New Zealand: Priyanca Radhakrishnan became the first ever Indian-origin minister to be inducted in New Zealand's cabinet by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Announcing the names of the new ministers, Prime Minister Ardern stated, "I am excited to be bringing in fresh talent, with first-hand experience in the areas that they will be working in, and reflecting the New Zealand that elected us on the 17th of October. With this lineup, I am playing the people's strengths'.
Radhakrishnan was born in India and attended school in Singapore before shifting to New Zealand for higher studies. She spent her career advocating for people whose voices are unheard. She advocated extensively for female domestic violence survivors and migrant workers who were exploited.
Priyanca Radhakrishnan was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2017 as a part of Labour Party. In 2018, she was selected as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities. Her work in that department helped her a lot to create a base for a new role of Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities.
In addition to the induction in the Cabinet's executive list, Radhakrishnana also became the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment.
Radhakrishnan lives in Auckland with her husband.
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