Priyanca Radhakrishnan | |
|---|---|
 Radhakrishnan in 2023 | |
| Minister for Disability Issues | |
| In office 1 February 2023 – 27 November 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Chris Hipkins |
| Preceded by | Poto Williams |
| Succeeded by | Penny Simmonds |
| 10thMinister for the Community and Voluntary Sector | |
| In office 6 November 2020 – 27 November 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Jacinda Ardern Chris Hipkins |
| Preceded by | Poto Williams |
| Succeeded by | Louise Upston |
| Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities | |
| In office 6 November 2020 – 27 November 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Jacinda Ardern Chris Hipkins |
| Preceded by | Jenny Salesa |
| Succeeded by | Melissa Lee |
| 15thMinister for Youth | |
| In office 6 November 2020 – 1 February 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Jacinda Ardern Chris Hipkins |
| Preceded by | Peeni Henare |
| Succeeded by | Willow-Jean Prime |
| Member of theNew Zealand Parliament | |
| Assumed office 23 September 2017 | |
| Constituency | List (2023–present) Maungakiekie (2020–23) List (2017–20) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1979 (age 45–46) Chennai,Tamil Nadu, India |
| Political party | Labour (2006–present) |
| Alma mater | Victoria University of Wellington |
| Website | Labour Party profile |
Priyanca RadhakrishnanMP (born 1979)[1] is a New Zealand politician who has been elected to the New Zealand parliament since the2017 general election as a representative of theNew Zealand Labour Party and was Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector from 2020 to 2023.
Radhakrishnan was born inChennai, India, toMalayaliNair parents.[2][3] Her great-grandfather, Dr C. R. Krishna Pillai, was associated with left-wing politics in India, and played an instrumental role in the formation of the state ofKerala.[3] She grew up inSingapore before moving to New Zealand. In Singapore she got her first job at around 16 years of age as an educational entertainer, performing educational skits for kindergarten children.[4] She attendedVictoria University of Wellington and graduated with a master's degree indevelopment studies.[5][6]
After graduating, Radhakrishnan worked as asocial worker among the Indian community inAuckland. She joined theNew Zealand Labour Party in 2006 and has worked on the internal party policy development process and has been active in both local and regional party organisation.[7]
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2020 | 52nd | List | 12 | Labour | |
| 2020–2023 | 53rd | Maungakiekie | 31 | Labour | |
| 2023–present | 54th | List | 15 | Labour | |
At the2014 election, Radhakrishnan was ranked number 23 on the Labour Party list, the highest newcomer, but narrowly missed out on election due to a drop in Labour's party vote that year.[8] In October 2016, Radhakrishnan was selected as Labour's candidate for the electorate ofMaungakiekie for the2017 election.[9] She was also ranked number 12 on Labour's list, making her the highest-ranked Labour member not already an MP and a significant increase from her ranking three years earlier.[10]
Radhakrishnan did not win the electorate, but entered parliament via theParty list.[11]
Radhakrishnan was mugged in broad daylight in anAuckland street after returning from a visit toBangladesh.[12]
Following acabinet reshuffle on 27 June 2019, Radhakrishnan was appointed as the Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Affairs.[13]
During the2020 New Zealand general election held on 17 October, Radhakrishnan on preliminary results came second toNational MPDenise Lee by a margin of 580 votes in theMaungakiekie electorate,[14] but was returned to Parliament on the Labour Party list. The final election results saw Radhakrishnan defeat Lee by 635 votes and become MP for Maungakiekie.[15][16]
On 2 November 2020, Radhakrishnan was appointed asMinister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities,Minister for Youth and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment,[17] making her New Zealand's first Minister ofIndian origin.[18]
In a June 2022 reshuffle, Radhakrishnan was promoted to the cabinet as well as appointed as associateMinister for Workplace Relations and Safety by Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern.[19]
During the2023 New Zealand general election on 14 October, Radhakrishnan wasunseated in Maungakiekie by National candidateGreg Fleming by a margin of 4,617.[20] However, she was re-elected to Parliament on the Labour Party list.[21]
In late November 2023, Radhakrishnan was appointed as spokesperson for conservation, disability issues, theNew Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), and theGovernment Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in theShadow Cabinet of Chris Hipkins.[22]
In January 2021, Radhakrishnan was conferred aPravasi Bharatiya Samman award for public service, by the Indian president in a virtual ceremony.[23] On 5 December 2023, Radhakrishnan was granted retention of the titleThe Honourable, in recognition of her term as a member of theExecutive Council.[24]
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Maungakiekie 2020–present | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister for Youth 2020–2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities 2020–present | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector 2020–present | Succeeded by |
| Minister for Disability Issues 2023–present | Succeeded by | |
