The Indian Weekendeer

A district court judge has reserved his decision on whether Papatoetoe could face a rare by-election, following serious allegations of voting irregularities in Auckland’s most recent local body elections. The ruling, expected before Christmas, could have significant implications for public confidence in New Zealand’s postal voting system. The case was heard at Manukau District Court and stems from a petition lodged under the Local Electoral Act by former Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board member and deputy chair, Lehopoaome Vi Hausia. Hausia, who failed to be re-elected , alleged widespread issues in the Papatoetoe subdivision, including stolen voting papers, votes cast without voter consent, and unexplained statistical anomalies in turnout. The respondent to the petition is Dale Ofsoske, an independent electoral officer for Auckland. At a preliminary hearing in November, Judge Richard McIlraith ordered five ballot boxes to be transferred from Auckland District Court to Manukau District C...

A Swiss national has pleaded guilty to causing a fatal crash in Canterbury , marking a deeply emotional chapter in a case that has drawn significant public attention. The incident, which claimed the life of a woman on a Canterbury highway, has left a lasting impact on both families involved and the wider community. The Indian Weekender brings you the full account of the courtroom proceedings and what lies ahead. Emotional Court Appearance in Christchurch Swiss national Patrick Keusch appeared visibly emotional in the Christchurch District Court as he pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing death. The hearing took place before Community Magistrate Sarah Steele, where Keusch stood tearful as his lawyer entered the plea on his behalf. According to reporting by Stuff, the court heard that the case represents a profound tragedy. Defence lawyer Grant Fletcher told the court, “ Clearly this case is a terrible tragedy, ” acknowledging the devastating consequences of the crash ...

A Paeroa-based business owned by Chetna Dave and Hitesh Dave has been ordered to pay more than $159,000 after pleading guilty to exploiting migrant workers and providing false information to Immigration New Zealand (INZ). The company, Dev Trading Limited (DTL), which traded as Super Clearance, was also directed to pay $18,684.72 in reparations, along with $5,000 in emotional harm compensation to each affected worker. According to investigators, the migrant workers were subjected to extreme working conditions, with some forced to work up to 14 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays, without receiving their lawful wages or entitlements. In one case, a worker faced unlawful wage deductions disguised as loan repayments, totalling over $6,000. Labour Inspectorate calculations revealed more than $158,000 in unpaid wages and entitlements, with $140,000 already paid to victims before sentencing. In addition to underpayment, DTL knowingly submitted fabricated rosters and pa...

The fatal crash that claimed the life of roadworker Johnathon Walters in May 2024 did not happen in isolation. Newly released official documents reveal a troubling history behind the company and its director, Ashik Alis , who was sentenced to three years in prison for manslaughter. Authorities twice attempted to revoke Ali’s Transport Service Licence (TSL), but those efforts ultimately failed, allowing unsafe vehicles to remain on the road until disaster struck. Repeated Warnings Ignored NZTA Considered Revocation-Then Backed Down Documents obtained by RNZ show that in both 2020 and 2021, regulatory officers raised significant red flags about Ali’s fleet, describing the vehicles as dangerously defective, unregistered, and repeatedly failing Certificates of Fitness (COF). In one 2020 email, Officer Mark Painter warned: “The state of their vehicles [is] now showing real safety concerns.” Despite strong recommendations to revoke Ali’s licence, NZTA instead issued warnings, improvement not...