I feel very proud and honoured
Kiwi Indian businessman and community leader Ram Rai has achieved the rare distinction of being elected one of the deputy regional chairs of the National Party. A dedicated worker of the Party for several years now, Mr Rai is well liked within the party and is well known in the Kiwi Indian community as a sincere community worker. A regular panellist and commentator with Indian Weekender, he has always been alive to problems of the community and has voiced his opinion in his usual frank and forthright manner. Soon after his election, Indian Weekender interviewed Mr Rai. Excerpts:
How do you feel after achieving this rare first for a Kiwi Indian?
I feel very proud and honoured to get elected as one of the Deputy Regional Chairs of the National Party. I am not only the first Indian but first member of ethnic community to occupy that position within the party. It is truly a historic event, and it is my fervent hope that I have started a trend for more people to get involved politically for the betterment of all.
What will be your responsibilities as a deputy regional chair?
I will be working with Northern Regional Leadership team led newly elected Chairman, Alan Towers. Our role is to assist the 26 electorates in the northern region in fundraising, membership drive and election campaign. Personally, I would like to be the face of ethnic community within the party and attract more members to seek active roles in the electorates. I would like to build a very strong network of supporters and volunteers across the region.
How will it help you serve the Indian community better?
I strongly believe that all the organisations within the Indian community should work together regardless of their political affiliations. The problems in the community affect all and are not unique to members of any particular organisation or political leaning. Why not work together with the government of the day with a single voice to achieve common goals? With my election, National Party has sent a clear signal to the community that the Party represents the changing face of New Zealand. My new position in the party certainly gives me a unique platform to reach out and spread this message within the community. The current National government led by Hon. John Key is working hard to provide all New Zealanders, including Indian Community in providing financial security, employment opportunities, better education and higher incomes that allow them to get ahead in this country. I wish to play my role as the Deputy Regional Chair in increasing the Party Vote for National and get John Key led government re-elected in 2011.
Since how long have you been a worker with the party?
I joined as a member of the National Party 6 years ago in my electorate, Mt.Roskill. Since then I have been on the Electorate Executive Committee of the Mt.Roskill electorate, Deputy Chair and Electorate Chair for 2 years. I have been very fortunate to have a very active and supportive team around me, along with a hardworking MP, Dr. Jackie Blue. Outgoing Regional Chair, Alastair Bell and his team have worked very hard to integrate ethnic communities within the party. They gave people like me every opportunity to get involved in the party activities and the faith to take on bigger roles.
What are the most pressing problems facing people of Indian origin in New Zealand?
I like to think that most problems are the same for all of us New Zealanders. We have either chosen to live here after migrating, or have been born here as New Zealanders. It is true, however, that the Indian community is very densely represented in the retail and taxi businesses, and such businesses do face a lot of crime on a daily basis. Law and order is therefore a major concern. Similarly, new migrants face a lot of problems with finding suitable employment, since they are usually ‘over qualified’ as far as their educational backgrounds and/or experience is concerned. Most are used to fairly senior positions in Indian’s ever-expanding economy. Then there are problems relating to unscrupulous employers and immigration consultants/advisers.
How according to you should they be addressed?
It is important for various ethnic organisations to work together and have a single voice regardless of the political affiliations of their leaders. We should address the concerns in a symphony, and work together at the top level to bring about solutions to benefit all. Far too little is achieved in the ‘divide and rule’ way of doing things. I firmly believe that as individuals, we are free to have our own political ideologies, but as a group, we must get together and help all our people succeed. It is important to me that Indians too should be proud New Zealanders, and be treated with the respect we all deserve.
What are your next steps for activities in the party? How are you looking at proceeding ahead in the party?
While working with Regional Leadership Team on the party activities I am focusing on the upcoming SuperCity elections. I am a member of Citizens & Ratepayers Association and have expressed my interest to be a candidate in the Local Board Election. I wish to seek the support of the community to elect a C&R-led council, with John Banks as the Mayor. At the moment I am enjoying my role as the Deputy Chair. If I get an opportunity from the party leadership and the community, I may consider running for Parliament in the future.
