The GOPIO (Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin) NZ executive committee this week handed a chenque of $5350 to Red Cross NZ toward its fund for the victims of the Christchurch earthquakes.

The cheque was presented at a function at the Stamford Plaza Hotel in downtown Auckland on April 17. In addition, GOPIO NZ members have also contributed personally in cash and provided assistance to Cantabrians directly through Red Cross and other organisations.

The function was attended by senior GOPIO office bearers, members and National list MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi.

In the aftermath of the quake, some members donated household articles for urgent need to get them settled temporarily as well as extended hospitality to some of the affected in their homes. The organisation’s Waikato chapter held all Faith prayers during the difficult times.

GOPIO NZ is also organising another fundraising for the Indian Weekender facilitated Make a Difference to St John for presenting the first ever fully loaded ambulance from New Zealand’s Indian community to St John Ambulance.

GOPIO NZ is proposing to collect approx $12,000.00 towards this noble cause through a raffle draw, tickets for which have already been printed are being distributed among members and the community.

Anyone can contribute toward this project by buying $5.00 tickets from GOPIO members of any chapter across the country. The raffle will have 5 sponsored prizes:

Ist Prize: 50''Panasonic HD Plasma TV sponsored by Global Finance
2nd Prize: I-Pad sponsored by Patton Refrigeration
3rd Prize: Mystery Weekend for two in New Zealand
4th Prize: Weekend stay for two with breakfast (Jun- Aug'11) at Stamford Plaza
5th Prize: Dinner for four in Sangeet Restaurant sponsored by Sangeet Restaurant

A notice on the date, venue and time of the draw will be published in the NZ Herald, Indian Weekender and other Indian media on Sunday June 12, giving the details of Prizes and Sponsors.

A cheque will also be given on that day to St John’s Ambulance. The results of this draw will be published in the in Indian Weekender and local media, giving the details of winners and Sponsors.

GOPIO is a non-political, not profit, apex organisation worldwide working for the benefits and wellbeing of more than 22 million People of Indian Origin living outside India.

President Rakesh Gupta said the Initial task of the National Executive Committee to review/finalise national constitution had been completed. The amendments for GOPIO NZ constitution were unanimously approved by the members of National Executive Committee as per the rules of previous constitution on March 27, 2011 in a special Executive Committee meeting held at Sangeet Restaurant.

Sunny Kaushal, Co Chairman – Marketing, PR and Membership said, “GOPIO NZ is currently in the process of launching an informative website in New Zealand shortly carrying information on GOPIO activities and projects, membership details and procedure for joining GOPIO for the benefits of the people of Indian Origin.

“In addition to St John’s Ambulance, we have a number of other community projects in the pipeline that GOPIO NZ team is working that include the awareness on matters concerning Communities and new migrants, Youth and Parents forum, Family Violence, Breast Cancer etc. in addition to liaising with other Indian Community organisation.”

Indian Weekender publisher Giri Gupta has commended GOPIO NZ for its efforts to spread awareness and help raise funds for the ambulance project. "It shows how Indian organisations can come together for a worthy cause and work as one," he said.