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Events...
Vaisakhi Dinner: A gathering was held at the community centre for the elderly community members to celebrate Vaisakhi. This was a fun night, were dinner was provided.
Road Trip – We took he elderly community members to Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and Taupo. We visited the beach and other tourist destinations. We spent all day travelling and seeing around the towns.
Meeting – Future planning of events that we should organize , and members giving their ideas and feedback as to what we could plan for the near future including classes, trips and other social gathering events.
Computer Workshop
KICT has teamed up with a local computer shop owner who is generously taking out his time every Saturday morning to hold computer workshops. At these workshops he takes the elderly community members through basic computer skills, things they should learn which will benefit them in moving forward with the technology. The elderly community appreciate these classes firstly because they are free, secondly because they are held locally and thirdly because they enjoy the freedom and not having to be dependable on others to do simple things on the computer. A very positive outcome with our Computer Workshops.
A Career in Acting
KICT has teamed up with a local acting school, to hold acting classes, to encourage today’s youth to come forward, learn love and live acting to help towards building a career for them in the Movie Industry. These classes have been successful with a good turnout of youth, of all cultures who want to add to their knowledge, and learn more to build acting careers. Kiwi Indian Community Trust is honoured to be a part of such a positive movement.
Q & A’s with the Local Members of Parliament
Our local community members had many questions which they wanted to ask our local MP’s, but could not go and see them. So KICT brought the MP’s to them. This was a great session where our local community members got a chance to ask questions, which were answered right away.
Cultural Dance Practices
KICT generously gives out our hall for teams to practice their dances in the evenings; the hall is used up most days and is used by little kids and adults. These teams really appreciate KICT providing them with a training facility as they do not have the funds to hire halls etc… so using our centre gives them that opportunity to get together as a team and practice.
Diwali Celebration Discussion
On 16th October 2014, the local community members got together in order to discuss a Diwali programme to be held at the centre. Diwali is the festival of lights which is celebrated by all Indians over the world.
Diwali Function at KICT
There was a Diwali function held at Kiwi Indian Community Centre. Different cultures were there, and of all ages. It was fun family night with food and music. Everyone enjoyed the night and was very happy to be a part of KICT’s Diwali function. Candles were lighted to celebrate the festival of lights.
A Visit to Taupo
We went for a visit to Taupo on 09/01/2016 using personal vehicles; we visited the Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave, Waterfall and Lake Taupo. The senior members had a very good time; they enjoyed themselves and were grateful for the trip. This was the first trip for 2016, and we are hoping for a few more this year as not everyone could make it on to this trip due to a lot of members away overseas.
Corromandel Visit
Kiwi Indian Community Trust took the senior citizens to Corromandel for a visit and sightseeing. The visit was a great day out as we showed them around the park, beaches, hot water beach and also went on a tram ride. The senior citizens really enjoyed themselves and appreciated KICT’s efforts in taking them for a trip.
Cooking classes
KICT has now introduced cooking classes at the centre, this first meeting was an introductory class were the course was explained and what is required. The course will be beginning in 2015, and we have already got some interested members of the community. These classes will be for basic cooking tips.
KICT Dinner
The committee and members of KICT went out for dinner, this gave everyone a good chance to relax, enjoy a meal and socialize. The members really enjoyed themselves and were grateful of KICT for organising these type of meet ups.
One Tree Hill Visit
The members were taken on a trip to one tree hill, one of Auckland’s most popular tourist attractions. The group of members and committee members along with the beautiful sunny weather we were able to walk around the park, sit under the trees, and go up to where the tree use to be and have a look at the magnificent view of Auckland City. All the members appreciated this trip and the 360 degree view of Auckland city.
New Zealand Federation Of Multicultural Council
The NZFMC held a meeting on Tuesday 31st March 2015 at the Kiwi Indian Community Centre to discuss some issues. They are planning on organizing a sports tournament including soccer and other sports. They also raised the issue that has been in the media recently about Sikhs wearing Kirpans who were not allowed into a stadium during the 2015 Cricket World Cup, an intensive conversation about this issue went for quite some time. The meeting started at 7pm and ended at 8.30pm..
Cultural Evening
We were honoured to take our elderly community members to a Cultural Night, which was an event held at Vodafone Event Centre, were famous singers from India had come to perform, and the local ethnic police officers were awarded for their service in helping keep our communities safer.
Computer Classes
KICT have no begun their computer classes to assist the members in how to use the computer for basic day-to-day usage. This is helpful for them as they can do things like checking the news in New Zealand, and also from their home country to keep updated. In the classes they are also taught simple browsing techniques, and typing.
