More than a dozen Asian New Zealanders have been recognised in the New Year Honours list for their services to the country.
Golf star Lydia Ko heads the list after being appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to her sport.
Ko, the country's most successful golfer with 30 professional victories and three Olympic medals, was inducted into the Ladies Professional Golf Association Hall of Fame after winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August.
Ko said she was humbled to join an honour roll of great sporting female athletes who have been knighted.
"It is an honour to be recognised by your country," Ko said. "Those opportunities don't come to everyone."
Ko hoped the title could inspire young women to take up sport.
"It works both ways," she said. "As much as we may inspire [young women], seeing them motivates me ... to be a better golfer."
Lydia Ko Photo: AFP/PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU
Community recognition
Heading down the list, Esther Fung and Kai-Shek Luey were appointed Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Chinese community.
Ninety-four-year-old Fung has been a life-long advocate for Chinese New Zealander's interests in the country and was involved in government consultation for a reconciliation package following the poll tax apology in 2002. This spurred the creation of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust to support Chinese New Zealand heritage and culture.
Esther Fung Photo: Supplied
Fung called the recognition an acknowledgement of the importance of Chinese community in New Zealand.
"We have been here a long time now, since 1842," Fung said. "Until recently, we have been the second-largest group after Pākehā to migrate to New Zealand, and for a very long time we have been an intrinsic part of Aotearoa's story. ... This honour acknowledges not only the communities' past, but also the young Chinese New Zealanders of today who are now forging their own creative paths."
Fung called for the community's history to receive wider recognition.
"Our history is Aotearoa New Zealand's history, it's not just a sidebar of goldminers," she said. "You can say that not just for Chinese New Zealand history, but for all the histories of Aotearoa that have not received full recognition, be they Māori, Indian, Dalmatian or whoever."
Kai-Shek Luey Photo: Supplied
Luey, former president of the New Zealand Chinese Association, shared similar sentiments.
While noting that much had changed "since the days of total prejudice against Chinese in the poll tax era", Luey said there was "more opportunity for Chinese with suitable qualifications and experience to get government appointments".
Luey called for the Chinese community's representation in mainstream politics to go beyond tokenism.
"[Apart from Pansy Wong in 2008 and Carlos Cheung in 2023, who won electorate seats], the few Chinese MPs who have entered Parliament have been elected through the list from a relatively low position as a gesture of tokenism to the relatively large Chinese community, currently about 300,000, in New Zealand," he said.
Kennie Tsui Photo: Supplied
Meanwhile, Kennie Tsui was also appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours list for her services to the environment and governance.
Tsui was nominated as the New Zealand international expert for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
Notably, she was appointed deputy president of Engineering New Zealand, becoming first Asian woman on the organisation's board in its 110-year history.
Calling climate change the greatest challenge the world faced, Tsui argued for a resilient, low-carbon future.
"Aotearoa New Zealand is fortunate to have an abundance of renewable energy resources, and it is through our collective efforts that we can decarbonise our economy, decouple energy consumption from carbon emissions and drive sustainable economic growth across our cities and regions," she said.
Harjinder Singh Photo: Supplied
Food sciences and hospitality
Massey University professor Harjinder Singh was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services rendered to food sciences.
A graduate of the Punjab Agricultural University located in the Indian city of Ludhiana, Singh is a world-renowned food scientist. He has been with Massey University since 1989.
Singh is credited with inventing an encapsulation technology for omega-three fatty acids, which allows the incorporation of fish oil into foods at high levels, creating healthier foods, subsequently enabling several companies to create products using this technology.
"[The award] highlights the importance of our discovery-based research with practical applications that have impacted the food sector around the world," Singh said. "This honour inspires me and the team to continue advancing science that addresses the evolving challenges of the food industry and society."
On the future of agriculture in New Zealand, Singh said the sector was well-positioned for continued growth over the coming decades.
"However, with rising concerns about the impact of food production on climate change, the sector will need to continue to embrace more sustainable practices and technologies," he said. "Investments in smart farming technologies, artificial intelligence and genetic technologies would be critical to meet these challenges."
Meanwhile, Sudima Hotels and Hind Management Chief Executive Officer Sudesh Jhunjhunwala was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the hospitality industry and philanthropy.
