Ranjna Patel leads Asian recipients of King's Birthday Honours
Dame Ranjna Patel
Photo:
Supplied
More than a dozen Asian New Zealanders have been recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours List for their services to the country.
Business and community leader Ranjna Patel heads the list after being appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to ethnic communities, health and family violence prevention.
She co-founded Tāmaki Health in 1977, which has grown to become New Zealand's largest privately owned primary healthcare group, now serving more than 330,000 patients.
Patel became the first person of Indian origin to be inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2024 and the first woman to receive the Kiwibank Innovator of the Year award in 2021.
In 2014, she co-founded Gandhi Nivas, an innovative early intervention service supporting men at risk of committing family harm, which to date has helped more than 6000 families in Auckland.
"[It is] very humbling to be honoured at this incredibly high level," Patel said.
"For someone who is community-minded ... [and] has had the privilege of working with high needs and vulnerable communities especially in health, and with some very talented individuals to create a very large medical and social service, as well as provide pastoral care to many, has been a big honour.
"It's all about the people: He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata."
A strong proponent of well-being in New Zealand's ethnic communities, Patel rated social cohesion as a very important factor in enabling it.
"Many steps are being taken to be inclusive of the many different ethnic groups in New Zealand, and I can see the diversity of thought on the 'how' we solve problems and issues are now being accepted," she said.
"Having a voice at the table is important, but having a voice heard will see better [social] cohesion."
Clockwise from top left: Yuanyong Yang, Ai Ling Tan and Panchanatham Narayanan
Photo:
Supplied
Dr Ai Ling Tan has been named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to gynaecology - in both public health and clinical practice, nationally and in the Pacific.
Tan has been recognised as having had an impact on raising awareness of gynaecological cancers and promoting early detection and prevention strategies.
She was a founding trustee for the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation from 2003 and medical advisor from 2017 to 2023.
She is a mentor for low- to middle-income countries for the International Gynaecological Cancer Society and trained the first Pacific-based gynaecological oncologist in Fiji.
"As a gynaecological oncologist, I see the urgent need for earlier diagnosis, timely access to specialist care and better wraparound support for women with gynaecological cancers," Tan said.
"Equity gaps - particularly for Māori, Pacific and rural women - remain a serious concern.
"[The recognition] strengthens my resolve to keep advocating for equitable, timely care for women with gynaecological cancers, both here in Aotearoa and across the Pacific."
Clockwise from top left: Sunit Prakash, Santosh Prasad Bhandari and Lalita Vanmali Kasanji
Photo:
Supplied
Panchanatham Narayanan, president of New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils, has been named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to New Zealand's multicultural communities.
Already a Queen's Service Medal recipient in 2010, Narayanan has been credited for providing vision and leadership for Huarahi Hou, an internationally recognised community-based approach for cultural integration and inclusion of immigrants anchored in the bicultural foundations of New Zealand.
"I accept [this honour] as a guardian. This belongs to the many vibrant multicultural communities across Aotearoa, whose contributions enrich our nation every day," Narayanan said.
"[This award] is a reflection of their resilience, diversity and selfless volunteering spirit. I remain committed to Huarahi Hou (Pathways to Te Tiriti-based Multicultural Aotearoa New Zealand) serving and uplifting all our communities with gratitude and humility."
Five individuals from New Zealand's Asian communities were appointed Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit on the honours' list.
Lisa Li received the honour for her contribution to the development of New Zealand's tourism industry for more than two decades.
Li established the New Zealand branch of China Travel Service (Hong Kong) in 2000, which has now grown into one of the premier China specialists for inbound Chinese tourists to New Zealand.
Calling for the government to recognise tourism as a key economic driver, Li stressed the need to continuing investment in infrastructure.
"At the same time, industry players must work together to enhance the quality of visitor experience and ensure we deliver strong value for money," Li said.
Lisa Li (left) and Khoa Truong Nguyen
Photo:
Supplied
The husband-wife duo of Lalita Vanmali Kasanji and Sunit Prakash were recognised for services to the Indian community as well as their contributions to New Zealand's IT sector.
They co-founded the New Zealand Centre for Digital Connections with India in 2023 to accelerate and incubate digital and technology collaboration between the two countries.
"We performed a stakeholder analysis and saw no one operated wholistically in the space comprising New Zealand, India and all things digital. We took that space," Prakash said.
