AUCKLAND: The 2014 general elections have made Indians stand a tad taller with three Indian candidates successfully making it into Parliament. Mr Cand Dr Parmjeet Parmar from National Party and Mr Mahesh Bindra from New Zealand First Party came out winners in their own right in these general elections. This means that the growing contribution of the Kiwi Indians in New Zealand will now be represented in the parliament as well.
While Mr Bakshi goes on to his third stint in Parliament, Dr Parmar and Mr Bindra are ready to make their debut.
Mr Bakshi is both, New Zealand’s first Indian and first Sikh Member of Parliament. He was elected in the in the 2008 elections by way of the party list.
Kanwaljit Bakshi was born in India and belongs to New Delhi.
Dr Parmjeet Parmar, after originally contesting the National Party’s Hunua election, contested the Mount Roskill electorate at this years election, finishing second to none other than Labour’s Phil Goff. Ranked 48th on National’s party list, she will make her way to the parliament as a list MP.
Dr Parmar is a scientist, businesswoman, broadcaster and community advocate with over 20 years professional experience.
She was born in India and migrated to New Zealand in 1995. A proud mother of two, she lives in Auckland with her husband Ravinder.
Dr Parmar holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Auckland, as well as Bachelor and Masters degrees in Biochemistry from the University of Pune in India.
She was a Community Representative on the Film and Video Labelling Body, and as Chair of the NZ Sikh Women’s Association.
Mr Mahesh Bindra contested Mount Roskill, and also prepares for parliament as a list MP after being ranked 11th on the New Zealand First party list.
He is the 3rd Indian to become MP of New Zealand in 2014 elections.
He was NZ First list MP from Mt. Roskill and secured 607 votes.
Mr Bindra moved to New Zealand in 2002 with his wife, twin daughters and son.
He graduated from Mumbai with an engineering degree.