Kiwi Indian businessman and community leader Ram Rai has achieved the rare distinction of being elected one of the deputy regional chairs of the National Party. A dedicated worker of the Party for several years now, Mr Rai is well liked within the party and is well known in the Kiwi Indian...
Kiwi Indian businessman and community leader Ram Rai has achieved the rare distinction of being elected one of the deputy regional chairs of the National Party. A dedicated worker of the Party for several years now, Mr Rai is well liked within the party and is well known in the Kiwi Indian community as a sincere community worker. A regular panellist and commentator with Indian Weekender, he has always been alive to problems of the community and has voiced his opinion in his usual frank and forthright manner. Soon after his election, Indian Weekender interviewed Mr Rai. Excerpts:
How do you feel after achieving this rare first for a Kiwi Indian?
I feel very proud and honoured to get elected as one of the Deputy Regional Chairs of the National Party. I am not only the first Indian but first member of ethnic community to occupy that position within the party. It is truly a historic event, and it is my fervent hope that I have started a trend for more people to get involved politically for the betterment of all.
What will be your responsibilities as a deputy regional chair?
I will be working with Northern Regional Leadership team led newly elected Chairman, Alan Towers. Our role is to assist the 26 electorates in the northern region in fundraising, membership drive and election campaign. Personally, I would like to be the face of ethnic community within the party and attract more members to seek active roles in the electorates. I would like to build a very strong network of supporters and volunteers across the region.
How will it help you serve the Indian community better?
I strongly believe that all the organisations within the Indian community should work together regardless of their political affiliations. The problems in the community affect all and are not unique to members of any particular organisation or political leaning. Why not work together with the government of the day with a single voice to achieve common goals? With my election, National Party has sent a clear signal to the community that the Party represents the changing face of New Zealand. My new position in the party certainly gives me a unique platform to reach out and spread this message within the community. The current National government led by Hon. John Key is working hard to provide all New Zealanders, including Indian Community in providing financial security, employment opportunities, better education and higher incomes that allow them to get ahead in this country. I wish to play my role as the Deputy Regional Chair in increasing the Party Vote for National and get John Key led government re-elected in 2011.
Since how long have you been a worker with the party?
I joined as a member of the National Party 6 years ago in my electorate, Mt.Roskill. Since then I have been on the Electorate Executive Committee of the Mt.Roskill electorate, Deputy Chair and Electorate Chair for 2 years. I have been very fortunate to have a very active and supportive team around me, along with a hardworking MP, Dr. Jackie Blue. Outgoing Regional Chair, Alastair Bell and his team have worked very hard to integrate ethnic communities within the party. They gave people like me every opportunity to get involved in the party activities and the faith to take on bigger roles.
What are the most pressing problems facing people of Indian origin in New Zealand?
I like to think that most problems are the same for all of us New Zealanders. We have either chosen to live here after migrating, or have been born here as New Zealanders. It is true, however, that the Indian community is very densely represented in the retail and taxi businesses, and such businesses do face a lot of crime on a daily basis. Law and order is therefore a major concern. Similarly, new migrants face a lot of problems with finding suitable employment, since they are usually ‘over qualified’ as far as their educational backgrounds and/or experience is concerned. Most are used to fairly senior positions in Indian’s ever-expanding economy. Then there are problems relating to unscrupulous employers and immigration consultants/advisers.
How according to you should they be addressed?
It is important for various ethnic organisations to work together and have a single voice regardless of the political affiliations of their leaders. We should address the concerns in a symphony, and work together at the top level to bring about solutions to benefit all. Far too little is achieved in the ‘divide and rule’ way of doing things. I firmly believe that as individuals, we are free to have our own political ideologies, but as a group, we must get together and help all our people succeed. It is important to me that Indians too should be proud New Zealanders, and be treated with the respect we all deserve.
What are your next steps for activities in the party? How are you looking at proceeding ahead in the party?
While working with Regional Leadership Team on the party activities I am focusing on the upcoming SuperCity elections. I am a member of Citizens & Ratepayers Association and have expressed my interest to be a candidate in the Local Board Election. I wish to seek the support of the community to elect a C&R-led council, with John Banks as the Mayor. At the moment I am enjoying my role as the Deputy Chair. If I get an opportunity from the party leadership and the community, I may consider running for Parliament in the future.
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