He also collaborated with Kasanji and published research on the story and contribution of Indian IT professionals to New Zealand, in which the authors "identified predicators to success and created catalyst programs for visibility, growth and success".
Meanwhile, Santosh Prasad Bhandari and Khoa Truong Nguyen were each named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Nepalese and Vietnamese communities, respectively.
In accepting the honour, Prasad emphasized the need to adopt targeted and collaborative strategies for improving the well-being of ethnic communities in the country.
"For instance, the Nepalese community has long advocated for 29 May to be recognized as Everest Day in the official calendar," Prasad said.
"Acknowledging such culturally significant requests would enhance a sense of belonging for the Nepalese community without imposing financial burdens on taxpayers."
Nguyen arrived in New Zealand as a refugee in 1990 and has contributed significantly to positive trade relationships between New Zealand and Vietnam.
"When my parents and I first arrived in New Zealand, we had nothing," he said. "Looking back on those early years, I can honestly say that, despite the challenges, we were incredibly fortunate.
"We received support from the government, charity organisations and most memorably from everyday New Zealanders who welcomed us with open hearts.
"That said, I believe there's always more that can be done to support refugees, especially during those critical early years of resettlement.
"Continued efforts to improve access to affordable housing, language education, job and economic support, and strong anti-discrimination policies can make a profound difference.
"When these foundations are in place, refugees are better equipped to build safe, stable, and fulfilling lives, and, in turn, contribute to a more connected and compassionate Aotearoa."
Clockwise from left: Narayanan Kutty Pulloothpadath, Parminder Kaur and Narendra Bhana
Photo:
Supplied
Another five individuals were awarded the King's Service Medal for their services to various ethnic communities of New Zealand.
Narendra Bhana, Parminder Kaur and Narayanan Kutty Pulloothpadath received it for services to the Indian and multicultural communities, while Sohim Hay was awarded the medal for services to New Zealand's Cambodian community.
Yuanyong Yang was recognised for services to bonsai arts and the Chinese community.
Bhana, former president of New Zealand Indian Central Association, looks forward to fostering political and community engagement along with strengthening inter-ethnic dialogues.
"Encouraging greater political participation within the Indian community by supporting leadership development programs and providing pathways for individuals to engage with local and national politics would further integrate the community into New Zealand's political landscape," Bhana said.
"These efforts would ensure that the voices of ethnic communities are heard in decision-making processes that affect their lives."
Kaur, chairperson of the social organisation Indian NZ Association of Christchurch, who also runs the Women's Helping Hand Trust, dedicated the award to the people her initiatives have helped over the years.
"This honour is not just mine, it belongs to every volunteer, every woman who found her voice and every child who felt seen and included through our programmes," Kaur said.
"This recognition strengthens my commitment to continue working towards a more inclusive, united Aotearoa, where diversity is celebrated and every individual has a chance to thrive."
Pulloothpadath, who has advocated for ethnic communities in Taranaki for 25 years and is a former president of the New Plymouth Indian community, shared similar sentiments.
Yang wanted to support grassroots groups, investment in cross-cultural education and real pathways for ethnic voices to lead - not just participate.
"For the Chinese community especially, we have so much to offer, but sometimes we are still treated as outsiders," Yang said. "That needs to change."
Yang urged New Zealand to embrace bonsai art.
"Bonsai is more than a plant in a pot - it's a way of thinking, a quiet art that teaches patience and respect for nature," Yang said.
"To promote bonsai in New Zealand, I'd love to see it in schools, in libraries and even at festivals where people can get hands-on and learn the stories behind the trees.
