Dame Sukhi Turner | |
|---|---|
 Turner in 2009 | |
| 55th Mayor of Dunedin | |
| In office 1995–2004 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Walls |
| Succeeded by | Peter Chin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sukhinder Kaur Gill (1952-04-13)13 April 1952 (age 73) Ludhiana, India |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Political party | Green |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives |
|
Dame Sukhinder Kaur Gill TurnerDNZM (bornSukhinder Kaur Gill, 13 April 1952), commonly known asSukhi Turner, is a New Zealand politician who served as theMayor of Dunedin, New Zealand, from 1995 until her retirement from the position in 2004. She was also regarded by some as New Zealand's most prominent politician from the country'sIndian community.
Turner was born inLudhiana, the largest city in theIndian state ofPunjab, to Squadron Leader Jasbir Singh Gill and Premjit Kaur on 13 April 1952.[1][2]
Born as Sukhinder Kaur Gill, she is aSikh. She attendedBethany College,West Virginia,United States, gaining qualifications in history and political science. She moved toNew Zealand after marryingGlenn Turner, a prominent New Zealandcricket player, in July 1973, and became a naturalised New Zealander in August 1973.[2] Sukhi and Glenn Turner settled in Dunedin in 1982. They have two children.[3]
Turner has taken part in a wide range of community work, focusing particularly on education. She has taken an active role in school committees and associations, and in 1992,[4] successfully stood for election to theDunedin City Council. After a three-year term on the council, Turner chose to contest the mayoralty, challenging long-serving incumbentRichard Walls. She was successful, and was subsequently re-elected twice. Her win over sitting mayorRichard Walls was reported on widely and she was noted for bringing diversity to the mayoralty, with Wellington newspaperThe Evening Post stating of Turner "Dunedin voters broke new ground. Their new mayor is a woman, an Indian and aGreen."[5] Turner announced that she would retire from the position in October 2004, when her third term expired. She was replaced byPeter Chin.[3][6]
In 1993, Turner was awarded theNew Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal.[7]
In the2002 Queen's Birthday and Golden Jubilee Honours, Turner was appointed aDistinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to local government.[8] Following the reinstatement of titular honours by the New Zealand government in2009, she accepted redesignation as aDame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.[9]
In early 2004, Turner was among the recipients of thePravasi Bharatiya Samman, an award given by the Indian government to honour those who have made a significant contribution toIndian immigrant communities in other countries.[citation needed]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Mayor of Dunedin 1995–2004 | Succeeded by |