

[E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]