News

Since the AJI was established in August 2001, the organisation has fielded 1000 serious enquiries from some 31 countries. To date a total of 169 new families have arrived.

News:
Congratulations on Kadimah integration »
Britons find paradise in New Zealand »
New Zealand has been judged the most peaceful nation in the world »
Census continues to show growth in Auckland region »
Tax breaks for Migrants and returning Kiwis »
The Auckland Hebrew Congregation welcomes you »
Kadimah College - the only Jewish School in Auckland »
AJI presence on Facebook »
Beth Shalom - the Progressive Jewish Congregation of Auckland »

Congratulations for the Kadimah School integration

Jeremy Lawrence, Senior Rabbi, Sydney writes: "Mazal Tov to the Goldwater Trust and the Kadimah College governing committee on completing the integration process.

"It is my prayer that this will succeed in enabling the school to grow in strength and in excellence, while freeing the community to focus on resourcing and providing the Jewish education which is its soul."

Click to read the full article.

Britons find paradise in New Zealand

New Zealand has been described as a "paradise" by British expats who moved here for a warmer climate and cheaper cost of living.

A NatWest International bank survey of more than 2000 British immigrants living in 12 countries found that Britons in New Zealand rated the country highly in all areas.

In the quality-of-life index, New Zealand came ahead of Canada, which topped the poll last year.

Click to read the full article.

New Zealand has been judged the most peaceful nation in the world

An Australian think tank recognised our stable political situation, relatively low rate of violence and decrease in military spending.

The Institute for Economics and Peace list was created after the start of the global recession, finding the financial meltdown was dragging the world toward political instability and conflict...

Click to read the full article.

Census continues to show growth in Auckland region

Auckland's Jewish community continues to grow while almost every other community decreases, according to figures released recently from last year's national Census.

While there is little change to the overall number of those claiming Judaism as their religion - 6858 in 2006 as opposed to 6636 in 2001 - there are some marked changes regionally.

Not included in these figures are the answers to the question on ethnicity which were not yet available for the regions. However, the overall figures for that question shows that 1,599 people described their ethnicity as Israeli and / or Jewish. Of the total, 846 were born in Israel.

As some of those who wrote 'Jewish' under ethnicity may not have answered the question on religion, it is impossible to extrapolate accurate figures. Bracketed figures are from the last census in 2001.
Auckland - 3276 (3132), Wellington 1176 (1182), Christchurch 516 (642), Invercargill / Southland 345, Dunedin 162 (231), Wanganui / Manawatu 199 (195), Hamilton 186 (342)
Other districts under 200 - Rotorua/Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Taranaki, Malborough / Nelson/Tasman, and Queenstown/Lake Districts.

Tax Breaks for Migrants and Returning Kiwis

March 2010

New migrants and certain returning Kiwis will be able to claim a 4-year exemption from tax on most types of foreign income from 1 April 2006, following today’s release of long awaited draft legislation.

Steve Camage, a director at PricewaterhouseCoopers, said it was a positive and proactive development in the area of tax for individuals.

“These changes will enhance New Zealand’s status as a destination for skilled people, and help to reduce employment costs,” he said. “The new rules will lower the cost of doing business and allow New Zealand employers to remain competitive in attracting skilled migrant labour, particularly given Australia is proposing similar rules.”

He said that in the past New Zealand’s comprehensive taxation regime has deterred many individuals from coming to New Zealand. This includes thousands of highly skilled Kiwis who departed years ago on their OEs. Many individuals that do come to New Zealand are often shocked at the additional taxes paid on actual and “notional” foreign investment income.

Steve Camage said employers should be “relieved” by the introduction of these new rules.

“Previously they have often borne the brunt of the additional tax liability incurred by new migrants,” he said. “Employers commonly indemnify these workers for any tax on their foreign investment income.”

The exemption effectively only applies to first-time residents, or returning New Zealanders who have been absent for a continuous period of at least 10 years.

Mr Camage said the Government had missed a golden opportunity to reverse the brain drain.

“Ten years is too long - it would have made more sense for the criteria for returning Kiwis to have been reduced to five years,” he said.

