One of the most significant artists of our time has been appointed to the Order of New Zealand, the highest in the land.
Governor General Lt Gen Sir Jerry Mateparae announced the appointment of Hone Papita Raukura Hotere the Order on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II in the New Year Honours List.
The Dunedin based artist is known throughout the world, with his works decorating art museums and private collections.
Dames & Knights
The honour is limited to 20 living members at any time. Among the other members are Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and former Prime Minister Helen Clark.
The Queen also appointed Rosanne Philippa O’Loghlen Meo of Auckland and Suzanne Elizabeth Moncrieff of Upper Moutere for their services respectively to business and the arts.
Father Desmond John Britten, John Desmond Todd (Wellington), Colin John Giltrap and Graham William Henry (Auckland) have been made Knights Companions of the Order for their services respectively to community, business, motor sport & philanthropy and rugby.
Queen’s Service Medal
Kanu Patel, Managing Partner of Patel Pike Associates Limited is the sole Indian to receive the Queen’s Service Medal.
The same honour has been bestowed on George Arulanantham and his wife Anne Uma Devi George, both of Sri Lankan origin.
They are perhaps the first couple to receive QSM at the same time.
A community icon
Mr Patel said he was grateful to his late father Chhaganlal Gosai and the volunteers who have rendered services to the Indian community.
He said his father worked hard for the community all his life and was the founding Trustee of Jalaram Temple in Leicester, UK, and was instrumental in building a Temple in their village in India.
“Honesty and credibility were two key values that my father instilled in me at an early age. He considered these as the pillars of a successful life and were more important than wealth,” Mr Patel said.
As the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Auckland Indian Association and Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Mr Patel was among the chief architects of the recent purchase of the adjacent property in Mt Eden Terrace and the refurbishment programme of the existing complex.
More than six years ago, he successfully led a project to install the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the complex and Indian Newslink was privileged to work with him in promoting the installation ceremony.
“I have been with committed volunteers and officers. Many have given longer service to the community than I have. I just happen to have a leadership role and my services have been recognised by the New Zealand Government. My greatest satisfaction has been seeing the Indian community, and many others, enjoying the Mahatma Gandhi Centre facilities and the spiritual blessings they receive at the Radha Krishna Temple,” he said.
Refugees gratified
The Sri Lankan community in general and those of Tamil origin in particular would be grateful to Mr Arulanantham who has been of immense service to them since he commenced his voluntary work in 1998.
Mr Arulanantham, who will receive a QSM for his services to the Tamil community, assigned the honour to the entire community, which accounted for many volunteers rendering selfless service.
He thanked Indian Newslink readers for their support in ensuring the success of his activities.
An engineer by qualification and profession, he is the Global Service Manager for a large New Zealand engineering company with operations in Oceania, Asia, Europe and North America.
He has been connected with a number of organisations including Asian Social Services New Zealand, Auckland Regional Ethnic Council, Consortium of Tamil Associations, Ethnic Voice of New Zealand, New Zealand Refugee Council, New Zealand Tamil Society and Tamil Community Education.
Tamilians hail
His wife Anne, a teacher by occupation, is equally well known for her involvement in community care and welfare. Her involvement with a number of governmental and non-governmental organisations has accorded her opportunities to understand circumstances of the needy and cater to their requirements.
These organisations include the Mt Roskill Community House Advisory Committee of which she was the Chairperson, Auckland Refugee Community Coalition (Founder member), Tamil Community Education and Asian Pacific Refugee Right Network (Member).
She has participated in the annual consultation programmes of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on behalf of NGOs.
She said the QSM award was a surprise but made her proud and humble.
“I am grateful that I have been able to serve the community in whatever way I could and it is a wonderful experience which I enjoy very much,” she said.*
