Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan says she has all her heart into raising the issues of the Indian communities.
Giving a lowdown on her priorities, the 43-year-old told The Indian Weekender, “As the minister for diversity, inclusion and ethnic communities, my priority remains to ensure that the voices and experiences of ethnic communities are represented as decisions are made at Cabinet and as our government tackles some of the big challenges facing our nation. As a member of the Indian community myself, engaging with our wider Indian communities will also always be a priority and a highlight of my role.”
Radhakrishnan, a Labour MP since 2017 who currently represents Maungakiekie, revealed that when the ministry for ethnic communities was established, ethnic members across Aotearoa were asked what was most important to them.
Radhakrishnan said, “They told us it was valuing diversity and inclusion, ensuring government services were accessible and relevant, addressing barriers to employment, and connecting ethnic groups. These are both my priorities and the ministry’s.”
She says she is aware that tackling the cost of living matters to New Zealanders, and that’s why the government’s core focus is on the bread-and-butter issues. “I know that cost of living issues matter to all New Zealander, including ethnic communities,” she says.
She adds supporting communities following the recent severe weather events was very crucial and the ministry did a lot in that regard. She reveals, “Following the Auckland floods, we mobilised to ensure ethnic businesses had access to support. In response to Cyclone Gabrielle, we also ensured that specific funding was available for translation services so that different communities could get vital information in their language."
On November 2, 2020, she created history by becoming the first-ever Kiwi-Indian minister in the New Zealand government when she was appointed as Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, Minister for Youth and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment. In January 2023, she was named the Minister for Disability Issues.
Born in Chennai to Malayali parents, Radhakrishnan went to school in Singapore before moving to New Zealand for further education. She lives in Auckland with her husband, Ewan Richardson, and two rescue dogs.
Leave a Comment