“Kiwis who’ve been abroad for 10 years or more are probably well established in their new life and less likely to return home just for a tax break. But if you’re a New Zealander who’s been overseas for less than 10 years and you want to come back to the southern hemisphere, then it’s probably more attractive to head to Australia because you may qualify for their proposed exemptions straight away.”

The exemption is valid for up to 48 months and is available for those coming to New Zealand for full-time employment, self-employment, retirement or for any other reason.

The new rules apply from 1 April 2006 and the exemptions extend to interest and dividend income, certain foreign equities and foreign superannuation interests; debt instruments (e.g. deposits and mortgages) particularly those denominated in foreign currency; non-resident withholding tax obligations; and employment income in respect of employment or service before coming to New Zealand.

For most individuals, this will mean New Zealand tax will only apply to employment income and investment income on New Zealand based assets for the first 4 years.

The Auckland Hebrew Congregation welcomes you

The Auckland Hebrew Congregation welcomes new arrivals to Auckland. We look forward to involving you in communal activities.

We know that moving to a new country isn't easy, as a good proportion of our members have arrived in New Zealand in the last 15 or so years. We want to meet you, and we want to help wherever we can.

Please contact the Shul Office and make yourself known. Let us know if there are areas of interest where we can assist or where we can introduce members with similar interests. You are an important part of the continuity of the Auckland Jewish Community.
Welcome.

David Nathan
President

The Auckland Hebrew Congregation offer you the following services:

• Holding of weekly services
• Holding education classes for all ages
• Monthly publications and email community notices
• Certification of Kosher foods
• The Rabbi to perform a marriage
• Religious instruction for pre Bar and Batmitzah services
• Attendance at a burial
• The Services of our Mohel for circumcision
• Counselling and other services that a religious Jew may require.

Kadimah College

Kadimah College is the only Jewish School in Auckland. It offers an outstanding private school academic education, which is enriched by Jewish values. It caters for boys and girls from 4 years old to 13. Children do have not to be Jewish to attend. We embrace all strands of Judaism from secular through to Orthodox and we love watching our Kadimah family grow. We have Jewish and non-Jewish staff.

There are many extension programmes for those identified as needing it and for those children with learning difficulties we have a lot of expertise and understanding. We offer small classes and experienced teachers. We teach to the New Zealand Curriculum and also include Hebrew and Jewish Studies - with a taste of Israel.

Kadimah is a very friendly, family-orientated environment with an Open Door policy and a lot of contact with parents.

We are located in the Central City and enjoy using the city's facilities to enrich learning.

If you would like to know more about Kadimah your enquiries are very welcome. Contact Lara Sydall, principal@kadimah.school.nz or view the website at www.kadimah.co.nz.

2010 Intermediate school scholarships now available - Click here for details.

Auckland Jewish Immigration presence on Facebook

Committee member Stephen has set up a Facebook group on behalf of the Auckland Jewish Immigration to help spread the word about immigration to New Zealand.

Stephen comments: "In terms of Facebook groups… it’s growth is viral… each friend invites their friends… who invite their friends… until everyone knows about it."

Visit the website at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29240031978.

Beth Shalom - the Progressive Jewish Congregation of Auckland

It is centrally located to both the city centre and the eastern suburbs at 180 Manukau Road in Epsom, Auckland.

Founded in 1956, Beth Shalom is spiritual home to over two hundred families who gather for worship, education, life cycle events and Jewish culture. Beth Shalom is a proud member of the Union for Progressive Judaism and the World Union for Progressive Judaism.

At Beth Shalom, we proudly assert that men and women are equal in all matters, and that inter-faith families are valued members of our community. We celebrate our identities as both Jews and New Zealanders. Active lay leadership is the hallmark of Beth Shalom. Congregants take an active role in every aspect of synagogue life, leading Shabbat services, reading Torah, teaching Sunday School, preparing candidates for conversion, raising funds for those in need, and arranging for proper burial of our beloved dead.

Welcome to Beth Shalom: Progressive Judaism’s vibrant home in Auckland.

For more information, go to our website at www.bethshalom.org.nz.

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