Another member of the community, Harjinder Singh Basiala, was sworn in as the Justice of the Peace (JP) on Monday, October 30.

Mr Basiala was sworn in along with three others before Judge G.T. Winter of Pukekohe Court.

Mr Basiala cites the motivation to help others in the community and beyond as the reason to accept this responsibility.

"In the words of Winston Churchill ‘we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’

"Only a life lived for others, is a life worthwhile," Mr Basiala told The Indian Weekender.

Mr Basiala arrived in New Zealand about 10 years ago, and started working as a journalist for a Punjabi newspaper in Auckland Kuk Samachar, before moving on to run another Punjabi online news portal, Punjabi Herald. He is also an active contributor to Punjabi Jagran, a prominent newspaper in Punjab, India.

Ministerial functions of a Justice of the Peace include witnessing the documents, taking of declarations and swearing of affidavits or affirming affirmations. Mr Basiala would now be able to provide these services to all those you require.

According to the Ministry of Justice, Members of Parliament nominate people to be JPs. It is the responsibility of each electorate Member of Parliament to ensure that their electorate is adequately serviced by JPs.

Nominations for a person to be appointed as a JP are accepted only from Members of Parliament. List Members may submit nominations in their own name but they will need to have the prior endorsement of the appropriate electorate Member. 

“I have seen many people struggling to find a JP as per their convenient time.

“Sometime old people need JP but are unable to find them at their convenient time.

“I strive to go to their house if they are nearby,” Mr Basiala said, affirming his motivation to live up to the expectations of the community.