Excerise Classes
Recently the members have been asking for exercise classes. We have one machine so far which can be used for several core, and leg exercise which the community members are enjoying, they appreciate this indoor facility as the weather outside is unpredictable and this gives them the chance to exercise indoor. We will slowly be adding more fitness equipment.
Road Trip for the Elderly Members
The KICT team hired a van to take some off our elderly members, we toured around Auckland, showing them Hanua Falls to see the Waterfall and to do the bush walk, we also went to Cleveland Reserve as their was a horse show there, the members enjoyed this show as the horses were tracking, and doing a course. We also visited Manukau Botanic Gardens, and Les Batkin Reserve.
ANZAC Parade
The members and the team from KICT have been to support the ANZAC Parade which was held in Papatoetoe.
New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils INC.
NZFMC held their annual general meeting at the Kiwi Indian Community Centre. The meeting consisted of their goals and ambitions for the upcoming year, the feedback about the past and also an election for the new Executive Committee. We’re proud to say KICT’s General Manager was elected as Vice President.
Dreamz Productions – Workshop
Dreamz Productions are one of the local producers of films in New Zealand. They are doing a great job helping the youth who are looking for a career in Acting. These workshops are helping the south Auckland youth and parents to have free acting lessons, were the producer and director from Dreamz Productions are providing free training At the end of the workshop the students are given an opportunity in performing in a feature film, which enables them to achieve their goals of becoming actors/actresses, depending on workshop the roles are then given accordingly.
English Classes
We have recently started our English classes for the elderly community members, these classes are based on the computer were Basic English Is taught. As these members are elderly and have migrated from India to New Zealand we believe it is essential for them to learn Basic English to help them get through the day to day struggle.
Drivers License Classes
We have also begun our new Driver’s License Programme in which a local police officer comes to teach the members basic driving road rules. A lot of these members have foreign licenses and it is very important for them to learn the road rules of New Zealand, as if they need to drive here they are aware of what the rules are.
Local MP Visit – Jenny Salesa
Jenny Salesa who is the local Labour MP in Papatoetoe came to visit the centre and discuss issues with the community members. This was a great morning seminar held by Jenny as a way to give the community members a chance to raise their voices and to speak about any issues they had arising. The members highly appreciated this visit by Jenny Salesa.
Cultural Night
KICT held a small cultural night for the elderly community members, in which we were able to socialize, we put on a meal and the elderly members also got to dance, The elderly members had a great time and really enjoyed this.
Blood Drive
Kiwi Indian Community Trust has held a blood drive on Thursday 11th June, 2015. The Blood drive was extremely successful, we managed to get over 100 people come there, in which about 60-80 people actually gave blood. We are proud to support such a good cause, and we have thought about making this an annual event.
Local MP – Kanwaljit Bakshi
Kiwi Indian community Trust arranged Mr Bakshi visited the Kiwi Indian Community Centre on Friday 19th June, 2015. He was there for the local community members with issues to be able to speak to him and be heard. He was delighted with the turnout and the different type of matters that were discussed. Mr Bakshi has taken this feedback on board and is happy to put them forward and to do this again.
Meeting of Elderly community members who are wanting to help in volunteering work in the area to help make a difference.
Akarana Community Trust Grant Forum
26th August 2015 - This forum was to help community club's, organizations and groups who need assistance in funding. The forum was to help provide information on which things grants are given for, and how the applications are made.
69th Indian Independence Day
15/08/2015 - 15th August is Indian Independence Day, and on that day we celebrated the 69th Independence Day. We had a big gathering held at the KICT Community Centre. We had local associations members representing their organizations who spoke and shared their stories, and knowledge about independence day. This event was a collaboration with the Senior Citizen Association, Women Care Trust, Auckland Indian Retailers Association, and Multi-Cultural Ethnic Council Association. The day consisted of performances, speeches, and then snacks with tea.
Trip to Hamilton
01/08/2015 – We arranged a small trip using our personal vehicle to take some of the senior members. The one day tour consisted going to Hamilton, we visited the Gardens and Waitomo Caves. The members extremely enjoyed this one day trip, and appreciated the gesture from our team. Our members are constantly requesting trips, which is a great way for them to learn about the New Zealand culture, background and what the cities have to offer.
Nepal Relief Funds
11/07/2015 – Funds were raised on this day to help towards the Nepal Earthquake Relief. Two local MP’s also attended this fundraiser, who forwarded the funds for us to the society.
Elderly Abuse Awareness Day
Kiwi Indian Community Trust is celebrated Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 28th June 2013 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the Community centre.
