Over the past 14 years, the impact of Radio Tarana on the lives of migrants from Fiji and South East Asia has been enormous.
It has consistently been a vital institution in assisting these communities in adapting to New Zealand. It is also a critical ingredient in enabling speakers of South East Asian languages to make a significant contribution to an ethnically diversified Auckland.
Radio Tarana started broadcasting on June 15, 1996.
From my period as the Race Relations Conciliator, I recall this as a time when the high levels of immigration from Asia and the Pacific was beginning to make a real impact on Auckland and to a number of cities around New Zealand.
Until the arrival of Radio Tarana on the Auckland scene, families were dependent on informal networks for much of the information that was critical to keeping connected with families, friends, and community events.
With the growing presence of the radio station, the Indian community has been enabled to develop a more vibrant presence in Auckland and other cities.
This vibrancy has been taken to new heights by the sponsorship by Radio Tarana of major events on the Indian calendar.
We are now able to celebrate Diwali, Eid and other special occasions in mass gatherings splendidly, replete with music, dance, food, and fellowship on a regular basis.
The radio station has adopted an inclusive approach to these events, which are patronised by thousands of Indians living in Auckland.
These events have also become showpieces for Indian culture, art and music.
As Managing Director, Robert Khan drives Radio Tarana with vision and foresight.
He has become one of our leading lights, constantly searching for better and more effective ways of serving our communities.
He is supported by a very capable and effective group of people who have become household names in Auckland. Nowhere is his sense of selfless community service been more effective than when he, together with his staff, have captured the New Zealand spirit of giving for relief work in the Pacific.
Robert has a great eye for business relationships and community service.
He partners with other organisations to make his product better and more in tune with the demands of the public.
The best partnership has been with Indian Newslink. Together, they represent a brand that is firmly based on service to our communities, reflecting the competence and creativity of its principles.
This is the paring that provides constantly high quality programmes, incorporating entertainment, public information and a platform for debate on current issues.
I congratulate Robert, his staff, business partners and sponsors for developing Radio Tarana to be the peak radio station for South East Asian and the Fijian communities in New Zealand over almost 15 years.
I look forward to a continuing relationship over the next 15 years and can only imagine where this station will be in that time.
Dr Rajen Prasad is Member of Parliament on Labour List. He is the Party’s Spokesperson for the Voluntary & Community Sector and Associate Spokesperson for Ethnic Affairs and Social Development (Family, Child, Youth and Family)
