Blessen Tom
@blzn.bsky.social
Asia Reporter at Radio New Zealand.
Covering stories about the Asian and Indian communities in Aotearoa.
Covering stories about the Asian and Indian communities in Aotearoa.
The South Asian players who were recruited in the Indian Panthers squad have returned to India, RNZ understands. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Indian Panthers players reportedly return to India as termination deadline nears
Sources close to the squad say all three Indian players who had been playing in New Zealand for the franchise departed Auckland on Sunday.
www.rnz.co.nz
May 19, 2025 at 1:53 AM
The South Asian players who were recruited in the Indian Panthers squad have returned to India, RNZ understands. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
A Labour MP of Indian origin has accused the immigration minister of painting migrants in a "negative light" during an answer to a question in Parliament last week. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Stanford spars with Radhakrishnan over email ‘spam’ remark in House
The Labour MP of Indian origin has accused the immigration minister of painting migrants in a "negative light" during an answer to a question in Parliament last week.
www.rnz.co.nz
May 19, 2025 at 1:11 AM
A Labour MP of Indian origin has accused the immigration minister of painting migrants in a "negative light" during an answer to a question in Parliament last week. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan has rebuffed criticism on social media regarding delays in consular services provided by the Indian mission in Wellington and the new consulate general in Auckland. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
India consular delays caused by errors related to application payments
The Indian high commissioner says about half of her staff's time is being spent on processing refunds that have been sent to the wrong location.
www.rnz.co.nz
May 12, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan has rebuffed criticism on social media regarding delays in consular services provided by the Indian mission in Wellington and the new consulate general in Auckland. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
New Zealand's South Asian communities have expressed concern for the safety of relatives caught up in rapidly rising hostilities between the two neighbouring nuclear powers in the wake of an Indian offensive on Wednesday.
May 7, 2025 at 9:41 AM
New Zealand's South Asian communities have expressed concern for the safety of relatives caught up in rapidly rising hostilities between the two neighbouring nuclear powers in the wake of an Indian offensive on Wednesday.
The Indian Panthers' turbulent debut in the National Basketball League came to a head on Tuesday after allegations surfaced on social media of unpaid salaries and growing dissatisfaction in the squad. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Unpaid salary claims, postponed game add to Indian Panthers’ debut season woes
Panthers' CEO addresses player payment delays after Tuesday night's game is postponed due to player protest.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 30, 2025 at 5:30 AM
The Indian Panthers' turbulent debut in the National Basketball League came to a head on Tuesday after allegations surfaced on social media of unpaid salaries and growing dissatisfaction in the squad. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Hundreds have gathered nationwide from Hindu, Christian and Muslim faiths in recent weeks to celebrate three festivals that reflect the community's commitment to secularism and interfaith unity.https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/559500/new-zealand-s-indian-community-embraces-interfaith-unity
April 30, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Hundreds have gathered nationwide from Hindu, Christian and Muslim faiths in recent weeks to celebrate three festivals that reflect the community's commitment to secularism and interfaith unity.https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/559500/new-zealand-s-indian-community-embraces-interfaith-unity
Lawmakers representing New Zealand's ethnic communities have condemned critics for focusing on their ethnicity when disagreeing with policies they are proposing.https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/559462/ethnic-mps-condemn-race-based-criticism-of-their-political-work
April 30, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Lawmakers representing New Zealand's ethnic communities have condemned critics for focusing on their ethnicity when disagreeing with policies they are proposing.https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/559462/ethnic-mps-condemn-race-based-criticism-of-their-political-work
Vivek Mahbubani learned Cantonese after his parents insisted he do so but over time, he's turned the language into his "superpower", performing full stand-up comedy sets in Cantonese. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Indian comedian turns Cantonese into his comedic ‘superpower’
Vivek Mahbubani learned Cantonese after his parents forced him to but now he performs stand-up comedy in the language.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Vivek Mahbubani learned Cantonese after his parents insisted he do so but over time, he's turned the language into his "superpower", performing full stand-up comedy sets in Cantonese. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
About a hundred people gathered at Auckland's Aotea Square on Thursday evening for a candlelight vigil expressing solidarity with victims of a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which took place on Tuesday afternoon India time. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
New Zealand's Indian community unites in condemning Kashmir terror attacks
At least two dozen people died after gunmen opened fired on tourists near Pahalgam in the Himalayas.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
About a hundred people gathered at Auckland's Aotea Square on Thursday evening for a candlelight vigil expressing solidarity with victims of a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which took place on Tuesday afternoon India time. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
The Hawke's Bay Indian Cultural Centre (HBICC) is marking its 10th anniversary with a special performance that fuses Indian and Māori cultural traditions.https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/558894/indian-and-maori-cultures-come-together-on-stage
April 23, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The Hawke's Bay Indian Cultural Centre (HBICC) is marking its 10th anniversary with a special performance that fuses Indian and Māori cultural traditions.https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/558894/indian-and-maori-cultures-come-together-on-stage
Latest data from Stats NZ reveals that 17.2 percent of New Zealand households had at least one person belonging to the Asian ethnic group in 2023. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Household data reflects growing ethnic diversity
Households with Asian, Māori and Pasifika occupants rise between 2018 and 2023.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 22, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Latest data from Stats NZ reveals that 17.2 percent of New Zealand households had at least one person belonging to the Asian ethnic group in 2023. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
The Punjab Warriors team is the first women's team from India to take part in the annual Easter event. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Indian team joins New Zealand women's hockey tournament for first time
