ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi’s story, from being a first generation migrant in NZ to becoming the first Indian born Sikh Member of Parliament, would resonate with many in the Kiwi Indian community. He has been the very first inductee in the Indian Weekender’s Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame at a glittering gala dinner in Auckland recently.
Born into a cultured Sikh family in Delhi, the youngest of three siblings, Mr. Bakshi grew up with strong middle-class family values where personal integrity was non-negotiable. He graduated with top honors from the prestigious Delhi University. As a student and later as a politician, India’s PM Lal Bahadur Shastri remains his role model to date.
He arrived in New Zealand 2001 and in under a decade, he has proven himself to be a trail blazing example, someone to look up to, in the Kiwi-Indian community. His contributions are many:
As a new migrant and business man in NZ, he had to work hard to make his multiple ventures in trading, real estate and fashion profitable, while at the same time he nurtured his passion for politics. He felt that this was the way forward if he wanted to make a real difference to peoples’ lives.
As the Deputy Chairman of the India Trade Group, an Executive member of the Auckland Indian Association, the Vice Chairman of the Hindu Heritage center’s management committee and the Secretary of the Auckland Sikh society, he has contributed to the community in multiple tangible and intangible ways. Additionally, he places great importance on empowering teenagers “they are the future” he says.
He credits his parents with his success and at the ceremony, he thanked his family for standing by his side through the many ups and downs of life.
His foray into politics happened by chance – when he attended a National Party dinner and found the Party’s values aligned to his core values and beliefs. He created history as he was the first Indian born Sikh to win elections to become an MP. On being a politician, he says: "It is also a great responsibility to represent Indians and South Eastern Asian Diaspora in parliament.”
MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi’s story, from being a first generation migrant in NZ to becoming the first Indian born Sikh Member of Parliament, would resonate with many in the Kiwi Indian community. He has been the very first inductee in the Indian Weekender’s Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame at a glittering...
MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi’s story, from being a first generation migrant in NZ to becoming the first Indian born Sikh Member of Parliament, would resonate with many in the Kiwi Indian community. He has been the very first inductee in the Indian Weekender’s Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame at a glittering gala dinner in Auckland recently.
Born into a cultured Sikh family in Delhi, the youngest of three siblings, Mr. Bakshi grew up with strong middle-class family values where personal integrity was non-negotiable. He graduated with top honors from the prestigious Delhi University. As a student and later as a politician, India’s PM Lal Bahadur Shastri remains his role model to date.
He arrived in New Zealand 2001 and in under a decade, he has proven himself to be a trail blazing example, someone to look up to, in the Kiwi-Indian community. His contributions are many:
As a new migrant and business man in NZ, he had to work hard to make his multiple ventures in trading, real estate and fashion profitable, while at the same time he nurtured his passion for politics. He felt that this was the way forward if he wanted to make a real difference to peoples’ lives.
As the Deputy Chairman of the India Trade Group, an Executive member of the Auckland Indian Association, the Vice Chairman of the Hindu Heritage center’s management committee and the Secretary of the Auckland Sikh society, he has contributed to the community in multiple tangible and intangible ways. Additionally, he places great importance on empowering teenagers “they are the future” he says.
He credits his parents with his success and at the ceremony, he thanked his family for standing by his side through the many ups and downs of life.
His foray into politics happened by chance – when he attended a National Party dinner and found the Party’s values aligned to his core values and beliefs. He created history as he was the first Indian born Sikh to win elections to become an MP. On being a politician, he says: "It is also a great responsibility to represent Indians and South Eastern Asian Diaspora in parliament.”
Leave a Comment