Actions for Survival
As part of Kiwi Indian Community Trust's community education program we are conducted a training session on the "Actions For Survival" on Friday 26th July 2013 from 12:30pm to 2:00pm. The training session was carried by "Actions For Survival Ltd". The local community’s elderly members took part in this, and they really enjoyed it and found it very helpful and educational. Some of them had no idea on how to carry out simple first aid so by joining in on this training programme they received that opportunity to come forward and learn. They really appreciated this chance and took it without any hesitation.
Financial Wellbeing Seminar
Kiwi Indian Community Trust is held a seminar on how to improve the financial wellbeing of all New Zealanders throughout their lives. It was held on 9th August 2013 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. At this seminar we had guest speaker, who educated the elderly community on financial wellbeing, and how to avoid going through financial hardship. This seminar was a success with a large number of attendees.
Musical Night
Kiwi Indian Community Trust held an Indian Musical Night at East view Baptist Church on Saturday 31st August 2013. The musical night was attended by Hon Phil Goff, Asenati Lole Taylor, Dr Ashraf Choudhary, Jeet Suchdev, community leaders from the local community. Sriram Iyer, Sunil and various other singers showcased their musical talent and mesmerized the audience with melodious songs. Cultural performances were performed by Punjabi Dance School. The music night was proudly sponsored by Barfoot and Thompson, Dannemora, Kwality Mini Bazar and NCBT.
Elderly Rotorua Trip
Kiwi Indian Community Charitable Trust took the local elderly community members on a road trip to Rotorua. With the support of funding we hired a bus in October 2013, and travelled from Auckland to Rotorua, and showed them around the sights and took them to the Gondolas and Skyride. They really enjoyed this and took this opportunity to go see around outside of Auckland. Some of them had been to Rotorua for the first time and there for really appreciated it.
Morning Tea with Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (MP)
On the 4th April 2014, Local National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi took the opportunity to use the Community centre to set up a Morning tea with the senior members of our community. This morning tea was a chance for Mr. Bakshi to speak to these senior members face to face and hear their opinions. This was a very successful event.
Indo New Zealand Senior Association Crime Prevention Seminar
On the 12th April 2014, INZSA Inc held a crime prevention seminar for the elderly community members at the Kiwi Indian Community Centre. This seminar was run by one of the Local Police officers who advised how to prevent crime, what to do in situations to help the police, and what the right actions are to report any crime. This seminar was very handy for these elderly people as they were never educated about what he right steps to take were, all they knew was to dial 111, now they know what type of information is required to help the police in identifying suspects, how to report a crime and how to prevent crime.
Counties Manukau Ethnic Council Inc
Each month the Kiwi Indian Community Centre is used by the Counties Manukau Ethnic Council Inc, for their monthly meetings. They have used other facilities but find that our facility is very suitable for them; we have a large space with seating and tables. They use this as their base and are very happy with our services and are very thankful for being able to use our centre.
Local Community Board
Local Community Members from Temples got together on the 13th May 2014, to discuss a major issue in the area, Street Prostitution. This discussion was to discuss what could be done to prevent street prostitution in our local area. All community members had their own input and we will be working alongside each other with this issue to make progress, we will be discussing this with our local MP and will then educate elders and local community members.
Arogya Mantra “Just for the health of it”
Indians are amongst the highest risk-groups for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke compared to other Asian groups in New Zealand. Kiwi Indian Community Charitable Trust wants to help prevent this increase of these statistics, and therefore is holding a 10 week bollyaerobics and strength training classes programme at the centre every Saturday morning from 10am to Midday. This will be free for all, and we are encouraging the elders within our local community to come down and take advantage of these free classes for a better and healthier future. The classes are run by trained health professionals and feature free health screening by medical students and health talks by doctors, nurses, physios and more.
Afternoon Tea with Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (MP)
Local Member of Parliament Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, provided afternoon tea for our local community members, and wanted to give them the opportunity to arise any issues or concerns they had. This way he gets to hear directly from the community members and is aware of their concerns which he can act upon. The community members really appreciate these sessions with Mr. Bakshi to express themselves.
Diabetes Auckland Awareness Day
Diabetes Auckland, held a FREE diabetes testing day at the Kiwi Indian Community Centre, this was a great way for the local community of Papatoetoe to drop in and get a test done there and then. This was provided FREE of charge, and was a great way to make people aware of how serious Diabetes is, and how often people have it, yet are unaware. This was very successful day for Diabetes Auckland as they had several people come in to get the check up. Kiwi Indian Community Trust appreciated their hard work, and is honoured to be a part of the helping hand to create a brighter future.