A former Mayor and an aspiring lawmaker, the chief of a successful business organisation, Indian Newslink writers and well-wishers are among those placed in the Queen’s Birthday Honours announced by Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand on June 6, 2011.
Two Dames and five Knights are among those who won the country’s top honours, while a lone woman from the Indian community made it to the Membership of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Three members of the community, one each from Hamilton, Pukekohe and Auckland were placed on the Queen’s Service Medal list.
Rosemary Horton (Auckland) and Dr Katerina Mataira (Hamilton) have been named ‘Dame of the New Zealand Order of Merit,’ respectively for their services to Philanthropy and Maori Language.
There are five distinguished person appointed as ‘Knight of the New Zealand Order of Merit’ including Law Commission President Justice Robert Grant Hammond (Wellington), former All Blacks Educator John Graham (Auckland), businessman Graeme Thomas Harrison (Wellington), Philanthropist Daniel Patrick Higgins (Palmerston North), and Arts Patron James Hay Wallace (Auckland)
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There are three persons appointed as ‘Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.’ They are former Auckland Mayor John Banks, former Police Commissioner Howard Broad and New Zealand Business Round Table Executive Director and Indian Newslink Columnist Roger Kerr.
Mr Kerr said he was delighted to receive the Honour.
“But it really goes to the courageous business leaders who set up the Business Roundtable and those who supported it over the years to advocate for a better New Zealand. I was a foot soldier in the ranks but am proud of what we have so far achieved,” he said.
A good Companion
Fiji born Dr Kantha Madavji Soni is the only person of Indian origin to be appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List this year.
Dr Kantha, who celebrated her mother’s 100th Birthday last month along with the community (Indian Newslink, June 1) was the first Gujarati girl to be sent from Fiji for overseas education and the first Indian woman to qualify from the Otago Medical School. Her impressive medical career includes establishment of a clinic for street children, an adolescent clinic in a high school, facilitating Marae based General Practice with Maori Women’s Welfare League and commencing a Health Education Programme to train Indian women to visit homes.
“I feel it a great honour to be acknowledged by the Queen and the Country for doing what I have always enjoyed. My involvement within the community and community organisations have been a reward in itself,” Dr Kantha said.
Harkrishen Singh Kung, of Hamilton, who receives a Queens Service Medal for his service to the Indian community, said that he was honoured, “I thank my family and the Indian community for their support,” he said.
Pukekohe Resident and Community Leader Manjit Singh has been a source of endearment and inspiration for many New Zealanders since his arrival in the country 23 years ago.
Since then, he has served the Indian community through a number of organisations. These include the New Zealand Sikh Society (Member), the Auckland Sikh Society (Member & later President), New Zealand Punjabi Cultural Association (President),
President of NZ Punjabi Cultural Association for 2004 to 2007, the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Pukekohe), New Zealand Indian Central Association (currently Treasurer) and the Pukekohe Indian Association (currently Vice-President).
“I love to work in the Community and for the Community and will humbly carry on. It is a great honour to receive this recognition,” he said.
Parakash Chandar Sund of Auckland is also a recipient of the Queens Service Medal for his service to the Indian community.
“I feel very honoured and humbled to receive this Award. This achievement was possible only because of the help and encouragement extended to me by family members of the local Indian community, who worked tirelessly to advance our Indian community,” he said.
