In the upcoming Local Board elections, the Indian community has got a wider representation of candidates to choose from. More than 15 candidates of Indian descent are standing for local board and district health board elections, which are just a few weeks away now.
While Kiwi-Indians are yet to make up their minds about their ideal candidate, Indian Weekender introduces the readers to the future leaders of your constituency through a multi-issue election special feature.
Anne Degia-Pala is standing for Council in Whau Ward that includes Avondale, Blockhouse Bay, New Lynn, New Windsor, Green Bay, Kelston, and area in Titirangi.
Ms Pala is a well-known ethnic community leader and works in community development, human rights activism, local and central government issues and non-governmental sectors.
Born in Fiji with family roots in Gujarat, India, Ms Pala migrated to New Zealand in 1990 with husband and two children, settling in West Auckland. She says that it was passion about diversity and cross-cultural integration that inspired her to step forward and work for the community.
Ms Pala is a founding member of the Auckland Council Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel, former president of the Waitakere Ethnic Board, Trustee of NixCrew Road Safety Trust, and Governance Board Member of WaterSafe Auckland. She is also a company director of WinMac Solutions Ltd based in West Auckland. She has also been fundamental in organising community events such Diwali Festivals, International Food Festivals and fundraisers for Safety and charity.
In 2007, Ms Pala received QSM for her work for the betterment of women and children in the larger community.
Message to the Community:
Ms Pala says her focus will be on:
-Prioritising home and street safety
-Considering local views expressed for economic, social and cultural well-being of all
-Promoting youth initiatives for education, training and employment
-Supporting growth and development in Avondale and Kelston and
-Being vocal about Council borrowing and debt reduction
"Diverse Auckland needs diverse representation. This is an opportunity to influence decision making in Council on behalf of our ethnically diverse communities and together we can bring change to Auckland Council,” says Ms Pala.
Baljit Kaur migrated to New Zealand in 2002 from a village of Punjab, India. Currently working as a Medical Underwriter for Southern Cross Health Society, Ms Kaur has previously worked as assistant nurse in the rest homes in New Zealand and Australia.
As a chairperson of New Zealand Sikh Women Association Otahuhu, she supports initiatives to stop domestic violence. She is also working towards her passion to help senior citizens, as a board member of Life’s Charitable Trust NZ.
Ms Kaur is standing for Council in Botany subdivision of Howick Local Board.
Message to the community
If elected, Ms Kaur seeks to focus on the seven policies set up by the Labour Party team:
-Being more accessible to the public
-Lobbying for better transport links with Howick and Auckland
-To better preserve, adequately fund and resource our local heritage
-Provide better community facilities that cater for our vast local interest groups
-Focus on better events and support networks for senior citizens and those with disabilities
-Push for better public safety
-Build a stronger community through the arts and cultural heritage
“I will work closely with the community and ensure that we keep our channels of communications open. This is the best way to identify their needs and make an earnest attempt to their issues,” says Ms Kaur.
Narinder Kumar Singla is a Papatoetoe resident from past 14 years. He is a local board candidate for Papatoetoe subdivision of Otara-Papatoetoe and is also standing for Counties Manukau District Healthboard that includes Pakuranga, Howick, Botany, Flatbush, Danamore, Otahuhu, Mission Heights, Manukau Heights, Otara, Papatoetoe, Mangere, Manurewa, Takanini, Drury, Papakura, Pukekohe, Tuakao, Waikiu, Clendon.
Mr Singla is currently the chairman of Hunters Corner Town centre Society, President of GOPIO South, a White Ribbon ambassador, an independent marriage celebrant and President of newly formed Life Vision Society Charitable.
Message to the community
Mr Singla says that, if elected, he will do his best to promote communities, and work towards providing them a safer, caring and prosperous environment. He will also focus on health and sound family values by strengthening bylaws to regulate prostitution on the streets.
As a District Health candidate, he stands for health related issues among children, youth and adults by utilising the resources properly. He also seeks to open service desks to help multilingual communities.
“I will certainly work for enhancement of transparency in governance and for welfare of our community. I will promote unity in diversity and strengthening and protecting our vibrant communities and neighbourhood,” says Mr Singla.
The feature will continue in our next issue on September 9, where we’ll introduce more Kiwi-Indian candidates standing for the Local Board elections.