The Punjab Warriors team is the first women's team from India to take part in the annual Easter event.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 22, 2025 at 3:19 AM
The Punjab Warriors team is the first women's team from India to take part in the annual Easter event. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
An Auckland doctor says she will not be silenced by the Indian government after being warned she faces a ban on returning to her homeland because of her political activities and online criticisms. www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
'They think they can shut me up, but they can't' - India critic facing ban in homeland
An Auckland doctor says she will not be silenced by the Indian government - despite facing a ban on returning to her homeland because of her political activities and online criticisms.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 13, 2025 at 7:36 PM
An Auckland doctor says she will not be silenced by the Indian government after being warned she faces a ban on returning to her homeland because of her political activities and online criticisms. www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Indian filmmakers shot more than 100 films in New Zealand in the 1990s and early 2000s.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
NZ film sector looks to revive golden era of Indian cinema
Indian filmmakers shot more than 100 films in New Zealand in the 1990s and early 2000s.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 10, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Indian filmmakers shot more than 100 films in New Zealand in the 1990s and early 2000s.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Westpac has added the three language options to all 373 of its ATMs to make banking more accessible for diverse communities. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Westpac adds Hindi, Samoan, Tongan languages to ATMs
Westpac has added the three language options to all 373 of its ATMs to make banking more accessible for diverse communities.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 8, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Westpac has added the three language options to all 373 of its ATMs to make banking more accessible for diverse communities. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
New Zealand and India have launched negotiations on an arrangement facilitating the mobility of professionals and skilled workers. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Details of key agreements emerge from Luxon’s India trip
New Zealand and India have launched negotiations on an arrangement facilitating the mobility of professionals and skilled workers.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 2, 2025 at 10:16 PM
New Zealand and India have launched negotiations on an arrangement facilitating the mobility of professionals and skilled workers. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Anurag Sharma always imagined walking Te Araroa, one of the world's most diverse long-distance trails, in his 50s. But life took a turn four years ago when his mother passed away. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Meet the Kiwi Indians strapping on hiking boots for charity
Whether it's walking the length of New Zealand or shorter distances, the hikers have learnt a lot about themselves while exploring the country.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 2, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Anurag Sharma always imagined walking Te Araroa, one of the world's most diverse long-distance trails, in his 50s. But life took a turn four years ago when his mother passed away. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Here we go!
April 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Here we go!
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A measurement for climate emission cuts ends up in the too-hard basket after worries it could affect Auckland Transport's audit.
Auckland Transport stops measuring its climate emission cuts
newsroom.co.nz
April 2, 2025 at 7:17 PM
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Jonathan Goodman is named interim head coach after Miles Pearce resigns in a turbulent start to the team's inclusion in the national basketball league.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Home losses, coach’s departure sour start to Indian Panthers’ debut season
Jonathan Goodman is named interim head coach after Miles Pearce resigns in a turbulent start to the team's inclusion in the national basketball league.
www.rnz.co.nz
March 25, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Jonathan Goodman is named interim head coach after Miles Pearce resigns in a turbulent start to the team's inclusion in the national basketball league.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Jordan O'Brien is on the frontlines: 'There's no sugar-coating it.'
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
‘Nightmare fuel’ - Kiwi soldier in Ukraine on the reality of drone warfare
Jordan O'Brien is on the frontlines: 'There's no sugar-coating it.'
www.rnz.co.nz
March 25, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Jordan O'Brien is on the frontlines: 'There's no sugar-coating it.'
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Trade Minister Todd McClay has called for public submissions on New Zealand's negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement with India. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Government opens consultation on free trade agreement with India
Businesses, non-governmental organizations and members of the public encouraged to have their say.
www.rnz.co.nz
March 24, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Trade Minister Todd McClay has called for public submissions on New Zealand's negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement with India. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Travellers calling for non-stop flights between New Zealand and India now have a date on which to pin their hopes - but it is still more than three years away. www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
Long wait continues as 2028 target set for Delhi-Auckland flights
Travellers calling for non-stop flights between New Zealand and India now have a date but it's still three years away.
www.rnz.co.nz
March 19, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Travellers calling for non-stop flights between New Zealand and India now have a date on which to pin their hopes - but it is still more than three years away. www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
India is one of the largest outbound tourism markets in the world. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
New Zealand eyes India as key market for tourism growth
India boasts one of the largest outbound tourism markets in the world.
www.rnz.co.nz
March 19, 2025 at 11:05 PM
India is one of the largest outbound tourism markets in the world. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Player unavailability due to international commitments forced the Panthers to play their season opener against the Hawke's Bay Hawks in Napier on 12 March without any of the 10 Indian players named in the squad. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...
Overseas commitments leave Indian Panthers sweating on South Asia stars
Team management hopes to get at least four Indian players in Auckland for debut home game in national basketball league on Friday after availability issues.
www.rnz.co.nz
March 19, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Player unavailability due to international commitments forced the Panthers to play their season opener against the Hawke's Bay Hawks in Napier on 12 March without any of the 10 Indian players named in the squad. www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/...