"We need to connect it to local culture, too, so it's not just an imported art but something people here can feel a part of."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
Lake Ōmāpere hoped to be restored to former glory
Lake Ōmāpere in March this year, when an algae bloom turned the water a lurid green. Photo: Supplied / NIWA An ambitious plan to restore the health of Northland's largest lake is set to begin within a year, funding permitting. Lake Ōmāpere was once known as the food basket of Ngāpuhi for its abundance of aquatic life, but in recent decades it has become increasingly polluted. It is also afflicted by algal blooms that turn the lake a lurid green and can be fatal to aquatic life. Various attempts have been made over the years to save the 1200-hectare lake, just north of Kaikohe, but the Lake Ōmāpere Trust believes the current plan is different. The Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Roto Ōmāpere Restoration Plan has also caught international attention, with the trust invited to make a presentation to the World Lake Conference in Brisbane next month, even before physical work gets underway. Trustee Marise Stuart said the lake was in a "hyper-eutrophic state", which meant the water was extremely high in nutrients. Those nutrients provided food for microscopic algae which grew rapidly in summer months, causing algal blooms. The blooms turned the water bright green, and - depending on the organisms involved - could be toxic, killing creatures both in the lake and downstream in the Utakura River. Lake Ōmāpere was once known as the food basket of Ngāpuhi. These days it's heavily polluted and mostly devoid of life. Photo: Supplied / Paul Champion, NIWA Stuart said the first bloom occurred in 1984. "Children swimming in the Utakura River became sick. Animals wouldn't drink the water. The shellfish turned bad. It's what you hear about any kind of algal bloom, but it's right here in our backyard, and it's an ongoing issue." Blooms had occurred regularly since then, including in 2018. Tests showed that bloom was not toxic but it still killed a large number of eels, thought to have been caused by a lack of oxygen in the water. Stuart said the lake's decline had taken place within living memory. Trustee Ani Martin, aged 93, recalled the abundance of food the lake used to provide; while her daughter Kay Martin, also a trustee, remembered diving into the lake as a child and seeing tuna (eels) weaving in and out of a thick bed of aquatic plants. Some of the older farmers living around the lake could recall putting their hands into the water and pulling out handfuls of freshwater mussels. Neither the plants nor the mussels survived in the heavily polluted lake today, which had serious knock-on effects. The plants released oxygen while the mussels were efficient filter-feeders that used to keep the water clean. "So that whole biodiversity that was once there is no longer," Stuart said. Utakura Valley landowners Neville and Linda Lewis during an algal bloom in 2018, which turned Lake Ōmāpere's outflow bright green and killed large numbers of eels. Photo: Peter de Graaf The lake's problems began with the removal of the surrounding forest in the 1800s, and had been exacerbated by at least three attempts to lower the lake level, starting with the use of dynamite at the lake's exit in 1905. According to NIWA, the lake was now just 2.6m deep at its deepest point, dropping as low as 1.5m in summer. Previous attempts to clean up Lake Ōmāpere had focused on riparian planting to prevent sediment and pollutants entering the lake. A 2012 plan chalked up some wins, but the farm plans were "not as pragmatic as they could have been" and many were not implemented. The key difference in the latest plan was its focus on sediment already in the lake, deposited there over many decades. Stuart, who has a Master of Science degree from Harvard University, said years of research had shown that unless that layer of nutrient-rich sediment was dealt with, all other interventions would be futile. Therefore the plan would involve "targeted sediment removal" from the lake bed. The dredging would be carried out in combination with building sediment traps, more riparian planting around the lake edge, and wetland restoration. NIWA had also been trialling the use of floating rafts of freshwater mussels, which could help clean up the water. Another difference with previous plans was the "really strong relationships" built up with surrounding farmers, Stuart said. "They want to see the lake improve as well. Some of them were there in the days when the water was clean, so they want it to be restored." There were no plans at this point to raise the lake level, but sediment removal would have the effect of increasing the volume of water it contained, she said. Much fundraising was required but the trust was hopeful of starting work within a year. The project was included in the government's fast-track bill, which could expedite the work - though extensive consultation would still be undertaken. The lake's relatively simple ownership could also streamline the project, Stuart said. Lake Ōmāpere was one of only two lakes in New Zealand where the lake bed and the water were fully owned by iwi. The other was Lake Horowhenua. A dead eel in Lake Ōmāpere's outflow during the 2018 algal bloom. Photo: Peter de Graaf Stuart said being selected for the 21-25 July World Lake Conference was "massive" for "a humble little lake trust". "Experts in lake restoration and water quality from all around the world will be at that conference, so it's a really great opportunity to share our story and have some discussion backwards and forwards. It's an affirmation of the hard work and the robust discussions we've had to get where we are." The Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Roto Ōmāpere Restoration Plan was supported by experts from NIWA and DOC, as well as 2022 Kiwibank New Zealand Senior of the Year Rereata Makiha and internationally acclaimed lake restoration expert Professor David Hamilton. Far North Mayor Moko Tepania said he was excited about the plan's inclusion of green infrastructure, flood resilience and water resilience. Far North Mayor Moko Tepania. