Christchurch-based Dr Sunita Gautam is an academician with a passion for making a positive impact on the migrant community through policy changes. Dr Gautam is a member of the community board in Christchurch Central ward and contesting again this year. Indian Weekender spoke to Dr Gautam about her background, work during her tenure, and vision for her Christchurch central.
Tell us about yourself and your background
I have lived in Christchurch with my husband and two children for the past 19 years. My birthplace is Shaktinagar, Uttar Pradesh, a small town in northern India. My father worked in the government, so I grew up in several states of India and attended Kendriya Vidyalaya for most of my schooling. My background is in commerce, and I have completed a Master of Commerce as well as a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration before embarking on my new adventure.
In the years since I moved to New Zealand as a newlywed, I have fallen in love with my city, Christchurch. After obtaining my first teaching degree from the University of Canterbury, I began my career as an early childhood educator. My educational background also includes a Montessori diploma, a Certificate of Proficiency in Commerce proficiency, and my latest degree is a Doctor of Philosophy in Management.
At the moment, I am a Business Lecturer at ARA, and proud to be the first Indian woman on a community board in NZ. In 2020, I was elected to the Wikura Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board. I love to work with people and serve the community as a Justice of the Peace, a marriage/civil union celebrant, a business mentor, career mentor, leadership and life coach, a community advocate, and a trustee of Rose historic chapel.
This is the third time you are contesting. What have been the learnings that you will be applying while contesting this year?
In the 2019 local body election in Central ward, I contested for community board for the first time and lost by approximately a hundred votes. In the 2020 by-election, I successfully contested again and was elected by around 600 votes.
My greatest learnings as a community board member have come from connecting with people, listening to their challenges, and finding solutions together. It is important to me to bring an open heart and an open mind to this position. Listening to others and accepting their opinions with an open heart.
During your last term, what do you consider to be the most significant achievements?
As a Community Board member, I have been engaged with the local community via numerous community meetings “Korero Klinic” at Linwood Village, resident group meetings, supporting community events and several one-on-one meetings with individuals.
I have been a strong voice on the Board and championed several wins such as the Greening the East project, uplifting Linwood Village, working with residents on Armagh Street traffic safety, improving the Welcome Rest Park and organised meetings with council and residents regarding heritage protection and the future of the Chester East St area.
While protesters disrupted Cranmer Square and arranged meetings with council and residents, I tirelessly advocated for our community concerns. With respect to the council's handling of the whole situation, I did not hesitate to express my and our community's disappointment.
I have supported (voted in favour at the community board meetings) several community projects asking for support including, local schools, local sports clubs, requests from residents regarding speed reduction, maintenance of parks and footpaths, youth events and the Eid celebration. Above all, I have built positive relationships with the amazing people of Christchurch, central ward.
Tell us about your responsibilities as a member of the community board.?
I view this role as a thread that brings people together to advocate and support each other in our local community. The primary responsibility of a community board member is to advocate for the community’s interests. Therefore, it is crucial to know your community and it entails a conscious and consistent engagement via attending community events, and resident group meetings and mostly being available and present for the community round the clock.
Some other responsibilities consist of attending weekly meetings and briefings at the boardroom, a great amount of reading council reports to equip with knowledge about the project, site visits, asking questions/clarifications from the staff, advocating communities’ interests, leading or participating in working groups (periodic meetings) for special projects in my case ‘Greening the east’ projects and taking decisions in the best interest of the community.
Q. What is your overall vision for Christchurch?
People are important to me, people whom I know and the people whom I don’t know personally. I believe various people together form a community and a well-looked-after community takes shape into an amazing nation like ours- Wonderful Aotearoa- and the heart of Aotearoa is made of its amazing people.
A community that supports the growth and well-being of both individuals and groups is one that is diverse, tolerant, trustworthy, and comfortable. I pledge to keep working hard for the residents of Central Ward in order to promote this sense of community, belonging, and harmony.
What are the most pressing issues in your ward that require attention??
I am keen to work on the following issues: