Officers and Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit and King’s Service Medal Winners
Venkat Raman
Auckland, June 2, 2025
New Zealand’s honours system stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to recognising outstanding contributions across diverse fields. Every year, individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership, and dedication are acknowledged with prestigious distinctions, including Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM), Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), and recipients of the King’s Service Medal (KSM). These honours celebrate the tireless efforts of New Zealanders who have enriched society—be it through public service, business innovation, the arts, health, education, or community leadership.
To be appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit is a recognition of remarkable impact within one’s field. It is bestowed upon individuals who have exhibited sustained excellence, shaping industries and uplifting communities. The Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, meanwhile, acknowledges significant contributions across varied disciplines, ensuring that dedication at every level of society is celebrated. The King’s Service Medal, distinct in its purpose, pays tribute to those who have demonstrated exceptional service in a voluntary or professional capacity, particularly in public administration and community welfare.
Each recipient carries forward a legacy of ambition, compassion, and service. Their achievements reflect the very best of New Zealand’s values, inspiring future generations to pursue excellence with purpose. As we explore the stories of these distinguished honourees, we uncover narratives of perseverance, ingenuity, and an unwavering commitment to the greater good stories that deserve to be remembered and celebrated.
It is an additional matter of gratification that all our achievers have been long-standing friends and readers of Indian Newslink. Congratulations!
Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Pancha Narayanan
Pancha Narayanan is the National President of Multicultural New Zealand, dedicated to fostering a Te Tiriti-based multicultural Aotearoa. Born in Malaysia, he has lived in New Zealand for over 30 years, championing migrant settlement and social cohesion. He founded Huarahi Hou, an initiative connecting migrants with Māori communities. This initiative was built on the foundations of recent immigrants building bridges with their local tangata whenua and other host communities. This grassroots approach has received recognition internationally for its simplicity and its potential.
A Justice of the Peace, he was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in 2010 for his contributions to immigrant communities.
Mr Narayanan said that he is deeply humbled and honoured to be appointed ONZM.
“I accept this as a guardian for this belongs to, the many vibrant multicultural communities across Aotearoa, whose contributions enrich our nation every day. This honour is a reflection of their resilience, diversity, and selfless volunteering spirit. I remain committed to Huarahi Hou (Pathways to Te Tiriti-based Multicultural Aotearoa New Zealand) serving and uplifting all our communities with gratitude and humility.
“E hara taku toa e te toa takitahi engari he toa takimano. My strength is not that of mine alone but that of the collective,” he said.
Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Sunit Prakash and Lalita Kasanji
Wellingtonians Sunit Prakash and Lalita Kasanji have been honoured as Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the IT industry and the Indian community.
The couple are the first from the community to be recognised as IT professionals.
They founded the New Zealand Centre for Digital Connections with India in 2023 to accelerate and incubate digital and tech collaboration between the two countries.
An IT professional, he worked in Sydney for a Nasdaq-listed company responsible for Support Operation Asia Pacific Japan.
Ms Kasanji played a key role in the ethnic services of the Department of Internal Affairs in the 1990s which was a precursor to the Ministry for Ethnic Communities. She has produced publications, presented at conferences, held workshops, and worked across agencies relating to ethnic communities.
She is an active board member for business and community organisations.
Mr Prakash said that he and his wife performed a stakeholder analysis and saw no one operated holistically in the space comprising New Zealand, India and all things digital.
Their seminal research with a combination of global, tech and ethno-sociological lens, showed that Indian IT professionals contribute $350 million annually to the New Zealand economy. They identified predictors of success and created catalyst programmes for visibility, growth and success.
Recognising that IT professionals of Indian origin possess unparalleled knowledge, expertise, insights, and connections in the Indian and New Zealand markets, Mr Prakash and Ms Kasanji have made it their mission to create visibility and generate opportunities.
This formed the basis of their submission recommending New Zealand take a Digital & IT Trade Delegation to India to enhance trade relations and promote innovation.
As pioneers and champions their achievements and outcomes have been recognised nationally.
“Sunit comes from a Lean background; so it was natural for him to take guidance from the Lean Startup Canvas. We take this recognition as one more marker of market validation,” Ms Kasanji said.
In a rare trifecta, they follow in the distinguished footsteps of Ruxmani Kasanji, Lalita’s mother who was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2019 for her services to the Indian community.
Santosh Bhandari
Dr Santosh Bhandari is a prominent figure in the Nepali community, known for his leadership and contributions to cultural events. He played a key role as the Coordinator of the 70th Everest Day celebrations, an event that highlighted the historic ascent of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. His efforts in organizing and promoting Nepalese heritage have strengthened ties between New Zealand and Nepal.
He said his appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit is not just a personal achievement but a tribute to the strength, resilience, and contributions of the entire Nepali community in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Whatever I have been able to do has always been the result of collective effort. Therefore, the honour belongs to every individual who worked alongside me, supported our initiatives, and worked tirelessly for the betterment of our community. I hope this recognition serves as a reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together as a community,” he said.
King’s Service Medal
Narendra Bhana
Narendra Bhana is a respected leader in the Indian community, having served as President of the New Zealand Indian Central Association and Auckland Indian Association. With over a decade of involvement in community affairs, he has championed cultural preservation, youth advancement, and diversity. His leadership focused on modernizing NZICA, increasing engagement, and strengthening ties within the Indian Diaspora.
Mr Bhana said that he is deeply humbled and emotional.
“This recognition is not only a reflection of my personal efforts but also a tribute to the incredible support and trust I have received from my family, community, and colleagues throughout the years. It is a testament to the collective strength and dedication we have shared in building a more connected and resilient community. I dedicate this prestigious recognition to my parents, my uncle and aunty, my cousin Jagdish Bhana and his wife Gita Bhana, my entire family, and everyone who has believed in me and in the power of unity, service, and positive change. This recognition motivates me to continue working towards a future where we all thrive together, with compassion and mutual respect for one another,” he said.
Parminder Kaur
Parminder Kaur is the Chair of the IndianNZ Association of Christchurch, actively promoting cultural diversity and community engagement. She has played a key role in organising events like the Christchurch Multicultural Festival and the Lohri Mela, bringing together people from various backgrounds to celebrate unity and heritage. Her leadership has strengthened the Indian community’s presence in Christchurch while fostering connections with other ethnic groups.
She began volunteering in 2011, in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes, offering help to families during a time of uncertainty and hardship. Since then, her dedication to serving others has only grown stronger. Six years later (2017), she co-founded the IndianNZ Association of Christchurch Inc and was elected Chairperson. The Association has become a central hub for Canterbury’s Indian community, promoting cultural exchange and inclusion.
Ms Kaur launched the Women’s Helping Hand Trust NZ in response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. It runs free weekly well-being and development classes for women in Christchurch and Selwyn. These classes include personal growth activities, leadership workshops, creative arts, yoga and sewing, creating a nurturing space where women can build confidence and learn life-enhancing skills.
Beyond her work with these organisations, she has played a key role in public health education. As a representative for the Ministry for Ethnic Communities during the pandemic, she worked collaboratively with several government agencies to deliver community education sessions about Covid-19 and vaccination helping to bridge communication gaps, reduce misinformation, and build trust among migrant communities.
Among the other honours that she has earned include Local Hero Medallist and Semi-Finalist at Kiwi Bank, Community Service given by the Christchurch City Council and the Community Volunteer Award presented at the Selwyn Awards.
