Shirish Paranjape - Candidate for Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board (Waimairi Ward)
Making a positive difference to the community as an ethnic migrant New Zealander
I have always believed and advocated for increased participation by ethnic community in governance roles. In June 2016, The Migrant Times had carried a piece by me, where I had commented, “I do feel ethnic and multicultural community should get more involved not just through voluntary sector but also through governance and policy making roles.”
Local elections provide the perfect opportunity for members of ethnic community to try and become representatives of the neighbourhoods we live in.
New Zealand not only allows such participation but also encourages the same, so why not make best use of it?
In some ways, we can do these things in New Zealand which perhaps we don’t think of doing in our birth country! Therefore, it is pleasing to note that many candidates from the ethnic community are stepping up in the 2019 local elections.
Having completed my first 3-year term as an elected representative of Waimairi ward at the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board of Christchurch City Council, I can say I certainly enjoyed the role and was able to make a positive contribution too. In particular, I immensely enjoyed the people-interaction aspect which this role entails, as well as being able to put rate-payers money to good use – for community groups as well as individuals; and for small and big projects which make the city a better place to live for everyone.
Therefore, I am running for re-election as a Community Board member (Waimairi).
As a resident of my ward for over 17 years, and by having multiple touch points with the local community, I know I can make a difference for the community at the board table.
I am well immersed and involved in my community through many avenues including as a Justice of the Peace, a Rotarian, an active member of Christchurch Multicultural Council as well as Indian community, as an active participant on web-based forum ‘Neighbourly’, and so on.
The issues which are close to me include:
Ensuring the voices and opinions of local residents are heard and considered in the decision-making process
That transparency and accountability is maintained when spending ratepayers’ money
That rates are kept at a manageable level
If re-elected, I promise working with the same passion, integrity, transparency and enthusiasm that I have demonstrated in the past years, and to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of people around me.