Tell us a bit about your (and/or your family’s) New Zealand journey. (in 400 words please)

My arrival in New Zealand was in February 1990 with my husband and two children. I am born in Fiji with a South Asian heritage from Gujerat, India. I worked as an executive officer at the University of Auckland followed by senior executive positions in the corporate sector. I am a company director of WinMac Solutions Ltd an Information Technology Company now operating some 24 years in West Auckland.

In my spare time, I volunteered for women and children. In 2001 a family tragedy led me to become involved in education and the Waitakere Ethnic Board. I passionately pursued community development and governance which I am strongly committed to in my effort to advance social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being of families, especially women and children. I developed an interest in public policy, social development, human rights and advocacy.

I was elected the first woman President of Waitakere Ethnic Board in 2004 followed by several community roles and appointed as a founding member of the Auckland Council Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel in 2010.

What motivated/prompted you to stand for local government elections this time? Please also indicate which area/position you are standing for.

I love West Auckland and the diverse population of Whau Ward. I am standing as a Councillor for this area to represent ratepayers at strategic decision making level. After my appointment at Council, I continued to study the nonprofit sector and enjoyed public engagement, policy, public management, strategic leadership and governance. I am democratic and politically motivated to advance the cause of our communities as contributors to Auckland and New Zealand. Currently, I am a member of the National Lottery and Outdoor Safety Committee based in Wellington, board member of ratepayer funded Drowning Prevention Auckland and public relations executive of NixCrew Road Safety Trust. For my work with women and children, I was awarded a Queen Service Medal by the Government of New Zealand in 2007 and was appointed an Ambassador for Peace in 2017 by the Family Federation of World Peace.

What are the issues concerning the area (ward/council/city) you are standing in? (please list four main)

• public transport and roads

• public and private community safety

• lack of social and affordable housing

• environmental/climate change challenges

Christchurch mosque attacks changed/or should have changed/ how multiculturalism is viewed in New Zealand. Please share some concrete suggestions on how all of us can work together to make Aoteoroa New Zealand a more diverse, inclusive, and multicultural society.

Multiculturalism gained prominence after the 9/11 event. However, in New Zealand we remained one of the safest countries in the world. In comparison to many other nations, we still are, however Christchurch happened. The Government of New Zealand is tasked to keep citizens of this country safe, however, despite the years of effort within organisations, the human rights commission, and individuals we became a target. As multicultural societies, our values are paramount, and we must make every effort to support and assist the community that has felt the brunt of the tragedy in Christchurch, the extended communities that live there and the families that live all over New Zealand. As human beings we need each other and belonging is better when we are all committed to being inclusive and involved. Let us create safe spaces to come together and to build bridges as a growing multicultural society in New Zealand.