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ Water quality problems were starkly evident in the 2020 drought when attempts by the Far North District Council to use the lake as an emergency water source for Kaikohe failed due to concerns over algal blooms, he said. NIWA chief scientist Dr Erica Williams said the institute was supporting the trust's environmental and water quality goals, and working alongside DOC to bring back species such as the endangered aquatic plant Isoetes kirkii. Hamilton said for too long researchers' philosophy had been "we are the scientists, we know what is best for you". "This approach fails to recognise and engage with community, iwi and policy makers, particularly Indigenous knowledge holders. Hearing about the Lake Ōmāpere restoration plan will provide the global audience with an opportunity to understand a different, Global South perspective." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
Free cuts a 'win-win' at Mr Barber
Whether you are after a fade, slick back, perm or a buzz cut look no further - a barber training centre in the Auckland CBD is offering free trims. If you do not mind yours being the first hair the apprentice barber has ever cut, that is. Mr Barber, an NZQA approved and registered training centre, is the only barber-specific training centre in Aotearoa. Barbers-in-training are chucked straight into the deep end, practising on real people from day one. At 10am on Thursday outside Mr Barber in the Auckland CBD, the place was already buzzing. For 25 years, Aucklanders have been going to the training school for a free trim, while apprentices snip their way towards a level four certificate in commercial barbering. Danelle Higgins did her barber training at Mr Barber in 2019. Now, alongside her brother Brodie, she is running the course. "We come up from a small town called Murupara. It's all poverty and all of that stuff. I wanted to do something different, help people, get them a qual. I had it hard growing up, so I touch base with a lot of these boys." Would-be barbers complete a 12-week course covering both theory and practical skills. They are then put on placements in barbershops, where they must work 780 hours to complete the qualification. Although the job market has slowed, especially during winter, she said there is no shortage of people applying to join their crew. "We get barber shops calling us up all the time for barber students. We have a barber job page as well, [if] they have job vacancies." Clarence Morrison has just graduated from the three-month programme and is soon heading into a placement. "It was something for like an investment for me. Came from drugs, alcohol, prison sort of background, brought up in foster homes and kind of cheated my way through life. "Those things don't really last, so it's starting from scratch again and this is a good place." Morrison has cut the hair of homeless people, university students, tourists and people popping in for a short back-and-sides during their work lunch break. "It gives some hope, people that are going for a job interview and if they're unsure, you're able to give them some confidence, to be able to step into their day. "It's like [being] little ambassadors for the community." Alex Burnett completed the course with one of his mates and is now a tutor on the course. "I was sort of at a loose end a little bit after school, just doing odd jobs and stuff and I just sort of thought of it as something that would suit me and I gave it a try and never looked back." Burnett said he can have 20 conversations a day with different customers. "We've had a lot of people that have been coming through since the start, and it helps with getting people something that they need and they can get it for free. "It's a win-win, really, because these guys get to get to learn, get to practise on them." When he is not working at a barbershop up on Karangahape Road, Alex works as a part-time a tutor at the school, where he's able to give tips from his own experience. "It gets the nerves out of the way and gets them used to having real people in the chair and having proper conversations, cause it's more than just cutting. "If you've just got a mannequin, all you're doing is cutting, whereas in here, you can talk to your customers [and] you can learn about yourself." Mr Barber was the brainchild of Jacqui Spence and her barber husband Neville, who, when they moved to New Zealand from the United Kingdom, saw the need for a barber-specific course. Jacqui said 90 percent of barbers walk into jobs when they complete it. "They've come through and done something that they've been passionate about and learned a trade and gone forward. "A lot of them have gone on to open their own businesses ultimately and they've raised their family and been able to live a really good life because of it." The school operates from 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday, with free haircuts on offer from 10 - 12pm and 1 - 3pm.
Techday NZ
10 hours ago
- Techday NZ
Exclusive: How Cybersecurity startup Blackveil is targetting AI-driven threats
After 20 years in the IT trenches, Adam Burns had seen enough. Burns, the founder of New Zealand-based cybersecurity startup Blackveil, spent much of his career working for managed service providers – firms tasked with overseeing the IT infrastructure of other businesses. And time and again, he says, he witnessed companies fall victim to the same avoidable cyberattacks. "Each time, I saw the same things going wrong," he said. "The industry was missing something critical." Blackveil was his answer: a company with a mission to protect the "forgotten child of cybersecurity" by focusing on overlooked but essential components of digital defence. The turning point came last year, after Burns responded to his twelfth cyberattack incident in short succession. Frustrated by the pattern, he decided to act. "I built a little application, a Python crawler, and stuck it on the internet," he explained. "It ran on the . TLD for six weeks and confirmed that over 50% of Kiwi businesses had critical gaps in their cybersecurity." The data, drawn from public domain records, validated Burns' suspicion that weak digital hygiene – like unprotected DNS records – was leaving companies wide open to attack. From there, Blackveil's reach grew beyond New Zealand. The team expanded their scanning to include Australian businesses and even global Fortune 500 companies. The result? Even the biggest players weren't immune. "These aren't always advanced attacks," Burns said. "It's usually someone forgetting to change a default password, turn on multi-factor authentication, or tidy up an email record." But the landscape is rapidly evolving, and the rise of AI-powered cyberattacks, particularly tools like Xanthorox, is escalating the threat. Burns described Xanthorox as "ChatGPT for hackers" – a platform capable of generating malware, conducting reconnaissance, and launching tailored phishing campaigns. "You don't need technical knowledge anymore," he said. "You just talk to it in plain language. If something doesn't work, it evolves and tries something else. It's terrifying." To counter this, Blackveil developed its own AI assistant: Buck. While it doesn't yet fix vulnerabilities directly, it acts as an intelligent guide for businesses, simplifying complex security insights into accessible language. "You log in, scan your domain, and Buck breaks it down for you," Burns said. "You don't have to be a technical guru to understand what's wrong." For now, Buck exists as a standalone agent, but future versions will be fully integrated into Blackveil's platform. "Our goal is to make cybersecurity accessible," Burns explained. "We're lifting the veil – hence the name Blackveil – on a space that's been out of reach for many businesses." The company's flagship product, Blackvault, is a domain security platform that focuses on prevention rather than reaction. Traditional cybersecurity tools often work in a reactive way, alerting users after something has already gone wrong. Blackvault flips that model by proactively securing digital entry points – what Burns calls "shutting the front door." According to Blackveil's internal data, aligning three critical DNS records – SPF, DKIM, and DMARC – can reduce phishing, spoofing and spam threats by up to 87%. The company promises deployment within two to four weeks for most businesses. "For a small to medium-sized business, the return on investment is huge," Burns said. "This is one of the most cost-effective ways to secure your business." Despite its focus on the ANZ region, Blackveil operates globally, and the remote-first company has seen growing demand abroad. Headquartered in Tauranga, the business can support international clients without needing to be onsite, although on-the-ground assistance is available in the Bay of Plenty. Burns himself relocated from Auckland a few years ago for a slower pace of life, but remains deeply connected to the broader tech world. In addition to Blackveil, he developed KiwiCost, a side project offering real-time cost comparisons for people living in or moving to New Zealand. "That one was just me scratching an itch," he said. "But it also helped me practice and refine the design direction for Blackveil." His approach is anything but traditional. "Most IT companies are run by old guys in blue suits," he joked. "I wanted to bring something different – vibrant, creative and approachable." That includes how the company communicates. On LinkedIn, Burns shares cybersecurity insights with a dose of humour and sarcasm. One of his recent posts – about seemingly mundane email security protocols – went viral, drawing over 100,000 impressions. "People are clearly looking for plain-English guidance," he said. "And they appreciate a bit of personality." Asked what advice he'd give businesses unsure how to prepare for the evolving threat landscape, Burns had three clear steps: train your staff, get the basics right, and monitor your systems. "Every staff member is a risk if they don't know how to spot bad actors," he said. "Their inbox is their digital passport. If you train them properly and secure your fundamentals, 90% of attacks become impossible." He added: "And after that, monitor everything – because DNS records can be altered by mistake, or worse." For those in crisis, Blackveil also offers an emergency helpline – 0508 HACKED – designed to provide immediate assistance to compromised businesses. "That line goes straight to my mobile," Burns said. "It's about being there when people need us most." Blackvault is still evolving, with plans to become what Burns calls "the Swiss Army knife of domain security." But his goal remains clear: "We want to make strong cybersecurity achievable for everyone," he said. "Because it's not just big companies under threat anymore – it's all of us."
