Vanisa Dhiru appointed Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)
Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 8, 2021
Queen Elizabeth II has honoured Wellington-based Vanisa Dhiru, one of the champions of Diversity, Gender Equality and crusader of human rights, by appointing her as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).
Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro presented a Medal and a Citation to Vanisa at an Investiture Ceremony held at the Government House on Tuesday, December 7, 2021.
Vanisa’s New Zealand Order of Merit warrant was signed by former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, while she received her insignia from Dame Cindy Kiro.
“Being able to receive this insignia from our first mana wahine Maori Governor-General is an absolute honour. It was indeed special that two female Governors-General were involved with this Award,” she said.
While she was mentioned in the Queen’s New Year Honours List 2021, she delayed her Investiture Ceremony until now to enable her brother and sister-in-law who recently returned from the United Kingdom to share the special moment.
The Citation said that the Queen was pleased to recognise Vanisa Dhiru for her services to the community and for promoting the cause of gender rights.
Strong advocate of equality
“Vanisa Dhiru has been a strong advocate across gender, race, employment, leadership and age equity. She has served as Chief Executive for Volunteering New Zealand, Executive Director for the 20/20 Trust, and was National President of the National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ) from 2017 to 2019,” the Citation said.
As National President of NCWNZ, she led and guided the Gender Equal NZ Campaign, increased the diversity of the national membership, led the Suffrage 125 Work Programme, and raised the profile of NCWNZ in the media. She led the NCWNZ delegation at the United Nation’s 70th session of the CEDAW Monitoring Committee in 2018, where she chaired the New Zealand NGO meeting to advocate for gender rights, the Citation said.
“Ms Dhiru has volunteered on various charity boards including chairing the Inspiring Stories Trust and the YWCA of Greater Wellington. She was a Trustee of Trade Aid Wellington Trust and campaigned to make Wellington a Fairtrade city in 2009. She holds Commissioner roles with the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and the Library and Information Advisory Commission. She has been a member of various advisory panels, including for the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry for Women, Inland Revenue and the Wellington School of Business and Government at Victoria University.”
Indian Newslink has been promoting the involvement of Vanisa in community and social welfare projects for the past more than 15 years and we have taken pride in her achievements in various fields of activities.
Four years ago, we noted with a sense of pride that she was the first person of Indian origin to be elected to the post of NCWNZ President since its formation in 1896 by Kate Sheppard.
As the Citation mentioned, during her tenure as President (from 2017 to 2019), she raised its profile, increased the diversity of its membership and advocated the cause of women at the United Nations.
She is currently the Commissioner at the New Zealand National Commission of UNESCO and Commissioner of the Library & Information Advisory Commission.
Education and Career
Born and raised in Palmerston North, she arrived in Wellington in 1999 to complete her concurrent studies in Design and Commerce at Massey University and Victoria University of Wellington. Four years later, in 2003, she earned her first role in a government department.
She was encouraged by her managers to apply for a leadership course and restart her passion for volunteering in the community. Thereafter, she undertook several governance roles, the earliest of which was as a Member on the Board of Directors of YWCA of Greater Wellington. Five years later, she became President of the local YWCA.
She has been in governance roles serving local and national community groups such as Wellington Trade Aid Trust, Dress for Success Wellington, and the Association of NGOs Aotearoa (ANGOA). She also chaired ‘Inspired Stories,’ the national youth social entrepreneurship charity.
From observing those in management from the governance table, Vanisa focused her energy to gain a role as a Chief Executive at a charity in New Zealand. Her chance came when the role of Chief Executive, Volunteering New Zealand was advertised.
She was appointed to her first leadership role before the age of 30.
Social and community values
Vanisa has always wanted to feel ‘normal’ in a country where those like her, are perceived far from the status quo. She paid tributes to her parents who imparted in her values of relationships and serve as she grew up in their grocery business.
“I learnt that everyone should be treated with respect, irrespective of their background, skin colour or socioeconomic status. They instilled in my brother and me a sense of purpose in life and said that any customer who walked into the store deserved a smile and courteous service. We welcomed customers and they would return as friends,” she said.
This early learning to treat all people equally enabled Vanisa to focus her energy on human rights issues, embracing gender equality, race equity, and supporting youth.
Vanisa’s focus on gender rights, fair trade, race relations, and social inclusion for the majority of her volunteer work has helped her progress her career from an Executive Assistant for a government agency to Chief Executive of a national charity in less than a decade.
Vanisa works in philanthropy part-time, as well as serves on various boards and advisory groups including holding two commissioner roles, with the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and with the Library and Information Advisory Commission.
“While many who receive a New Zealand Royal Honour have served their communities or industries for decades, my service time has been much shorter. I see this honour as a marker for my work to date for our communities, and now hold this as a reminder of the work that must continue for people in this country to be treated with respect, and gain equal rights – no matter your race, class, employment, gender or age,” Vanisa said.
Champion of Diversity
With a strong reputation for her ability to work across sectors, age and social status, Vanisa is a champion, promoting the importance of diversity and inclusivity.
“Great things can be achieved when different people are brought together to contribute to a common objective,” she said of her work in this sector.
While she acknowledges success in this sector can be more challenging, Vanisa strongly believes that achievements will have greater impact and will be more rewarding for the entire community.
“The true benefit is in the reflection of different groups in the outcome,” she said.
