22 Comments
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Skarlett Starr's avatar

Vote hustling make me puke

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Matua Kahurangi's avatar

With Singh now the fastest-growing surname in New Zealand, is it any surprise he’s targeting that demographic?

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Skarlett Starr's avatar

Does he plan to retire overseas? I hope they put a temple in his backyard…

Selling out his country for short term gains

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Stephen's avatar

National once loved the Chinese, now the Indians, whose next........the Russians?

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lee's avatar

vote hunting lol

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Matua Kahurangi's avatar

Yep, 100% - when they are becoming one of the fastest growing demographics in this country, can you blame him?

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Glenys Metcalfe's avatar

I am glad you watched it - I can’t. Thanks for all the great work you do Matua

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Matua Kahurangi's avatar

It was very cringe-inducing.

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Ken Tod's avatar

Yes cynical and obvious ploy to cultivate the Indian vote. So much for the party that claims to be 'a broad church' - that used to be the way, including in freedom of individuals to express their own views - not so under Luxon.

Then there's the call for Hindi and other Indian languages to be taught in public schools.

"However, Indian languages were not consistently offered in public schools and remained far less integrated into many curriculums compared to Māori, Spanish, French, Japanese or Chinese, Kumar said."

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/570642/dearth-of-indian-language-classes-at-new-zealand-schools

My question in that respect is where does it stop?

We have a Singaporean friend whose children go to Mandarin classes in the weekend - the article mentions how there are many community based Indian language classes.

So, what exactly is the problem?

I am all for students having a choice on learning second languages, but I'm not sure schools are the best environment.

A community based program where you are learning with other learners across that cultural community is fine and probably better than being taught in school.

Duolingo is a good tool to help learners learn a new language and a few phrases.

In school all teaching of major subject should be in English - so all students of all backgrounds can learn and communicate in the same language.

So is National going to divert funding towards this in order to court the Indian vote?

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Matua Kahurangi's avatar

You're right - community-based programs can be a great option. I’ve noticed that when I’m ‘forced’ to learn something I’m not interested in, my attention drifts. When I’m paying to learn, I give it my full focus, because I want to get the most value out of it.

Duolingo was excellent for helping me pick up the basics of Spanish.

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Astra Lucia Verum Omni's avatar

Oh, Luxon finally undid that strained button!!! Could he please please stop "dancing", it is not a good look.

Re the Indian focus, yes even Shortie Street is now full of Urdu as well as Te Reo, trans people and drag queens, wonder who directs the script writers... hmmm

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Matua Kahurangi's avatar

I haven’t watched Shortland Street in over 15 years, and I’ve got no intention of starting again. Cheers for taking one for the team, Astra! Haha

But on a serious note, it doesn't surprise me - Shortland Street is ticking all the DEI boxes.

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Astra Lucia Verum Omni's avatar

LOL, yes, it has been for a long time, but I guess I'm a masochist still watching it.. Oh and it also does Christian bashing big time, there are always evil church leaders appearing in ED, now along with dreadful Terfs...

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Joanne Bedford's avatar

“Migrants of Indian descent have emerged as the highest earners among all ethnic groups in New Zealand, according to Census 2023 data”

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Matua Kahurangi's avatar

People of Indian ethnicity had the highest median personal income among all ethnic groups in New Zealand, at $51,600 - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/537842/2024-in-review-a-year-of-milestones-for-the-indian-community-in-new-zealand

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Joanne Bedford's avatar

Thanks for correcting the referencing. It is an interesting article, with some interesting facts about the hard working Indian community.

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Susan's avatar

That’s because they position themselves in businesses selling our vices to us, ie alcohol, cigarettes, pubs, dairies, gambling

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Matua Kahurangi's avatar

You can’t fault their work ethic – they’re relentless and rarely take a day off. I could never run a dairy while working in it all day; that would be pure torture.

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Ken Tod's avatar

We also rely on them to run many of our service industries - BP, BK etc etc. Like the Chinese they are generally very, very industrious and hard working people in the main.

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Susan's avatar

They’re after a free trade agreement with India, everyone knows that involves a one way open immigration policy, we’re seeing that all over NZ right now with large numbers of New NZers from India flooding every corner of the country. Luxon and Chippie are doing the ‘dance’ to show how inclusive they are. Problem is any free trade agreement with India won’t include dairy so it’s a complete waste of time. What’s our interest in free trade? I don’t get it

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Matua Kahurangi's avatar

Yes, they’ll be looking for that, but they’re also chasing votes. Luxon knows the Indian community in New Zealand is growing steadily, with tens of thousands arriving and more invited under his family visa scheme. He’s clearly exploiting this demographic shift to secure support.

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Just Boris's avatar

It’s tricky. The good immigrant Indians are hardworking & honest folk. I employ a bunch of them. But due to the volume & significant underlying cultural flaws (eg male arrogance, forced marriage & caste system, plus a high propensity for scamming cos that’s just how you do business in India.. ), there is now a real ‘Indian problem’ in NZ. The solution is to not tolerate ANY BS from immigrants, make them adapt to their host’s culture and to cut the flow drastically.

Indians are more likely to vote Nat as they respect business & work. The left side offer none of that.

But yes, Luxon is a cringey twat. And Bollywood music should be outlawed, it’s awful.

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