Ranjna Patel leads Asian recipients of King's Birthday Honours

RNZ News

2 days ago

Dame Ranjna Patel
Photo:
Supplied
More than a dozen Asian New Zealanders have been recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours List for their services to the country.
Business and community leader Ranjna Patel heads the list after being appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to ethnic communities, health and family violence prevention.
She co-founded Tāmaki Health in 1977, which has grown to become New Zealand's largest privately owned primary healthcare group, now serving more than 330,000 patients.
Patel became the first person of Indian origin to be inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2024 and the first woman to receive the Kiwibank Innovator of the Year award in 2021.
In 2014, she co-founded Gandhi Nivas, an innovative early intervention service supporting men at risk of committing family harm, which to date has helped more than 6000 families in Auckland.
"[It is] very humbling to be honoured at this incredibly high level," Patel said.
"For someone who is community-minded ... [and] has had the privilege of working with high needs and vulnerable communities especially in health, and with some very talented individuals to create a very large medical and social service, as well as provide pastoral care to many, has been a big honour.
"It's all about the people: He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata."
A strong proponent of well-being in New Zealand's ethnic communities, Patel rated social cohesion as a very important factor in enabling it.
"Many steps are being taken to be inclusive of the many different ethnic groups in New Zealand, and I can see the diversity of thought on the 'how' we solve problems and issues are now being accepted," she said.
"Having a voice at the table is important, but having a voice heard will see better [social] cohesion."
Clockwise from top left: Yuanyong Yang, Ai Ling Tan and Panchanatham Narayanan
Photo:
Supplied
Dr Ai Ling Tan has been named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to gynaecology - in both public health and clinical practice, nationally and in the Pacific.
Tan has been recognised as having had an impact on raising awareness of gynaecological cancers and promoting early detection and prevention strategies.
She was a founding trustee for the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation from 2003 and medical advisor from 2017 to 2023.
She is a mentor for low- to middle-income countries for the International Gynaecological Cancer Society and trained the first Pacific-based gynaecological oncologist in Fiji.
"As a gynaecological oncologist, I see the urgent need for earlier diagnosis, timely access to specialist care and better wraparound support for women with gynaecological cancers," Tan said.
"Equity gaps - particularly for Māori, Pacific and rural women - remain a serious concern.
"[The recognition] strengthens my resolve to keep advocating for equitable, timely care for women with gynaecological cancers, both here in Aotearoa and across the Pacific."
Clockwise from top left: Sunit Prakash, Santosh Prasad Bhandari and Lalita Vanmali Kasanji
Photo:
Supplied
Panchanatham Narayanan, president of New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils, has been named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to New Zealand's multicultural communities.
Already a Queen's Service Medal recipient in 2010, Narayanan has been credited for providing vision and leadership for Huarahi Hou, an internationally recognised community-based approach for cultural integration and inclusion of immigrants anchored in the bicultural foundations of New Zealand.
"I accept [this honour] as a guardian. This belongs to the many vibrant multicultural communities across Aotearoa, whose contributions enrich our nation every day," Narayanan said.
"[This award] 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."
Five individuals from New Zealand's Asian communities were appointed Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit on the honours' list.
Lisa Li received the honour for her contribution to the development of New Zealand's tourism industry for more than two decades.
Li established the New Zealand branch of China Travel Service (Hong Kong) in 2000, which has now grown into one of the premier China specialists for inbound Chinese tourists to New Zealand.
Calling for the government to recognise tourism as a key economic driver, Li stressed the need to continuing investment in infrastructure.
"At the same time, industry players must work together to enhance the quality of visitor experience and ensure we deliver strong value for money," Li said.
Lisa Li (left) and Khoa Truong Nguyen
Photo:
Supplied
The husband-wife duo of Lalita Vanmali Kasanji and Sunit Prakash were recognised for services to the Indian community as well as their contributions to New Zealand's IT sector.
