Narinder Singh Warraich, the current Chairman of Multicultural Labour Canterbury, is standing for local board elections for Halswell Christchurch.
Speaking to The Indian Weekender about his motive behind throwing his name in the ring this year, Narinder said, “We need more diversity and not less in our councils and local boards. Especially after recent Christchurch terror attack.”
“Christchurch has faced a lot in recent years, especially our ethnic communities. I was closely involved as a volunteer in the aftermath of the terror attack and was deeply affected with the pain that our communities have endured,” Narinder said.
“It’s my firm belief that we need more diversity in every level of governance in our country, to initiate better conversation and dialogues between our diverse communities,” Narinder said.
Narinder comes from a family where politics run deep, which motivated him to join the New Zealand Labour Party about three years ago, just six years after he first arrived in the country in 2009.
Further sharing his political leanings and views, Narinder said “I have always been passionate about social and environmental justice. I support economic growth but not at the cost of our natural environment. I believe that New Zealand’s future progress depends on our ability to adapt technologically.”
And on probing how he envisages bringing such change, Narinder said, “I believe we can achieve this by educating our youths.”
Narinder also manages the Canterbury Punjabi Social Sports and Cultural Group – a group that recently organised the first-ever Canterbury Kabbadi Cup and Canterbury Turban Day in Christchurch - along with many other annual events.
He lives with his wife and a 2-year-old boy in Wigram Skies, Christchurch.