Supplied Content
Wellington, July 24, 2022
Well-known Community Leader and social worker Ravindran (Raveen) Annamalai is seeking a seat as an independent candidate in the Takapu-Northern Ward of Wellington in the ensuing local government elections.
With a genuine concern for our multicultural and multiethnic communities, he has worked for their welfare for more than 15 years in the Wellington region. He has held many leadership roles in multicultural societies and Rotary International.
Champion of community causes
Annamalai has initiated and developed many social and community projects that provide a sound foundation for the communities in Wellington. He has worked for the betterment of the community by championing causes that are close to his heart.
He has been actively involved in advocacy and is deeply concerned about issues that affect our communities- issues such as rising cost of living, housing crisis, intergenerational challenges, climate change, health, sport and wellbeing and transport.
Annamalai’s passion has always been about our communities and works to make a positive impact by building and developing community-centric initiatives. He has extensive experience in contributing to non-profit organisations and charitable causes and will reflect and represent the diversity that makes Wellington a dynamic city.
Annamalai said that he will be honoured if he is elected to the Takapu-Northern Ward in the local government elections.
Towards positive changes
“I will play a pivotal role in bringing positive changes to the city and its people. I have spearheaded community projects steering youth development, charitable causes and support groups for victims of domestic violence. As a leader of regional and national multicultural associations, it was my responsibility to ensure that communities stay connected and get the necessary support when they need it, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
Annamalai is keen to represent the entire Northern Ward community and is determined to address challenges and issues confronting people of all ethnicities.
“I am privileged to be a part of a creative, passionate and generous community from so many different backgrounds. I want to continue advocating for the communities and the city that I love. I will always be grateful for the support I receive,” he said.
Annamalai moved to Tawa with his wife and three children 14 years ago and made it his home. He is grateful that the local community welcomed him and his family with love and care.
Annamalai believes that it is time for him to give back to the city that embraced him wholeheartedly and seeks the support of all the people of the Northern Ward to have the privilege to represent them in Wellington City Council as their Councillor.
Engagement with Maori
Our Staff Reporter adds:
Raveen Annamalai led a small but dedicated team of volunteers to establish the Aotearoa New Zealand Federation of Tamil Sangams (ANTS) about two years ago. The organisation, the first of its kind in New Zealand, brings Tamil-speaking people from all over the world under an umbrella to promote their language, heritage and culture.
Annamalai scored another first during the first weekend of July 2022 when more than 250 men, women and children of the Tamil fraternity assembled at the Ngati Ngararanui of Waiteti Marae in Ngongotaha in Rotorua for an engagement with the Maori, the original inhabitants of this Aotearoa New Zealand. The three-day event (July 1 to July 3, 2022) in Rotorua was organised under the title, ‘Sangamam’ (Confluence).
The participants were of Indian, Fiji Indian, Singaporean, Malaysian, South African and Sri Lankan origin, in addition to other countries.
While men and women participated in the proceedings, separate arrangements were made for children to be kept engaged in sports and other activities.
The Programme at the Marae was held under the patronage of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Iwi and Communities) Wallace Haumaha, who is the Chairman of the Trustees of the Ngati Ngararanui of Waiteti Marae, safeguarding the founding and guiding principles of his ancestors and the local community. It was supervised by Superintendent of Police National Partnerships Manager (Ethnic) Rakesh Naidoo and organised for ANTS by Peniel Prabhakaran, appointed earlier this year to lead the project to establish an interminable link between Iwi Maori and Tamil Samudayam (Society).
About the local elections
Local elections decide who represents us on our City, District, and Regional Councils.
In some parts of New Zealand, local elections are also held for Local and Community Boards, Licensing Trusts, and some other organisations.
People elected to local Councils make decisions about our daily lives and the future of our towns and cities. They set and collect rates, oversee town planning, and provide services like rubbish collection, parks and libraries.
Local elections no longer include District Health Board elections. The boards are being replaced by a new body, Health New Zealand.
Enrol to have your say
If you are on the electoral roll, you can vote in the local elections where you live.
You can enrol if you are 18 or older, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and have lived in New Zealand for more than one year continuously at some time in your life. You can call 0800- 367656 and ask for an enrolment form. Everyone on the electoral roll would have been sent an enrolment update pack in the mail in the first week of July 2022.
Please check your details are correct, including your address. If they are incorrect, update your details by August 12, 2022, online, using your New Zealand driver’s licence, New Zealand passport or RealMe verified identity or make the changes on the form in your update pack, sign it and send it back.
Your local Council will send voting papers by post mail when it is time to vote and hence you must be enrolled at the right address. If you have not yet received an enrolment pack, you are probably not enrolled to vote or your details are not up to date.
If you enrol or update your address after midnight on August 12, 2022, you will not get your voting papers sent to you in the mail. You must then request special voting papers from your local Council’s Electoral Officer.
The last day to enrol to vote in the local elections is Friday, October 7, 2022.
Voting will be held from September 16 to October 8, 2022.