They co-founded the New Zealand Centre for Digital Connections with India in 2023 to accelerate and incubate digital and technology collaboration between the two countries.
"We performed a stakeholder analysis and saw no one operated wholistically in the space comprising New Zealand, India and all things digital. We took that space," Prakash said.
He also collaborated with Kasanji and published research on the story and contribution of Indian IT professionals to New Zealand, in which the authors "identified predicators to success and created catalyst programs for visibility, growth and success".
Meanwhile, Santosh Prasad Bhandari and Khoa Truong Nguyen were each named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Nepalese and Vietnamese communities, respectively.
In accepting the honour, Prasad emphasized the need to adopt targeted and collaborative strategies for improving the well-being of ethnic communities in the country.
"For instance, the Nepalese community has long advocated for 29 May to be recognized as Everest Day in the official calendar," Prasad said.
"Acknowledging such culturally significant requests would enhance a sense of belonging for the Nepalese community without imposing financial burdens on taxpayers."
Nguyen arrived in New Zealand as a refugee in 1990 and has contributed significantly to positive trade relationships between New Zealand and Vietnam.
"When my parents and I first arrived in New Zealand, we had nothing," he said. "Looking back on those early years, I can honestly say that, despite the challenges, we were incredibly fortunate.
"We received support from the government, charity organisations and most memorably from everyday New Zealanders who welcomed us with open hearts.
"That said, I believe there's always more that can be done to support refugees, especially during those critical early years of resettlement.
"Continued efforts to improve access to affordable housing, language education, job and economic support, and strong anti-discrimination policies can make a profound difference.
"When these foundations are in place, refugees are better equipped to build safe, stable, and fulfilling lives, and, in turn, contribute to a more connected and compassionate Aotearoa."
Clockwise from left: Narayanan Kutty Pulloothpadath, Parminder Kaur and Narendra Bhana
Photo:
Supplied
Another five individuals were awarded the King's Service Medal for their services to various ethnic communities of New Zealand.
Narendra Bhana, Parminder Kaur and Narayanan Kutty Pulloothpadath received it for services to the Indian and multicultural communities, while Sohim Hay was awarded the medal for services to New Zealand's Cambodian community.
Yuanyong Yang was recognised for services to bonsai arts and the Chinese community.
Bhana, former president of New Zealand Indian Central Association, looks forward to fostering political and community engagement along with strengthening inter-ethnic dialogues.
"Encouraging greater political participation within the Indian community by supporting leadership development programs and providing pathways for individuals to engage with local and national politics would further integrate the community into New Zealand's political landscape," Bhana said.
"These efforts would ensure that the voices of ethnic communities are heard in decision-making processes that affect their lives."
Kaur, chairperson of the social organisation Indian NZ Association of Christchurch, who also runs the Women's Helping Hand Trust, dedicated the award to the people her initiatives have helped over the years.
"This honour is not just mine, it belongs to every volunteer, every woman who found her voice and every child who felt seen and included through our programmes," Kaur said.
"This recognition strengthens my commitment to continue working towards a more inclusive, united Aotearoa, where diversity is celebrated and every individual has a chance to thrive."
Pulloothpadath, who has advocated for ethnic communities in Taranaki for 25 years and is a former president of the New Plymouth Indian community, shared similar sentiments.
Yang wanted to support grassroots groups, investment in cross-cultural education and real pathways for ethnic voices to lead - not just participate.
"For the Chinese community especially, we have so much to offer, but sometimes we are still treated as outsiders," Yang said. "That needs to change."
Yang urged New Zealand to embrace bonsai art.
"Bonsai is more than a plant in a pot - it's a way of thinking, a quiet art that teaches patience and respect for nature," Yang said.
"To promote bonsai in New Zealand, I'd love to see it in schools, in libraries and even at festivals where people can get hands-on and learn the stories behind the trees.
"We need to connect it to local culture, too, so it's not just an imported art but something people here can feel a part of."