The Government has appointed popular Radio Tarana presenter Dr Parmjeet Parmar to the Board of the Families Commission on May 14, 2013..
She will perform the role of a Families Commissioner, participating in the policy-making process of the Organisation based in Wellington.
The Government also appointed Sir Wira Gardiner, Founding Director of the Waitangi Tribunal and Chief Executive of Te Puni Kokiri to the Board.
One of them replaces Christian Rankin, who left the Board of Commissioners recently. A Statute provides for one Chief Families Commissioner and six other members.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said that she was pleased with the two new appointments.
“I welcome Sir Wira and Dr Parmar to the Board with full confidence that they will make a valuable contribution to the Families Commission,” she said.
Commission restructure
According to Ms Bennett, the Commission is being restructured to perform a larger role as an independent body and provide independent monitoring, evaluation and research.
“This would include a new Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit. A Families Commission Amendment Bill, now in Parliament, seeks a new annual Families Status Report on the wellbeing of families and a Social Science Experts Panel to provide academic peer review and guidance,” she said.
Mrs Parmar said that she was honoured to be appointed to the post.
“I look forward to contributing to the excellent work of the Families Commission under the leadership of Ms Bennett and Chief Families Commissioner Belinda Milnes,” she said.
Rich experience
Mrs Parmar brings to the role rich experience as a former Member of the Ethnic Reference Group of the Commission established five years ago to promote the interests of the ethnic minorities, exchange information and ideas and help in the achievement of the Commission’s aims and objectives.
With a doctorate (PhD) in Biological Sciences from the University of Auckland, she was employed in the industry for a number of years, before her current assignment at a local manufacturing company.
She has been involved in community service as the Chairperson of New Zealand Sikh Women’s Association Inc, which deals with women facing challenges at home and the community, especially victims of family violence.
Labelling body
The Government appointed her as a Member of the Film and Video Labelling Body on September 27, 2012. Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain said that Body issues labels to all films supplied to the public and rates unrestricted films.
