Stories by Blessen Tom
News
Indian Christmas traditions light up New Zealand
Christians from the subcontinent keep their traditions alive while adapting to a new home, proving that the spirit of Christmas transcends borders.
Kiwi short film shines on international festival circuit
William McKegg's Medicine takes home best short form prize at the 2024 Asian Academy Creative Awards in Singapore.
Indian Panthers seek to unite community through basketball
The franchise will field two teams based in South Auckland's Pulman Arena and look to take advantage of strong local support.
Domestic cricket leagues uniting migrant communities
Migrant communities are hosting competitions inspired by the popularity of the Indian Premier League.
Winston Peters signals progress on India trade deal negotiations
"I think there's a chance that we will be announcing the beginning of negotiations on that [trade deal] matter," Peters says.
The New Zealand names of Indian origin
From Wellington's Khandallah to Christchurch's Cashmere, New Zealand's urban centres are full of names with origins that can be traced to India. Audio
Community leaders eye mainstreaming of Punjabi language
Data from the 2023 Census shows Punjabi to be the fastest-growing language in the country.
NZ's diplomatic outreach wins hearts in Delhi
Patrick Rata, New Zealand's High Commissioner to India, rides an electric rickshaw, enjoys street food, and speaks Hindi in the video series Dil se Dilli (Delhi from the heart).
New Zealand universities ramp up scholarships to attract Indian students
More than half of New Zealand universities are offering dedicated packages targeting Indian applicants, including scholarships and fee discounts.
Indian community gearing up for Diwali festivities
Tens of thousands are poised to descend on the Auckland CBD this weekend to enjoy a 3D projection, sumptuous food stalls and artwork by local Indian artists at the country's largest celebration.
South Asian artists bring smorgasbord of theatre, dance and comedy to Auckland
A multidisciplinary show from Prayas Theatre is celebrating the work of local South Asian artists.
Tamil community celebrates half century of engagement in NZ
The Wellington Tamil Society is organizing a special event in the capital this month to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the community's activities in New Zealand.
Tamil short film celebrates immigrant family connections
Jessica George, director of Puli and the Tiger, wants to help other immigrants to connect with their elders.
Karl Rock: A Kiwi on a mission to explore India and beyond
A dream ride from India to Pakistan-administered Kashmir threw up some unexpected turns for the YouTube personality.
Almost three-quarters of hate crime offences motivated by race
Police have logged more than 14,200 incidents of hate crime offences motivated by the victim's race or ethnicity since January 2020.
Indian tourists flock to NZ but visa rejection rates remain high
The number of arrivals from the world's most populous nation continues to soar but securing a visitor visa remains a challenge for many Indian nationals.
South Asian artists in spotlight at Auckland Fringe Festival
South Asian artists are bringing vibrant performances and untold stories to the Auckland Fringe Festival.
Auckland’s Kerala community celebrates Onam with traditional feast
More than 1,000 members of Auckland's Kerala community celebrate the harvest festival with a sadhya, dancing and music.
Indian households in South Auckland reveal rising concern over safety
Crime in Takanini, Papakura, Papatoetoe, Manurewa and Manukau Central grows 7.8 percent in the first eight months of the year.
Tackling family violence in New Zealand's South Asian community
Survivors and advocates are calling for greater awareness and education at a grassroots level to reduce family violence within the South Asian community.
Uber drivers applaud landmark employment court ruling
Some drivers at global ridesharing giant Uber have welcomed a New Zealand court's decision to classify them as employees rather than contractors.
New Zealand's Kerala community unites for tug-of-war showdown
Fifteen teams from New Zealand and Australia competed in one of the country's largest tug-of-war competitions.
Interpreter urges Indian community to embrace sign language
A sign language practitioner of Indian heritage wishes to help the disabled community gain access to a variety of key services.
Asian athletes in spotlight at 2024 Paralympics
Shooter Neelam O'Neill and swimmer Joshua Wilmer are part of the 25-member team representing New Zealand at the Paris Games.
Indian New Zealanders reconnecting with their ancestral roots
As India marks its 78th Independence Day, a pair of Kiwi Indians share their experience of gaining a deeper understanding of their heritage.