Together we are energetic and effective: Sunny Kaushal
In continuation to our previous column to make you know your candidate better, we are again presenting another Kiwi-Indian Candidate from Labour Party- Sunny Kaushal. He is not a new name in the New Zealand politics and has been a representing ethnic community from long time.
In a conversation with Indian Weekender’s Swati Sharma he tells us more about his political social and family life.
Q 1: How do you feel about being selected as Labour Party Candidate? Which constituency are you competing from?
It has been a great privilege and honour to be a Labour Party candidate. This election I am standing as the Labour candidate for List Member of Parliament. My total commitment to the Labour Party resulted in my selection as Labour candidate for Pakuranga electorate in the 2011 elections. I developed an effective campaign team to contest this safe National seat and together we campaigned energetically and effectively for the Party vote. Despite a 6.9% swing against Labour nationally in 2011 I held this to 2.9% in this electorate.
Q 2: How long have you been with the Labour party?
My association with the Labour Party started during the 2008 elections after a period of association with Prime Minister Helen Clark both in my professional role and community events in the Indian and ethnic communities. Over the years that I have been a member of the Labour Party I have been involved in all the national campaigns since 2008 such as No Asset Sales, the Living Wage, as well as critical Auckland issues, like the rights of Auckland Port workers, and human rights conditions for Taxi drivers at the airport. I have regularly represented Labour with or without Labour MPs most weekends since 2009 in various campaigns and especially at ethnic functions and events.
I am also a regular contributor every weekend to Indian Radio representing Labour reaching out to communities in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty.
Q 3: Tell us something about your family and your profession. Where are you from, who are there in your family, what made you step into the politics?
Besides 11 years of diverse community service experience, I am a business professional with 23 years of international business background in Tourism, International Trade and Wine Industry.
I am multi-lingual (fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and so on), married, family person with two boys and carry a strong community and family values. My wife and I have developed a family based on strong cultural, spiritual and collective values.
I am a mainland Indian, Punjabi, connects very positively with Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian and other communities. I was born and brought up in a well cultured family in India (based in the states of Punjab, Himachal and Haryana). After earning my Hons. in Chemistry from Pune University, I completed Post Graduate qualifications in Business Administration both in first division before entering into professional life in India.
My parents, brothers, sister and other family members live in India, I am in regular touch with my proud roots, motherland, cultural heritage, nears and dears. Coming from a strong Indian background, having lived and worked in the Pacific region, and a proud Aucklander has equipped me to represent the knowledge, values and experience of three worlds.
Q 4: If won in elections, what would be your main focus? What do you expect to do for the Indian Community in New Zealand?
I have a strong connection and good understanding of the Indian community; various languages, faiths and the cultural requirements.
Proudly the history of Indians in New Zealand dates back to the late 1800s. From an estimated 46 persons in 1896, today there is nearly 160,000 strong Indian population living in New Zealand and contributing to nation’s economy tremendously, but the Indian community has not been effectively represented in the decision making process in New Zealand. In addition to providing a strong voice in parliament, I will be working with our community leaders and grassroots along with concerned authorities in addressing the wide ranging issues affecting our fast growing community including Safety, Law and order, Fairness and equal opportunities, Immigration, Jobs and training, Housing, Culturally appropriate care and settlement for Elders, recognition to Overseas Qualifications, getting appropriate status for Hindi and Punjabi languages, advocating for Small to Medium Businesses and International students to name a few. I would also be in a strong position to contribute my business acumen and skills to the caucus in Labour led Government ranging from Tourism, Trade and Economic development besides the Ethnic affairs.
In continuation to our previous column to make you know your candidate better, we are again presenting another Kiwi-Indian Candidate from Labour Party- Sunny Kaushal. He is not a new name in the New Zealand politics and has been a representing ethnic community from long time. In a conversation...
In continuation to our previous column to make you know your candidate better, we are again presenting another Kiwi-Indian Candidate from Labour Party- Sunny Kaushal. He is not a new name in the New Zealand politics and has been a representing ethnic community from long time.
In a conversation with Indian Weekender’s Swati Sharma he tells us more about his political social and family life.
Q 1: How do you feel about being selected as Labour Party Candidate? Which constituency are you competing from?
It has been a great privilege and honour to be a Labour Party candidate. This election I am standing as the Labour candidate for List Member of Parliament. My total commitment to the Labour Party resulted in my selection as Labour candidate for Pakuranga electorate in the 2011 elections. I developed an effective campaign team to contest this safe National seat and together we campaigned energetically and effectively for the Party vote. Despite a 6.9% swing against Labour nationally in 2011 I held this to 2.9% in this electorate.
Q 2: How long have you been with the Labour party?
My association with the Labour Party started during the 2008 elections after a period of association with Prime Minister Helen Clark both in my professional role and community events in the Indian and ethnic communities. Over the years that I have been a member of the Labour Party I have been involved in all the national campaigns since 2008 such as No Asset Sales, the Living Wage, as well as critical Auckland issues, like the rights of Auckland Port workers, and human rights conditions for Taxi drivers at the airport. I have regularly represented Labour with or without Labour MPs most weekends since 2009 in various campaigns and especially at ethnic functions and events.
I am also a regular contributor every weekend to Indian Radio representing Labour reaching out to communities in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty.
Q 3: Tell us something about your family and your profession. Where are you from, who are there in your family, what made you step into the politics?
Besides 11 years of diverse community service experience, I am a business professional with 23 years of international business background in Tourism, International Trade and Wine Industry.
I am multi-lingual (fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and so on), married, family person with two boys and carry a strong community and family values. My wife and I have developed a family based on strong cultural, spiritual and collective values.
I am a mainland Indian, Punjabi, connects very positively with Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian and other communities. I was born and brought up in a well cultured family in India (based in the states of Punjab, Himachal and Haryana). After earning my Hons. in Chemistry from Pune University, I completed Post Graduate qualifications in Business Administration both in first division before entering into professional life in India.
My parents, brothers, sister and other family members live in India, I am in regular touch with my proud roots, motherland, cultural heritage, nears and dears. Coming from a strong Indian background, having lived and worked in the Pacific region, and a proud Aucklander has equipped me to represent the knowledge, values and experience of three worlds.
Q 4: If won in elections, what would be your main focus? What do you expect to do for the Indian Community in New Zealand?
I have a strong connection and good understanding of the Indian community; various languages, faiths and the cultural requirements.
Proudly the history of Indians in New Zealand dates back to the late 1800s. From an estimated 46 persons in 1896, today there is nearly 160,000 strong Indian population living in New Zealand and contributing to nation’s economy tremendously, but the Indian community has not been effectively represented in the decision making process in New Zealand. In addition to providing a strong voice in parliament, I will be working with our community leaders and grassroots along with concerned authorities in addressing the wide ranging issues affecting our fast growing community including Safety, Law and order, Fairness and equal opportunities, Immigration, Jobs and training, Housing, Culturally appropriate care and settlement for Elders, recognition to Overseas Qualifications, getting appropriate status for Hindi and Punjabi languages, advocating for Small to Medium Businesses and International students to name a few. I would also be in a strong position to contribute my business acumen and skills to the caucus in Labour led Government ranging from Tourism, Trade and Economic development besides the Ethnic affairs.
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