Lee Murray Photo: Supplied
Lee Wei-Hahn Murray received the same recognition for services to speculative literature, while Nadia Lim picked up the same title for services to the food industry.
A strong advocate for the hospitality sector in New Zealand, Jhunjhunwala called on the government to launch strategic, high-impact marketing campaigns to showcase New Zealand to the world.
"Simplifying travel to New Zealand must become a priority. The government should streamline visa processes, expand air travel partnerships and invest in better regional transport infrastructure," he said. "Sustainability is another area where the government has a pivotal role to play. Travellers increasingly demand eco-friendly options, and New Zealand has a chance to lead the way."
Sudima Hotels was the first entity in New Zealand to achieve Toitū net carbon-zero certification and joined the Accessibility Tick initiative in 2019 as a foundation member organisation.
Noting the literary sector in New Zealand had been "woefully underfunded", Murray called on the government to invest in literature in the way it supported other fields essential to well-being such as sports and music.
"I urge [lawmakers] to expand programmes that develop and promote our newest voices - the thought leaders, visionaries, and poets - increasing access to opportunities, while also implementing timely regulations to protect their work from AI-mining and other threats, to ensure sustainable, productive careers," said Murray, who received the Prime Minister's Award for literary achievement in fiction in 2023.
Nadia Lim Photo: Supplied
Lim, who co-founded the My Food Bag delivery service championing home cooking with her husband, Carlos Bagrie, was thrilled to be included on the New Year Honours list.
Bagrie has also been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit this year.
"We are blown away to be receiving this recognition," Lim said. "And even more so because we are on the list together this year. We are stoked that farming and food production are receiving some of the spotlight."
Priyani de Silva Currie Photo: Supplied
Multiculturalism
Meanwhile, four individuals from New Zealand's Asian communities were appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit on the honours' list.
Priyani de Silva-Currie received the title for her services to multicultural communities, netball and civil engineering
Emeritus professor Asad Mohsin was honoured for services to the Muslim community and education.
Dinesh Khadka, honoury consul of Nepal in Auckland, was recognised for his services to the Nepalese community.
Dinesh Khadka Photo: Supplied
Finally, Rachel Simon-Kumar was recognised for services to women's studies, health research and to ethnic communities.
Silva-Currie, former president of New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils, is currently vice-president of the International Federation of Municipal Engineers.
An infrastructure asset manager, Silva-Currie arrived in New Zealand as a refugee from Sri Lanka 50 years ago.
"When we arrived as refugees, we had a desire to give back to this country that has given us a home, safety and security," she said. "I am truly thankful that my parents chose New Zealand as their refuge, and I was able to thrive and enjoy many freedoms here."
Rachel Simon-Kumar Photo: Supplied
Simon-Kumar, whose research has shaped New Zealand scholarship on migration, multiculturalism and gender politics, argued that the richness of contributions of ethnic communities across all spheres of New Zealand's society has only recently become apparent.
"We have a new generation who have known no home other than New Zealand and for whom issues of identity, belonging and well-being are pressing," said Simon-Kumar, who works at the School of Population Health at the University of Auckland.
"Better information enables targeted programmes and services cutting inefficiencies, supports healthier, resilient families and communities, and, ultimately, helps us all to flourish," she said. "At a time of fast-paced and overwhelming global changes, knowledge to shape New Zealand as a cohesive multiethnic society is crucial now more than ever."
Asad Mohsin Photo: Supplied
Mohsin, who retired from University of Waikato earlier in the year, highlighted the need to invest beyond the cultural festival celebrations as a long-term strategic plan.
"The main purpose should be to stimulate and strengthen productive collaboration, cultural immersion and engagement to create a dynamic inclusive community," Mohsin said.
"This means going to the ethnic communities and directly asking some tough questions to assess their perceptions."
Khadka, meanwhile, hoped his recognition would highlight the contribution of the Nepalese community in New Zealand.
Jyoti Parashar Photo: Supplied
Last but certainly not least, Jyoti Parashar was appointed a King's Service Medal for services to the community.
Parashar, who is associated with Auckland-based Bharatiya Mandir and Disha New Zealand Charitable Trust, called on the government to facilitate more funding to support multicultural communities.
"Having more people from diverse backgrounds in decision-making positions would lead to more inclusive policies that better serve the whole population," she said.
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