Venkat Raman
Auckland, March 19, 2023
Even before we could write this story, three Indian Newslink readers called us to say that our friend Karunanidhi (Karuna) Muthu has been selected to represent the National Party in their Rongotai Constituency, which is centred on the Southern and Eastern suburbs of Wellington.
‘Karuna,’ as we call him is the epitome of the word- kind, open-hearted and friendly.
People in Wellington in general and the Tamil-speaking community throughout the country in particular, know him as a passionate human being, happy to support any good cause.
Karuna is not new to politics. His father was one of the most prominent leaders of Tamil Nadu who founded the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) which has been ruling the State on and off since 1967. It is currently the majority government in Tamil Nadu.
Karuna is well-known in the Wellington community and has been actively involved in politics and believes that change is essential to improve New Zealand’s economy.
Following is the Press Note from the National Party:
Strathmore Park lawyer and investor Karuna Muthu has been selected as National’s candidate in Rongotai for the 2023 General Election.
Karuna said he has called Rongotai his home for more than 20 years and that it is an honour to have the opportunity to campaign for a National government.
Electorate’s concerns
“Labour is spending $1 billion more per week than when they came to office and there is nothing to show for it but higher costs. People in Rongotai are bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis fuelled by wasteful spending, whether through their skyrocketing mortgage repayments, 33-year record grocery price increases, or weekly rent in Wellington rising by $200 under Labour, it’s harder to cover the basics and get by. Families in Rongotai are wondering where on earth they are going to find hundreds of dollars more every week.
“I am standing for National because it is the only Party with a plan to fix the cost-of-living crisis and the ability to deliver on it. We will stop Labour’s wasteful spending and competently manage the economy. We will also ease the burden on families in Rongotai with policies like FamilyBoost, which provides up to $75 per week in tax rebates to help people with the cost of childcare.
“Another major concern for people in Rongotai is rising crime. According to Police data, the number of victimisations in Wellington City has increased by 45% since 2017. National has also released plans to restore law and order, including by holding serious young offenders to account and setting them on a more productive path by introducing Young Offender Military Academies. Families in Rongotai are aspirational and want the opportunity to get ahead in our wonderful capital city. At the moment that aspiration is slipping out of reach. I will work incredibly hard to elect a National Government to deliver for the people of Rongotai.
“My wife and I have raised our children here and campaigning to represent this community in Parliament is my chance to give back to a country that has given my family and me so much since we moved here 30 years ago.
My priority is meeting as many people as I can across the Rongotai electorate so I can hear about their issues and share how I will deliver for them as an MP in Chris Luxon’s National team.”
About Karuna Muthu
Karunanidhi (Karuna) Muthu is a self-employed lawyer and business strategist based in Strathmore Park, Wellington.
Born in Madurai, India he moved to New Zealand in 1995.
He has worked in business and investment strategy for most of his career, supporting start-up ventures and early-stage companies. He holds graduate diplomas in Business from the University of Auckland and Unitec, and a Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University.
Karuna has served in a range of governance roles in the Wellington community, including as President of Wellington Mutamizh Sangam, which is a group for Tamil New Zealanders to promote Tamil language and culture. He has also been involved in groups focused on digital inclusion and on as a trustee for the Queen Margaret College Foundation Trust.
He and his wife Chitra, a local GP, have three children, the youngest in their final year of high school, and have lived in the Rongotai electorate for 23 years.
