Priyanka Radhakrishnan is a New Zealand politician. She gained recognition after becoming the first Indian-origin New Zealand minister in November 2020.
Wiki/Biography
Priyanka Radhakrishnan was born in 1979 (age 41 years; as in 2020) in Chennai, India. He did his schooling in Singapore before moving to New Zealand in 2004 to complete his higher education. He holds a master’s degree in Development Studies from Victoria University of Wellington. After completing her graduation, she joined the New Zealand Labor Party in 2006 and climbed the political ladder to become the first Indian-origin Kiwi minister in 2020.
Family
Priyanka was born in a Malayali family to Raman Radhakrishnan (father) and Usha Radhakrishnan (mother). His great-grandfather, Dr. CR Krishna Pillai, was a physician and a popular communist leader in Kochi. His sister Manvi has settled in Canada. In 2010, Priyanka married IT professional Evan Richardson, with whom she lives in Auckland.
Priyanka Radhakrishnan’s father
Priyanka Radhakrishnan with her husband
political career
Priyanka Radhakrishnan joined the New Zealand Labor Party in 2006. For a long time, he contributed to the work of the party, from the process of internal policy development to campaigning for the party before elections. Before each general election in New Zealand, political parties release a list of their candidates along with their party rankings. Ahead of the 2014 New Zealand general election, Priyanka achieved the 23rd rank on the Labor Party list (the highest by a newcomer). Her ranking saw a significant improvement in three years as she was ranked 13th on the Labor Party list released ahead of the 2017 general elections. She contested the 2017 general elections and lost; However, he entered the New Zealand Parliament on the Labor Party list of members. He served as the Member of the New Zealand Parliament from Auckland from 2017 to 2020. She contested and lost the New Zealand general election, 2020, although again, this time, she made it to Parliament on the Labor Party list. On 2 November 2020, the cabinet of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appointed Priyanka as Minister for Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, Minister for Youth and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment.
Facts/General Knowledge
- In November 2017, she was robbed by a man while she was shopping at a supermarket in Auckland.
- A staunch supporter of animal welfare rights, Radhakrishnan has done valuable work to ensure dog-friendly spaces. They also have two adopted female dogs.
- Despite living in Kiwi culture, Priyanka has not forgotten her roots; She still celebrates Indian festivals in New Zealand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub4QbTf8PQ8
- Apart from this, she is also a fan of Carnatic music, a music system associated with South-India. Her favorite singer is also South Indian classical musician KJ Yesudas.
- Priyanka Radhakrishnan is a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network, National Council of Women (Auckland) and UN Women.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn